Harry,

                So much has happened since I saw you over Christmas. I suppose I should’ve apologized to you about going to the Malfoy’s earlier but I’m hoping you’ll accept this anyhow. You don’t have to worry about me. I’m not going to go and do anything stupid.

                I guess I should break the tough news to you. I’m sure I’ve mentioned Dustin Bones to you before. He is, of course, Susan Bones’ son. I don’t know how else to put this but he’s gone, Harry. It was a freak accident at their birthday party.

                I don’t know why I’m going to you for help because you’re so far away but I’m lost. I know you’ve experienced things like this. The question is how do I cope knowing I could’ve at least tried to help him? Hogwarts isn’t the same and I need your advice.

                Teddy

                Teddy studied what he had scrawled onto the parchment. Sighing, he tied the letter to the leg of a tawny owl. Though he knew he sounded desperate and hurried in the letter, he didn’t have the motive to rewrite it. In fact, he wanted it that way. He stroked the owl’s feathers before allowing it to soar out of the owlery and into the early morning sky.

                Feeling rather tired and lazy, Teddy pulled this morning’s Daily Prophet from his pocket and scanned the headlines. Passing the bold titles Hogan Samm Poised to be Next Minister of Magic, Exclusive Interview with Mindy Shackle, and New Wrinkle Free Potion Banned in Albania, Teddy’s eyes focused on a small picture of Dustin waving up at him in black and white.

                Teddy leaned close to the small image and felt his throat clog up slightly. He felt a small sting emerging in the corners of eyes as he examined the picture. Dustin seemed about six or seven in the picture, an innocent smile playing across his young round face. Teddy watched as Abigal appeared in the picture, hugging her twin tightly. She beamed and rushed out of the picture again.

                “Hello, Teddy Lupin!”

                He whipped around, blinking hastily in case any tears were in his eyes. (Surely there wasn’t, surely.) With a jolt he realized Ivey Dolohov was standing in the drafty entrance to the owlery, her hand propped on a hip.

                “Oh, hi,” Teddy said awkwardly, remembering how he had last talked to her in the Three Broomsticks in complete disguise.

                “You saw the Daily Prophet too?” She said, running a hand through her jet black hair. “Honestly I think they’re a bit behind on the matter.”

                “So what are you doing up at this time?” He asked.

                “Duh! Sending a letter!” She snapped, waving a poorly sealed envelope around. She made a strange hooting noise and an elegant eagle owl swooped down and landed gracefully on her shoulder. “As I was saying, The Daily Prophet has strong ties to Professor Mildew and of course they had to hush it all up. It leaked out though. They had to report it.”

“Okay . . .” Teddy responded haphazardly and slowly made his way to the door.

Ivey quickly stepped in his way a smile on her face. “Remember that time in the Three Broomsticks when you came up to me in a disguise?”

Teddy froze.

Ivey cackled loudly. “I’m not dumb. I can tell by your voice. It’s annoying as hell.” She grinned mischievously. “You want my uncle dead? I can help you do it. I was just remembering our little talk and realized I had no idea who the kid was at The Three Broomsticks. I know everyone at the school for God sakes.” She casually flicked some dust off her shoulders. “I have my connections you know. And that voice . . . you coulda tried to cover that up.”

“You . . . knew it was me?”

“Well yes, Lupin that’s what I was saying.” Ivey rolled her eyes. “You still have the address I assume? I can help you get to his house. Tonight.”

The world spun around Teddy. Tonight. Tonight all the pain could be gone and Ivey was going to help him do it. He gulped and just looked at her. “Why all of the sudden? I talked to you weeks ago.”

“I didn’t get a chance to talk with you in private. Anyway, you’d have to be thick to not take up this offer. But first, I need you to answer a question from me: What do you want with him? Is it something personal?”

Teddy looked down at the newspaper clutched in his hands. His knuckles grew white with the tension he was putting there. So close. So close. “He killed my parents.”

“Low blow, mate.” Ivey moved from the doorframe. “But since you answered I’ll tell you this. My Uncle Antonin tortured my father. He tortured him for information! My father was never the same. He can barely comprehend anything . . . he can’t do magic anymore . . . he can barely talk. He’s practically dead.”

Teddy stared at her but couldn’t read the expression she wore. Ivey just shook her head.

“Tonight we go in and get him. The address I gave you. 11 Gorac Lane, London. We go there tonight and take back what’s ours. But how do we get there?”

“Thestral.” He whispered. He remembered a story Harry once told about how he had gotten to the ministry by thestral, the strange majestic horses that could only be seen by those who had seen death. Teddy remembered how he had saw Dustin trying desperately to escape and shivered.

Ivey’s eyes lit up. “Perfect. Absolutely prefect. Meet me by the old cabin at eight o’clock sharp.” She nodded and walked out the owlery door. Suddenly she turned back. “Oh and Lupin! Don’t talk much. I want to keep my ears, alright?”