Order Only: Arthur and Bill

[alt_molly]

Something's going on at Lucius Malfoy's office.

Percy Floo called me, saying he wouldn't be home for dinner. When I asked whether I should put his dinner aside, he told me not to bother, because he didn't know when he'd be home, 'if at all.'

It's not unusual, but...there was something in his manner. He seemed unusually tense. Upset.

Have you heard anything?

Comments

[alt_bill]

Saw Selwyn striding through the office at a good clip after lunch. He looked grim. I didn't think anything of it, but then Massopust headed out for an unexpected meeting this afternoon, and someone said it was with personnel in MLE.

THEN we were told to fob off all inquiries from the Prophet if they contacted anyone in the department.

[alt_bill]

I'm sorry, I should have said something earlier, but I'm still trying to learn what's going on.

Bloody hell, I wish I had a source somewhere within MLE.

[alt_molly]

Your father just arrived home for dinner at his usual time. Whatever it is, it doesn't involve his department, or Muggle Domestication, either.

[alt_arthur]

No, nor had I caught any rumours before apparating home. Unusually slow day at the office today in fact.

[alt_sirius]

Well, downstairs in the back the talk tonight has been speculation that someone important's been assassinated. Popular opinion is Carrow - but I'm not sure how that could be possible, if we can't even get in to get to Terry.

[alt_molly]

Oh. Oh, my! Oh, if only it could be true.

[alt_molly]

But no, it can't be. Because Percy would be pleased if that were the case. He hated Carrow, too.

[alt_sirius]

Are you sure Percy knows what's going on?

I mean to say, Malfoy kept him for something but that doesn't mean he's on the inside of whatever's happening.

[alt_bill]

If it were Carrow, I doubt that would have meant the look I saw on Selwyn.

Something's up, though. The lights are all burning over at MLE.

[alt_sirius]

Well, at the least, we'd owe whomever it was who did for him a stiff drink. Possibly a medal.

[alt_bill]

At the very least.

[alt_poppy]

Well. Someone is having a stiff drink tonight.

Did you see that Lucius Malfoy made up for our collective deficiency with respect to Minerva's birthday? I took the cue to pop up and check on her just now, and I believe she may have consumed three-fourths of his bottle herself tonight. Unless she's been entertaining--or is working towards the end of a previous bottle. But I rather think it's the first.

[alt_sirius]

You don't think she killed Carrow and didn't tell us anything?

[alt_poppy]

I think she'd have shared her bottle if that had been the case.

No.

I really don't know what has set her off tonight. Mind you, I think she tried to tell me, only I couldn't understand four words in six.

It is something Death Eater related, though, that's certain. She showed me her Mark, which is not something she ever does. I take it that she expects to be summoned before the night is through.