Amelia Susan Bones

alexisxbledel:

She should have known her victory would be short lived. He hit her with the one two punch of rather loudly asking her to keep her hands to herself and then the prophesy of shagging her on the bar. Her face turned scarlet and she immediately pulled back, glancing around to see who might have heard him. There was at least one set of eyes watching with a disapproving expression and Amelia quickly turned around again to avoid them.

Minerva settles herself into one of the seats at the kitchen table, bringing the biscuit tin with her to wait for the tea to be ready. There’s some flightiness to Amelia’s movements that seems unnatural to her usual demeanor but she assumes that to some extent, what she wishes to discuss is not an easy thing for her to bring up. Not to mention, everyone’s nerves have been put on edge with the tidings of battle beginning to churn away in the belly of Wizarding Britain.

“Right, well, I work with Mr. Moody at the Ministry and of course we all share a common side job...” she began, referring to the Order. “He didn’t want me to talk to anyone else about what he asked me to do, but I’m just not sure. I need someone else’s opinion who can perhaps be a bit more objective or at least is removed from the situation.” 

alexisxbledel:

Amelia’s effusive greet brings a small genuine smile to Minerva’s lips and she steps in as she’s invited. At the mention of the young woman not being much of a cook, the professor simply shakes her head. “I’ve already had lunch so a few biscuits and tea work well.”

“English breakfast it is,” she agreed with a nod, pulling out the appropriate tea and fishing the honey from a cupboard. There was a bit of a nervous energy in all her movements, everything more fluttery and less put together than usual. Alastor’s last instruction to her had been to keep their conversation to herself and she was deliberately disobeying. Don’t think about that now. She pulled the top off of the biscuit tin and set it on the counter in front of Minerva as well. “Please make yourself at home, Professor, this should be ready in just a minute or two.” 

{ Conflicts of Interest } ||        Amelia + Minerva

Amelia had been anxious the entire day waiting for Minerva to come by and speak with her. Alastor had instructed her to keep his request for her to spy on Dumbledore to herself, but she needed help making the decision. This wasn’t something she felt she truly had a grasp on and no one knew the two of them better than the Deputy Headmistress. Though Professor McGonagall hadn’t been her head of house, Amelia had always felt a sort of kinship with her and trusted her to offer wise counsel in this matter. 

It was a tricky situation. One he had avoided bringing anyone else in on. To put her between them was not something he wished to do but something that he needed to do. There had to be more eyes on Dumbledore. People had to be aware of everything that was wrong with that man. He had to make people open their eyes and see.

It was a clear dismissal and Amelia was grateful for it. She nodded and sighed, straightening her blouse and smoothing her hair before exiting in the hopes that she wouldn’t look as wrung out as she felt. Not that anyone would be shocked; closed door meetings with Alastor Moody left most people feeling a bit ragged when they were through. She left the half finished whiskey on his desk, even though she was tempted to throw the rest back to try and soothe her jangled nerves. She paused with her handle on the door, feeling like she ought to perhaps apologize or something but instead just sighed again. 

Professor McGonagall - do you think you might have time to meet with me for coffee before school starts? I'd like to pick your brain about something. -- Amelia Bones

Professor, 

“Dinnae be a fool, Bones. There’s always been corruption in the Ministry,” he said. It was inherent in the system. There would always be someone with a weak moral compass and money to waste. Just as there would always be Ministry workers that were easily manipulated. “It grows its worst in war years an’ Dumbledore kens it. But puttin’ a bunch t’gether that are nae trained an’ ha’e no realistic concept o’ the world they’re livin’ in. He’s doin’ just the same as this Lord Voldemort an’ dinnae pretend otherwise. Raisin’ them fer slaughter. Ye mark my words.”

“I am not a fool,” she replied, “I’m merely making a point. The truth is I believe in this place, I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t. Nor would I be in the Order if I didn’t believe in them and those in charge. You’re putting me in a very complicated position, Alastor.” 

“Vigilante groups are nae the way ta get things done. Citizens takin’ it upon themselves ta do Auror work is dangerous. It goes against e’erythin’ a Moody is bred fer,” he said.

“You said not ten minutes ago that there’s corruption within the Ministry...isn’t it possible that we’re going to have to go outside of it to get ahead of this?” she asked. Perhaps she was simply playing devil’s advocate, but it felt like a valid question. When the law failed to keep the peace, when those in authority were corrupt and criminal themselves, what else were they to do?