Private Message to Rachel W, Mrs Longbottom, Professor Siz, Evelyn, Ernie, and Madam P.

[alt_linus]

One of the Healers here has been so kind as to inquire for me about plans to release the bodies of my family, and I have been informed that Ptolemy Baddock has asked for and received them. I have heard nothing from Mr Baddock, nor indeed anything from my own sister Karo, his wife, and I am tormented with worry, foolish though it may be, that some evil has befallen her as well. I write to all of you, as all of you have in some capacity or other helped me get through these difficult days.

Is Karo being held incommunicado somewhere? I know she has been colder to her family ever since her marriage, but this seems beyond the pale even for her.

Have they decided upon a funeral and not informed me?

Have they already had a funeral and not informed me?

I cannot go off to the stronghold of the erstwhile Protectorate and confront my sister. I cannot go to the family home as I do not know whether it would be even safe for me to go. Or indeed what point there might be in going there or anywhere else. And in any case Hydra has already wreaked

Other than in the realm of Arithmancy, all is unclear to me and I know not where my duties toward my family, my honour, and toward Albion (if she will continue to have me) may lie.

I am frankly at a loss. My soul cries out in anguish, soothe it however I may with work. What ought I do??

Comments

Private Message to Mrs L, Rachel W

[alt_linus]

It is perhaps a fortunate thing that Hydra has already put paid to the matter of vengeance, as I do not think a duel between myself and that wretch Crouch would have been advisable. I assume that the two of you, not to mention the weight of Albion's planners in general, would find it just as inadvisable for me to take up quill and inscribe a freezing missive to Prof Dolohov, holding him responsible for what his comrade and, if it be reported aright, chosen family member has done, and offering him my utter lack of condolences.

[alt_ernie]

That's awful, mate. Right cold of him, if you ask me.

I don't know how to sort out the stuff about your sister, or whether they had a funeral already or not.

I do think that if you'd want to have a memorial here, we could do that. There are people who knew your mum and dad, and who knew the twins at school, who'd come.

As far as the house goes, there might be some pictures or personal things that you'd like to keep. You never know. If Baddock's not being reasonable, it might be a good idea to go now and see if there's anything you'd want before he pulls anything else. Maybe he could go for a quick visit with a security detail, Auror Brodie? Hell, Linus, you could make a list of things you think you'd want, and send me round to fetch them for you.

And with all of this, you could end up deciding you'd rather not, which is okay too.

And no matter what, you've got people here who'll help you, and who care about you. So there's that.

[alt_ernie]

And mate, I know not everyone's sticking around Hogwarts forever. But that's not something that has to be sorted today. So you can just take that particular weight off your back for the time being.

Once it does need to be sorted, maybe we can look for a flat or something, yeah?

Don't know if you've got other plans, but the offer's there. Just so you know.

[alt_evelyn]

Oh, Linus. How awful.

I'm so sorry to hear it.

Perhaps you ought to write Karo? Through the proper security channels, of course. At the very least, it might help start to address some of your questions.

You're not alone in feeling like the future is a thing of uncertainty. After all, we're sort of in the process of creating it, aren't we? We'll just have to muddle through it as best we can, together.

[alt_alice]

There aren't any easy answers to your last question, Linus.

But please do know that Albion will always have a place for bright young people working to make a better future, and that what you have been doing is incredibly valued and worth while.

I lost my parents to an act of violence when I was only a few years older than you are now. I know a little of what you might be feeling now -- the sense of being adrift and uprooted. You have my deepest sympathies, and if there's anything we can do to provide you support in the immediate future, or, indeed, in the coming months and years, we will do our best to be there for you.

I'm so very sorry for your loss.

[alt_poppy]

I was sorry to miss you last evening, but wanted you to know that I've returned to the castle for the afternoon and will be in the hospital wing should you wish to stop in.