Order Only: Sirius

[alt_poppy]

Sirius, I know you're concerned and more for your brother today, but please don't allow them to use this as a distraction to put you off your guard. Crouch's taunting you last night set off all my intuitive alarms. There is every possibility that they've staged this event (with or without Regulus's complicity--I don't know what to think about that) in order to stymie you and get you to wait where you are, watching the journals for news and not watching out for your pursuers.

All right. I've said what I have to say on that subject. I'd planned to write you in any case to tell you if I see anything as I read today's Prophet:

Except that the lead article assures me that Auror Hit Wizards have the arch-traitor Black on the run in France. I'd feel very much better if you were in Germany today. Or Poland. Or.

Never mind. I beg your pardon.

Here. There's a follow-up piece on that bridge collapse, and it does raise some suspicion of sabbotage to its structure, though they continue to blame its Muggle craftsmanship as well. I'm less inclined to think this is some plot of His--what purpose could it possibly serve?--than to wonder if there's some new resistance group making itself known or staging a diversion. I suppose I hope it's the latter.

New items include a minor scuffle yesterday morning between guards and inmates at the Ashfield camp in Nottinghamshire and other disruptions (mentioned in passing all in a lump) at Broxstowe, Fradswell, and Cheadle. You will take the blame, I feel sure. Whether your brother had a hand in it, I'll leave to your speculation.

Another house fire. This time in Chillington (not far from my childhood home in Devon, as it happens). This one's attributed to a dirty Floo, and the article focuses on reminding people of the need to have their chimneys cleaned after this long season when travel by Floo has been restricted and standard upkeep may have gone neglected.

In the personal notices at the back--I very nearly missed this--here's a note about two girls who've gone missing from Hertfordshire. Their worried parents placed the advert. The pictures show them to be nearly old enough to start here, both with dark, bobbed hair and dark eyes. One has a turned up nose, the other a dimple, but they could almost be sisters from the looks of it. Mandelson and Price are the family names. Susan Mandelson and Mathilda Price.

Oh, Sirius. I hope that's not to do with him. There's not a word about it in the main body of the paper, but then they may be halfbloods. Or the Minister may have warned the press not to repeat the drama it staged with the Patil boy. Or He may have. But, of course, after the Patil boy, one can't help wondering about missing children. I

I don't believe there's anything else here today that could in anyway be thought relevant to your concerns.


Do take care and continue to check in as you're able.

Comments

[alt_sirius]

Well, if it's a ruse, it's an elabourate one. I don't know. Narcissa's reply seemed genuinely distraught. I don't think I've ever heard her use that kind of language. Sounded almost muggle. Though it's possible it's a ploy, which would revise my opinion of Crouch's acting ability quite a bit.

And interestingly enough there's a story in L'Étoile about Nigel Cullenden's 'secret life'. Oh, and they've interviewed Sylvie, too.

Yeah, I think France is ... probably not the best place to be today. By nightfall I should be able to change that, though.

As for the rest - don't believe everything you read, Poppy. I'm sure I'd remember blowing up a bridge or inciting a riot in the camps.

But the missing girls. When did they disappear?

[alt_poppy]

Oh, let me see if I can tell.

Three days ago, perhaps, though it could be earlier. They say 'yesterday,' and speak as though writing late in the day after the children's disappearance. I don't know how long the Prophet takes to print these notices, though. It could be many days ago.