20 April, 1891

Mr. Crouch,

How are you?

Dionisia

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Reuben Crouch

  

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April 20th
Dionisia,

Better than you, I imagine. I heard you were in the hospital. Are you feeling better now?

Ben

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20 April, 1891

Ben,

I suppose it depends on what you mean by "better". I don't feel ill, but my head is sore.

Did Zelda tell you I was in the hospital?

Dionisia

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April 21st
Dionisia,

No, I just heard through the grapevine. I'm glad you're not ill. Did they say anything about how long your head is going to be sore? I hope they've given you some pain potions. I'd offer to pick one up for you but I don't have a great track record with freelance potioneers.

Ben

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21 April, 1891

Ben,

I wasn't aware that people other than my family and employer knew I was here. I'm sorry you didn't hear it from me first; it took me a while to come around to a point where I could hold a quill. My head will be sore for a time. Apparently part of the ship's mast fell and hit me on the hit. They've given me plenty of pain potions, but I do appreciate your concern.

I feel as though it's a strange question to ask, so I must preface it with the explanation that my mind has not been what it was since I was injured. Everything is a little muddled; I remember people and places and general knowledge of the world and my life, but I've been had a difficult time remembering when certain events took place or what their outcomes were.

That being sad: What happened the last time we spoke? I remember you seeing Elliott, but everything after is something of a blur.

Dionisia

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This was a loaded letter, even more so than her last one had been with the reference to Zelda — not a name Ben was familiar with, but presumably a friend. He imagined that Zelda might have been read into this situation the same way that he'd told Art about it, and might have had some directive from Dionisia that was similar to the one he'd given Art before the duel. If something goes wrong, don't let her hear it through the paper. Whatever injury had put Dionisia in the hospital hadn't been that dire, apparently, but it had been bad enough that she hadn't been able to hold a quill for several days, which wasn't good. The rest of what she said likewise implied that she was still fragile, and if she was fragile then he could justify lying to her about what had happened the last time they'd spoken, or at least omitting some of the truth. Partly it was out of a desire not to put too much on her — if she'd forgotten about their conversation about the duel, that was probably for the best, because it had all worked out just fine and there was no point in worrying her about it again after the fact. Partly it was that he wouldn't have known what to say even if he had wanted to. You tried to hand him to me and all the sudden I couldn't breathe.

April 22nd
Dionisia,

Nothing in particular. Elliott was already asleep by the time I showed up. I've been meaning to ask if I can see him again sometime soon, but with you out to sea I wasn't sure when we could manage it. It can wait until you're feeling better.

Ben

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Nothing of importance, then. It did not align with the jumbled memories that Dionisia had yet to unscramble, but she would take his word for it—she remembered that Ben Crouch had a reputation with the tabloids, but not a reputation as a liar. Still, she could no disguise her unease as she lifted her quill to write her next letter.

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22 April, 1891

Ben,

Near the end of the month might be best. Elliott has clung to me since my return, and both my husband and in-laws have been keeping a close eye on me since I returned home. I think they worry I will fall apart the moment they turn their heads; clearly they forget my field of work.

That being said, we might even be best to wait until the beginning of the next month.

Dionisia

P.S. Remind me, Ben: do you have any children with your wife? Forgive me if it's something I should already know; as I said, my mind has yet to recover all the details of my memories.

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   Reuben Crouch

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April 22nd
Dionisia,

No, my wife and I don't have any children yet. The end of the month should work. My schedule will be busier now that the season has started since sometimes I get invited to events when Jewell is supplying them, but barring one of those I can be available whenever is best for you.

I'm glad people are looking out for you. I know it might be frustrating, but they mean well. I hope you don't begrudge them that for my sake.

Ben

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22 April, 1891

Ben,

Jewell's is the liquor company, right? I would not dream of interrupting your work, so do let me know what days work best for you and I will see which ones I can best work around. I don't believe the company will last forever; once they realize that my condition is unlikely to worsen they'll give me privacy. If I send them away I assure you it will be on my own accord. I've always been the type to enjoy my freedom.

Elliott will be two in June. He's recently begun speaking in better grammar. He's an early bloomer, I believe, although I can't pretend to be overly familiar with the development of small children. In any case, he says hello.

Dionisia

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April 22nd
Dionisia,

He said hello? To me? That's neat. Were you talking to him about it first or did he bring it up? I mean — does he remember me when I'm not there? It's not a big deal if he doesn't, we've only barely met really. I wouldn't have expected him to. But if he does that's really neat.

Anyway: yes, that's the one, Jewell's Distillery. We do champagne now too and we might branch out into fine wine next year if things go smoothly in France. It's not terribly important work, so I wouldn't mind the interruption, but there should be plenty of dates where I don't have any other commitments. If we make plans and you need to reschedule because there are still too many visitors just tell me, and I won't mind at all.

Ben

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22 April, 1891

Ben,

Elliott has always been curious—too curious, I say sometimes, but at the end of the day it makes me happy to see him take such an interest. One of my sister-in-laws bought him a set of four stuffed Hogwarts mascots while I was in the hospital to placate him, and he likes to pretend they're fighting each other. While I write he sits on the floor next to me playing with them, but sometimes he'll grip my leg or ask to sit in my lap. He asked what I was doing, and I said I was writing to Ben. I cannot say whether he truly remembers you or not, but he was quick to tell me to write "Hi Ben".

Don't sell yourself short; all work is important work. I'm sure there are many business deals that wouldn't have been made without the right drink in their glass. I take it it's you work as a salesman of sorts? Or do you help make the drinks as well? I've never been much of a drinker, but then again—with my job has I've never been allowed much of an opportunity.

Dionisia

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April 23rd
Dionisia,

Thanks for passing along the greeting. It made my day.

I'm a promoter, which is sort of like a salesman, but I do other things, too. I don't actually make the liquor but I do sit in on the meetings when they're designing them and offer up ideas, and then I do the marketing for them. Sometimes I get to name them. Every once in a while I get to go abroad and work out deals with overseas distributors or our champagne partner in France (that's what I was doing in Paris last year). I guess some people would call me a glorified salesman, but it's work I'm good at, and it pays well enough, so I can't complain.

Ben

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23 April, 1891

Ben,

I'm glad.

Your job sounds like the perfect fit. The first time we met—after Elliott's birth, I mean—I think I remember that you were working. It's why I decided to contact you. You were so good with Elliott even not knowing who he was. You're good with people; it's a good trait to have.

I've never been abroad before. Sometimes I feel like I ought to have; being a mediwitch has brought me to the far corners of Britain at times, but never have I crossed the sea. When I was growing up my parents made me learn about French culture and tried to teach me the language. Are they really so different from us, then? Have you traveled elsewhere?

Dionisia

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April 24th
Dionisia,

No, they're not so different. People are people, no matter where you go. The setting changes, the language changes, the holidays and the customs change, but the people don't, deep down. I've traveled a lot. I sort of — well, actually this is something I don't admit to very many people but I traveled a lot when I was younger because I was mad at my family after I quit Quidditch, and I liked making them pay for me to go screw around in Europe and America as a sort of revenge. But I did do some legitimate traveling, too. I used to be a cursebreaker. It's been a long time, though. Now I don't go anywhere, hardly, except occasionally to France.

If you ever do think you can take time to travel and you want recommendations, I'd be happy to help. Just let me know. I always think it's sad when people tell me they've never been outside of Britain.

Ben

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