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[alt_poppy]

Well, bother.

Have just received an owl saying I'm expected at MLE's offices to answer questions as an interested party in the investigation into the death of Facinorous Stint. Tomorrow. At my 'convenience'. Mordred. When is it ever convenient to submit to questioning by MLE.

And the worst of it is, I'm still at the sanctuary. How long might that owl have been searching for me?

No good worrying about that now. I was planning to leave after breakfast at any rate. I've a stop to make in Winchester and one in New London before my appointment at St Mungo's. I've told MLE they may have the pleasure of my company after that.

And then if anyone wished to buy me a drink in some little hole in the wall beer garden, I'd very much appreciate it.


Supposing they allow me to leave the Ministry on my own recognisance.

I swear if that man has made my life misery for two years only to get himself killed and me arrested for his murder, I'll ... not find it funny in the least.

Comments

[alt_sirius]

What?!

Bugger all.

We're shaping up to have quite a party at Grimmauld tomorrow, if everything goes well. (Come to think of it, having a Healer on hand to look over Mrs Granger wouldn't go amiss, if everything works out.)

But if we can do anything to help, let us know.

[alt_poppy]

Oh, bless. Is that when you're going to the werewolf camp? Of course it is. I let myself get so wrapped up in my own business I entirely failed to register that.

Yes, of course, I could come to Grimmauld. That would be a much safer place to see you, in any case, and perhaps I could be of help with Mrs Granger. I trust she won't need my ministrations, but I'd be pleased to examine her to be certain she's well.

[alt_sirius]

Remus is going to the werewolf camp; I'm staying back at Grimmauld for Terry's lesson.

But I think we can manage a hole in the wall beer garden, as well.

[alt_alice]

We miss you already, Poppy. Thanks ever so much for your help.

From what I can see, Stint has no end of potential enemies. I'm sure that they're having quite a time going through the list, and that this is simply a process of elimination, not assumption of guilt.

[alt_frank]

ta, poppy.

the only person who'd go out of his way to pin you with something is dead. and you didn't actually do it, which helps.

you'll do fine.

[alt_poppy]

I've thought a bit about what it would be like if I had done it. At least I'd know it was really done. And properly.

Part of me would very much like to know who did do it.

I suppose it just feels incomplete, not having seen it for myself, the body at least. I don't know. I wonder if there's to be a funeral? I almost think I'd go, just to convince myself he's really gone.

And Morgana knows, if he turns up as a ghost, I intend to give him an earful of all the things I ought to have had the stomach to say while he was alive, but didn't.


I'll miss you, too, Frank.

[alt_poppy]

Thank you, Alice. I'll try to come back during the Christmas holidays. I feel sure that by then you'll be ready for a fresh pair of hands to pick up with the things that remain of your rebuilding.

You've done yeomen's work, that's obvious, and yet there's such a lot still to do. I suppose the best of it is you'll not go bored this autumn.

Do be well, my dear. All of you.

[alt_bill]

I'm sure that through the years you've given advice to many a student about to explode from stress from studying for OWLs or NEWTs. Surely some of those pearls of wisdom would be of use now:

Take deep breaths.
Get a good night's sleep.
Have a cup of tea.

I don't mean to belittle any fears you may have, and I know from personal experience that getting squinty-eyed looks from MLE is absolutely no picnic. But keep your head (which you always do anyway), and you'll do just fine.

Do please check back in with us when the interview is over.

[alt_molly]

I second Bill's suggestion about a cup of tea.

And if you drink enough tea, if you're getting flustered, you can always interrupt the interrogation by saying you need a break to visit the loo!

[alt_poppy]

Thank you, Molly, for making me smile.

And, Bill, for sage advice. Wherever did you learn such wise things?

[alt_bill]

At my mother's knee, no doubt.