Private message to Mr and Mrs Malfoy

[alt_rachel]

I have some terrible news for you, and I thought it best to get it to you as quickly as possible.

Draco is dead. He apparently got his wand back for a moment and seized the opportunity to escape -- apparated to the Argyll muggle camp, probably because it was the closest possible refuge.

Snape must have grabbed hold of him. They showed up here together, and Snape killed him and apparated away. I was here with Montague, in the office, doing -- well, it doesn't matter. We heard a commotion but didn't arrive quickly enough. It was a a terrible failure on our part, and on the part of the camp, to have both Draco and his kidnapper within our grasp and to lose both.

Montague is firecalling Auror Lestrange as I write this. I told him I'd give you the news.

I am so terribly sorry, Mr and Mrs Malfoy. I know how desperately you wanted to see him return alive.

Comments

[alt_narcissa]

Excuse me? Is this a lie, a trick, or your idea of a sick joke?

He most certainly is not dead. I would know.

And who are you to speak to m

Private message to Mrs Malfoy

[alt_rachel]

He's not?

Are you absolutely sure? Because Auror Lestrange should be informed immediately, in that case.

It currently appears that Draco was being held prisoner, and seized the first opportunity to escape, dying tragically in the attempt. If that's not what happened...

Re: Private message to Mrs Malfoy

[alt_narcissa]

I keep a copy of his portrait in a locket, to say nothing of our family tapestry.

If anyone is to inform my sister, it should be that someone has played a cruel and morbid trick on us.

Re: Private message to Mrs Malfoy

[alt_rachel]

If this is indeed a trick, it's a trick that suggests Draco will certainly not be back before the deadline.

Perhaps I was misinformed about the likely consequences, however.

[alt_lucius]

Dearest, perhaps you should check the tapestry and make sure that it does indeed agree with Auror Lamont's report.

Whether it is true or not it is clear that he will not be returning. That - is - what you are telling us, Auror Lamont?

And if he is not returning then surely it would be better there is no evidence to ... contradict ... Auror Lamont's news.

[alt_narcissa]

But -

Yes. Yes, I - must have been mistaken. Or there was a delay in the effect.

Our son is dead.

[alt_rachel]

I am so terribly sorry, Mr and Mrs Malfoy, to be the bearer of this news.

[alt_rachel]

To all appearances, Draco DID return, dying tragically even as he arrived.

If in fact that wasn't Draco -- well. If it wasn't Draco, then it's clear he won't be returning.

[alt_lucius]

Yes, just so. In the act of trying to set the record straight and restore himself to his family and the service of his Lord.

May one take it you are prepared to attest to as much, to any and all who might ask about the circumstances?

[alt_rachel]

Yes.

Jason Montague saw everything I did, and there were two camp guards who saw Draco and Snape's arrival, and saw Snape murder Draco. They were insufficiently quick to prevent Snape's escape.

Private Message to Auror Rachel Lamont

[alt_lucius]

Is there anything ... that his mother ought to know, which should not come from a stranger?

(Under the circumstances, I do realise why you wrote but perhaps it's best to leave the rest to others from here.)

Re: Private Message to Auror Rachel Lamont

[alt_rachel]

(I fully intend to, don't worry.)

He appeared to have been well-treated. No fresh injuries -- there were some older ones that had been healed, though, and his school robes had quite a bit of dried blood on them.

We think the safe house must have been somewhere not too far from here; there are Enforcers out searching. (Jason and I are waiting for Auror Lestrange to arrive. So if I suddenly stop replying, you can guess why.)

Re: Private Message to Auror Rachel Lamont

[alt_lucius]

Understood. My sister-in-law is unlikely to show much in the way of lenience. Were I in a similar position, would fully concur with her zeal. Do bear that in mind should it be necessary to ... seek blame for not rescuing him in time.

Bella will also be able to make the identification. Not sure it would be wise to summon Narcissa.

One wonders that neither of them splinched, if Draco really had not prepared for Snape to side-along-Apparate.

Well, it will all become part of the investigation, one assumes. Though that may not be enough to counter the accusations entirely.

Forgive me: We each have much to do, it would seem.

Re: Private Message to Auror Rachel Lamont

[alt_rachel]

Oh, I quite understand what to expect. I am an Auror, after all.

There's been a bit of discussion of that; you may be called up to confirm the identification, but not for a few hours yet, I think.

As far as splinching goes -- it's actually rather rare, especially over short distances. An unexpected side-along would certainly increase the risk, but a successful apparation wouldn't in itself be surprising. I read a paper on this -- oh, I won't bore you. Anyway, yes. I shouldn't keep you from your tasks.