ORDER ONLY

[alt_hermione]

Sirius, I think --

It seems like I know some people who would like to ask you about some things, I mean people we can trust, really trust, at least enough that I can be go-between, and now that you're officially alive again at least to anyone with a brain, well,

if you wanted to answer some questions, I mean, I could ask them.

Comments

[alt_molly]

He may be Padfoot right now, Hermione.

[alt_bill]

Huh. I suppose it's best not to inquire who's asking.

[alt_molly]

I'm not sure this is a very good idea.

[alt_bill]

Well, I think it's a brilliant idea, actually, Mum. They can safely ask without identifying themselves.

Especially considering we have a pretty good hunch who some of these questioners are.

[alt_molly]

Oh, dear.

[alt_molly]

Arthur...shouldn't we put a stop to this?

[alt_bill]

If you'd tried to keep me from asking questions when I was this age, I probably would have never joined the Order.

[alt_molly]

Oh, I suppose.

It's just...the thought that all of the children might joining us....the stakes seem so much higher, and it just gives me chills.

[alt_bill]

Except Percy. Probably.

[alt_molly]

That just makes it worse.

[alt_sirius]

Molly had it right in one, Hermione. Friday and Saturday evenings are particularly difficult with the beer garden doing its trade. But that's all right; you've probably less leisure to write than I.

Now, about these people and these questions. Well. I'm happy to answer them if we're able to do without compromising our security. But what I'm not sure of is whether your telling them the answer would constitute a violation of your Unbreakable Vow.

I suppose another problem I can foresee is what to do if the person asking the question doesn't much like the answer. Because I'm not going to ask who's asking but - well, I can think of at least a dozen questions people could ask - people in the position to be asking me through you, that is - that might have very harsh answers for them. I shouldn't want the facts to reflect poorly on you or to get you into trouble with anyone. That's really more a problem for me, in crafting my answers, I suppose, than for you in simply saying what I've said.

So, if we can determine to our satisfaction that your acting as a messenger will not bring about your untimely and incredibly unwelcome death, I think I can manage to reply tactfully enough for Pan that the answers shouldn't offend anyone.

[alt_lupin]

Sorry I didn't get a chance to respond to this more quickly, Hermione. As Sirius said, Saturday nights are busy ones; all the more so when I need to get things in order such that my absence on Monday night isn't noticed.

I, for one, am more than a little curious about what your trusted friends would like to ask. You should probably do your best to avoid any details that would identify them to us with any certainty. I'm sure we all have our suspicions, but it would be safer for everyone if we don't know.

Molly and Arthur -- on one hand, I respect that you're worried about your children becoming involved too quickly. On the other, I look at Percy and know how much you don't want your other children to follow in his path. There's no danger of that with the Twins, I'm sure, but Ron is being courted by Dominic Selwyn. At this point it seems unlikely to turn his head, but you never know. And Ginny seems particularly impressed with anything that suggests wealth and glamour.

[alt_sirius]

We were only a year older than the twins when Dumbledore recruited us, after all.

[alt_lupin]

We were that young?

...I suppose you're right.

[alt_sirius]

Yes, even you, Moony, were once that young.

Of course, Dumbledore insisted we be of age when we joined. And it was a different time, with more open warfare. And of course, the biggest difference was that Voldemort hadn't come to power so while we weren't operating with the full support of the Ministry, we were at the least less likely to be thrown in prison for our efforts than our foe.

My biggest concern isn't the people asking the questions, it's what will happen to Hermione if she provides the answers, even if it's merely as a relay.

[alt_lupin]

If they already know she has a way of communicating directly with Sirius, surely passing answers wouldn't matter? Minerva, what do you think? You know rather more about the Unbreakable Vow than I do.

[alt_sirius]

It depends on the questions, though. If they ask anything which requires a revelation about the Order, then we might be in trouble.

If they just want to ask me personal questions, well - then the only worry is how personal. In which case 'No comment' is always an option.

[alt_lupin]

Well, I'd say Hermione should ask. And the Order as a whole can decide whether these are reasonably innocuous questions, or if they'd reveal too much -- either because they'd put Hermione in danger, or because children we don't know shouldn't have that much information.

What exactly was the wording of her vow? Minerva?