Aurelia Archer

[alt_harry]

Does anybody know where Aurelia Archer is?

She barrowed a quill from me last night. And she said she'd give it to me at breakfast. But she wasn't at breakfast. It was a nice quill.

Comments

[alt_padma]

I've an extra quill if you need one.

You might not get the one you lent back for a while.

Didn't you hear the news?

[alt_harry]

What news?

[alt_padma]

About Archer. Well, about her uncle, anyway.

He died yesterday. Very suddenly, they say.

But I asked Parvati, since Archer's uncle is also Gareth Archer's father, you know, in Gryffindor? She said Professor Lockhart came to get Gareth last night. And the word is that Gareth might be sent out of school, because his father--

Well, his father didn't just pop his clogs or have an accident. Psyche Bobolis told her cousin this morning that she heard from Towler that Mr Archer had just been taken in for questioning about that awful Black's posting! She thinks he must have been a traitor, maybe even he was the one who told Black about that Panache thing or whatever it's called.

I asked Sandoval, but she said that Aurors aren't supposed to discuss an investigation while it's in progress.

[alt_percy]

Nor should students spread vicious rumours about other students' families when they are in the middle of suffering a family tragedy.

Really, Patil. Show some human decency for once.

[alt_padma]

Oh, come off it, Weasley. Towler and Jenkins told Bobolis and Dames and they told some of the others that Archer hasn't even seen or spoken to his father in years or something. That he lives with his mum. I mean, isn't that suspicious right there?

If his father was a traitor, then I don't blame him or Aurelia Archer for being really upset. And Marvolo oughtn't to bother her for something silly like a quill. That's all I'm saying.

I'm not gossiping, I'm explaining to Marvolo why he ought to leave them alone, which is the same thing you're saying, so leave off.

[alt_percy]

Somehow, I highly doubt that you repeated Towler and Bobolis' disgusting comments here in the journals for the whole school to read because you were moved by a touching concern for Gareth Archer's welfare.

[alt_padma]

Spoken like a Weasley. Are there any of you who don't embarrass yourselves on a regular basis?

You may be a prefect, but you do have an odd habit of sticking up for anyone with even remotely undesirable points of view.

I wonder why that could be?

[alt_sally_anne]

Like Patil said, her uncle died, the one who worked for the Ministry. She hasn't gone anywhere though, she just didn't come to breakfast this morning. If you keep an eye out for her in the common room I'm sure you'll see her sooner or later.

[alt_harry]

Oh.

Bad luck for her. All right.

[alt_sally_anne]

I saw her in the loo after lunch and she's pretty broken up. But I'm sure she'll give you back your quill when she sees you.

I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_sally_anne]

Ron, I'm pretty sure Aurelia's uncle worked in Public Information, maybe even in Wizarding Communication. Isn't that where your brother works?

There are all sorts of rumours flying around Slytherin right now, some a lot crazier than what Patil's saying. Aurelia's uncle was a Slytherin himself when he was at school, it's part of why she's so close to him. Her own parents were Ravenclaws.

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_ron]

That's Bill's department, yeah. He just got promoted, too, to second spot in the office, I think. So I imagine Mr Archer must have worked with him. Or for him, or something.

It's really awful. Archer's a good sort. Gareth, I mean. We were just playing chess the other day, and he puts up a good game. And I saw him last night, coming back through the Common Room with the worst face I've ever seen. I mean, just, yeah. It was really dire.

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_sally_anne]

They're not going to even be able to go to the funeral, Gareth and Aurelia I mean.

The rumours -- well Aurelia admitted it a few hours ago, there was another uncle, a blood-traitor. She says she never mentioned him because who'd want to admit to something like this, he married a muggleborn, like my father, and they had a kid a little younger than us, just before the rules went in saying they couldn't have any more.

But they didn't follow the rules like my parents did, that uncle and his wife had another baby. So the older halfblood kid got sent to the camps with the mum and the new baby, and the uncle should've been sent to Azkaban but I guess he wasn't.

Anyway the rumours say he was involved somehow, he was there when it happened.

People have been looking at me all afternoon while talking about it. It's very uncomfortable.

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_ron]

What do you mean he was involved somehow?

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_sally_anne]

I mean people are saying he was there when Gareth's father died.

They're saying MLE was there, too, but also that uncle. (Aurelia's father wasn't, though.)

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_neville]

Whoa. The rumour mill works fast in Slytherin. Ravenclaw, too.

People aren't talking about it too much in Gryffindor Tower. Mostly because everyone's sorry for Gareth--Ron's right, he's a decent sort, and people like him--but also because Percy Weasley looks squinty-eyed at anyone who brings the topic up.