Private message to Alice Longbottom

[alt_jason]

Evening, Lady L. Though you're not the Lady L. I usually address.

Perhaps you've heard of me from Rachel--though if you haven't, then I'll have quite a bit of explaining to do.

In any case, I think it's time that we have a conversation.

Comments

[alt_alice]

Yes, Mr Montague. I've talked with Rachel about you quite often, and I can anticipate what you'd like to talk about, to a certain extent.

But please, do let me know what you'd like to discuss.

I know you wouldn't write me directly unless it was very much needed.

[alt_jason]

I'm somewhere safe. A fideliused property to which I'm the secret keeper. And I have two people with me. Seamus Finnigan and Ginny Weasley.

Ginny is physically unharmed, though I do have her sedated right now. I had to take her away against her will, and she won't be pleased when she rouses and realises.

I have an interest in Seamus' future, just as I believe you have an interest in Ginny's. Has Rachel discussed any of the matter with you?

[alt_alice]

Yes, she has.

Merlin, I am

I am so very grateful that you were able to remove Ginny. Thank you.

The terms, as I understand them, are that in exchange for Ginny turned over to us in her current condition, you would agree to work under Rachel as an Auror, and Seamus Finnigan would receive amnesty after taking an Unbreakable Vow placing limits the Cardinals and Dark Magic and agreeing to regular check-ins with security.

I realise that this is a compromise on both our parts, and am willing to extend this offer as head of the Order and with the full backing and support of the Transitional Government of Albion.

I believe personally that this is a worthy thing we're both attempting to do, and will accept Mr Finnigan's amnesty.

I can send over an owl with the precise wording of the Unbreakable Vow, and specifics regarding the nature and frequency of these check-ins if that would suit.

[alt_jason]

You're quite welcome. She didn't belong there.

And neither, it would seem, did I.

Yes, that was more or less the arrangement I discussed with Rachel. Though I would like to request that I be allowed to stay with Seamus. He'll do better if that's the case. I understand you have personal reasons to mistrust and dislike him, but I know the history behind the actions he took and the decisions he made. As such, I would ask you and your people to remember that he only ever did what was asked of him by the people he had no choice but to put his trust in.

I'm also sending evac. instructions to my parents and brother momentarily.

Also, you may have heard that I'm a occlumens and legilimens. So that means I can't be checked over by yours. Is that a problem?

[alt_alice]

Your abilities aren't a problem in the least.

And yes -- to be honest, when Rachel first raised the idea of Mr Finnigan's being permanently deported as a possible solution, it struck me as something that was far less than ideal for you, and, frankly, for him as well.

I'd rather have someone who wants to be here and has good reason to stay working for us. And I'd rather have someone who is, after all, very young be given the opportunity to turn his life around rather than be abandoned and left vulnerable for further radicalisation. It is far more palatable to accept Seamus Finnigan as a citizen who follows the laws of the land and has support than face him as a future enemy.

Indeed, I see a great many benefits to your remaining together.

And while I have my doubts regarding Mr Finnigan, I trust Rachel's judgement, and through her, your intentions.

[alt_jason]

I look forward to meeting you in person and seeing if you really mean that.

Where I come from, such noble talk is almost always slight-of-hand, if not a full-bodied lie.

I should warn you that I'm not particularly noble, so don't appoint me to make your speeches. But I'll work in whatever capacity is required of me, as I always have.

Do you run this show all on your own?

Will it bother you if I call you Lady L?

Because the contrast is really too amusing for me to ignore.

[alt_alice]

I'm a Hufflepuff, love.

We tend to value practicality a great deal.

I'd say our system is a rather hectic mix of committees, group consensus, and meetings, but whenever things need to really get moving, or tricky decisions need to be made, I do have that rather dubious responsibility, yes. And they do tend to listen, at least for the time being. Merlin knows why.

And Mr Montague, you're returning Ginny Weasley. You can call me whatever you bloody well please.

Within reason, of course.

[alt_jason]

Ah, within reason--good girl. You don't want to give someone like me too much leeway where that's concerned.

I think your Owl's arrived.

Where shall we go when he's finished taking the Vow?

[alt_alice]

Hm. Rachel had better receive the Vow, I think. This will be a tough sell to some of our people, and I will do my level best, but it'll help vastly if there is concrete and unassailable assurance that it's been carried out in full.

You can certainly be the binder, if that would work for you both.

Rachel and one of her Aurors can meet you, Mr Finnigan, and Ginny at the Three Broomsticks. It'd be easier all round if Ginny were kept under sedation, I believe.

[alt_jason]

Very well. We can be there in an hour.

[alt_alice]

That'll do rather nicely, Mr Montague.

I look forward to our continued acquaintance.

And thank you for Ginny. Truly. From the bottom of my heart. A deal is one thing, love, but this goes beyond that.

[alt_jason]

You're welcome, Lady L.

[alt_alice]

I know our terms didn't explicitly cover your immediate family.

Please know that if they wish to live and work here among us, and are amenable to following our laws, there will be a place for them here, and we will help with any security concerns they may have -- which will be considerable in the immediate future, I'd imagine.

[alt_jason]

That sounds just fine. I'll see that they're made aware of their options.