The Quest

[MWPP+Lily]

Dark Mark at Mungo's. Appeared in reception, up the stairs to the cafe, vanished. All patients and visitors accounted for. Chaos & injuries, nothing worse. DMLE on scene taking reports. I'm fine.

[DM: Aunt Minerva]

Dark Mark at Mungo's. Appeared in reception, up the stairs to the cafe, vanished. All patients and visitors accounted for. Chaos & injuries, nothing worse. DMLE on scene taking reports. I'm fine.

Family text: (includes Merc & Aunt Minerva) Dark Mark at Mungo's a prank. Not injured, just shaken, questioned by DMLE, working late. Send biscuits.

Saturday 20th April, 2pm, St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries--

The usual early-afternoon bustle of St Mungo's came to a screaming (literally) halt when a roiling knot of shadow and deep green smoke appeared out of nowhere in the middle of the reception area. From the middle of it bloomed the chillingly recognisable skull and snake of the Dark Mark, no sooner formed than it surged across reception, scattering shrieking people and leaving thick shadow in its wake. The Mark boiled up the main staircase, trailing shadow and panic, to the very top floor of the hospital, where it swelled and loomed up into the dome over the visitors cafe, before finally dissipating into shadow and mist.

The entire incident took perhaps five minutes. The Mark left no physical traces of itself, and caused no direct damage. The panic of patients, visitors and staff, on the other hand, left rather a substantial amount of chaos, minor injuries, overturned furniture, trampled food and scattered belongings.

[ Reactions very welcome! Hit me up if you have questions. (Rabbit is not on the premises. Rabbit's shift at the Floo started at 2pm. We don't even understand why you're asking. Honestly, officer.) ]

( MSG from ARLO to TAIRITH & VALERIA )