Order Only: the Beer Garden

[alt_lupin]

The beer garden is starting to see some regulars. It's an interesting crowd. We wanted muggleborns to feel free to sit for a bit, so we started off from the beginning discouraging people from asking awkward questions. During the week, we've started to notice a group of muggleborns who turn up every Wednesday afternoon. They've clearly arranged to run errands the same day, at the same time, so they can sit and visit together. We've tried to give them a spot of privacy, but of course no one watches what they say in front of the family dog. The worst conspiracy Sirius has overheard is a discussion of how best to mix drinks to speed their masters to drunken oblivion.

On the weekends we see more of a half-blood crowd. They can come openly, instead of snatching moments when people think they're running errands. And they bring money, fortunately, and they seem to have a good time. We've started noticing regulars in this group, too.

Weekday evenings, we think we're attracting a few of a more criminal element. Our 'no nosy questions' policy, of course, makes it a good place for people to arrange to meet for deals they don't want overheard. They're not an especially savoury lot. On the other hand, they might turn out useful later, and oddly, they might provide us with a bit of camouflage. If people assume we're doing something illegal but winked-at, they're less likely to look too closely. On the other hand, in a crackdown they might draw attention. It rather depends on what they're up to, so Sirius is listening in when he can.

And of course there are a few individuals who we're not sure which group they fit in. There was a man who came last Saturday and stayed until we chucked out the last few stragglers. He was back on Monday and Thursday, and then again last night. He tried to chat up Dora on Thursday.

I'm a bit worried he's from the Ministry.

Comments

[alt_sirius]

So that bloke was back last night, then? I thought it might have been him but every time I thought to venture downstairs, Bea would fuss a bit. I think she's getting ready to push herself up off her stomach.

I still think we should contact Dung and have him get a look at that chap. And at the other activity. He'll be sure to tell us whether they're connected into the black markets or whether they're, let's say, amateur felons.

[alt_lupin]

Do we know whether Mundungus is even alive? He hasn't responded to the last half-dozen owls -- but then, 'we've set up a lovely new hideaway for you and your friends to talk business' might be just the thing to lure him out.

[alt_sirius]

Well, there's been nothing to indicate he's been detained by MLE. But this is Dung we're talking about - he could have been captured on some minor offence and been secreted away, and who would know the difference?

I think it's worth trying, anyway.

Oh, and while we're at it, would you and Dora please stop telling the patrons not to feed me scraps?

[alt_lupin]

Mmm. You actually WANT to eat our customers' left-over food? We're not trying to put you on a slimming diet, you know, we just thought you might not like HAVING to lick out everyone's half-done plate so you'd look like a proper dog.

[alt_sirius]

It'd be revolting if I were in human form, but funnily enough Padfoot rather likes it.

[alt_sirius]

Besides, I can decide for myself if there's something I particularly don't want to sample.

[alt_lupin]

Well, that's the problem, isn't it? When is a dog ever going to turn up his nose at a plate of food just because the person offering it smells like he hasn't had a bath in a month?

It's not exactly a leap from 'that dog acts almost human sometimes' to 'that dog is an animagus wizard.'

[alt_sirius]

I've known dogs with taste preferences - it's unusual, I'll grant but not unheard of.

[alt_lupin]

Sometimes I think it's a bit of a shame you don't transform into a cat.

[alt_sirius]

I quite like cats.

[alt_lupin]

So do I, though they're not usually fond of me. (Well, Minerva tolerates me well enough. Ordinary cats, though, I think they smell the wolf on me even when it's the new moon.)

[alt_sirius]

Hermione's cat didn't seem to mind you, though. Or that other one. Parkinson's.

But then they're kneazles, so they're uncommonly clever.

Mother detested cats, of course. But that's probably for the best; I really don't want to think what Reg and I would have done having one about all the time. My grandmother Melania had three, actually. Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos. But they weren't particularly friendly.

[alt_lupin]

And yes, the bloke was back, as gregarious as ever.

I'll send you down, next time I spot him. You can get close enough to listen without anyone thinking anything of it. His chat with Dora was innocuous enough, but who knows what he's saying to the rest of the crowd?

[alt_sirius]

So Dora says, anyway.

[alt_nymphadora]

Oi, there!

[alt_sirius]

Wot? It wasn't innocuous?

[alt_nymphadora]

It was perfectly harmless. Only Remus would fault someone for being at his ease meeting new people.

[alt_sirius]

Well, he's a professional worrier, you know. He and Poppy could have a contest.

[alt_nymphadora]

Do you think you're being fair to Madam P?

[alt_sirius]

I think so, yes. It's her job to worry and she's bound by compacts of her profession. Whereas Moony just worries on his own time.

[alt_lupin]

Are you two quite done?

[alt_sirius]

Not half.

[alt_alice]

If he is with the Ministry, he's being awfully obvious about it.

Which might be what he means to do. So that you know you're being watched.

Or perhaps he's just very lonely, and has found a place where he can go and be among friendly people for the first time in a long time.

[alt_nymphadora]

Well, that's what we hope for all of them, of course.

Only we wonder sometimes what brings in the newcomers. When they don't come with anyone regular their first time.

It's just Remus being cautious. He does that, you know.

[alt_sirius]

Still, I'd like Dung's expert opinion on the fellow.

Take his visit on Thursday, for example - buying that whole cake. Doesn't strike me as someone with many mouths to feed.

[alt_nymphadora]

Well, he could just be a chap who likes to have friends round to his. You can't say he's not a friendly sort.

Or maybe he took it along for Sunday supper with his Mum and Dad.

I hear people do that. If they've got family left.

[alt_nymphadora]

That's not to say we shouldn't have Dung give the place a sniff. He can't lower our standards any, I don't think.

And you're right, he might be able to tell us a bit about some of our dodgier friends.

[alt_macnair]

You have a "no nosy questions" policy that's more or less well known? Hm.

[alt_sirius]

Well, it's not as if we've a sign out front

'No nosy-parkers allowed'


but yeah, I'd say the place has acquired something of a reputation for being discreet.

[alt_macnair]

I can see how that'd be desirable, given the circumstances, but stands to reason that the reputation might've spread to someone, not necessarily from the Ministry, but perhaps looking to get in good with that lot. Before Azkaban there were plenty of folk looking to curry favour by turning snitch, so reckon it's not changed much since then.

[alt_sirius]

Precisely why I'd love Dung to stop in and have a sniff of our man, there. You've no reason to know Mundungus Fletcher but one of his best recommendations is his own particularly unsavoury reputation. He can tell an honest thief from a Ministry plant in about one shake of a crup's tail.

[alt_macnair]

Mightn't not be a plant or a thief either one, though. Hope he can spot an opportunist.

Otherwise, Remus - I'd go out of your way to make sure the man feels as welcome as any other.