Order Only: Danger Past

[alt_sirius]

Well, that was certainly an experience.

I'm in Ulm, first of all, and safe as I've a right to expect. Right after my last post--well, my last proper post, I should say--I headed to Czechoslovakia to try to take care of the Laszlo predicament. And as I started to recount a few days ago, I was spotted there by Death Eaters. I thought they must not have recognised me, but the next day, I caught them following me again.

I didn't want to break and run straight off, you understand. I was disguised as Henrich Laszlo and on the chance that they hadn't put two and two together, I wasn't about to give it away. I didn't want to lose the ground I'd been making, either--you've no idea how Byzantine the Czech wizarding government is. Having navigated somewhat successfully, I was loathe to abort the process.

Well, I don't want to bore you. The long and short is that they had seen through the disguise and a few days later they made their move. It was too public a place to Disapparate. Much as I hate it, it was the prudent thing, and I would have done if it had meant shaking them off immediately. I ducked into an alley for some privacy, where they set on me. Splendid duel; I left them smarting and got away long enough to transform and run, and I wasn't followed. Once again, I thought all was well. No such luck!

For weeks, they've been chasing me round the better part of eastern Europe. It seemed I couldn't run fast enough--and you know my problem with multiple Apparations. That didn't help a bit. Couple times I was sure they were going to catch me, but I managed to transform anyway and after that I stayed on the move.

I finally thought I was safely away, had put enough switchbacks, zigs and zags into my trail to last until Christmas, and as you saw, I risked transforming back to check the journals and let you lot know what I've been up to.

They must have put a trace on me before I transformed the last time, because they found me within a few hours of my taking human form and catching up on all the postings. This time, I didn't run and I didn't leave anything to chance; they won't be back again.

By then I was sorely in need of some rest, which I'm finding here in Ulm. I've been catching up on sleep (and other things) in what I hope is still a relatively safe area, mostly Muggle. I've also enjoyed the help of a quite accommodating young chap named Friedrich, who has been willing to let me remain a kept man for a few days. I've nearly had my fill of takeaway--and more than my fill of German telly.

Arthur, I hadn't seen your note about Molly's cousin until just a few days ago, but now that I've got the papers I needed from the Czechs, I can see whether he can be tracked down to lend a better paper trail to our poor departed Victor.

Meanwhile, all you lot, do be careful. I'm not sure if the spell they used to track me is something only the Durmstrang-trained bunch know or whether my beloved cousin has been teaching her assassins to track as well as they can curse or kill. I've been my normal self for over two days now and no one has come after me, so I am fairly confident whatever they did has not transferred itself to any other of Voldemort's agents on the continent.

Kingsley, old man, good to see you've made it back into England and with Polyjuice into the bargain! Is there anywhere in the next three days you particularly want our government friends to avoid? I'll point them in the wrong direction if so.

For now, though, I'm going to enjoy another few hours' sleep next to a warm, human companion. I don't reckon Friedrich would mind going out for brunch later. I think it's time to test the waters outside his flat.

Comments

[alt_hermione]

I'm glad you're all right Sirius.

[alt_sirius]

Thanks.

Tell your Terry I hope he mends soon. You know we're doing what we can to improve things--not just for you two, but for all of the ones like you.

[alt_mcgonagall]

We are all extremely grateful to hear from you - and to know of the tracking spell. It will certainly change my behaviour, not that I could ever trust much to Animagus transformations in any case, being registered.

I hope that you have ensured that this Friedrich chap is trustworthy. I do wonder sometimes about your proclivities.

[alt_sirius]

Not to worry, Minerva: he's a Muggle. Can you imagine Karkaroff directing any of his lads to enlist a Muggle's help? Neither can I.

No, I chose this neighbourhood deliberately, in case I'm wrong about the tracking spell--whatever it may have been--and they do have some way to find me when I'm not transformed. If it's possible to draw them out without sending up a beacon, that's what I'm testing now. I figure in another day or two, if all's clear, I can head back into France and try to find Molly's long-lost, er, accountant.

[alt_kingsley]

'm working with Arthur on visiting a muggle camp he told me about, in two weeks. I have no idea of the mentality of those in charge, but, if all goes well, perhaps we can plant some seeds. It would, of course, be lovely to do so without Checkpoint Charlie hovering. But in the next three days we should, hopefully, be in the clear.

Be well, and safe, and happy. Is there anything you need that I can provide for you?

[alt_sirius]

I should be asking you what I can get for you, mate, but as I've been a complete failure so far, probably best to leave it for now.

If you need some help creating a diversion, let me know - I think I can safely misdirect Cousin Bellatrix at least a few times if there's a major operation happening elsewhere.

Dare I ask whether you've had a chance, since getting back into Merry Olde England, to look up that lovely lady of yours? Or is my memory out of date?

[alt_kingsley]

I'm sure I'll be taking you up on your offer soon, so thank you.

And no, your memory is not out of date. Sadly, the lass in question and I have been apart for longer than either of really cares to think about. It's so hard, but we both keep telling ourselves it will be worth it. Yes, it's idealistic to believe, and I know that, but we *must* believe it, in order to do what we must in the days ahead.

So what about you? Anyone warming up those cold nights with you?

[alt_arthur]

While we're relieved you're all right, your report is worrisome. If they were after you while you were disguised as Henrich Laszlo, do you think that identity has been compromised all the way up the line? While you may have shaken pursuit off for now, is it really safe for you to go back to customs and try to resurrect that operation, even if you do manage to get Henderson's help for the bona fides that Malfoy demanded? I'm worried that they might have aimed their wands at you because someone on Malfoy's end told them, Henrich Laszlo is a fraud.

Be very careful, and please report in regularly as you can.

[alt_sirius]

I don't think that's what happened--I mean to say, I think either my disguise slipped and I didn't notice, or they had a Disillusion charm powerful enough to punch through my transfiguration. I changed my disguise slightly after I lost them the first day, you see, but they found me again. So there's another bit of intelligence: they might have ways of seeing through anything short of Polyjuice. Kingsley, you ought to be okay with stage makeup, though that doesn't hold up to close scrutiny.

Just in case, though, I shall owl Agatha and find out if she's had any hint of what you're suggesting. Marguerite might be persuaded to do a little snooping on our part.