Private Message to Antonin Nikolaevich

[alt_lucius]

Bratka,

Alive. Recovering. Rereading our old friend Cestus.

Much to discuss; no time at present.

Write when you are able.

Lyoushka

Comments

[alt_antonin]

I did not dare to hope you had your journal. Are you all right? Are you recovering?

[alt_lucius]

Slowly.

Have had to piece together information over the last months. Know about the horcruxes, for example. But knowing that, had never expected - Rite of Succession? Was certain his plan would not take that direction. Never considered it, until too late. But it must have been, mustn't it.

How does it go now, with Bella and the others? Too much traffic is private to tell with certainty.

Are you - that is, it's clear you've suffered as many betrayals in this sordid business as I. My sympathies.

[alt_antonin]

I am having difficulty believing what he-whose-name-I-will-never-write-again's plan was, as well. But yes: the Rite of Succession, using Harry as the target, and he called upon me to be the Binder. I almost refused, and to hell with the consequences, but Harry told me it had to be this way, and I have never more regretted my Mastery, but of course if one needs someone for a complex and dangerous rite, I am the first to come to mind. I shall not be putting it on my CV, however.

Harry knew, it appears. When he gave himself up. He asked Draco to cast the Black Curse upon him before he delivered himself, and of course once the rite is completed, the binding cannot be undone.

So it goes.

Bella has been ... surprisingly lucid. I would not have thought her a natural choice for successor, but against all predictions, she has been doing an excellent job. We are ...enduring.

Your sympathies are much appreciated. It has been a difficult few weeks, and I cannot see it getting any less so anytime soon.

Are you and Narcissa safe and well? Comfortable? I must confess, when I heard you had been broken out of Azkaban (and now that we know Draco is alive and cooperating with the Phoenix, a great deal comes clear) I was more relieved than worried, that you would not be in that place anymore.

[alt_lucius]

Yes.

We're well. As for comfortable ... it could be accurately said that nearly anyplace is preferrable to Azkaban. While my accommodations at Saltash were by no means luxurious, they were satisfactory. But incarceration is nonetheless incarceration, no matter how gilded the cage. Our lodgings here are palatial and peaceful by comparison, though of course for Narcissa they are a considerable adjustment. It helps that neither of us is in need of much, at least materially.

I am getting used to the feel of a wand again, which is, after all, the only possession that truly matters. Feared I would never again have the opportunity - or the need. The worst part of their prison is that one is surrounded by Muggles and no amount of cosying can make up for the nullification of magic the Phoenixes have devised.

One wonders how they can call themselves wizards, when they eschew the one thing that seals our birthright. It's just as much an affront now as it was back when we were first fighting for our supremacy. Imagine you, Bella and Barty have plans to repay every last traitor, which is at least some solace.

You were not the only one who was relieved, when my removal was arranged. But I don't believe you or Barty are fully aware of the price. At least, cannot think Narcissa would have told you all that happened, though you might recall she suffered for it.