Investigators noted the communication delay with interest. Why not use her broom? Why not fly to Malfoy Manor and fire-call the Ministry? But Astoria had a gentle soul: she could not bear to leave the girls alone on the hill. Already, they were attracting insects. She conjured a breeze to keep them at bay, a decision that would become the subject of fierce debate during the trial. The Physical Trace team relied partially on insect activity to determine time of death. The disruption of natural processes resulted in less precision. The key question: was Astoria’s decision born of malice, or simple ignorance?