The Dungeons

Professor Dumbledore,

I was very pleased to receive your owl. If you are making time to keep Severus's interests clearly in mind then I am far less worried for him than I would be otherwise. Just at present he would not be, I imagine, best pleased to see or hear from me. But I hope it is clear that I have him always in mind.

For just that reason I am equally pleased that you think something might be attempted along the lines of withdrawing students from the school. If Slytherin's sense of commitment to itself can be gathered up and pressed into action, and if Gryffindor might be persuaded to come too then I have great hopes for a quick resolution of this disaster. And surely between you and Harry and Professor McGonagall, Gryffindor can be brought along - while I am sure Professor McGonagall's disapproval of me is only likely to grow as recent events become more widely known I do not doubt her genuine attachment to Severus. As soon as I have news to share about my consultation with the Slytherin families I will write again.

In the meantime, I believe Fawkes enjoyed his visit with Vega and the children, if not as enthusiastically as they enjoyed having him here. It was quite clear to me that I had to write to you this morning as Vega would scarcely leave my presence until I had done so. I had no idea when I wanted Severus to buy her for me that living with a phoenix would be quite the constant negotiation that it is. You, I'm sure, will understand when I say that there are actually things I have done or not done simply because her approval and her disapproval are so hard to ignore. Right now she wants this letter and so here it is. I believe it is, perhaps somewhat to my own surprise, a letter of sincerely heartfelt thanks.

Yours Faithfully,
Draco

Dinner tonight at Lake Cottage. Half seven. We'll save a chair at the table for you.

Marik

Lainey,

I reckon by now you know I didn't meet you at the train today. I'm sorry. I wanted to, and I thought Dai and Dad were going to let me come because Dad didn't want to interrupt my schooling, but Dai won't let me anywhere near Hogwarts now they've sacked Kako Severus. We argued a lot about that today. I didn't win. Sometimes I hate my parents. They don't understand.

I'm starting term at Durmstrang again on Thursday. Dai and I are going for my robes tomorrow. I don't want to go to Durmstrang. I hated it last time. Hogwarts is so much better, and you're there.

Douglas says he can't go back either. I don't want you to be alone, Lainey. I miss you. I'll write every week, okay? More, if they let me. They watch how many owls we use if we don't have one of our own. Maybe I'll talk Dai into buying me one tomorrow.

This isn't fair. I hate them for sacking Kako Severus. They've ruined everything.

I got the bookmark you sent me. I'll use it every day in my Charms text like you said.

Lukas

P.S. I made this for you.

Enclosed is a bracelet of three thin leather strips handwoven together.

I just think it shouldn't be so hard to find a place in a muggle neighborhood with other wizards....

Katya, sweetie, did you take (Mummy's dessert knife?)

Marcellus.

If you have a few minutes, perhaps... in here?