Private Message to Professor Desai

[alt_padma]

Professor,

This might be a strange question but... how well do you know Auror Pugh?

Only, he sent me an owl recently and--well, he's asking for help. As a Councilwitch, I mean. I'm not sure I should trust him, or whether I should assume this is a test and I'm being, what's the term, set up?

I don't want to get anyone in trouble, though. Not if it's just a big misunderstanding. Which I'm sure it is.

It has to be.

Is he--I mean, is it possible that someone would use him to trick me into doing something that would make my family and the Council look bad? Or you, since people know you're something of a sponsor for me. I guess that's possible, even more likely than going after me directly.

What do you think I should do?

Comments

[alt_savitha]

I would say that Auror Pugh is scrupulous, hard-working, with a minimal sense of humour and few political connections. Quite unlikely to be setting you up.

What sort of misunderstanding do you believe it to be?

[alt_padma]

It's about my brother-in-law. I guess he used to patronise a number of businesses that are now defunct. Auror Pugh says loads of them are actually under Fidelius now, not just shuttered, you know. And he wondered if I'd help--convince Inderpal to come and talk to them about it.

Only, that's not really what he asked. He asked if I'd convince Inderpal and my sister to come here and talk to me and Haruman about it. And Auror Pugh'd be waiting for them with us.

[alt_savitha]

My dear, is your sister currently fugitive from MLE with her husband, within a Fidelius ward? That must be most distressing to you, if that's the case.

[alt_padma]

Oh, no, nothing like that!

No, they haven't done anything wrong, I'm sure.

[alt_savitha]

It certainly doesn't look good when someone's done a great deal of business with shops that are now hiding behind a Fidelius ward. It's not that they're precisely illegal, just highly suspect at the present time. It will definitely be better for your sister and brother-in-law to clear this up as soon as possible.

[alt_padma]

I know, of course, they have to find a way to explain themselves. And I'm sure there are perfectly reasonable explanations for everything.

It's just that.... You know how shocked everyone was to find out that Longbottom really was a traitor. Well, Seamus--I mean, Finnigan--was the one who found Longbottom's notebook and he told his guardian. Mr Rosier, that is. And before we knew what was happening...everything happened.

I mean, in Longbottom's case there was something there. But what if someone decides there's something in Inderpal's habits that's objectionable?

Even if they did, it wouldn't be Pavs' fault. Would--do you think Auror Pugh's the type who would see that? Or is he more like.... Is he more unforgiving?

[alt_savitha]

I believe Auror Pugh to be a thoughtful Auror, someone who takes his time, and not someone who leaps to the harshest possible conclusion without careful consideration of the evidence.

But, my dear. You must understand. If your sister has been led into treason -- as a Councilwitch, your first loyalty is always to Our Lord. Every day, at any cost.

[alt_savitha]

Also, as the sister of a Councilwitch, I believe your sister will be extended the benefit of the doubt. If Inderpal is a traitor, and Parvati merely a young wife who foolishly trusted her husband, I believe Auror Pugh will reach the appropriate conclusions.

[alt_padma]

Well, that's more or less what I thought, I just wanted to be a bit more informed before I did anything that might have serious consequences.

I mean, I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation, so I'm not worried about that part at all. I just wanted to make sure that Auror Pugh wouldn't start to go mad torturing people left and right in the middle of the Hospital Wing, or anything.

I'll write him back, then.

[alt_savitha]

Ah, no. Not his style at all.