Order Only

[alt_sirius]

Frank, tell Neville and Evelyn to be a bit ginger with Allie this morning. She's okay but probably a little, er, slow-moving.

She's on her way back; I made her stay at Grimmauld for fear she'd splinch if she tried returning last night.

We talked, most of the night. Well, I let her talk. Seems like she needed a good crying out.

So I'm just reading through everyone's conversations now but it's rather remarkable how Alice and I covered most of the angles people have discussed.

Except the one about letting Hermione and Terry tell their friends a couple of choice pieces of information. (And I agree with Dora, Moony: You're brilliant.)

But I've been thinking about it, off and on, ever since they all started asking questions and the letters came from more than one or two people and so on. Eventually this lot are likely to all ask for induction into the Order.

And I agree with Poppy that we can't allow them to continue forcing our hands.

In all honesty, I'm more concerned with what happens if they don't come to us about joining. Fred, George, you said before that you didn't think everyone on your lock would be good to add to the Order and not just because of their ages. The thing is, unless we're sure of their intentions, it's an unconscionable risk even to confirm their suspicions about the links they've already made.

However, all that having been said, trust has to start somewhere. I think we might let Hermione and Terry tell them the facts in Moony's proposal but also tell them that we have a message: Good show, you're all very clever, keep sticking together and helping each other, yes, we'll consider new recruits but no, not until you're of age.

That might stave off the uncomfortable conversations for a while, at least.


I also think it's high time we found something to do that would actually move things along a bit. I know we're making progress but it's a bit too slow and incremental for me. At our current rate of smuggling it's going to be another ten years before we have enough of them distributed.

Comments

[alt_lupin]

I don't know as they'll assume you're already members so much as eagerly pass word to let you know that you and Lee could demand to be let in. They'll then ASSUME you're members and if you deny it, they'll wonder what in Merlin's name is wrong with you.

So perhaps you might mull over how you'll deal with THAT dilemma.

It might be better to suggest that they can join once they've completed their NEWTs. Then issue the invitations as appropriate when they come of age.

[alt_gredforge]

Ha. True.

Saying they have to pass NEWTs will delay the question for most people, too.

Better make it that they can petition to join, not that they can join. Don't promise 'em something you might not be willing to grant.

[alt_gredforge]

Oh, and also: does that mean you're gonna delay on adding Lee then? He turns 17 next week and you voted to add him when he became of sge. Will he have to wait until he passes his NEWTs?

We suppose you could tell them they have to wait until they pass NEWTs, but really you could approach them when they turn 17.

[alt_lupin]

I'm thinking more that we'd tell them they had to wait until after NEWTs, mostly to give the three of you some breathing space.