Private message to Antonin Dolohov

[alt_rachel]

Saw you were writing. Situation? I gave a report to Lucius Malfoy and Barty Crouch, not sure if either's reading.

Found a hole in the perimeter, am trying to find what might have leaked through, feel like I'm running blind.

Comments

[alt_antonin]

Have just finished putting down an attack upon Central. Barty alive but unconscious, Lucius busy with duties of command.

If you've found a hole in the perimeter it is likely the attackers came through there. Discover who was responsible for that section and order them under Imperius to report to me immediately. You are now responsible for that section of the perimeter until Lucius or I send someone to relieve you.

[alt_rachel]

Sir, I can send McLaggen to you immediately. Do you want me to focus on the perimeter rather than what might have leaked inside?

[alt_antonin]

McLaggen? I see. Yes, send him to me and I will take care of the matter.

For now, yes, stand guard where you are; better to prevent further incursions than utilise resources in a sweep. As soon as we've someone free I will send them up. We're cleaning up and treating injuries at the moment. Once you're relieved, proceed to sweeping the area under guard in greater detail; Lucius has done a preliminary check, but a more in depth inspection is no doubt warranted.

Also, I neglected to say thank you in my earlier message; from what Barty said earlier, you have been a considerable help today.

[alt_rachel]

Understood. McLaggen's on his way to you with instructions to explain exactly what he was doing instead of following his orders.

[alt_antonin]

And he did arrive, and was quite helpful in explaining the thought process that led to the perimeter breach. I must thank you again for the (exceptionally helpful) strength of your spellwork.

Unfortunately, I must also inform you that after our discussion with him, we sent him outside the perimeter to begin rounding up stragglers. From reports, we believe he encountered Longbottom, and was not able to prevail in the resulting duel, nor able to capture Longbottom. I did want to let you know, however, that his death came after he discharged your orders to him, and not while he was still under your Imperius; please do not think you had anything to do with it.

[alt_rachel]

Thank you for letting me know. How utterly tragic, and how very disappointing Longbottom slipped away once again.

[alt_rachel]

I shan't lose any sleep over it, don't worry.

[alt_rachel]

Frankly I'm a bit more concerned about Carter Prentiss, who's disappeared behind enemy lines.

The more I think about how things went last night and this morning, the more I notice how many problems can be traced back to Prentiss.

I know Auror Crouch had hoped to question him, and unfortunately it doesn't look likely that he'll have the opportunity.

And embarrassingly enough, I brought him to Mr Malfoy's attention some weeks back for a possible promotion. Nothing came of it, but still, I vouched for that man. If he turns out to have betrayed all of us, that will surely reflect on me, and on my judgement.

[alt_antonin]

Everyone makes occasional mistakes in evaluating the capabilities of others. Even should Prentiss prove insufficiently loyal rather than merely incompetent, that does not necessarily reflect upon you, particularly given your excellent performance today. (As well, your willingness to confess to an error in judgement speaks well of you; it has been my experience that the truly guilty inevitably attempt to cover up their actions.)

I will let Lucius know of your concerns, but I would not worry overmuch. At most I suspect he will believe you insufficiently practised at evaluating the capabilities or loyalties of others, and that is a skill best learnt over time.