The Back Room

"Let's not pretend any of us care to debate intelligence with you, Monroe. Philosophy or not, it isn't productive. This is neither the time nor the place," Audriana cut in, effectively causing Ben's would-have-been retort to be kept silent. She was right, he felt; the siblings' negativity was merely making things take longer.

"In regards to your question," she continued, "the idea came into being when we saw how to events went. A Muggle wandered into the Leaky the other day, only to be verbally - luckily not physically - torn to bits by a known Death Eater. So we had extra proof that they were unamused with the situation. Second, after the last Prophet article was released, the majority of the Wizarding World, particularly those working in the Ministry, believed it without any proof. This idea, clearly, has merit. So, if we're all going to be frank, Monroe, might I suggest that you provide some insight, or at least a comment that is somewhat helpful, instead of tearing apart every little thing we say? It gets us nowhere, and makes people angry," Audriana pointed out. "Besides, if anyone here hopes to continue on, future interest or not, they ought to show some kind of interest now. Do remember that those of us who provide assistance now are more likely to be trusted down the road, and that we are more likely to seek those people out for help. Those who do not will likely be considered uninterested, and thus we shall leave them alone. Wouldn't want to bother anyone who didn't want to be here, after all," she concluded a bit too sweetly.

After that one, even Ben could admit to feeling uncomfortable - as though the hairs on the back of his neck were standing on end. He wasn't used to seeing Audriana show her anger, even if she felt it. But, more than that, she especially avoided having after people who might offer her help down the road. For someone so invested in picking up information and making allies, she wasn't doing a very good job.

James listened to everyone and wondered if he would even be helpful in this idea. "I don't have much pull at the ministry but if the prophet gets it out. I know several gossip hounds that will spread it even further through the ministry." He suggested wondering if there was any way that he could get something else spread through out the ministry about this. He looked at Anya who seemed transfixed on the conversations in front of her. Then she looked over and gave a small shrug making him wonder what she was thinking about.

Anya sat there watching everyone wondering if she could get some pull from other sources. "I have some people I'm allied with that could help spread the word. I know they would be able to get it out to some death eaters without too much trouble." She said thinking of Orpheus and his friends that might be able to help with this. James looked at her with an eyebrow arched in an unasked question. Shaking her head to let him know she'd fill him in later. "Other than that I can see what I can do at St Mungos about it. I know some healers there and the person I was apprenticed by works there maybe I can get some feelers out there as well." She knew that also some other healers that worked there and knew they wouldn't think anything of her words should she ask them about it.

If Audriana couldn't understand the implications of "perhaps not the time", that wasn't Monroe's fault and he was sure other people in this room - those whose opinions mattered - would see it.

Her tone was where the irritation lay, though it wasn't enough to ruffle the calm waters of his usual demeanour.  One didn't spend eighteen years in Destrey's company without learning how to deal with a little petulance.

"Audriana, I was a Ravenclaw.  Tearing apart your ideas is how I help," he stated.  "If you can't swallow your pride to listen properly, I won't be able to help you at all."

"There are an awful lot of holes in your plan, though," he added, just in case she thought that was some kind of capitulation.  "Even beyond the obvious.  For example, real forgery takes a lot more than artistic skill."

"If integration is your genuine desire and considering the state of magic at the moment, it would be a much simpler issue to strip out the remaining wards protecting the wizarding world. The muggle population is at least five times that of our own and even the Ministry can't modify every memory."

Selwyn had finished his beer. He didn't really like beer, but he had always had a bad habit of thinking in clichés and for a mysterious back room meeting, a tankard of something dark had seemed the perfect accessory.

"I think I see the problem," he finally interjected.

Selwyn had been groomed to lead, but Monroe Ashcroft had been almost entirely self taught. It was obvious Monroe was a leader. He was soft-spoken and easily overlooked but when he was right, he didn't brook argument. Like right now.

"The meeting is out of order," the last three years of listening to council meetings had at least made Selwyn familiar with correct phrasing.

"I'd like to volunteer as chair and call the meeting to order. All in favour?"