Private message to Barty

[alt_antonin]

Things here continue to be full of ridiculous bullshit, from the Enforcers having taken over my damn school to a double dozen students' trunks having turned up 'contraband' (by which they mean black-market sweets or the most inane and inocuous mudblood literature one might imagine). And Savitha is breathing down my neck attemping to be 'helpful'.

This year cannot be over soon enough. And after it is, we must talk about the prospect of

Say you'll be returning tonight? You shouldn't be alone right now, solnyshko, no matter how much you want to crawl away and lick your wounds in peace. I promise I will not press you to talk tonight any more than I did last night, but I don't like the thought of you by yourself.

Comments

[alt_crouch_jr]

What I remember from that night was watching with Travers, expecting the half-giant, the werewolf and Black to roar in on that magicked-up muggle motorbike. I remember we didn't trust Pettigrew's assurances they'd fallen out and wouldn't be a threat.

No one is saying anything about Black in His hearing now. Who knows. If the boy has found Black, suggests he's been in contact with him for some time. (And raises questions about Hydra.)


It's not about the likelihood of finding him. It's about satisfying OL's rage-- and avoiding it.

[alt_antonin]

There is that. And I am most invested in you avoiding His rage.

For that one brief second, you know, I was terrifed that He would think you'd waited too long, and call up on me to kill you both. It would amuse Him, I think, to do so. Pulling the wings off flies, and setting ants ablaze with a magnifying lens.

One thing you should know, lapushka, and then I will leave matters to your discretion and wait until you decide it is time to talk about it, if ever: I have both written the prayers for her and said them over her body, and I have said before the Gods Themselves that she was ours -- for however brief a moment -- and that we claim her. Her name will be forever written among our honoured dead.

[alt_crouch_jr]

If that time comes, I'll take death from your hand and be content, Batya. As deaths go, that would be better than most. Not for you, I know.

For the prayers, my thanks.

[alt_antonin]

A better ending than others we might have, maybe. But let us avoid that prospect as long as possible.

When If we come down to the wire in any other fashion, though, I expect you to do anything and everything you must do in order to live. Consider it an order like the order you gave me. Whatever you must do, and however you must do it. I forbid you to die without my permission -- and assume I will not give it.

[alt_crouch_jr]

You command my life and my death, Batya.

I vow it in full knowledge that it strains the prior claim on both our faiths, but I vow it all the same.

[alt_antonin]

First claim is not always strongest. And if I am judged in the world beyond for breaking that claim to uphold the one you have upon me, so be it. Что напи́сано перо́м, не вы́рубить топоро́м -- you have been mine since the moment I found you, солнышко.

Now sleep. It will likely not be better in the morning, but at least it will be morning, and you'll need to be well rested.