Order Only: Harry

[alt_sirius]

Right, so, I'm catching my breath a bit on my way up to Hogwarts for the third Task.

I know, I know.

But here's the thing: Harry sent me an owl a few days ago. Something's brewing with Voldemort and I don't know what. Harry's been told that once the Task is over, Voldemort has a 'special ceremony' that he's going to have Harry involved in. At Buckingham.

Of course, I offered to stay in New London so I'd be nearby there instead of Hogwarts, but his return owl came just before I needed to leave yesterday, saying that he's sure he'll be brought back to Hogwarts afterward and anyway, Buckingham's too dangerous for me to be hanging about there.

Which. Well.

The point is: He's terrified that Voldemort's going to make him take the Mark. I can't imagine that's what it is but I've no idea what else it could be. Harry said something about a 'chance to prove his worth' which sounds dead ominous. I didn't want to worry him worse, though.

Anyway. Minerva, if you know something, now would be a good time to tell me.

And Poppy. Just. Be ready. More than usual, I mean.

Comments

[alt_gredforge]

You know, we've heard some of the other students say a jealous thing or two about the perks that Marvolo gets, what with being associated with the L.P. and all. Speaking for us, we vastly prefer having a head of the family like our own dear old Dad rather than His Moste Potente Ponciness. Don't think it can be very restful at the family dinner table. Poor bloke.

(Oh, and Sirius, since you asked if Terry could find out anything about the parents of his friend Dudley, the word's filtered back that the dad's name was Vernon and the mum's name was Petunia. Dudley hasn't seen them in years, though. If you needed to know.)

[alt_bill]

I quite agree about preferring Dad as a parent to the L.P.

[alt_sirius]

Petunia.

Petunia Dursley.

Petunia and Vernon Dursley, you're sure?

Bloody Erebus.

[alt_molly]

I should say so! I would also say that if the L.P. was your dad, then you'd also have another mum, because it certainly wouldn't be me!

[alt_bill]

I just read that and snorted tea out of my nose. Merlin, mum. What a mental picture.

[alt_gredforge]

According to Terry, who got it from Dudley, yeah.

Why?

[alt_arthur]

Thanks for the vote of confidence, boys.

[alt_arthur]

Well, of course you wouldn't be paired up with the L.P., Molly dear, since I spotted you first!

[alt_gredforge]

A fact for which we must all thank our lucky stars, no doubt.

[alt_sirius]

No reason.

Just. That's a very memorable unfortunate name.

Private Message to Moony

[alt_sirius]

Merlin. I was sure they were all dead. Lily's sister and family.

You?

Re: Private Message to Moony

[alt_lupin]

It is the same Petunia, then.

I couldn't remember the name of that bloke she married. Not that there are many Petunias out there.

This Dudley would be Harry's cousin, then.

[alt_gredforge]

You know, you really need to work on your believability when saying something's not important when it obviously is. Because frankly, you're sort of pants at it.

We could give you tips on that.

Re: Private Message to Moony

[alt_sirius]

No, nor I; I thought it might have been Virgil or Irving or something like that. Vernon. Close. And I wasn't sure the name of their sprog but I do remember Lily saying her sister was pregnant and due around the same time - she joked at the time that Petunia was always trying to steal her thunder, she was that jealous.

I'll tell you this: She was a right cat at Lily and James's wedding. I asked her in the middle of the rehearsal dinner why she came, if she so obviously didn't want to be there. If she'd had a wand I think I could have been in trouble but as it was she just turned purple and stormed out. Lily wasn't sure whether to be furious with me or relieved.

So, yeah. Harry's cousin. Poor kid. Wonder what he's like, if Terry's willing to take him along on the run.

Re: Private Message to Moony

[alt_lupin]

Maybe he's got a bit of Lily in him.

She could be tough as anything, in her own way.

Re: Private Message to Moony

[alt_sirius]

Let's hope so, because if he's at all like his parents ....

Not that I think we'd let anyone rot in a castle with Carrow if we had a choice about it. Still.

Re: Private Message to Moony

[alt_lupin]

Wait, Petunia. She was the one who screamed when someone folded up the table napkins and did that charm to make them dance together, wasn't she?

Did she throw a drink at you or was that someone you made a pass at else?

I remember thinking that maybe she was switched at birth. Lily's parents weren't nearly so closed-minded.

[alt_sirius]

Oh, boys. You forget who you're dealing with.

It's nothing for you to worry about.

Re: Private Message to Moony

[alt_sirius]

No, that was Annetta Aldridge (well, Annetta Rickett, now, I suppose). She was one of Lily's bridesmaids though, so, same frock.

No, wait. You're right. It was Petunia. I wound up going home with Annetta, actually.

I don't even remember what I said to her. But I definitely remember getting drenched. She was pretty drunk at the time.

And yeah, Lily's parents were ... Well, her dad was hilarious. And I think her mum and Grace Potter could've competed in a dead heat for world's best.

Re: Private Message to Moony

[alt_lupin]

I wonder if Annetta ever admits the connection, these days? It's quite a coup, to have gone home from a wedding with notorious criminal Sirius Black. Probably not one you'd admit when you're on the Hogwarts Board of Governors, though.

I'm thinking about it and maybe Petunia spilled something on you by accident? Because you're right, she was pretty drunk.

Re: Private Message to Moony

[alt_sirius]

She's a Governor? Good for her.

You really want me to try to remember this? Okay.

She was drinking; it was red wine, and she made a wide gesture and was about to drop it. I had been about to cast the glass charm to make Lily and James snog, you know - and instead I stopped her spilling the wine all down her frock. Just reflex.

And instead of thanking me she snapped something about letting well enough alone. Something like that. And that if I ever came near her with a wand or spells again she'd have her husband swear out a warrant and have me arrested for assault. I laughed and she let fly.

Come to think of it, I think that's what brought out Annetta's sympathies.

Anyway.

Right. Enough of these unpleasant thoughts. Off to infiltrate Death Eater-infested Hogwarts, so Harry can win the tournament and get tortured by his kidnapper while I standby and wait to pick up the pieces. It's amazing we live in such happy times.

Ellie doing all right without Sinbad to keep her company?

[alt_poppy]

Of course, I will be more than usually vigilant.

In fact, I'm to be 'partnered' by a contingent from St Mungo's for the Task, who will make quite certain that my attention does not waver. They should be arriving any moment now to see that my stores match my inventory, that all of the supplies they've brought to increase our provision are properly prepared, and that all is in perfect readiness for tonight.

On the plus side, that means the champions will be as well cared for as if they were competing in the lobby at St Mungo's.

Of course, it goes without saying that every inch of the grounds and every hiding place between here and Hogsmeade will be watched. Take care of yourself, will you?

Re: Private Message to Moony

[alt_lupin]

Yeah.

I keep trying to decide whether it's better or worse that when they torture him, they don't actually do anything to him physically. They do things to his friends, and make sure he knows it's his fault.




Ellie's been looking out the door a lot to see if you're coming back yet. Otherwise she seems okay.

Re: Private Message to Moony

[alt_sirius]

Worse. Definitely worse.

There's a 20-foot high hedge wall where the Pitch ought to be.

I'm going to look for Hagrid. Don't tell Poppy.