Sirius Black

Fred, George: Have you heard any more from Terry?

Well, meanwhile, it's past time that we told you all about having Hydra over for tea.

So, to set the stage, of course, we've spent some time keeping Doughty Conduit look occupied. For one thing, we don't know how soon the Ministry might wish to inspect us, but for another, on the assumption that Bellatrix wanted to spy through Hydra, we figured she ought to be presented with the picture of domesticity. We even put Bea down for her nap in the pram in the kitchen.

Hydra and the nanny arrived promptly at two and I think at first Remus feared Mrs Baylock meant to stay and observe the whole visit but she made one or two disparaging remarks about the shop and then told Hydra she'd some errands of her own and would return for her at half-past-three.

Hydra looked around the shop while Dora went to see if Bea'd woken up yet, which she had, so they proceeded to the kitchen. At first she seemed quite shy but she kept sneaking me looks when she thought Dora couldn't see and finally she asked if I'd bite. Dora said no, of course not, so she tried giving me a scratch. Before I knew it she was sneaking me bits of her sandwich (she only ate the cress and the dill, no meat). Remus came in once the shop was between customers and almost called me Padfoot (we'd agreed on Sinbad for Hydra's benefit, since I've no idea whether she'd tell Justin about meeting a dog named Padfoot!) but he caught himself just in time. I don't think she noticed.

Moony kept pushing sweets on her. She'd make a remark about how 'Mummy' wouldn't like her to have too many sweets but then she'd take another biscuit as if defying Bellatrix were more delicious than the treat itself. And I'll admit, she spoke glowingly about Justin.

But there's one thing that happened - well, I'm sure if we've not heard about it by now, it probably isn't an issue. Still. Bea was showing off for our guest, with Dora's help, doing her parlour tricks of changing her hair colour and such. And she did something ... I've never seen her do it before, nor had Remus, I think, but she changed her face to look more like a dog's, then back to human. And she kept switching back and forth, three or four times running, and then said 'Da!' and then started all over again. Remus thinks she was just jealous that Hydra seemed to be paying more attention to the dog than to Bea. But if Bellatrix forces her to put her memories in a Pensieve or tries to Legilimise her, it might come out.

Fred and George, you're more likely to know what she's like when she's not with her mother. I'll grant that she seems remarkably adjusted for growing up that viper's daughter but - is it likely she's able to keep her mother from rifling through her thoughts?