A rather late night last night

[alt_arthur]

Molly decided to go to New London to spend some time with Bill this weekend, now that the children are off to Hogwarts. So I was alone last night when I received a rather unexpected visit from a few chaps from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. It seems that they had a few questions about Ronald's rather unorthodox method of getting to Hogwarts this year. Given that young Harry Marvolo accompanied him, they felt (quite rightly, I'm sure) that perhaps the questions were urgent enough that they couldn't wait until I showed up again at work on Monday morning. Since I was, of course, most anxious to do everything I could to set minds at ease, I accompanied them back to the Ministry, and we chatted rather late into the night. I'm home again now, as is Molly. I trust that all the Ministry's queries have been entirely satisfied.

Comments

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[alt_kingsley]

It's welcome news that you're home again, Arthur. I assume that means they couldn't find anything to charge you with. Are they going to let it go at that, my friend?

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[alt_arthur]

I think it will be all right. I'm absolutely sure there wasn't anything at the Burrow that would give them any excuse to make trouble.

They did mess up the place a good deal. Molly's most upset.

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[alt_bill]

Dad, you know as well as I do that if Lucius Malfoy doesn't have an excuse to make trouble, then he's perfectly happy to manufacture one out of thin air.

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[alt_arthur]

Yes, well, I think it's best not to dwell on possibilities like that. The point is to appear calm, as if we don't have anything to hide.

It helped, I think, that Crockford was leading the interrogation. I knew about his boy Cal from Fred and George. Used to be a Beater on the Slytherin team, and is quite the young thug, always getting into trouble. So I harped quite a bit on the theme of "boys will be boys," and I think that had a sympathetic audience with him.

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[alt_molly]

Upset? Upset!?! I think I have a right to be upset. Did you see what they did in the bedrooms? And in my kitchen? And in my cellar? What gives them the right, those miserable, ruddy wankers!

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[alt_lupin]

Very relieved to hear that you got home safely, Arthur.

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[alt_arthur]

It was about as tight a corner as I've been in any time these past five years. Between you and me, I'm very relieved to be home safely, too.

I have a hunch we're not entirely out of the Forbidden Forest yet, though. From what Crockford said, it sounds as though there will be a fine levied.

Trust Lucius bleeding Malfoy to find a way to soak me for money.

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[alt_frank]

Stephen's got a few potions he's been saving for a rainy day that would go for a good price on the black market. you need some quick cash, Fletcher can always sell em.

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[alt_alice]

Oh, my goodness. I was so worried! I'll have you know Frank was up in arms and ready to come blast you out of the Ministry if need be.

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[alt_frank]

damn straight.

glad you lot are in one piece and all accounted for, otherwise I would have had to make some serious trouble.

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[alt_arthur]

Yes, well, I'm certainly glad to avoid all that.

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[alt_molly]

Merlin forbid, we don't want to draw more fire now! But I understand the feeling.

Thank you, Alice. I feel a little better now. Arthur's made me a pot of tea--in the one unsmashed teapot we have left!

I hope the children aren't too upset that I had to leave so abruptly last night, without even saying goodbye. Do give them all my love.

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[alt_alice]

I'll be sure to tell them all. You'll be getting a packet of thank-you notes in the post soon.

I'm so very sorry, Molly. They are wankers. All of them.

Can you repair the damage, at least?

[alt_percy]

You were taken in for questioning? Is everything all right, Dad? You were able to convince them that there's nothing to it, weren't you?

[alt_arthur]

Well, I think everything has been more or less cleared up, son.

Things are a little higgledy-piggledy here. The MLE was, er, a trifle over-enthusiastic while they were looking around the Burrow.

[alt_percy]

They searched the Burrow? For Merlin's sake, why?

Ronald ought to be hexed.

[alt_ron]

They arrested you?! For what happened with me and Harry?

That's so wrong! They had no right!!

[alt_percy]

They had every right, you stupid nit. And what in Merlin's name did you expect when you decided to announce to the entire world that Dad had charmed that car?

[alt_arthur]

Now, now, it's not as bad as that. I wasn't arrested, Ron, but I was taken in for questioning. Well, it's only to be expected that the Lord Protector would be rather upset that his son disappeared on the way to school. As I know from personal experience.

[alt_ron]

What do you mean, they had every right? It wasn't illegal. Dad wouldn't do something if it was against the law. What are they saying he did wrong?

[alt_ron]

Er. Are you okay?

And Mum?

[alt_arthur]

Yes, I'm quite all right, my boy.

Your mother's still rather, er, disgruntled, but she'll come around.

[alt_sally_anne]

Mr Weasley are your bees alright? And the chickens? Did they

[alt_luna]

I'm so sorry that you had such an uncomfortable time of it, Mr Weasley. I hope you and Mrs Weasley are quite all right. I remember when my father was visited by the Ministry. It was rather unplesent.

(I sent an owl to my father, asking him to give you a Floo call to see how you are both doing.)

[alt_molly]

It was very kind of you to think of that, dear. We did hear from him this afternoon, and we appreciate your good wishes.