ORDER ONLY: Private message to Miss Parkinson

[alt_severus]

I was exceptionally pleased to learn you were able to free yourself of the malign influence of living with one of Voldemort's horcruxes for so long. Though I have not ever had the dubious pleasure of experiencing such influence myself and therefore can only speculate as to what you must feel at the moment, I have sufficient experience with Dark objects that the speculation is, I fancy, rather more informed than others' might be.

It is a credit to your strength that you were able to find the will to destroy it. I hope that you have received sufficient support from Albus -- or from Miss Lestrange, come to think of it -- in the aftermath.

I regret that the consequences of my having discarded my cover identity will include no longer having opportunity to work with you, and the others of your cohort, throughout the coming academic year. Should you be interested in continuing our lessons over the summer, I would be pleased to do so; now that I will no longer be stretched so thinly, I will have leeway to impart considerably more theory alongside the pressures of necessary production, once the immediate aftermath of this last week's events has faded somewhat.

Comments

[alt_pansy]

I've been second-guessing every thought and feeling, which is

It's tiring.

But I guess that's normal enough. If you can call what we've been through normal, that is.

We've all just been trying to get through this investigation in one piece, and I haven't had too much time to really sit and work through everything that's happened. I did talk with Mr Dumbledore, and I've had a little time to talk with Hydra too. She and Harry were working quite hard to keep on top of the investigation, comparing notes and sorting out strategies and all that, so perhaps we'll get more time to really talk over hols.

Are you sure that you

We still haven't received any official notification regarding the council, and yes, you're right, I wouldn't be the best pupil at the moment. I'm dreading my end of term marks. Exams were a bit of a blur.

Thank you for your offer. I'm glad you still I don't want to waste Once things settle, I'll be able to make a more informed decision.

I would

I would be grateful for the chance to continue working with you, even if it's only over summer. And I would like to learn more theory, if things do work out.

[alt_severus]

I can offer you no observations of use, nor would any advice I could proffer be anything more than useless platitudes, save to say that in the aftermath of such a singular experience, human nature lends itself to one of two responses: either to allow the complex and shifting emotions engendered by such events to harden you into becoming embittered and closed-off, or to channel those emotions into self-improvement. I hope you will not feel it inappropriate for me to say that I am wishing you strength to arrive at the latter, rather than the former.

From reports of what has transpired over the past several days at Hogwarts I can scarcely conceive how miserable the experience must be. Allow me to proffer my apologies for my part in creating the atmosphere you must now tolerate.

I will look forward to the prospect of matters settling sufficiently that you may decide upon your plans for the summer. I do not require an immediate answer. If — and only if — you are in need of a distraction from the misery of your current environment, you may find value in reading von Zurbruck's Eine Geschichte der Tränke, in translation; it is one of my favourite references, and it is both widely available and not likely to cause suspicion should you be seen to procure it.

[alt_pansy]

I shall be sure to pick up a copy, then.

Thank you.