alt_regulus | Narcissa

Cousin, I couldn't help but notice that you've just expanded your plans for your holiday entertaining. I wonder if you could use help with any of the preparations. I seem to be less in demand at the moment, so I'd be glad if there were something I could do for you.

I had a bit of a surprise yesterday. I stopped into one of the little shops down my street for sticking plasters and several other things, and while they couldn't supply the plasters--can you imagine: they stock wound cream but not plasters and then were out of washing up liquid?--Sorry. The point is, who should be there behind the counter but our cousin Nymphadora? Says she took the job to supplement what she's earning at the Ministry. I hadn't realised she was working there, either, though I guess I wouldn't have done. If I hadn't just seen her at the funeral, I doubt I'd have recognised her at all; before we were all together that day it had been ages since I'd laid eyes on her.

She's just as I remember, though: well, I can't say whether the hair was purple back then (and, obviously it wasn't at the funeral), but it was always one sort of odd or another, and there's always been that same inability to pick up one thing without knocking something else over. Merlin's tiny pants, that girl was always hopelessly clumsy, wasn't she? Well she's just as awkward now. Fortunately, it was the tin of biscuits and not the bottle of lamp oil that she knocked off the counter and then stepped on. I thought she was going to overturn a whole table of fruitcakes when she bent to pick it up.

I wonder how long she'll keep the job, honestly. I'd think she might break more than she sells. On the other hand, she did persuade me to buy a quantity of cinnamon and several other things that were nowhere on my list. She plied me with spiced cider and a sample tray of cinnamon biscuits that tasted just like the ones Kreacher made when we were children.

I asked her about that, why even when you can get the ingredients, nothing tastes as good now as then, and do you know what she told me? She says you can't buy proper cinnamon these days. I had no idea! Says it's not really cinnamon at all that they're selling in the shops, but cassia, instead. I suppose it's to do with import restrictions and pricing issues, but the point of it all is that her shop's got the goods. They've got a supplier for true cinnamon--the packet says it's from Sri Lanka--and they've got marvellous-smelling, fresh cloves and nutmeg and candied ginger. And now I have, as well.

I couldn't wait for Fifi to come round on Monday, so I summoned Kreacher last night and set him to baking. My flat smells a treat, I can tell you!

I suppose that was entirely more than you wanted to know, wasn't it, cousin?

Clearly, I need something more to occupy myself with than writing things in this book. Do, please, tell me you have some task I could do for you. Or at least agree to have tea with me some afternoon this week. Otherwise I may go mad and begin putting up fairy lights and pine boughs and baking mince pies. It won't be pretty, I can assure you.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

alt_alice

Remus, love, did you see this? Did you catch a glimpse of him at all?

If you need to make a quick getaway, you come right here as fast as you are able.

I'm worried. I suppose if we can fool customs, we stand a fair chance, but he's far smarter than a customs agent, and he's so unpredictable. Was he just remarking, or did it mean something more?

~~Bugger.~~

I think it's high time we either tested the water with Tonks, so she knows what is riding on her discretion, or let her go so she won't be hurt if it all falls down round our ears. Arthur, Minerva, it's up to you, but I think we should move quickly. I've said it before, but we don't want to wait until an emergency to tell her everything.

From:

alt_frank

I'm with Al on this one, you lot.

I hope to merlin the fact this happened right after Sirius's incident is coincidence, but at this point, I don't know. someone very high up could be checking in on lazlo, and everyone associated with it.

tread careful, everyone. and stay safe, remus and sirius. Al will have your heads if you don't.

From:

alt_kingsley

I was going to suggest that Remus might find it advisable to keep a supply of polyjuice on hand that he can swallow quickly in case Narcissa or anyone else dangerous comes calling. However, that wouldn't work very well if Tonks is still in the dark.

On the other hand, that's another strong reason to bring her in.

From:

alt_lupin

I did see him, Alice, yes. Fortunately I spotted him before he spotted me, so I was able to keep out of sight in the back while he spoke to Tonks.

It may be best, for now, to keep Tonks in the dark. She already gets quite nervous around her so-called family members. I'd rather not give her any additional cause for anxiety.

I don't think there's any need to leave just yet, although if Her Highness Narcissa Malfoy shows up in my tatty little shop, I may have need of an escape route after I hex her into oblivion!

It's all okay, Alice. No need for worry. How's my little godson doing?

From:

alt_arthur

Sorry, didn't see this before I replied to Alice. Of course, you must be willing, too, before we tell her.

From:

alt_lupin

You're right, of course. You're all right, it is time to bring her in. She's more than proved herself both loyal and capable, and beyond that, I do feel like I owe her the truth.

If we're all agreed, then - Arthur, does Wednesday suit you?

From:

alt_alice

I agree, I do think she deserves to hear the whole story from both you and Arthur.

Did I ever tell you about when Frank recruited me to the Order? I was still in training, and we'd been dating for a few months. When he told me about the Order, I was a bit angry with him for not being open with me, but I gave it some thought, and recognized that it was about something more than just me and him -- he'd done it because he had to, not to hurt me. And, in the end, it made us so much closer, because we didn't have those secrets hanging between us.

I know she'll understand why you didn't tell her right off. I really do.

From:

alt_lupin

I'm sure she'll be a bit angry too. It's a big secret to keep from someone, not just the Order but something as basic as who I actually am. I hope you're right, and that she'll understand why it had to be that way.

I mean, not that there's anything like that going on, of course. She's just a friend. Or a colleague. A colleague and a friend. That's all.

From:

alt_alice

Well, yes. And although she might be a little taken aback once you tell her the truth, it's precisely because she's a friend that she'll come back round again and see why it had to happen the way it did.

And it can be hard having to pretend to be someone you're not. We all know how much easier it is to have someone to share that burden with. And I'm fairly sure she feels the same way, and will be happy to finally have people she can really speak her mind to.

From:

alt_lupin

I hope you're right.

From:

alt_arthur

Wednesday will work well. I'll pop by during my lunch hour, and I'll let it be known I have a meeting out of the office in the early afternoon so I can take a little extra time if necessary.

From:

alt_alice

Of course, you're the best judge of what is safest for you. I just worry about you!

And I do think, love, that if she's already nervous, it wouldn't change how she would react around her relatives -- it'd be trickier if she all of a sudden became nervous where she wasn't before. Just a thought.

Kevin is fat and happy, and constantly chuckles at everything. Frank can make him laugh just by looking at him. I'm afraid he's got a bit of an identity crisis, though, because Frank insists on calling him Tiny.

From:

alt_arthur

I'll say it for you.

Bugger, bugger, bugger.

I think it would be good to bring her in. I've been talking to her for over a year. She kept the secret about my request to pinch Dean Thomas' file, even when it got her into hot water at the Ministry. She is cautious about what she says to other people, but it's clear her sympathies are aligned with the Order's goals, and she's frustrated over the impediments in her way because she's a half-blood.

Minera, the final decision is yours, of course, but if you agree, I might suggest that Remus and I sit down with her together. I agree with Alice; it's hardly fair to expose her to more danger without letting her know the risk she's running. Especially when she's run a risk for the Order before and proved trustworthy already.

From:

alt_mcgonagall

I do agree, Arthur.

I must ask, however, that you keep my role secret - at least at first. I grow particularly wary around holiday-times; there are so many more opportunities for people to brush up against those they usually ignore, so many more chances for spying, for eavesdropping, even subtle Legilimency.

From:

alt_pansy

See, now, that seems to be the good sort of mad. The kind where you get really involved in something, and have mince pies to show for it.

From:

alt_regulus

You only say so because you've never tasted my cooking!

From:

alt_pansy

Well, I've never baked a thing in my life, so you're one step ahead of me. I'd probably forget to add sugar or leave it in the oven for too long and set it on fire.

From:

alt_sally_anne

Baking's really not that hard. It's easier than potion making. But you've got an elf for that anyway right?

From:

alt_pansy

Well, yeah. But it's not like I'll have one of my own when I leave school. Unless I do well enough to have a place of my own that comes with one. Or unless mum leaves me Hitty, but that wouldn't be for years and years.

Perhaps we could mess around in our kitchen when you come? I'm sure Hitty wouldn't mind showing us a few things if we asked. She's a bit helpless when it comes to laundry, but her sticky buns are top hole.

From:

alt_sally_anne

I can show you how to bake bread if you want. I expect Hitty's is better but mine doesn't need house-elf magic to come out right.

I know a cookie recipe too.

From:

alt_pansy

Oooh, that would be fun!

From:

alt_sally_anne

Would your mum have honey? It uses a lot of honey.

From:

alt_pansy

I'll write her so she'll be sure to have plenty.

From:

alt_sirius

We don't have plasters because they're made with elastic, which is a Muggle product, you berk! Your short-sighted friends didn't think about that when they closed down the trade, did they?

Speaking of his friends, you lot, ought to let you know that I've tracked round the house for the last two days as Padfoot, going back into Monte Carlo each night. No sign of trouble so far.

Still, I doubt I'll head back anytime soon. At least not until after Nigel's next scheduled public appearance - by which point we ought to know who's looking for him and why.

As for Regulus, am I missing something? It doesn't seem to me as if he suspects anything particular, about Remus or anything else. The cinnamon - well, the papers that came with it should certify to their satisfaction that it has a credible wizarding source. And anyway we had to test Sabola's front company sooner or later. Better before we sink more of our effort into this enterprise. I do hope that the stuff will start showing up in more than our shop.

From:

alt_poppy

A Muggle product, Sirius? I use self-sticking plasters nearly every day.

Now I think of it, I have had one or two students express surprise as though they've never seen them before. Did your family not ever purchase plasters? I suppose the magical sort might have derived from a Muggle idea, though I hadn't considered that before. Hm.

In any case, I believe you'd find that they'd sell very well if Remus were to stock them. You wouldn't need to import them, either. I'm able to purchase them from my domestic supplier.

From:

alt_sirius

Er ... I suppose I'm just so used to the Muggle kind. They're fairly ubiquitous on this side of the wards.

I hate to admit it whenever the little goblin has a point but he is right: there are glaring holes in what I can easily provide.

From:

alt_poppy

As I read it, he was rather impressed with what you and Remus have in the shop.

From:

alt_sirius

Your luxury, then. You see him being impressed with candied ginger and cinnamon biscuits; I see him whinging because there's no scrubbing liquid or plasters.

From:

alt_poppy

I ought to have said before: I'm awfully glad to hear from you. I was beginning to worry as the silence dragged on.

When is the next match Nigel's due at? Is there a way you can do any reconnaissance ahead of it or a way for Nigel to protect himself without betraying the disguise?

At least you know to be wary.

From:

alt_sirius

I've a match in Gibraltar in a week's time. I suppose I could send a postal owl off to the Confederation managers and find out if anyone has been looking for Nigel through them, and if so, about what. Might raise suspicions, though, if no one's thought to come calling on them already.

In point of fact, though, it's a fairly safe place to be, definitely public and once I'm in the commentator's box, hard to interrupt. I might just be able to draw him out, if I appear to be alone long enough. But rest assured, I'll be sure to connect to some mates to arrive with them, and to leave with players or officials, if I see anything very out of the ordinary.

From:

alt_narcissa

You're dear to offer. It would seem that you know how to appeal to young people, and they certainly seem to take to you. Besides I can't bear the thought of you putting up fairy lights in a state of derangement. I'd be grateful if you helped determine what amusements we ought to devise for Draco's juvenile guests.

One can get cinnamon, though this is the first I've heard of it being available in a shop as tatty as you describe. It's only that quantities have been very limited, as I understand it. Lucius could explain better I'm sure.

I suppose Nymphadora did say something about taking another job. I must confess now I'm curious. Perhaps I shall have to find it and stop in to the place.

From:

alt_regulus

I believe I can help you there.

I'd say we should begin by adding some muffling charms on the salon you're planning for their use, and then we'll look into finding the right music for the occasion and a truly magical way of playing it.

Then it's just a matter of--well, we should meet for tea to discuss it.

I was well over my head with the discussion of spices, as you can imagine. I don't believe I've ever purchased anything beyond salt and pepper before. Anything more than that, Fifi's brought with her or Kreacher's had from Mother's.

I'll show you the place after our tea. What day would suit you?

From:

alt_narcissa

Tuesday suits me fine. I'm certain you'll have a wealth of creativity to bring to the project.

Does this mean I finally get to view your little bedsit? Or am I to meet you somewhere quaint in the vicinity?

From:

alt_regulus

Do you really want to see this place? I'm afraid you'll despair of me completely if you do.

Really?

I don't want to be unwelcoming, but what this place conveys is more hospice than hospitality.

You did ask, though. More than once.

I'll send a proper invitation tomorrow, then, with directions to the flat.