A missive from Professor S. Snape to Mr L. Malfoy
28th October 2002
Firstly, I'll begin this letter with the good news. Miss Granger and I met again yesterday to discuss your predicament. We believe that we have developed some rough instructions and ingredients that would create an antidote to the potion that is currently afflicting you. Some of these are rather rare and expensive in nature, but Miss Granger has been able to cover the costs by completing the research as part of her professional duty at the Academy of Wizarding Research. The potion will take approximately one month to brew and test and then, my friend, we shall see if it works. I have every promise from her that your identity will not be revealed in this process and I have even gone so far as to make her sign another declaration. I am nothing if not thorough.
Now Lucius, I fear that I shall give you quite a shock with the next section of my letter. I am seeking your…well, advice I suppose. Up until last week Miss Granger and I have been, what most people would commonly call it, friends. I have always maintained a very formal front, but she has always insisted upon dropping it. We enjoyed a rather agreeable afternoon together, drinking wine and researching and discussing, and I found that I was rather ready to accept the more casual terms that she had always insisted upon. However, the very next day I received a very forthright letter in which she addressed me as "Professor S. Snape" and referred to herself as "Miss Hermione Granger". Our meeting yesterday was conducted at the Academy, and we did not discuss anything but the Mortuus Mentis. Her manner was rather rigid and formal and, well, rather like my own typical comportment. I found myself feeling rather baffled.
You have always understood the fairer sex far better than I, Lucius. Do you think I have somehow offended Miss Granger? I cannot see how I could have possibly done that. I have long since stopped referring to her as a 'know-it-all', and I have successfully ceased sneering whenever she mentions Potter or Weasley. I shall await your advice before broaching this topic with her. For some reason, I sense that she would swat me around the head or storm out and slam the door if I was to ask her what the matter is.
A missive from Mr D. Malfoy to Professor S. Snape and Mr L. Malfoy
30th October 2002
I have excellent news. I, Draco Malfoy, have secured myself employment. You are looking at the brand new spokesperson for Sleakeazy's Hair Products! Not entirely sure why, but the last bloke quit his job – apparently he's going travelling! They hired me as soon as I entered the building, all thanks to the trademark Malfoy locks! They gave me a free bottle of Beautiful Blonde father so, if you want to try some, just write me a letter. I'm sure I can get you a Naughty Noir too if you want, Severus! I can rest safe in the knowledge now that my 'friends' won't be paying a visit any time soon, and I've already got a little cluster of fan girls that follow my every step. Beautiful girls, too! Whoever said the working life was hard?
A missive from Mr L. Malfoy to Professor S. Snape
31st October 2002
I must say that I am mightily surprised by your last letter, Severus! You seem almost disappointed that the little witch doesn't seem to want to be so casual with you anymore. Is there any chance that you care for her more than you think? Do you guard a secret little tendresse for the girl? I really would not blame you if you did, Severus. You've been alone for a terribly long time, after all, and everyone must have their trifles and games! Yes, I'm quite set on it, especially after reading your past letters. I do not think I have ever seen you so animated about a person before, much less a woman. You positively gush over her! If I know you as well as I think, you will no doubt be struggling with the idea that she is half your age, your former student and someone whom you have heretofore found irritating. But I encourage you, dear friend, to take a moment and think about the benefits of those things. Every man wants a delectable witch (that takes care of the age predicament), your former position of authority over her will be attractive to her (thus eradicating the 'former student' issue) and, because you find her so irritating, you needn't give a fig about hurting her. There is everything to play for, Severus!
You've tempted me into trying to secure a new witch for myself, Severus. Have you heard anything from Celeste Zabini recently? She always was a stunning little thing. Anyway, enough of the witch-talk. I am presuming you received the missive from that son of mine. Only he could land himself such an easy, instantly-rewarding, job. The spokesperson of Sleakeazy's! Have you ever heard such a thing? I am sure the former spokesperson was that Weasley boy though. I wonder where he is travelling?. Better yet, I wonder if there is any way I can blackmail him about it. That is certainly a worthy way of distracting myself whilst I wait for the cure, wouldn't you agree Severus? You can divert yourself with your witch and I with my blackmail, whilst Draco runs around with his hair products and fans. We make a rather sad trio, don't you think?
A missive from Mr H. Potter to Mr R. Weasley
2nd November 2002
Listen, mate, you've got to let us know what the hell's going on. You've disappeared off the face of the earth for two weeks, your mum's going mental, and now we see that Malfoy's replaced you as the spokesperson for Sleakeazy's! I know you've often said that you'd just like to fade into the background for a while, but you should really let us know when you decide to do it! Did you get fired or something? Is that why you've gone? Just write back and tell us, will you? Then we can all stop worrying for a bit.
A missive from Miss L. Lovegood to Miss H. Granger
5th November 2002
It was really nice to see you yesterday, Hermione – a really pleasant surprise! I'd just nipped back to England to see if daddy is alright, and I've actually gone back to Barcelona now, so it was nice to see a familiar face. I'm really grateful for the book recommendation of Magic's Most Fascinating Fictional Creatures, although I think I'm going to write to the editor and inform him that Nargles are 100% real. The book pointed out that Nargles are most commonly found in the north of England, but my own research has shown that that isn't true. I've just been in Spain these past few weeks, as I said, and I've proven that Nargles are most commonly found there. Of course I'm sure I don't have to tell you that – you always keep up to date with the newest, most valuable research around. I intend to go to South America in a few weeks, to do a little bit more research in a different part of the world! In return for the book recommendation, I've enclosed a pair of gloves that I knitted myself, completely without magic! I know there isn't anywhere to put your thumb in the right one, but…well…I'm not entirely sure what went wrong with it. By the way, just out of curiosity, have you ever used Ravishing Rouge by Sleakeazy's before? Someone recommended it to me and, well, I'm just wondering if it works or not.
A missive from Mr D. Malfoy to An unknown recipient
6th November 2002
I'm absolutely thrilled that you're coming to visit me! You can book a room at the small inn in the nearby muggle village, just as a space to keep your things. I do intend though, of course, that you shall not spend one night there; we shall spend most of the time locked up in my bedroom together. You needn't worry about my father; he seems to have diverted his attentions elsewhere, now that I have got a job. I'm the new spokesperson of Sleakeazy's! I keep getting all of these letters from lots of ridiculous young witches but, well, none of them can even compare to you! I shall see you very soon, and I am most certainly looking forward to our reunion.
Author's Note: Thank you for all of the encouraging reviews! I hope you enjoy this next chapter. I don't think we ever learn what Blaise's mum is really called, so i decided to name her Celeste!