Thanks for the reviews on the Intermission!
And here comes the letter that launches the next chapter.
Interlude: A Kindled Soul
November 4th, 1995
Dear Mr. Potter:
I did hope that I could speak to you less openly than this. I dreamed of a chase, a hunt, of luring you through numerous deceptive passages.
As it is, I think I should come right out and speak more frankly. I am the one who sent the pictures to the Daily Prophet. I am the one who gave my daughter Polyjuice and had her impersonate you. I admit it. It is a good thing to have a clean conscience at last, though nowhere near as comfortable as someone like you would proclaim it.
And why admit this? Why give my enemy such information so freely?
Three reasons, Mr. Potter. The first is that I know who Argus Veritaserum is and where he resides. I gave him the pictures, never dreaming he would do as he has done with them. They were intended to be blackmail, a subtle threat to hold over your head—not splashed on the front page of that wretched rag of a newspaper. I am perfectly willing to give him up to you. He has trespassed on my patience, and on yours, for long enough.
The second reason is the motive behind my betrayal. A test, a trip of the wire to see how you would respond. I cannot follow any but the strongest Lords, Mr. Potter. I thought you were strong after the night of the attack on Woodhouse, but then you wept over the body of a fallen comrade, giving a prime opportunity for someone to strike at you—and you had to be saved in the first place, because you were not paying attention to your surroundings. I was not convinced that your sacrificial instincts were given up. I continued to wait and watch.
Your response to the articles and to the Death Eater activity within Hogwarts has at last satisfied me. I am willing to give you Argus Veritaserum, and the photographs still in my possession, and my promise that such a test shall never happen again.
The third reason is my daughter, Edith. I have found, to my dismay, that she has become uncontrollable, and I fear that she may have encountered those at Beauxbatons who encouraged her to become intimate with French contacts of the Dark Lord. She has a spell on her that I cannot identity, and cannot break. I can only confine her to her room. If you are unconvinced of my loyalty—and why would you be convinced of it?—I am willing to trade you everything I have already mentioned for your help in curing Edith. She is my magical heir, and I love her dearly.
Can you come to me no later than next Friday, the 10th, and help me with these problems?
I await your owl.
Sincerely,
Henrietta Bulstrode.
November 4th, 1995
Dear Mrs. Bulstrode:
For reasons of my own, I am accepting your offer. I will meet you on the 10th, at noon, if you will owl me with Apparition coordinates for your estate. In the meantime, please make sure that Edith gets plenty of rest, good food, and gentle care, and give her my warmest regards. One cannot be too careful with unknown spells.
Harry Potter.
November 4th, 1995
Dear Paton Opalline:
Once, sir, a month ago, you came to me and offered me your family's help, the alliance of the Old Blood. I have particular need of one thing you offered me then. Will you firecall me when you receive this owl? You need only speak of the fireplace at Hogwarts Hospital Wing when you toss the Floo powder into the flames. I will be waiting by the hearth at any hour in the afternoon on Sunday, which I calculate is the earliest time my owl can be expected to reach the Isle.
Your ally,
Harry Potter.