Anonymous Owl to Betty Braithwaite Ms Braithwaite,
I'm sure you can appreciate why I would not want my identity known. I am a member of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, and after reading your recent article on Bartemius Crouch I have some facts that I would like to add.
Firstly, on the night in question, while many of the Aurors were out of the office investigating the attacks, there were both hit wizards and support staff available. Past attacks have only once involved a second wave, that being Diagon Alley where a battle occurred shortly after the explosions that first alerted the department to trouble in the area. Some of the hit wizards on site were unqualified to respond to Death Eater attacks, namely the trainees, who Millicent Bagnold would not expect to face dark wizards and could have been spared to perform the safer task of informing relatives.
Secondly, upon finding out the nature of the letters sent, many of the staff of the department were appalled, and I understand that several of them offered apologies to the victims. Though Mr Crouch did explain his reasoning to us, and we do see where he is coming from as safety does rank above popularity in our priorities, we do feel that this could have been handled better.
Thirdly, one of the victims did receive the news in person. Adelaide Quinn, who had been recently fired from the Department of Mysteries for non-compliance with Ministry rulings, was not opening mail from the Ministry and so one staff-member was able to locate her after their shift ended and break the news in person. We regret that the others could not receive similar treatment.
I hope these facts will shed more light on the situation.