Chapter 20: Post
Dinner was an uneventful affair, as was the rest of the week. I only received one letter from Ron, and none from Hermione.
Harry,
What the bloody hell did you say to Hermione? She wrote me saying that you guys had gotten into an argument. She wouldn't say about what, though. I figure you must have said something particularly nasty is because now that she's at the Burrow, she can't stand to talk about you. She says you're not friends anymore. I don't know what you talked about mate, but whatever it was, she's right pissed.
Another thing: has she been acting weird to you? I mean, I guess you haven't seen her this summer just yet, but she's gone bloody crazy! She's always going on about her clothes and her hair and the like. I wonder if Luna's right about those Flabbaerts or whatever. If they're real then Hermione is most definitely possessed by one.
Speaking of Luna, I've been writing her lately, and I've changed my mind about her. She's not 'loony' at all. She's actually rather bright, smarter than Hermione even. And she's funny – she says the wildest things! Did you know that Invisibility Cloaks are made from Demiguise fur? How about that the fastest breed of dragon is the Chinese Fireball? I tell you, that Luna is amazing. I like her a lot, and if you and Hermione don't make up, we can always replace her Luna.
Fred and George say to tell you that they're doing well and will write you as soon as they put the finishing touches on something they're working on.
As always, Mum sends her love.
--Ron
Ron's letter amused me. So he's got a crush on Luna? I thought as I mulled over my breakfast that morning, About time he gave up on Lavender. I finished my breakfast and was just getting up to go explore the library again when Pigwidgeon landed in my empty milk glass.
"Hyper little bugger aren't you?" I mused, turning my glass upside-down, "Got another letter for me?"
Pig chirped happily at being freed, shook himself dry, and stuck out his leg. There were two letters, one from Ginny, and one (presumably) from Fred and George. As I slit the first envelope open, I barely registered Snape getting up from his place and moving to my side.
"Give me that." he ordered. When all I managed to do was stare at him, he pulled the letter from Ginny out of my hands.
"What?" I asked, confused, "You don't think it's cursed, do you?"
"No, it's not cursed, Potter. I wouldn't have touched it myself if that were the case."
"Oh. Well…?"
"It's saturated in something." He said by way of explanation, "See how the parchment looks as though it's fallen into a cauldron?" He lifted the parchment and carefully sniffed it.
"What is it?"
"I'm not sure. I'll have to run some tests first, and then if it's safe you can have it back."
"Alright."
xxxx
After the revelation about Ginny's letter, I was much more careful with the twins'. Moody would have been proud. After I determined that there was no ill intent behind it (which took nearly an hour as I had to reference several books to find adequate spells), I settled down on my bed to read it.
To Our Most Illustrious Benefactor,
It is with great pleasure that we inform you of a remarkable breakthrough for Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. We, your trusted friends, have created something so astounding that you have to see it to believe it.
You know what to do.
Mischief Managed,
Gred and Forge
I smiled and shook my head. Those two certainly have a flair for the dramatic. I pulled out my wand, and, tapping the letter, whispered the password.
"I solemnly swear I am up to no good."
Just like with the Marauder's Map, the ink in on the parchment spread out to reveal an opening message:
Messrs. Weasley, Weasley, Jordan, and Potter
Cohorts of Pranksters and Magical Mischief-Makers
Are proud to present
The Plunderer's Parchment
A companion to the Marauder's Map
The smile on my face grew tenfold as I watched the parchment reveal its contents. This is going to be good. I thought. Laid out before me was a complete map of Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, Marauders-style. Now I can keep an eye on Rein and make sure she's safe. There was the unmistakable sound of footsteps in the hallway, and I hurriedly murmured "mischief managed" and tucked the 'letter' away.
"Potter?"
"Yes Professor?" I answered, trying to look as blameless as possible, "What's going on? Has something happened?"
"No," he said, surveying me with palpable suspicion, "I've finished with your letter. It was saturated in Eratos."
"Eratos, sir?"
"It is a love potion, notoriously hard to brew – I'm surprised Miss Weasley managed it. She certainly couldn't afford to buy it."
"What does it do?" I asked, ignoring the jab at the Weasleys.
"A charmed potion, which are volatile in their own right, Eratos is the kind of potion that only works on the intended victim."
"Victim?"
"I will not sugar-coat things for you Potter. Now, as I was saying. To take effect, Eratos needs to be either applied in liquid form to the skin, or, as is evident in this case, applied to a cloth, parchment, or other sealable inanimate object. When opened by the intended, the potion will be released in a gaseous state and inhaled by the victim, causing them to lust after the person's whose blood it contains. I suspect this batch of Eratos contains the blood of one Ginerva Weasley, although I cannot be sure as I have no sample with which to compare it."
"So," I said slowly, "you're telling me Ginny tied to dose me with some potion? Something to make me… interested in her?"
"That is precisely what I am saying. Perhaps you should inform her that you are seeing someone, and inform Rein that Miss Weasley is trying to ensnare you in her absence."
"I think I will. Rein deserves to know."
"Good. I will be in the lab, if you find yourself in need." Snape replied, gliding out of the room.