A missive from Miss H. Granger to Professor S. Snape
7th November 2002
I'm terribly sorry that I haven't written or spoken to you in such a long time, Severus. My behaviour towards you has been appalling! Everything has been a little bit rushed and panicked, so I haven't really had time to sit down at my desk and write to you. Ronald has seemingly gone missing, as you've no doubt heard through the grapevine at Hogwarts, and so I have found myself consoling a tearful Mrs Weasley whilst trying to balance my duties at the Academy and my social life. Unfortunately my social life was the easiest thing to sacrifice, which is why you have received no letters from me these past ten days! I'll end my blabbering now, but I hope you will forgive me my strange behaviour recently and that you won't toss this letter onto the fireplace!
I'm absolutely thrilled to inform you that the ingredients all arrived at the Academy safely, and I have proceeded to complete the first batch of the potion. I would appreciate it very much if you could come to the Academy (perhaps the day after tomorrow?) to test it with me. The Academy has provided rats, on which we are able to test the potion, and then we can continue with the second batch etc. etc. How is Mr Malfoy? Has there been a marked deterioration of his condition yet? I sincerely hope that there has not, for I am already a little anxious at the amount of time that this whole process is taking us. The Mortuus Mentis is a ghastly invention. I'm terribly glad that you were not the one to have brewed it for Voldemort's use.
I was thinking that, in order to make up for my lack of communication this week, you could accompany me home after the testing, and I could cook us a meal? Perhaps the prospect of roast chicken, sticky toffee pudding and a bottle of very nice red wine could tempt you? I sincerely hope so, Severus, because you and I have much to discuss! Luna Lovegood's ridiculous research on Nargles, for example, as well as all of the usual prattle of Hogwarts life and the endless tedium that is our circle of acquaintances. It might amuse you to know that, yesterday, Molly cried so much that Arthur locked himself in his shed and refused to come out for dinner. Can you imagine? I thought it was exactly the kind of event that you would love to pour scorn on, and I could just imagine the sneer on your face as it happened! Do write back soon, Severus.
A missive from Miss H. Granger to Mrs G. Potter
7th November 2002
There, you have won. I've just written a lengthy, friendly letter inviting Severus to come and have dinner with me. I hope you're happy Ginevra Potter. If he turns around and laughs derisively in my face, it shall all be your fault! How is your mother doing? I cannot believe that Ron still hasn't contacted anyone. Doesn't he realise that Molly will chain him to the Burrow fence when he gets back? Let me know if Ron gets in touch, and you must be expecting a letter after the much-dreaded dinner!
A missive from Anonymous to Mr R. Weasley
7th November 2002
I know your secret, Weasley. If you do not wish the sordid details of this whole débâcle to appear in The Daily Prophet tomorrow, and your reputation as the former spokesperson of Sleakeazy's to be destroyed, I suggest that you send 50 galleons by muggle post to the post box in the tiny village of Buttermere, Wiltshire by midday on the 14th of November!
A missive from Mr R. Weasley to Mr H. Potter
8th November 2002
Bloody hell, Harry, have you all gone mad? I can't believe how many letters I've got in the past few weeks; can't a bloke get a bit of peace and quiet? I've been on holiday in Barcelona. I just wanted a bit of downtime after getting fired from Sleakeazy's, you know? I didn't do anything wrong they, er, well they just wanted to advertise the range for blondes a bit, that's all. I reckon I'll call round to yours and say hello tomorrow, if that's alright. I brought a bit of a souvenir back for you and Ginny. Don't tell mum that I've written to you yet, alright? I'd like to put off my murder for a bit, if that's alright with you.
A Howler from Mrs M. Weasley to Mr R. Weasley
8th November 2002
Ronald Bilius Weasley, you are the single most foolish boy I have ever had the misfortune to meet! I never thought I'd see such a careless attitude from one of my own sons! Don't you care about your own poor mother? I've been on absolute pins, wondering where on earth you'd gone! I was picturing a mugging, a murder or…well Merlin knows what else could have happened to you! And if you even think for just a minute that you'll shout at Harry for telling me, I'll be round to your flat to box your ears before you can say "Olé!" Barcelona? Honestly Ronald, you might be a grown adult but I am still your mother!
A missive from Mr L. Malfoy to Professor S. Snape
8th November 2002
Well Severus, before I start I would like to commend you on your choice of restaurant last night. It was certainly the ideal location for the reunion of two old friends who have much to discuss; discrete, with excellent food and even better wine. It seems your witch has more taste than I had previously thought. Speaking of your witch, I have spent these past hours pondering on the subject. I am glad that you have finally chosen to admit your desire to be friends with the girl, but I find it ridiculous that you still cannot see that you are attracted to her. Perhaps after your little dinner together, you shall finally become aware of it? I look forward to the letter following that evening with fervour. Yes, I do believe you should go to the dinner with her. It is the perfect opportunity to discover the reason behind her abrupt change in personality. Be the sleuth you are Severus. It is, after all, in your primal nature to sneak and uproot secrets when they have no desire to be discovered.
Although I had intended this to be a brief note, I simply must inform you of what I discovered this morning! Draco and I had breakfast together, and afterwards I intended to show him the developments in the garden. As we were heading out of door, passing the staircase, a rather frightened-looking young gentleman was tiptoeing down the stairs, wearing a pair of dress robes from the night before! Draco immediately turned a rather unattractive puce, which the young intruder imitated, and I soon found myself with two companions in the garden instead of one.
Adrian is, believe it or not, my son's lover, who Draco has been seeing for over a year. A year! They met whilst Draco was on his drunken tour of the USA and Draco has been keeping it a secret ever since, maintaining his womanising façade! My son tells me that he has grown tired of keeping up appearances, particularly after the spiteful rumours that Rita started about him, and so he is no longer going to hide his preference for men. Can you believe, Severus, that my own son thought I would be against it? I realise that I have not always had the cleanest of consciences or the most open-minded views, but I shall love my son no matter what he chooses to do. Both Adrian and Draco were elated at this news, and so I left them together in the garden. It is quite a relief to know that he is not as troubled or as lost as I previously thought he was; a job, a partner and hopefully a lot of happiness to come. That is all Narcissa and I wanted for him, even if we did take some slightly unorthodox routes to provide it for him.
Author's Note: So that's what has been going on with Draco! Thank you to everyone who's following this fic. Please review! :)