Order Only: Aftermath

[alt_bill]

Nothing so far today.

The code's been sent out to all the analysts to fly silent go deep. No one else has been picked up yet either, to my knowledge, but none of them will be contacting me again until I send out the all clear. We're all flying blind for the time being.

Keep your fingers crossed for us all.

Comments

[alt_molly]

I WON'T ALLOW IT!!

[alt_bill]

Mum, calm down. Please.

I agree, it should be a last resort. But if we need to take the heat off me, Sirius is right, maybe this would help.

[alt_kingsley]

Molly, my friend, gently does it.

Bill's best hope, if he's truly in a tight spot, is to keep his cool and do everything he can to show he's on the Protectorate's side. You know that.

[alt_molly]

Kingsley, I just can't bear this. The not knowing.

[alt_arthur]

Yes you can, Molly, dear. Courage is what is needed, and you're a Gryffindor after all, remember. Right now, Bill needs to keep calm and steady. If you can do the same, that will help him.

[alt_molly]

Oh, you're right. You're right, Arthur.

I'm sorry, Bill.

There's no point in pretending we didn't know this might happen. I'm sorry for...for letting my fears get the better of me. I won't let it happen again.

[alt_sirius]

It's all right, Molly. I promise you I've no death wish, to play right into their hands. But if we do come to the point where Bill has to give them some evidence of his loyalty, I'd rather we arrange a Sirius Black close call than throw someone else to the wolves, even if it's someone who deserves it for something else.

But one thing that does occur to me is that Bill could afford to let some of his shock and dismay through the mask, if he can do it without opening a floodgate.

What I mean is, he did work with Archer on legitimate Ministry business, didn't he? So, it's natural for Bill to be as shaken by the news as anyone else in the Ministry - just not for the reasons we know are the real ones.