Sirius Black (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
alt_sirius) wrote2010-06-17 03:25 pm
alt_sirius) wrote2010-06-17 03:25 pm
Order Only: Right
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 along 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.
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
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
What a surprise she's going to get when it doesn't open right up for her. I wonder how they'll explain THAT?