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[alt_alice]

We received the most wonderful collection of parcels today. It was like a second Christmas! We had a regular party unpacking everything. Molly, that raspberry and ginger tea has been helping most marvelously, and it was a wonderful relief to get a new batch. I think I've seen the worst of it, though – I've been feeling much better for the past few days. I was only sick for the first three months with Neville, so I'm hoping this time around will be the same. And what a wealth of socks! I shudder to think how cramped your fingers must be after turning so many little heels. Needless to say, your gift was very gratefully received. Goodness knows how they manage it, but we do run out of socks at an alarming rate around here.

Arthur and Sirius, thanks and thanks again for sending along the supplies. We were almost out of nappies, and the toothpaste was much appreciated. Arabella nearly cried when she saw you'd sent along that chocolate – it really is so helpful, and we haven't had the good stuff in ages. Just smelling it managed to raise all our spirits. And thanks as well for wrapping everything in paper and twine – we'll get plenty of use out of both. Little Colin Creevy has already absconded with the largest pieces of paper, and I suspect he'll be happily scribbling for days.

I'm anxiously awaiting the rest of the potion ingredients to get here -- it's really too bad about the feverfew, but we'll make do with what you've got. And the tooth-ache tonic will be just in time to help several sore mouths. Poppy, is it alright to use on younger ones that are teething? I used Trigman's Teething Tonic for Testy Toddlers on Neville and Evelyn when they were little, and I'm not sure if regular tooth-ache tonic would help in the same sort of way, or would be safe on little ones.

It's interesting... I've never had to make potions while pregnant before, but I've found recently that certain ingredients will just turn my stomach right away. And I'm a bit skittish around the more volatile ingredients, for obvious reasons. I've had to direct Frank to make some of the more basic potions, and he needs a lot of directing, as he's pants at anything involving ingredients and stirring. He managed to whip up a Bruise-healing paste without too much trouble, though, so good on him. It's a good thing too, as we've had a few bad storms this past week, so he's had to climb all over the roof to patch the loose slates. He's had to use it more than once on himself, and it's worked wonderfully.

Frank says “hullo, you lot,” and many thanks for the brandy. He also says that he is not that bad at Potions, and can stir quite well, thank you very much.

Now he's saying that I've got to put down this quill and rest up for a bit. I really do feel loads better, though. Alright, good-bye for now!

Comments

[alt_frank]

Arthur, mate, thanks again for the brandy. It goes down well after patching a roof all day.

[alt_arthur]

That brandy would go down well after any job, I imagine. Be sure to make it last as long as you can, though, because I'm sorry to say it's getting harder to obtain.

[alt_frank]

shame, that. we've been trying to make our own as we've got those cherry trees, but it tastes horrible. I suspect it's because we don't have enough sugar to spare.

[alt_sirius]

Cheers, Alice. Agatha and I have been lining up those ingredients, so as soon as Malfoy finishes puffing himself up and gets round to the ordering, Laszlo will be positioned to supply him with all he needs. Once it's in the country it's a simpler matter for Poppy to pass it along. Hang in until then.

Glad to hear you spent a romantic Valentine's, proving to Frank who's boss!

[alt_alice]

Oh, that's good news. We'll hang in with the best of them.

And I'll have you know that we had a lovely Valentine's Day, thank you very much. I have a feeling that between the chocolate and the brandy, tonight will be even better.

[alt_frank]

that a promise?

[alt_alice]

Shush, you.

[alt_sirius]

Hah - so what you're saying is he likes it that way? I always suspected....

[alt_alice]

Now it's your turn to shush.

[alt_molly]

So pleased and relieved that you're feeling more the thing, Alice, and I'm glad the socks will come in handy.

[alt_alice]

It is such a relief to be able to keep things down again. It's funny -- I wasn't sick at all for Evelyn. I wonder if that means we're due for a boy this time around?

And they will come in handy most definitely. It's a wonder to me how children manage to lose just one sock at a time.

[alt_mcgonagall]

It's quite a relief to hear from you, Alice - even when I know you've only been feeling a little low it's so much more relieving to hear that there's a corner of this world that's still untouched by the Lord Protector . Or at least not quite as badly.

[alt_alice]

Hello, Minerva!

It's definitely nice to be back on my feet again. Everyone's been in a marvellously good mood the past few days. The older children made all the staff the sweetest little cards for Valentine's Day -- you'd be so proud to see how well they're all coming along.

[alt_poppy]

You are right, Alice, I don't believe I would use toothache tonic on a toddler. Your instinct is spot on.

Unfortunately, under our present circumstances, there's not an easily available alternative to the usual teething aids.

Some people swear by frozen bananas (an adult holds the banana as the toddler gums it; the cold numbs the child's sore gums and the banana itself breaks down into mash that cannot choke and will not harm the child), but where is one to find a banana in these times?! I'm rather afraid that transfigured bananas -- supposing someone is proficient enough to transfigure something else into a banana -- might fail to break down into a safe mash: it would be horrific to have a little one choke on gummy lumps of the transfigured fruit.

I think the safest thing might be to moisten and then freeze a clean flannel: the teething child can safely gnaw on the frozen cloth. Of course, no child should be left unattended to chew on anything, but, with that caveat, it should be a safe and reusable alternative to commercial preparations or purchased teethers.

[alt_alice]

Oh, thank you, Poppy. I remember using frozen bananas for Neville -- he had an especially hard teething, poor thing. We'll use the frozen flannel. That should serve.