The Dungeons

*translated from the French*

Dear mademoiselle Bessette

I've reviewed the contract, considered the terms and find them in order and acceptable. With the repairs as discussed completed and the addition of improved access to the water it would indeed be an ideal holiday home. Pursuant to our conversation, please find enclosed a draft to my Gringotts account and all in order. I will pick up the keys Friday afternoon.

I appreciate all your help with this at such short notice.

Cordially yours,
Bill Weasley

*attached is a signed contract and a bank draft*

Knock knock.

Your, ah, door was open. And there's no one downstairs. Or, anyway, no one I can see.

Dear Dad,

I really hope this gets to you while it's still your birthday. I forgot for most of the day and then I remembered at lunch because we were in a Muggle pub down South (Viktor's got training and I'm hanging about) and every time I see one of their bathrooms I think of you. And so then I spent half the day trying to buy some sort of kit to make a bathroom tap that works and you know they don't have one. Plumbing is really complicated, apparently. Anyway, this is the best I could do.

Love from Ron (and Viktor and Lily)

[attached is a miniaturised garden fountain kit]

You really ought to know better than to get your father birthday gadgets, dear; he disappeared into his shed as soon as we got back from brunch and I haven't seen him since.

Finch-Fletchley said I'd find you here but all I see are papers. Are you buried alive? (Have you been turned into living paper?)

I have a shed!

Windows, door, and the rest are still pending, but it's got a roof!

Harry,

I think we need to go over Relationship Rule 17, sections a and b. (And possibly c.)

Don't run. Ivan Theodore Markovich, you listen to me. No running, and don't give me that look. You know better. Now both of you, take your coats off and ( hand them here before you go haring off again. )

Harry? You there?

I'm a bit late.

Are they asleep then?

Remind me not to set essays. Essays are things I have to mark. The whole idea is ridiculously masochistic.

If anyone would care to remind me once again why I thought it was a bloody good idea to listen to Albus and start an educational institution sans Ministry funding, ( now would be an appropriate moment. )

I came home late tonight, later than I'd meant to. The lights were off, all except one flickering sconce in our bedroom.

They were all curled up together on our bed, sleeping, Lily snug against Draco's side, her red hair spread over his arm, Scorpius half-draped over his chest, one hand twisted in Draco's shirt, the other clutching his sister's fingers.

I just stood there in the doorway for a long time and watched them. I could see the small bump of Draco's stomach, the promise of our daughter next July. I know he hates this, hates the way it makes him feel like a freak, hates the discomfort, hates the curious looks and the whispers and the sneers and the disgust. And still he did it. For me. Because I wanted a child.

( That takes my breath away. )

Hey Mum & Dad, would it be all right if (I took my old desk?)

I never took you for much of a train buff, Severus.

Although, that's my favourite engine as well so it's nice to see our tastes still match in some things.

Dear Lainey,

I'm sorry this is late. It's so complicated but I talked to Jacek and Magdalena and Edgar and they said I should tell you if I want, if I trust you and want you to know. And I do trust you and I hope you won't be angry with me for not telling you all this time, and that you'll understand, but I'm scared, too. And that's not right, is it? I shouldn't be scared because we're best friends and you should know, it's only right. I know about you and your family and how your mother is a Muggle and how sometimes that's hard and you never get to know that much about mine. And I shouldn't be scared of something like this when there's so much more to be scared about and it's just silly to be scared about what might be when it isn't even certain.

Oh, I should just say it. I'm a lycanthrope, a werewolf.

Anyway, I said it was complicated. Can I say "I told you so" like Cosmo does to you, now?

Love,
Klara

*floo call opened*

Bill! You there? Grab your coat there's someone I need you to meet. BILL!

Dear Klara,

Well, you can tell me, can't you? I tell you everything about Lukas, don't I? And you keep saying it's complicated but not saying what it is and I can't help at all if I don't know what it is. I think you just don't want to be bothered and I think it's a little mean to Douglas. Maybe he would understand if he knew?

Love,
Lainey