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[alt_alice]

Well, it's officially summer here at Moddey Dhoo, which means that the children are on half-days at school and spend the other half paddling in the ocean, helping with chores -- which can sometimes lead to twice the work -- and chasing the chickens. Ian and Katherine are anxiously awaiting their wands -- we've told them to wait until Frank and I are back from our trip with Neville and Evelyn, but they are both waiting on pins and needles til then. Laura and Stephen McGivern are more anxious than anything -- although Laura mentioned to me that she wished Katherine could've been Sorted properly at Hogwarts, like both of them were, and got all misty about it. Poor dear. And Remus, you remember little Ian -- goodness, he's shot up like a weed. He's still very shy, but he, Kathrine, and Alec Turner are thick as thieves, and Alec has been lording his wand over them for two years now, so both of them are more than ready for theirs.

The garden is a riot of colour, and we're barely keeping ahead of all the canning and preserving that will keep us in veg during the winter. Regina Lee, one of our new additions, has been endless help coming up with a new system of composting that has really made a noticeable difference so far, and she's already been selecting seeds from the highest producing plants for next season. She's just fascinated by our magical plants -- she's been taking endless notes on the properties of fluxweed, and she's bemoaning the fact that she can't publish any of it -- nor does she have access to a macroscope or any number of gadgets she used to use in her laboratory at university. Fu has been keeping busy as well -- he goes up to Sherwood with Frank about once a week.

Kevin is a regular chatterbox, and has moved quickly from walking to running -- it's all I can do to keep up with him. He's like his mum and older brother in that he just loves the garden, and would root around in the dirt for hours if I let him. That's all the news I can think of for now.

Before I forget, Remus, Stephen has asked for you to send along your notes from your latest experience with the Wolfsbane. I've told him that you didn't take the very last dosage, and he'd like you to send him all you remember from it, as well as whether you had any of those side effects that were there the last few times.

Oh, and Kingsley, I've received an owl from Algernon, and July 20 works best for him. It'll be two days after Evelyn comes back from her YPL camping trip, so she'll get her fill of camping by summer's end! We were figuring a week -- to get Neville back in time for his birthday, because his friends will no doubt be expecting some sort of party. I think we'll go to the Lake District this time.

I honestly can't thank you and the Players enough for helping us out with this. Last year was just like heaven, and I cannot wait for the opportunity to see Neville and Evelyn again. From the bottom of my heart, Kingsley.

Comments

Re: Private Message to Alice

[alt_sirius]

They can read all the old ...

Heh. Right. Of course they can.

Well.

As for the owl - don't keep me in suspense, woman. Am I in the doghouse with you as well?

Re: Private Message to Alice

[alt_alice]

Well, you'll get the heart of it in the letter, you know, but there are things about what Terrie's done that I am certainly not pleased with -- and her behaviour as of late (as you've described it) most certainly has me concerned.

This is not to say that you are completely and utterly blameless, love, but the fact that she's balking at a paternity test gives me a good deal of pause.

I think she's a desperate woman in a difficult situation who has decided that you are going to rescue her, and as such, is depending on you for all the answers and making it as difficult for you to walk away as possible. I don't like the way she lied to you, and I think the feeling you have about her ambivalence towards the Order is a very real sign that she is not ready to come here to Moddy Dhoo full-time.

It's a complicated issue, darling. But regardless, I think you ought to hold off making any big decisions until you know for certain whether it's your baby.

Re: Private Message to Alice

[alt_sirius]

Well, that's a sight better than Remus gave me, at any rate.

When she first told me, I had much the same reaction as she was having about a paternity test - that it was a terrible risk because what if it up and said 'Sirius Black is the father' in the middle of St M's or something. Come to think of it I don't even know how those charms work. Is that what happens or - well, you probably wouldn't know, would you, there's never been any doubt about you and Frank.

Anyway, the point is that the more I thought about it, the more I realised I have to know before I can figure out what to do about it.

The oddest thing, like I said in the owl, is that all those things about family - they never really go away, do they? I mean to say, for myself I could leave 12 Grimmauld Place shut up and inaccessible forever, until it crumbles into dust. But the moment I was confronted with the idea that I might actually have a son child, well ... suddenly a legacy seemed more important. Even a daft old inheritance like mine. I can't explain it but it's there, all the same.

And the reverse was true as well, which surprised me. I mean, it'd be one thing if it were Harry or even if the Moddey Dhoo kids needed a home, and I'd sell everything inside if it helped us - every stick of furniture and every last butterknife. But the idea of giving it all to someone else's bastard --

Guess some of my father's lessons really did sink in, is all.

Not that I'd need to leave the kid everything, of course. But I'd feel a right cad if I promised different things on the condition of paternity. And yet - that's how it is.

Re: Private Message to Alice

[alt_alice]

Well, I think it's important to separate out what you'd want to do for a friend in a hard place -- which she is, no doubt, regardless, and what you'd do for your own child.

Because if it did turn out not to be yours, you'd still have a friend who needs your help. And helping her find a new job is certainly something you can do.

So I wouldn't think of it so much as either giving all to your heir or leaving off altogether, and more about what Terrie is going to need help with regardless of whether the baby is yours, and then what else you might do if it is.

I hadn't thought about the risk at St Mungo's, though -- does it really say the name like that? I can't say I've ever known anyone to have it done before. Poppy might know -- I know, I know, you'd have to run the gauntlet on that one. Perhaps... might Tonks have some friends who might know how it works?

Re: Private Message to Alice

[alt_alice]

Or might Terrie herself, for that matter?

Re: Private Message to Alice

[alt_sirius]

I dunno but - I'm not eager to revisit that conversation.

You're right, though. I've been focused on the baby and on what Terrie's been pushing for as a solution. And sometimes the best way to solve something is to go around it, not through it.

That's why we Gryffindors keep the rest of you around, to remind us.

Re: Private Message to Alice

[alt_alice]

There are three other houses for a reason, love.