Pheobe seemed not to notice the three men's reactions.
"He went back to the Burrow yesterday and took pictures of everyone. He said he'd send them all to Charlie so he could feel the family's warm... er, what's the word again? He also said he'd show me how Muggle mailboxes work."
"Warmth."
Douglas corrected her, casually pushing a plate of pig's brain a little farther away from Pheobe.
"All right, Bill, come down. If you don't start eating, the lamb will oxidize."
Bill finally pressed the shutter one last time, satisfied.
He jumped down from the chair and showed everyone the screen.
"Look, how's this one? Mum looks so happy, though a second later she started shouting because Fred was trying to stuff a gnome down George's collar. The resolution isn't great, either."
Douglas leaned over for a look and remarked casually.
"It's a new product, after all. It's only become somewhat mature this year. It'll get better."
The screen showed a group photo of the Weasley family in the Burrow's garden.
Molly Weasley wore her old floral apron, a radiant smile on her face as she tried hard to draw Ginny into her arms.
Ginny looked a little cool, her chin slightly raised, already carrying something of a queen's presence.
Ron stood in a corner, looking miserable.
The Twins were pulling faces in the background, holding some unidentified alchemical products that seemed specifically designed for gnomes.
It was lively.
It was warm.
But one person was missing.
Douglas's gaze lingered on the photo for two seconds. He said nothing, merely picking up the slotted spoon and starting to lower meat into the red broth.
"Percy's not there."
Sirius Black, sitting opposite Douglas, suddenly spoke.
"You didn't try getting in touch with him?"
Sirius speared a piece of freshly cooked