Order Only: The Clock

[alt_molly]

Mr Crouch hasn't replied to Bill, but I simply couldn't bear it any more. So I nipped out to floo home--when Bill wasn't looking, I'll admit--to check the clock.

The hand is now off 'Mortal Peril.' So there's that, at least.

I'm back at 12 Grimmauld Place. Just in case.

Comments

[alt_molly]

I don't want him to go to the wedding.

[alt_bill]

I'm going. I told you. It would look more suspicious if I skipped it, and we need the gossip.

[alt_bill]

And you're being hypocritical, Mum, to argue it'd be too big of a risk for me to go, when you took the risk of flooing home to the Burrow when my back was turned.

[alt_alice]

I agree with Bill on this one, Molly. There'll be quite a few people on edge there, so if he's nervous it won't stand out at all.

And if Barty Crouch had his eyes set on Bill, that clock hand would still be on Mortal Peril, I have no doubt.

[alt_poppy]

Well, that's a relief.

I suppose that's a family heirloom, that clock? I wonder if we could find someone able to make them now. It would be terribly useful to have such a thing to reassure us all when we have people off doing goodness knows what all over the place.

[alt_severus]

Quite. Though Crouch is perfectly capable of changing his mind at a moment's notice. It is vital, however, that when engaged in subterfuge, one does not change one's behaviour from expected.

I suggest being exquisitely careful not to meet Bellatrix Lestrange's eyes, however.

[alt_frank]

I've got a feeling mine would get stuck on mortal peril out of principle.

[alt_charlie]

Haven't you been in mortal peril for about as long as some of us have been alive?

[alt_frank]

...probably.

[alt_nymphadora]

It's what I appreciate most about this outfit: learning to manage mortal peril from the best of the best!

[alt_sirius]

Frank's always been my model for cheating death.

Incidentally, I think we ought to try to get as many of us as can come this afternoon. After we square away our working relationship with the New Aldrich estate, we have loads to discuss.

Albus doesn't think he should leave Hogwarts but he and I talked a little bit while Harry was sleeping. We watched his memory again and - well.

We all need to talk. Urgently.

[alt_alice]

Agreed.

Poppy, Pomona, Minerva, Bill, I'd imagine your attendance at the wedding is rather necessary. Everyone else who can possibly come to the farm should -- and those who weren't there yesterday can get let in properly, which would be a good idea.

Severus, can you get away from Hogwarts?

[alt_severus]

Unfortunately, I am one of the staff remaining at the castle to supervise those who will not be attending the wedding.

Private Message to Severus

[alt_alice]

I see.

Have you had a chance to see Harry yet, Severus?

Re: Private Message to Severus

[alt_severus]

I spent some time with him yesterday, but that was before the incident. We then spoke briefly this afternoon. He is in better shape than I would expect, but he is still painfully aware of the Prophecy and what it will require of him, and I suspect that in a day or so the true scope of what has happened will sink in.

We must be very careful neither to downplay his prophecied role, nor to place too much of an unconscionable burden on his shoulders alone. He is already far too used to the idea that no one will help him but himself, but likewise we must not cut him out entirely.

Re: Private Message to Severus

[alt_alice]

I'm glad you've had the chance to see him.

I can only imagine what sort of burdens he's placed there himself, especially this past term.

I believe that once we formally induct him and the rest of his group to the Order, he'll feel a bit less alone in all of this, and we can work on solutions together.

It's all a bit overwhelming to think of -- but I ought to have known that defeating our dear Lord Protector would involve something a great deal more complex than simply killing him.