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_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.