bait_backup | So I will walk through the fire, 'cause where else can I turn?

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So I will walk through the fire, 'cause where else can I turn?

*They have put up tents half a mile from a werewolf camp. It's probably the most idiotic thing Fabian has done in years, which is truly saying something, but Alice was right - all they can do is use this opportunity to try and get to the bottom of things for the Order, even if the Ministry is barking up a seriously wrong, cannibalistic tree. Greyback's folks are a problem either way. Fabian isn't happy about being here - there'd been another uncharacteristically serious conversation with Gideon this morning, and a goodbye that'd hedged on a little too final - but if they're here, they're here. He's going to do a good job of this even if Umbridge is a sadistic cow.

So. They're going to make this work. He's left Sirius and Alice to finish setting up camp while he goes to get water from the nearby river, which he's just now coming back with. They're a few miles from the village of Halkirk, but if they can stay out of the Muggles' notice, that'd be best all around. They've got a few hours left to nightfall and, Fabian's hoping, they can maybe get some poking around done before dark. As he re-appears up the hill levitating about five buckets of water with him, he flashes the pair of them a smile that's nearly up to his usual standards.*

Everything coming together alright?

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Born ready, Alice, m'love!

*He calls it back cheekily to her with a quick smile over his shoulder, and keeps walking.*

And ta, point. In which case it's an even better chance to figure out where we need to be to do what, the day after.

*Marching out of the protective wards like this doesn't actually make Sirius nervous. Sirius doesn't really get nervous about putting himself in danger. It's Alice and Fabian he's keeping an eye out for, particularly Alice. For all her skill and deftness, she's been out and handling more diapers than werewolves for months. Though she performed spectacularly with Barty, that wasn't combat. So Sirius is careful, pointed, and quiet, watching the woods and Alice as they walk into the forest.*

--And what's the plan here, then? "Hi, you're responsible for these dementor attacks, was just hoping to take you on a jaunt to London to talk to a pink nightmare with a bow on top?"

Personally, I thought I might bake them a cake, then ask.

Ah, cake, the werewolf's only weakness. Chocolate, I hope?

*He's thinking of Remus, of course, but he wonders if his penchant for chocolate is just a Remus thing or a werewolf thing. He has a sudden image of a filthy, feral human delicately choosing chocolates out of a box.*

So just reconnaissance for now.

Chocolate and veritaserum, actually.

*Alice smiles at them. In some strange way, she can't help but enjoy this.*

Recon, yes. But do we have any plan for if we run into anyone unexpected?

We back off, if they haven't seen us. I don't want to tangle with any of them until after the full moon. And tomorrow I want to talk to the villagers - there's a few witches and wizards - see if they've heard anything, if there's been Dementors around.

But - if we have to tangle - aim to disable, not kill. We need information and nobody's any good dead.

*Sirius has never killed a werewolf and doesn't intend to start now, but that's another reason to watch Alice. He's not sure what she'll do, if push came to shove.*

And if they don't want to talk to us at all?

*Alice is walking faster now, a little ahead of the men. She looks over her shoulder, eyebrow cocked and smile widening.*

Then let them eat cake.

*It's a good question, and Fabian's perfectly aware of why Sirius is asking. He's got much the same concerns about Alice - he trusts her with his life, and he's terribly fond of her, but they have some fundamental differences when it comes to methods. He gives him a nod that's just this side of significant.*

Veritaserium. Exactly. I brought some from the office, it's in the tent if we need it.

*Sirius' head just catches the nod, and he barely acknowledges it, looking further. He could have sworn he heard something rustling, out there, somewhere in the brush, but it's probably just a rabbit. Or a deer.

Or a werewolf.*

--Did you hear that?

*Going from mildly serious to all business in a heartbeat, Fabian goes very still, looking around at the thickening trees. He shakes his head once but doesn't verbally answer, listening closely.*

*Alice doesn't stop, she doesn't want to make it look to obvious if there is someone out there. She gets her wand at the ready under the cloak, treading more softly.*

*Sirius keeps walking, treading carefully, and finally shakes his head.*

It's probably nothing.

*Fabian catches up, not looking particularly sure.*

Maybe. How sluggish should we be expecting them to be, two days out?

Not sluggish at all. Snappish. Hyper-aware, kind of, like you are when you're annoyed and hungry but not tired.

*Or, at least, Remus is, and that's why Fabian is asking anyway.*

They get sluggish after the moon, not so much before. But it takes everyone different, so I can't say for sure.

Oh, good. Grouchy cannibals. This'll be fun.

Maybe next time we can invite her along to join the party.

Oooh, can we? She can go in first. Since it's her party anyway.

Oh, you know she'd just spoil the fun. I would bet five Galleons she was the kid who cried at other children's birthday parties because she wasn't getting all the attention.

Just five?

*He's relaxing again, flashing Alice a grin and twirling his wand between his fingers.*

And you're assuming she was ever a child. My money's on her being spawned from something unholy and altogether gross.

You mean the most pure and honourable house of Black?

You forgot noble. They like to stick noble in there too.

Hah! Point Longbottom. You see, this is why I needed you two, this right here. Werewolves. Pfft. It's just too hard to take the piss about Umbridge if you're solo. That's the thing.

*Alice laughs and puts her arm around Fabian.*

That, and I actually did bring cake.

You did no such thing.

You're brilliant. Not already full of serum, I hope?

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