[xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. Note: source and details of recovery appear to have been charmed with a mnemonic equivalent of unplottability by the recorder. They were transcribed with great difficulty, and all efforts to cybernetically record details about the following transcription’s source have resulted in empty space.]
CRANE: What the fuck happened? I need answers.
BODE: I – I don’t know what happened.
CRANE: Bullshit.
BODE: Someone – made a mistake.
CRANE: I’ll tell you who.
BODE: Let me explain.
CRANE: I’m not letting you do it. I’m not asking either.
[Pause. Crane glares at Bode.]
BODE: Very well. The – the event began as planned. Dumbledore removed from the castle on – business. As planned. Both Potter and the target were informed of this by an outside asset and pushed with some sense of urgency. The target arrived at the third-floor corridor at approximately 8:23pm. He nullified the guardian, passed through the trapdoor, and entered the chamber.
CRANE: He got through the Devil’s Snare, eh?
BODE: He demonstrated a satisfactory knowledge of basic herbology, yes. He summoned the correct key to pass through the second chamber, and passed through the chess and logic problems with relative ease.
CRANE: Bookish type, so I’ve heard.
BODE: Indeed. The troll was sedated and posed no great burden. The target entered the final chamber at approximately 23:45. He was met, as you know, by the Mirror of Erised – as well as an Unspeakable and a DMLE auror underneath full-concealment charms and invisibility cloaks.
CRANE: [REDACTED] and Dawlish?
BODE: Yes. They report that he quickly – grew frustrated – with the Mirror.
CRANE: Yes, yes. And when did Potter arrive?
BODE: Potter arrived at the corridor at approximately 00:53, accompanied by two first-year students, Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger, as anticipated. They used a magic flute, provided by Dumbledore, to put the cerberus to sleep. They were flummoxed by the Devil’s Snare but managed to escape. Potter demonstrated reasonable aptitude with the flying challenge. Weasley solved the chess challenge but was required to sacrifice himself, as planned. He sustained a blow on his head as a result.
CRANE: We’ll come back to the paperwork on that.
BODE: The troll posed no threat, as planned, and Granger quickly solved the logic problem, as expected. She elected to return to the castle, as expected, and ascended from the chamber without struggle.
CRANE: Oh that reminds me – did they jump down the hole or did they notice the ladder and climb down? Croaker and I have a bet.
BODE: It appears they jumped.
CRANE: I’m a rich man. Proceed.
BODE: Potter entered the final chamber, as anticipated, alone. He was met, of course, by the target. The target directed him to stand before the Mirror. Potter received the decoy from the Mirror and succeeded in concealing this from the target. At this point, we experienced our first – deviation – from the plan. The target – turned violent.
CRANE: Go on.
BODE: He – used the cruciatus on Potter.
CRANE: Outstanding.
BODE: The agents, as ordered, responded. But – well, I believe one of the concealment charms broke.
CRANE: And –
BODE: I believe Quirrell fired first.
CRANE: And –
BODE: Dawlish returned fire.
CRANE: And?
BODE: Well – in the exchange, the target was eliminated.
[A long pause. Both men sigh audibly.]
CRANE: Did Potter see any of it?
BODE: Potter appears to have been put unconscious by the cruciatus. He was stunned and confunded by [REDACTED] as a matter of security. [REDACTED] summoned Dumbledore, who as anticipated had returned to the castle around midnight. Dumbledore came to the chamber with a small contingent of school staff at approximately 1:47 and returned Potter to the hospital wing. The body was disposed of via transfiguration. There was a small amount of blood.
CRANE: The contingent –
BODE: Only Snape and Dumbledore entered the final chamber. I do not believe anyone else witnessed the body.
CRANE: And Potter?
BODE: Now awaits revival in the Hogwarts hospital.
CRANE: God damn. God – fucking – damn. Well, it could have been worse, I suppose. We only have one body on our hands. Do you have any concern that the boy will remember?
BODE: Dumbledore is administering to his memory. He reports that the boy has been talking in his sleep about an apparition of Lord Voldemort.
CRANE: Dumbledore does fine work when he wants to. I wish I could say the same for you, Broderick. A fine mess you’ve created. [REDACTED] on the case.
BODE: I work with those assigned to me.
CRANE: And you ought to have worked better. Each according to his abilities, eh? Well, his are at the desk, from here on out. And yours –
BODE: Excuse me, sir – we have an inquiry from the Prophet waiting.
CRANE: And I suppose you’ll have to answer it.
[Bode exits. Crane sits quietly, drumming his fingers and glancing occasionally at the fire. He runs his hand over a large file folder, tied shut, with the word ‘CASSIUS’ stamped across the front. He pushes this aside and turns to an open folder. He glances over it, then closes it and ties it shut. After a moment, Bode re-enters.]
CRANE: Well?
BODE: The Prophet – will not be reporting the story.
CRANE: You don’t say.
BODE: Our contact – our contact feels that she cannot report the story in a way that corresponds to the ethical and journalistic standards of the periodical.
CRANE: You mean she sees bullshit?
BODE: In other words, yes. She feels that the story cannot be reported in a way that the public will find believable – unless several clandestine elements are included.
CRANE: Clandestine.
BODE: And – she believes that the public will question the employment of a Dark-affiliate wizard at a premiere magical academy.
CRANE: You don’t say.
BODE: She believes that a revelation of the Ministry’s complicity with the target’s employment will reflect poorly on our operations.
CRANE: I couldn’t imagine why.
BODE: She recommends that the story be suppressed and that all drafts be destroyed – for the sake of the Prophet, the Ministry, and the school.
CRANE: Well – there was a time when we only took on assets with a bit of sense. Damned if those days are gone.
BODE: I have seen to it that the target’s body has been irrevocably transfigured and disposed of. I have drafted a letter to Hogwarts families which will be distributed from the Deputy Headmistress’s desk and co-signed by the Headmaster. Potter has been encouraged to remain silent. Mr. Malfoy has assured us that the Board of Governor’s will not take action.
CRANE: Say your ‘but’.
BODE: Dumbledore requests that Potter be granted a number of points for bravery, and that Gryffindor win the House Cup tournament.
CRANE: It’s his damn school.
BODE: He requests that we continue into phase 2 of the plan.
CRANE: Tell him I’ll think on it.
BODE: Have we heard from Bones?
CRANE: We have. Guess what? She’s not happy.
BODE: Have they called off the investigation?
CRANE: Into the target? Yes. You don’t want to know what I had to give up.
BODE: Dare I ask?
CRANE: You dare not. [Pause.] You’re off the operation, Bode.
BODE: Forgive me?
CRANE: You’re off the operation. I’m transferring you to archives.
BODE: May I remind you –
CRANE: Times have changed. If that’s trouble I have a memory wipe ready for you.
BODE: [the slightest quiver in his voice] May I ask who is replacing me?
CRANE: Who said anything about replacement?
BODE: Surely you will continue with the plan.
[Pause.]
CRANE: I’m sorry, Bode. You’re no longer classified to know that.
next file: Daily Prophet to Hogwarts 5.6.92 >>
THE PENSIEVE PAPERS 