Order Only: Private message to Padfoot

[alt_lupin]

This is definitely one of those weeks I think I'd be a lot happier if I could opt out of human form and all thought, altogether. Or at least if I could do it on my schedule rather than the moon's.

I had dinner at my desk. Did you go to the great hall?

Comments

[alt_sirius]

You need me to come up and distract you again? Or are you looking for a faithful hound to curl up at your feet?

I did. There was cake for Hydra, her birthday was yesterday. I didn't know. Nice surprise but, maybe I ought to have had supper up there with you instead.

[alt_lupin]

I missed cake?

Also Hydra's birthday. Did she come of age? I guess she must have.

[alt_sirius]

The elves might still bring you a slice, if you need pudding. Or a midnight snack.

And yes, I suppose she is now. Hardly seems to matter - after all this time and everything she's done and is doing, married, serving as chief Legilimens and also maintaining presence in the field - it's difficult to realise she's only now 17.

Though she looks more like Andie as she gets older. I've noticed that much.

[alt_lupin]

She does look like Andie.

Mind you, I always thought Andie looked like Bellatrix would if she were a human being with a functioning heart. So it's not surprising Bella's daughter would have a similar look to her.

I was thinking last night recently about my time at Hogwarts as caretaker. The people who arrived as eleven-year-olds while I was working there. They're all adults now. The ones who lived.

[alt_sirius]

I know. He'd have been 18 in three weeks.

Well, now, I really hope your goal is to snuggle with Padfoot tonight, Moony, because if you keep on that way, I'll be the one who decides to sit things out as an animal for a while.

Anyway, one thing I've learned in the 20 years since we left this castle, it's that there are always newer, younger people to take one's place.

[alt_lupin]

You don't say.

Just how young was that Enforcer you were flirting with at lunch?

[alt_sirius]

Oi! I wasn't flirting with her! She was flirting with me.

Maybe you need your eyes checked. I'm sure we could prioritise Hermione waking up an occulist.

[alt_lupin]

She was definitely the one to initiate the flirting but you certainly seemed to be enjoying the banter.

Possibly because it makes you feel young and spry having some barely-past-her-NEWTs young lady bat her eyelashes at you.

(Do you ever get hit on by barely-past-their-NEWTs young men?)

[alt_sirius]

I get hit on by all sorts, actually. I'm just naturally magnetic. And it only occasionally crosses my mind to flirt back.

Anyway, Carrie's not that young, surely. And I think I came up with an appropriately nasty assignment for her; I told Rachel she should assign Carrie to keep an eye on any communication between Ginny and her family.

Are you still worried about that comment I made? Because it's really not a factor. Well. We never did have that conversation about three 'freebies' but believe me, Carrie Logue would not top my list.

[alt_lupin]

No, she can't actually be that young; she wasn't at school while I was working here. And you didn't! After flirting back? You monster!

[alt_lupin]

Anyway, traditionally the three freebies are people you find attractive but who you're unlikely to ever have the opportunity to actually sleep with.

So yours need to all be outside the wards, and we're good.

[alt_sirius]

Ha. Well, what about when we (eventually? ever?) drop the wards and reconnect England to the rest of the world?

Don't worry. I've had more than my share and done all the philandering I'll ever need.

Now, do you want cake, or not? Because you've made me hungry for another slice, if there's any more to be had. I was thinking of bringing it up to our rooms.

[alt_lupin]

You raise a good point, but at least in France or Canada or New Zealand you won't be Sirius Black, National Hero.

Anyway.

Yeah, bring me some cake, if there's still any.

[alt_sirius]

Your wish is my command.