i spy with my little eye [elaine]

[Deleted]

employer,

I reviewed the contract that you sent to my mailing address and all seems to be in order. I am pleased to get the opportunity to work with you, though I admit the clause about limited face-to-face interaction does give me some pause. I understand the necessity of discretion, but I am also partial to knowing who exactly I am working for. I suppose that is one of many qualms I should have considered before deciding on my vocation, though, and I want you to know that for all of my meandering thoughts, I signed the contract (which is attached) with a clear conscience. I was wondering what method would be best for contacting you in the future, since owls are not the most secure method of communication. I am ready to begin work whenever you should have need of me.

yours sincerely,
albus potter

Elaine Lyra Dupree

[Elaine Lyra Dupree]

Albus Potter,

We have received your contract - congratulations on being an official part of our little operation. I am afraid at this time, I am unable to meet with you face to face as I am out of the country conducting my own business. It is impossible for me to be taken away from it, but never fear Mr. Potter, we will meet one day. For the time being, you will receive instructions in the following way: an owl from myself giving a date, time and location. You will be there promptly at that time to receive your instructions and will be given a timeline in which this needs to be completed and where to bring it once it is done. You will be starting off easy, as this is not an easy business to be a part of and - I shall not dance around it - you’ll need your prove yourself to me if you are ever to meet face to face.

Be on the lookout in the coming weeks for an owl - you will see that your signing bonus has been deposited into your account at Gringotts.

I look forward to our partnership, Mr. Potter

Your Employer,
Mr. Anderson

Albus Severus Potter

[Deleted]

mr. anderson,

Of course – I understand that in our line of business it can be difficult to make face-to-face contact, even under the best of circumstances. I do look forward to the day I get to meet you, though. Building up my skills is the reason I decided to join a preexisting operation rather than become a freelancer, so I appreciate you giving me the chance to learn how to be a better employee. As I told you in our original correspondence, I will be devoting all of my time to any endeavor you send me on, so timeline shouldn’t be an issue in me completing my work. I hope that you’ll soon discover that I am capable of rising to any challenge set for me – I wasn’t in Slytherin because I’m content with sticking to the status quo. Is there anything else I need to know to be an effective member of this operation?

yours sincerely,
albus potter

Elaine Lyra Dupree

[Elaine Lyra Dupree]

Mr. Potter,

Of course, the pleasure is all mine. I find it...rewarding to be the one to help train and guide new recruits in this particular line of business. I pride myself on having a keen eye for finding the most promising new members of our little organization and I do believe you have the qualities needed to make us even better than we already are. I was a Slytherin myself back in my days at Hogwarts, so we share those qualities.

I believe you are ready for your first mission; be at the Fountain of Fair Fortune, eight o’clock in the evening of June the 2nd.

Good Luck,
Mr. Anderson

The mission given to Albus upon his arrival to the Fountain of Fair Fortune: Visit with Viola Chase at Saint Mungos. You are to let her know that you have sources pointing to signs that Maria da Povoa is alive in Germany. She has been mute since the Durmstrang incident; perhaps this news will help her find her voice again.

Albus Severus Potter

[Deleted]

mr. a,

I’m curious as to how you create a business centered around espionage; it seems to me like it would be difficult to create a network when practically everyone in the business knows better than to trust their first impressions. Trusting people in a network of distrust is almost paradoxical. It also seems difficult to train people since everything is so high-stakes – even the smallest slip-up can have the largest consequences. I suppose the answer to that is not to slip up whatsoever. It’s good to hear of some other Slytherins who are finding success in life.

I have received my mission at the time and place instructed; when would you like my report by?

yours sincerely,
a. p.

Elaine Lyra Dupree

[Elaine Lyra Dupree]

A,

All in good time my dear fellow, all in good time. Let’s just say I have my ways of obtaining and maintaining loyalty. I have full faith in many of my employees, who in return trust me with their own lives. I dare not say anything too specific lest this communication be intercepted, but what you should know is I treat my employees well, and they do great things for me. You are correct though - slipping up is not something in my businesses vocabulary. If you were to meet any of my employees, you would find that none of them have.

I would like your report within seven days of your missions completion.

Mr. Anderson

Albus Severus Potter

[Deleted]

mr. a,

I visited the hospital, as instructed. The informant was combative - after I gave them the information, they threw a flower vase at my head. They didn't speak, however, and when I contacted their nurses later in the day, the nurses confirmed that there was no change in their status. I can see if I can persuade them to speak, but they seem... rather set in their ways. I'm not sure any amount of information will change their mind.

yours sincerely,
a. p.

Elaine Lyra Dupree
(the entire thread, for your perusal)

[Elaine Lyra Dupree]

dear ap,

I am disappointed to hear that; but no matter no matter. You suceeded in distracting them long enough - it turns out the girl Maria has been found in a hospital in Germany. The news will get back to them eventually of course, but since she resisted, I am leaving it to you to ensure that it...takes a few times.  That they're the last to know. Perhaps then they will regret being so stubborn.

I am leaving the country for a few weeks, so do not expect to hear from me until late June at the earliest.  Until then, keep your eyes and ears open, always.

Mr. Anderson


Albus Severus Potter

ooc: your response should take place post-Ilvermorny explosions

[Deleted]

mr. a,

I was disappointed to experience it; however, if it all turned out in the end then I am somewhat pleased, though I do regret I wasn’t able to fully accomplish what you had set out for me. I can ensure that they don’t hear of Maria’s return – it appears that most of the nurses don’t care to speak to them since they don’t speak back, and a well-placed comment or two might lead them to believe that Viola already knows. Your will be done, as always.

Does your exodus have anything to do with the news in the paper? I don’t expect you to be able to answer that, of course, but… call it my own private musings. And I wouldn’t dream of doing anything less.

yours sincerely,
a. p.

Elaine Lyra Dupree

[Elaine Lyra Dupree]

a.p.

An excellent suggestion - I knew there was something about you when you were hired. You have my go ahead to slip the St Mungo’s staff the word that Viola is already aware of Maria’s return to the United Kingdom - feel free to add that they are simply not ready to see Maria just yet and will alert the proper person when they’re ready. If you can do that, then I will know you are ready to move forward with a new mission. Let’s call my system a ladder - each rung represents the missions I set my spies, becoming more difficult as they progress forward. You can climb up quick or slow, but remember, there’s always a chance of failure; the higher you climb the harder the fall, as the saying goes.

I can neither confirm or deny my involvement in the Ilvermorny explosions - my sources are saying an American terrorist group is taking responsibility, and I can assure you I am not an American. It is too bad you graduated this year, as I am certain with all the new faces of Hogwarts bring about so many different...possibilities.

Alert me in the usual way once your mission has been carried out.

mr. a

Albus Severus Potter

[Deleted]

mr. a,

The nursing staff has been informed that Viola will inform the proper authorities when they are willing to speak to Maria. I cannot be sure that they’re not actually aware, though – one of the other Durmstrang students frequents their room (one who wasn’t on the ship), and he might inform them. He’s a variable I didn’t consider. However, I did spend some time outside of Maria’s room, and Viola didn’t visit, despite being visited by their fellow student. If you do not consider that a success, I will gladly bear the blame for my failings. I think you’ve figured out by now that I have no intentions of climbing slowly. It’s not the Slytherin way. As for falling hard… pain is not something I fear.

An American terrorist group, indeed. Interesting name that they have, Chimaera’s Claw. You not being American hardly gives me any information at all – but I suppose you planned it that way. As you’re probably aware, I have a younger sister at Hogwarts. I’m planning to visit her at Hogsmeade occasionally, so perhaps I can still make some of those possibilities reality despite my graduation?

yours sincerely,
a. p.

Elaine Lyra Dupree

[Elaine Lyra Dupree]

a.p.

Ah, I was going to be surprised if there were any...other unaccounted for survivors. Maria was a miraculous discovery, but I would hate if it gave any of the other Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students false hope. Do not fear, I do consider this a success. Sometimes there are hiccups on the path to success, but as long as it is reached it is for the best.

If it makes any difference, I am a proud citizen of the United Kingdom. The name Chimaera’s Claw is indeed interesting; as I am sure you are aware, a chimaera is not only a magical beast, but also a single being with two different codes of DNA. To me, that speaks volumes for the groups true purposes.

I would like to extend my condolences to your family; I had met your father once, but the situation was very chaotic and it was very brief. I do hope the Ministry is doing all it can to find him. I am happy to provide any resources, so long as my identity remains anonymous.

mr. a
Albus Severus Potter

[Deleted]

mr. a,

I was surprised to hear that there was even one such of those survivors. You are right in saying that Maria surviving and being discovered was a miracle. I don’t think the rest of them have much hope. At least, Viola didn’t seem to be all that hopeful when I spoke to them about Maria. Who knows about the others, though. I’m glad that you consider this a success. I would hate to disappoint.

That narrows it down to about 70 million people, rather than 7 billion, so perhaps I’m getting somewhere. I wonder if Chimaera’s Claw has a duplicitous purpose, then. It would make it difficult for them to continue to wreak havoc, if they were splitting from the inside out.

Thank you for condolences. I’m sure that the Ministry is doing everything in its power; the Minister is an old friend of my father’s, as I’m sure you know. I’d have to discuss the offer of resources with my family; they have the Gryffindor pride, you know.

yours sincerely,
a. p.

Elaine Lyra Dupree

[Elaine Lyra Dupree]

a.p.

I suppose time will tell, won’t it?

Ah yes, Minister Granger. First Muggleborn Minister for Magic if I am not mistaken. What a burden she must be bearing with everything that has been going on. One can only hope there won’t be too much else happening over the summer; all that strain, I fear she may crack one day.

Gryffindor pride, I suppose we all have pride that we hold onto in the end. In my personal opinion the more people looking for your father the better. You would not know the extent of the resources I can offer for you and your family, however the more missions you complete for me, the more opportunities of finding your father will come into play.

I will be in touch soon when I have another mission for you.

mr. anderson

Albus Severus Potter

[Deleted]

mr. a,

I’m sorry to say, sir, but you are mistaken. I paid attention in History of Magic (which, I think, speaks more to my stubbornness than the level of interest I had in the subject). Nobby Leach was the first Muggleborn Minister for Magic – he was appointed in 1962, so still fairly recently. Enough with the history lesson, though; I think it’s better that she bears the burden than her predecessor. Victoire was too young to be doing what she was doing. Not that I’d ever say that to her face, but I can’t imagine the sort of toll that would take on someone.

I would hope that I would be impartial enough with my own emotions to put aside my pride when it was beneficial to me, but I suppose you’re right. I will continue to work on any mission that you set forth while I think about how best to phrase your offer so that my family will accept it.

I await your commands.

yours sincerely,
a. p.

Elaine Lyra Dupree