Sirius Black

Well, the good news is that Lilias Boardley is safe and sound at Moddey.

The bad news is that the camps are tightening security - at least if East Yorkshire is any indication. Not too surprising, what with Erewash slipping from their reach.

We got in without much issue and it didn't take long to find someone in the button network to help us find the Boardleys. But in the middle of our conversation with them, we were interrupted by one of those surprise inspections the camp administrators seem so fond of. Mrs Boardley handed off little Lilias quickly and the spotter got her off to another family while the administrators came through. We had to pretend to be 'very interested' in how they assured that the census was accurate and the rules of the camp enforced; it was nearly two hours before we could safely return to the Boardleys' quarters, by which time Lilias had been handed round to about six families in order to keep her hidden from the inspectors.

So after all that, they were well prepared to let her go, but they wanted to spend a bit more time with her before we took her away. All the while, Kingsley and I were trying to chivy them along without seeming too eager to pry her from their loving hands. Somehow we convinced them that they'd be able to keep in touch well enough with the button, ring and picture, and that the longer we stayed with them, the more likely it would be that the camp administrators would suspect we weren't who our papers said we were.

Finally we got them to surrender the sprog and we got out as quickly as we could. But Bill, I'm afraid that we can't use the identities you provided for us for any other forays into the camps. Not for a good long while, at least.

To be honest, it's not MLE and the Council that worry me.

It's all those members of the Jr Aux who were at the Burrow.

Did you hear them all greet Pomona, Kingsley? Sounded like a primary school class.

I smelled Justin soon as he arrived; tried to get out of sight in a hurry but I can't be sure whether or not he saw me. The problem was that every time I moved away from him, I came near to being spotted by Pansy Parkinson.

And Kingsley, was it me or was Mac staring at the young woman who came with Justin, the one carrying the hamper? Poor girl looked like she hadn't an idea how best to make herself useful. I think she wound up in the kitchen most of the afternoon. Maybe we ought to ask what was so fascinating? Don't know if he'll take that as teasing about his tastes or what.

Alice, you and Frank had gone but you ought to know that Neville and Evelyn both came by Floo, mid-afternoon or so. Then all of them - Pansy, Justin, Hydra, Ron, Sally-Anne, your two - went up to Fred and George's room. Can't be good, whatever that means (though the twins were seen going up and down the stairs from time to time. Nicked a platter of sandwiches on their way back up, too).

Mordred, it's nearly time to go. Look, I know we said we'd let things alone and they can figure it out in their own time but .... I just think that time is coming much sooner than any of us planned.

Moony and I (and Bea) spent the night in Grimmauld Place last night, first time we've been back for a full night since Ellie came.

We figured that'd be best since Ellie's still a bit skittish, but it was the full moon so Remus needed a safe transformation place and we didn't want to risk Ellie coming upstairs to check on Bea with only a door between her and a werewolf. And I couldn't have seen to Bea as a dog, or risk Ellie coming up to stumble on me, either.

Well, anyway. That part worked out well enough. But the part that we found curious was Kreacher. Do you know, I think he actually might have missed us?

Well. I say us. Really I think he missed Bea.

Dora, we may want to think about going back to Grimmauld a little more frequently, especially if we're not going to be able to tell Ellie the truth before next month. I dunno how he'll react if we only come back to give him Bea to look after for a few hours. When she's asleep, no less.

Anyway. I'm sending a final owl to Aleks to confirm what he's bringing us. Wands, of course, and the staples: Fruit, sugar, spices, chocolate, tea, coffee, so on. Poppy, I got your list (or rather Mr Ponds did) and I'm sending it along. Anti-fungal creme, really? And camphor and cotton and all the usual items.

Anyone have last-minute additions? No guarantees but if it's something simple enough we've a little time.

(That reminds me: The wards will have to drop when Beauxbatons and Durmstrang take their delegations home. Frank, Kingsley: Do you think we could get people out then, if we had a vessel to take them?)

So, Alice, are you coming by the shop today so we can all have a proper dose of good luck?

Joking aside, how are all the new little ones settling in?

Arthur, Kingsley: I think we're pretty well agreed that much as we'd like to help all four of the girls Davidson's people recommended, the two older ones are the best choices for our particular situation. If there's something that can be done about the others, we're all for it, though.

So, what's next? Can Dora pick up an application overnight or should one of the Pondses come and request one on business hours - I think, Arthur, given that we'll need your involvement in putting together the application and in seeing that it gets to the right people afterward, we oughtn't ask you to bring the parchmentwork directly to the shop. Best leave you out for the time being.

For the time being.

Kingsley, you got my Patronus. Sorry, that's all I had time to manage last night.

Time, ha. Funny.

I left Moony back at Tilda's, once he was able to transform. Dora I'm afraid he won't be any use to you with Bea, but he's okay. Truly - he was even lucid enough to take a few steps over the threshold. I thnk that potion had an effect even though he missed the final dose.

And about that: I'm sorry. Well, I'm sorry we frigtened everyone. It was ....

I'm still trying to piece it all together. I think the Snape and Macnair that Remus and I spotted must have been the second ones. Is that right, Hermione? That's why they were in the Shack when we fell back there and why they didn't know anything about keeping Buckbeak from mauling you lot.

I can explain more to Frank and Kingsley this morning. Snape claims he wants to join us. I didn't believe him - still not sure but he insisted on the Unbreakable Vow. Macnair too. I mean to say, Macnair swore it too. And me. I don't necessarily trust them to help Harry when they can but then, I don't much care if they die breaking their promise to him, either. Meanwhile we were just getting to explanations when we heard the alarm had gone up and MLE were heading for the Shack. So we ran for it.

Dora, Poppy, you must believe that Remus and I thought we had time to get Harry and Hermione away from Snape when we went out there. Neither of us expected it to get this complicated. He changed as we left the tunnel; Hermione tripped and then she realised Miss Parkinson was also on the grounds, trapped up a tree. Snape and Macnair scattered and Harry ran with him. And the Malfoy boy woke and ran and - I'm not quite sure how, but Alecto Carrow came upon us. I had to change to duel her.

Then Harry came back - he's going to be an ace duellist - and I told him and Pansy and Hermione to run to the castle fast as they could. Only then Harry gave me the time-turner. Hermione, I'm getting it out of order again, Morgana, this is confusing. Help me out where I've got it wrong.

What I do remember is that Harry told me that I had to take Buckbeak and get Snape and Macnair out of the tower after they were taken there - and then give the time-turner to Snape so that he and Macnair could rescue Buckbeak and save Harry from getting mauled. Understand? I couldn't argue it - I mean to say, they already had done, which means I must have done. I found the creature nearly mad from all the Dementors near the lake, although just as I arrived I saw the glow of a patronus somewere nearby. I got them out and had to let Buckbeak go so I could find Moony.

That's why I proposed the rendez-vous. Frank, yes, please come along. I just don't trust them - swearing to protect and help Harry (and not to harm him) doesn't mean they won't have any scruples about anyone else.