ORDER ONLY: No news may be good news.

[alt_mcgonagall]

Sirius, it may relieve you to know that I have heard nothing about Regulus or Sanji that would lead me to suspect that they are at all related. I would not trust my own knowledge, of course; but Lucius Malfoy, whatever his flaws, is a father, and I cannot help but think that his paternal instincts - at least in private -

In any case, having spoken to Lucius, I can confidently say that he knows nothing of Sanji's whereabouts that is bad.

The incident, however, has caused such tumult at Hogwarts that I cannot express it. Of course, one's heart goes out to the Patils; but for me it is more than just that. It was heartbreaking to see their interactions with Parvati and Padma, of course. But the atmosphere was so bad already and has only gotten worse, particularly in Ravenclaw Tower. Students are upset; I have dealt with more problems personally in the past week than I had in months past. It seems as though the older students are irritable and snappish and the younger ones - even though they've drawn together in the time of crisis - friable and hysterical. 

Only Luna Lovegood, strangely enough, seems to be a bastion of calm and silence in the middle of the Ravenclaws. She is a bizarre girl, but somehow I had expected otherwise - that she would do something, say something that seemed like typical grieving. But she hasn't, not at all. Molly, Arthur, have you submitted your application to adopt her yet? Is there anything you'd like to say to her?

Comments

[alt_alice]

Oh, Sirius.

It does.

And I don't think you've ever stopped being one.

You could have just walked away. Gave up. Roger did with me.

And I know how much it hurts you to keep trying to reach him over and over again, but there's no doubt that you love him. And he knows it.

I'm not sure if it is enough, but Merlin, Sirius, if he's turning to a child for support, he certainly needs it.

[alt_sirius]

He knows it?

'that's why you didn't love us' he said.

And I did walk away. He thinks I left him when I left them.

Maybe he's right but

Well, he was so concerned with taking up Father's point of view that it was impossible to reason with him. Plus he was always writing terrible poetry that would have put William McGonagall to shame. (No offence, Minerva!)

Still.

I do think the connection to young Pansy Parkinson is telling. They're very alike, you know. But don't forget, she first became fascinated with him when she was staying with my Mother, which could drive anyone to develop an ulcer!

Oh, I don't know.

Roger, if you don't mind my saying it, was a pillock then and he's still a pillock now. I know he was protecting his family but that's no excuse.

[alt_alice]

You've fought for his soul ever since he started writing in here, love.

He knows.

You can't change what you did when you were young. And at the very least, you've had a chance to address it now, as best as you can.

Roger... well... he had a very narrow definition of family. One that didn't include me. So I've had to make a family of my own. And you're part of it, you know.

[alt_sirius]

I may be fighting a losing battle, Allie.

I hate to lose.

And you don't have to tell me about the kinfolk we choose, as opposed to the ones we're born to. You, James and Lily, his parents - I'd've gone spare if I hadn't had them, and Remus and even Peter, back when I left home.

But I know that doesn't make the break any easier to bear.

Anyway - Nigel's got to go be the life of the party. Sylvie's here with her team so I'd best get along before she gets curious about my correspondence.

[alt_alice]

I know. But no-one can fault you for trying.

You keep safe, now, my love.