Blood of Mud, Wing of Bat

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Chapter 37: The Howl

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Dear Ron,

I heard you managed to get back to Majorca and that you are all right. I'm glad. You did see what happened to the Burrow, didn't you? I assume the Quidditch Barbecue is off?

I still think we need to talk about your spending time with Sheila Lasherton though. Was that her who answered the floo in your apartment this morning? What has actually happened between you two? This hurts me so much - I just don't understand how you could do it. But I want to understand. Please tell me.

I've decided I'll be staying at my parents' house for a while. They won't be back from Africa for several months yet, and the wards are all keyed to me anyway. I plan to add a few more. If you need to get ahold of me and owls can't find me, wait for me there.

I'm sorry for being so angry earlier - I know there has to be some logical explanation. I hope you'll tell me what it is. I love you.

Hermie

P.S. Wait a minute. What am I saying?! You CHEATED on me, Ron! You admitted it! And I'm trying to deny it… what am I INSANE? Damn it Ron, what is going on between you and that woman? Why was she IN your APARTMENT this morning? Why did she know you got back last NIGHT? You had sex with her, didn't you? RON, you've been HAVING SEX WITH SHEILA LASHERTON BEHIND MY BACK FOR YEARS!!! HOW COULD YOU!!!! IT'S BAD ENOUGH YOU DON'T COME HOME FOR WEEKS AT A--

(4 additional pages of Howler omitted)

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Dear Arthur,

I remember what you said about me getting in over my head with "this Malfoy business" and at the time I thought you meant getting in over my head with Malfoy. I knew I could handle him, but I didn't realize the Aurors were going to be causing me trouble as well. I feel I very much am in over my head with them, and I'm ready to at least listen to your advice as I don't know what else to do.

Speaking of Aurors, when I Flooed trying to get ahold of you today, I was told you were trying to break up a wand battle between Special operations and the Army. Is this really true? Arthur, this is seriously alarming. What is going on? Are the Auror problems more critical than anybody realizes? How soon until the media catches on?

Please reply ASAP.

--Hermione

P.S. Why did you let them through the Burrows' wards? I'm not angry, I just don't understand. How could you do something like that? To your own ancestral property, to your own son and daughter-in-law? The place is utterly destroyed. There's holes in the ceiling and the carpets have all been ripped up. Everything of value is gone. I just don't understand.

P.P.S. How come you didn't intervene when Nesbitt was questioning me last night? Couldn't you have gotten me out of jail right away? The charges were so patently ridiculous. And I felt a fool having my bail paid by Malfoy of all people. Not to mention having Nesbitt pumping me for information all night. Is there anyone in control of what Nesbitt does any more?

P.P.P.S. Arthur, the more I think about it the more upset I get. I'm literally shaking just thinking about it, and not just from nerves. What on EARTH were you thinking? This is the BURROW we're talking about! Were you even there? Who took down the wards? IT WAS YOU WASN'T IT? Ron may be a lying, cheating jerk but he wouldn't let a load of POWER HUNGRY VIOLENCE-PRONE AURORS RIP APART OUR HOUSE AND HOM--

(6 more pages of Howler omitted)

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Dear Sibyll,

Malfoy said you had connections so I'm not sure how much of this you already know, but last night I was arrested on false charges by the Department of Domestic Disturbances. Special Operations set it up so that Nesbitt could get his hands on me for questioning about Malfoy -- on the record. They searched the Burrow and found the papers you gave me. I'm really sorry about this. I was careful not to carry any of them with me, but I didn't know they weren't going to be safe at the house!

I'm sorry I wasn't able to tell you about this sooner, but you see I only got out of jail about three hours ago and this is the first chance I've had to sit down and send an owl. The Burrow has been utterly wrecked, and I've had only about an hour of sleep, as Nesbitt questioned me nearly all night. I suspect I'm not thinking very clearly right now. I'm going to be staying at my parents' house, so if you're unable to get an owl through to me have them leave the letters there.

Thank you, and sorry about this.
Hermione Weasley

P.S. Why on earth did you include unreleased internal documents in what you gave me? And wherever did you manage to get them? No - nevermind. At this stage we're both better off if I don't know.

P.P.S. Is the back stock gone from my office yet? Because I don't see how I'll ever be able to work if I can't even reach my desk. And before you say I'll be spending so much time at Batwing that it wont' matter, don't. There is no way Malfoy and I could see that much of one another without one of us killing the other.

P.P.P.S. Also… WHY did you pick me for this assignment? What on earth POSSESSED you? He hates the Muggle-born. He hates my family. I just came off a god-damned VACATION, Trelawney, what on EARTH made you think I could DEAL WITH THIS KIND OF STRESS, didn't it occur to you that I NEEDED a BREAK FOR MERLIN'S SAKE? I'VE ONLY BEEN ON THIS ASSIGNMENT FOR THREE DAYS AND MY HOUSE IS WRECKED, MY KIDS ARE IN DANGER, MY HUSBAND IS CHEATING ON ME, MY OWN FATHER-IN-LAW SEEMS HELL BENT ON DRIVING ME INSANE AND I WANT TO GRAB YOUR CLIENT BY THE COLLAR AND SLAP HIM UNTIL HE GIVES UP AND RUNS FOR HIS LIFE FROM THAT GOD-AWFUL MONEY HOLE OF A COMPANY OF HIS JUST TO SAVE BOTH OUR--

(17 additional pages of Howler omitted)

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Dear Freida and Georgia,

I was going to send a Howler but… well, the people in this café are really starting to look at me oddly.

I really need you to do something for me. And you're not going to like it, but I must insist. I was at St. Mungo's this morning and saw what happened to Malfoy's son. It was simply appalling! I had no idea. I'm completely bewildered as to why the Headmistress didn't inform me of how serious it was. And how on earth did you ever think of doing such an awful thing? Do you realize he'll be crippled for life?

I'm afraid to say you are very much in danger now. Salazar's father only now found out the details himself, and he's positively furious over what happened. His lawyers are formidable and to say his financial resources outstrip ours is, well, an drastic understatement. Worse, I worry he'll try to take care of revenge in a more direct fashion if you were to leave the school. Do not, I repeat do not go to Hogsmeade tonight or tomorrow. Nor anywhere else outside of Hogwarts. You're probably safe enough at the school, for now.

Love,
Mother

P.S. I mean it. Don't just pooh-pooh what I say. I know you probably think you can take care of yourselves, and I'm sure you can - against other students. You two wouldn't stand a chance against Malfoy though, especially if he caught you by surprise. And he has plenty of friends he could bring along if he wanted to make sure of you. So stay inside, all right? Stay safe, and be good. For your sake, for your father's, and mine.

P.P.S. Honestly, I don't know what's gotten into you two lately. You used to be such sweet, funny girls. Where did all this cruelty come from? I'm certain you couldn't have learned it from Charlie and his family. Have you been hanging around with the wrong sorts at school? And where on earth did you get Vampire's Breath for making Everlasting Glue anyway? It's incredibly rare.

P.P.S. I just can't stop thinking about that poor boy! He's all wrapped up in bandages and can't even SEE or EAT or BREATHE. How could you DO such a thing? I'M TERRIBLY DISAPPOINTED IN YOU. No… what am I saying… I'm FURIOUS! I'M APPALLED! I'm ashamed and MORTIFIED that we could even be RELATED! HOW COULD ANY CHILD I RAISED BE SO CALLOUS AND HATEFUL? I DON'T CARE WHAT HE SAID OR DID! AND WHAT IF HE DIES? YOU'LL BE THROWN IN AZKABAN FOR SURE! OR SENT TO ST. MUNGO'S FOR EVALUATION AT THE VERY LE--

(10 more pages of Howler omitted)

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Dear Christopher,

I realize you'd just as soon study all weekend as go to Hogsmeade yourself, so I'm not so worried about you, but since this Everlasting Glue thing happened I've been worried about your sisters. I've disallowed them from going to Hogsmeade for any of the rest of this weekend, and I need to ask you to help me keep them from going. Can you do that for me? I know you have a great deal of influence on them. Thank you.

Love,
Mother

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Dear Jude,

I realize none of this had anything to do with you, but because of what's happened with your sisters and the Everlasting Glue I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to stay home from Hogsmeade tonight and tomorrow. I know this is a disappointment for you and your friends, but I think Freida and Georgia are in real danger. Salazar's father might try to take his revenge directly, or send someone else to do it, and Hogsmeade isn't safe. Will you help your brother keep the twins from going? Please, for me? Your father and I would be devastated if anything happened to any of you. I know you'll make me proud. Thank you.

Love,
Mother

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NESBITT YOU AWFUL, AWFUL… BASTARD! HOW DARE YOU SEND THOSE PEOPLE IN TO RUIN MY HOME WHILE YOU WERE QUESTIONING ME? WORDS DON'T EVEN DESCRIBE HOW ANGRY I AM AT THIS MOMENT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF HOLD YOU'VE GOT OVER ARTHUR BUT IT'S GOING TO END. ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOUR SCHEME IS BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO SUCCEED! I REFUSE TO LET MYSELF BE PUSHED AROUND LIKE A COMMON CRIMINAL! NOR WILL I LET YOU KEEP BENDING THE AUROR LAWS EVERY WHICH WAY TO YOUR ADVANTAGE! THIS MEANS WAR!

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To Whom It May Concern:
St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries

Hello, I seem to be in possession of a cat which accidentally passed through the Floo with me as I was leaving your waiting-area. It is a gray and black tabby. I believe it is safely locked up, though it may take me a while to find it as it escaped somewhere into my house. If you hear from its owner, please let them know to owl me. Thank you.

--Hermione Weasley

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Privately and Confidentially to:
Jenny Vogue
Head Librarian
Department of Tomes and Writings
Ministry of Magic

Jenny, do you think it'd be possible for me to spend some time in the library over the next few weeks without anyone being told? I… know this is very irregular but I'm desperate. If there was anything I could do for you in return - anything - just name it. Thank you.

--Hermione Weasley

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Privately and Confidentially to:
Hermione Weasley

Herm,

How about a large cash bribe?

Jenny

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Dear Ginev Virginia, (sorry)

Thank you so much for your letter regarding Nellie. I'm sorry I didn't get back to you sooner but for some reason I didn't get it until now… in fact I found it on the back of a piece of paper I was cleaning up to write some letters of my own… long story.

Yes, Nellie does seem a bit confused, doesn't she? Honestly, I've never understood what goes through her head, but this is even crazier than the usual. This business with Georgia and Freida and the Everlasting Glue can't be helping either. I think I'll go check up on her tomorrow morning. I need to go to Hogwarts anyway to make sure the others are staying safe at school and away from Hogsmeade.

Look, you must know what's been happening to me since I got embroiled in this whole Malfoy mess. What's happened to the Burrow. It'd just going to get worse, isn't it? Is there any way you can get me some protection from the inside? Warn off some of these subdepartments that don't really have a lot to gain by harrassing me? Anything? I'd be desperately grateful. Please let me know.

Love,
Hermione

P.S. Say hi to Pansy for me too. Malfoy really misses her, you know. It's odd. He got quite upset when she came up in conversation and I don't think he was acting.

P.P.S. What is the story with Narcissa Malfoy, his mother? Is she really missing? What is going on there? Do you have any idea?

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Dear Harry,

Hello, I'm sorry it's been so long since I've written. How have things been with you? I haven't heard from you in years, but I've heard you're still doing well.

Look, I haven't much time before the reporters find me again so I'll come right to the point.

I've been wondering about your leaving the Aurors. I've never asked about it because you never brought it up and I didn't want to pry. But it had something to do with Nesbitt, didn't it?

Several people have hinted at whatever-it-was in the past couple of days, and I'm starting to suspect what happened has a good deal of bearing on what's going on right now. It certainly seems to be on everybody's minds.

Would you tell me what happened? If it's not too painful? I really need to know, and I'm not sure I'd get the straight story if I asked anybody else.

I'll be staying at my parents' house, so if you can't get an owl through, try there. Thank you.

Love,
Hermione

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