Order Only: Right

[alt_sirius]

Well.

Now I know why the expression is sick as a dog. I've been ill before, but that was truly the nastiest curse I think I've ever been through. And I'm pretty sure I'm over it - I've been resting as a human for the last three hours and no new onset of symptoms. Still feel like I've been pushed through a cheese grater, but it's getting better.

Thank Merlin my instinct was to change, eh? I'm astonished you lot could even read those posts of mine - vision blurry, could hardly hold the quill and it's not that easy to hit the target when there are four of them swimming in front of one's face. But I survived. Forty-eight hours as a dog, nearly nine of it in the water - and I still can't face the thought of food. I did manage a little broth and it's stayed down, so far. And fresh water, I've been drinking that as well, Poppy.

And I know I still owe you the story, but it's long. I might not get through it all in one go, so first things first: What have I missed? Is everyone else okay? What's the word on Macnair and Snape? Have they been caught? What are they doing to protect Harry?


Right. So. I ....

Well, I guess 'I'm sorry' doesn't begin to make up for putting you lot through all that worry. We were lucky the French gendarmes wouldn't let Bella get her hands on me right away, is all I can say.

She's right about the circumstances: It was completely unanticipated. The pub the captain wanted to meet in is apparently a pretty well-known spot for Muggle-born and half-blood wizards to do business with Muggles. Seems the French government has, in fact, taken a leaf out of Lucius Malfoy's book, and they're raiding places where Muggles and wizards are known to intermingle. I'm sorry - I've been out of cities for a while now; I didn't know. My fault for not keeping up with L'Étoile, or we could have gone elsewhere.

Anyway, they busted up the place fairly well and rounded up everyone who didn't get out in the initial press. When I realised they'd lowered an anti-Apparation field round the pub, I gave Aleks everything I had on me (including my wand and the transfigured journal) and told him to make sure he didn't admit to knowing me, to get away if he could. He paid the fine and was released within an hour or two; but one of the officers thought to pull out the folder of wanted posters and recognised me.

I was moved to a solitary cell and placed under the watchful eye of two guards. Word quickly got round, though, and I was treated to a fairly constant stream of witches and wizards who wanted pictures. Mostly for the novelty, I think - Bella was half-right in that there was a great deal of disdain at the thought that a wandless, silent, single wizard could be such a huge threat to 'les rosbifs' - but they weren't giving me any opportunity to escape, either. And then one of them got the bright idea to make their photos action shots. That was a long fun three hours.

Then Bella turned up, two others in tow. I don't mind saying, even after they'd spent hours roughing me up, I could have hugged all those Frenchmen when I figured out that they weren't going to let her have a go. Even so, I was careful to avoid looking her in the eye.

Well, there's not much to say about the escape. Aleks went to Marguerite and they came up with their plan. He bribed one of the guards, too, to give me a shove when it was time to duck. I guess a few people were hurt, including that Auror, but I don't know. Aleks found me, pressed my wand into my hand, told me to run ... but Bella followed. I didn't even know I'd been hit at first, just thought I'd brushed the wall as I turned a corner. I knew I was in no shape to fight, so as soon as I gained a little distance I Apparated and got rid of the tracking charm they'd put on me (obliging of them to place it right where I could see it). Then I changed and doubled back to find Aleks.

By that time, they'd caught Marguerite. I saw her, firing off hexes as fast as she could, but she was no match. None at all. I can't think why she stayed. She should have got out of there, to safety, but .... Circe, she just screamed bloody murder to keep them all occupied. I always knew she was a good girl, from the moment she first started helping us with Laszlo. That's why I was sure I could trust her with it all - and she's been our backbone in more ways than you know, managing the inventory and dealing with the everyday requests. I wish you'd been able to meet her, Allie. She reminded me of you a bit.

Anyway.

I glimpsed Aleks round the edge of the crowd - and then, the Muggle authorities arrived. Sirens, ambulances, everything. The French started dealing with their Muggle counterparts; I couldn't see Bella, but the other Auror - Carpenter - was clutching his chest, arguing with the paramedics and refusing to be treated by them; so I snuck round to Aleks and he brought me to this flophouse.

I knew I had to check in with you all. But the minute I transformed back and transfigured my journal, the symptoms started. You pretty much know the rest.

Bugger. Now I'm exhausted again.

Comments

[alt_lupin]

I'm very sorry about Marguerite. Not just for her contribution to Laszlo - she was a good person, and a good friend I think. Her contribution, in all ways, certainly won't be forgotten.

Glad to hear you're doing a little better. I think we all feared the worst for a while there, so. Yes. Very relieved.

Now, if you wouldn't mind staying safe and well for a bit, I know I'd certainly appreciate the break.

[alt_sirius]

Yeah. She was.

I can't promise, but I'll try.

Thanks, by the way. For saying ... for sticking up for me. Back there. I wouldn't, you know. I'd have died before I told her a thing.

[alt_arthur]

Thank you for your account, Sirius.

I'd rely on Bill to give you the round up of most of the Ministry news, but I know for a fact that he's taken a potion and is home sleeping. Two entirely sleepless nights had really taken their toll, and he was swaying and owl-eyed at work today.

The last I heard, none of the four escapees have been apprehended yet, and nothing is known of their movements, although, of course, every suspicious sighting is being sent in, and so they're absolutely flooded with tips from the public. I certainly hope that most of them are rubbish. I don't think it will take very long for people to figure out that sending in false tips is a lovely way to keep the MLE jumping around as busily as the legendary hopping pot, and consequently wasting their time.

I believe I heard from Bill this morning that the rumour is that young Mr Marvolo's security detail has been considerably heightened, although of course Hermione could tell you much more about that.

I'm very sorry that you lost Marguerite. Bill has heard definite confirmation that she is dead. I confess I am worried about what the consequences for Laszlo will be, if they manage to identify her body.

Everyone else is all right and tight, although of course we were very afraid for awhile there. Molly and I have eased up on the children, allowing them to leave the house, now that you are out of danger. I'm afraid that our excuses for keeping them so close at hand were growing rather feeble, but although there was some surreptitious eye-rolling, we think we have managed to head off the questions for now. Although I wonder what they're thinking.

Let us hope that none of us have scare like that again for a good long while.

Perhaps this is premature, but have you given much thought to what your next move will be, Sirius? Obviously, you don't want to have the French breathing down your neck again anytime soon. But perhaps it is time to consider some long-term planning for what your contribution to the Order should be, going forward.

[alt_sirius]

So they're still at large? That's not good. This is one time when I hope they catch their quarry, and quickly. The longer Macnair and Snape are out, the more threat they pose to us and to Harry. I don't like the sound of that knife through his picture at all. And as for Dippet, he's just a danger to anyone who comes into contact with him.

Marguerite always used an alias when she did work for Laszlo, and I doubt very much many of our customers - either end - would be able to identify her by sight, so that's to our advantage, macabre as that sounds. Aleks and Fatima are working on finding a replacement for her as soon as possible. It's her absence that might tip things off more than her identity.

As for my next move - well, there's still the solstice, we can't afford to miss our rendezvous. I think the search will die down now that Bella's gone. The French may be more amenable to persecuting Muggleborns, but they've no interest in doing England any favours.

[alt_alice]

Goodness, reading that gave me chills.

Love, are we still on for the solstice? I know with everything going pear-shaped things might be sticky on your end, but even if you can't get the goods together, I think it's worth it to pass off Davidson's men to you.

[alt_sirius]

Definitely on for the solstice. Out to sea is probably one safe place for me right about now.

And I'm still bringing Aleks; it's more likely than ever that he'll have to take a more active part in these runs if they're to become a regular thing.

After all - I'm a dead man, aren't I? Last thing I need is to be sighted and declared definitely alive.

[alt_alice]

Good. We'll be waiting. Davidson's men are planning on showing tomorrow, and we'll be taking off late Sunday.

I'm looking forward to seeing Aleks, too.

And it'd certainly put a hitch in Bellatrix and Narcissa's step (not to mention our Dear Lord Protector) if you turned up alive and well, which I wouldn't mind one bit, but you're right -- it's to your advantage to keep a very low profile right now.

[alt_molly]

I don't know if you noticed, Sirius, but Narcissa Malfoy said something in her journal about trying to get into Grimmauld Place again, now that you're dead.

What a surprise she's going to get when it doesn't open right up for her. I wonder how they'll explain THAT?