Order Only: Private Message to Remus

[alt_sirius]

Right, I know you and Allie want me to play nice with that git, but what in Mordred's name is he on about, 'some people weren't as privileged as you'? If he wants to call being practically locked in my room for that whole summer with nothing to do except work on the transformation privileged, then I suppose I was.

I'll tell you one thing: I don't half like him underestimating our Terry like that.

Comments

[alt_lupin]

Well, he's right that Terry hasn't had much chance for an education. But he overlooks the fact that it wasn't just you -- James and Peter mastered it, too.

Perhaps he's just bitter that HE never learned the trick of it. What do you suppose he'd transform into, if he did learn it?

[alt_sirius]

Probably a crow. Or something dead useful like an eel.

Besides, Terry had a few lessons with me before he got taken away. He can do it, I'm sure. It'll just take time.

And something else: I don't like the way he talks to you, either. Ordering you about like Laszlo's exists only to get him his supplies.

... What sort of 'research' has he done to determine whether the Animagus transformation would work, anyway?

[alt_lupin]

An eel! Oh, excellent. He's slippery enough, at least.

He's not going to get a rise out of me by ordering me about. First of all, some of those are to make the wolfsbane. Which I am truly grateful for, especially with Bea in the house. Second -- it would only give him satisfaction if I snapped back.

As far as his research, maybe you could ask Minerva? She's surely got plenty of books about the theory and practise of the animagus transformation.

[alt_sirius]

Yeah, slippery, slimy, disgusting and gives a shock to anyone who tries to touch him!

Does it occur to the pillock he could ask like a normal person? No, it does not.

Minerva's far too indulgent with him, you ask me. You don't think ....

[alt_lupin]

I REFUSE to think.

Don't give me nightmares, Padfoot!

[alt_sirius]

Not that, you idiot.

Blood magic. Animagi.

[alt_lupin]

I'm not following what you're suggesting.

[alt_sirius]

He's testing whether blood magic can be broken by transforming, Moony.

How would one go about doing that?

[alt_lupin]

He can't possibly be experimenting on Minerva. Does she spend any time at all at her house, once school is in session?

[alt_sirius]

No idea.

Why don't you ask? I'm not giving him that satisfaction, either.

[alt_lupin]

Or at least, if he is experimenting on Minerva, it's a joint venture, not subterfuge.

[alt_sirius]

Hmph.

Don't be so sure.

Are you about done locking up? I've found a couple old chairs with some broken slats two streets over. Should do for the back but I don't want to bring them round until the place is empty.

[alt_lupin]

Dora sent the last stragglers on their way a half hour ago. Now's fine.

[alt_sirius]

Good. On my way, then - see you in ten minutes.

[alt_sirius]

Besides, she'd never. It's me she's got a crush on, said so herself.

(Which is enough to give me nightmares, but better that than the other!)

[alt_sirius]

And something else ... There's definitely something odd about Justin. I mean to say, he's trying awfully hard to come into a country that would throw him in the camps if they figured out his heritage. I'm fairly confident in the family tree I put together for him and Laura but ... I sure hope he's clever enough to keep them guessing the truth.

[alt_lupin]

Well, you know Justin quite a bit better than I do.

Why do you think he wants to come? Do you suppose they've twisted his arm at all, somehow?

[alt_sirius]

I've no idea. I imagine there's some coercion at work but to what end? The only thing I can figure is that our Ministry wants to make him speak loud and long about the advantages of the Protectorate - which, I reckon, is probably a good sign that they haven't detected anything dodgy about his cover story.

I suppose I don't blame him for playing along. He doesn't have to get quite so chummy with everyone, though.

Then again, he's possibly the most affable kid I've ever met - and that includes Peter when we first knew him.

[alt_lupin]

He started school a bit late, didn't he? Do you know how he managed socially?

Perhaps he's so chummy because he's lonely.

[alt_sirius]

He wrote me once or twice about some of the older boys who liked to give him a particularly hard time. English-born, posh, and Squibs for parents? Barely a step up from Muggleborn but it was the best I could do.

He's made a few friends since then, though.

[alt_lupin]

Probably just that he's too affable for his own good, then.

[alt_sirius]

And that's exactly what worries me. He caught himself tonight. I was his dog for a while there.

Is it too selfish to hope that they leave him in France where he's safer?

[alt_lupin]

No. It's not selfish.