The MLE's report concerning the Burrow has been finalised

[alt_arthur]

Well, Molly has tried to put a cheerful face on things, saying that the little visit we received from the friendly chaps at the department of MLE probably means that the old place has gotten a rather deeper fall house cleaning than she might ordinarily do.

In all fairness, she has been telling me to clear out that shed for years. Well, that's one way to get it done.

Crockford told me this morning that the MLE concluded that given that Ronald was, er, instrumental in the disappearance of the Lord Protector's son for a period of time between one and ten hours long, a fine seemed to be the most appropriate response. Specifically, Molly and I'll being losing several installments of our Repopulation Rewards stipend. I'm to stop by the offices of the Offices of Purity Control to sign the parchment work Gregory Dunstan has prepared for me.

I'm certainly relieved that this decision brings this unfortunate episode to a satisfactory close. It could have indeed been much worse, and we are very grateful to the Ministry for their forebearance and understanding, given all the factors involved.

Comments

[alt_luna]

What is the 'Repopulation Rewards' stipend, Mr Weasley?

[alt_arthur]

Well, the Department of Purity Control is anxious to promote a higher birthrate, you understand, Luna, particularly given the--well. They just want more wizards. There's a programme that the Department is promoting, the Ouroboros Initiative. They award stipends to families who have three or more children of school age. So it's a little sum of money that Molly and I receive every month, but they'll be taking that away for a period of time. Just temporarily, you understand.

[alt_luna]

Oh. They don't want you to have more babies after all?

[alt_percy]

Not if they're like Ron, possibly.

[alt_luna]

I wish I could be there to help Mrs Weasley with the canning this year, like Ginny and I helped her last year. I'm not sure Daddy will be able to put up much of his own harvest, either, if I'm not there to help.

[alt_molly]

I just had a wonderful surprise today, Luna, dear. Several of my neighbours got together and brought me some of their own harvest they'd put up. Just a few jars from each, you know, but all together, it will certainly help us get through the winter.

I'll go over to Xeno's tomorrow afternoon, dear, and see how he is doing at putting together his own winter stores. He seemed sadly helpless last year, and I'm sure he's missing your help, too. Anyway, I'll check on him to make sure he'll have enough. If not, I'm sure I have enough to share from what my neighbours have given me.

[alt_luna]

Oh, thanks, Mrs Weasley!

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[alt_molly]

Grateful! Those miserable, INSUFFERABLE--Arthur, they tore through our house like--like--like someone had overturned a cage of nasty Cornish pixies!

Well, I suppose that if they can swallow the lie that we're grateful to them, they're stupid enough to swallow anything.

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[alt_arthur]

Now, Molly. You have everything back in perfect order, my dear. No one could tell that anything was out of place. And we will manage, even with the cut in income.

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[alt_molly]

Unless you go down into the cellar. Or out into the shed.

Oh, Arthur, I can't tell you how sorry I am now that I ever uttered a single word of complaint about your silly little plug collection.

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[alt_bill]

Have you finished the canning yet, Mum? How much of your harvest did they destroy?

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[alt_molly]

I've been working night and day since I managed to pull the kitchen back into shape. Fortunately, Alice was able to scavage quite a few mason jars from Peel Village--she shrunk them all to thimble size and sent them to me by owl, so I had supplies to use. I have about a third of the number of jars on my shelves that I had last year.

I don't know how we'll get through the winter, Bill. I just don't.

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[alt_bill]

And they took everything that was out in the shed? Everything?

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[alt_molly]

Every last scrap of it, yes. They didn't leave him so much as a single eckeltric toothbrush!

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[alt_frank]

very politic of you, mate.

glad to hear they're out of your hair, though.

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[alt_frank]

the offer for those black-market potions still stands, if you've a mind. would give us a chance to test the waters, so to speak.

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[alt_sirius]

It's a good idea, Frank - certainly there will always be staples enough in the stockroom at Laszlo, assuming we can keep her running, but I see no reason we can't subsidise the Weasley household where needed. And testing out the network with a few well-placed potions is as good a way as any to generate the dosh.

Still, Molly, we'd never let you lot starve. Remus will skim off the top for us all; that's part of the point.

Oh, that reminds me - I've got to see someone about ordering more sugar, black pepper and curry powder. The batches I sent likely won't last long.