Quarter to eleven in the morning

The need to whistle was leftover from the several weeks as Orion. Playing the happy, jack the lad big brother about town had been liberating and socially exhausting. Now Misslethorpe was more introverted, studious, respectable. He was broader in shoulder, narrower in eye and held a higher office. Certainly did not whistle. Whereas absence made Orion’s temporary reintegration easier for a lack of recent comparison, this was walking right into the lion’s den. But they needed the lion’s face. It unlocked doors, quite literally.

Nod politely. Smile gently.

Study signs out of the corner of an eye.

Trust doors will open that were previously locked.

Most of all, look too busy to interrupt. Hide behind a clipboard, quill and a frown. The destination was narrowed down with a walk along the wards, intermittently making convincing notes, until a small, but conspicuous pile of umbrellas caught the narrow gaze. The heart inside the ribs began to trill. He had to be nearby!

The figure who stepped between clipboard and umbrellas was an unwelcome interruption to the pursuit. There was no avoiding this particular hurdle in the journey, especially in a public thoroughfare where colleagues brushed past.

Morgenthau. Mortimer’s latest successor stood in his path. The present Head Unspeakable had also been present at the Valentine event before he had relinquished the enchanting, but direct, Hester Iravani to him for an evening. If it were the time, he might have asked how the evening progressed, but that was Orion’s question to ask, not Sandy Misslethorpe’s.

He would have to keep this engagement brief. The longer he was out in the open the more chance there was of the plan failing. That was not an option.

Walking the passage wearing his wonderfully bright jacket, Yavin Morgenthau contemplated how comfortable he felt working in St.Mungo's nowadays. It was only a few days a week - to check in on Lawrence, amongst other errands - but it brought back memories of his own time as a Healer. Sometimes he claimed that his experience as a Healer was what set his moral compass for life; that wasn't exact, however.

Being a Healer didn't prove moral integrity after all. Miranda was a good example of that; and so was--

"Sandy!" Yavin exclaimed, hands in his pockets as he approached the Healer. "I was just on my way to check up on our, hm, on our mutual patient. No, hah, no chocolates for him, unfortunately."

It was Valentine's Day. He wondered if Lawrence received romantic letters and gifts, as criminals were known to receive from women (or men) who were drawn to that sort of thing. Danger and distance. Yavin imagined that might get a laugh out of the former-auror. "Would you, ah, would you like to come along?" he asked, glancing around at the umbrellas that inevitably littered the corridor by Mortimer Gamp's quarters.

"Or are you visiting my," his mouth twisted into an amused smile, "that is, my infamous predecessor?"

“I was just on my way to check up on our, hm, on our mutual patient…” Shoulders stiffened and the grip on the clipboard tightened. “… no chocolates for him, unfortunately.” The face attempted to look lost in thought and then pleasantly realise what Morgenthau was on about. In reality, the imposter knew enough to make an educated guess the Head Unspeakable might mean another notable patient.

“Would you, ah, would you like to come along?” Sandy’s imposter was doing their best not to have to speak unless necessary, humming quietly and thoughtfully about the offer in what they hoped to be the right tone. The whole body had become broader and roomier to resonate it, and it sounded a lot less reedier than Orion’s voice.

Eyes slid to the umbrellas, by way of explanation.
“Or are you visiting my, that is, my infamous predecessor?”
“Yes,” the imposter spoke at last, “I may make a fine umbrella.”

One hand knocked gently on the clipboard, attempting to indicate being kept from working. Eyes fixed on the umbrellas and the door to Mortimer Gamp’s room.

“Please give him my regards.” There was a pause. “Our mutual patient.” It was awkward enough to make conversation when one had taken new form, but when he was just there, not fifteen feet from each other, after a year apart, harder to remain civil and pass the time of day. Best to say less and not give anything away. Hope Morgenthau did not want to wish valentine romance to the former head unspeakable.

One foot stepped forward towards the door.

            “Yes. I may make a fine umbrella.”

He laughed, not quite clocking Sandy's eagerness to return to work. There hardly seemed a reason to rush - and Yavin doubted Lawrence was any more keen than usual to have one of their talks this morning. "I'll send Lawrence your Valentine wishes," he replied with a gesture, fingers wiggling. "But I, hm, I  rather wonder if he'll even think of the day if I don't bring it up."

If Yavin hadn't been assaulted by the sight of red hearts and blooming roses at the Ministry, he might have not realised it himself. Especially after the blind date on Saturday; it gave one the feeling that Valentine's had already come and gone.

"You'll give my regards to Mortimer?" he continued easily, glancing at the door towards which Sandy was pointed.

Maybe Misslethorpe would make a nice umbrella. Long and polished; a little fat in the middle, hardly eye-catching. "Not a chatty, aha, chatty guy is he? That's the danger of, well you know, the danger of all that magic." Yavin shrugged - he had briefly been in to observe the former Mysteries head, in months past, to no effect.  "Greedy greedy."

If the goal were not so tantalisingly close, Sandy’s imposter might have thought more of the name drop. There was only one to be visited today, and once Yavin Morgenthau was away the plan would continue.

“You’ll give my regards to Mortimer?”
“I will.”

A lack of eye contact, another step forward, curt nod. It was not wise to linger in the open like this. The plan had been to access the room as quickly as possible to keep witnesses to a minimum. Why was the Head Unspeakable so keen to make conversation? He was very friendly with Healer Misslethorpe.

“Not a chatty, aha, chatty guy is he?”

The imposter did not feel at their most ‘chatty’ either. Politeness drew less attention, but soon they would need a rather blunt, curt end to this meaningless hindrance of a conversation.

“That’s the danger of, well, you know, the danger of all that magic.” They drew Sandy’s already narrow eyes more narrow and looked back to Morgenthau. What did he know about absorbing magic? Everything written by the couple on it had been lost. Had he been reading their papers? Their official research? Tracing their steps, or was just conjecture?

“Greedy, greedy.”

For a split second, the outward features let the top lip turn into a sneer, then the face twitched into a half smile, shrugging it away with a flex of those broad shoulders. The bag, hanging from one shoulder, bumped against his hip.

“Good morning Mr Morgenthau,” Sandy’s double tried, and turned their back, pretending to look intensely interested in documenting the umbrellas stacked at the door, noting on the clipboard. Lungs held breath as ears listened for retreating footsteps.

"Healer Misslethorpe!"

Andromeda Gamp had searched single-handed. Flashed her badge and robes. The blood rushed through her ears. There he was. Not him. Her. Her voice announced her arrival as if she were raiding a house. Loud. Sure. Commanding. Her red auror robes and military stance shouted authority.

Her gaze took in the scene. Where were the escape routes? Who was at risk? Where was cover? ....Why were there umbrellas everywhere?! And why was the Head of Mysteries here? He was between Andromeda and 'Healer Misslethorpe'. He had to get out of the way. Unless she had turned their dad's replacement too?

"I know who you are." Andromeda pointed her wand. "You will not get away this time."

Another pest! This time a much more familiar one in more than one sense of the word.

Sandy’s double looked up in genuine surprise, and did their best to maintain it. There was Andromeda Gamp, brazen in her red auror uniform, thrusting her wand in their direction as if halting a criminal. Not what one expected to see on a Tuesday morning in a secure hospital ward for spell damage.

“Can I help you?” Sandy’s double did their best to sound cautious but polite.

“I know who you are. You will not get away this time.” The accusation was loud enough to be heard by others, so there would soon be an audience. Not ideal. But one could play up to an audience. One just had to act the part. They were very good at acting parts.

“I’m sorry?” There was an initial audience with high esteem in the hallway between them. Best to plant the seeds of suspicion immediately. “I think you are mistaken Auror…” They lowered the clipboard prop, composing Misslethorpe’s face into confusion and thought. “Is it Auror Gamp? It is isn’t it?” They softened their tone, caring, concerned.

He spoke very quietly to the Head Unspeakable, “It’s the anniversary today, I wonder if she’s quite alright. Perhaps we should be on our guard.”

He thought that maybe he had caught Misslethorpe on a bad day. Sandy could be awkward, no doubt, but what was so pressing with Mortimer Gamp that the Healer was so keen to get away? Yavin was prepared to shrug it off either way - not his problem, there was still level nine to get to after Lawrence and he had more reason not to dally.

            "Healer Misslethorpe!" exclaimed an unfamiliar voice just as he was about to take leave of the busy Misslethorpe. “I know who you are. You will not get away this time.”

An auror! Yavin looked between her and her target, mild surprise written across his face. He recognised her; the metamorphmagus, one of the Gamps. They were peppered all over wizarding society, like Easter eggs. Sandy appeared equally confused by the confrontation taking place. Passersby, in their lime green robes, slowed down.

Not easy to ignore a red robed woman.

            “It’s the anniversary today... we should be on our guard.”

Anniversary... oh. That was right. How strange he hadn't realised; he remembered now, that Virgil and his schoolmates were kidnapped around this time last year, escaping on this very date. It coincided with Mortimer's capture.

Do you think she might try to reach her father? Yavin glanced at Sandy, the thought striking out with usual efficiency to communicate in a way Andromeda could not detect. I can send for Miranda or Musgrave's guard.

Out loud, he spoke in a calm voice. "Are you, ah, are you feeling alright Auror Gamp?" his gaze flicked from face to wand. "That doesn't seem like a, hm, a nice way to greet your father's Healer."

What did you say at a time like this? 10% of Andromeda believed Healer Misslethorpe was who he made out to be. When he replied it rised to 15%. The Head Unspeakable asked if she was feeling alright. Did he not realize he was in danger? Was he in on it too?

"He is not who he says he is." said Andromeda. "Do you know that too?" The blood was rushing through her ears so loudly. Her heart was thudding hard in her chest. She readjusted her wand hold. "Step away from him. Step away from his room." Andromeda took two strides forward. Raised her wand to strike. "I will not warn you again sir! Step away!"

Sandy’s double could hear Yavin Morgenthau speaking only he wasn’t. What was - oh. Of course. Morgenthau’s head voice had a slightly different tone and tempo to his speaking voice, but the sticking point was that Sandy’s double’s head voice had an entirely different voice to that of their current face. To reply would be to break cover. They would attempt to appear too distracted to reply. This acting had moved to more levels than anticipated. They had to be very careful now. Unless they could discredit Auror Gamp to have her carted off, there was no way out of this without a duel.

“Are you, ah, are you feeling alright Auror Gamp?” It was working! “That doesn’t seem like a, hm, a nice way to greet your father’s Healer.” Spoken like a school teacher, and they knew well what that sounded like. Would Andromeda Gamp try to reach her father? Very unlikely unless she decided it was worth protecting him. But if there was a way to suggest she wanted to, that would be to their very great advantage.

“He is not who he says he is.” Andromeda claimed. “Do you know that too?”

Oh my! Daughter thought that Morgenthau was in on it all. Had they missed a trick? Had the apple remained ‘rotten’ at the core on Level 9? This delicious exchange threatened to let slip the mask. They slackened the jaw on Healer Misslethorpe’s face.

“… I will not warn you again sir! Step away!”

“Woah, woah now,” Sandy’s double raised an empty hand. “Take it easy, there’s no need to raise your wand. I am Healer Sandy Misslethorpe. I am Deputy Head Healer and I look after your father. You’re Auror Andromeda Gamp. It’s the 14th February and it’s quite understandable why you’re feeling out of sorts today. You’ve come to the right place, hasn’t she, Mr Morgen-thou?” The slightest mispronunciation of Yavin’s name was lost in concentrating on discrediting Andromeda.

The first peculiarity was that Sandy did not respond to the Legilimency.

He had a wand aimed at him, and aimed by someone who could wield it dangerously, so Yavin excused this silence between minds. Auror Gamp on the other hand did not appear to be in a forgiving mood - she was loud, decisive, threatening. When she demanded Misslethorpe move away from the room, Yav obeyed and was surprised that the Healer did not do the same.

Not who he says he is. The notion stirred uneasily in his head, even as Sandy began to peacefully and methodically describe the situation to Andromeda. Deputy Head Healer. 14th of February. Understandable. Yes, yes, very clever to try and diffuse irrationality with straightforward fac--

            "You’ve come to the right place, hasn’t she, Mr Morgen-thou?"

That was the second peculiarity. Yavin turned his head to the other man, eyes tensing behind gleaming spectacles. He was proud of his name in spite of having never followed in his father's footsteps as a diplomat for MACUSA; the Morgenthau family were famous politicians, speakers, part of a larger Austrian tree. Sandy was not one mispronounce it, especially not after having worked together all these months.

"She... has," he replied slowly, and his attention flicked to Andromeda briefly. "But I'm, ah, I'm sure Auror Gamp means no harm to anyone," Yavin kept on speaking, trying to prolong this moment; the kind of moment where things could go in any direction without warning.

What if this wasn't Sandy Misslethorpe? If not, who else could it be? "Why not just step away, Sandy?" he glanced at the possible imposter. "For your own, that is, your own safety?" Now his eyes, fixed on Misslethorpe, looked more searchingly, prying into the man's mind to discover the truth.

Andromeda bristled. She grit her teeth. Stalling. Trying to make Andromeda look crazy. How dare she! Andromeda wanted to curse her. Hex her. For everything. For Moses. For the others. How dare she come here. Pretend she was a healer.

Two wizards appeared behind her. Blue uniforms. She did not lower her wand. "Move away from the door. Final warning. You are not Healer Misslethorpe. They are a metamorph. They have taken his form. Healer Misslethorpe is in his office. I found him unconscious." The blue uniforms lifted their wands.

“… I’m sure Auror Gamp means no harm to anyone.” Mortimer’s replacement prevailed.

Two more figures joined Andromeda Gamp, but they were in blue robes. Hired wands for the hospital this time. There was a faint glimmer of hope that they were there to diffuse the situation and ask the auror to lower her wand.

“Why not just step away, Sandy?”

“It’s alright, they’ll have her,” Sandy’s imposter replied flippantly, referring to the two figures flanking Auror Gamp at the other end of the hallway.

“Move away from the door.” Auror Gamp commanded, “Final warning. You are not Healer Misslethorpe.” She spoke directly to the imposter amongst the umbrellas by Mortimer Gamp’s door. “They are a metamorph,” the young Auror explained to Morgenthau, “They have taken his form. Healer Misslethorpe is in his office. I found him unconscious.” At this, the blue uniforms drew their wands and mirrored her stance.

Sandy’s double evaluated the situation and the escalation. It appeared the two bodies agreed with Andromeda, which meant her claim about finding the real Healer Misslethorpe in the office was probably true. By bundling the stunned healer into the cupboard, it had been hoped he would not be found quickly. They could surrender, but then they were right there, beside the door. They could continue the pretence but suspicion was already weighted too high, especially with a body, and clearly Morgenthau was able to traverse minds. It was a high risk to remain in place. There was flight - and that would mean almost certain capture unless the face could be changed quickly enough to hide in plain sight. But doing that would mean Mortimer’s guard would be doubled, he’d be moved. There would be little chance of a second attempt.

The imposter made up their mind quickly and got to work.

Seven umbrellas lining the hallway swept up in an invisible wind brought by the twist of a wrist[1]. They zipped down the corridor like oversized, waterproof arrows capable of puncturing guts. Directly aimed at Auror Gamp and the two blue-uniformed guards, their sender didn’t wait to see them received. Instead, Sandy’s double dropped the clipboard and flung an arm across the body, throwing wandless magic at Yavin Morgenthau[2], lifting him off his feet, throwing him backwards at the other wall.

Distraction well and truly made, Sandy’s double released the door of Mortimer’s stark isolation room and ducked inside. As the door sealed shut behind them, the hallway wall rippled, the door vanishing as if it had never been there, gone along with the brass plate bearing name and assigned healer.

1.	Wandless magic - the imposter has absorbed magical potential of others with much greater success than Mortimer Gamp did in February 2011 when he exhibited (and still does exhibit) the unintentional transfiguration of objects without a wand
2.	Permission from Nuri!

The black umbrellas lifted. They flew like swords towards Andromeda. Instantly she threw up obex. Her arms crossed across her body. The barrier spell against physical objects. The air shimmered. The umbrella tips hit the barrier. Slowed suddenly. One inches from her eye. She held it. With all her might. Andromeda let go. The umbrellas fell to the floor.

Her stunner hit the rippling wall. Andromeda bounded down the hall. Full of purpose. Determined. Enraged. She drew back. Aimed to blast the door through. Determined it was still there. The plaster exploded. White dust in the air. But door still held. If there at all. "Verdimilious!" Andromeda cast. Wand circling above her. Emerald light flooded the space. The edge of a door still there revealed. "Hah! Declaro Incantatum!" She was dogged in her pursuit. Ignoring others.

It all happened so quickly: the instant he saw in his mind's eye the busy thoughts of an imposter was followed almost immediately by a flurry of activity, of a regiment of umbrellas coming to attention and something knocking the air out of his lungs as he was flung back against the wall. All around them bystanders exclaimed surprise. Yavin was vaguely aware of Andromeda deflecting the imposter's attack - he registered her in the corner of his eye as he got to his feet once more.

"Auror Gamp!" he called out loudly, rubbing the back of his head and feeling the beginnings of a bruise. "Whoever's in, ah, in there is not leaving by easy nor conventional means."

One could not apparate in or out of St.Mungo's as such, he knew. The wizard drew his wand that he might be of assistance - to make doors where there are none was a Mysteries specialty - but he did not act just yet. "Who is it?" he asked, though it did not seem the young witch was listening. Her resolve was relentless and it blinded her.