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Post by Adrienne Kelly on Jun 21, 2009 18:03:29 GMT -5
Andromeda Tonks was the name on her note, but after what the girl had been through, Adrienne needed to be sure.
"Then take a seat, please, if you don't mind. She's being checked by Dr. Kenyon right now, and I'm afraid it's her approval that you'll need to see Ms. Neves. I'm sorry, I wish I could do more than that for you. You understand, though, for security reasons."
She sent an owl-page to Lydia, non urgent, to come to the front desk when she was able.
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Post by Veronica Massey on Jun 21, 2009 18:21:58 GMT -5
Veronica nodded again. She sort of appreciated the receptionist's efficiency, as well as the hospital's security. It wasn't typical, she knew, but given the situation, it was certainly necessary. "Of course. We understand," she said. "We'll just wait here."
She led Andi over to the chairs at the far end of the reception area and sat down. "I really hope everyone's all right," she commented to Andi. "It really was quite a mess...."
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Post by Angelique St. Clare on Jun 21, 2009 21:24:49 GMT -5
Danny looked up and shook her head. "No, Mr. Weasely here is fine. He may be a bit groggy, but that's all. I just ask that you don't overwhelm him." She smiled at the both of them and stepped out of the room, nodding slightly. She was never one to get in the way of Ministry work, as long as it didn't compromise the health of her patients. Angelique nodded. "Of course," she replied. It had been a grueling day for nearly everyone involved, and she certainly didn't want to push Arthur or anyone else past their limits. Not only would it possibly affect their health, it could also affect the investigation. She needed clear, unbiased answers. She waited for the mediwitch to leave, then she walked over and sat next to Arthur. "How are you feeling, Arthur?" she began. |
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Post by Arthur Weasley on Jun 21, 2009 21:35:24 GMT -5
Arthur was already tired of people asking that. He was fine, couldn't everyone see that? From the sound of things, there were others more hurt than he was. He had just been unconscious for a few minutes. It was no big deal.
"I'm fine," he said, trying to get up once again. "Please... where is everyone else? Why won't anyone tell me what happened? Geoffrey was acting weird, and I heard something about Riley... is Ted OK?"
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Post by Angelique St. Clare on Jun 21, 2009 21:48:21 GMT -5
"Ted is fine," Angelique replied quickly. "By all accounts, he's a hero. He saved Riley's life."
She would wait until after the fuss had died down to tell him, but the truth was, Angelique was very proud of Ted's quick thinking today. Others had done well, too--Kate in taking Geoffrey down, Hayden in using the Stunning spell, but Ted's first thought had been for Riley's safety. It was hard to believe that a little over a month ago, he had been a virtual outcast in the department. Clearly, Andromeda was good for him. And being apart from her was not.
"Arthur, about Geoffrey. You mentioned that he was acting strangely. Can you tell me about that? Strangely how?"
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Post by Arthur Weasley on Jun 21, 2009 22:03:48 GMT -5
Arthur thought for a minute. He could tell by Angelique's tone that this was very important and he wanted to make sure he described it exactly.
"OK. Well, I kind of know Geoffrey.... he lives in my building, you know, and sometimes I'll see him down in the lobby and whatnot. And he comes up here to take Riley home all the time... they're best friends, you know. And she's staying with him at his parents' house. And he's usually a friendly guy... quick with a smile, always with a twinkle in his eyes, you know. But today he was... different. He wasn't smiling, and the light was gone from his eyes. They were just, like.... dead."
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Post by Angelique St. Clare on Jun 21, 2009 22:19:44 GMT -5
In all honesty, that was really all she needed to know. That pretty much proved what she had already suspected. Geoffrey had been under the Imperius Curse, and it had robbed him of his very self, driven to a mission that was against his very nature.
But she wanted to be absolutely certain that there were no loose ends, so she continued.
"Did he say anything to you?"
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Post by Arthur Weasley on Jun 21, 2009 22:25:10 GMT -5
"Not much," Arthur said. "It all happened pretty fast."
He frowned, remembering. "But OK.... he crashed into me and didn't apologize or say anything about it. And when I tried to talk to him, he said in this sort of flat tone, 'Can't talk, gotta go.' And then I asked about Riley, and he stunned me. That was really it."
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Post by Angelique St. Clare on Jun 21, 2009 22:31:11 GMT -5
Angelique was taking notes, and she wrote down every word that Arthur said. Her report needed to be flawless. The Imperius Curse was a dodgy thing. Plenty of people had done terrible things, then when caught, claimed to have been under the Imperius Curse. And even though she was the one who had come up with the explanation, not Geoffrey, she wanted to make sure every detail was clear. If the boy had been cursed, he shouldn't have to face charges. And yet, she wanted to be absolutely sure that he had been cursed and that he hadn't just decided to act out some sort of twisted grudge that he'd carried over the years. It seemed unlikely, but again... she needed to be sure.
"OK, Arthur. One more question. Do you think Mr. Montgomery would ever willingly hurt anyone? Especially Riley Neves?"
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Post by Arthur Weasley on Jun 21, 2009 22:43:32 GMT -5
Arthur was quick to shake his head. "No, never. Well, maybe if someone he loved was threatened, but that's like most people, right? But he wouldn't hurt Riley. Ever. I'm sure of that. I've seen him with her, he's so gentle and caring with her. I heard him once say she was like a sister to him."
As he spoke, the wheels started turning in his head. "Wait... is that what this is about? Did Geoffrey try to hurt Riley? That just proves it... he never would have done that. I'd swear to that."
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Post by Angelique St. Clare on Jun 21, 2009 22:52:23 GMT -5
Angelique sighed. "Yes," she said. "He tried to kill her. He fired a killing curse right in the middle of the auror office, and was stopped by several aurors while Ted pushed her out of the way and blocked her. I believe he was under the Imperius Curse at the time, and your description of your encounter with him is immensely helpful."
She looked through her notes one last time, then stood up. "Be prepared to speak on this to a wizengamot committee. I hope to Merlin that it won't come to that, but if it does... Just make sure you're ready. Thanks again, Arthur. I hope you feel better."
And with that, Angelique left the room and went to find Geoffrey's doctor, Chase.
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Post by Chase Kelly on Jun 21, 2009 22:59:19 GMT -5
Chase was at the reception counter, talking with Adrienne. He had learned that the girl Geoffrey was talking about was very much alive. Not well, by any stretch of the imagination, but alive, and these days, that was something to be thankful for. He was still hesitatnt to let anyone in to see Geoffrey, especially since the guy said he only wanted to see Riley and Arthur. Those were the two people he couldn't send in to his patient yet.
He saw Angelique coming his way, however, and recognized her as the head of the Auror Department. She'd been in the papers when she was given the position. "You must be here with the girl who was attacked," he said.
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Post by Angelique St. Clare on Jun 21, 2009 23:07:50 GMT -5
Angelique had been heading to the receptionist to ask where Chase Kelly was when one of the Medi-wizards approached her, asking about Riley. She also noted that Veronica and Andromeda where sitting nearby, and made a mental note to talk with them later.
"Yes... you could say that. In a matter of speaking. I'm investigating the incident. Are you Riley's doctor? Or Mr. Montgomery's?"
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Post by Chase Kelly on Jun 21, 2009 23:19:13 GMT -5
"I'm Geoffrey's doctor, yes," Chase replied, setting his newly acquired cup of coffee on the counter. Adrienne took it and set it aside for him later.
"I'm afraid I haven't seen Ms. Neves or her doctor. And before you even ask, no, I'm afraid I can't let you in to see my patient. Not for a while." Geoffrey was too tormented right now, and Chase knew he wasn't in the right frame of mind to be answering questions about what happened.
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Post by Angelique St. Clare on Jun 21, 2009 23:38:56 GMT -5
Angelique nodded. "I figured you'd say that," she replied. "But if you don't mind, I'd like to have a talk with you first. I'm assuming that you've already fully examined your patient, and spoken with him yourself, and I'd like a full account of that conversation, if possible. It's very important... if he truly was under the Imperius curse, I don't want him to be punished for something he did against his will. Is there somewhere private where we can talk?"
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Post by Chase Kelly on Jun 21, 2009 23:47:50 GMT -5
Chase softened a little and nodded. "Yes... yes, of course. Come with me," he said, but then paused. "Wait, just a moment."
He went back to the two girls who were waiting to see Riley and did a quick scan, just to make sure they weren't under any curses. When they both showed to be clean, he nodded. "You can see her... but don't overwhelm her. I haven't gotten Dr. Kenyon's approval, so you'd best keep things as quiet as possible."
He returned to Angelique and lead her to the floor below, where each of the medi-wizards had their offices, and showed her into his.
"It is my medical word, ma'am, that Geoffrey Montgomery came to me under three curses and spells. The body binding curse, he was stunned, and he was under control of the Imperius curse. A very strong one at that."
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Post by Angelique St. Clare on Jun 22, 2009 0:08:10 GMT -5
Angelique relaxed slightly, but she still needed to go through the motions of asking all the necessary questions. One hole, one uncertainty, and Geoffrey could be in trouble. Or Riley could be in danger. Maybe she still was.
"OK. You verify that he was definitely under the Imperius curse," Angelique said, noting this down. "And you are certain that you removed it successfully?"
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Post by Chase Kelly on Jun 22, 2009 0:16:25 GMT -5
Chase tried not to take that question as an insult. She was just doing her job, afterall, and she needed to tie up all loose ends.
"Yes, I am certain. I would have never left the room until I was 100% certain that the curse was lifted. It would be risking my staff as well as the other patients, and as a doctor, my first concern is the safety of my patients. All of them. Geoffrey is now acting of his own will again."
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Post by Angelique St. Clare on Jun 22, 2009 0:31:10 GMT -5
She gave him an apologetic smile. "You know I have to ask, right?"
She studied the mediwizard for a moment, sizing him up. She considered herself a pretty good judge of character, which was important in her line of work. It was especially important that she make sure that the healer was trustworthy. It was one thing to question Arthur Weasley, who she knew pretty well, and who was as open a book as anyone could be. But she needed to be sure that the mediwizard taking the case could be trusted to tell the truth.
But there was something about him that set her mind at ease. He was clear and focused and he had an honest way about him. His words had the ring of truth to them.
"When the curses were removed, how did he act? Did he speak?"
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Post by Chase Kelly on Jun 22, 2009 0:42:51 GMT -5
"I know you do," Chase said, smiling softly in return. "Which is why I didn't say anything about it."
He leaned forward on his desk, resting his elbows on it. "Yes, he spoke, but barely." It was a heartbreaking scene, and Chase was actually a little glad that he was the only witness to it. The Imperius curse was cruel, and now a handful more people knew why.
"He asked how the other two were doing, and he apologized, and told me he would have never done anything like that. He asked to see them, but I had to tell him no."
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