An Unaccustomed Correspondent

March 15, 1999

Dear Draco,

I have received the package and reviewed its contents. Your father’s notes on his research into obscure curses and how to bind them synergistically were most interesting. The man had an almost preternatural ability to sense what spells would work best together.

I agree that it is likely that the combination of spells he used on my wife was threefold: a simple Stupefying Charm, followed by Dormium Perpetuum, with the tapeworm spell woven throughout. I’ve never seen anything like that last spell; do you have any idea where he found it? William Weasley, who was visiting when the notes arrived, seems to believe it is Eastern in origin, although he has never encountered it in his travels. He believes, however, that our plan of attack is sound. Using the potion against the Dormium Perpetuum curse has the added advantage of weakening the magical tapeworm. It is counter-productive to use spells such as Ennervate, because the magic used actually feeds the creature. That is why Hermione essentially lost ground in the first several weeks of diagnostics and treatment; everything was spell-based.

We will continue to administer the potion up to the anniversary of the spell’s casting, at which point the entire spell can be uncast. Mr. Weasley is working on crafting the counter-curse as we speak.

The potion itself seems to be working. With each dose, it becomes apparent that my wife is gaining strength. While she is unable to communicate with us, there are discernable changes in her demeanor in response to her company and shifts in the conversation. I don’t believe it is my imagination that she understands what is said to her.

Thank you again for your assistance in tracking down these spells. I will forward the original notebook to the Ministry through Auror Tonks-Lupin; she has promised to conceal their provenance, so that you and your mother will not be disturbed. Although Professor Dumbledore and I disagree that you owe a life-debt to us subsequent to the events of your sixth year, consider yourself released of any possible obligation if these investigations lead to the restoration of my wife to full health and vigor.

Please give my regards to your mother. I hope that she is in good health.

Sincerely,

Severus Snape

Potions Master

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry

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March 15, 1999

Lupin,

I’ve enclosed the notes that Draco Malfoy found among his father’s private papers. Please read them closely. Although William Weasley, Albus, and I have all reviewed them and can find nothing hidden, you and Potter ought to examine them before they disappear into the bowels of the Department of Mysteries. We have, of course, copied them carefully, but we need to make certain they contain nothing more than the written text.

In addition, I suggest that you and Potter make note of a charm located halfway down the fourth page of Malfoy’s notes. With some modification, it might assist you in ridding yourselves of the termagant hanging on the wall of your front hallway.

As we discussed via Floo earlier today, we believe that the younger Malfoy’s theory about the curse that his father used on my wife is essentially correct. It would have struck Lucius’s sense of irony, for a Muggleborn to die, as her magic was consumed from within. Had she been a Muggle, that part of the spell would probably not have affected her at all. I’m only surprised that he attempted an Avada Kedavra Curse initially, although in the heat of battle, it would be quicker to cast. The compound curse requires less of a burst of magical energy, spread over moments as it is, and would have been easier for him as he recovered from casting the Killing Curse.

I am certain that Potter has told you of Hermione’s progress. We continue to see signs that she is aware of, and reacting to, her surroundings. The episode with her parents two weeks ago was most encouraging. Despite Potter’s contention that her magical surge occurred as a result of her mother’s emphatically-stated opinion of me, it is my belief that my wife was reacting to her mother’s angry verbal attack upon Potter, without reference to the topic of that attack. Fortunately, no-one was injured and the broken china was easily cleared away. It is heartening, though, to see evidence that her magic is recovering, and her awareness restored. We shall see how matters progress when her parents visit in several days. I may attend the meeting, as Potter, Albus, and Minerva all maintain that my presence calms her. That is rubbish, of course, but I will comply with their request.

When you and Potter have completed your review of the notebook, please give it to your wife to “discover” and deliver to the Ministry.

Sincerely,

Severus Snape

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March 16, 1999

Potter,

I must ask you to attempt to exert some control over your wife. I have received a request for a response to an upcoming article in Witch Weekly. This essay, apparently written as a rebuttal to the Daily Prophet’s series on my wife and her “unfortunate marriage”, was authored by “G.P.”, an individual identified as “a close friend to Mrs. Snape who wishes to set the record straight, not only on The Marriage”, (their capitalization, not mine) “but also on the heroic nature of Professor Snape, whose loving care has led to Mrs. Snape’s imminent recovery”. What pap!

To add insult to injury, it appears that Mrs. Potter has abused her visiting time with my wife and allowed Mr. Creevey to photograph her for the article. Such an invasion of Hermione’s privacy is intolerable!

Albus and Minerva refuse to intervene; indeed, they appear to approve of the entire exercise. I cannot imagine, however, that you would want such an article published. You are portrayed as being completely helpless in the matter, depending on others to restore your remaining best friend to you. I do not believe your wife serves you well, displaying you in such a way.

In addition, such a depiction of me, as some sort of romantic hero, reinforces questions which would be insulting to my wife should they be voiced. She was my student. There was no relationship between us, other than that of a teacher and his student, and there never would have been, had circumstances not necessitated this marriage. Unfortunately, Mrs. Potter’s insistence to the contrary only serves to keep the issue alive in the minds of doubters.

I can only assume that your wife’s hormones are leading her astray. I urge you to command her to withdraw the article from Witch Weekly and to pay more attention to her N.E.W.T. preparation.

I hope I can count on you in this, if not to assist me or protect your reputation, then to protect my wife from even further embarrassment when she awakens.

Sincerely,

Severus Snape

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A/N: All standard disclaimers apply…the characters aren’t mine, the setting isn’t mine, the only thing that is mine is the plot!

Many thanks to my beta, Somigliana, who is a font of positive reinforcement and gentle correction.