To Find Where We Belong

December 29

Clara-

The delegates from the other schools are driving me mad . One of my 'old friends' from my days as a DeathEater is with one of them. I can't shake him off my tail. He's everywhere I am, constantly yammering about his students, our past together and everything. I have to put up with this the rest of the school year. I may kill him if he doesn't stop. It's already distracting.

What have you done about changing positions? Get it done as quickly as possible. Let me know. I will be sending all further correspondance with you via wizard post, which is done by messenger owls, similar to messenger pigeons. Merely write out your reply and the owl will bring it back to me. I will be sending a package of owl treats with the owl. Merely reward the owls with one treat each time they make a successful delivery.

Severus

January 8

Severus,

That killing stuff had better have been a joke.

Position changing in prodess, but I don't think Mr. Malfoy will be happy. He has put me in charge of two important projects. It may take more time than you'd like. I refuse to leave in the middle of the experiment I'm working on. I don't think it's dangerous but I don't know what Patrick is working on at all. He and Mr. Malfoy are awfully chummy. I want to keep an eye on what they are doing.

Clara

January 20

Yes it was a blasted joke and why the heck aren't you out of that position yet? You have no business playing spy now get out of there! That's an order!

Things are heating up here at Hogwarts. Long story short, but Hogwarts has two representatives when we're only supposed to have one. One of them is Harry Potter, the boy who somehow brought about Voldemort's fall. Bad things are shaping up and you have no business being in the middle of it. He's almost be killed in one task and the second one is coming up quickly.

Severus

P.S. Don't forget to give the owl a treat and strap your reply to it's leg.

January 21

Severus

I have no business being a spy?! That's a good one coming from you! Weren't you a spy, Severus? I am incapable of being a spy, is that what you're implying? I'll have you know I'm good at figuring out things and I always find out who did it in the mystery novels well before the last clues are sometimes given!

I'm still at Dark Lights Chemicals, yes. Malfoy and Patrick are up to something. Patrick's been talking about you, pestering me with questions about whether or not I still see you and all. Mr. Malfoy took an interest in you also, asking me a bunch of questions. I've been fobbing them off with some nonsense about not knowing much about you and not really caring. I'm sure they bought it so quit your worrying.

Tell me more about this contest at your school instead. Sounds exciting!

Clara

P.S. The owl is cute. Are they hard to care for? Can I have one?

January 22

Foolish Muggle -

If you don't quit that job I'll never write another word to you again! GET OUT OF THERE!

And no, you'd make a horrible spy. The first thing in your mind spills right out of your mouth. You're too bloody honest. Don't make me come to London and make you quit.

Severus

P.S. If I get you an owl, he'll eat your rat.

January 23

He's a hamster!

Clara

January 24

You've not left that position yet, have you? Dammit, Clara! I don't care about the blasted rat, hamster, rodent, whatever it is. I want you away from Malfoy!

If I buy you an owl and tell you about this blasted tournament, will you get the hell away from Malfoy?

What questions are they asking about me? And don't think you've fooled them for a minute, because I know Malfoy better than you ever better know him!

Severus

January 26

Clara-

Don't you send the owl back without a reply! It's rude and tells me you're up to no good, you devious little Muggle.

Fine. The first task set before the competitors of the Tri-Wizard Tournament currently being held at Hogwarts was in the middle of November. They had to retrieve a golden egg from a dragon. Each student chose a different breed of dragon and then had to devise a method to get past it. They were female dragons with recently lain eggs, making them quite dangerous. Plenty of professional dragon care wizards were on hand in case things got too difficult for the students, so no worries there. All of the champions made it through safely. The next task will take place toward the end of February.

Are you happy? Send a reply and tell me how your new job is going.

Severus

January 28

Severus

I must have an owl. The last one you sent fell in love with my old stereo cabinet and settled in quite nicely.

What new job?

Clara

February 13

IF YOU DON'T GET OUT OF THERE I WILL PERSONALLY COME TO LONDON AND TAKE YOU FROM THERE. IS THAT UNDERSTOOD?

No, you can't have that owl. It's a school owl. It belongs to Hogwarts.

Severus

February 14

Severus

Enclosed is a Valentine's Day card. Thank you for your polite inquiries regarding my health and wishing me the same.

Love, Clara