Sirius Black (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
alt_sirius) wrote2010-11-17 02:14 pm
alt_sirius) wrote2010-11-17 02:14 pm
Order Only: Laszlo's back ('black?') market
Arthur asked what's been going on down at Laszlo's of London, with Remus and Dora and all, so I thought I'd give everyone a bit of an update.
There's quite a lot happening, but not much to really tell, if you understand what I'm saying.
Dora has been trying to work on the back courtyard to get it usable before the winter really sets in. Just the past few days that I've been here, we've perfected the charms that will keep the noise down, so as not to alarm the neighbours, and we've also scrounged up the last few items we need for the counters. Remus had already done quite a lot of work on the kitchen in the abandoned house across the back garden, so our staff can use it to store the bakery goods and most importantly the liquid refreshments.
Those have been coming in via Folkestone and other Dover agents, largely courtesy of Laszlo's of Europe - Aleks is doing a bang-up job, by the way, there's never been a break it the shipments that Remus can speak of - so we've been dividing up the stock between sale bottles and a certain number to uncork and serve in the back. Dora's also talked to a few of her friends in the old neighbourhood about keeping the place supplied with fresh-baked goods. Right now, many of them have some transfigured ingredients, but I figure once it gets going, perhaps her cadre of witches would like to accept barter payment in real sugar, enriched flour, etc., to make the fare a bit more high-end. (Remus could sell some of them in the shop proper, then, too, and keep things all the more legitimate in appearance.)
We've - I should say, Remus has - hired two half-blood clerks to help run the operation, front and back. They're good blokes who've got the right attitude: A customer is a customer, doesn't matter if they're servants or masters. I think we'll have to consider some area warming charms if we're to keep the place running through the winter, or else flow everyone into that abandoned row house out the back. Either way, it's just about ready to go, I think. Pity we can't have a grand opening.
Like I told Arthur, we sent Dora on a sabbatical for a few days - nothing to worry about, just time for her to take a deserved holiday and get some rest. Moony and I have been using the time to catch up and talk a bit more about Grimmauld.
We went round there a couple nights ago, to get a look at it. Old place is just as gloomy as I remember it. I could feel something pull from across the square, like the house wanted me to turn the handle of its doors and open it up. I wish I could be sure that if I do, the rest of those vultures won't realise it at once. Maybe over the holidays we can prepare some protective spells and if we work quickly enough, I can unlock it and we can immediately shut it back up again to anyone outside. Maybe not. I still don't know what to do about that, sorry.
Anyway. Dora's on her way back, so I'll clear out for the reunion and make my way north again. Maybe check on Terrie, see how she's getting along, and if she's got any news for us worth the having.
There's quite a lot happening, but not much to really tell, if you understand what I'm saying.
Dora has been trying to work on the back courtyard to get it usable before the winter really sets in. Just the past few days that I've been here, we've perfected the charms that will keep the noise down, so as not to alarm the neighbours, and we've also scrounged up the last few items we need for the counters. Remus had already done quite a lot of work on the kitchen in the abandoned house across the back garden, so our staff can use it to store the bakery goods and most importantly the liquid refreshments.
Those have been coming in via Folkestone and other Dover agents, largely courtesy of Laszlo's of Europe - Aleks is doing a bang-up job, by the way, there's never been a break it the shipments that Remus can speak of - so we've been dividing up the stock between sale bottles and a certain number to uncork and serve in the back. Dora's also talked to a few of her friends in the old neighbourhood about keeping the place supplied with fresh-baked goods. Right now, many of them have some transfigured ingredients, but I figure once it gets going, perhaps her cadre of witches would like to accept barter payment in real sugar, enriched flour, etc., to make the fare a bit more high-end. (Remus could sell some of them in the shop proper, then, too, and keep things all the more legitimate in appearance.)
We've - I should say, Remus has - hired two half-blood clerks to help run the operation, front and back. They're good blokes who've got the right attitude: A customer is a customer, doesn't matter if they're servants or masters. I think we'll have to consider some area warming charms if we're to keep the place running through the winter, or else flow everyone into that abandoned row house out the back. Either way, it's just about ready to go, I think. Pity we can't have a grand opening.
Like I told Arthur, we sent Dora on a sabbatical for a few days - nothing to worry about, just time for her to take a deserved holiday and get some rest. Moony and I have been using the time to catch up and talk a bit more about Grimmauld.
We went round there a couple nights ago, to get a look at it. Old place is just as gloomy as I remember it. I could feel something pull from across the square, like the house wanted me to turn the handle of its doors and open it up. I wish I could be sure that if I do, the rest of those vultures won't realise it at once. Maybe over the holidays we can prepare some protective spells and if we work quickly enough, I can unlock it and we can immediately shut it back up again to anyone outside. Maybe not. I still don't know what to do about that, sorry.
Anyway. Dora's on her way back, so I'll clear out for the reunion and make my way north again. Maybe check on Terrie, see how she's getting along, and if she's got any news for us worth the having.
Private Message to Alice Longbottom
Re: Private Message to Alice Longbottom
He's been a man of action for so long, I just think it just about kills him when he has to stand by and watch. And it's been worse as of late. Sometimes I
Well, I don't like seeing him like that.
But yes, he's back, and mostly back to himself.
Re: Private Message to Alice Longbottom
We need a good uprising at the camps, or maybe we could indulge Turner for once and let him mount an assault somewhere that Frank and I could join. My wand's getting rusty, anyway. Bit of practice would do me good. Work out the frustration of it all.
Especially afterRe: Private Message to Alice Longbottom
Another baby's bound to come along sooner or later, and he'll be able to feel like his old self again at least for a little, so that's something. And if you ever want to go tromping again, I think he really would appreciate it.