Monday, etc

[alt_bill]

Work is starting to settle down into a more or less predictable routine, and I think we've most of the kinks worked out of the system. Now with spring coming, we are getting into one of the busier seasons for arranging work assignments. Here at Purity Control, we've been in consultation with the Department of Muggle Domestication to coordinate adjustments to some of the contracts used; we'd like the arrangements people use when requisitioning muggles or muggleborns to not be too contradictory. We hope that after the language is reconciled, we'll be able to introduce lower rate contracts. The efficiency will certainly be appreciated by the chaps in accounting.

Spent the weekend dealing with goats and working hard at spring chores. Ginny, I was inspecting the bee hive frames in preparation for spring. Can you let me know where you order equipment for the hives, or did Dad make it? There are several wooden honey comb frames which rotted quite a bit this winter and need to be replaced.

Ron, you should have the package by now I promised you for today. The leather gloves and wool muffler were Dad's, and I think the gloves should fit. Found the tin of biscuits in one of my favourite shops in New London; thought you'd appreciate the Quidditch players zooming around the outside of the tin. Once again, happy birthday!

Comments

Order Only: Private message to Charlie Weasley

[alt_bill]

Charlie:

Mum received a private message from Alice, asking what Mum wants to do about Ginny if we have to evacuate the Junior Auxiliary, and what about Percy?

Mum's decided she's going to tell Alice to evacuate Ginny, and we'll try to bring her up to speed as quickly as possible, presenting our involvement in the Order as something involving almost the entire family. Mum hopes that'll be enough. If worst comes to worst, we can take her wand away, and after all, Ginny can't apparate.

But after our usual Sunday night dinner last night here at the Burrow, Mum broke down into tears after Percy was gone, because the writing's clearly on the wall that Percy simply can't be trusted. I hate to agree with her, but I must. I am all but certain that Percy's lost to us. He was going on and on about his ambition, how much he admires Lucius Malfoy, and he wants a career just like Virgil Crispin. Isn't he just so fortunate that such fine, upstanding citizens have agreed to mentor him? His ultimate goal is to land on the Council. We know he's been learning the Cardinal Curses, and...well.

Mum's taking it awfully hard.

I don't have any particular heart for chess today, sorry.

Re: Order Only: Private message to Charlie Weasley

[alt_charlie]

Yeah. I don't blame you.

I don't have answers. I really don't. And I keep looking back and thinking, was there a point we could have done something? Was there something we all forgot to do, or a warning sign we missed, or a specific point someone could have said or done something that would have gotten through to him? And I'm horribly afraid there was, and we just weren't smart enough to spot it in time.

And I hate it, I hate it, it makes me want to scream, and I can't think of anything we could do.

You know what it makes me think of? How Sirius's parents and brother must have felt. Other way around, but still. And what's going to happen when things get more pointed, and people start taking sides publicly, and the kids in the Jr Aux like Parkinson and Lestrange find themselves on the other side from their whole families. The Protectorate has a lot of things to answer for, but the way they rip families apart? That's a huge one.

Yeah. I'm not helping. Sorry.

I think I can get free tonight. Want to meet me at Laszlo's -- say, eight-ish?

Re: Order Only: Private message to Charlie Weasley

[alt_bill]

I don't know, either. I think Mum and Dad tried. Particularly Dad. But Percy just doesn't listen. To be fair, I think he always felt like the odd man out of our family (and the endless ragging from the twins probably didn't help, although don't tell them I said that). He really is temperamentally different, and that just sort of fed on itself.

Yes. Laszlo's tonight, please. It would be wonderful to see you. Thanks.

Order Only

[alt_bill]

And yeah.

I hate it, too.

I don't want to lose him, I don't. I'll keep reaching out to him. Dad would expect no less.

But I'm not going to risk the safety of the Order for his sake.

[alt_ginny]

It was someone in the barter network, I think. He was awfully old, though. I don't know if he's still making them.

Thanks for looking in on the bees for me, Bill.

[alt_charlie]

Worst case, we can all muck about and see if we can build something that will work, yeah? I'm getting better at woodworking charms; I can do the spells if you can tell me what to do with 'em, Bean.

Private Message to Bill

[alt_ron]

Um. It's not here yet.

You don't think Errol finally popped his clogs, do you? Or. Oh, that's totally not on! Umbridge is checking all the mail now, and I bet she stole it! She can't do that, can she? Not Dad's gloves and things!

I'm-

Argh.

I don't what I'm going to do.

Re: Private Message to Bill

[alt_bill]

What?!

No, Errol's home. Mum said he came home at the usual time, so yeah, the package has been delivered.

Oh, that stinks, Ron. You're right, that's definitely not on, and I'll be definitely hacked off if someone's been meddling with Dad's things. Is there somewhere you can inquire?

If it'd help for me to stick my wand in, do let me know (but only if you think it'll help rather than make things worse).

Re: Private Message to Bill

[alt_ron]

Yeah, I don't know, actually. What would make it better not worse. Umbridge is-

Ugh.

I'll let you know if it comes tomorrow, and if it doesn't, I dunno.

I've got to go now, though. Revue rehearsal just got done and- yeah. Gotta run.

Re: Private Message to Bill

[alt_bill]

Did it show up today?

If it hasn't, do you want me to put in a complaint on your behalf? I'm certainly indignant enough to do it.

Or do you think that would be counterproductive?

I still should anyway. Those were Dad's.

Re: Private Message to Bill

[alt_ron]

Yeah, no. It didn't come today. So, yeah. I guess you could send a message here to find out why, since the owl came home. I know it's just gloves and a scarf, but they're Dad's!

Re: Private Message to Bill

[alt_bill]

Right.

I sent her a private message this morning; letting you know what I wrote:

Madam Umbridge:

I am writing to you out of concern that a birthday package sent to my brother, Ronald Weasley, seems to have gone astray. I understand that there seem to be new procedures at Hogwarts concerning owl delivery, but I think that you should know that apparently there are some kinks in these new procedures.

Ron's package should have arrived on Monday. I know that it was received, because our owl has returned home, but Ron has not received it yet.

The package contained a pair of gloves, a scarf, and a tin of biscuits. The scarf and gloves, in particular, are irreplaceable, as they belonged to our father, who as you know we lost this past December. I very much want Ron to possess these items, and I trust you will give this matter your prompt attention.

Bill Weasley
Assistant Director of Purity Control
Ministry of Magic

[including my title on the letter is pretentious in the extreme, I know. But I thought it wise, since blood purity seems to be so important to her, to hint that it might be wise not to offend someone in my position, i.e., an up-and-rising-boffin-at-the-Ministry. Sorry, don't mean to be a berk; I only hope it helps and you get your package today.]

Re: Private Message to Bill

[alt_bill]

And I'm sure I'm not going to be the only family member complaining if she keeps up shenanigans like this. Perhaps if the din gets loud enough, the Board of Governors will take notice.

Re: Private Message to Bill

[alt_ron]

Um. How did that go, then?

Just to let you know, in case, you wanted to mention it or whatever, Gin ordered a hamper for my birthday that was meant to be here Monday, too. It hasn't shown up, either.

But I've a good idea where they've gone: I ran into a pack of people in the corridor this afternoon who are part of Umbridge's group, and they were all having a jolly laugh and looking really well fed.

All right, I'm imagining that last part, and I don't actually know who all's in that group, but still. I just bet they're eating all the stuff that's come in parcels this week, and I hope they all rot their teeth.

Re: Private Message to Bill

[alt_bill]

We exchanged some exquisitely politely veiled barbs that got more exquisitely insulting as we went along. I'm afraid to have to report that the biscuits are a lost cause, and I sincerely hope that she chokes on 'em, but you should have the scarf and the gloves today or tomorrow. Let me know if you don't. I'll be damned if you're going to be cheated of part of your gift, however. I'll pick up another tin of the biscuits and give it to you at Easter. In person, so no one snabbles them away from you. Don't bother protesting: it'll give me great pleasure to spite her by presenting them to you. And Ginny's hamper, too. I'll make bloody sure of it.

Speaking of Ginny's gift, it sounds as though she placed the order before the ban went into effect, so they had no business whatsoever confiscating it, but Madam Umbridge has made it clear she is not going to budge on the food items. Why is she making such a ridiculous stand over something that has never caused any problems before? That's absolutely outrageous. I don't see why should you lose out on your gift; nor should Ginny be out the pleasure of giving it to you. And you think these confiscated packages are possibly being given to other students instead?!

Appalling.

I'm sorry, Ron. I've passed this information along to several at the Ministry who have children at Hogwarts, including at least one member of the Board of Governors. Hopefully, enough pushback will arise from the families that the policy will eventually be overturned. I certainly hope it will.