Sirius Black

If I'd realised a little limp in my step would make significant inroads with Strangeweale's man I'd have faked it a long time ago.

I tested my transformation and everything felt fine - except, as I said, I'm still weak on the right side. Between the foreleg still twitching now and then and the limp on the hind leg, I suppose Padfoot must look like he's had a minor stroke.

Well, regardless of how it looked, as I say, it inspired the sympathy of Strangeweale's manservant. He concluded that my rundown state was linked to the fact that I haven't been round for a while, which was of course correct but not quite in the way he thought. He went back inside and found some scraps to bring out. As I nibbled, he muttered that I was lucky the master's been 'burning midnight oil' again.

As if that weren't ominous enough, he said something about how lucky he was that the Master's 'scheme' paid off. From what I could gather, Strangeweale's mood has been swinging for three days - first frightened for his life, then triumphant, now smug as anything. And getting close to the Mulcibers, too. 'You look sharp if they're ever visiting,' he told me. 'And they'll probably visit again, now.' He then went on to describe the sorts of things he suspected they might do to a poor mutt who might happen to get in their way. From the look on his face, I think he might have some first-hand knowledge, poor sod.

I nursed the scraps as long as possible since he was in a talkative mood, but soon enough he decided he'd better get back in to his chores. At least I got an invitation to drop by again, provided the master wasn't in to notice. 'Not that he does much but sleep when he is here,' he said. '"Commuting," he calls it. All those trips from the Ministry to his private stockade. Says it's not good for his health. His health, if you please.'

Sounds like whatever saved Cadmus Mulciber from that curse of mine, Strangeweale had something to do with it.

Could either of you make sure the Floo is clear?

Mr Padfoot and the Professor would like to sneak off to the park and we don't want to frighten any customers - or Ellie - on our way through.

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?