Order Only: Private message to Charlie Weasley

[alt_bill]

Listen, Charlie,

I've been asked by, um, my source in MLE to stop by her flat tonight.

It seems to be just a casual invitation--I mean, I don't think it's an ambush. But Frank's protocol says I'm supposed to check in with at least someone in the Order if any of us are heading anywhere to be questioned by someone in MLE. I sure don't want to tell Mum, especially after what happened to Ron today, so I'm settling on you. So someone knows.

Just in case.

Comments

[alt_charlie]

Right, then, tell me when you get back.

[alt_bill]

Everything's fine. Thanks, Charlie.

[alt_charlie]

Good to know. I'll stop fretting now. (Not that I was worrying too badly, but apparently I'm more Mum's son than I expected.) What'd she want, then?

[alt_bill]

I don't really

It was rather a surpri

Turns out it was personal, rather than Order-related.

[alt_charlie]

Oh. ...Oh.

Different kind of ambush?

[alt_bill]

...

I guess that's one way of putting it. Um.

It was definitely a surprise, anyway.

[alt_charlie]

Ha! Well, as proper revolutionaries I suppose we should always be on guard for surprise attacks.

You all right, then? Only I know you're probably trying to talk yourself out of whatever you really want to do about things, six ways to Sunday.

[alt_bill]

I'm more than all right, actually.

[alt_charlie]

Well, then. That good a night, was it?

So, tell me more about this woman.

[alt_bill]

She works for the Malfeasance Unit. Which is a good reason to have MLE around, to my way of thinking.

She's whip-smart. Which means I'm watching my words and my step around her, believe me. She's also funny and sarcastic--keeps surprising me into breaking out into laughter, which makes Mulciber squint at me suspiciously.

She chews on her quills.

She's beautiful.

[alt_charlie]

Well, then! Sounds like you're quite smitten. Which is good -- you could use a bit of smit in your life.

Seriously, though, I'm happy for you. As long as you're being careful, and I do believe you that you are, it seems like a good chance to have a bit of fun.

[alt_bill]

I am smitten, I'll admit it. Mixed with this much wary caution makes for an interesting sort of...frisson.

Do me a favour and keep this to yourself for now? I don't know how serious this is going to be, and Mum's had enough explosions this summer.

[alt_charlie]

I've sort of made it part of my "rules for adult living" that I won't tell Mum anything she doesn't desperately need to know. I mean, it's not that I don't want her knowing about my life, it's just that ... yeah.

Besides, you're keeping secrets about my love-life. I can return the favour and keep secrets about yours.

Enjoy that feeling for as long as you can, though. Even if this doesn't wind up going anywhere, there's nothing quite like those heady first few months of a relationship!

[alt_bill]

Thanks.