Order Only: Sirius

[alt_nymphadora]

So, Sirius, was that all just blather the other night or are you ready to back up your big ideas with real help in making Laszlo actually useful?

Where have you scarpered off to, anyway?

I think it would be brilliant if you'd come here and stay. Every family needs a dog. And you'd be useful as a security system, too. We could trust you to sniff out the inspectors when they come round.

And then we could get down to some proper planning for ways to build up our business here.

Comments

[alt_sirius]

Course I meant it, Dora. You've made the place a genuine success as an informal pub; time to use that cover to conceal some real mischief and take the next step.

As for where I've been, I said I would be talking to Turner and I have done. We've got some ideas about getting more people out of the camps - and wands, too. From inside the wards, since it'll be six months before we can meet Aleks again.

I can head down to London tomorrow - I'd love to stay at least for a little while. Bill, if you're able to stop in at the shop this week, we could talk some about Turner's and my ideas. And ways to reach those Muggleborn railroad blokes, too.

[alt_nymphadora]

Muggleborn railroad?

Oh. Sorry. I want to hear about the Muggleborn smugglers, too. That's what you meant about the people that woman was trying to reach last summer while the Hogwarts children were here, isn't it?

That was the one thing you wrote the other night that I just wasn't sure about. And, after all, it did seem you were a good ways into your cups by then and not making absolute sense.

At any rate. Good. I'm holding you to this. Not just big talk, but real, solid action. That's what's needed.

[alt_sirius]

That's what I meant - the smugglers. Don't suppose you'd know the reference, but in the United States, during their muggle civil war, some of the slave abolitionists started up what they called an Underground Railroad - a system of safehouses and waystations where they would harbour and aid slaves making their way from the south to the north. Seems like that network we heard about last summer is the same sort of thing, only from the camps to ... well, I'm not sure where.

Turner says Lucinda has a lead on a woman outside Cotgrave who may be involved with the network. I've a feeling that the ones in New London may be hard to find but if we can make contact outside of the city, perhaps we can convince them of our intentions while evaluating their effectiveness.

[alt_nymphadora]

So you're going to Cotgrave, then. Before you come to us? What do you plan to tell her? Or what has Turner told her already?

But Remus says you'll be here by Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest. That's excellent, you can tell us everything then. I think it will be tremendous to have you here. You'll be good for all of us.

[alt_sirius]

Yeah, late Tuesday night, I think?

Turner hasn't told her anything. It's Lucinda who's managed the message network through drop points and codes. And one of her contacts in the camps told her that this witch has had labourers out to her home many times and treats them quite well. The report says that she is privately quite outspoken, too.

So, we'll check it out. (Yes, carefully, Poppy.)

[alt_bill]

I can do that. Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, I think. Would one day work better than the other?

[alt_sirius]

Wednesday - I've found out that we have a meeting with a woman in Cotgrave tomorrow so I'll head south Tuesday.

[alt_bill]

Perfect.

Private message to Sirius

[alt_lupin]

Not that I mind the idea of having you underfoot, mind, but what about Terrie?

Re: Private message to Sirius

[alt_sirius]

Yeah .... Like I said, wasn't half brilliant going there.

I've been a bit hesitant to say anything to you or Allie, given - well, given that when I told you both her news for me, you both seemed to think the answer was fairly simple.

It's anything but simple, though.

Re: Private message to Sirius

[alt_lupin]

What happened, exactly, when you went to see her?