ORDER ONLY: HOW COULD YOU?

[alt_hermione]

I thought you all were going to take care of me. I trusted you. I believed you knew what was best.

I just -

It turns out Mr Lupin was all right after all, and you all just were going to sit around, I've already told the Headmistress this and I want you all to know too: I don't know -

I just -

What will happen to them? I suppose they'll have to go to the colony, won't they? But will the colony have them since they aren't wizards? If the colony won't have them you all had better have them, you had just better take care of them, or I swear I will run away from Hogwarts and help them myself, and I'll steal Draco's wand again and I'll have a wand then, and you all will just be able to go hang!!!!

I didn't realise they were hostages for my good behaviour, I ought to have known, how on earth could I have been so utterly stupid?!

Comments

[alt_frank]

hang on hermione. what's happened?

[alt_sirius]

I'm with Frank, Hermione. What's going on? What do you mean about Moony saying we were only going to sit on our heels? About what?

[alt_hermione]

Mr Lupin didn't say anything to me, I haven't spoken to him, did I say that? I said he was all right, he bolted, I'm sure he bolted so he wouldn't have to bite them. Only now they're getting bit anyway, I know, the Lord Protector told me so -

[alt_sirius]

This: Mr Lupin was all right after all, and you all just were going to sit around,

What did you mean?

And as everyone else has said, kiddo: We'll do what we can. If Remus has scarpered ...

Well, we'll do all we can.

[alt_arthur]

Hermione . . . if that is what they told you, I'm afraid--well, it's only a few hours until moonrise, which means we have little time, and I've still not been able to discover where they've taken them, although Bill and I are feverishly turning over every rock that we can find . . .

Did they tell you anything else, Hermione? Anything that might give us a clue where they might have taken them? If they had intended to use Remus, I suppose their first intention would have been to bring them here. But now that Remus is gone--did you hear from anyone, anything about where they would take them now? Did someone give you the name of a specific werewolf enclave?

[alt_sirius]

Do you mean they're doing something to your parents?

Arthur - what can you learn, quickly?

[alt_arthur]

Bugger, bugger, bugger.

Soon as I saw this, I apparated to the Ministry and fetched the Grangers' file. They were remanded from the custody of camp jurisdiction, Muggle Division to--well, I can't quite make out the signature. But according to the parchment added magically to their file as of 3:00 a.m. this morning, their control has been transferred to Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, the Being Division.

My god, that's the werewolf registry. And the seal affixed to it proclaims that it is at the order of the Lord Protector himself. Now that I look at again, I think that signature might be one of Bellatrix Lestrange's underlings.

Hermione, my poor child, what did they tell you?

[alt_alice]

Oh no. He wouldn't.

She saved Harry, for Merlin's sake! And this is how he repays her?

Have they already been transferred out of the camp? Can we intercept them?

Frank and Stephen can be ready in minutes.

[alt_molly]

Stand by, Alice. Arthur just contacted me by Patronus; he's going to the camp to see if they're still there. If not, he'll try to learn where they've been taken.

Merlin, tonight's the full moon, isn't it?

[alt_arthur]

I'm here at the Ipswich camp, where the Grangers were assigned. I was too late. They're gone. MLE came to get them at 10:00 am this morning. They were given ten minutes to pack, and ordered not to bother bringing any of their dental instruments, since 'they won't be needing them anymore.'

I'm still trying to find someone, anyone, who knows anything about where they might have been taken.

Hermione, I am so sorry. Surely you know we never would have wanted anything to happen to them. I will keep trying to find them.

[alt_frank]

let me know if you need an extra hand. I've got the papers from last time we went to the camps, some polyjuice, we can be there just as soon as you give us the word.

[alt_kingsley]

The Players are standing by, too, Arthur.

[alt_alice]

We should've thought ahead. The moment she went to Harry, we should've taken steps to protect the Grangers. The thought of that awful man using them to hurt her... it's just so monsterous. She's a little girl.

It makes me ill, Molly.

[alt_molly]

I know, but we still . . . we still may have some time. Oh, if we can only find them in time!

[alt_hermione]

Professor McGonagall came in and told me that there was going to be a very bad punishment, but that she had seen to it that I would be safe, and that I needed to remember that my parents were strong and they loved me and they would rather them than me. I don't know if that's true or not. But she said she couldn't stop it.

And then the Lord Protector came and told me that I had did right by protecting Harry but that there had to be an example set and also that I had done wrong to ever think to touch a wand. I didn't look at him. So he said my parents would have to pay for me, since I am still young, and he said that he knew that his son would be upset if I were killed, which I think is true, so he wasn't going to kill me, and also that it was worth it for me to protect him as long as I knew that I was never to do it with magic again and that I should step in front of curses instead.

And then he told me that they were going to be bit. But then later I was sat down in Professor McGonagall's office waiting and he said they were going to let them speak to me once by Floo so that they knew exactly why they were being bit, because I had been bad, but instead they didn't because Mr Lupin had gone and they had to change their plans. And I got sent back to my cell. So now I don't know but I'm sure they're going to do it anyway, Mr Lupin isn't the only werewolf after all, and -

Has anything happened? Have they been saved??

[alt_arthur]

Just saw this when I was writing a reply to your comment above.

My dear child, we're trying to find them still. The Players have apparated to just outside five different werewolf enclaves, trying to get more information. Bill's gone to a sixth. I will send word if I learn more.

[alt_alice]

Hermione,

I don't know everything that's happened. I can see that you're scared and angry. And from what little I know, I would be too were I in your shoes. You have every right.

And even though you're angry at everyone right now, remember that you're still a member of the Order. You're one of us, you're not alone in this, and we stand up for our own. If Kingsley's or Minerva's or Arthur and Molly's or Poppy's or my family was ever in danger, we all would do everything within our power to help them, and it's no different with you.

We will do all we can. I will do all I can. Trust that if there is a chance we can help your parents, we will. Trust that if we can get them out (and we will try as hard as we can), they will come stay here, at Moddey Dhoo, where it's safe. That's a promise from me to you.

[alt_molly]

Alice, did you see Neville's entry? He says that Remus seems to have disappeared.

What on earth do you make of that? Could there be any connection?

[alt_alice]

I don't know. I really don't know.

Oh sweet Merlin. Is he a pawn in all this too? Could they be using him? I can't believe that.

I just can't.

[alt_alice]

He took his bird with him.

What does that mean?

Do you think he's on the run?

[alt_kingsley]

Maybe . . .maybe they wanted him to do it, and he wouldn't? That's why he's on the run?

[alt_alice]

Oh, I hope so.

[alt_kingsley]

But even if that's it, that he refuses, that doesn't mean the Grangers are off the hook. There are other werewolves out there . . .

Merlin, I hope Arthur finds them, soon.

[alt_sirius]

This is going to sound more damning than it should, but, cutting and running to avoid an unpleasant outcome .... that sounds more like the Remus I know.

Maybe.

[alt_frank]

you've said it better than I could, Al.

we get them out, they'll have a place here, Hermione. you've got my word on it too.

[alt_hermione]

Okay, Mr Longbottom.

I'm sorry. I suppose I'm just very upset. I put my journal down and I cried a long time and I feel a little better now. I just wish I knew what was happening.

[alt_frank]

no need, Hermione. anyone tried to pull this on my mum, I'd be more than just upset, you can believe it.

Arthur's still trying to track down where your parents are. once we find that out, we'll know better what we can do. looks like Lupin might've bought us some time.

[alt_arthur]

Frank: It's a dim hope, but it's all we've got. Kingsley's players are scouting the Fennel, Chuntley, Silverthorn, Loping, and Dimswitch enclaves. Bill has headed for Aversby. Those are the ones closest to the Ipswich camp, and they'll send word immediately if they hear of the Granger's arrival at any of them. If you and Stephen are willing, you might scout the enclaves at Deedpenny and Hareslip. Send a patronus immediately if you hear word of them. Very little time is left.

If they aren't at one of those, then . . . then I fear there's not much hope.

[alt_alice]

Frank and Stephen took off immediately for Deedpenny. He said he'd leave word.

[alt_arthur]

Alice . . . I'm almost afraid to ask this. Do you know how to get in touch with Remus? Do we dare send him a patronus? Do you know if he can send one back?

If he was ordered to bite the Grangers, he might know something else about what the Ministry planned to do with them. I realise I'm grasping at straws, here, but at the very least, he might know something about which enclave they might have taken them.

And if he left to protect our Hermione's parents, then I'm more grateful than I can say. I didn't expect it of him. Maybe he needs our help. I don't know what Minerva will think (Merlin, I wish she'd report again). But maybe it's time for us to take a chance on him.

[alt_alice]

I'll send him word, ask if he knows where the Grangers are.

He can send his reply to Frank -- it wouldn't be traced back to Moddey Dhoo, as Frank is away. I'll also see if he can pull any favours at all, see if he can get word to the other enclaves. Maybe he has some pull there, and can help keep the Grangers safe.

[alt_frank]

I'll keep my eyes open. hope to merlin he's got something we can use, and can get it to us in time.

[alt_kingsley]

Negative on Chuntley, Arthur. I heard from Benjy. Emmeline's still trying to find the Dimswitch enclave. That group is small, only four or five werewolves, and they're damned elusive.

I'm sure you understand that it isn't safe for any of us to stay out looking after moonrise.

Hermione, I promise we'll keep trying until then.

[alt_frank]

no luck in Deedpenny, moving on to Hareslip. looks like we've got a couple of hours til moonrise.

[alt_arthur]

Just heard from Bill. Since moonrise is so near, the people he tried to pump for information at Aversby were extremely hostile. He hasn't gotten a straight answer from them whether or not the Grangers are there, but he doubts it, and he fears he would be pushing his luck with the Aversby locals to linger any longer. There is one more place he'll try, Catterside.

[alt_frank]

it's getting dark, we're getting the hell out of here. Hareslip a dead end.

damn.

[alt_sirius]

Allie ....

You're right, of course. If you can get to him ... if Remus has run off rather than be forced into service as Voldemort's tool ... perhaps.

Perhaps he's not so far removed from the Order's agenda as we I thought.

At any rate, seeing this you've written to Hermione, I ... well, I want to say: I'm an idiot. And I know that's no surprise to you. But if we can bring him to somewhere safe, or get him to Kingsley, at least, then we owe it to him to hear what he has to say about ... about back then.

Even if he had something to do with James and Lily's deaths, he's certainly in danger now that he's chosen to defy Voldemort. And if he still has the fibre to do a runner over two people he's never met ... well, it makes it harder to believe he knew James and Lily would be harmed through his actions. Or maybe there's some other explanation we haven't thought of.

Point is, he's running now, or soon will be, and even after all this time, we're his only real family. We owe him at least a chance to explain where he stood then and stands now.

[alt_alice]

He's safe. That's a good start. We'll sort things out.

I could just about kiss you right now, you know.

[alt_sirius]

And you an expecting mum.

Don't tell Frank, luv. We should break the news together.

Order Only

[alt_poppy]

Oh, Miss Granger. I wish there were something that I could say to offer you comfort, but, of course, there is nothing any of us can say--or, perhaps, do--to remedy the awfulness of this situation.

The truth, as you know, is that we cannot protect you now any more than we could when you were taken from our oversight and given into Mr Marvolo's ownership, any more than we have been able to protect Mr Boot from the evils inflicted on him by his so-called Master.

We are, all of us, held captive by the Lord Protector and his Death Eaters, but we, who are adults and who hold positions of some authority and who, by accident of our heritage are called 'free', we do owe you as much care as we are able to offer.

I wish it were true to say that any of us knows what is best. None of us would make that claim, child. Instead, we believe very strongly that we know what is right. We believe that we must do everything in our power to restore freedom to all people in our country--not only for ourselves and for those like yourself and Mr Boot, who have been stripped of your rights as wizards, but also for your parents and people like them, who are not magical, but who are people nonetheless and who deserve to live their lives as they choose.

That is the only promise we can make, Miss Granger. Hermione. And I believe it is the promise you have made along with us in joining the Order of the Phoenix--that we will all work to the extent of our abilities, giving all of our strength and all of our intelligence to the fight.

[alt_arthur]

Just received a hurried patronus from Frank. He thinks there's reason to believe they're in Smythstone, and he and Stephen are heading there now.

There is very little time left, but this may be it.