~Letters~*
July 20, 1994. Fifteen years later.
Lucius sat at his desk in his office in Malfoy manor, his fingers pressed against his temples. The ministry had been sending him letter after letter regarding the complexities of the inner workings of the tri-wizard tournament being hosted at Hogwarts this upcoming school year. Lucius had been requested to arrange the transport of Dragons from Bulgaria, to procure life warranty protection papers from the ministry for all the students attending the tournament at all three schools, and to arrange the construction and delivery of the portkey used in the final round. He had stacks of letters around him and there was just too much to do in only two months time. Narcissa quietly walked into the office and timidly stood before him. He looked up at her.
"Yes, what do you need?" He asked crisply. She smiled tightly and presented another batch of letters. Lucius groaned and placed his head in his hands. "The ministry is just expecting way too much of me! How am I to accomplish all of this in two months? Plus, we still need to take Draco to Diagon Alley for his school supplies." He let out a frustrated sigh and Narcissa walked around behind him and began to rub his shoulders.
"It will be alright Lucius. You have plenty of time." He shook his head and pressed the heels of his hands to his eyes.
"I just need to work harder on all of this. Could you send Draco in? I have a job for him, because he's probably in need of something to do." Narcissa nodded and kissed the top of his head and then left the office.
A few minutes later, Draco sauntered in. "You asked for me father?" Lucius nodded and picked up a stack of letters from the corner of the desk.
"I have too much work to finish for the ministry and won't have time to reply to these. Reply to the senders as if you were me, it shouldn't be too hard for you, and it will give you something to do. More come in nearly every day," Lucius said distractedly. Draco nodded, slightly puzzled.
"Very well father." He took the letters from his father's hand and Lucius paused in his writing. He pulled open a drawer in the desk and thrust a magazine at Draco.
"Make sure and read the article on the last page. Then you'll get an idea of how to reply," he said curtly. Draco nodded and left his father to continue working. He really didn't look forward to replying to all of these letters, but he was honestly curious as to what they might be about. He guessed it had something to do with the ministry, which was going to be utterly boring reading.
Draco entered his bedroom, set the letters and magazine down on his desk, then sat down. He picked up the magazine, smirking at the title, "Environmentally Magical" He flipped through the pages, noting the articles about centaur and elf rights in the wizarding community. There was a ridiculous article about a witch and a centaur titled"Is it true love or mere horse play?" Draco shook his head and wondered why in the world his father even had this. It was absolutely ridiculous! He flipped to the back page and was intrigued by the title of the final article. "Priori Incantatum as Twin Soul Cores" By Poisoned Quill Scribe. Draco raised an eyebrow at the peculiar title but read on.
I came across an intriguing theory in my youth presented in a 1974 school Charms textbook. The theory suggested the well-known incantation of Priori Incantatum - which is the effect occurring when two wands of the same core material duel -could, in fact, have an alternate effect. The author of the analysis presented the idea that as twin cores emit the echo or memory of previous spells, likewise two human souls could join in such a way as to cause a similar echo of memory. I call this theory the "Twin Soul Cores."
If two humans are so closely bonded and are both in a certain state of mind and emotion, it has been theorized memories from either person can be shared almost telepathically. Such an experience undoubtedly has a dramatic effect, as one is experiencing another's deepest and most cherished memories. Some people who have reviewed G.R.R's theory claim such an occurrence can only happen between twin souls, or soul mates, where there is an unbreakable amount of love and trust between each person.
While in the presence of the other, fond past memories occur in both minds and can be seen within the mind's eye of the other. The words of the incantation apparently do not need to be spoken for this occurrence to happen. G.R.R believed in its possibility - under the right circumstances and with the right persons involved. In my study of the Priori Incantatum I have come across many things that prove it to be true.
The cores of wands are made out of a variety of living materials, such as unicorn hair - which possesses magical qualities of love and healing: dragon heart strings - which contain massive amounts of powerful dragon blood and magic connecting both dragon and wizard; and Veela hair, which possesses the immense magic of beauty and love. These core elements, when dueling against a wand containing the same element will increase magical power ten-fold and reveal the wand's inner memories.
The human body contains a heart, blood, and hair, the same as the core wand substance made from the magical beings whose very heart, blood and hair are used within the core to help the wizard link and create powerful magic. Because of the link between wizard and wand, magical capabilities are increased exponentially. If all the wizard and wand bond takes is a wizard's Dragon heartstring, Dragon blood, and Unicorn hair meeting and linking with another wand's own heartstring, blood, and hair -, then why can't the same thing occur between two comparable humans?
How different is the wizard from his wand? A wand chooses the wizard - and if two wizards come into contact with the same wand core - are the wizards not similar as well? Can those two wizards not join together, and when emotions rise, cause an echo of their memories to come forth just as the twin cores of the wands do?
This theory all in all is questionable. Those who agree with it claim to have experienced such a phenomenal bond with another. However, does this affect only two wizards or witches who have a wand that contains the same core? Or is the matter of this magic even deeper?
Can two humans be so perfectly matched that magic can be exchanged between them through shared memory never previously revealed to the other? The occurrence is reported to be flashes of memories of people and places mentally recalled by each of the affected bonded, recalling events and faces of their counterpart.
Many may argue the spell Legilimens is being done. Legilimens, when cast, is a very painful experience and it is done deliberately and with force and intention to withdraw information through memories. The effect of Priori Incantatum seems to happen of its own accord, primarily in the process of thought while only with another loved and sufficiently matched individual.
I myself believe to have experienced such a bond between another human being, an encounter worthy of scrutiny. Take for example the differences in our wand cores, an element that should prevent "Prianti Incantatum"from truly taking effect. My wand contains a dragon heartstring and my lover's, at the time, contained a Selkie hair. They are two vastly different but powerful cores, yet I remember as clear as day the memories from her past I experienced. Those memories had never once been shared with me by this woman. I reflect to this day on memories that were not my own to see, yet came to me as easily and naturally as breathing. Many would discredit me, and claim my experience is simply the deranged reeling of a love-sick dreamer, absolutely impossible that Priori Incantatum was achievable with this woman when our wand cores were different. But even if they were different, our beliefs and our souls certainly were not.
If I am labeled a dreamer because I shared memories with someone I loved through magic, then perhaps love and magic have no place together in the wizarding world. How can magic be created without love and emotion? For is that not all love is but the feeling of a very strong emotion? Can magic occur if the witch or wizard feels nothing while casting a spell? So then why shouldn't Priori Incantatum be possible between any two people who share the same love and emotion towards each other? Irregardless of the connection formed between wands.
Answer these questions and conclude for yourself if love doesn't create magic and memories between people or if a mystical bond can or cannot be formed between a wizard and a witch who are apparently vastly different.
Draco finished reading the article and sat back in his chair. Had his father really written this? The entire concept blew his mind but he felt as though he understood it. He picked up the first letter on the small pile and broke the seal.
Poisoned Quill Scribe,
I am absolutely in love with your work and your article about Priori Incantatum is truly phenomenal, and it does ring true. The concept that two souls can be so closely bonded that Priori Incantatum, the sharing of memories, can occur - even if those two are not similar like the core of the wands - is spectacular and truly makes one think about love in a whole other way. I am so moved by your writing and I would love to be able to meet and converse with you over this fascinating topic. I have other theories I have come across while doing research on this topic. On the topic of you and your lover having separate wand cores and yet sharing this bond of Priori Incantatum through memories, are there other similarities between you two as wizard and witch? There must be some other powerful means by which you are joined of you experienced Priori Incantatum with two separate wand cores. Have you looked into other possible meaning behind this? Could physical appearance or even age have something to do with it? I have done much study on astrology and how the planets and stars coincide with a birth month. If perhaps two souls, as you say, are in the same astrological phase then this occurrence might be more likely? I am very eager to receive your response and discuss this more thoroughly with you. I have so many questions and theories. If you agree, we can continue writing and perhaps set a date to meet.
I am truly inspired by you. Please do consider my genuine offer.
Sincerely,
Past of Open Eyes
Draco absently lay the letter down upon his desk, and without hesitation opened the second letter.
Poisoned Quill Scribe,
It has been at least a month since I have written to you and I assume you are a very busy man. But could you not at least give me the courtesy of a response? I truly do love your writing and it has inspired me to delve into deeper research on this puzzling and intriguing concept. I would love your advice and expertise on this matter so I can further my own research.
I would also love to get to know you, and perhaps get to know the brilliantly intellectual mind behind the writing.
I am truly in love with your work. Please write me back. I'll be a sorely heartbroken girl if you do not. You speak of soul mates and I find you so similar to myself in the way you think, I simply must talk to you and witness your brilliant mind in action. You truly fascinate me, sir.
Sincerely,
Past of Open Eyes
Draco was immensely curious about this woman who wrote so fervently in response to his father's article. The whole concept fascinated him as well, he just wasn't sure if he could pull off writing back to her and still sound like his father. He ran a hand through his blonde hair then scanned over the article and the two letters once more. He pursed his lips then took out a blank sheet of parchment. This little chore was going to be much more interesting than he had first anticipated.
Lucius was still sitting at his desk at six o'clock that evening. He opened yet another letter form the ministry of magic and groaned in frustration.
"Dragons? Really! This tournament is ridiculous! Now I have to write another bloody letter to a Charlie Weasley in Bulgaria regarding more details about their transport. If that blasted Ludo Bagman hadn't gotten himself sent to bloody St. Mungos I wouldn't be in this mess!" Lucius shoved himself up from the desk and stormed out of the office. He entered the library and immediately went to one of the selves at the very back of the large room. He scanned the shelves and pulled a book down.
"Quidditch through the ages? What is that even doing on this shelf! He set it aside and pulled others from the shelf, leafing through them in search of information on dragon breeds. He pulled yet another off the shelf after discarding three already. "Charms Year 4." Lucius looked at the book with puzzlement. What was this book doing here? It should be up in the attic with all of his other schoolbooks from Hogwarts. He cracked open the old cover and his face paled at the faded swooping script that spelled out the owner's name on the inside cover. Lily Evans. Lucius gritted his teeth and flung the book across the room in anger. He pressed the heels of his hands to his eyes and growled angrily. He didn't need this right now! He continued scanning the books and finely found the one he needed.
"Bloody hell, finely! Antipodean Opaleye, no. Hebridean Black, no. Peruvian Vipertooth, not needed. Romanian Longhorn, no. Ukrainian Ironbelly, Merlin! Yes, Chinese Fireball also known as Lion Dragon. Common Welsh Green is Native to Great Britain. Awedish short-snout, alright. And finely Hungarian Horntail, considered to be one of the most dangerous dragons. Hmph, I pitty the student who fights that one. Won't be a pretty ending." He snapped the book shut and snapped his fingers. A house elf appeared with a pop.
"Yes Master Malfoy?" The house elf squeaked. Lucius pointed at the pile of books strewn across the table.
"Put those away in the correct place." The house elf nodded and began gathering the books up into its tiny arms. Lucius walked across the room with the book on dragons under his arm and he paused by the door before leaving. He bent down and picked up the book he had thrown. His eyes were drawn to an envelope lying on the floor near his feet. He put the Charms book beneath his arm and retrieved the letter from the carpet. It had to have been tucked inside the pages of the book. He looked at the faded lettering on the front of the letter, written with the same swooping handwriting as the name inside the Charms book. Lucius swallowed. The letter was addressed to him. He let out a breath and his mouth felt suddenly dry.
He walked back into the library and sat down in one of the comfortable chairs. Placing the books on an end table he stared at the letter. Fifteen years it had been since she had written to him the first time. He could still remember coming home to the manor and finding her gone. He had been wrong to get together with Narcissa. Lily was smart and Lucius knew that she would figure it out with time. He only did it to protect her. If the Dark Lord had known that Lucius was with a Muggleborn, Lucius and Lily would have both been killed. He got into a relationship with Narcissa strictly to lead the Dark Lord off of Lily's trail. He hadn't planned on Narcissa falling in love with him, or that he would return the same feelings for her. When he arrived home that Friday evening and found Lily gone and found the two letters, he was heartbroken. He read in the paper seven days later that Lily had married James Potter. He hadn't stopped thinking about Lily Evans for years. He read that she had a baby named Harry one year later in 1980. Then a year after Harry had been born, Lily Evans and James Potter were killed by Lord Voldemort.
Lucius sucked in a breath and flipped the letter over. Lily was remarkable at Charms work and Lucius had tried to open the letter fifteen years before and couldn't. Supposedly, after fifteen years the charm would be broken. He ripped at the paper and it tore with ease. He ripped it open and pulled out a slightly yellowed piece of parchment. Lily's swooping writing filled the page and Lucius began to read the last letter Lily ever wrote to him.
My Dearest Lucius,
Once upon another time, you went off and left me alone. But that's not all you did. You left me with a daughter. Ever since that other time, I wished, how I wished you'd have known. I kept the secret hid, the secret my vow to you would soon forbid. What else could I have done? I just couldn't let you know. So, I ran away and married James. I had considered using her to bring you back to me. I hoped because I had finely given you a child, you might love me again. But, I couldn't take you away from Narcissa. You seemed to love her so much more than me, with the amount that you visited her. So I gave up our daughter to a muggle family unable to conceive. Out daughter would be raised by muggles but she will grow into a very powerful witch. I know on her eleventh birthday she will receive a letter for Hogwarts. She will never know us as her parents. Giving her up was the hardest thing I ever had to do. But it was the only way to leave you in the past forever. I made a mistake, however. By giving her up and not protecting her, I broke the vow we made so long ago. My right hand revealed the marks from the spell and they sear like fire every day. I had to let you go and every memory of you. After I write this letter and leave it behind, I will also be leaving the memories of our Daughter, Hermione Jean Evans, behind as well. This letter is the only record of her relationship to us. So now you know fifteen years too late. I hope you can forgive me for everything. And, as always, I sill and always will love you Lucius Malfoy.
Forever Yours, Lily Evans.
