RP: 16 August 2003, Evening; The Flat - Discussing Problems of an Elephantine Nature

Hannah: *is cleaning up what remains of the afternoon's elephant rampage that she couldn't get to during her lunch break*

Dean: *apparates to the landing outside the flat, and enters* It's just me! *wanders until he finds Hannah, and immediately starts helping with the clean-up, his mind making the same connections it made earlier*
Evening, Hannah.  How you holding up?

Hannah: *looks and smiles at the help* Evening, Dean. I'm all right, mostly.  Just sort of frustrated.  Maybe that play-pen idea would work...certainly couldn't hurt, anyway.

Dean: Yeah, actually, I think it's a good idea, but Hannah... *tries to turn his thoughts into ideas, possibly even ideas that make sense*  Hannah, don't you think it's odd that the elephant went on rampages today and Sunday?

Hannah: *tilts her head as she picks up a few books*  Odd's not exactly the word I'd use for it.  *grins a little*  Bloody frustrating, now that hits the spot.  *glances at her wand on the table* Maybe I really should get my wand checked...

Dean: No.  Hannah.  Just. *crouches in front of her, taking her hands so she can't clean anymore*  Just listen to me for a minute. Okay?

Hannah: *frowns a little and blinks* Erm, all right...?

Dean: *deep breath* There's something else that happened today and Sunday.  And unless my memory is off - which admittedly is not unheard of - if we go back and read a few old entries in your journal,  we'll see that the elephant broke its charms on the day Cho and Seamus fought Bellatrix Lestrange. And the night I had my first first date with Diana, and got called away.  Maybe even the day Parkinson disappeared.

Hannah: *small gasp, starts looking worried* Dean...are you saying that the elephant...is responding to the attacks?

Dean: *rubbing her hands in his, he hopes soothingly* I don't know how it could be, but...yeah, that's what I'm saying.

Hannah: *frowns*...how would we find out for certain?  And what does it mean?

Dean: *looks at the elephant, now resting peacefully, for a minute before getting up and crossing to it; pulls his wand and runs the most advanced detecting spell he can think of, the result being nothing more than the obvious animation charms, and a few basic protection charms - which might explain its ability to throw off the immobilisation charm, but doesn't explain the timing* Damn.  When is your Uncle Simeon due back?

Hannah: *watches his work, thinks*  Erm...sometime in the next two weeks, I think?  The form letter wasn't very specific at all. *nibbles on her lip*  What do you think we should do?

Dean: *crosses his arms and stands back to consider it for a long moment, then turns to Hannah* I don't for a minute believe he would give you something that would put you and Sam in danger, so if you want we can keep it here until he returns. *small, possibly reassuring smile* We can try Luna's playpen idea.  But if it makes you even the slightest bit uncomfortable, Hannah, then I can take it into the Department with me and have the boys and girls in Magical Artifacts look it over.

Hannah: *smiles back, a little, then looks at the elephant and her brow furrows again*  ...the timing issue really does make me nervous. I hope it's just a coincidence, but *shakes her head* I think that these days, we all know not to trust too much in coincidence, right? *looks slyly at Dean* I know your boss, for example, certainly doesn't.  *bites her lip*  Would you mind taking it to Magical Artifacts, then?  I think...that would be a good idea.  And if it turns out to be nothing, we'll put it in the play-pen and everything will be all right.  *smiles a little crookedly, not believing it herself*

Dean: *nods* We'll set up the pen for tonight then. *is a little concerned* You know, if it ends up the elephant is responding to dark magic, or the attacks or anything similar, Moody's going to want a look at it.  He'll probably want to talk to your Uncle Simeon, too.  Is that all right with you?

Hannah: *hadn't thought of that* Well.  I can understand, of course...I don't know if Uncle Simeon knew...but I can't say that Mr. Moody would be wrong to investigate. *sighs*  I suppose so. *eyes the elephant, concerned*

Dean: You can change your mind. *tries to catch her eye so she can see he's not just saying it*

Hannah: *glances at him out of the corner of her eye and smiles* I know...but it's probably best to get it done. I'd never forgive myself if... *looks away* ...hopefully it won't come to that. But just in case, you know?

Dean: *nods* Yeah, I know. *smiles and beckons her over* Now get over here, Charms Expert, and help me figure out how to make a miniature white elephant playpen, yeah?

Hannah: *laughs and walks over to him, picking up her wand on the way* As you say, Auror Thomas!