Order Only: Visit from Dominic Selwyn

[alt_bill]

Selwyn showed up at the Burrow about an hour after the family had completed having lunch. He asked to speak privately with Mum, but she asked that I be included in the conversation, given that I'm a co-executor of Dad's estate.

We discussed various matters, but this is of the most interest to the Order in general. He reiterated that the Ministry knows that the IMA were the perpetrators, but that fact is NOT to get out. Then he sprang a surprise: there is going to be a rite performed, and as Arthur's heirs, we have the right to send a representative of the family to witness it. The purpose of the rite is to 'protect the wizards of Britain from the rabble of Ireland.' We didn't know what that meant, so I probed a little. It was clear he was reluctant to go into much detail, but he finally admitted that although it must be kept secret, the rite was meant in part as the Protectorate's justice for the attack against the Lord Protector. And we are being included as witnesses because we are entitled to revenge, too.

Merlin.

And as for 'protecting the wizards of Britain,' he pussy-footed around a bit, and then finally hinted it had something to do with the wards.

My eyes met Mum's, and we could each tell what the other was thinking: whatever it is, we need to see this. Selwyn went on to describe the conditions for the witness: whoever comes must be an adult, as 'this will NOT be a fit thing for a child to see.' It must be someone capable of controlling emotion, as an outburst might distract the ones enacting the rite. It will involve things that observers might find upsetting, particularly if they are not particularly accustomed to the Dark Arts. Whoever it is will not be allowed to bring a wand to the rite. Someone will hold their wand for safekeeping a short distance away. The same will be true for any magical jewelry and all metal objects (which, again, can be held for safekeeping).

Oh, and one other tidbit he let drop: Dolohov will be there.

Well. Sounds like a thoroughly dark rite.

I have agreed to go. I assume that I am going to watch an execution. Maybe with some blood sport for the appetizer.

God.

Comments

Private message to Frank and Alice Longbottom

[alt_bill]

I am including this as a private comment, because it's personal financial information that the younger members of the Order don't need to see. Please share with the other adults at Moddey.

Selwyn also spoke very frankly concerning the life debt he owes to Dad, and it's clear that he feels he must take responsibility for the family. He was tactful--I was grateful for that--but straightforward. To be blunt, as much as it sticks in my craw, he's absolutely right, because without Dad's income, Mum is in a very tight situation.

I was impressed, despite myself. He has already looked into some options for cobbling together small stipends into an income stream that will help Mum make ends meet. There's a fund for 'protecting the Lord Protector' which he had to stretch things a bit to cover, but this was an attack on the LP and it did kill Dad instead, so. He looked into redirecting money to us from the Rebuilding Ireland Fund but since there's official denial that IMA was involved, the accounting would be too complicated. There's another fund he turned up that's for the Widows and Orphans of Those Who Died in the Lord's Service. He also made it clear that we should contact his clerk if bill collectors are harassing us.

Then he mentioned the Repopulation Office, which issues incentives to the wizarding population that have large families. Having seven pureblood children entitled us to move into a stately home, but Mum and Dad had turned that option down long ago. Selwyn, however, sensibly pointed out that we could accept the stately home and rent it out to some other family who has not had, as he put it, 'as much reproductive success.' And, he added, we were entitled to getting a mudblood servant. Mum's hackles went up at that suggestion, which he couldn't help missing, but I managed to convey the impression that she was offended by the idea of someone of impure blood under our roof. He agreed and then suggested that, again, we could rent the mudblood service's out, and that would give us another income stream.

I told him that my intention is to give up my flat and move back into the Burrow to save money and be with Mum. This was a surprise to Mum, and she started to protest, but I squeezed her hand and she fell silent, thankfully. I explained that Percy recently ended a relationship, and needs to get out of his own living situation, so my idea is that Percy can move into my flat, which is smaller and will save money, and then we just have to see about how to break Percy's lease.

He's quick, I'll give him that. He immediately picked up the hint (Merlin, but it stung my pride to give it) and said that he would take care of arranging things with Percy's landlord so that an accommodation could be reached that would satisfy everyone.

So: as much as Charlie and I hate it, we're both relieved, too. At least Mum is going to get some help. And if I can convince her to deal with the Repopulation Committee, it might be an opportunity for the Order, or at least one of the Order's allies. We could get someone into the house who would be doing activities we could support, with a very tolerant landlord. And it would get one more muggleborn out of the camps, and into good hands.

Re: Private message to Frank and Alice Longbottom

[alt_alice]

Thank you for the update, Bill. I know Molly's bound to find several of those options more than a little distasteful, but I don't think any of us are made of money, and although it's galling to admit, Selwyn does appear to have your family's interests at heart.

Private message to Remus Lupin and Sirius Black

[alt_bill]

I am including this as a private comment, because it's personal financial information that the younger members of the Order don't need to see. Please share with Tonks.

Selwyn also spoke very frankly concerning the life debt he owes to Dad, and it's clear that he feels he must take responsibility for the family. He was tactful--I was grateful for that--but straightforward. To be blunt, as much as it sticks in my craw, he's absolutely right, because without Dad's income, Mum is in a very tight situation.

I was impressed, despite myself. He has already looked into some options for cobbling together small stipends into an income stream that will help Mum make ends meet. There's a fund for 'protecting the Lord Protector' which he had to stretch things a bit to cover, but this was an attack on the LP and it did kill Dad instead, so. He looked into redirecting money to us from the Rebuilding Ireland Fund but since there's official denial that IMA was involved, the accounting would be too complicated. There's another fund he turned up that's for the Widows and Orphans of Those Who Died in the Lord's Service. He also made it clear that we should contact his clerk if bill collectors are harassing us.

Then he mentioned the Repopulation Office, which issues incentives to the wizarding population that have large families. Having seven pureblood children entitled us to move into a stately home, but Mum and Dad had turned that option down long ago. Selwyn, however, sensibly pointed out that we could accept the stately home and rent it out to some other family who has not had, as he put it, 'as much reproductive success.' And, he added, we were entitled to getting a mudblood servant. Mum's hackles went up at that suggestion, which he couldn't help missing, but I managed to convey the impression that she was offended by the idea of someone of impure blood under our roof. He agreed and then suggested that, again, we could rent the mudblood service's out, and that would give us another income stream.

I told him that my intention is to give up my flat and move back into the Burrow to save money and be with Mum. This was a surprise to Mum, and she started to protest, but I squeezed her hand and she fell silent, thankfully. I explained that Percy recently ended a relationship, and needs to get out of his own living situation, so my idea is that Percy can move into my flat, which is smaller and will save money, and then we just have to see about how to break Percy's lease.

He's quick, I'll give him that. He immediately picked up the hint (Merlin, but it stung my pride to give it) and said that he would take care of arranging things with Percy's landlord so that an accommodation could be reached that would satisfy everyone.

So: as much as Charlie and I hate it, we're both relieved, too. At least Mum is going to get some help. And if I can convince her to deal with the Repopulation Committee, it might be an opportunity for the Order, or at least one of the Order's allies. We could get someone into the house who would be doing activities we could support, with a very tolerant landlord. And it would get one more muggleborn out of the camps, and into good hands.

I also wonder: this may be a ways down the road, but Charlie and I have been discussing whether it might not be a good idea to get Mum involved at Laszlo's somehow. I reckon she would be a very good clerk. She's personable, and has a lot of energy...or she will, when the grief eases a little. And you could trust her implicitly, of course. Naturally, the shop isn't probably doing well enough to provide her with full-time wages, at least not yet. But maybe helping out a day or two. Or she could help keep the books; she's very good at that.

Anyway, think about it?

Re: Private message to Remus Lupin and Sirius Black

[alt_lupin]

I have to say, our experience with Ellie has made me think that more Order members might consider getting muggleborn servants. It gets someone out of the camps, and while we weren't comfortable laying all our cards down the first day -- well. Moddey Dhoo is a long-term investment -- a good one, mind you, but it's going to be years before those children can fight at our side. The adults in the camps are a wealth of potential allies who in some cases need only wands.

Regarding Laszlo's -- if we hired Molly, we could potentially expand. We could certainly make it work part-time -- maybe even full-time, although we'd need to start her part time. There's quite a lot of demand for our wares, and not just because of what we get from Aleks -- I'm thinking she wouldn't just work in the shop, she might also act as our buyer. Or mind the shop while I go.

We could get in touch with Beth -- she might know of people who could use the house. Or perhaps Kingsley has thoughts there.

Re: Private message to Remus Lupin and Sirius Black

[alt_sirius]

Yeah, I think we could possibly make it work. I mean to say, it's rather like picking our own pockets, in one sense, but in another we could do with a little more help. It'd free Dora if she decided to leave the Ministry for good and all, to split her time between the shop and the camps, and if Molly tapped Laszlo into the barter network that could pick up business for us all.

I wonder how hard it would be to set up a branch office in Hogsmeade?

Bill, I - hope I didn't bollocks anything up, being there this morning. Kingsley said .... Well. There are some risks worth taking, is all I'll say about it.

Anyway.

Remus, I'm obviously back awake now, so I'll be down in a tick to put the finishing touches on Dora's presents.

Re: Private message to Remus Lupin and Sirius Black

[alt_bill]

I think Mum would like working there, too. It would give her something new to take an interest in, which would be good for her.

Yeah, I hope you didn't bollocks anything up, either. (And dammit, Sirius. I could have saved my damn breath.)

Private message to Minerva McGonagall and Poppy Pomfrey

[alt_bill]

I am including this as a private comment, because it's personal financial information that the younger members of the Order don't need to see. Please share with the other Order members there at Hogwarts.

Selwyn also spoke very frankly concerning the life debt he owes to Dad, and it's clear that he feels he must take responsibility for the family. He was tactful--I was grateful for that--but straightforward. To be blunt, as much as it sticks in my craw, he's absolutely right, because without Dad's income, Mum is in a very tight situation.

I was impressed, despite myself. He has already looked into some options for cobbling together small stipends into an income stream that will help Mum make ends meet. There's a fund for 'protecting the Lord Protector' which he had to stretch things a bit to cover, but this was an attack on the LP and it did kill Dad instead, so. He looked into redirecting money to us from the Rebuilding Ireland Fund but since there's official denial that IMA was involved, the accounting would be too complicated. There's another fund he turned up that's for the Widows and Orphans of Those Who Died in the Lord's Service. He also made it clear that we should contact his clerk if bill collectors are harassing us.

Then he mentioned the Repopulation Office, which issues incentives to the wizarding population that have large families. Having seven pureblood children entitled us to move into a stately home, but Mum and Dad had turned that option down long ago. Selwyn, however, sensibly pointed out that we could accept the stately home and rent it out to some other family who has not had, as he put it, 'as much reproductive success.' And, he added, we were entitled to getting a mudblood servant. Mum's hackles went up at that suggestion, which he couldn't help missing, but I managed to convey the impression that she was offended by the idea of someone of impure blood under our roof. He agreed and then suggested that, again, we could rent the mudblood service's out, and that would give us another income stream.

I told him that my intention is to give up my flat and move back into the Burrow to save money and be with Mum. This was a surprise to Mum, and she started to protest, but I squeezed her hand and she fell silent, thankfully. I explained that Percy recently ended a relationship, and needs to get out of his own living situation, so my idea is that Percy can move into my flat, which is smaller and will save money, and then we just have to see about how to break Percy's lease.

He's quick, I'll give him that. He immediately picked up the hint (Merlin, but it stung my pride to give it) and said that he would take care of arranging things with Percy's landlord so that an accommodation could be reached that would satisfy everyone.

So: as much as Charlie and I hate it, we're both relieved, too. At least Mum is going to get some help. And if I can convince her to deal with the Repopulation Committee, it might be an opportunity for the Order, or at least one of the Order's allies. We could get someone into the house who would be doing activities we could support, with a very tolerant landlord. And it would get one more muggleborn out of the camps, and into good hands.

Re: Private message to Minerva McGonagall and Poppy Pomfrey

[alt_poppy]

Bill. I have something to suggest, and I want you to know that I will understand absolutely if you'd prefer not to take me up on the offer.

This rite, whatever it consists of, sounds perfectly horrendous. I hope our imaginations are overestimating that, but in case we are not wrong in guessing that you will be witness to something heinous, I would like to offer you a dose of something which will simultaneously heighten your ability to recall the details of what you see and depress your responses to what you are witnessing. The draught is called Commemini Acer, and it is used principally by people whose work demands extreme visual acuity or memory for minutia and the ability to perform detailed tasks without being distracted by irrelevancies.

You are, after all, attending this event in the pursuit not of revenge but of potentially crucial information, and it would be perfectly natural if your ability to process and recall needed details were dulled by the brutality of the ritual these butchers have planned.

Of course, I would not recommend anything of the kind if you were to be in a situation where you needed to rely on your reactions and your wand. But under the circumstances-

Well. The choice is yours entirely.

Re: Private message to Minerva McGonagall and Poppy Pomfrey

[alt_bill]

Poppy, I could kiss you. God, yes. Please.

I must confess I'm absolutely dreading this. It's bad enough, seeing...well, seeing what I saw, with Dad, whenever I close my eyes. I don't want to overlay that with yet more bad memories. But I'm convinced that I have to do this.

The ritual is the 28th. Do you need to brew the potion, and can you do it by then? Or do you have it in your stores? Or you can tell me where I can obtain it, I could pick it up.

Re: Private message to Minerva McGonagall and Poppy Pomfrey

[alt_poppy]

It will be no trouble for me to pick up what's needed.I have a number of items to procure for the school. And I'm happy to make a house call to deliver it as well. That will give me an excuse to see how your mother is getting on. The next days are bound to be harder, as the flow of visitors slows and she's forced to really face what's happened.

Re: Private message to Minerva McGonagall and Poppy Pomfrey

[alt_bill]

Then why don't you come by the Burrow, Poppy. You're right, Mum can use the visit.

She's trying. But it's so, so hard for her.

[alt_lupin]

Merlin, Bill.

Sounds --

Well. If it does touch on the wards, any information you can learn will be invaluable.

I just hope you come through with your sanity intact without too much personal grief.

[alt_bill]

Me, too.

[alt_frank]

sounds like blood magic.

with Dolohov there, wouldn't be surprised if it incorporated some of the old magics from egypt, so there'll be some things you might be unfamiliar with.

hate to say, but your being there could give us an edge when it comes to sorting out the rest of the wards.

[alt_frank]

maybe the old man will loan us his pensieve.

Private Message to Frank

[alt_sirius]

Maybe the old man will actually say something to us, for a change.

You all right? We've been trying to think how long to wait before calling a meeting. Molly's still in bad shape. But obviously we all need to talk, and before the kids go back to school and Minerva, Poppy, Pomona, our good friend the old man, and of course the other one, are all tied to the castle.

Re: Private Message to Frank

[alt_frank]

been better.

you're right. we need to meet.

I'll be ready for it.

[alt_terry]

Yes, it does sound like blood magic.

Do you know what time of day the rite will take place?

[alt_bill]

It's on the 28th. He mentioned the full moon as being part of the reason that day was picked, so I expect it'll be at night.

[alt_terry]

All right. I don't know if there is any difference between being a witness or being a participant, but if you're going to be in the area where there's a lot of Dark Magic, it wouldn't hurt to go through the same preparations.

Eat a good meal the night before, and try to get as much sleep as you can. If the ritual was in the morning, I would say to fast until then, or if it was in the afternoon, I'd suggest just clear broth in the morning. Since it's at night, I'd suggest just a light breakfast, clear broth at lunch and no dinner.

I'm so sorry. I--I hope it will be worth it. Whatever they do.

[alt_kingsley]

From what I know about blood magic, that seems like sound advice.

[alt_bill]

I'll take it, then.

Thank you, Terry.

Private message to Frank

[alt_bill]

Frank, I also meant to say...thank you. For being there the night I was doing the overnight vigil. And when I broke down like that, when I discovered that Dad's hand on the clock had disappeared, and you and Alice and Kingsley just held me

Merlin. I haven't cried like that since I was a kid.

Thank you.

Private Message to Bill Weasley

[alt_charlie]

Merlin, Bill.

You tell me about Selwyn acknowledging the life debt, and about all the suggestions he had for how to keep ends meeting, and all the business about the flat, and you forget to mention the GREAT HUGE DARK ARTS RITUAL they want you to go witness?

You'd better not be trying to pull that big-brother protecting-me shite again. I told you Saturday afternoon: you and I are in this one together, and if you try to take all this on your own, I don't care that I'm the "easygoing" one, I'll settle this the traditional way: by knocking some sense into you.

Or was it just that you couldn't bring yourself to talk about it, so you had to write about it instead?

Either way, it sounds hideous. Utterly hideous. Is there anything I can do to help? Maybe I could, I don't know, meet up with you after and take the memory for a Penseive so we don't lose any detail, then obliviate you or something so you don't have to remember it?

...Please tell me they aren't going to expect you to CAST any of that.

Re: Private Message to Bill Weasley

[alt_bill]

I'm sorry.

You're right, I couldn't bring myself to talk about it. Writing it seemed easier, somehow. More detached, more remote.

And I needed that detachment, because frankly, this scares the shite out of me.

I don't think they'll ask me to cast anything (although yes, the thought did cross my mind) because he only spoke of the witness avoiding emotional outbursts that would distract the others doing the rite. And anyway, if they expected me to cast something, I'd have to have my wand, wouldn't I?

Still, I agree, it's going to be hideous. But I have to be there, Charlie. This may be the best chance we get to find out what the bloody hell is going on with those wards. The only chance. And it has to be me, dammit, because I'm the oldest, and I'm the one with a background in cursebreaking, and that may give me an edge in figuring out what the fuck is going on.

But I'll need you afterward, Merlin, yes. I don't think I should be obliviated (although I fear I'm going to long for it), but yes, we'll definitely want to take a pensieve memory sample while it's fresh. Poppy suggested something that might help, too. She mentioned a potion, Commemini Acer, that she says will simultaneously heighten my ability to recall the details of what I see and suppress the emotional response. I'm going to take her up on the suggestion.

Re: Private Message to Bill Weasley

[alt_charlie]

Yeah. I thought that might be the reason.

And, you know, I can't believe I'm saying this, but ... I should see that memory, as soon afterwards as possible. If they're warding Ireland with the same sort of wards they're already using here, I might be in a position to figure out some of it, if it's using the same sort of dragon base as the wards.

I was going to go out flying Friday night and see if I could figure out what they were doing with my dragons

I'm so sorry, Bill. I agree that you have to do it ... but I wish you didn't have to.

Re: Private Message to Bill Weasley

[alt_bill]

I wish I didn't have to do it either. But if there's one thing I learned from Dad, it's that sometimes you just need to do what must be done.

Terry's right: it had better be bloody worth it.

Re: Private Message to Bill Weasley

[alt_bill]

And as for you seeing the memory, too, I'll think about it. It depends upon what it is I'll see.

Ugh.

Re: Private Message to Bill Weasley

[alt_charlie]

There's a huge part of me that hopes -- if you have to go through with it -- that this is the thing that lets us crack the problem once and for all. I can't think of a more fitting tribute to Dad than that would be.

And I don't care what it is you see. Or rather, I won't change my mind based on what it is you see. You can't protective-older-brother your way out of this one: if you have to hold on to that knowledge, so should I.

Re: Private Message to Bill Weasley

[alt_bill]

...

You're a damn good brother, Charlie.

True, you're also an annoying git at times. Like when you won't let me do the protective-older-brother thing. (Not to mention all that screaming and leaping at chess.)

Right now, though, I'm just awfully glad to have you at my side.

Re: Private Message to Bill Weasley

[alt_charlie]

And I'm glad Poppy has a solution to help with the emotional reaction.

Re: Private Message to Bill Weasley

[alt_bill]

Yeah. I'm going to be pinning a lot of my hopes on that.

[alt_gredforge]

You could bring one our joke wands. Then when they get all indignant that you brought a wand to the site, you can pull it out and flourish it so it turns into a rubber chicken.

[alt_gredforge]

Wouldn't you just love to see Dolohov's face?

[alt_bill]

THANK you for making me laugh SO HARD.

[alt_gredforge]

Which is why we suggested it.

Seriously though, Bill--ugh.

[alt_bill]

I know.

[alt_gredforge]

That's being a Gryffindor.

Just like Dad.