Remus Lupin

The REMUS LUPIN Act of 2002 bans discrimination against Albion citizens who suffer from lycanthropy, covering employment, housing, services, and family law, and also ensures that wolfsbane potion is provided free to all who need it by a health visitor.

The Remus Lupin Institute for Lycanthropy Research finds a number of ways to improve the treatment of lycanthropy, improving lifespans significantly. They also work to remove the stigma associated with lycanthropy, both in Albion and throughout the world, making great strides to eliminate myths and reduce fear of werewolves.

Poison?

POISON?

Look into Hydra's eyes and say you're poison because of who your parents were. Or Draco's. Or Pansy's.

We fought a goddamn war to say finally that magical blood is magical blood regardless of who your parents were. Good people are also good people regardless of what their last name is, whether they got added to some dusty moth-eaten tapestry when they were born, whether their parents fought to create this clusterfuck or fought to eliminate it. You don't carry some taint because you're a Black, any more than Hydra does, or Draco. We are the people our choices make us. You've chosen to be the person I LOVE, Sirius Black, you've chosen to be the person who holds me at night and stays with me when I transform, the person I waited most of my life to find. You've chosen to fight people like Bellatrix, to risk everything you have to make a better world. DO NOT TELL ME THAT YOU ARE POISON.

There aren't any guarantees. None of us were promised a happy ending. Not Minerva or Severus, not Kingsley or Benjy, not Harry, not Justin, that doesn't make it all somehow your fault when things go wrong, you egotistical jackass. WHERE ARE YOU?




yes, I found your FUCKING note. just like obviously you found mine.

Jason -- I saw you wrote to Rachel. She's been badly injured. Any chance you could stop by and be brought up to speed verbally? In the meantime -- whatever you're asking her or telling her, she's not going to answer yet. You can talk to me or Alice, or Campanella Wright if you'd prefer.

For those who have not heard, I am grieved to report that Justin Finch-Fletchley died last night.

His funeral will be held today at 3 p.m. at the Hogwarts Memorial Grounds, where he'll be laid to rest with the fallen from the May Battle.

All who wish to remember Justin and say goodbye may attend. I've told Headmistress Vector so that she can let Justin's classmates who are here but not Order members know.

Should we have a funeral this afternoon?

Or wait until tomorrow?

Just so long as it's not after sundown tonight

I could -- arrange things.

Ran into Ron Weasley on his way out of the hospital wing. He was in good spirits, after being ID'd by some DE Enforcer who hit him with the transformation spell and barely getting away with his life.

I'm

I don't

I'm so tired of this. They're children. Why are they the ones

Is there any way for us to kill Bellatrix Lestrange? Take her down, and the center won't hold.

Last night, we brought down the Irish ward, as the first step toward re-joining the rest of wizarding society. This caused some disruptions both in floo service and portkeys. (You may recall that portkeys were severely disrupted in December a few years ago, and that privately made portkeys were no longer available after that; this was caused by the Protectorate government's creation of the Irish ward.)

The Albion government is working to restore floo service and portkeys as quickly as possible; we apologise for the inconvenience. In the meantime, use caution when traveling with either of those methods DO NOT use portkeys. The results will be unpredictable and potentially dangerous.

Are you a dog at the moment?

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?

Just got word from someone monitoring the button network -- Brighton's under attack.

So we've been working to put together a tribunal for Maebh. Charlie, what did the goblins say about wanting a representative? Think it's worth trying to talk to the Centaurs? We're tentatively planning half wizard, half muggle, presider to be decided by coin flip at beginning of trial.

We're also still trying to work out ground rules. As simple as -- is she on trial for her life, or not? Four of the muggles I've been working with feel very strongly that the death penalty is not acceptable under any circumstances and wish it taken off the table as an option. There's another who thinks it's fine provided we can perform the execution humanely and wanted me to ask whether we have any potions that would kill someone painlessly. I told him I'd ask you, Poppy. I suppose there remains the question of how we'd persuade someone to drink it.

I have a list of a dozen other questions but I've misplaced it. Oh, right. Security, of course. Are we going to make this public. I'm sure I'll remember the other eleven once I finish this.

Alice?

Keep Neville's wand.

You'll be fine.

I promise.

My sleep schedule's all thrown off. I don't know if I'll be tired enough for bed earlier than four. There was all that frantic running around for what seemed like approximately three days and then once we were done and I was home in bed -- well, back at HQ, in bed -- I was too wound up to sleep.

And then of course everyone very considerately didn't wake me. So now I'm very well rested and it's almost midnight and I'll probably be tired enough to sleep at around sunrise. Maybe I should make myself stay up through the day again. Or possibly there will be another 4 a.m. crisis and my odd schedule will come in useful.

I visited Narcissa earlier today to discuss the Board of Governors. Lucius isn't on it anymore; he was formally dismissed when he was sent to Azkaban.

I don't actually know how the Board of Governors is even appointed. Was it some department in the Ministry? Bill, do you know? They're largely Death Eater lackeys but not Death Eaters themselves -- a few might be on our side, or might join our side if they sense that's where the wind is blowing. I also don't know what constitutes a quorum, though who knows, maybe Linus Moon could tell us. (His father's on the Board.)

Also, this is a bit of a side issue, but at this point is there any reason to continue holding Lucius at Saltash or could we shove him and Narcissa through the Dover port and let their relatives in France worry about them from here on out? Could they do us any damage over there?

Anyway, Alice, I'm sorry, working out the situation with who the school formally considers its Head is going to take some time.

I'm through. I mean, I'm in. Where are you? Where am I needed?

You've barely sat down since we heard Voldemort had arrived at Hogwarts. If you're still awake, would you like to join me in the kitchen? I'm making a cup of something soothing (for myself, but you'd be welcome to a cup, too.)

I've spent the morning at Malfoy Manor. Narcissa was pleased to see Draco -- weepy, joyful, furious, but overall pleased.

As I told Sirius, she'd clearly trying to avoid asking us for anything she assumes will be refused, presumably to deny us the pleasure of telling her 'no.' So she hasn't asked to see Lucius, though I imagine she asked Draco if he's seen him and how he is.

I'm wondering what you think of the idea of me offering to take her to see him this afternoon. I could side-along her to the Saltash tunnel and walk her in.

The possible risks to this -- we'd be revealing the secret of the null field to someone who's not a member or fully under our control. It's possible that both of the Malfoys would interpret this not as kindness but as a threat -- it makes it clear to each that the other is rather at our mercy. Narcissa might be entirely horrified by Saltash, though surely she'll accept that it's an improvement over Azkaban; finally, either might think we're implying to Narcissa that this is where we'd lock her up, if she seemed a risk to us. (And, well. It is, in fact, where we'd lock her up if she seemed a risk to us. In the meantime, however, I think it makes more sense to keep her at the Manor so that she can write responses in the journals and continue to emphasise that she's just trying to protect herself from her psychopathic sister.)

The leap of trust we've made here is that Narcissa is sufficiently invested in Hydra's safety that she'll keep quiet any secrets she learns; I think that's a reasonable leap. The question I've been pondering this morning is whether a measure of extra kindness (like taking her to see Lucius) has any chance of gaining active collaboration rather than tacit cooperation, and if so, what she might have to offer. (Other than Malfoy Manor, which is ... have you ever seen it? It's positively enormous. We could just about relocate Moddey here, aside from the detail of eventually running out of food. I spent part of the morning looking at this extensive collection of dark objects that I think were assembled by Lucius. He has them on display in glass cases. I recognized about a quarter of them, just enough to realise what the overall theme was.)

She may also be able to persuade Lucius to more enthusiastic cooperation. Again, I'm not sure.

Anyway. Any thoughts?

We'd like to hold a full-Order (as many as can be there) meeting in the afternoon, at Moddey. There will be food for everyone if things run long (or if we wrap up quickly and you want to stay to eat, that's fine, too).

I hope to see many of you. Don't take any foolish risks to join us, though.

Think he's still rising that brioche dough? I mean, I don't want to disturb it if he's got some plan for it. How long does brioche dough rise for, anyway?

Where are you? Are you at home, or still at Moddey?

It worked out rather well, Maghnus Derrick deciding to throw his lot in with us just as we needed a secure spot to keep Peter.

I saw them both today. Plus Lucius. Ready for a friendly face. Moddey might be a few too many people

MEETING MINUTES
Order of the Phoenix
Date: 8 February 1998
Location: 12GP

Order Members Present:
Sirius Black, Alice Longbottom, Frank Longbottom, Albus Dumbledore, Jeremy Stretton, Colin Creavey, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Molly Weasley, Dora Tonks, Charlie Weasley, Bill Weasley, Remus Lupin, Poppy Pomfrey, Fred Weasley, George Weasley, Lee Jordan, Aurora Sinistra, Severus Snape, Cedric Diggory, Evelyn Longbottom, Draco Malfoy, Hermione Granger, Nick Towler, Wayne Hopkins, Bobby Stebbins, Rachel Brodie, Cecilia Perks, Terry Boot.

Order Members Absent:
Ron Weasley, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Luna Lovegood, Daphne Greengrass, Ginny Weasley, Sally-Anne Perks, Harry Potter, Pansy Parkinson, Artemus Ross, Katrina Bundy, Hydra Lestrange, Arabella Scrim, Sarah Fawcett, Walden Macnair, Neville Longbottom.

Special Guests: William Davidson, Maghnus Derrick, Adam Tonks, Nicole Brownmiller

ORDER BUSINESS

1. Moment of Silence

We observed a moment of silence for the victims of attack on Sherwood and the Ollerton Massacre. We also acknowledged the death of Alastor Moody, whose body is now serving as an Inferi and was seen at Voldemort's Triumph in December.

2. Field Report

Justin Finch-Fletchley submitted a report to Alice and myself on the events of last week from the perspective of himself, Ron Weasley, Hydra Lestrange, and Sally-Anne Perks. We gave a summary to the rest of Order at the meeting. Sirius wanted to make note of the fact that Hydra's warning about Ollerton allowed Draco to get there with omnioculars to record what happened.

3. Status of Sherwood Evacuation / Relocation

Davidson gave us the report on this. They've long expected that Sherwood would eventually become a target, and had planned for what to do if they had to evacuate. Especially given the use of Inferi, they've scattered into smaller units to present a more complicated set of targets. The new units are scattered around in villages and natural areas throughout the Midlands, with plans to move beyond ASAP. A number of older muggleborn are dispersing undercover to villages around rural England with the plan of integrating into local communities and recruit allies.

The use of the pamphlet on what happened to Ollerton could have gone either way, in terms of establishing new locations -- people might have betrayed us as soon as they saw we were there, out of pure unadulterated terror. But in fact, the pamphlets seem to have largely convinced people that cooperating with the state is no guarantee of survival. We've been promising to do our best to evacuate villagers along with our own people, and they've been lending us quiet support.

Sherwood lost about 300 people. The dispersed units include about 150 refugees from the neighboring villages, including a handful that made it out of Ollerton.

4. Supplies: Medicinal and Nutritional

Poppy has been traveling around the northeast, getting in touch with contacts and quiet supporters. Many have formed groups to listen to the wireless station, and are interested in supporting the Order with modest financial contributions and gifts in kind. She has given a full list to Pansy and Jeremy, who are working to set up a network to acquire and distribute surplus food and build networks of trust. Jeremy in particular is looking ahead to prevent a famine after the liberation; he's developing contacts not only in food production but also distribution, rubbish hauling, compost/fertilizer delivery, etc. The latter two might be useful cover for movement of Order-related materials as well. He's also going to coordinate further with Arca Sinistra at Bedford.

Poppy noted that many people were on edge regarding personal safety; in particular, several people asked Poppy to see if Albus would come and cast the Fidelius Charm on their personal properties. In Lincoln, where they had a close-up look at how the spell could work, there was quite a bit of discussion: someone knew a person who'd tried it and not managed it. Another had a cousin who knew how it's done, but wanted a large sum of money to provide the service. Albus is happy to oblige, around his other projects, which he did not explain further.

5. Communication: The Wireless Station and the Button Network

Lee gave a report on the wireless station and how it's working. Programming during the assault on Sherwood ran continuously, but information was not always current or even correct. We discussed a bit how to sort information so we could get it out for broadcast more quickly, as with Sherwood there was a lot of chaotic trying to skim journal entries. We'd also like to coordinate shared safety lists.

We discussed the button network, as well: it's been increasingly useful and something we've come to rely on, and we'll certainly need it for the September Plot (see below) but John Turner is concerned it may be outgrowing its structure. As we increase the geographic spread, should we set up specialised sub-networks for food distribution, safety, etc.? Or should we have hubs for geographic regions? Both options have advantages and disadvantages.

6. Maghnus Derrick

Maghnus Derrick was Dominic Selwyn's clerk and one of his co-conspirators in their plot to (successfully, though not permanently) kill Voldemort. For reasons that elude him, he was sent to Azkaban afterward instead of being killed. We liberated him during the December breakout and he has been living at Saltash, in the same secure house as Lucius Malfoy.

Maghnus approached us to request that he be allowed to throw his lot in with us and join the Order. He admits that his views and ours do not entirely align: he finds it difficult to think of muggleborns as equals, and he thinks our goal of muggle liberation is of questionable wisdom. However, he strongly agrees that the current situation is untenable and that Voldemort needs to be removed from power, and he says he is willing to treat muggleborns and muggles as equals and partners in order to work with us.

Prior to coming to the meeting, he took an Unbreakable Vow to protect the secrets of the Order of the Phoenix; to work toward the goals of the Order of the Phoenix; and to obey the orders given by the leaders of the Order of the Phoenix; and to do so until such time as Voldemort is dead, the wards are down, the Sleepers are woken, and a new order has been established. We did not, however, swear him into the Order (sort of a fine distinction, I know -- but if he's officially made a member, he'll be able to read Order Locked journal posts. If someone lends him a journal; they didn't send his along with him to Azkaban.)

Maghnus asked if he could speak. He mostly reiterated what I'd said, that he wants to work with us. And that although he knows that the world he wishes he could have is not what we're working toward, he thinks the world we're working toward is a lot better than what we've got now and he'll take it. Terry told him that he was a muggleborn, and Maghnus shrugged and said that he knew there were muggleborn wizards in the Order. Terry asked if Maghnus was worried about Terry having stolen his magic, and Maghnus looked a bit surprised and said that he didn't think anyone really believed that stupid story about 'stealing' magic. He said we should ask Lucius because he was sure Lucius didn't believe it, and never had.

Rachel asked him what made him decide to throw his lot in with us. Was it because we got him out of Azkaban? He said no, that wasn't it, though he did appreciate being saved from the Dementors. He said he decided to throw his lot in with us when he heard about Arista and Hector.

A vote was taken, and the consensus was to swear him fully in. He had some idea of projects he could contribute to; we will be discussing that in more detail later. He was allowed to stay for the rest of the meeting.

7. The September Plan

Alice wanted to provide an overview of the September Plan.

I: Incite rebellion in Ireland. We believe that passing through the wards is difficult and even deadly; our first step is to incite a rebellion in Ireland to draw personnel and resources out of England and Scotland.

II: Camp Uprisings. Once things are underway in Ireland we'd like to have multiple camps liberate themselves simultaneously. Overthrow the wizards in charge, hunker down, and secure them as much as possible. This may require the Neofidelius; Albus has been working to train people in the casting.

III: Assault the Ministry. Have a team of people nullify the Ministry, possibly through the use of the neo-F, ideally with some of MLE still inside.

IV: Assassinate Voldemort (and possibly Bellatrix to boot). Even if he's only dead temporarily, this would be very useful, and we've sorted out some possible methods to disrupt the regeneration process. Getting Bellatrix out of the way likewise rids us of a formidable enemy.

V: Final Takeover: We are optimistic that at that point, we will be able to replace various prominent Protectorate officials with Order members. Harry may be able to function as a unifying figure.

Our goal to have all these pieces in places is September. This September. At that point the conversation started to degenerate move into a lively discussion of the many obstacles to this plan; Alice encouraged everyone to ponder solutions and then bring them to her or me (or the whole group) via journal, rather than spend the rest of the afternoon arguing debating specifics.

Aurora noted that during the aftermath of Selwyn's plot, it was not immediately evident to most of Voldemort's inner circle that he was not in fact dead but residing in Bellatrix. (Presumably the second time it would go more quickly -- unless Bellatrix were dead or incapacitated, making it unclear where people should look.)

There was a side conversation about recruiting allies and how that's going. The Centaurs are currently extremely hostile toward all humans and should be avoided at least for the next few months.

8. Horcruxes

Harry identified a horcrux in the Protector's Collection; Rachel and Bill scouted out the location and think it may be an achievable target. Ideally, we'd like to obscure the fact that the goal was to destroy the horcrux. Possibilities include switching it out for a duplicate; steal a large number of other valuable objects as camouflage; or destroying the whole collection (that one is certainly not our first choice.)

Lucius Malfoy has also revealed to Draco that there is likely to be an additional horcrux in Bellatrix Lestrange's vault at Gringott's. The Order has in its possession one of Bellatrix Lestrange's hairs; however, getting in and back out without anyone knowing it wasn't Bellatrix will likely be very tricky. We're going to try to talk to Ragnik, and see if he's willing to give us any advice. Draco and Hermione want to make this attempt. Draco pointed out that he knows more about Black family secrets than anyone who's currently free to do this; Hydra can't afford to fall under suspicion if the breakout becomes clear, and Sirius has been a Black family outcast for much longer than Draco.

Tonks suggested that it might be better to destroy the horcrux in Bellatrix's vault, rather than attempting to remove it; presumably the protective magics of Gringott's are more focused on theft than destruction. The practicalities of this might require the Hogwarts contingent to salvage a basilisk fang, and send it through the colocation box. Charlie had some suggestions for protective gear, which could also be sent through the colocation box.

At this point, the meeting was already running rather long. We toasted Adam and Nicole's births and their proud parents, and there was some baby-passing and admiring among the people who hadn't had a chance to hold them before the meeting got underway, and wanted to.

The Hogwarts students have a Hogsmeade visit coming up this Saturday, the 14th. If anyone needs an in-person meeting with anyone else, let us know; we could meet you at the safehouse or elsewhere.

I have documented magical reasons for losing my mind during the Full Moon, so I'm not sure what everyone else's excuse is. For Merlin's SAKE, Molly. What's next?

I noticed that both Molly and Charlie wrote to Ron -- presumably to express their concern.

I didn't want either of you to feel left out in that department, even if you lack the sort of overly zealous family full of protective older brothers that Ron is either blessed or cursed with, depending on the day.

I hope if you feel the need to talk -- later, when you're ready -- you know you can come to me, or Sirius, or any other Order member you feel comfortable with.

And I hope if you decide that this sort of thing is too much, you know that you can come to us.

I am a member of the Order of the Phoenix.

Today, after sending an army of Inferi against the muggles and muggleborns who'd been sheltering in Sherwood Forest, a group of Death Eaters lined up every man, woman, and child who lived in the village of Ollerton, arranged them artfully into tableaux, then murdered them in cold blood. I saw it happen, but was powerless to intervene.

This was done on the Lord Protector's orders, on the specious grounds that if they were close to Sherwood, they were doubtless in league with the outlaws.

This could have happened to any one of you. To your families. People you love. No one is safe from 'Our Lord.'

NO ONE.

Maghnus Derrick has been at Saltash these last few weeks, in the same secure building as Lucius Malfoy. I was there today and he asked to speak with me.

He says he wants to throw his lot in with us and do what he can to help us defeat Voldemort. If are willing to trust him and put him at liberty, he will take an Unbreakable Vow -- phrased however we'd like -- to support us and not betray us.

Thoughts on this?

I visited a werewolf enclave today, the one where Hermione's mother is the Alpha.

We'd already heard through sources that Mrs Granger was not among the group forced to fight at Voldemort's event, but I was relieved to be able to confirm that.

Here's what else I can share. The werewolves at Smythstone, and according to their reports, this is true of other enclaves as well, were horrified and furious when they found out that their kind was treated as monsters to fight and kill for Voldemort's entertainment in December; they're far more open to allying with us, though still distrustful.

The other thing -- I'd heard that the werewolves at the Triumph were bestial, even though it wasn't a full moon. Not fully transformed, but partly, and -- vicious. I'd more or less written that off to the sort of hysteria that thousands of marching inferi might readily engender. But the werewolves at Smythstone told me there's been a couple of Healers coming round testing out potions on werewolves. On research subjects who did not volunteer. And that was the goal of the potion -- to force transformation, or at least partial transformation, even when the moon wasn't full.

When we took Lucius to Saltash, he did have one suggestion I thought was interesting. Request, really, but he phrased it as a suggestion -- that we should offer to trade him for someone else. This would cover for Narcissa, I guess, and make it look like he was our unwilling prisoner being held as a bargaining chip. (As opposed to our reluctant prisoner being held because the alternative is Azkaban.)

I'm not sure what I think. I'll admit I'd be suspicious of his motives no matter what he were suggesting, though.

I spent about an hour last night chatting with Lucius.

I shouldn't find him infuriating, at this point. Dangerous, sure, but infuriating? the man's our prisoner. But -- he kept asking me what we wanted from him. And everything about the way he asked made me think he was grasping for any scrap of power he could, because if we wanted something from him, he could hold it over us.

That said, of course we want things from him. Information. I'm not sure specifically what; I don't know what specifically he knows that would be of use to us. And, of course, we can hardly ask him if he has any thoughts on things Voldemort might have turned into horcruxes without explaining the whole business with horcruxes to him -- not that it's going to be news to him that Voldemort can come back from the dead, given that he was actually there when it happened.

What do you think I should be asking him? The next time I go talk to him, that is. Which will probably be at Saltash.

We've pulled out of Azkaban. I think everyone's accounted for.

We'll see you all back at the rendezvous point.

Those with covers to protect: check in with Alice so we know you weren't left behind, but you can leave immediately and return to the arena or wherever you'd be expected to be.

Stay safe, all of you.
 

Right.

I know we're all shocked, and sad, and horrified, and afraid.

But for those of you who are not fugitives already:

Maintain your cover. Keep to your routines. Trust in your occlumency. The Order cannot function as an entirely underground organisation. Neville did this to protect us; trust in his gift and his sacrifice. 

When Filius Flitwick set up the false Hogwarts book, the one that allowed us to conceal the births of muggleborn infants, Savitha Desai caught him on his way back out. They duelled, and she hit him with the entrail-expelling curse. I think Flitwick probably failed deliberately to parry what he knew would be a fatal curse, to avoid being taken alive and questioned.

Minerva, Poppy, and Pomona could not for even an instant reveal their grief and horror. Especially Minerva, who wore the Dark Mark. Minerva had to smile at Desai, praise her skill, step over the blood of her murdered friend, and go about her day.

Those of us in the Order at the time honored Filius's sacrifice and carried on the work he'd died to make possible.

You can all do the same.

I want to rip Bellatrix's throat out. 

Aurora, Poppy, Albus, Cedric.

Please check in when you are able.
 

Maybe I'm just in a really bad mood because I was a wolf last night? I know that can make me moody.

Aurora Sinistra is DEFENDING Antonin Dolohov's decision to cruciate everyone in the 6th and 7th years of Gryffindor. Along with Justin, Susan, and a random selection of students who apparently looked at Padma Patil and Seamus Finnigan the wrong way once (plus the students Hydra picked, I'm willing to trust she knew what she was doing one way or another because she's one of ours.)

At least she had the good sense not to put Molly on the PM. I rather wish she'd put you on it, though, so at least you could tell me if it's just me? 

Rachel, how many of our regulars wound up arrested?
 
Do you know what's happened to them?

Sirius and I are all right. Well, Sirius will be in a bit. We're at Bedford. Thought it better to go somewhere else, I mean, to split the group of us just in case.

Ellie's dead. Threw herself in front of Sirius when Bellatrix cast the killing curse.

She was the one who cast the Dark Mark. To warn people. Anyone who might be coming, to stay away.

Sam Fawcett just turned up. Alive. Him and an associate from the Crimson Company. Sam's rather badly hurt, which I think is why they came here -- he can't apparate himself, and his friend knew how to get here.

They're of the opinion they haven't been tracked. I hope they're right. I got them to one of the other Order safehouses -- I'd have preferred to bring them into 12GP, but I didn't want to risk delay for long enough to get Alice. I don't think I want to move Sam again until he's been seen by a Healer. Poppy, is there any chance you can come tonight? I want to get him to Sherwood -- well, if you lot will take him -- or inside a Fidelius, as quickly as we can.

His companion's name is Zeke. Doesn't want to leave him, or I'd send him to Sherwood tonight.

 

You got awfully quiet today during the party.

I wasn't actually sure which incident it was that Severus was leaving out, when he told that story about Minerva.

Got round to reading yesterday's paper in late evening, when I was cleaning up the beer garden.

Nott's death is public -- being blamed on a 'home invasion,' as if anyone with the Mark wouldn't have their house warded well enough to keep out common lawbreakers -- and you can make out Dolohov's galleon in the picture, if you look closely enough. 

But that's not the bit that kept me up. Here it is: 'Chipstead Camp: a fortnight of unruliness and unrest put to rights by a squad of Our Lord's loyal werewolves under the leadership Fenrir Greyback and Gandr Sharpe. Camp administrators could not be reached for comment; however, a Ministry spokesperson confirms that a review of management at Chipstead Camp is underway.'

It's not even full moon. Greyback and his mates just went and ... terrorised them, I guess.

I wish we could've gone to Percy's funeral.  Not for that poor sad bastard's sake but to be there for Molly.  They're home now, and Molly's woken up from her potion -- did you see?

I've spent the last hour thinking about our Marauder days.  James and Peter.  I mean, James I think about pretty regularly but Peter I can usually -- the memories were making me smile, though.  I was thinking about making the map.  All those passages we'd have never found without a rat helping us out...

Come find me?  Bea's gone to sleep. 

Did Draco Malfoy mention his plans to you before his shopping trip?

Sirius and Tonks are now having an argument about whether this was a grand idea and the perfect use of James' old cloak, or if the Order is now condoning petty theft and common mischief if we don't make him return the lot.   I imagine you don't need two guesses to know who's arguing which side.

(If you're wondering, he came home with a load of self-cleaning nappies that say 'pureblood princess' on the bum, which he gave to Tonks; a lovely designer studded dog collar, which he gave to Sirius; a matching leash, for yours truly; and new clothes and a broom for himself.  Also a cabinet's worth of expensive liquor, a rather extensive wardrobe for Hermione since he wasn't sure what she'd like, and a selection of rare potions ingredients which I believe are intended for Severus.  From his comments, I think he may have also picked up quite a bit for Moddey, but he's dropped it off already.  Was it more like potions ingredients and less like self-cleaning nappies? Though I imagine you lot could put those to good use.)

Tonks noted that the Watch sometimes turns up at our shop to break things, just to show they can. (Since I've been dodging their requests to come out for another round of 'fun,' after last time.)  If anyone in the Watch had an invisibility cloak, she thinks they'd do even worse, since they'd get a thrill from acting with impunity. (I'm not convinced, actually; I think part of the thrill for them is the knowledge that people can see them doing it, but not stop them.)  But she doesn't want to see the Order become like that.  We should agree there are lines we don't cross, and they're not just the big lines, like 'we don't cruciate people for fun or keep slaves,' but also the small lines, like 'we don't commit theft for jollies.' 

What did you say to him?  Draco, I mean.  Neither Tonks nor Sirius has gone to talk to him about it, they're too busy shouting at each other.

Where have you got to? You coming up sometime soon or are you going to have another all-night journal chat with Auror Brodie? 

Is that the Doors?

Did you go to Moddey?  I don't want to keep just looking for you randomly -- so far in trying to track you down I've intruded on both Hermione and Draco and I'd just as soon not startle Severus.  

Apparently YOU'RE a grizzled old grownup, despite your consistent willingness to point out that I'M the one going grey around the edges.

Think Tonks is counted with Bill as a horrifyingly ancient grownup or with Cedric and Jeremy as an honorary Youth?  I suppose if we ever desperately want to put in our knut on one of those threads we'll try to talk her into doing it for us.

MEETING MINUTES
Order of the Phoenix
Date: 12 April 1997
Location: the Burrow

Order Members Present: Sirius Black, Alice Longbottom, Frank Longbottom, Colin Creavey, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Albus Dumbledore, Molly Weasley, Dora Tonks, Charlie Weasley, Bill Weasley, Dorcas Meadows, Caradoc Dearborn, Remus Lupin, Poppy Pomfrey, Pomona Sprout, Fred Weasley, George Weasley, Lee Jordan, Severus Snape, Cedric Diggory, Jeremy Stretton, Terry Boot.

Order Members Arriving Late: Ron Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Evelyn Longbottom, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Draco Malfoy.

Order Members Absent: Nick Towler, Cecilia Perks, Walden Macnair, Minerva McGonagall, Arabella Scrim, Hermione Granger, Sally-Anne Perks, Harry Potter, Hydra Lestrange, Rhymes with Rudy.

Special Guests: Fu Lee, Ginny Weasley. The meeting was convened at 3 p.m. Because we were expecting a substantial contingent (all current Hogwarts students) to arrive at 4 p.m., but we had quite a bit to get through, we started the meeting with status reports.

REPORTS ON ONGOING PROJECTS

1. Aldrich Town and the Radio Station. Lee updated us on both. The radio station broadcasts at selected hours around the clock, since it's possible some people can listen only very late at night. They broadcast a mix of music, news, and commentary; they've been reading 'Pure Victory' a chapter each day, as well as some muggle classics; they're trying to provide content of interest to both muggles and wizards.

Overall, Aldrich is doing quite well, except for the citrus orchard, which survived the winter but is looking rather the worse for wear. Norman Bell, the resident wizard, has been rather too busy to keep it up; Lee has been similarly occupied. Considering the ongoing demand for oranges and lemons on the black market, they're wondering if any wizards with wands are interested in coming to live there to maintain it. I should note that the original arrangement, where Norman Bell's wand was carried for him by a muggle who handed it over when it was needed, has been long since abandoned; both Norman and Lee are trusted members of the community.

Back in mid-March, Charlie helped a muggle Healer named Roger Harris to escape from Porlock and settle at Aldrich. The residents have been positively delighted to have him, particularly after someone fell off a roof they were repairing -- the man fell and broke his neck, and while Norman can do a few basic Healing spells, necks are more than a little tricky. Apparently Roger Harris was able to work with him to repair the damage. He's planning on a trip to Saltash to train what he calls 'paramedics,' and he's preparing some radio broadcasts on medical topics.

2. The Bedford Collective. Bedford saw the largest influx of refugees after the raid on Strangeweale's facility. Sirius was there on Mothering Sunday and says everyone's settling in as well as can be expected. Several of the women who initially refused wands are now asking for them. We wandered off on a tangential discussion of wand cores and how things are going with Ragnik (slowly, because apparently there's a goblin taboo against haste in such matters; also, it's customary to begin apprenticeships only in certain seasons, and I guess spring is acceptable but winter is not, or something like that). We agreed that if anyone finds an amiable unicorn in their back garden, we'd all appreciate as many tail hairs as it's willing to let you pluck. Ditto phoenix feathers and dragon heartstrings.

3. Wands. Alice mentioned that Arthur's wand has found a new owner: Pilar Mishraput, one of the youngest witches rescued from Strangeweale. Like many rescued muggleborn teenagers she was initially reluctant to touch a wand at all (and Alice noted that Arthur's wand was also clearly reluctant to be owned by anyone else, responding very poorly when picked up by various Moddey Dhoo children as they reached the age of needing a wand.

Last week, apparently Maureen may have been goading Pilar a bit about her reluctance, and apparently said that if she was that nervous, she should try Arthur's wand, as it didn't like anybody and she could count on not getting any sort of reaction. She picked it up, said 'lumos,' and every light in the house blazed up. So it's safe to say they were a good match.

4. Octoborus research. Jeremy delivered this report. He's been working with Cecilia Perks and a few others on mapping; they discussed the latest stone and the intelligence at the Equinox from Rachel Brodie regarding the fact that Mysteries may have been as surprised as we were by which stone activated.

There was a bit more (my notes say 'pinging cycle'), but I got distracted by the arrival of the Hogwarts contingent, which happened in waves; we all took a bit of a break for greetings and a snack, then sat back down for the main part of the meeting, which was intended to include a discussion of Alice's overarching plans for the Order. This included some ideas from Fu Lee, and we'd just spread out a load of parchmentwork on the Burrow kitchen table when Jeremy spotted the message from Luna, warning us that Ginny was on her way. Sirius and Terry both transformed, and Dorcas and Caradoc Apparated away, and that was literally all we had time for before she walked in.

I'm not sure we actually had an official adjournment. After a period of loud shouting lively discussion, Fu Lee cheerily welcomed Ginny to the Order.

Most of the people at the meeting left; Alice and I took Ginny aside to try to give her a sense of precisely what she was signing on for; if she'd preferred NOT to be responsible for keeping secrets of this magnitude, we offered to modify her memory. She vehemently (and enthusiastically) asked to be let into the Order (and even knew it was the Order, given the note in the back of the copies of Pure Hunger that have been circulating at Hogwarts.) Alice swore Ginny in, and then we both left as well, to let the Weasleys talk with a bit more privacy.

We rather need to re-convene -- maybe in a week, at the Burrow again?

Right. So, Teddy Nott is after Hermione's secrets, and wants Hydra to legilimise her. Proposals include making up a secret for Hydra to tell him, telling him that the original supposed secret was the real one all along, and having the Crabbe and Goyle lads harm him badly enough to put him in St Mungo's until after Friday.

Any other ideas about this?

Also, there's going to be an Order meeting over hols for anyone who can come. I'm thinking it should be early. We'll let you know when and where. Is there anything that people would like added to the agenda?

They had anything to say for themselves yet?

Severus was right; Hermione's batch of wolfsbane did the job.

Tasted different. Possibly better. I couldn't quite decide.

It's good to know there's a second person who can make it.

Bea got away from her minder at Moddey today and ruined six jars of jam, all of them strawberry, which is apparently a favoured flavour and now they're going to run short.

I don't suppose you could nick a bit of jam from your parents' stock? Do I remember correctly they have a cupboard of jars with missing labels or some such? I hate to think of my daughter depriving the Moddey kids of their treats -- they have few enough as it is.