DEPARTMENT OF MAGICAL LAW ENFORCEMENT Auror Division Demum, veniunt porci
OFFICE MEMO
TO: Rufus Scrimgeour FROM: Alastor Moody DATE: July 4th, 1979 RE: Agnes O'Hare case
URGENCY: High CLEARANCE: High; Rufus Scrimgeour, Alastor Moody
From the beginning of this year, I have been training Agnes O'Hare in the arts of self-defense and minor offensive spells, suitable for fighting off attackers or stunning them long enough to escape to safety. This training has been entirely informal, with no connection to the Ministry or the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, and was begun in order to provide O'Hare with the abilities to survive an attack, should one take place. I believed such an eventuality would be possible, given the current political climate, O'Hare's relative fame in the wizarding radio community, and her blood status.
It is my belief that O'Hare reacted instinctively upon being attacked, responding with the most powerful spell she knew. This is not an uncommon reaction to an unexpected attack; in my many years working in this department, I have seen similar responses in new Aurors, those who are not accustomed to combat in the same way as those of my experience are. While I am in no way excusing the use of an Unforgivable, I find it highly unlikely that O'Hare could cast such a spell in anything but extremity, and equally as unlikely that such an occurrence should happen again.
As her trainer, and as an Auror of senior standing, I am willing to offer character witness for O'Hare, and to take responsibility for her actions. I am likewise willing to take an oath to ensure O'Hare does not violate the terms of her probation, and take full responsibility should she do so.
While it's not my place to instruct the law, only enforce it, I would suggest a fine and probation as a more appropriate response to this particular incident, rather than incarceration. While Unforgivables are not, and should never be, the purview of civilians, in this case the offending spell was cast in order to protect the caster, to keep back an assailant, and I do not believe the Ministry is in the habit of punishing the victims of attacks.
Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Auror Division