alt_lupin | Order Only: Private message to Padfoot

Mischief managed.

Remember that idea James and I had of opening a joke shop after we beat Voldemort for good and all? The four of us in business together?

We were brothers. In every way that mattered, anyway.

I suppose we've got to be stern adults with them tomorrow? But I'm really curious to know how they achieved it all.

Yes; we need them to take things seriously. Talking about the map -- and the rest of it -- would be a great deal more fun, though.

I had completely forgotten about the idea of the joke shop. That would've been brilliant.

Well, if they're sworn in, there ought to be plenty of time to discuss charms, theory, experimentation and new products.

Funny, isn't it, how we're in business after all, just a different sort. Though I suppose we could -

What would you think about setting up a room where we could tinker about in Grimmauld? And if we come up with something really good, we could always put it out in the shop.

It could work, don't you think?

Yes! Absolutely. There's space to spare in Grimmauld.

And we could invite the Twins over during their summer hols. Perhaps we could tell Molly we'd coach them on something school-related, give them a jump on their schoolwork for fall. (Actually, we could do that, too. Do you suppose they even know how to cast a Patronus charm? They might need to be able to do that.)

That's settled, then.

I wonder if Hagrid would be willing to part with the Vincent? I'd rather love to show it off to someone who'll appreciate it.

I've been thinking, too, about the others, like Neville.

We have a pretty good idea that the Twins aren't Terry's only friends. I'd lay odds Ron Weasley's in on it with them, and Neville Longbottom.

Who else, do you think? We probably shouldn't speculate, but surely as long as we're not leaning on Hermione to confirm or deny, there's no harm in it.

The next generation of the Order. I'd rather hoped we wouldn't need a next generation.

We all agreed not to speculate, as I recall it.

I'd say you're spot-on with those two. I half-hope Justin's fallen in with them - though he hasn't quite said. And of course, Sally-Anne Perks. Poppy thinks so, anyway. And I've had some suspicions, anyway. Remember that time I went to see Harry in New London and Hermione told us all about that poor pregnant muggleborn girl? The first time we heard about the underground group. She was mixed up in that.

And there's Parkinson, which frankly worries me. But you might not remember that she was with Harry and Draco last year; it was close to the time you transformed.

Merlin's beard, how many people do you think they could've included by now?

You don't think Harry's on it?

Oh, I wish he were!

It would almost have to mean Draco Malfoy was, too...

Though, if we're willing to entertain the possibility that Pansy Parkinson knows about Terry's wand and hasn't breathed a word, Draco's not all that much more far-fetched.

Now, that's an unsettling thought.

His father might be an ineffective, effete, inept fool, but his aunt is a powerful Legilimens.

And I've got no confidence that Draco could keep his emotions in check if his life depended on it. Or Harry's, even.

Oh, all right. That's not quite fair. As far as we know, he's not told anyone about what happened last June.

But -

Well, I know he hates me but he stays quiet because he cares about Harry. Still.

Nope, don't trust him.

You might not trust him, but you've entrusted him with some thoroughly sensitive information. And gambled that his father's position will protect him from any casual prying from his aunt.

I didn't trust him with it. I thought he was unconscious, last year. Then Harry brought him along and made it clear that the little ferret knew all about me. Hermione swears no one told him, so he must not have been as thoroughly knocked out as we thought.

And believe me, the thought is not encouraging.

I suppose you didn't deliberately entrust him with it.

But he's kept your secret, all the same. Even though he loathes you.

Bellatrix doesn't know you're an animagus. Draco could not only tell her you're an animagus, he could tell her exactly what you transform into.

Yeah. Unfortunately Hermione and Harry wouldn't let me Obliviate him. I know why they'd have hated it, but I'd've felt more comfortable.

Well. I suppose you've got a point. Maybe there's more of Andi and Dora in him than I want to give him credit for.

That reminds me -- we should invite Hydra to tea. Spring hols! She could come and meet Bea.

You and Dora will be the death of me. You know that, right?

Well. Why not? Provided Dora can get her to talk about Justin.

If there's one child at the school that I think we can safely assume does NOT know about Terry and Hermione's wands, it would be Hydra LeStrange. I rather get the impression her mother views the inside of her head as her personal property. Bella's property, I mean.

Agreed, which is why I think inviting her to tea is probably not a good idea.

But I can see I'm to be overruled, anyway, by Dora if not you, so. I suppose Padfoot will simply have to endure it.

Just be sure we move a few things back into the kitchen so it looks like we take more than lunch over there.

Good idea.

Harry, too, for that matter.

It's striking to me, I guess. How many of our secrets are being faithfully kept by children. Some of whom could benefit immeasurably if they turned on us -- but they don't. Because loyalty to their friends outweighs loyalty to the regime.

Despite everything.

All of which means we'd best get a move on and win this bloody war. How many of them can really stand up to the sort of pressure Voldemort can devise?

Mmm.

Hopefully we've got a few years before he realises any of them could possibly pose any sort of threat.

And if Neville's one of them, then chances are his little sister's in the group, too.

Though if he were in it, wouldn't he have told Frank and Alice?

If he'd promised not to?

Neville knows his parents can be trusted, but perhaps he can't tell them about his friendship with Terry without breaking his promise. And presumably he can't ask for permission to tell his parents without revealing he's in communication with them. Rather an uncomfortable position all around. Like Hermione, but without the added stress of the Unbreakable Vow.

And don't give that one the satisfaction, Remus. Let him crawl back into his hole.

Eh. He's right about Hermione.

I didn't say he wasn't but he didn't have to swan in and offer up the word from on high. 'No one asked me' bollocks - Arthur asked the whole Order. Instead he makes a meal out of the thing.

Morgana. What a whinging pillock.

Whinging pillock? But his input was so thoroughly useful! If he finds the Twins unbearable, I KNOW we'll enjoy having them over for a visit come summer.

Order Only: Private message to Padfoot

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