In case you haven't spotted it

[frozen-jelly.livejournal.com]

Just was re-checking the friends page and realised Arthur's post has a new comment, which goes someway to explain how Minerva managed to keep such a privileged position despite her previosu close links to Dumbledore etc :
http://alt-arthur.livejournal.com/1372.html?thread=8284#t8284

Comments

[jenett]

It's also good to remember that in this version of the world, the LP's been in power for 11 years or so - it's entirely possible he (or someone else) was checking on Minerva regularly for a while, but she's been so above suspicion for years that the checks are now fewer and far between.

Also, one wonders what the functional protections are on Hogwarts - there may be stuff that even the LP/Bellatrix/whoever can't easily bypass.

McGonagall's long been my favorite character, and one of the things I'm loving about this is getting to see more of her private thoughts (and public actions). Even if she's also breaking my heart.

[queenbookwench.livejournal.com]

Yes--McGonagall is both fabulous and heart-breaking--it's really interesting how she handles some of Snape's canon role. I hope we get the backstory eventually on how/why she brought Hermione into the Order so young, as well.

[lapin-agile.livejournal.com]

It's also good to remember that in this version of the world, the LP's been in power for 11 years or so - it's entirely possible he (or someone else) was checking on Minerva regularly for a while, but she's been so above suspicion for years that the checks are now fewer and far between.

That makes perfect sense to me. I think there are a numbers of ways in which explanations could be woven for her. (Perhaps her status as an animagus gives her some resistence to Legilimency that is not, strictly, Occlumency, but is a more "natural" or structural resistence in that she is partly cat if mostly not.) I'm here registering a desire to have this explanation suggested at some point in the game. I think JKR was wise to hold Occlumency and Legilimency as skills that most wizards have little aptitude for even with training and that few ever really master, and I'm hopeful that this remains the case in game. So then, I'm hoping for some whiff of explanation eventually if Minerva is going to turn out to have this important power in-game. (She would surely have been Harry's Occlumency tutor over Snape in canon if she could have done it. Or if we argue that it's Snape because he so far and away the best at it, then she'd have been a quick replacement once it became clear that Harry and Snape couldn't get beyond their antagonism.)

I'm with you in wondering what protections are woven into Hogwart's fabric in this AU. I'd buy some special protection on the Headmaster/mistress, at least or especially in her office. Perhaps she always contrives to meet or firechat with the Protectorate while ensconced there. But Voldemort's attendance at the upcoming feast will smoke her out at least for a while... (so broader, building-wide protections would be nice if they existed!)

I love McGonagall, too, and it makes her even more interesting to imagine her Marked in this situation.

[frozen-jelly.livejournal.com]

I'm trying to remember what protections Hogwarts had on it in Canon. The only one I can think of is if a muggle were to stumble upon the castle they would see a pile of ruins with lots of 'Danger:Do not enter' signs on it. And things like the automatic portraits of previous Headteachers. Though I am unsure whether portraits of headteachers who have not died have their place on the wall too?

[lapin-agile.livejournal.com]

There are the anti-Apparition charms that prevent anyone from Apparating into, out of or within the school and its grounds.

[frozen-jelly.livejournal.com]

Ah yes, that rings a bell. Is there one that stops electrical appliances from working too... something about magical energy interfering with the electricity.

[lapin-agile.livejournal.com]

Or just no outlets?

[frozen-jelly.livejournal.com]

That too, of course.