11/10/97
To R.L.,
We have arrived safely.
Please send confirmation with proof that this letter has reached its intended recipient.
- S.S.
14/10/97
Dear Severus,
This letter has indeed reached your intended recipient. Proof: in our first year at Hogwarts, we sat next to each other in the first potions lesson and I gave you a square of chocolate and asked if we could be friends. You said yes.
Although you didn't personally kill Horace, you are not forgiven for lying about it to me. I pride myself on being a forgiving man, so if you had bothered to explain, perhaps I would have understood. Coming into my room one evening to say you have been covering up the murder of my friend and that you plan to run away with zero explanation was not your wisest move. I want to believe you and I want to trust you but can you blame me for being cautious when you, for lack of a better phrase, pull shit like that?
Your disappearance has caused quite the stir. The Ministry have been interviewing students and staff for the last week and are planning to send out teams in search of you. They don't seem that organised about it so I wouldn't worry (yet). You and Draco are all over the papers as murderers on the run (there's a reward of £5000 on you!). As promised, I have kept my mouth shut. (My silence may run out if I find myself suddenly in debt. Before you panic, that was a joke.)
Lucius Malfoy is threatening to sue Hogwarts for gross negligence. He thinks Draco has been taken by the Ministry and interrogated for information on Voldemort and that the Horace story is a cover-up.
How are you both getting on? Where are you at the moment? (Don't send a specific address in case your letter is compromised.)
From Moony xx
P.S. I still don't know how to feel about all of this. I suppose you didn't kill Horace, but covering up a murder and lying to me about it? I'm still confused about the whole Draco Horace thing in relation to your dilemma you gave me in March (I don't remember many details) but I don't see how something that happened seven months ago is still relevant. However much I speculate, I know you aren't going to tell me so I won't waste any more paper on asking. Hopefully Draco will tell me (although I doubt he's going to want to talk to me after I screamed in his face. Please tell him I apologise for that!)
Stay safe and don't forget to go outside every so often so you don't shrivel up like a raisin :)
16/10/97
To R.L.,
I remember that first potions lesson like it was yesterday- the chocolate was disgusting but you were nice enough.
Draco and I are fine- it has been strange settling down. We are currently staying at my house, but if what you said about the search teams is true then we might have to relocate. One of the first places they will look is my residence. (I don't know if the school has this place registered but it's not worth the risk.)
The fastest way here is apparating out from Diagon Alley- let me know if you want the address and I will send an encrypted letter containing the information. It would be excellent to see you soon- or at all.
Regarding Lucius, thank you for letting me know- Draco has now sent a letter informing him that he is lying low with me. I believe Lucius trusts me enough not to come searching for us as long as Draco stays in contact.
I understand you have reservations about trust but I promise you that Draco's action was justified. Horace wasn't the angel he made himself out to be, to put it tamely. I doubt you want to hear this, but I do not find myself at fault for helping him cover up the murder- it was the right thing to do. I do not intend to sound condescending, but you would see that if you knew the whole truth.
I admit that I have not perfected the art of apologising, but I truly am sorry, Remus. I am sorry for lying to you and shutting you out. Please understand that it was necessary to withhold the truth from you- I needed to protect Draco. I did not consider the implications of that on our relationship. I hope you can forgive me.
Odd question but is Ron Weasely all right/around? Tried sending a letter but got no response.
Best wishes,
- S.S.
18/10/97
Dear Severus,
Very vague question about Ron (what's he got to do with anything?). Now you mention it, I don't think he is around. I haven't seen him in school since you and Draco left. Why do you ask? Update: checked san but he's not there either.
I will keep this letter brief and I think we should curtail written contact after you send me the address (which yes please do send me!) to minimise risk. I would like very much to talk in person (more civilly than last time) and hopefully get to the bottom of things. While I do trust you, I'm going to need something more substantial than 'trust me on this one' to back up denouncing Horace as a bad person.
Looking forward to seeing you soon.
From Moony xx
19/10/97
To R.L.
31 Grange Lane, Ingham, Hackthorn, Lincolnshire.
Eagerly awaiting your visit.
Best wishes,
- S.S. x
Anndddd that's the end- thank you so much for reading! I hope you all enjoyed, all reviews welcome. I'd love to know what you thought :)