Private Message to Barty

[alt_antonin]

Solnyshko -- if I have not said often enough in the past few days, the ability to work with you again on this campaign has been a delight, and more than a delight. You were brilliant then, but now that you have achieved the full flower of adulthood, I would be surprised were there even a dozen in all the world who could compare. You do me more credit than I could have ever imagined, you know.

(Although -- if I apologise again for the fright I gave you yesterday, will you give over glowering at anyone who so much as looks at me cock-eyed? Truly, dearest, I did not mean to make you worried for my safety, even for an instant; if you maintain this insistence on keeping me within arm's reach, gossip will no doubt have us paired off and procreating within a week!)

Now that matters are marching on towards resolved, I am sleeping in (particularly since the vigours of the last week are catching up with me and taking their toll). You needn't wait on me to continue the final disposition of our remaining prisoners, though please do leave MacDermott for me once I join you; to satisfy my curiosity, there are a few remaining loose ends I should like to tie up before we escort him along to that undiscovered country.

I believe the remainder of our company is planning to depart tomorrow -- well, 'today', as I write this -- but I will likely stay over until Thursday at earliest in hopes I might be of further use, if you do not think I will be in the way. I have another few days of activity in me (though I will no doubt pay for it later) and I have so missed fieldwork.

Affectionately,
T

Comments

[alt_crouch_jr]

Do stay.

Have set MacDermott aside for you.

Have finished with the rest. Now neutralising the space. Prefer not to leave scouring to others. Too revealing.

(If I was glowering, it was deserved. Carelessness is inexcusable. Putting you at risk, unforgivable. That trainee is lucky I didn't liquify him on the spot. The others, too.)

(Gossip would disturb you?)


Anticipating,
B

[alt_antonin]

Dearest,

I am sorry that I could not stay as long as I'd planned, but when Our Lord calls... preparing for Court now.

Gossip would not bother me in the least, as you well know; what others think of me is immaterial. But I had thought to protect your reputation with the witches, dearest. It would be most difficult to find your next lady-love if she believed you were being unfaithful for the very asking!

(I should ask Narcissa to find me a proper escort for the holiday season who will not importune me and who can at least carry on a conversation about something. It will likely save me heartache later; apparently I am also thought to be paying court to Razzer's intended, and you know the rumors that spring perpetually up around me and Narcissa. It's enough to make a man want to enter a monastery; at least there he would not be thought to be copulating with everyone he seemed to have a close friendship with.)

But if you are not concerned about the gossip -- must admit, the protectiveness does warm my heart, lapushka. (However, do not kill the trainees. Much, much more fun to retrain them. Pointedly.)

Must dash, love,
T

[alt_crouch_jr]

I think, Toshenka, you have something to learn re. the effect that sort of gossip has on one's credit with witches. Perverse, I know. Ironic, even. But there it is.

(Holiday escorts. More dangerous than Irish incendiarists. Promise that you'll consult me first about anyone Narcissa suggests to you. Not that I think she would betray you into some awful pairing, but she does sometimes amuse herself when given the opportunity. Warning. Never trust N to costume you for a fancy dress event.)

Re. gossip? Not at all concerned. Re. your safety? Recognise you're fully capable of seeing to that. The instinct remains, nonetheless. Will not apologise. (Quite.)

All's well this afternoon, I trust. Brief me after?

Until then,
B

[alt_antonin]

Our Lord was most complimentary about our efforts -- believe that when you return you will also be called before Him for commendation. Most invigorating, to stand before Him for His praise, particularly after so many years without!

Had I wanted you to apologise, little hare, I would have demanded that apology -- I am only thinking of your reputation! As the Vikings said, "bare is back without brother behind it" -- after having spent a decade and more without brother to stand with, I would not be so foolish as to throw that away now out of misplaced pride. Hover as much as you'd like, lapushka; you at least have the knack of doing so without implying me only fit for pasture, unlike several others I have encountered in the past week. (Lyoushka being the other who also managed to avoid getting up my nose, mostly by virtue of not telling me he was the one who sent the Healer until after I'd received the Healer's lecture.)

I am well acquainted with Narcissa's alleged sense of humor, dear one -- though that does sound like a story to be told.

Am currently trying to decide if I've the energy to make my way back to Hogwarts or if I should allow myself a few days' recovery. The children are already so behind...

Yours,
T

[alt_crouch_jr]

None more deserving of Our Lord's commendation than you, Toshenka. Most sorry to have missed it.

(Appears I'm here until Friday.)

The books we discussed. I'll post those from Marlborough to Hogwarts. When is your next appt at St Mungo's?

At loose ends tonight,
B

[alt_antonin]

I have been instructed to present myself the first Saturday of each month, so -- two weeks from now? (Have utterly lost track of time.) Healer Pettworth indicated in no uncertain terms that I should take myself in the moment my feet hit Protectorate soil again, however, so I am recuperating the night at Cottesmore and begging an appointment in the morning, then making my way back to Hogwarts whenever I am released.

I echo your loose ends; It is entirely too quiet here. I hadn't thought I missed fieldwork so fiercely. Do not mistake me, my work at Hogwarts is valuable and rewarding as well, and I am enjoying it deeply -- but oh, the chance to be in the thick of things again was utterly delightful. (Shall have to petition Our Lord to allow me to serve as His hands once more over school holidays, once I am recovered. Having seen the gaps in our children's education, I will not ask to be replaced in my role there unless there are others more suited to fill it, and I am not so modest as to claim there are many others who would be more suited to fill it -- but I am certain I could be of use even within those parameters.)

I will await your package eagerly -- I have been thinking about the boundaries between this world and the next a great deal lately, even before this week's endeavours. There is some numinous realisation swirling around in my unconscious, waiting for the proper moment to present itself to me, of that I am certain; all I can do is remain still and hope not to startle it, while feeding it as much knowledge as I can. (I weep for the loss of the remainder of Orion's library behind those cursed wards, I truly do -- but at least you salvaged some.)

I should pin your feet to the ground and make you listen to my stream of consciousness sometime soon, actually. You've the knack of helping me spot what is underneath what I am saying, even from nothing more than your silence and the occasional raised eyebrow of disbelief.

Sleep well, my dearest, when you do. And guard your back, these next few days, without me; I would be most cross if you were to come to harm this late in the game.

Eternally yours,
T