Order Only: Reporting in

[alt_sirius]

Because I know you're all wondering.

Thought I caught a scent of Stint yesterday right as Poppy had made her camp and was bent over her notes. Tracked it for a while; had to break off when I heard a crew of two wizards over a ridge about two kilometres north of Poppy's campsite.

They were repairing boundary wards to some kind of game preserve. The first cautioned his partner that a bugbear has been snuffing about a stand of trees right near that spot and they needed to make sure it was secure before the weekend.

Then the other one said something that made my blood pressure rise: They're expecting a 'shipment' of Muggles from the Chester camp - and I gathered it was for the same 'hunting party' they were supposedly preparing for.

Makes me wonder how secure the wards really are and if there's a way to leave a weakness. But there's no guarantee it'd work. And then how in Morgana's name would we get word to the Muggles where the breach is or how to get through it?

Anyway.

I doubled back along the scent trail but it was fading. It occurred to me that it might have been a day or two old, which I like in some ways less than if he'd been skulking about directly.

Poppy, was your campsite already on marked on your route or did you select it on your own? What I mean is, did someone tell you that's the spot you needed to reach?

There's been no sign of him returning today, at least. And I've not picked up any other traces of his stench.

Comments

[alt_pomona]

I really do not like any of that at all. Either the part about that foul Stint, or about the "hunting party". Muggles? Really?

Though now you mention it, I half-remember hearing something, but I can't remember where or who.

Do keep a close eye on our Poppy.

[alt_poppy]

I've been sent to a set area, yes. And you're quite right that means Stint could be perfectly aware of where I was assigned. Rather like the business with his meddling in the set-up for that CCF exercise Aurora was so fussed about--if one thinks about it that way, which I am now.

Well.

I have a wand as good as any, and I know how to use it if necessary. And I've made it through the night, so that's something. If he'd meant to assault me, he could easily have done so last night.

But here I am. Hale and hearty. If also cold and damp, but that's the point of this jolly exercise, so I'll soldier on and show them what a tough old hide I have. I'll show Stint, too, if need be.

In the meantime, I've enough and more to keep me busy. I will try, however, to keep one eye on my book in case you need to be in touch.

Pomona, I trust you and Frank made short work of packaging up the fluxweed and sending him on with it. All else well in your greenhouses and our school?

Oh. And, dear. Do remind Minerva it's time to have a look in the book again.

[alt_pomona]

You're quite right about the parallels to the CCF issue. I rather wish we'd gotten more details out of her on Monday about what actually happened there, but she was being tight-lipped about it.

Just do be attentive. And I know Sirius will keep a most watchful eye, but I very much mislike what can go wrong if someone has that much chance to prepare.

As to the rest, I did send Frank off with seedlings, and they should do well. Everything else is well enough, though I've escaped to my rooms - that Dolores came in, about two hours ago. She's insisting she has to look at what rooms are to be hers, now, without so much as a "Is it convenient?" and I caught her mentioning that she couldn't imagine where Aurora had gotten to, as she'd hoped to catch up with her in New London this morning.

On the whole, making my excuses and disappearing seemed the safest. (Though I do wonder where Aurora got to. Her parents, perhaps, since last I heard, she wasn't joining Rabastan and the Malfoys until sometime this evening or tomorrow morning.)

I'll see if I can get hold of Minerva. But between Dolores and the new Dark Arts instructor, it may be a few days. (On the latter, I know nothing more than you might have glimpsed in Lucius Malfoy's journal. I'm wondering if Aurora might find out more this weekend.)

[alt_terry]

Please stay very safe, both of you.

[alt_sirius]

Don't worry, Terry. We'll be fine.