Severus,
How long has it been since my first form was witnessed? Too long. I did what I thought was right, and it seems dark magic, a desire for vengeance and the first taste of power can change a man.
Loyalty is a strong and powerful trait, with more strength and power than I could ever wish to behold, and the risks you ran of protecting those you loved astounds me. I can only give my sincerest apologies, but I am certain it will never be enough.
But despite those times past and memories of you as a young boy first witnessing your magical ability and becoming the man I knew, we must end history. I will go down, dare I say, rather badly in the history books, and perhaps you will join me as a dark and evil force, but your purity and love surpassed what many of the greatest wizards, whether dark or light, could ever know.
As others will receive in their packages, I enclose several small gifts, or, for you, three.
The first is a note addressed to a man I once knew. Or, rather, I knew him too well and he did not know me at all. He has one of the greatest stores of potions and their components. Hand him this, the address is on the note, and give him my apologies. But along with all the others affected, have him know what I have done cannot be glossed over with words of pity. I recently made a visit to him and donated a substantial amount of money under a false name and a deal that he, upon seeing your name, should give you full access to his stock.
The second is also a note, a note to the Ministry. I know I took Mrs. Potter away from you and murdered his other guardian in cold blood as I had done with many, but I feel the one he can trust and be protected by, is you. You are now the guardian of Mr. Harry Potter.
The third will be received by all of those who receive these packages, but not Mr. Potter.
Goodbye, my dear friend.
Tom
Severus sat on the side of his bed, and lowered his letter to look outside the window. Beams of sunlight made the fields glitter and the cold breeze blew gently against his window.
He breathed deeply and watched eagles float on the winds and then fly into the distance and grabbed his cloak. He headed for a short trip. First to Diagon Alley, to pick up some sickle shaped beetle eyes most importantly, and to inform Harry in what would be a rather awkward encounter.
As he began to sit down in a carriage and smile at the strange horses that dragged the carts to and fro, he took the third object out of his pocket and glanced at it.
A large box, like one that held jewelry, made of ebony, perhaps, with green jewels.
He glanced at it, paused, and smiled, wiping a tear from his eye, then proceeding to look ahead to the rest of his journey.