Order Only: Private message to Padfoot and Dora

[alt_lupin]

I think she's almost quit crying.

If we're going to get a scene like this every time she breaks a glass ... perhaps Madam Pomfrey could send us some calming draughts to keep on hand? Or do you think she'll settle down once she realises we're not going to cruciate her for accidental breakages?







(Dora, maybe you should try again tomorrow to tell her just how many of those glasses you've broken. I don't think she was listening, she was too busy telling us how sorry she was.)

Comments

[alt_sirius]

Or perhaps you could point out that a weeping waitress is not the sort of thing people want on a cheerful Saturday evening?

Merlin. I'm glad you stopped her when you did, though. I was sure she'd cut herself on the shards.

[alt_lupin]

I know! The only thing worse than a weeping waitress would be a weeping, bleeding waitress. With her hands full of broken glass.

[alt_sirius]

Oh, I can think of worse. A weeping, bleeding waitress who's also cowering in fear from the family dog.

I'll stay up with Bea until she's settled for the night, yeah?

[alt_lupin]

Yeah.

She's going to be horribly embarrassed when we tell her the truth about you. Assuming we can trust her and we get to that point.

[alt_sirius]

No kidding. If.

When did Arthur say he would swing by? I hope we can manage.

[alt_lupin]

'Some time next week.'

[alt_sirius]

Brilliant.

[alt_lupin]

And if we want to tip her off to some violation of Ministry Codes, to see if she rats us out, we'd better act scared when Arthur turns up. Or she'll think SHE'S the one being set up.

[alt_sirius]

Not sure that applies to 'Sinbad' but you go right ahead.

Which means I think you'd better arrange for her to see something tomorrow, yes?

[alt_lupin]

I meant me and Dora. I don't think Sinbad needs to have a problem with the Ministry.

In fact, perhaps you can stay there while Arthur's talking to her. See if you notice anything Arthur doesn't.

And yes. I still don't know what, but yes.

[alt_sirius]

And she might think that anyway. About being set up.

Did you notice her rearranging the shelves this afternoon? She was putting the snuff boxes alongside the tins of string mints.

[alt_lupin]

She was?

What for?

[alt_sirius]

Well .... Little things that go in a hip pocket. What do muggles call it? Impulse purchasing. I dunno. It hadn't occurred to me until I saw her doing it but then it seemed dead clever.

[alt_lupin]

Oh!

That's

rather brilliant, actually.

[alt_sirius]

Exactly. I think someone who can make an intuitive leap like that about something so small could easily size up a Ministry visit a few different ways.

And she's good with the older ones, isn't she? Like Bert Bantam? She had him grinning ear to ear. Before she dropped the glass, of course.

I dunno, I think--well, from what she's said I think she does know her circumstances are vastly improved from the camp. We'll just have to see if she can settle down.

Speaking of settling down ... see you in a bit.

[alt_lupin]

There's one good thing about that, though: at least it put the rest of her dramatics into perspective, for the Saturday night crowd. They know you're friendly, so if she's acting like you're some sort of savage monster AND acting like she's afraid Dora and I are about to haul off and cruciate her...

Merlin. It's bad enough having a muggleborn servant. If people think we mistreat her, ugh. I think Dora's gone out to smooth things over, so people know we took her inside to calm her down, not to punish her. I'd send her back out but I'm afraid she might break another glass out of pure dread.

[alt_sirius]

Oh, that reminds me: Before the infamous glass shattered, I did hear old Nell muttering that she thought it was strange your taking this route for help. So there's that.

I hope this scheme of Beth's isn't just some elabourate form of initiation stunt.

[alt_lupin]

You were thinking that too, eh?

[alt_nymphadora]

I've told her she can call it a night. She washed up the spoons and forks, but I didn't make her touch anything breakable.

Tomorrow, though, I'm taking her out back and I'm going to give her all the chipped cups and plates I can find, and we're going to smash every last one until she can laugh about it.

I hope she can laugh about it. If not, we'll need to send her to the mad house by the time we're through.

What a night!