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[alt_alice]

The Retreat is up and mostly running for our less capable Azkaban rescues who were still in need of a permanent facility, and we are slowly beginning the process of acclimating them to their new home. Clara Mouser deserves our thanks for a generous donation of space and resources, as does Cedric, Jeremy, Colin, Lee, and Wayne for putting in some hard labour to get the building in livable condition. Several of the refugees from Erewash volunteered to provide daily care, and Doctor Williams has sorted out a rotating set of shifts from the nurses in training at Saltash, which is quite needed. I anticipate we'll need continued support for our volunteers and the facility in question as we go, but for the time being, what we have will be a great deal more sustainable than the safehouse. Poppy, you've done so much work getting us to this point, I honestly don't know what we would've done without you.

Pansy, Stebs, the shipment of potatoes was much appreciated. I am also grateful we over-stocked this past summer, and that we have several functioning greenhouses; seeing as how Sherwood's supply lines have been severely reduced, and we've several hundred more mouths to feed than expected, it'll be a lean winter to put it mildly. Whatever you can continue to shift our way will be used thoroughly.

Locating the Scepter and identifying it as a likely Horcrux has been a bright spot of good news, as has Draco's recent success with the boxes. Have we arranged for a hand-off at Hogwarts yet? The sooner that happens, the better off we'll be. While we're at it, is there any forward movement on where our elusive plate might've gotten itself to?

I understand things have continued to be a challenge at Hogwarts. Between Glozeman, Desai, and Sandoval-Pennifold, I've no doubt it's been far from pleasant for many of you. You all seem to be handling things admirably from what I can see, but please let us know if more direct intervention or possible extraction of a student in danger is needed.

Lastly, I've been talking with Remus about the possibility of having our safely hidden members without family on the outside engaging with the public more directly on the journals -- Tonks, Remus, Kingsley, Mac, Hermione, Terry, Tim, Finbar, Patty, Lisa, Maureen, and Severus immediately come to mind, and with a few caveats, Evelyn, myself, Frank, and Augusta. Sirius's voice is powerful, and carries a certain degree of weight behind it. But having more people weigh in -- free voices, sane voices, people from a variety of backgrounds speaking truth to power -- I think it could be more than valuable. We have a free radio, but I think it's time we spoke out in other ways too. I don't intend to put undue pressure on any of the people I've listed so you feel as if you're obligated to write openly, only to say that if you do wish to, it's worth considering. And if you need some ideas as to what you might say, there are several people who cannot speak up in this way who might be able to help. At any rate, I thought I'd bring it up to see what you thought about it.

Comments

[alt_pansy]

You should be getting a rather large amount of fruit your way by day after tomorrow at the latest, Mrs L.

Let me know if you have any trouble with transport, Stebs.

Private Message to Mum and Dad

[alt_evelyn]

It would be sort of sticky, wouldn't it? With Uncle Algie and Aunt Enid.

And how I left.

And it could make trouble for Kitty and Artie, too. If I started just up and talking.

I think you're both brilliant, though, and the world could stand to get to know you better.

Private Message to Luna

[alt_alice]

Luna, dear,

Poppy got back from another exploratory trip to the Vale.

Your father is there.

She couldn't investigate too deeply, but the Healers notes she found says that he doesn't speak, and doesn't appear to hear or see other people. He needs help with his daily care, as he can't quite manage on his own.

She managed to see him during one of the rounds she was on, however, and he was playing a game of chess. Truly playing, with the proper moves and everything, which implies he does have a certain degree of awareness. He was a little disheveled, but did not appear to be malnourished or otherwise ill treated.

I realise this is difficult to process, and painful to hear. I am very sorry to be the bearer of such news. But dear heart, I hope you take some comfort in hearing that he is being cared for.

Re: Private Message to Luna

[alt_luna]

Oh, I...

I had the feeling for the longest time that he was alive. I never really believed he was dead, but now that there's confirmation...I don't know quite what to say.

Except--

Oh, if I could only see him. If he saw me, maybe that would, I don't know, shock him into--

but maybe not.

Is there a way to get him out of there? So he can be cared for by our people at least?

Thank you for letting me know.

Re: Private Message to Luna

[alt_luna]

And I'm sorry.

I'm sorry that Madam Pomfrey didn't find Neville there.

Re: Private Message to Luna

[alt_alice]

I cannot make that promise, Luna.

If a low-risk opportunity comes our way, then yes, I am willing to take advantage and move him to the Retreat.

Re: Private Message to Luna

[alt_luna]

You're right. Of course you're right, and I wouldn't want you to make any promise which would risk the Order.

It sounds as though they are caring for him, at least. I will try to be content with that.

[alt_severus]

I could perhaps write something. Let me think about what might be of use.

[alt_kingsley]

I'm willing to be a voice wherever needed, Alice. I have been speaking on some of the radio broadcasts, using a pseudonym, like all the rest of us. But I'm wiling to start using my journal for the cause. Let's discuss the next time I'm at Moddey.

You're right: I don't have anyone left for the Protectorate to target in retaliation.

[alt_gredforge]

Alice, the two of us are coming by this evening to show you a test batch of some stuff that we've been working on with Fu. Another possible tool in our defensive arsenal.

Private Message to Alice and Remus

[alt_poppy]

In Kent tonight. Saw Melchior Culpeper in Dover this morning. He introduced me to the friends he's been cultivating, and I'm pleased to say that I came away with a fat purse and their commitments. Stephanus Grey has a shoe manufactory outside Canterbury with large contracts, including for MLE and a number of camps, but he's keen to supply us as well and sees no reason he can't hide the 'lost' materials and inventory. Gregory Ketch is an oddities collector and repurposer of Muggle artefacts from Deal; he's an excellent source for difficult to find items of almost every sort. And Elspeth Norcross is a regional inspector for the Ministry's division of magical creatures. She believes she can offer us practical, insider information. Remus, you might find her especially helpful if you intend to continue visiting the enclaves. All three of them have been part of Melchior's regular Sunday evening parties where they listen to our broadcasts, and each of them feels ready to begin hosting their own radio evenings for neighbours and friends.

I made the usual stops in Sandwich and Margate, and arrived at Wye in time for supper with my friends, Milton and Frieda Crewe, proprietors of the Steeplechase Inn. They had worrisome news to report. The Watch have been causing trouble here and in nearby villages, and in October, one of the local families was woken in the middle of the night, turned out of doors while the place was searched (ransacked), and then, with no explanation, the husband was taken away, and he's not been heard from since. MLE say they didn't arrest him, but they've also shown no inclination to investigate. He's simply vanished. Inquiries were made with the Watch, but they let it be known it would go better if no one asked too many questions, and people have been afraid to do any more. Apparently, other families have felt threatened, and Milton tells me that two families here have Fideliused their properties in order to feel properly secure. Frieda told me they would do the same, except in their business it's hardly an option. They've bolstered their wards, though, so much that I can feel it humming in my bones. Suspect this will not be my best night's sleep, and I intend to leave first thing so as not to abuse their hospitality. My presence here is causing them extra worry, despite which they've made a most generous contribution and passed on two items addressed to Albus that were left by arrangement.

Tomorrow I'm to have breakfast at Igtham Mote, and then I'll come directly to Moddey. Expect me by one o'clock. I promise to let you know if it will be any later.