Private message to Barty and Bella

[alt_antonin]

Two days is my best estimate. Three, if I accidentally trip the Gryffindor gallantry, but I'm fairly confident I can avoid it.

Bella, how long have you been cruciating her? If it's been more than a few hours, it's likely time for me to step in. Once she sees me, it will be very important that from then on out, for at least the next day or two, she only sees me when I am coming in to chase you off and bring her respite. We'll need for her to associate me with safety, or at least with a temporary cessation of pain.

If you aren't at a turning point, I'll come in in a moment and 'object' to your treatment of her. We'll need to leave her alone and let her get a few hours' sleep tonight -- if only so that I can wake her in the wee hours and start planting the seeds of uncertainty. (Thank you for that information on her fears about her late, unlamented brother; that will serve nicely as a lever.)

Barty -- if you have some time tomorrow (morning or afternoon; the timing is flexible) I will likely need you to come play boogeyman. Or if there's a minion you have available, but it's important that it not be anyone who might be at all tempted to be soft on her.

Comments

[alt_bellatrix]

Three is acceptable. Two would be astonishing - especially for her family.

Corbyn's been working on her. It may be good to switch to me for a time before you step in.

One half-hour, say.

[alt_antonin]

The two-day estimate is a bit optimistic, but from what you've said I'll have plenty of strings to pull. Mind you, that isn't a timeline for full cooperation -- that will take longer -- but I'm confident I can have her cooperating in her own conditioning no earlier than the weekend.

Yes, half an hour of your work would be an excellent scene to set. If you aim for a crescendo I'll burst in at the height of matters. Do ignore everything I say to you; it will be entirely for her benefit, of course.

[alt_bellatrix]

Understood.

I'll remove the imperturbable ward on the door enough for you to be certain when we've reached the crescendo.

[alt_antonin]

Much appreciated. You'll know when I'm about to come in, of course, but please do try to act surprised. A bit of bickering would not go amiss.

[alt_antonin]

All right, I have her ensconced in one of the holding cells with a number of monitoring spells to catch if she tries to hurt herself. I'll keep an eye on her, and once she's soundly asleep in a few hours I'll wake her and feed her the beginning of the story we discussed. (If you can be within listening range for that, and tell me if there's anything I can work with or if we need to switch storylines, I would be much obliged.) At very least I want to plant the idea that we weren't responsible for her brother's death tonight; it will give her more time to think about who might have been.

Then in the morning, you can send Corbyn in with instructions to make it seem as though he did not get the orders I issued about her treatment, and I can rescue her again. Barty can come in in the afternoon, and put her through another round of interrogation, and that should leave things nicely for me to come in again tomorrow night. With luck I should be able to enlist her enough in her own interrogation by then.

I'll need another dose or two of the Cruciation palliative tomorrow to reinforce the notion that I am the source of kindness and benevolence, but with luck we won't need quite as much subterfuge by a day or two from now.

(Also, in case you did not catch me thinking it: very well played indeed.)

[alt_crouch_jr]

Pleased to be of service.

[alt_antonin]

You do bring me the nicest presents; it's only proper for me to share the wealth.