Stephen was more than willing to let the discussion drop, since they usually turned the most inane discussions into major arguments. "It doesn't seem simple. I'm starting from the idea that we have to deal with the Fidelius already in place. We'll be working with Terry before we even pitch the idea. We were thinking Runes, but now if you say we can't, we have to change everything. The original idea would have allowed Terry to be far away from the borders. He would have detected the magical disruption, and created a perimeter from afar." It had seemed too simple.
"All right, let's rewrite this. I guess Adrian will have to stay with Terry, because he would see what's going on, and Terry needs to be protected. I'm going to say something that I know it's stupid, but-" He looked up at Snape. "Is there any chance that Draco would help? The more people that can see what's going on, the better."
He chewed on his lip. He didn't like it when he had vague notions instead of precise concepts. It was the reason he liked to work with Terry. "What do you see happen? I mean precisely. We were going to set runes off so Terry could detect them, but if you say no, how do we set the perimeter? And whatever you're about to say, you'd better come up with an additional answer that requires me there or Adrian will flip the fuck out. I promised him that I'll get involved only if my knowledge is required, but there is no way in hell that I'm letting all of you do it without my help."
Walking seemed even too simpler. "How the hell would have flyer see us in the dark? And it'd be too dangerous during the day. It wouldn't work even without the ward." He tilted his head, thinking. "What about toys? They wouldn't even have to be charmed, something like motorized cars or planes, we could actually moved them around the perimeter. Would the wards react to Muggle toys?"
Stephen leaned forward, watching Snape draw, knowing that what he said made sense, but he didn't think it would happen. "You can't be serious. Terry can't be up there. Seriously, I know the charms he's created, or I have an idea, but it's different to actually use them, and Adrian… He'll go mental, and I can't think he'll be of much use if we're both there. I'm not trying to make things hard, but I really don't want to see him dead, because he's too busy looking out for me."
It wasn't like he didn't know everything that Snape was saying, but there was a crucial difference. He didn't give a shit about anyone else. He wasn't doing this for the greater good, but because he saw it as a way to hurt Lestrange and his stride for power. "True, but right now, he's trying to limit things to organised attacks. The moment they start attacking without rhyme or reason, then they'll make mistakes. These planned battles have put them at an advantage. Once it becomes a free fall, then things won't be neat and perfect, and yes, I understand that those mean consequences, but there are consequences anyway. Secondly, it might make people think twice about their alliances, and while I don't expect Death Eaters to go running to the Aurors, a healthy distrust makes things easier."
Stephen shook his head. "I'm not asking you, too. It's my idea. I'll take the responsibility. It's something my father thought me, and it's not even that difficult, because those mothers, spouses and children, should have told their loved ones to do something. They don't get to live their lives and then bitch when something else. It's what I was trying to tell you the first time. Anyone – any Muggleborn or Half-blood – who's happy to let others deal with everything, deserves whatever he or she gets. As for me and my family, I think it's a bit too late to worry about Lestrange, and Terry… he wants to do it. You won't have to convince him. Weasley… if he's a political animal, then he'll know how to spin it: he led the first attack that changed the tide of the war and all that shit that politicians like so much- and people, too." He sighed. "I'll take all the responsibility you want. I'll talk to Minerva and Weasley. You need to convince Adrian that this is a safe plan, or as safe as it'll ever be." He shoo his head. "That's the only thing that worries me: having to lie to Adrian."