Working . . .

[alt_arthur]

although if I could, I'd be home. Poor Molly came down with the influenza quite suddenly last night. Ginny took to her bed just after her, and Luna looked just as peaky when she showed up for lessons this morning. I'm rather worried about them all, and I wished I could stay home to help, even if I am all thumbs in the sickroom. There was an early morning Floo call, though, about trouble at the Sevenoaks Camp (the Muggle headman there, Charlie Patterson, was knifed to death last night, victim of a stupid drunken brawl he was trying to break up. Great pity; he was a good man. Smashing good violinist, too.) And Warrington has been chuntering on and on about getting the January placement program reports completed and turned in. (Nott has been breathing down his neck because they're fearfully late.) So no use dossing off, I felt obligated to go in.

Fortunately, our neighbor Maisie Diggory took pity on me when I Flooed her in desperation this morning, and came over to look after Molly and the girls (it's certainly not the sort of thing I'd ask of Xeno, particularly knowing the awful stuff he'd probably take it into his head to dose them with). Since getting here I've been working at a steady slog all day; haven't even had a chance to break away for a bit of midday tiffin.

Seems I'm always here late. The department's understaffed, has been for years, due to chronic budget shortfall. The welfare of Muggleborn wizards isn't a particularly high priority for the Ministry, I suppose. Sometimes when I glance over at the clock after hours spent toiling over parchment reports, and I just know Molly's fuming because the dinner's long gone cold, I wonder why I keep staying after Warrington and Jenkins and all the rest have gone home, night after night. But these folders on my desk all represent real people, and I know I'm truly the only one who can help them. So I do hate to let the work slide.

I was in a melancholy mood last night when the young woman who empties the bins came in. I've come to quite look forward to seeing her in the evenings. Nymphadora Tonks, a Hufflepuff, just finished Hogwarts last year. Charming woman, really, bit shy of me at first, but we've had quite a few good chats once I convinced her I really was glad to share a cuppa with her on her breaks. A friendly face can help make the long hours seem not quite so bad.

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[alt_poppy]

Arthur, I'm very sorry to hear about Molly and the girls. This new year is proving terrible for influenza, I'm afraid. I'm seeing more cases than usual here.

If you don't mind my asking, are they mostly feverish or are they also having digestive troubles?

If there is any way that I can be helpful, do, please, let me know.

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[alt_arthur]

Classic influenza, Poppy: fever, aches, chills, respiratory. No digestive upset, although of course they aren't inclined to eat very much. Molly seems about the worst off. I just did another Floo call with Maisie, who said she managed to get each of them to take a bit of soup (I'm going to stuck here for several more hours, blast). Luna is going to spend the night at the house, although we'll check by Floo with Xeno in the morning to make sure he hasn't come down with it.

Maisie has dosed them each with a standard Fever Banishing draught from the corner apothecary, but I don't think we have access to the freshest ingredients here in Ottery St. Catchpole. If they aren't better by tomorrow night, I will let you know.

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[alt_poppy]

Are you feeling quite all right, Arthur? Don't be foolish if you begin to feel unwell -- Floo travel goes from unpleasant to downright dangerous if you put it off until you are fully overcome. If you should find yourself in that state, for goodness sake, get yourself to St. Mungo's.

I trust that Maisie is pushing them to drink as much as they can tolerate. Water is best, but pumpkin juice or a mild camomile tea will do them good -- and help them to rest.

Absolutely let me know if they are not all feeling much better tomorrow.

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[alt_arthur]

A decade ago I would have blithely said 'I never get sick.' After the past few years of seeing what goes on in the camps, however, I've gained a wary respect of what influenza can do, and I'm not such a fool. Merlin, we lost six thousand last winter in the Scarborough camp alone.

I will certainly take care to go home right away if I feel the least bit unwell. Will let you know tomorrow about how Molly and the girls are doing.

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[alt_poppy]

Arthur, I quite forgot it was your birthday. How dreadful!

I'm glad there was cake for you at home, and I trust that by tomorrow Molly will feel well enough to celebrate with you.


I do hope that the rest of the year is an improvement on its beginning.

[alt_nymphadora]

Thanks for the tea, Arthur. I was thinking of trying my hand at making some cake this weekend, I'll bring some in next week if you're brave enough to sample my cooking.

[alt_arthur]

My dear, I'm always brave enough for a bit of cake! But do stop by, cake in hand or not--it is always a pleasure to see you.

[alt_arthur]

Besides, I'm a Gryffindor--I've told you that before, haven't I? We're brave enough for anything!

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[alt_sirius]

Rotten luck, Arthur, and just in time for your birthday, too. Wish them well for me, will you?

Well, here's hoping by next year we'll have you something worth celebrating.

I'd've updated sooner but it's been a bit hectic since getting back. Suddenly there are engagements for Nigel Cullenden left and right.

At any rate, get yourself a strong dose of firewhiskey to ward off the fever and chin up, mate.

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[alt_arthur]

It's certainly not my best birthday ever, true. I think that's what made Molly the most miserable today: here it was my birthday, but she couldn't make me a cake! But Molly being Molly, sick as she was, she still managed to hector Maisie into making one. (I'm home, finally, putting a fork into a piece as I'm writing this now.) A bit ridiculous, since I'm the only one inclined to eat it, but I was still touched. Particularly since I know that the absolute necessity of making a cake for me is the only thing that would have led Molly to allow another woman free run in her kitchen!

I've a glass of Firewhiskey to sip once I'm done with the cake. I'm reliably informed that it's quite miraculous at keeping the influenza away.

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[alt_mcgonagall]

Keep an eye on the Tonks girl, Arthur; I'm quite interested to learn more about that one.