Order Only: Archer

[alt_bill]

Aloysius Archer's in trouble. He--

Wait.

More later.

Comments

[alt_molly]

Bill? What on earth is going on? I looked at the clock, and your hand was on 'Working.' Then it started spinning around wildly, and for a minute there it was resting on 'Mortal Peril!' Now it's moved back to 'Working' again. What's happened?

[alt_arthur]

Do you need me to come see you, my boy?

[alt_bill]

NO!! WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T COME SEE ME.

DON'T LEAVE YOUR OFFICE, DON'T DO ANYTHING TO CALL ATTENTION TO YOURSELF. JUST SIT TIGHT.

[alt_arthur]

All right. But please, son, as soon as you know, let us know.

[alt_molly]

Bill!

[alt_kingsley]

Bill, what's going on? Has there been some kind of tip-off? Do you need someone to come help you get out of there?

[alt_bill]

No, I don't. I . . . I think not. I just had a really narrow escape, though.

Oh, Merlin. Archer's dead.

[alt_kingsley]

What?!

[alt_arthur]

Oh, no. Are you sure, my boy?

[alt_bill]

A portrait just told me. That's what saved me--it saw me headed to my meeting with him, and it warned me off. Hang on, I'm talking with it now.

[alt_bill]

Bloody hell. It's true. He's dead. I don't know how. But the portrait told me it was his brother who betrayed him, the one with the wife and kids in the camps. They brought him along.

He sold out Aloysius because he hoped they'd let him see his kids again.

[alt_molly]

Oh, no! Bill, you have to get out of there!

[alt_sirius]

Archer's dead?!

They killed him? Before even questioning him?

Merlin, Bill - watch out for yourself.

[alt_arthur]

No, Molly. Bill's first instinct was right. Sit tight, son. Don't lose your head now and draw their attention to you.

[alt_molly]

Arthur! They could be on their way now to arrest him!

[alt_arthur]

Do you have any reason to believe Archer's brother knew anything at all about you, Bill?

[alt_bill]

None at all, Dad. I've never met the bloke. Unless Aloysius said anything, but I don't have any reason to think he did.

[alt_kingsley]

I'm with Arthur on this one. Act as normally as you can, Bill, but don't talk with anyone if you can help it. Don't leave any earlier than usual.

[alt_arthur]

What a fool. The brother, I mean. They'll probably reward him by declaring him a blood traitor and banishing him to the camps himself so he can see his kids every day.

Bill, I'm so sorry. Have you found out yet what happened?

[alt_bill]

The portrait saw the whole thing. A picture of some poncy-looking chap named Chauncey Chudley, says he's a distant ancestor of ours, Dad. That's why he was looking out for me.

The portrait said Archer had a ring, shaped like a serpent, an old family heirloom. When he saw his brother come in with the MLE, as soon as they started asking questions he knew the game was up. The portrait says he said to the MLE, 'So the worm has turned then, eh?' He must have pre-set it as a code trigger phrase. The serpent ring bit him, then, poisoned him, and he was dead within seconds.

The MLE don't realise it, though. Thought he had a heart attack or stroke or something.

Buggering, bleeding hell, he killed himself, Dad. He did it to protect the Order.

[alt_bill]

See my comment to Dad. He killed himself, to protect the Order.

Bugger, bugger, bugger.

[alt_bill]

Bugger it all. Tabitha.

I've sent her a patronus, to warn her.

[alt_frank]

hard luck, mate.

how did his brother know what he was up to? how bad a leak do you think we're talking about?

keep us posted. and if it looks like they're coming for you, you get your arse over here as quick as you can.

[alt_alice]

frank?

[alt_frank]

just on my way in. you in the bedroom or the nursery?

[alt_alice]

The bedroom.

[alt_frank]

hang on love. on my way.