On the Department of Mysteries
Jun. 9th, 2013 07:07 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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alt_fenSo, since I now have this searching thing set up, I thought I'd take on a slightly more ambitious project: gathering all the information I can find on the DoM in hopes of working out some of what the hell they're up to.
Lucius mentions a meeting with the DoM on September 8 of Y1 (Lucius talks about the DoM a lot, or refers to it. Anyway...), where he makes a reference to the DoM's "contemplation of the ineffable" and to them predicting things. So either there weren't any of the big projects we see later going on at that point, or he's better at avoiding mentioning them. Probably the latter, but still interesting.
After the first Grim Truth, near the end of Lucius being outraged, he mentions a drawback the journals being the ability to spread dissent if "anyone is so foolish as young Black" and "[having] thoughts about how to use this to our advantage" (whether the reference of 'this' is to the Grim Truth or the previous paragraph is unclear), as, he expects, "the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and the Department of Mysteries." also have. (emphasis mine).
Anyone have any ideas what the DoM is doing there? (note from later: apparently they're working somehow with the journal magics)
We get our first reference to the whole set of experiments regarding moving magical ability in Lucius' Sept 22 entry, with Rookwood's "latest research on spontaneous magical transference"--the only part of the discussion mentioned in the entry, however, is Rookwood asking for his allowance of Muggle subjects to be increased. Again, apparently, but Rookwood apparently told Lucius more than that. (Lucius apparently didn't particularly want to hear about it.)
Midway through a rant by Lucius about his current clerk, when talking about being marked down for two simultaneous meetings, he wonders if his clerk "[thinks] because one of [Lucius'] associations is the Department of Mysteries that [he has] access to time itself?" In the comments, he discusses with Minerva frustrations, and we have this, which is either clever foreshadowing or just a random detail.
In another post summarizing his current activities, Lucius mentions and update from the DoM on their projects, in which Bole and Croaker are referenced. Oh, and Morlock (who is mentioned only in that entry, as far as I can tell) feels they need more staff. In the comments, the Order discusses Rookwood's requests for more subjects, and Arthur mentions that the DoM gets priority in terms of requests for muggle labor.
When one of the early discussions about muggleborns having stolen magic comes around, Lucius endeavors to explain the theory. He mentions the DoM several times in the process, most significantly in "The Department of Mysteries considers this one of its most important projects. The sooner we can discover the cause, the sooner we can prevent further dilution of our children's birthright, and the sooner we can, in time, restore our Squibs to their full capacity", which will, of course, come up again later, in what the DoM is actually doing related to that (and with Carrow, who I have mostly not included in this. Someone else can do that), but it's some nice foreshadowing.
Apparently the Department of Mysteries has some involvement with the journal magics, as they are the group consulted re: blocking the Grim Truths.
Then we have the visit by the DoM to the dragon Reserve, and the revelation that it's related to the wards.
We hear some more from Croaker complaining about wanting more funding via Lucius' journal, and then a few months later we get a little more information on what the Unspeakables are up to: "Bode, Croaker, Rookwood and the rest of the DoM held a quarterly meeting last Thursday which quite predictably went overlong. Rookwood heads out to the camps this week for field research; Bode's work remains ineffable but irrefutable nonetheless; Croaker manages to eke out more funding despite disappointing returns."
There's a reference in Bellatrix's journal to what I think is the unicorn blood/flesh/etc as Voldemort's new pet project. If anyone remembers or wants to dig around in the journals around then--did we ever hear what came of that, beyond horrid reactions from everyone who ate some? It was enough to catch my attention as Mysteries-type work when I went through her journal (she and Carrow were the ones who I could think of with the most indirect references to that kind of work, but hers are at least not ciphered)
So, this is the part where I will talk about Carrow a bit, because he works with Rookwood for it. There's probably more information that could be pried out of his posts at the time, but untangling those is a whole 'nother project.
So, we'll start with post by Terry about Carrow taking them to the Epping Forest camp. By Terry's ISS comments, they're researching something involving Muggles, Muggleborns, and Squibs, and it was very secret, but he couldn't discern much more. Though it's probably worth noting that that camp gets sick around then.
Lucius says that Carrow and Rookwood found the research to be to their "mutual benefit", and when he visits, describes the research as 'illuminating'. Amycus Carrow certainly seems excited, and more deciphering might lead to some insights as to the project. (I hit that one because of the Order comments, but it's apparently his main post for this chunk of time).
On a somewhat unrelated tangent, Poppy encounted something interesting in her travels: the DoM has apparently disappeared all the Bright Wave moths they can find, either because they're using them or because they don't want them used for something. Since they're normally not anything special, according to Poppy...
Lucius mentions on a post by Regulus that "[t]he Shroton and Ampfield camps have been selected for the next phase of Rookwood's project" and that Voldemort "has elected personally to go and witness the first trials", which naturally leads to flareups in one of those camps. Lucius mentions in a later post that "Rookwood and Croaker are pleased with their trial results thus far" and that when Voldemort did make his visit it is "[f]air to say that the inspections [he] conducted met unparalleled success"
At this point the Order starts digging around at reports of sickness. There is some frustration about their inability to get anything related to the DoM when they're searching for information.
Rookwood ambushes Lucius about licensing for a new direction in his research.
We have another dragon-related Order post which is only tangentially related to this series of events, but should be included.
Rookwood has a breakthrough in his research that should "alter the course not only of the labour shortage but the quality of that labour, once the industrial rates can again be increased", and appears in several more of Lucius' posts as the epidemic starts in earnest.
Lucius comments on February 4th that "Following Rookwood's - admittedly - compelling demonstration earlier this week, was able to recommend to Minister Fudge that the DoM be given immediate access to field testing facilities"
Lucius gets surprisingly worried about contagion, considering the relevant propaganda, and a visit by him to Rookwood's sites is discussed. Sirius notes this, and sets off a discussion among the Order.
There is another mention of Rookwood's trials in Lucius' post a few days later.
And then Bill reports his findings on Rookwood and the epidemic outbreaks. They're not good.
A little later, Sirius receives evidence of the link between the epidemic and the DoM. There is some discussion of his source's relability, but the eventual conclusion is that a Grim Truth is warrented. (The coverup is here)
Lucius takes a trip to review the progress of the cure in the camps with Rookwood. (There's also an interesting tidbit possibly re: the horcruxes here.), and reports that it seems effective. more posts provide bits of information.
(That's most of the DoM related plague stuff. I don't think it'll be useful--I wasn't seeing anything in there we didn't already know--but someone else might see something, and I had the links, so I thought I'd post them.)
Terry gives a bit more information about Carrow and Rookwood.
Pansy makes her first comment about the DoM as relates to time travel.
Padma posts some of her findings, including how the DoM got custody of the subject in the first place, and Pansy mentions a bit more.
Lucius provides them with some more references.
Padma mentions her and Pansy talking to Rookwood about their research (There's a thread with Padma and Pansy that tells some more, if you collapse the first one)
Poppy tells us that the reason fluxweed has so thoroughly vanished is that the DoM created a blight to kill off all the wild patches. She also mentions a little later some of things actually published by the DoM--"one of the papers claims to be about development of a nightmare curative, while its theoretical discussion shows that the authors' methodological bent is towards nightmare cultivation and consciousness manipulation. The literature review includes the one existing study on controlling Inferi and papers on docility, thought-direction, and dream-insertion in Muggles--the sort of stuff that the Deparment of Mysteries occasionally allows out its doors to prove that it's doing something substantial with its budget"
Lucius' rants at his clerk contain a few mentions of DoM personnel, as does this and this.
Oh, and Rookwood apparently finds twins interesting for experimentation (does anyone remember where the post where the organized that paperwork was? I didn't find it), and the DoM/Rookwood has an operation at Stevenage.
Padma discusses the DoM relative to her YPL/CCF application, and then writes her letter.
Bellatrix appears to be working on something.
There's a bit of discussion on the situation with Rookwood and Carrow amoung the Order after the Vale of Glamorgan falls apart, and we find out that Bella has acquired some new test subjects.
Croaker apparently was interested in Barty's office after his 'death'. Rookwood may have been around at the time.
We have another mention of the DoM eradicating fluxweed.
Bella's research apparently is in some way related to metamorphmagi.
Someone in the DoM is interested in Mrs. Crouch's body. Bale, apparently. The body was presumably cremated to disguise the hand-off--the request was granted (Which, you know, we know, since it was there, but hey.)
Bella makes a mysterious post, resulting in some discussion. In the comments, she enlists Hydra to give her an excuse to contact Tonks, and makes a mysterious note. This is followed by more such mysterious notes, one implicating a search for a metamorphagus for experiments, and another telling a grim tale of the subject's fate. (anyone want to tackle trying to work out what those mean?)
Someone's been doing something with a journal spells to allow pre-entered messages. Several somebodies, apparently
We get more information on the DoM visits to the dragon Preserve, and there is a discussion of the uses of dragon's blood.
Bella is apparently doing some work with werewolves.
Narcissa and Barty discuss the DoM, and Barty describes it as "rather a fiefdom unto itself"
Bella messages the LP with the news of success in her project.
Lucius is still working with Rookwood fairly regularly (I didn't include all the messages mentioning him, for times sake, but there are more)
Hydra consults with Bella on the matter of CCF, and Bella recommends Hydra look into going into the Department of Mysteries. Hyrda mentions this to Justin.
The DoM, specifically Bale, are trying to contact Barty(who, incidentally, is also collecting artifacts)
Bella enlists Barty to help with her project.
The DoM is apparently the place to grab Pensieves from in the Ministry, at least for Lucius' purposes
Barty finds out precisely what the DoM's involvement in his 'death' was. He is not pleased.
Bill reports to the Order some information he's gathered on the Sleep spells and on the stealing of magic.
Rookwood was apparently one of the people sending messages to Doholov around his arrival
Charlie reports in from the Reserve, and the DoM-related uses of dragon's eggs and the disposition of dragon's blood is discussed.
Rookwood is one of the earlier Councilwizards to be called back from Ireland
The reports of the ritual to bind Irish muggles both by Bill and Order discussion, are, of course, relevant.
One of the suggested astronomers for purposes of calculating the location now works for the DoM.
Lines' report on the Council includes, amoung other things, evidence of Rookwood's "experiments on the field."
The DoM examined Cassie Caterwald's memory (they didn't find anything suggesting it was manufactured)
Severus and Alice discuss the Sleepers and related DoM activities. Snape wants a Sleeper for research, and Alice consults with Minerva about that.
The Order obtains the Octoboros during their train raid. They are rather puzzled. Meanwhile, heads are rolling in Court over its loss, and Lucius is scrambling
Severus intends to examine the DoM Sleeper potion.
Bill passes along more information on the Octoboros (including that name) from Ministry sources.
Dumbledore and Cecelia Perks examined the Octoboros--it's apparently related to ley-lines and the wards.
So. I think our ongoing questions at the moment involve what Bella was working on and the Octoboros. Also the royals, who I didn't catch any mentions of.
I'm not seeing much more in this--I'm posting it up in hopes that someone else might see a pattern I missed. (Also to come back to later--don't want to have to do this more that once--but mostly the latter)
Lucius mentions a meeting with the DoM on September 8 of Y1 (Lucius talks about the DoM a lot, or refers to it. Anyway...), where he makes a reference to the DoM's "contemplation of the ineffable" and to them predicting things. So either there weren't any of the big projects we see later going on at that point, or he's better at avoiding mentioning them. Probably the latter, but still interesting.
After the first Grim Truth, near the end of Lucius being outraged, he mentions a drawback the journals being the ability to spread dissent if "anyone is so foolish as young Black" and "[having] thoughts about how to use this to our advantage" (whether the reference of 'this' is to the Grim Truth or the previous paragraph is unclear), as, he expects, "the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and the Department of Mysteries." also have. (emphasis mine).
Anyone have any ideas what the DoM is doing there? (note from later: apparently they're working somehow with the journal magics)
We get our first reference to the whole set of experiments regarding moving magical ability in Lucius' Sept 22 entry, with Rookwood's "latest research on spontaneous magical transference"--the only part of the discussion mentioned in the entry, however, is Rookwood asking for his allowance of Muggle subjects to be increased. Again, apparently, but Rookwood apparently told Lucius more than that. (Lucius apparently didn't particularly want to hear about it.)
Midway through a rant by Lucius about his current clerk, when talking about being marked down for two simultaneous meetings, he wonders if his clerk "[thinks] because one of [Lucius'] associations is the Department of Mysteries that [he has] access to time itself?" In the comments, he discusses with Minerva frustrations, and we have this, which is either clever foreshadowing or just a random detail.
In another post summarizing his current activities, Lucius mentions and update from the DoM on their projects, in which Bole and Croaker are referenced. Oh, and Morlock (who is mentioned only in that entry, as far as I can tell) feels they need more staff. In the comments, the Order discusses Rookwood's requests for more subjects, and Arthur mentions that the DoM gets priority in terms of requests for muggle labor.
When one of the early discussions about muggleborns having stolen magic comes around, Lucius endeavors to explain the theory. He mentions the DoM several times in the process, most significantly in "The Department of Mysteries considers this one of its most important projects. The sooner we can discover the cause, the sooner we can prevent further dilution of our children's birthright, and the sooner we can, in time, restore our Squibs to their full capacity", which will, of course, come up again later, in what the DoM is actually doing related to that (and with Carrow, who I have mostly not included in this. Someone else can do that), but it's some nice foreshadowing.
Apparently the Department of Mysteries has some involvement with the journal magics, as they are the group consulted re: blocking the Grim Truths.
Then we have the visit by the DoM to the dragon Reserve, and the revelation that it's related to the wards.
We hear some more from Croaker complaining about wanting more funding via Lucius' journal, and then a few months later we get a little more information on what the Unspeakables are up to: "Bode, Croaker, Rookwood and the rest of the DoM held a quarterly meeting last Thursday which quite predictably went overlong. Rookwood heads out to the camps this week for field research; Bode's work remains ineffable but irrefutable nonetheless; Croaker manages to eke out more funding despite disappointing returns."
There's a reference in Bellatrix's journal to what I think is the unicorn blood/flesh/etc as Voldemort's new pet project. If anyone remembers or wants to dig around in the journals around then--did we ever hear what came of that, beyond horrid reactions from everyone who ate some? It was enough to catch my attention as Mysteries-type work when I went through her journal (she and Carrow were the ones who I could think of with the most indirect references to that kind of work, but hers are at least not ciphered)
So, this is the part where I will talk about Carrow a bit, because he works with Rookwood for it. There's probably more information that could be pried out of his posts at the time, but untangling those is a whole 'nother project.
So, we'll start with post by Terry about Carrow taking them to the Epping Forest camp. By Terry's ISS comments, they're researching something involving Muggles, Muggleborns, and Squibs, and it was very secret, but he couldn't discern much more. Though it's probably worth noting that that camp gets sick around then.
Lucius says that Carrow and Rookwood found the research to be to their "mutual benefit", and when he visits, describes the research as 'illuminating'. Amycus Carrow certainly seems excited, and more deciphering might lead to some insights as to the project. (I hit that one because of the Order comments, but it's apparently his main post for this chunk of time).
On a somewhat unrelated tangent, Poppy encounted something interesting in her travels: the DoM has apparently disappeared all the Bright Wave moths they can find, either because they're using them or because they don't want them used for something. Since they're normally not anything special, according to Poppy...
Lucius mentions on a post by Regulus that "[t]he Shroton and Ampfield camps have been selected for the next phase of Rookwood's project" and that Voldemort "has elected personally to go and witness the first trials", which naturally leads to flareups in one of those camps. Lucius mentions in a later post that "Rookwood and Croaker are pleased with their trial results thus far" and that when Voldemort did make his visit it is "[f]air to say that the inspections [he] conducted met unparalleled success"
At this point the Order starts digging around at reports of sickness. There is some frustration about their inability to get anything related to the DoM when they're searching for information.
Rookwood ambushes Lucius about licensing for a new direction in his research.
We have another dragon-related Order post which is only tangentially related to this series of events, but should be included.
Rookwood has a breakthrough in his research that should "alter the course not only of the labour shortage but the quality of that labour, once the industrial rates can again be increased", and appears in several more of Lucius' posts as the epidemic starts in earnest.
Lucius comments on February 4th that "Following Rookwood's - admittedly - compelling demonstration earlier this week, was able to recommend to Minister Fudge that the DoM be given immediate access to field testing facilities"
Lucius gets surprisingly worried about contagion, considering the relevant propaganda, and a visit by him to Rookwood's sites is discussed. Sirius notes this, and sets off a discussion among the Order.
There is another mention of Rookwood's trials in Lucius' post a few days later.
And then Bill reports his findings on Rookwood and the epidemic outbreaks. They're not good.
A little later, Sirius receives evidence of the link between the epidemic and the DoM. There is some discussion of his source's relability, but the eventual conclusion is that a Grim Truth is warrented. (The coverup is here)
Lucius takes a trip to review the progress of the cure in the camps with Rookwood. (There's also an interesting tidbit possibly re: the horcruxes here.), and reports that it seems effective. more posts provide bits of information.
(That's most of the DoM related plague stuff. I don't think it'll be useful--I wasn't seeing anything in there we didn't already know--but someone else might see something, and I had the links, so I thought I'd post them.)
Terry gives a bit more information about Carrow and Rookwood.
Pansy makes her first comment about the DoM as relates to time travel.
Padma posts some of her findings, including how the DoM got custody of the subject in the first place, and Pansy mentions a bit more.
Lucius provides them with some more references.
Padma mentions her and Pansy talking to Rookwood about their research (There's a thread with Padma and Pansy that tells some more, if you collapse the first one)
Poppy tells us that the reason fluxweed has so thoroughly vanished is that the DoM created a blight to kill off all the wild patches. She also mentions a little later some of things actually published by the DoM--"one of the papers claims to be about development of a nightmare curative, while its theoretical discussion shows that the authors' methodological bent is towards nightmare cultivation and consciousness manipulation. The literature review includes the one existing study on controlling Inferi and papers on docility, thought-direction, and dream-insertion in Muggles--the sort of stuff that the Deparment of Mysteries occasionally allows out its doors to prove that it's doing something substantial with its budget"
Lucius' rants at his clerk contain a few mentions of DoM personnel, as does this and this.
Oh, and Rookwood apparently finds twins interesting for experimentation (does anyone remember where the post where the organized that paperwork was? I didn't find it), and the DoM/Rookwood has an operation at Stevenage.
Padma discusses the DoM relative to her YPL/CCF application, and then writes her letter.
Bellatrix appears to be working on something.
There's a bit of discussion on the situation with Rookwood and Carrow amoung the Order after the Vale of Glamorgan falls apart, and we find out that Bella has acquired some new test subjects.
Croaker apparently was interested in Barty's office after his 'death'. Rookwood may have been around at the time.
We have another mention of the DoM eradicating fluxweed.
Bella's research apparently is in some way related to metamorphmagi.
Someone in the DoM is interested in Mrs. Crouch's body. Bale, apparently. The body was presumably cremated to disguise the hand-off--the request was granted (Which, you know, we know, since it was there, but hey.)
Bella makes a mysterious post, resulting in some discussion. In the comments, she enlists Hydra to give her an excuse to contact Tonks, and makes a mysterious note. This is followed by more such mysterious notes, one implicating a search for a metamorphagus for experiments, and another telling a grim tale of the subject's fate. (anyone want to tackle trying to work out what those mean?)
Someone's been doing something with a journal spells to allow pre-entered messages. Several somebodies, apparently
We get more information on the DoM visits to the dragon Preserve, and there is a discussion of the uses of dragon's blood.
Bella is apparently doing some work with werewolves.
Narcissa and Barty discuss the DoM, and Barty describes it as "rather a fiefdom unto itself"
Bella messages the LP with the news of success in her project.
Lucius is still working with Rookwood fairly regularly (I didn't include all the messages mentioning him, for times sake, but there are more)
Hydra consults with Bella on the matter of CCF, and Bella recommends Hydra look into going into the Department of Mysteries. Hyrda mentions this to Justin.
The DoM, specifically Bale, are trying to contact Barty(who, incidentally, is also collecting artifacts)
Bella enlists Barty to help with her project.
The DoM is apparently the place to grab Pensieves from in the Ministry, at least for Lucius' purposes
Barty finds out precisely what the DoM's involvement in his 'death' was. He is not pleased.
Bill reports to the Order some information he's gathered on the Sleep spells and on the stealing of magic.
Rookwood was apparently one of the people sending messages to Doholov around his arrival
Charlie reports in from the Reserve, and the DoM-related uses of dragon's eggs and the disposition of dragon's blood is discussed.
Rookwood is one of the earlier Councilwizards to be called back from Ireland
The reports of the ritual to bind Irish muggles both by Bill and Order discussion, are, of course, relevant.
One of the suggested astronomers for purposes of calculating the location now works for the DoM.
Lines' report on the Council includes, amoung other things, evidence of Rookwood's "experiments on the field."
The DoM examined Cassie Caterwald's memory (they didn't find anything suggesting it was manufactured)
Severus and Alice discuss the Sleepers and related DoM activities. Snape wants a Sleeper for research, and Alice consults with Minerva about that.
The Order obtains the Octoboros during their train raid. They are rather puzzled. Meanwhile, heads are rolling in Court over its loss, and Lucius is scrambling
Severus intends to examine the DoM Sleeper potion.
Bill passes along more information on the Octoboros (including that name) from Ministry sources.
Dumbledore and Cecelia Perks examined the Octoboros--it's apparently related to ley-lines and the wards.
So. I think our ongoing questions at the moment involve what Bella was working on and the Octoboros. Also the royals, who I didn't catch any mentions of.
I'm not seeing much more in this--I'm posting it up in hopes that someone else might see a pattern I missed. (Also to come back to later--don't want to have to do this more that once--but mostly the latter)
no subject
Date: 2013-06-10 01:13 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-06-10 01:26 am (UTC)Which presumably means the werewolves didn't make it.
no subject
Date: 2013-06-10 01:39 am (UTC)I wonder how she got started looking at shape-changing? Maybe because the metamorphagus in the family?
Um. So now she knows he's a animagus. That... could be a problem.
no subject
Date: 2013-06-10 01:48 am (UTC)And she's known for some time. That was ages ago, after all. I don't know if the Order knows she knows, though.
Draco commenting on his ability to keep secrets such as that one is in his ISS intro.
no subject
Date: 2013-06-10 02:26 am (UTC)Yes, but I apparently missed it at the time. --I don't think the Order knows, though. Draco, you might want to mention that.
Yeah, I remember reading that and being a bit puzzled, now that I think about it. Huh.
no subject
Date: 2013-06-10 02:14 am (UTC)Just one note on spelling - It's 'octoboros', not 'octobrus'.
no subject
Date: 2013-06-10 02:24 am (UTC)Well, I suppose in something this length I had to get something wrong. Fixed.
no subject
Date: 2013-06-10 03:05 am (UTC)(I think all of these links were *somewhere* in my files, but they were in about five different places I have not yet pulled together, so having a single place to work from is very handy. Much much thanks!)
no subject
Date: 2013-06-10 05:07 pm (UTC)Another thing to add from the past month or so is the whole business of Covington asking Tosha for a book, along with Tosha's follow-up with Barty and his follow-up with Selwyn/Lucius. The result of all of this was Covington apparently disappearing--based on Lucius' digging--and some details from Lucius as to who is working on what at Mysteries. A quote from Lucius:
So whatever Bale was doing, possibly with the body of Barty's mother or possibly on another project, may relate to Rink's previous work on death that Covington was now working on? Or it was quite unrelated and Covington was just trying to make first contact, as Tosha et al currently believe. Either way, the fact that he's disappeared seems rather concerning.
The bit about Bella hoping to find a dog is also concerning, for Sirius reasons (no pun intended.)
Also, for what it's worth, the papers of Sprenger were among those the LP looked at while at Hogwarts in the Restricted Section.