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_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.