Order Only: Sleep Does Wonders

[alt_sirius]

First off: I was right about my position, I'm in Lyon at the moment. I'm sticking to Muggle areas if possible, but still spending a load of time as Padfoot just to throw things off for them.

I'm sure I got rid of the tracking charms; I haven't had a hint of anyone on my tail (no pun intended). Consequently I managed to cast a rather weak healing spell with my left hand (thank Merlin for that month when I had to go left-handed!), and found a place to kip for the day. I feel miles better.

I've been catching up on the journals, but I wonder if you'd all do me a favour, those of you who read the papers: Could you keep an eye trained for anything that might relate to what Regulus is getting up to? If I read Narcissa's journal right, he's licking his wounds for the moment. But it's only a matter of time before that maniac sends him out again, I think. For what it's worth, I agree with Frank that he'd rather not commit all these heinous acts - though that doesn't excuse him, or mean his politics have changed, but it does mean that if it's possible to somehow stop him, I don't think he'd be all that sorry about it.

I've risked coded owls to Marguerite and Fatima, so they know for sure that Nigel's gone on the run. I don't think I can chance going direct to either of them for now. Maybe in a week or two, if all continues to stay quiet. For now, I'm laying low.

Poppy, I took note of your remedy for the Apparation. It's curious they don't know it, as Regulus suffers the same problem. But I will try it at my next opportunity. One question, though: You said to chew the ginger while brewing the hawthorn. Am I to assume that I should drink the tea with the ginger still in my mouth, as well?

Last thing: Bill, I know it's risky, but anything you can learn about MLE's movements in my chase would be invaluable. Just to be on the safe side, I'm going to start carrying the journal transfigured into a pocketknife. I know you've said the Order entries can't be read by anyone not in the Order, but the last thing I need is to lose the thing to hit-wizards or bounty hunters!

Anyway. As I said, I think the immediate danger is past, but don't worry, I'm staying alert. I don't fancy getting caught with my knickers down again.

Comments

[alt_alice]

Thank you, love.

Yours is the first truly good news of the evening, and I'm so glad you're able to rest up.

[alt_sirius]

Oh, I dunno, Allie, it's not all bad. I mean to say, yeah, Arthur's post was devastating, but Molly's news wasn't horrible. And it's not raining.

Or is it?

[alt_alice]

No, it isn't. There isn't a cloud in the sky.

And we had excellent pudding tonight. Victor can do wonders with dried apples and honey.

[alt_poppy]

To answer the question you put to me: yes, do keep the ginger in your mouth as you drink, or if you've pulled most of the heat from it, you might then add it to the brewing tea and allow the hot water to coax the rest of its essence from the fibres. But do give it time to work at full strength directly in your mouth first.

If you're able to get hold of enough ginger root to keep it on hand, you might chew some before and while Apparating. Ginger is very effective against nausea and might help some with the dizziness and disorientation you must be experiencing, as well.

As for the fact that your brother suffers this condition, that merely corroborates the prevailing theory in the field that Apparition Shock, while rare in the general population, runs strongly in certain families, particularly where there has been intrafamilial pairing. Yours is the only case I've encountered, but there may well have been children in this school who had the condition but did not discover it until after they'd left us. There are no symptoms beyond those that manifest themselves in the act of Apparating, so one wouldn't know until one began to practice the skill.

Do take good care, Sirius. I shall give the Prophet a thorough going-over for you every day, and I'm glad to do it. I hate that there's so little we can do for you.

[alt_bill]

I'll be sure to pass along anything I learn.

[alt_alice]

Did you see what that awful Crouch wrote?

Seems to me like both he AND Bellatrix LeStrange are working on your case, love. Merlin help us.

And for all his strutting about and posturing, he really does seem fairly confident that there's something in store for you that you haven't encountered yet.

So please, please, be careful. Don't assume you're safe. And please, for me, check every scrap of things you have on you for tracking charms one more time. They could be waiting to lull you into a false sense of security before striking again.

[alt_sirius]

Yeah, I read it this morning. I'll give you that he's a dangerous little viper, and now they've got access to the house as well, they can check it more thoroughly if they like. They shan't find anything, though. I took a leaf out of Archer's book last time I was home for a while and rigged the really incriminating stuff to protect it from confiscation.

I've gone over all my kit with a fine-toothed comb, though, and seen nothing suspicious. But let's focus on the important question: Has the price on my head gone up?

Joking aside, yes, I'll be paranoid enough for even Moody's satisfaction.

[alt_alice]

Constant Vigilance!

[alt_poppy]

Sirius, I've gone over the Prophet today with a fine-tooth comb, and there are only one or two things that could in any way have had to do with your brother. (I take it, by the way, that he's been convalescing with your cousin, Narcissa Malfoy, for several days, but I suppose that could merely be a cover for nefarious activity. Of course, there's also the chance we missed something earlier this week or last.)

There was a bridge collapse overnight in Newcastle, which the Ministry is blaming on shoddy Muggle construction; there were two fatalities, but I doubt this is to do with him.

There was a house fire in Upper Windlesham. The owners were a Mr and Mrs Fellsworthy, and it was apparently a very fine house taken over in the last several years. The article doesn't say directly, but I'd say there are hints that it's a matter of jealous neighbours who think Fellsworthy got more than his due when he was given that house. Still, it could have a source Higher Up.

I will look again tomorrow.