The Dungeons

Listeners never hear any good. Or readers in this case. No excuse, I should have stopped when I realised it was private. But Merlin!

I was wrong, so completely wrong. She isn't doubtful at all, her conviction is as strong as mine. But God, two opinions, two certainties more diametrically opposed! Everyone leaves eventually, leaves her alone. All these people she's loved. And she loves me, I'm certain she loves me and she's given herself to me so freely, so openly, holding nothing back and all the while there's this. I knew it was a deep hurt, but I didn't realise how deep, or that it encompassed more than lovers. It makes sense. I'm a fool for missing it. But Merlin, she's always so strong, and she never talks about them, or almost never. A sign, yeah?

And I can't even-. Merlin, type quieter, yeah. She's sleeping, curled up against me and to see her (you'd think she hadn't a care in the world.)

I had to pretend all was well and all I could do was sit there like a lump and mouth more empty words at her, even if I mean every one of them, because they dash themselves to pieces against her hard earned fear.

But if I was certain before, I'm more so now. There's risk. It's a gamble and I could lose her by moving too fast, but what it could give her, give us, in return is worth it. I just need to do it right and follow the plan. And meeting with Burke on Friday is another thing done.

Dear Draco,

I am gratified that you have turned to me to aid you in matters of profligacy.

A child will be joining us you say? That rules out the movie, Lesbian Vampire Killers, as a diversion then. We could go see a movie about anthropomorphic animals called Bolt. A little girl I know was sufficiently entertained by it. The movie is 3-D (d for dimensional), an effect that aims to give viewers the sensation that they are in the movie. We would make sure to include tea at The Ritz on our itinerary. I have not met a young girl who does not find something of the storybook about the experience of taking tea at The Ritz.

I will make sure that you go home with a spring wardrobe. The Prada spring line especially suits you.

And Draco, all will be well.

Love,
Blaise

*door slamming open and then closed*

LUNA! It's brilliant, I have to tell you, and there's no way that I'll get caught for it but--

*a screech and a crash*

WHAT THE--?! Hands OFF my sister! And get your tongue OUT of her mouth because that's just SERIOUSLY gross!

Severus, what are you doing? I thought you were sleeping. I am sure you are supposed to be resting.

Miss-er Baise,

Thank you for you taked
Taken? Taking? Talked?
Taking me to watch the fim
Fin? Firm? Film? Is this someone's name?
Fin today. I telled
Told? Tell? Tilled?
Tell Sevvus
Surface? Save us? Is this someone's name?

DWACO!
Drake?
IT BROKE it not do Sevvus!
Surface? Save us? Is this someone's name?

Shh Let me see... DictaQuill enter names: Severus, Draco, Sigh, Dwaco, Vittor, Blaise. Dictaquill pause. All right now, I'll sit over there. Don't shout at it, it can't hear you and it's very undignified. All right?

Yes, Dwaco.

DictaQuill Resume.

I tell Sevvus and Daddy about it and Daddy say I maybe have a hams-er and I can name it Wino, but Dwaco say no. Miss-er Baise, I want a hams-er, you tell Dwaco yes for me? Cause I really want one lots!

I like it best when Bolt bark and things BOOM! WOOFWOOFWOOF!
Error.

Um. Woof?

Woof woof woof woof?

when Bolt bark and things BOOM! WOOF WOOF WOOF! Cause I have a dog but he don't barked
Bark? Bucket? Market?
BARK like that. And it was funny when Bolt hitted
Hit? Hilt? Hittite?
Hit-it the window and falled back in the box! And Wino rolled in his ball! And he hitt-it the truck and let Bolt out! And I tell Daddy Cwina
Corona? Cleaner?
Keener was in the fin too but they called her Mittens like I weared when it cold outside! She a funny cat!

Dwaco say Bob can be Bolt now cause I want a Bolt dog too. I draw-ed a bolt on his bottom like Daddy has on his head but Daddy's don't rubbed off and Bolts do. Dwaco say we call Daddy Bolt now and Daddy laughed cause it was funny.

I draw-ed you a picture, see! That me and Dwaco and you and we drink tea!

I go bed now!

...

It not stopped Dwaco.

You have to say your name, it knows your name.

Lily!

Dear Blaise,

I have taken the liberty of just one edit on Lily's first un-guided dicta-quill letter. Tomorrow we embark on the more fraught adventure of the now much delayed letter to Ronald Weasley, which has so many pictures which intend to accompany it that I imagine there are prison regulations against such a parcel.

Thank you for being with me yesterday, for your care and patience with Lily, and for your truly exquisite taste in trousers. Your style, as you will see from the attached, is evident even to a girl of not quite three and a half.

Come over the next few days and spend the afternoon with me. The garden is just now due for its first real spring day I am sure, but with everything perhaps we should take a walk around the lake no matter the weather. I could use the fresh air to clear my head and try and discern how it is that I came to care even a jot, let alone about two and a half jots, about Ron the Weasel's sense of well being.

Also, Mummy has found this delightful new wine, you simply must try it we are quite enthusiasts.

Love, Draco

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Miss-er Baise,

Thank you for you taking me to watch the fin today. I tell Sevvus and Daddy about it and Daddy say I maybe have a hams-er and I can name it Wino, but Dwaco say no. Miss-er Baise, I want a hams-er, you tell Dwaco yes for me? Cause I really want one lots!

I like it best when Bolt bark and things BOOM! Um. Woof? Woof woof woof woof? when Bolt bark and things BOOM! WOOF WOOF WOOF! Cause I have a dog but he don't bark! like that. And it was funny when Bolt hitt-it the window and falled back in the box! And Wino rolled in his ball! And he hitt-it the truck and let Bolt out! And I tell Daddy Keener was in the fin too but they called her Mittens like I weared when it cold outside! She a funny cat!

Dwaco say Bob can be Bolt now cause I want a Bolt dog too. I draw-ed a bolt on his bottom like Daddy has on his head but Daddy's don't rubbed off and Bolts do. Dwaco say we call Daddy Bolt now and Daddy laughed cause it was funny.

I draw-ed you a picture, see! That me and Dwaco and you and we drink tea!

I go bed now!

Lily!

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Lily's picture for Blaise