&dorcas.001 - Blog Posts
dorcxsmdws:
…
“I know,” she said softly. And she did know. She did know that she was doing this well, and she knew that what she was doing was important, crucial even. But that didn’t make it any easier. It didn’t make it easier to give up her whole life, to throw herself into danger every day. But she’d rather it be her than anyone else. She knew that she could handle it. “Hopefully we can end this sooner rather than later so that we can all have a little bit of peace.” She smiled at her. “Eavesdropping is how I find nearly everything I give you guys, so don’t underestimate it. Men are sexist and will talk in front of you like you’re not even there. Use it against them.”
She shook her head. “But I haven’t really tried. When a few more people get here I’ll head upstairs and see what I can find. You’re just as pregnant as Lily is, are you sure that you’ll be okay all night? Especially without Frank?”
...
Alice sighed, nodding in agreement with Dorcas but keeping her face neutral to keep up the illusion that they were merely making small talk. It was safer for Dorcas to interact with her than most members of the Order, but they still needed to be careful. Alice would be shocked if her cousins within the Dark Lord’s ranks didn’t have their suspicions about her own loyalty. “Yes, please Merlin just let this be over soon,” she breathed, her hands subconsciously moving to cradle her bump. Giving Dorcas an understanding smile, Alice chuckled. “Remind me to take you out for a beer when all of this is over. In fact, I think all of us will owe you free beers for life.” It wasn’t even the beginning of what they would all owe Dorcas for the danger she was putting herself in, but it was something.
Alice waved her hand. “Oh, I’ll be fine. My parents are around here somewhere, and good manners dictate that my cousins have to be polite to me.” There was a benefit to being a Rosier, even if most of the time she would much rather have nothing to do with her extended family. She kept up the relationships anyway, knowing that those connections were invaluable in this war. Alice reached out to touch Dorcas’ arm. “Be careful,” she said seriously. “Even if they trust you, they won’t be too keen on finding you snooping through the house.”
dorcxsmdws:
…
“You’re of plenty use,” she said softly. It never sat well with her when people downplayed their strength or usefulness, and although Alice didn’t necessarily need a self-esteem boost, she still deserved to know that she could be an important asset and pregnant at the same time. “Nearly no one else has the same access you do. I’m a halfblood, you know? I’ve been working at this for nearly a year now and the trust is still only minimal. Enough that I overhear important things, but not enough that I’m told them, anyway. You’ll be a good asset down here while I try to run interference where I can.”
When she started all of this she would never have had such a frank conversation in a room full of people, but she had quickly learned that no one expected a secret conversation to be held in a room full of people – but the background noise made eavesdropping more difficult. “I don’t like when things are out of my control,” she admitted. “I’m good at this, I get why this is my mission, but it makes me nervous when others, who are less used to their tactics, have to put themselves at risk. But it should all be fine. It’s – it’s fairly simple.”
...
Alice listened intently to what Dorcas was saying, appreciating that the younger witch considered her useful despite how far along she was in her pregnancy. Giving her a sympathetic frown, Alice glanced over to where Bellatrix and Rodolphus were greeting guests. “You’re doing a great job,” she murmured, looking back at Dorcas. “It takes time to do what you’re doing, to gain the kind of trust we’re after. And I may be a pureblood, but my cousin knows me well enough to suspect my allegiances, so I’m fairly certain I only received an invitation because of my maiden name.” She laughed. “Still, I’m glad to be here, and I’ll do what I can to protect our people and eavesdrop for any useful information.”
Alice sighed, nodding her agreement at Marlene’s statement. She felt the same way every time she watched a young Order member go into battle or on a mission. They were eager and skilled, of course, but until you had seen as much of this war as people like Alice and Moody and Dorcas had, there was a certain naiveté that always put you at risk. “I know,” she said softly, thinking of all the people here tonight that she would have preferred to keep home. “Paulie and Lily really shouldn’t be here, but Moody wanted to let anyone who volunteered come. Personally, I’m not sure this mission is really worth the risk.” Alice looked into Dorcas’ eyes. “Have you heard anything so far?”
dorcxsmdws:
@alicelxngbottom
She was grateful for people like Alice – the ones who both knew her and that she could still speak publicly too. The event had just begun, and people were still milling in the main room when she spotted Alice from across the dance floor. Grabbing a glass of water and a cup of champagne for herself she walked over to where she was standing – she passed her the water and smiled. “A nice turnout, don’t you think? And still so early in the evening.”
She didn’t know Alice well, not really. She had worked with her. She trusted her. But she didn’t know her – she didn’t know her favorite color or how she took her tea or her third favorite dragon. It was a small distinction, but it was an important one for Dorcas, who had never been great at opening up to most people. “How are you doing? I’m sure it’s a bit uncomfortable, but there are lots of people who are glad you made it, I’m sure.”
...
Alice was grateful for her status as a pureblood cousin of Bellatrix Lestrange that got her an invite to this party, but she was wishing (not for the first time) that Frank were back from his mission and here with her. As an Auror and a high ranking member of the Order, Alice was no rookie when it came to dangerous situations, but the eight month bump she was sporting made her feel exceptionally nervous about the mission she knew her fellow Order members were currently executing. Somehow she had managed to avoid suspicions about her loyalty from her father’s family, and with her firstborn child about to arrive, it seemed necessary to keep things that way. But if something were to go wrong and one of the Order members were caught, Alice knew she couldn’t just stand by and watch.
So she was feeling a little on edge as Dorcas Meadowes approached her with a glass of water in hand. Relieved for a bit of company (especially from one whose position was similarly delicate), Alice smiled in welcome to the younger woman. Gratefully taking the water, Alice nodded. “I’m glad to be here too,” she replied quietly, her gaze once more sweeping across the crowd for any familiar figures. “I know I’m not much use right now, but it feels good to just be here.” She motioned to her belly with a slight laugh before turning her gaze back to Dorcas. “How are you? I’m sure this is all very nerve wracking for you.”
