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[alt_molly]

I'm almost falling over, I'm so tired.

Beatrice Knowles' baby was born a little after 5:00 am. They're both stable, but the splinch....well. He's missing his left forearm. Poppy estimates she was at about eight months term, so he's able to breathe quite well. She assures me that her spells are managing any pain the poor boy suffered. Beatrice is sleeping now, which is a blessing.

The women and the children are settled for a few hours sleep, and so we have some peace for now. Fortunately, Poppy had plenty of Calming Draught. Some of these mothers are barely out of girlhood, themselves. We've managed to remove those horrible bracelets, to everyone's relief. One of the mothers told me they were put on them after one of the women managed to kill herself; their purpose was to prevent them from harming themselves.

The three men rescued with them are being kept in a separate room. Easier for everyone. Strangeweale used Imperius to force them, but despite the fact that they had no choice, they still feel dreadful about it. Kingsley is talking with them; he's particularly concerned about one of them, who has said he has little reason to live. He wants to get them to Sherwood soon if possible.

There have been so many tears tonight. I must confess that I cried a little myself when I finally held Arthur Tanisbee. Jane did name him after my Arthur. She told me about their meeting; she's never forgotten how kind he was to her. She cried, too, when I told her he was gone.

Arthur was right. She looks so much like Ginny.

Lee's off to Aldrich and Fred and George to Bedford and Caradoc to Sherwood, to see about arranging accommodations for all these lost chicks. Alice, do you think some of the youngest of the mothers might be able to come to Moddey Dhoo?

Comments

[alt_justin]

Mrs Weasley,

Very glad to hear they're going to be all right.

I'm bally well happy to know we all did some good last night, what. It was rather an ordeal but compared to what those young ladies have had to endure, well worth any discomfort.

I hope no one else had any trouble getting back; I say, I had a small spot of bother because Alfie tried to come into my room to ask about the ball--but when he saw I wasn't there, he assumed I'd sneaked out to meet Hydra, so no harm done there.

I did have a brief conversation with Maggie this morning. She'd like to come, if she could, to help take care of the girls and their children. We've a plan to get out of the house, what, if that's all right.

Can anyone say, have DogStar come to collect the Strangeweales yet? I say, it was jolly exciting to nab the elder Strangeweale! That's probably dashed inappropriate but it's true, particularly knowing how important it was to neutralise him.

-F-F

[alt_sirius]

You told Maggie about it? Why?

DogStar aren't coming for the Strangeweales. We'll take care of them as soon as we're sure we don't need them anymore. (It might be useful to have one or the other turn up in a particular place or time, not sure yet.)

Everyone did a splendid job and you're right, Justin: Sometimes we're able to score a clear win. That's worth a world of discomfort.

[alt_justin]

Sirius,

I told her because--well, I know she's still quite undecided as to whether or not to trust us to help her escape. And I thought if she could see first-hand the sorts of things we're doing to improve the situations of others, it might influence her opinion, what.

Ought I not to have told her? She already knows that I'm connected to a group with muggleborn interests at heart and that Mr Macnair is in contact with the Ponds at Doughty Conduit. I jolly well didn't tell her anything else about the Order she didn't already know.

-Justin

[alt_alice]

Although there's an argument to be made for there being not much additional risk to you or the Ponds, there are an awful lot of other Order members popping in and out, and a lot that's being discussed in terms of our future plans, Moddey, Sherwood, and other things we'd have to censor. I appreciate the offer, but unless she's planning to defect today, we shouldn't take the risk.

[alt_neville]

No, Dogstar hasn't taken them. We still have them here at the Laszlo warehouse space, in a small utility closet. They're tied up and out with stunning spells, but Dad and I guarded them through the night. We're turning the guard shift over to Miss Meadows and Mrs Ponds now though.

[alt_macnair]

She all right, then?

[alt_justin]

Mr Macnair,

Yes, she's quite well, so far as I can tell. I was able to get her the gift Hydra and I got for her--I say, it wasn't much but we did want to be sure to remember her--and she seemed far less suspicious of it than over the summer.

Shall I tell her to find an excuse to visit Mrs Ponds next week, when you bring Hermione the boomslang skin?

-F-F

Private message to Tonks Ponds

[alt_molly]

I don't know if Dorcas has said anything to you. I'm sure she feels dreadfully, but Beatrice has only said she's glad to be free. Considering she thought her baby was fated to be killed in that machine, I'm sure I can understand the lack of blame. I don't know if that will continue to be the case, but it's early days yet.

Please tell her I want her to know that Beatrice isn't angry. I'm sure Alice will speak to her when she has a chance.