Order Only: Private message to Bill Weasley

[alt_gredforge]

All right then?

We had a good inkling, of course, since we witnessed you learning it.

Do you need us to come home and pour a calming draught down Mum's throat?

Comments

[alt_bill]

Mum already knew. I told her several weeks ago. I probably could have used your help then. She cried buckets, but she's come around. Mostly. Anyway, she understands it's necessary.

I'm...not good, but doing about as well as can be expected, I think.

[alt_gredforge]

Would you have kept it quiet with the rest of the Order forever if Stretton hadn't let the pixies out of the bag?

[alt_bill]

Maybe I would have tried. But I'm starting to think that wouldn't have been right.

Every time I've performed a Cardinal, I've reported it immediately to Alice and Charlie: Alice because she's the Head of the Order and Charlie because, well, he's the one who keeps me honest.

I've also spoken with a few others because yeah, Dad was right. It does tear you up inside. Severus and Sirius have been working to develop a potion to blunt the effects of the Dark Magic residue. And I've discussed other approaches, the mental stuff, with Albus and Fu Lee.

But as for the rest, yeah. I've been hiding it. Because I've been dead ashamed I'm doing this.

Dad always said sunlight drives out the Dark. So maybe it's better that I'm open about it, if I must do it. It might keep more eyes on me than Charlie's to keep me on the straight and narrow.

Terry was right, though. Negotiating this stuff is like balancing on a knife point.

[alt_gredforge]

So you've talked with Terry about it?

[alt_bill]

Not about doing the Cardinals so much as the general underlying ethical issues. What it's like when you have to hurt someone.

I appreciated his insights. I'd say, judging from what he's been through, they've been hard-earned and field tested through experience.