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Post by Rutger Kilborn on Feb 24, 2011 17:01:46 GMT -5
Rutger was puzzled for a moment. They had fallen in love and that was enough to make them switch sides? He didn't understand about love, never having experienced it himself. He had been raised by loving parents, so he hadn't really learned what it was like. He only knew the theories based on psychological and clinical research, and to him, it seemed like a lot of people made a lot of very big, life-changing decisions based on the needs of their genitals. Love was just a word that was given to the phenomenon, to make it seem more romantic. It was a silly notion.
And yet, he found himself thinking, just for a moment, about Alana. When they had kissed the night before, he suddenly had started to understand the appeal of it all. He'd been a heartbeat away from making a decision that could have changed his whole life. A foolish decision, or so he told himself. But even thinking of it now sent chills down his spine, and he wished she was there at that moment.
What madness had seized him? He was so close to catching Kryshna, and he was thinking about Alana. He must not allow himself to be so distracted. They had to catch her tonight, or two more people would die. Forcing his mind to focus on the subject at hand, Rutger turned his gaze to Albus Dumbledore, nodding decisively.
"Yes," he said. "Yes, this is good.. We will talk with the Rothschilds, and we'll plan a trap for Kryshna tonight. Professor Dumbledore, if we may ask one more favor from you... This trap must be set here, and no one else must know what we are planning. And we cannot have any of the children wandering around this evening. Can you make sure that the children are kept in their common rooms after curfew, without telling them why?"
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Post by Albus Dumbledore on Feb 24, 2011 19:25:57 GMT -5
Albus watched them both as they seemed to digest the information he had given them. He, too, was anxious to make sure this killer was caught, especially if her next victims were here in Hogwarts. He was going to have to make sure he had the secret passages to and from the school patrolled better in the future, if he didn't want unwanted people sneaking into the school. And he was going to have to take a better look at some of his staff members. Because he knew Isabella and Voltaire's history, he was genuinely convinced that they had severed all ties with Voldemort and the death eaters, but there might be others that he should be more wary of.
When Daniel and Rutger spoke again, he nodded at them. "You're welcome. Obviously we don't want a killer targeting our staff members... or the students. A student was killed on the grounds several months ago, and I don't want that to ever happen again. Hogwarts must remain a safe haven. So I would like this killer caught tonight just as much as you. I'll do whatever I can to make sure that happens."
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Post by Isabella Rothschild on Feb 24, 2011 21:47:50 GMT -5
Isabella had been with Conor when she got the message from Dumbledore. She was supposed to be grading papers, of course, but the baby started crying, and she had picked him up to try and calm him down,nd wound up just holding him for a while until he fell asleep in her arms. No sooner had she put him back down in his crib than she got the message from Dumbledore, telling her to meet him in his office immediately. He also asked her to bring Voltaire, if possible, but he was in case at the moment. She left Rori to keep an eye on the baby, then made her way up to Dumbledore's office.
After she had said the password and made her way up the winding staircase to the Headmaster's office, she tapped lightly on the door before coming in.
She was surprised to note that he was not alone. Two men, one older and one younger, were standing in front of Dumbledore's desk. She hesitated for a moment, then stepped in the rest of the way.
"Albus, I received your message, but I can come back if you're busy."
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Post by Albus Dumbledore on Feb 24, 2011 21:53:59 GMT -5
Albus shook his head and stood up to greet her. "Not at all, Isabella. Please stay... this concerns you. In fact, I should introduce you. Isabella Rothschild, this is Rutger Kilborn and Daniel Leviner. Rutger is an auror from the German ministry, and he's here working on a murder case. He has reason to believe you may be the next victim. I take it Voltaire was unable to leave his class?"
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Post by Isabella Rothschild on Feb 24, 2011 22:02:35 GMT -5
Isabella sank into an empty chair. Of course she knew that Voldemort wasn't going to leave well enough alone. She and Voltaire had betrayed him, and he was not going to just let that go. It made perfect sense that he could come after them again.... now he was apparently sending others to do his dirty work.
She looked up at the two men. Rutger's name sounded familiar to her and as she looked at him, she realized why. She had known of him in school--no one could really say they knew him, because he'd kept to himself and rarely spoke. Rutger had been a few years older than she was, and she'd never really crossed paths with him. It was surprising that he had become an auror, and not a librarian--he'd always had his nose in a book.
"It's nice to meet you both," she said, deciding not to mention that she had known Rutger before. Somehow, the timing didn't seem right. He was here to catch a killer.
"Please, tell me about this killer, and what Voltaire and I can do to help."
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Post by Rutger Kilborn on Feb 24, 2011 22:22:22 GMT -5
Rutger, meanwhile, was looking at the woman and thinking how she had once been a death eater. Since being in London, he had come to learn more about Lord Voldemort and his followers and what they stood for. They hated muggles and muggleborns, and they wanted to purify the wizarding world. This reminded him very much of the Nazis who had held him prisoner and tried to turn him into some kind of weapon against their enemies.
It wouldn't have been surprising, really, if Rutger had grown up to hate muggles. But his mother had been a muggle, he knew that much, and she had been as much of a victim as he had. And the idea of "purification" made him sick. That was why he had chosen to become an auror; because he couldn't stand dark magic and the people who used it, and he wanted to help the innocents who were victims of it.
Looking at this woman now, he found it hard to imagine that she would have been one of these people. She seemed warm and caring and not consumed with hate. Perhaps "love" had really transformed her. It was a strange concept to him, but he found he couldn't quite dismiss it.
"Her name is Kryshna, and we believe she has been committing murders for Lord Voldemort for quite some time. Her methods are... bloody and violent. We believe she is going to sneak into Hogwarts tonight, and that you and your husband will be her next victims. We'd like you to help us set a trap, so that we can catch her tonight."
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Post by Isabella Rothschild on Mar 1, 2011 21:29:53 GMT -5
Isabella shivered. The idea of being "bait" was never a pleasant prospect, but it seemed the killer was coming no matter what, so they might as well make sure they were ready for her. This wasn't the first time Voldemort had tried to punish her and Voltaire for their defection and it most certainly would not be the last. At least this time, they had some warning, and they could make sure that Conor was kept safe.
"I'd be happy to help. The only thing I ask is that we make sure my son is safe somewhere. Voldemort has already come after him once, and I will not have him in harm's way again."
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Post by Rutger Kilborn on Mar 1, 2011 21:36:21 GMT -5
Rutger paused. No one had mentioned that there was a child. The last time they had almost caught Kryshna, it had been the unexpected appearance of a child that had caught her off guard. The practical side of him was almost tempted to tell her that they needed the child, that it might throw her off again to see a child at the scene. But he wasn't completely heartless, and he realized the danger in such a prospect. Kryshna could have learned from her mistake and might attempt to go after the child after all. It was difficult to predict her behavior.
"Yes, of course," he said in a distracted sort of tone. "Is there someone who could watch the child? How old is he? We can make sure he is protected."
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Post by Isabella Rothschild on Mar 1, 2011 23:43:30 GMT -5
"He's 11 months old," Isabella said. "Usually, my adopted daughters, Rori and Anna Marie, would watch them for me, but in this case... I'm just as worried for them as for Conor. I understand you don't want it to be obvious that we're on to them, but Rori's the oldest and she's only 14. I need to be sure they're protected."
Isabella wasn't anxious for herself, but the children... they were the reason she and Voltaire had switched sides. She couldn't stand the thought of them being caught in the crossfire in some way. She would do whatever Rutger said, as long as she knew they were safe.
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Post by Albus Dumbledore on Mar 2, 2011 0:22:18 GMT -5
This was where Dumbledore stepped in. He cleared his throat lightly and looked around at each of them. "I do have a suggestion for that," he said. "We have an auror working under cover as a professor here. Andromeda Tonks is working as our Herbology teacher, and she might be a good choice to watch the children. I know you might be inclined to invite your assistant, Bellatrix instead," he said, giving Isabella a serious look over the top of his half-moon glasses, "but I would advise against that. An auror should protect the children."
He added the last part in an attempt to throw off any questions Isabella might have about why he didn't recommend Bellatrix for babysitting duty. Yes, it should be an auror... but that was not why he suggested it. He had very grave doubts about Bellatrix Lestrange's loyalties, but he had no proof, so he kept silent. But he kept an eye on her.
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Post by Isabella Rothschild on Mar 2, 2011 0:50:31 GMT -5
Isabella nodded. She actually had thought of Bellatrix, but the one time that the girl had held Conor, the baby had screamed louder than she had ever heard him. She supposed that Bellatrix didn't have much experience with babies, and she was at that age where motherhood was still a faraway concept.
Anyway, Andromeda was a good choice. She was an auror, and Isabella had actually once considered her for the job that Bella now held. And she was going to be a mother soon, so her parental instincts were already starting to kick in. She would be a good protector.
"OK. That should work. We can talk to her later, after the rest of the plan is set."
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Post by Rutger Kilborn on Mar 2, 2011 0:59:05 GMT -5
For a moment, Rutger was distracted. Andromeda was the young woman that was taking Alana out to lunch--you didn't forget a name like that. He supposed she was capable enough, or Dumbledore would not have suggested her. But thinking of her made him think of Alana. It was so odd how thoughts of her kept popping into his head... and worse, they were lingering there. He had to stop this or he would be distracted tonight... and someone could get hurt this time.
"Right, that's settled," he said brusquely. "I wonder, Ms. Rothschild, could you show us to your chambers? I'd like to survey the room to make sure we know what we're dealing with ahead of time."
He glanced at Daniel then, just to make sure he didn't have anything to add.
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Post by Daniel Leviner on Mar 2, 2011 8:53:22 GMT -5
While they were talking, Daniel was running a layout of the school in his mind. He knew where the majority of the secret passages into the castle were. Obviously, Kryshna and whoever else was coming would be coming through one of the secret passages. They weren't dumb enough to just walk through the front door. He wanted to figure out who would be the inside job. After all, Kryshna obviously didn't go to Hogwarts, so she wouldn't know anything about the secret passages. However, they could just come in through a window, but how exactly would they know where Rothschild's office be? There had to be someone there that knew Hogwarts recently.
He vaguely heard that she had children, but of course they could always offer protection for them. Daniel wasn't worried about at the moment, he was more worried about how Kryshna was getting in. They would want a direct shot, but coming in a window would more than likely cause on of the aurors on patrol to see something. That only left some of the tunnels, but which one?
As Rutger looked to him, Daniel cleared his throat. "Once we have everything mapped out, we'll be able to catch her. Let's go ahead and get everything done."
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Post by Isabella Rothschild on Mar 2, 2011 23:07:05 GMT -5
Isabella nodded. Now that she knew the children would be protected, she could focus on the actual plan. She made a mental note to seek out Andromeda later. And of course she would have to update Voltaire on the plan as well.... but first they had to make a plan.
"Of course," she said. "Come with me.... I'll show you to our chambers."
She turned and started out of the office. "Before you step into the hall, let me make sure the hall is clear. If there is a mole in the school, your presence might cause suspicion."
It was lucky, after all, that classes were in session at the moment. No one should be walking the halls.
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Post by Daniel Leviner on Mar 3, 2011 11:47:22 GMT -5
Daniel glanced back to Dumbledore and gave him a half smile and nod as a thank you. He remembered being in Dumbledore's office once or twice while he was here. The man always knew what happened and always took it easy on the students. A harsh word was never uttered from Dumbledore that Daniel could remember. Whatever was going to happen in the castle would be successful for them. After all, they had the upper hand this time, especially with the added help.
He started to follow Isabella as she started out of the office but stopped as she looked out in the hall. Daniel only hoped that they could figure out who the mole was before anything else happened. He had confidence that they were going to spoil Krysnha's plans. This of course would only cause the deatheaters to try something else, but he only hoped things could change before that happened.
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Post by Rutger Kilborn on Mar 3, 2011 22:07:20 GMT -5
Rutger was starting to get very annoyed with himself. He was still distracted by thoughts of Alana, and he needed to stop. He was sure that tonight, he would be fine and able to focus, but it might be a good idea if he tried to get some rest first. He could feel himself heading for a collapse.
It had happened before. Twice when he was in school, he had collapsed from exhaustion and had been forced to spend a week in the infirmary. It had also happened a couple of other times over the years, including once two years ago. It had happened on a weekend, though, and Alana didn't know about it. He had learned to just lie low for a day or two when he felt a collapse coming on. But he couldn't afford to take a break right now. After they caught Kryshna, then maybe there would be time. But he had to catch her tonight. He could make it a few more hours... he just had to keep his mind on the mission.
At the sound of Daniel's voice, Rutger turned and thanked Dumbledore as well, shaking hands with the great wizard. Dumbledore told them of the password to get back into his office (licorice wands), because they would need to get back in to take the floo network back to the Ministry.
By the time all this was settled, Isabella had given the all-clear and led them into the hallway.
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Post by Isabella Rothschild on Mar 4, 2011 0:19:39 GMT -5
Isabella turned to look at them both, just to make sure they were in the hall. "My office is just down the hall from here and around that corner," she said, pointing to the end of the hall, where a sharp bend was clearly visible. Except for the various towers, each of the main floors of the castle followed a squarish pattern, with the halls forming a perimeter around the classrooms and offices. There were also smaller hallways here and there that cut through certain areas, but they didn't need to worry about those.
"The only way into our chambers is through the office. We'll have to be careful, though. That hallway is filled with armor... the suits of armor tend to talk. You may need to Disillusion yourselves when you come back tonight, so no one will see you."
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Post by Daniel Leviner on Mar 4, 2011 0:33:44 GMT -5
Oh Daniel remembered those suits of armor well. Several pranks of his were foiled because of the talking suits of armor. He nodded.
"Is one of the secret passages near your office by any chance," Daniel spoke up. Kryshna only had one way to get to them and the office would more likely be their best bet to set up. They would have to use the Disillusion charm if they wanted everything to work out.
"We just need to figure out what direction they'll be coming in." Of course, it wouldn't be right if they would put a guard at the entrance of a secret passage. Not really knowing Kryshna that well, she might be able to smell the person. Daniel wasn't up for putting any one else in danger.
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Post by Isabella Rothschild on Mar 4, 2011 0:42:03 GMT -5
Isabella frowned. She knew, of course, that there were secret passages in the castle. In a castle as old as this one, of course there would be. Anna and Rori sometimes went looking for them, but Isa didn't know where they were, or even if they had found any at all. The only one she knew about was the one that Sirius Black and James Potter had used to help the students get back from Hogsmeade on the day of the attack, and that was not on this floor.
"I honestly don't know," she confessed. "It's possible, I suppose. They're supposed to be everywhere, but I don't exactly go looking for them, and I didn't attend Hogwarts as a child."
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Post by Daniel Leviner on Mar 4, 2011 0:58:44 GMT -5
Daniel only nodded. "She's not dumb enough to just walk through the front door. I remember going through a few of the passages before, but I don't really remember if there was one on this floor. The best way for her to get in undetected is one of the pathways." That made Daniel even more aggravated. He didn't know which direction she would be coming in. Granted, that wasn't extremely important. It was important to catch her in the office area.
"But we'll work with what we have. If I went to go look for one, it would probably take me too long to figure out the password." Daniel looked at the walls as they walked by.
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