Author's Note: Okay, wow. It's been quite a while since I updated this story. My sincerest apologies. I have my reasons for being absent- trying to find a job is one, writers' block on Destiny is another, the fact that I've been working like mad on a new story is a third, the fact that I've been reading far more Alice in Wonderland fanfic than is healthy is a fourth. So, I'm sorry I've been gone so long. But here I am now, with a chapter for you!

There comes a point when an author will lose his or her God-given mind and do something insane. For Herman Melville it was Moby Dick; Stephenie Meyer just had to go for that travesty of a fourth book [and let's not mention that novella that I refuse to even pick up, let alone read]. This chapter is me doing something insane. I've seen quite a few books where an author will tell a story only through letters, memos, emails, etc. Meg Cabot does it in Boy Meets Girl, Avi did it in Nothing but the Truth, a Mauraders'-era fic named The Shoebox Project does it every few chapters. I thought I'd try my hand at it. 49 letters later, this is the result. Verdict: This is the most fun I have ever had writing a chapter. I trust that you won't have any trouble following who's writing to whom for what reason, but if you get lost please don't hesitate to contact me. Note: the reason it's called Missives I is because there will be another chapter written like this; chapter 13, I believe. Enjoy!

18 July 2019

Dear Mr. Potter:

Some weeks ago, you arranged an appointment with Minister Shacklebolt to discuss the Minister's proposed policy of education reforms. Given your recent absence from the country, however, the Minister is amenable to rescheduling if you so desire. Please reply by owl as soon as is convenient.

Truly yours,
Matilda Finch
Secretary to Kingsley A. Shacklebolt, Minister of Magic

Ms. Finch—

Thank Minister Shacklebolt for his concern, but I'm perfectly able to meet him at our scheduled time. I look forward to seeing the Minister at 11 o'clock tomorrow morning.

—Harry Potter
Headmaster, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Moody—

I'm going to be in the building tomorrow to meet with Kingsley. You free sometime in the afternoon? I'll take that mission in France if it's still open.

—Harry

Hermione—

I'm home, you can stop pestering me with owls now.

—Harry

Dear Mr. Potter:

I have confirmed your meeting with Department Head Moody for tomorrow at 4:30. As Head Moody is preparing to leave for Malta the day after tomorrow, he will be unable to meet with you for more than 45 minutes. We regret any inconvenience this may cause you.

Sincerely,
Sean Fletcher
Secretary to Alastor P. Moody, Head of the Auror Department

19 July 2019

Harry-

Where on earth have you been? Ron and I have been worried sick!

…Well, not Ron so much, but the kids and me!

Oh alright, maybe it was just me. But still! You can't just disappear on me like that, Harry, I get worried!

You're in trouble. Big trouble.

Meet for lunch today? You can explain where you went gallivanting off to.

-Hermione

P.S. Molly (my Molly, not Ron's, though I'm sure Mom says it too) says hello. The baby gurgles, and I'm not sure that arm spasm counts as a wave but I'm going to assume it does.

Mione—

Breathe. Y'know, that inhale-exhale thing? You're smart, you can figure out how that works.

Can't have lunch, sorry, meeting with Shacklebolt. Rain check?

Give Molly and Sev a kiss and a hug for me.

And stop sounding like Mom, you're freaking me out.

—Harry

Uncle Harry-

Mummy said you're not coming for lunch. Why not? I wanna see my favorite uncle!

I would say 'xoxo' but no hugs or kisses till you get here.

Love, Molly and Severus

Hermione—

That was a low blow. Getting your kids to do your dirty work… tsk tsk.

—Harry

Harry-

I have no idea what you're talking about. If my daughter just happens to write to you, and just so happens to guilt trip you, it serves you right, but I had nothing to do with it.

Shame on you for disappointing your godchildren.

-Hermione

Harry,

Thank you again for your perspective. I believe you're right about continuing the DADA class, but we'll have to further discuss the idea of a History of the Dark Arts class. Schedule another meeting with Matilda about it, would you?

As for the other matter… Have you lost your senses completely?

Shacklebolt.

Shacklebolt—

No, I'm still sane, and no, I'm not joking. I realize the Wizengamot considered her the #1 enemy of the wizarding world, but as I've explained to you, she's reformed. As you know, she willingly helped me defeat Voldemort. And she's been a model citizen since she was exiled.

Come on, Kingsley, it's me. Would I advocate her return to the country if I wasn't absolutely sure she was safe?

—Harry

Harry,

Have you forgotten that you are the one who advocated her exile in the first place?

You have been blinded by this woman before. Let us not forget, she was Voldemort's top Death Eater, responsible for the deaths of innocents and Order members alike. I do not believe this woman will ever truly change her ways, and as such I will not allow her anywhere near England. In France she can do no harm to anyone.

Shacklebolt.

Harry, m'boy-

You've gone daft. More cracked than I am. Let Montblanc back in the country? You must be sick. Maybe you need some more time off… Or maybe you need a job to clear your head.

Just not the one in France.

-Moody

Sean-

Sudden change of fortune here. I'll be in Malta when it's cleared up. Reschedule my golf reservations.

-Moody

Dear Mr. Potter:

This is an owl to confirm your appointment with Minister Shacklebolt on the 20th of July at 3:15. Please send a reply by owl as soon as is convenient.

Truly yours,
Matilda Finch
Secretary to Kingsley A. Shacklebolt, Minister of Magic

Ms. Finch—

You may inform the Minister that until he agrees to my Visa and Patronage request, I am unavailable to meet with him.

—Harry Potter
Headmaster, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Harry, m'boy-

Screw Malta. It's more entertaining here.

You're still cracked.

-Moody

Lana—

Sorry, I know I said I'd write when I got home. I'm in a bit of a battle with Shacklebolt. He's not wild about you coming back, but I'll talk him down.

Tell the boys I said hi, and I challenge them to a 2-on-1 game. I enclosed a new practice Snitch for James, and gloves for Julian.

—Hal

Hal—

I told you so.

Seriously, if it's causing that much of a stir, don't bother. As far as I know, the boys are still English citizens, and can travel back and forth. That'll do for your visitation rights, I suppose.

The boys send their greetings and thank you's. James hasn't put the Snitch down yet, and Julian wants you to teach him the Porkoff Play next time you're around.

—Lana

Shacklebolt—

She's the mother of my son, Kingsley. My son, whom I've not seen in five years, and whom I've never had the chance to be a father to. I want James in England. I want my son. In order for that to happen, he has to be in England. Since he's a minor, his mother needs to be with him, which also means her other son needs to come back, as well.

But none of that can happen unless the English Minister of Magic doesn't restore Alana's citizenship.

Give me my son back, Kingsley. James shouldn't be growing up without a father.

—Harry

Moody—

Change of plans. I'm staying in London and hounding Shacklebolt until he reinstates Alana's citizenship. Ron's probably about ready for a weekend job, though.

—Harry

Lana—

Porskoff Ploy. It's a Porskoff Ploy. Honestly, you've been in relationships with two Quidditch players, you don't know this by now?

I don't care if Shacklebolt's being difficult. You miss England, I can tell. I'll be damned if I don't get it for you.

—Hal

Alastor,

Have a look at this owl Harry just sent me. I think the poor lad's finally gone off his rocker.

Shacklebolt.

Won Won—

Tell Hermione she wins. Dinner at your place?

—Harry

Potter-

Will you never shut up about that? Merlin, it was 14 bloody years ago!

You made Mione's night, by the way.
Are you ill?

-Ron

Weasley Is Our King! —

Migraine. Shacklebolt and Moody are being difficult.

And why does everyone keep bloody asking me that today?

—Potter Stinks

Shacklebolt-

Fine bit of writing. Boy's mad, alright.

But maybe we should play it his way? The devil'd be easier to watch if she were back in the country, at any rate.

-Moody

Moody,

You could be right.
Meet me for dinner, we'll discuss.

Shacklebolt.

Harry,

Even if I were to consider what you asked [and that is a very big IF], where do you propose we put her? It's not as if we can have her living side by side with witches and wizards in peace and harmony.

Before you even think it, Hogwarts is not an appropriate answer, either.

Shacklebolt.

Shacklebolt—

In my will, I've left Grimmauld Place to Alana and James. She's been there before and she'd be comfortable there. If I remember right, that's where the Ministry had her kept seven years ago, when she was serving as a double agent and spying on Voldemort for us.

If you don't like that option, there's always her estate in Kent, but I'd imagine you'd rather have her close by so you and Moody can keep an eye on her.

—Harry

Dad:

I know it's late, you don't have to reply right away. I just wanted to say thanks for the Snitch. And Julian likes his gloves.

Are you going to be able to get back soon?

James

Hal—

A, you were both Seekers. Not Chasers.
B, It's not as though Quidditch is very good bedroom language.

Jerk.

How goes your campaign?

—Lana

Dear Mr. Potter:

This letter is to inform you that you have been summoned to a meeting tomorrow afternoon at 4:30. In attendance will be Minister Shacklebolt and Department Head Moody. No reply owl is necessary.

Truly yours,
Matilda Finch
Secretary to Kingsley A. Shacklebolt, Minister of Magic

Lana—

Touchy, touchy.

We'll see; I have a meeting with Shacklebolt and Moody tomorrow. I'll keep you updated.

—Hal

James—

You and your brother are welcome.

I'm working on a way for you, Julian and your mother to come back to England. Then we'd see each other a lot more often. What do you think?

—Dad

20 July 2019

Shacklebolt, Moody, I know you're both still in there.

Are you bloody insane?

—Harry

Harry,

When last we checked, no.
Are you so sure about yourself, my friend?

K.S.
A.M.

K.S. & A.M.—

I asked for a bloody reinstatement of citizenship! That's all!

—H.P.

H.P.,

My, someone's flustered.

As we explained before, it's your best bet. It lasts six months, and if she has proven to be a model alien, then and only then will her citizenship be reinstated.

Best we can do for you.

K.S.
A.M.

K.S. & A.M.—

You are. You are both out of your bloody minds.

—H.P.

Dad:

YES!

James

Lana—

I have an answer, but I don't think you're gonna like it.

—Hal

Hal—

Just tell me.

—Lana

Marriage visa.

Have you gone completely insane?

Probably.

I can Floo there tonight and we can discuss it?

Fine.

After the boys go to sleep.

You might need a special visa though, I can't Floo to England. I don't know if it works in reverse.

Bloody hell. I'll just Apparate.