Order Only: horcruxes

[alt_harry]

I borrowed that gem from Draco and Hermione, the one that's supposed to find dark objects that are 'highly personal.' It didn't do me a lot of good because it seemed like practically everything in Buckingham set it off. I got it back to Hermione a few days ago because I didn't think taking it back to Hogwarts with me was a good idea.

But, okay. I tried just looking for things that made me feel the way I felt when I touched the locket. Or the diary. I didn't find anything in Buckingham, and after the Triumph (that's what He's calling it) I started thinking He he probably wouldn't keep his horcruxes in Buckingham, because that's where he lives.

Yesterday I went over to see the Protector's Collection. Because -- Hermione suggested it would be things that were important to him. That were symbolic in some way. It seemed like the things in the Protector's Collection would be helpful to look at.

Almost everything in the collection is magical, or was wizard-owned. But, there's also one piece from the old muggle royal family's crown jewels -- the 'Sovereign's Sceptre.' The sign by it says it has also been called 'the Sceptre with the Cross' or 'the Royal Sceptre' and contains a diamond called the Great Star of Africa. It symbolised the authority of the muggle monarch before our liberation blah blah blah.

There's a special guard in that part of the museum at all times.

I'm not sure, because it was behind glass and it's not as if I could go back there and touch it. Or at least -- you know, maybe they'd let me? If I asked? But they'd certainly tell Voldemort, and I don't want him to guess what I'm after.

But, I think the sceptre is a horcrux.

Comments

[alt_severus]

Well done.

As to the others: for the past several days, Lupin has been discussing matters with Lucius, endeavouring to convince him to disclose what he knows of Voldemort's plans. Having realised that Legilimency will be removed from our toolbox once Lucius is moved to Saltash, I joined the discussion today in the hopes I would be able to obtain some information before it is too late.

Unfortunately there was little information to be had; Lucius is well aware of my skill in Legilimency, and although Lupin was careful to keep his head down taking notes and allow me to ask the questions so that I was the logical person to make eye contact with, Lucius was more guarded than not and avoided eye contact as much as possible. It is possible someone with the natural gift, who does not need to look in the subject's eyes, might be able to extract more pertinent detail. He did slip several times, however:

— When Lupin asked about objects or artifacts the Dark Lord prizes, Lucius thought immediately of the diary that has already been destroyed, but I was unable to see any further information.

— When asked of any locations of which the Dark Lord is especially fond, Lucius thought of what I believe to be Eton: again, information we already had. I also saw a flash of a cave-mouth that appeared to open onto a much larger subterranean network, but the image lacked context clues to suggest at where it might be located. There were also several locations of which the Dark Lord was fond during the pre-war years, at least one of which I know to have been destroyed since. The remainder are perhaps worth visiting, though the sense I obtained from Malfoy's mind is that they have not been used in some time; Alice, I will prepare a list of those I recognised.

— Lupin and I both pressed Lucius upon the question of who else in the Dark Lord's confidence might be dissatisfied with him. (I was darkly amused by his verbal answer, which was that at one time or another the Dark Lord has disciplined nearly all of his councillors, and so it's likely any of them could be wavering in loyalty. If only we were so lucky.) I saw images of Selwyn and Yaxley — Selwyn, presumably after his execution; he appeared deceased — and Minerva, the Averys (Ursula and Gaude), and a brief flash of Derrick. The memories did have the feel of additional weight, however — the sort that often indicates there is more that the recaller is deliberately keeping himself from thinking. (He also thought of Bellatrix, kneeling at the Dark Lord's feet, with the sense that there is an exception to every sweeping statement.)

That was the extent of potentially-useful information; the remainder of the thoughts I was able to see were of a personal nature, and not relevant to our information-gathering. (Not that the pieces I did see were entirely relevant either.)

I was not paying close attention to his verbal answers — Lupin can speak more to them — but the few I did hear indicated that he was no more forthcoming aloud than he was in his thoughts.

[alt_lupin]

No, you're right about how forthcoming he was. His answer to the question about things Voldemort prizes was, 'Well, his person, obviously. Why, are you thinking of sending him a Christmas present?' It wasn't until later I realised he didn't know Christmas was well over.

We took him to Saltash this morning. I explained to him about the null field -- I don't want him to think people are denying him warming charms out of cruelty. He's rather sensitive to cold at the moment; his keepers are going to give him extra blankets.

He's got a shelf full of books in his cell at Saltash (it's a 'cell' because it's secure; they have bars on the windows and door so he can't get out easily. But it's really just a bedroom in a house.) And paper and ink, if he wants to write letters. He asked if he could see the Prophet, but I didn't have one handy. Bill, if you want to save up copies, we could drop them off for him when we're there to visit.

Private message to Pansy

[alt_lupin]

I asked him if he wanted to see anyone -- not that he knows you're in the Order, no one's mentioned that, but I asked him if there's anyone -- old friends -- he'd like to see, because if they're part of the organisation I could let them know.

He said no. 'I have no friends here.'

But, he's comfortable. There are no Dementors at Saltash. The room's warm; he has a bed and a desk. The bars on the windows were put in so he'd be able to open and close the windows if he wants fresh air, though it's chilly right now and he's much more inclined to want heat. If there's any books you think he would particularly enjoy, write up a list and we'll make sure to include them.

Re: Private message to Pansy

[alt_pansy]

Thank you.

I'll put together a list, yes.

And I might send along some tea he's particular to, and some fresh fruit. Oh, and he'll need some new robes, I'd imagine. Unless you think it wouldn't be appropriate to give him too much special treatment.

I know it's not particularly what you all had in mind, but I'm still grateful.

I hope that once he's had time to settle down, to recover a bit of his dignity, he'll be a bit more helpful. It's the only thing he has to bargain with, really, so I can see why he's holding his cards close. If he truly comes to believe that we're his best option for getting his family through this alive, that might help.

Have you told him about the Selwyns?

Re: Private message to Pansy

[alt_lupin]

You can send him whatever you like. It's not as if he's in a prison with loads of others.

I haven't told him about the Selwyns. That's an interesting thought, though.

[alt_hermione]

All right. But if it is, and it's guarded like you say, then how do we get to it? Even with your cloak.

I'll think about it. We might have to polyjuice someone into the guard.

[alt_rachel]

I worked too late to go have a look today.

Maybe tomorrow. I want to try to get an idea of who the guards are, how many, how often they switch. That sort of thing.

There's undoubtedly wards and so on as well. Probably rather complicated wards.

The thing that strikes me is that if we get the sceptre, Voldemort may guess people are after his horcruxes. Though, we've destroyed three and he hasn't taken the sceptre off display.

[alt_alice]

Yes. That's a rather good point. Unless we can replace it with a lookalike, we might want to save that one until we're towards the end.