Order Only: Bugger

[alt_sirius]

I can't believe he got in under all our noses!

At least I've made a friend, of a sort. But Circe, HOW did he get in? And how did I miss it?

Bugger all.

Comments

[alt_poppy]

Well. If we knew that, I'm sure we wouldn't have allowed it.

[alt_sirius]

Yeah, obviously, Poppy, but I mean literally, HOW did I miss it? I've been checking all the points of entry to the castle for signs they've been used recently and nothing.

And no one would have let him in through the gates, even with all the students coming and going.

[alt_poppy]

You're right. And if he used polyjuice to get in, it failed him--or he was here longer than he planned or than we've imagined. He was spotted by one of the dungeon portraits and identified.

Unless. You don't suppose that portraits see past the polyjuiced surface, do you? I confess I've no idea exactly how portraits see or think or know what they do know.

[alt_alice]

What exactly happened, Sirius?

There's so much confusion over the journals, it's hard to tell one way or the other -- was it both MacNair and Snape? Was one of them in Gryffindor Tower?

Bother. As if this week needed to get any worse.

[alt_alice]

And what's this about a friend? Did you make a connection in Hogsmeade?

[alt_sirius]

I've been hoping someone up the castle will give us a full report, but I expect Minerva's busy fending off His Dictatorship. I went round the Three Broomsticks myself last night to get the village gossip. I did a little sad puppy eye act at Rosmerta and got her to let me lie down by the fire; watched everyone coming and going and if a scruffy old dog gets interested in table scraps, well, it's not too surprising, is it? But at least I could choose conversations to listen in on, that way. Got lucky: that spinster, Professor Acton, teaches charms? She had come down the pub to drown her trouble and got plenty talkative.

Somehow, and bugger me if I know how, Snape made his way into the castle Sunday night, while everyone was at the Halloween feast. I don't think Macnair was with him - at least, they're taking precautions in case he's nearby, but from what I've heard it was a one-man job.

Professor Acton told Madam Rosmerta that he tried to get into the Slytherin dormitories. One of the portraits on the Potions corridor - from the description, I'd guess it was Mad Madam Madinia Mimbleton - she spotted him and tried to raise the alarm. He slashed at her canvas so she ran and hid, but not before alerting other portraits on her way. They finally found her hiding in a portrait of the old greenhouses.

Anyway, he must not have been able to get the Slytherin common room to give up its password, or else he figured Mimbleton's portrait was sure to catch him out, so he fled.

I gather from the chatter on the journals that everyone spent the night in the Great Hall while the castle was searched. Acton said the professors were up all night looking for him - but however he got in, he must've slipped out the same way, the slimy lethifold.

And I was HERE, Allie! I was right here in the village and he still got inside!

[alt_sirius]

Hm?

Oh - I think so. He's a bit hard to understand sometimes, but he seems to have a good head on his shoulders.

[alt_alice]

Oh? He wouldn't happen to be of the canine variety, now, would he?

[alt_alice]

You and Remus probably know that castle better than anyone, I'd warrant.

Does he know of any of the ways you and Remus used to use to get about, you think? Or did he discover one of his own?

[alt_sirius]

Well, he knows the Whomping Willow has a tunnel. But he doesn't necessarily know what's at the end of it. Besides, no one else has been inside the other entrance but me.

I've checked the other passageways I know about and two of them are blocked off - cave ins. Honeyduke's - well, I can't imagine he'd have been able to get in that way, not from the shop. Though I suppose it's possible. There's also the tunnel behind Gregory the Smarmy's statue, leads to the station. But MLE are all over the station, aren't they?

There are a couple others - again, though, I've checked the entrances I can get to, and if I can't get to them surely he can't, either?

I dunno. I can't think he's got an inside man, no matter what the scuttlebutt is hereabouts. Who in the castle would work with him?

(By the way, speaking of Remus, I've not heard from him or Dora since before the full moon last. Have you? I hope nothing went wrong and he's not seriously hurt.)

[alt_alice]

I've heard from Tonks, yes. I'm sure he'll get in touch with you soon. They've just got a lot going on right now, and I'd imagine they've got a lot to keep busy with.

[alt_sirius]

Oh? The cafe idea working out, then, is it? Good on them.

[alt_sirius]

What gives you that idea?

[alt_alice]

I do think you ought to check in with Remus, all the same. I know he always loves to hear from you, and he might need a hand once you can tear yourself away from Hogsmeade.

[alt_alice]

Well, I don't know!

I'd say people don't typically have heart to hearts with dogs, but I've seen Frank with Winston, and he tells that dog more than he tells me sometimes.

And aren't you being coy.