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[alt_lupin]

I just wanted to check in before tomorrow night, especially following recent anxieties about Regulus. Everything's been fine here. No need to worry at all.

Well, no, actually it was rather worrying when he came into the shop the other day. He was buying some stone pot or jar or some such, of all things, but it seems it was a completely innocent transaction. I suppose even Reg needs homewares now and then.

I have to confess to hiding away behind the stacks and leaving Miss Tonks Nymphadora Dora Miss Tonks Tonks to deal with it, which she did admirably, due only in part to her having no idea what a potential danger he poses to me and, by association, to herself.

She's a very pleasant young woman and certainly exceptionally able, although perhaps a little clumsy, which in a shop full of breakable household items is not ideal! We've almost made a game of it, though, guessing what will get broken each day. It doesn't actually matter that a few items get smashed, of course. There's rarely anything we can't fix with a quick reparo, which is a spell Miss Tonks Tonks is most accomplished at casting.

I do wish she wasn't so averse to her first name, mind you. Tonks just doesn't seem an appropriate way to address a pretty young woman, but she's repeatedly asked me not to call her Miss Tonks, as we've known each other a while now, and outright refuses to answer any permutation of her first name. It's a little frustrating, if I'm honest. But if it's what she wants, I suppose I have no choice.

On an unrelated note, one of the customers this morning said something about a large fire south of the river last night. I doubt it really means anything, Halloween enthusiasm or an early start on Bonfire Night, probably, but did anyone else hear anything of it? Bill, you're down that way, aren't you?

After that murder a few weeks ago, I just wondered if it was worth checking whether this was another anti-muggle or anti-muggleborn thing. I'd pop down myself and have a look, but if the MLE are sniffing around, I'd rather not risk being recognised unless it's necessary.

Comments

[alt_sirius]

Bet you never thought you'd have to hide from my wretched brother, but I can see you skulking behind the shelves.

You don't suppose what he bought had anything to do with Voldemort's 'birthday'? Though why he'd need crockery for that is beyond me.

And it's interesting that my cousin objects to her name. I have to say I hadn't noticed in her letters, but perhaps it's just that she feels comfortable telling you her preference. You have that avuncular effect on people, as I recall.

[alt_lupin]

I feel quite sorry for him, really. He doesn't seem much happier with his position in the new order than the rest of us. That said, I'd rather not risk a run-in if I can avoid it.

I suppose it's possible, but I can't imagine anyone could turn up to the Lord Protector's birthday do with a common pot like that as a present and still be alive at the end of the festivities. Unless the pot had something fairly special in it. I dread to think what that might be. No, I think it's more likely it's just a general household pot. He has to eat, after all.

Perhaps it's just a little easier to say things like that to someone outside the family, especially when everyone in the family is named after someone else. She might've feared that she couldn't profess a disinclination towards her name without insulting someone or other's great aunt twice removed or some such.

I'm very glad to have her help around the shop. It really was a very good idea to offer her the position. Have you heard from her recently? Is she happy here, do you think? She seems happy, but I suppose she has so few options, she might just feel obliged to stay.

There's the Order as well. I feel quite confident we could trust her, and she definitely has a lot of skills that might prove useful. What do you think? Perhaps it's too soon.

[alt_sirius]

Now that I think on it, it's more likely as Alice says, that she has to be careful about endorsing her Muggleborn father by preferring his name to her given one.

As to the Order, well, I haven't had an owl from her in a while, actually, but I'm prepared to risk easing her in. Thus far she certainly hasn't balked at my contact or assistance, and everything she's done with and for Arthur suggests that she could be a valued member if she's given the chance.

[alt_arthur]

I'd be in favour of taking the risk with her, myself.

[alt_alice]

I'm glad to see everything is going well, Remus, love. And it's good to hear you're getting on with Tonks. I suppose if that's what she wants to be called, it's what you should call her, isn't it!

And please keep us informed about Regulus. It does make me nervous that he is in your neighbourhood.

Oh, by the way, Ian has written you a nice card with a drawing in it. I'll send it off. He was worried about what you'd do during the full moon this month, and was asking after you, but I told him that you were smart and resourceful, and that he shouldn't worry. I know that I don't!

[alt_lupin]

You're right, of course, Alice. I am trying to respect her choices, especially on something so personal as her own name, but it just doesn't seem appropriate to call a young woman by her surname. Perhaps I'm just getting old, hm?

It makes me a little nervous too, but I think if he'd recognised me, I'd be long gone by now, so that's some small comfort.

Please tell Ian I shall look forward to receiving his card, but that there's really no need to worry. Everything is very well set up here. It's not Moddey Dhoo, but it's certainly secure enough.

[alt_alice]

Well, I'm glad to hear that! I'll certainly tell him as such, although I know he'd adore a note from you if you can spare it.

And you'd better watch it with the "getting old" talk! After all, if you're getting old, and I was old enough to be your Prefect, where does that leave me?

[alt_lupin]

I'll certainly do my best to pop a note through for Ian.

You know I age in dog years, Alice, whereas you will be 17 forever, at least in my eyes.

[alt_alice]

You're sweet.

And as far as Tonks is concerned, she did help Arthur with Dean Thomas's paperwork, which was an enormous risk, and hasn't yet breathed a word, so we know she can keep a secret. She writes regularly to Sirius, which shows her sympathies. And she wants to be known by her Muggleborn father's last name, which also lets me know where her heart lies.

I'm not sure of everyone else's thoughts on the matter, but I think that if you trust her, Sirius trusts her, and Arthur's got a good feeling about her too, that's good enough for at least a trial interview I should think. If it doesn't look like she's up for it, you can back off now without too much danger.

And I'd rather break her into the group gently, in a controlled sort of way, rather than wait until an emergency arises, tell her the lot right then and there, and have to trust that she'd do the right thing.

[alt_lupin]

I hadn't thought of it that way, but you're right, of course. It would be far better to ease her in gently, if indeed we do decide to pursue it further.

[alt_bill]

I've actually been at the Burrow all weekend, so I didn't learn about it until tonight when I apparated home. The site is certainly not in my neighbourhood. I'll see what I can find out tomorrow.