ORDER ONLY: Private Message to Sirius Black

[alt_alice]

Are you quite as exhausted as I am?

I'm sorry we couldn't stay. Frank can get a little insistent some times, and he was quite adamant about our going home so I could get some sleep. I can carve out some time next week to come by and help fix up the place a little more, though.

And we ought to test it, just to be sure.

And I know you're tired of my saying so, but we really ought to tell Minerva and Arthur.

And Frank is making faces at me because I'm supposed to be resting, so I'd better put this aside for now.

Comments

[alt_sirius]

So knackered I think I might actually be able to sleep here. But then I did kip most of Sunday afternoon. Well, at least I'll be ready to go right about the time Bea does her evening wake-up call.

Thank you both. Do you feel all right, otherwise? You were fantastic, you know, throughout. Couldn't have finished in time without Frank, either. One thing I'll say: My father's protections came in handy. Glad I found that foe-glass so we knew to get a move on.

It was fun, though, barely making it back inside before seeing the shadows on the square. Sort of like the old days.

As far as telling the others: Yes, I know, I shall. I want to make sure the Floo's really safe first, and as you say, test things. Wait a bit while MLE give up.

I mean to say, we can't Apparate to the square while they've got a watch over it. And you'll have to tell everyone, after all, so they can even get here. If they want to use it.

Maybe this wasn't such a brilliant idea.

[alt_alice]

Now that I've taken a rather considerable nap and had some of Victor's fish stew, I feel much more human. I won't be undertaking any complicated spells for the next few days, though, I can tell you that.

What's done is done, and as safely as possible. And with all the things that could have gone wrong, I think everyone will be more relieved than anything. Yes, you probably should have told everyone before trying to break in, just so they could get some initial worryworting out of the way (honestly, between you and Severus, I feel like such a broken record), but I understand your wanting to keep it discreet.

I can tell everyone at the Christmas party. So that'll sort out. And you'll have tested the floo, so they won't have to Apparate into the square if they do want to use it.

Right now, there isn't a terribly urgent need for a London safehouse, but if there ever was one, now we have a place that isn't as fraught with security concerns as Moddey Dhoo. I think that it's a good step forward.

[alt_sirius]

Allie, you know I love you, but if you insist on comparing me and Snivellus I may have to repeat that ritual with a new secret keeper.

One thing about this business is good and that's the thought of sweeping out that crusty, loveless place and making it a real home.

Still not sure how to silence that portrait. I'm none too keen on bringing Bea through with my mother shrieking every time someone walks past.

Besides, there might be more things in the house we could use, like the foe glass. I dunno; I haven't really had the heart to have a proper look in most of the rooms.

[alt_alice]

I'd imagine it has been a bit surreal for you, being back in your old home again.

Between the lot of us, we'll sort out something with the portrait. I'd bet Bill would be able to do some research on it, and I can take a poke at it as well when I come back later this week.

[alt_sirius]

It's been nearly 20 years. But hardly a thing's changed.

[alt_alice]

Are all your old rock posters still on your walls? That Parkinson girl found your hiding place for your records, I'd imagine she did some digging around in your old room. I hope she didn't disturb things too much.

[alt_sirius]

Yes, she admitted to nicking the records. You know, half those posters I put up only because I knew it would irk Mother no end.

I've only been up to the top level twice so far. (As you know, we're not ready to start travelling back and forth every day just yet. One thing at a time.) I thought Reg's room might make a good nursery for Bea but - I can't quite bring myself to open the door. Not sure why. That pathetic little sign of his never made any difference when I lived there.

Tomorrow I'll test the Floo. If nothing happens, I reckon I can spend part of the day looking through Father's papers, see if I can find any notes on the spells he put on the house before he died.