May 1st
Miss Scrimgeour
Merlin's bloody ghost, I thought you were dead! I got arrested for you!

Where are you?
Ben

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MJ made this <3

02 May, 1888

— Ben —
I'm not dead, but I'm not well, per se.

I can't tell you. Sorry.

— Bella —

  

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— MJ is MAGICAL —

Unsent:

May 2nd
Miss Scrimgeour
No. No bloody way I'm taking that as a bloody answer. I did all kinds of dangerous shit for your sake because I thought something terrible had happened and I had to go take a fucking Unbreakable Vow (you know, the kind that kills you) in order to keep myself out of prison and you're off cavorting around somewhere probably thinking that you're very bloody mysterious with this 'I can't tell you' bullshit.

Merlin's beard my brother is going to kill me. I'm pretty sure the only reason he didn't already was because he thought I was playing knight in shining armor for some damsel in distress and now I don't even have that going for me.

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The following 1 user Likes Reuben Crouch's post:1 user Likes Reuben Crouch's post
   Aldous Crouch

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MJ made this <3

May 3rd
Rebel,
Despite the fact that we haven't known each other very long I was legitimately worried about you last week, and though you wouldn't know this I put a lot on the line to try and help you already. I can't keep taking risks for you based on non-answers and vague letters. I'm willing to help if you need help, but you have to give me something to work with.

If you aren't going to tell me what's going on, don't write to me again.
Ben

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MJ made this <3

04 May, 1888

— Ben —
I'm not dead, but rather in hiding.

It's difficult for me to give plain answers, because I still have yet to wrap my own head around what happened. I didn't send you any letters, not because I was trying to worry you, but because for a long while I couldn't hold a quill steadily enough to do so.

I'm injured. He did it. My father hur My father injured m

My father tortured me, Ben, but if my father was arrested, everyone else would suffer. Don't you remember what happened to the Echelon family? They lost everything.

I'm in Scotland, and I'm with a friend.

I don't know what sort of "help" you think you can give me, but please don't go running to the Ministry with your evidence. Everyone hates me well enough already.

— B —

  

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— MJ is MAGICAL —

May 5th
Bella,
If what you told me is true — or even partially true — then family finances should be the last thing you're worried about. Your family will be fine. You need to tell the aurors what happened.
Ben

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MJ made this <3

06 May, 1888

— Ben —
Of course I'm telling the truth! How should I go about doing that? I mean, I know how to write them a letter, but I'm not sure what I should say. Would I be in trouble for hiding while there's an ongoing investigation?

If I go home and report my father, he'll throw me on the streets. Where would I even go?

I'm sorry for dragging you into this mess.

— Bella —

  

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— MJ is MAGICAL —

[he would have sent her some sort of vague platitudes about not getting in trouble in response but I'm late af and it doesn't matter anymore so skipping that]

May 14th
Rebel,
I saw the news in the paper. You did good. I'm glad you told them everything. I would have, if you hadn't, but it's not really my place and I didn't want to stick myself into the middle of your family affairs if I didn't have to. (Imagine what the rumors would have said then).

I know you were worried about how this would affect your family, but you did the right thing. If he did that to you, there's no reason he might not have done it to your sister too someday, or to someone else.

Are you alright?
Ben

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The following 1 user Likes Reuben Crouch's post:1 user Likes Reuben Crouch's post
   Bella Scrimgeour

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MJ made this <3

15 May, 1888

— Ben —
Maybe it was the good thing to do, but it didn't make me feel any better.

My sister is suffering. My brother is suffering. Everyone with my surname is suffering and it's my fault, and it's not like he's even been indicted on anything as of this letter.

I don't feel like a rebel anymore. Just stupid.

— Bella —

  

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— MJ is MAGICAL —

May 15th
Rebel,
They'll charge him with something. It's only been a day. Just be patient a little longer.

Maybe I could come see you and we could talk about it. It might make you feel better. You'd have to tell me where you were, though, obviously.
Ben

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MJ made this <3

18 May, 1888

— Ben —
I don't currently have a permanent home, but I do have a room booked at the only inn in the village of Shere in Surrey. Feel free to visit me tomorrow evening. Or the next.

I could use the company.

— Rebel —
P.S. There's no floo access here. I don't think there's any witches or wizards here at all, really. You may have to use apparition.

  

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— MJ is MAGICAL —

May 19th
Rebel,
It won't be my first time navigating a Muggle area. I'll find it.
Ben

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I'm scarce this weekend, but feel free to start a thread if you like and I'll get to it as soon as I can <3

The following 1 user Likes Reuben Crouch's post:1 user Likes Reuben Crouch's post
   Bella Scrimgeour

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MJ made this <3