November 9, 2009
10:15 am, immediately following A Pox On Who Dares

It wasn't possible to go alone any more, now that she was Minister of Magic.  Indeed, no matter how far or for how long, the Ministry of Magic's policies and customs insisted on a Hitwizard at all times.  And by necessity, she often brought along an assistant. 

Persepolis Zephyr's office had owled ahead to alert St. Mungo's Head Healer Delilah Foley.  Persepolis had met the witch just once and what a meeting it had been.  During her campaign to become Minister, she'd been schmoozing at St. Mungo's when a rogue werewolf had transformed inexplicably and rampaged through the hospital.  Terrifying!  But Persepolis had been witness to St. Mungo's impressive new security measures.  Even though St. Mungo's operated on its own, the Ministry often provided funding and always listened carefully, as well they should.  And today was no different.

The Minister had come directly from a meeting with the Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation Gabrielle Murray-Harker.  There was trouble with Hogwarts's TetraWizard Tournament and it could very well become an international health emergency if any of the rumors were true.

Dragon Pox was nasty business.   And if it was true that the students of Salem were not properly protected from it, the costs could be severe.  She needed the expert opinion of Madame Foley as soon as possible.

As she and her two attaches arrived in reception, there was a bit of a hullabaloo.  But that happened all the time now too.  Hullabaloos.

The Daily Prophet had published a rather paranoid article, that seemed to cause some buzz throughout the day. However, with a daughter who had two Salem students as pen pals over the summer, and one of which who'd nearly adopted the girl, Delilah was hardly concerned about any Dragon Pox; nevermind the fact the article was absolute rubbish.

But it wasn't long into the day until Delilah got a letter from Persepolis Zephyr, the new Minister of Magic, about that very article--at least the Minister knew better than to outright panic.

The towering Jamaican was quickly informed of Zephyr's arrival and so she strode towards the reception area and greeted the Minister with a gentle and amiable smile, "Minister, good t'see you're well," Delilah gestured a hand behind her before she loosely cupped her hands together with a light nod, "Shall we?"

Delilah then turned and led the way out of the reception area and into one of the halls in the Artifact Accidents floor, before she finally led Zephyr and her entourage into one of the offices. Whether it was an office or a patient room, St. Mungo's charmed, enchanted, and was built around catering to absolute privacy. So, once Delilah closed the door she did not hesitate to begin the conversation, "Now, your concerns?"

Instead of moving to sit behind the desk in a corner of the room, Delilah lowered herself onto a comfortable chair that rested in a circle of two couches and two other unoccupied chairs. She then raised her head towards one of the other seats, "Please, sit."

Zephyr was relieved to see the Head Healer who looked calm and controlled; it immediately affirmed to the Minister that Madam Foley would be a stalwart and reliable ally in the interest of public safety and prudence.  This problem of improper Dragon Pox innoculations (or rather the possibility of impropriety) required a firm, confident hand lest this pernicious nearly-problem became full-fledged.

It was an opportunity.  An opportunity for the Ministry to successfully coordinate public safety efforts with St.  Mungo's Hospital, for the public to gain more confidence in the true mission of the Tournament, and for Persepolis Zephyr to show her leadership.

"Please," Minister Zephyr nodded and allowed Healer Foley to lead them to her office.  Minister Zephyr left the Hitwizard outside, but allowed her assistant to follow.[1]  She took a seat and was pleased that Healer Foley was ready for business.  They didn't have much time.  She wanted a public response ready before end-of-day.

"Thank you, Healer Foley. You have seen the article?" 

Healer Foley had.

"Then perhaps you see as well as I do what needs to be done.  Confidence needs to be restored as soon as possible that the children of Hogwarts, and indeed all the visiting students and staff are completely safe.  The Ministry has already begun to investigate the claims that the Salem students are not properly protected - we have people in Massachusetts at this moment reviewing and confirming records."

She continued.  "But even with those measures taken, it may yet be necessary to have healers in Hogwarts castle.  Depending on what we find it may be merely to confirm that all students are free of the blight, or I am not ruling out the possibility that emergency treatment might be possible."

Minister Zephyr paused, her concerns stated quickly and completely.  She turned her head.

"How can St. Mungo's help us? What do you need?"

1.	We are assuming the NPC is none other than Waker Nolan, who may join us in the thread in person, or not.

Delilah sat and listened and looked from Zephyr to her assistant at the Minister relayed her concerns for the tournament. Once the other woman was finished the Healer gave a confident nod and began speaking, "Restoring confidence is not a problem," the dark-skinned witch lifted and uncurled her slender fingers. "'Di article's logic is a little off," more than a little, "but, basically, by 'deir reasoning, European students are more likely t' give 'di American ones some sort of malady. So we can give a medical statement, if need be."

The healer then raised a single finger in the air a she continued, "As a follow-up Mungo's can organize some tests, but wit' 'di tournament securities and large amount of students, it will take a lot of coordination." Her forefinger then gently pressed against her cheek as Delilah thoughtfully lifted her chin up, "But options are available--it can be rather simple or very in depth. Depends on what is needed."

Then, what should have been the obvoius question, "Has anyone spoken wit' 'di Hogwarts Healer, Tulojow Nadge yet?"

Good, good.  Again, Zephyr only gained confidence in hearing what Healer Foley had to say. 

"No.  We'll be at Hogwarts soon after we're done here to speak with Headmaster Reid.  I believe we also have at our disposal Healer Miranda Elliot who's now with Durmstrang.  She could assist in preparations with Healer Nagde."  The Hogwarts Healer was very capable by all reports, but one witch wouldn't be able to shoulder the load.

For a moment, Zephyr was silent, clearly in thought.  Slowly she began to nod and this is what she said:

"For now, let's operate under the assumption that there will be a full screening as soon as possible.  Of all students and staff at Hogwarts.  And yes, let's release a medical statement along with that announcement - tonight if we can, outlining the the actual risks possible.  That should reassure the parents and our visiting institutions."

"How quickly and at what cost could you get enough of the remedy if the Salem students needed to be protected again?   I'm afraid I'm not well informed on exactly what that process entails - it's been so long since I had my course of anti-Dragon Pox wards.  If we need to administer it, then I want to be ready."

"We always have dragon pox cure available," Delilah nodded towards the other witches, "But administering it t' so many students at once would need extra time for brewing."

The witch waved her hand in the air again as she leaned back in her seat, "'Di potion can be taken orally, so after we conduct examinations it should be a quick process," she shrugged her hand to the side as she added, "But again, it's 'di number of students 'dat turns everyt'ing into an ordeal."

Then the witch let her dark gaze drop to the other witch's feet, "Personally, Minister." Her stare flicked up and landed on Zephy again as her voice was quiet and cautious, "I would limit 'di management of 'di examinations to Hogwarts and Mungo's... for now." The implication was obvious, and while the article might just be a bit of fun for someone, with the tournament going on, it seemed more likely something else was at work.

Zephyr's contemplative gaze turned hard for a moment - Madam Foley's implication was plain.  Ministry of Magic interference was not welcome.  Zephyr frowned.  She had no wish to relinquish control over this delicate situation. 

As much as the Ministry strove to maintain order, old institutions like Hogwarts and St. Mungo's held tight to their autonomy.  Of course, Zephyr had been a school governor and was as much of an advocate for Hogwarts autonomy as anyone, to let go of her involvement in ensuring this was handled properly?  She was loathe to. 

"The Ministry will act strictly as facilitators," she said firmly.  It was both a concession but a firm drawing of a line.  "We won't get in your way, but it will be important for us to be constantly up-to-date.  Our responsibility is public safety, and an international debacle is at stake."

She smiled a slick smile.  "We have complete faith in St. Mungos to handle the screening expertly.  Do what you do best, Madam Foley."

Zephyr hoped her own implications were clear enough: What Mungo's did best was healing.  What the Ministry did best was maintaining authority.

Delilah Foley was not fond of meddling, especially from institutions like the Ministry. On top of that, they weren't medical professionals, so when Zephyr gave her statement on the Ministry's minimal involvement, Delilah gave a pleased smile.

"Thank you," she bowed a nod towards the minister as she politely added, "We strive to keep t'ings clean, simple, and quick--a delicate problem whenever medicine is involved."

She folded one leg over the other and then folded her hands together as they descended upon he knee. She raised a tall eyebrow as she slowly turned her head to the side, "And I'd prefer other schools be kept out of 'dis," Aside from the ministry, the suggestion of a Durmstrang healer being involved raised several questions and suspicions of trust. Yes, Elliot once worked at Mungo's, but either this whole Dragon Pox nonsense was a prank or someone stood to gain from it. So if something awful happened, well, it wouldn't do for another school to be blamed; if it were because of them? Well there'd be no preventing it after the fact. It was always best to be cautious.

The witch's gentle voice began again, "Is 'dere anyt'ing else 'dat worries you?"

Zephyr raised a hand of surrender and compliance, "No other schools' Healers need be involved.  Select your own team, Madam."

Then, "There is a great deal that worries me, Madam Foley.  A great deal.  However, with St. Mungo's under your care, there is one less.  I know I can trust in your discretion and impartiality."

Zephyr paused, not quite sure how much of her suspicions to share with Foley.  On the one hand, there was no use in spreading rumors, but if there was something foul afoot, Madam Foley would need to know.

"In that regard, it may be that this situation hasn't arisen innocently."  Something about the look on Madam Foley's face seemed to say she had the same suspicions.  "I can't say more, other than I would be on my guard against any tampering.  And that Mungo's may be faced with questions on its thoroughness and accuracy.  I would strongly advise you to make sure your methods are beyond reproach.  I would hate for this all to be sullied by mistakes or something more sinister."

Persepolis Zephyr cooled her words with a quiet smile.  "You do understand."