Order Only: Private message to Alice

[alt_lupin]

Thanks for the visit.

I keep thinking how, when I made it back to the rest of you, I thought that sort of thing was over. That I wouldn't have to

I've been remembering a lot of things I don't like to think about. And thinking about the bits I don't remember, if you follow me.

Ugh.

Comments

[alt_alice]

I do.

I've been giving some thought lately to the scars we all bear, and how much of ourselves we've had to give up to get through this in one piece. I have no doubt we'll have quite a few more marks on all our souls before all this is done. And Merlin knows how history will judge us all. The best we can do is keep muddling forward.

I will never entirely forgive myself for all the years we abandoned you. It was needless. It was cowardly. We were so afraid of everything. And what you had to do to survive in order to get through that time was awful.

But love, you must know that I am beyond grateful that you are here with us today. I value your friendship more than I could ever say, and I depend on your good sense and advice. I love seeing you smile when you play with Bea, and seeing you surrounded by people who love you fiercely. Because you deserve it.

[alt_alice]

You're the glue that holds Grimmauld together, you know. Sirius wouldn't have a home if it weren't for you. And without you around to bring her into the fold and give her work at Lazslo's, our brilliant Tonks wouldn't have had a home either. She would've been stuck cleaning toilets and answering to that horrible Crouch family.