Private Message to Narcissa Malfoy

[alt_crouch_jr]

Narcissa.

Not going to make it to Katyenka this afternoon.

Has Bella been to see you? Suppose that's unlikely. Look. We got called last night to Nymphadora Ponds' shop. Turns out to have been a centre and cover for resistance activity. And it turns out they've been hiding Sirius Black there--as the family dog.

Have been in interrogation ever since, and only have a moment now, but didn't want you to go to the trouble of coming into town only to be stood up.

The three of them--your cousin, your niece, and the mousy husband (who was not, it turns out, actually 'Junius Ponds')--all three of them got away from us and are on the run. Most likely, they're all holed up in the Black house on Grimmauld Place, but obviously if you hear from Nymphadora with some story about needing shelter, do welcome her in. And call us.

You know she's expecting again? (You can guess how merry Bella is to think that even the pregnant woman got away from her...)

Comments

[alt_narcissa]

That's - quite a revelation, dear.

Should I write to Dora or would it send too clear a signal you're hoping to entrap her?

I take it there's no doubt she's colluded with the other two and wasn't simply a dupe?

There simply must be a way to reach the elf. If they haven't killed it already. I shall think on it.

[alt_crouch_jr]

It would seem more than coincidental, I think. Unless you did know about this pregnancy? If so, you might try it. Writing today it might be just barely conceivable that the timing was coincidence. Have you seen her since she visited at Cottesmore?

No doubt about her involvement, no.

The elf could be useful. Very.

[alt_narcissa]

Not since that visit, no. Though she did tell me about the child; I thought rather little of it at the time.

Now, though, one wonders.

And one wonders if ....

[alt_crouch_jr]

If?

[alt_narcissa]

I'm not sure.

If Black is as stupid as I remember, he'll not have bothered to touch the contents of Walburga's home. Which might mean we have a spy who can't be compelled to obey him.

I can't believe I didn't think of it before.

[alt_crouch_jr]

What are you thinking?

[alt_narcissa]

Phineas Nigellus.

[alt_crouch_jr]

That's a brilliant idea. Truly. Walburga did have one of his portraits.

Reg and I used to talk to him sometimes. Being idiots. He'd get disgusted with us quickly, but that was the point, rather. Annoying him.

Haven't thought of that in years.

It would be useful if they still have him hanging. Wonder what the chances are.