Lavender Brown

I keep thinking about you tonight.

I'm here with Haruman and it feels so strange that you aren't here.

I suppose I'd heard that he was spending some time here at Hogwarts, but this is the first time I've actually seen him. Probably because I HATE the Hospital Wing and usually never come here unless I must. But there is a lot happening right now and I would feel rather foolish if I sat around doing nothing. So I've been charming bandages for Haruman and his crew, stirring what they tell me to stir, and generally trying to be helpful and not a nuisance.

Anyhow, seeing Haruman feels a bit like old times except also completely different. And I miss those times sometimes. I miss us--the old Lavender and Padma from before things started to change. Sometimes I even miss the old Protectorate before the Lord Protector went completely insane. Although it sounds like he was always a lot worse than what we knew.

Haruman is reading over my shoulder (everyone’s taking a short rest before starting up a new round of brewing) and looking disapproving. (I’m sorry I’m not a very good citizen of Albion all right! It’s just how I feel sometimes.)

But then I start thinking about how his closest followers were people like Auror Crouch and I find myself glad those times are ending. Even if these new times scare me

I was supposed to tell you before, Padma--I told Linus I would, but it was hard to find the words. The whole Moon family (except Linus obviously, and Karo) was killed by Crouch. He lost his mind and went into a murderous rage when Prof Dolohov was killed in a raid (only he wasn’t really, but that’s a long story and I don’t really know the details). I still can’t believe he killed children.

Linus would have written himself, but he’s having a really difficult time--made more difficult by his and Karo’s estrangement.

And I want to help him--I want to so much--but right before he got the news we sort of broke up, which makes everything terribly awkward. If you were to send him a condolence note, I think it would mean a lot.

I've been thinking all day, and I'm sorry for the way I said what I said last night. Muggles are people, people who make and write lovely things, and we were wrong to treat them the way we did.

But Linus, I'm a wizard. We're wizards.

I thought I'd follow you anywhere, but I won't follow you to Oxford. If there even is an Oxford that's ready to be gone to in the autumn term.

I'm sorry. It doesn't mean I don't love you, because I do.

The weather has been absolutely beautiful all day!

I'm sure it's true that marrying on the Lord Protector's Heir's Birthday is quite auspicious, in addition to the other positive omens for today.

Parvati's going to be a stunning bride, and I can't wait to wish her and Inderpal every happiness!

Oh, it looks like the ushers will be calling us soon; I'd better go!

Linus darling,

I urgently need to see you today! Can you get away at all? I assure it is important and not at all frivolous.

Somewhere we can have privacy would be best.

Love from your Lavender

Do I see your splendid mane over by the punch? It's so dreadfully easy to lose track of one another in such a large ballroom!

If you are, could you be a dear and bring me some? Marvolo's nearly run me off my feet!