WHO: Sturgis Podmore & Caroline Dufort-Podmore. WHAT: Short conversation concerning a difficult decision. WHEN: Saturday, December 30th. WHERE: Their unregistered home in Vicarstown, Ireland. WARNINGS: N/A.
“I don’t remember going out this much when I was there age,” Sturgis said as he leaned against the kitchen counter. The sounds of the twin’s apparitions lingered in the air for another moment before they were replaced with the sounds of the cats running around in the upstairs hallway. Sighing, he folded his arms across his chest and looked across the small island at his wife. “I suppose there is more for them to do these days. We had films and pubs. They have escape rooms and pop-up restaurants.”
“Escape rooms seem like fun,” said the cursebreaker, taking a sip of her whiskey. With Dedalus’s home going up in flames, her nerves were rung tighter than usual. “Any chance we could keep them in one for the rest of the war?” If it was her escape room, not even Amelia could hack her way out of it.
Despite the somber tone of her comment, Sturgis smiled at Caroline. “They’re smart kids. They’d figure out how to escape in no time at all,” he informed her, though he was positive she already knew that.
“Well.” She took another sip. “They have two even smarter people as parents. We need to get them out of here. Like six months ago.”
Nodding, he pushed himself away from the counter and took a few steps to where the whisky bottle was located. Sturgis said nothing as he grabbed his own glass and poured the alcohol into it without bothering to go for any ice. “I would argue more like a year ago,” he answered once the drink was poured. “Either way, you’re right.”
“They're not going to like it. Amelia especially.” She believed in the right of the Order's young people to protect their own, to fight for those without the means or the ability to fight for themselves. Death Eaters weren't even bothered by the presence of a seven year old; they wouldn't bat an eye at murdering an eighteen year old.
But their own children? That was something different.
“My parents can take them,” she added. “They can train them.”
“We have to do it in a way that won’t raise any suspicion.” That part went without saying. Sturgis wasn’t sure about the status of international travel at the moment, but he didn’t want any sudden movement to raise questions within the Death Eater Ministry. “I don’t know. An official job offer or something. We can come up with something plausible.”
“Training is plausible.” Caroline's expression didn't waver. “It's also the only way we'll ever get Amelia to leave. Officially they can both be enrolled in programmes in South America. In reality, at my parents’ place in the Alps.”
Sturgis nodded. “Enrolled in programmes in South America,” he echoed before finally taking a large gulp of the whisky. “Sounds like a wonderful opportunity.”
“They would be mad not to take it.” She clinked her glass against his, a sour smile on her face. “Happy pre-New Year.”
“Happy Fucking New Year,” he said before downing the rest of his drink and reaching for the bottle once again.