June 26th, 1888

Edric,

Clearly you'd rather I die a slow death of boredom. I see how it is. Unless you whisk me away from this drab life I lead permanently, I suppose that would also be acceptable. Who knows, either way I won't be able to do anything until September at the earliest.

I will completely respect that request, as long as you do the same for me. This could ruin me, beyond what's already been in the paper. It doesn't make me any less willing to continue, but I do think it best if kept between us for now.

Affectionately,
Febs

  

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26 June, 1888

Febs,

I'm sure you'll be able to find plenty of things to keep you entertained once the fog dissipates. At the very least, you'll be welcome to keep me company while I'm not at work—and for whatever length of time you desire.

Thank you for respecting my wishes. I, of course, will respect yours as well; it's not as if I have many friends to gossip to anyhow.

Yours,

E.

  

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— set by MJ! —

June 26th, 1888

Edric,

Oh yes, I'm fairly self-sufficient when I'm let out of the house, or even if I could get to the library, though I fear that may never happen again at this point. Even when it does lift I'll have a hard time getting to London and especially for any reasonable amount of time. I'll have to be on my best behavior while this fog lasts, then perhaps I'll be let out of purgatory every once in a while.

Thank you, I appreciate it. Gossip is over rated anyway, it's almost always false and it's no fun to hear stories about how other peoples' lives are either better or worse than your own. People should do well to mind their own business, everyone would be a lot better off.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you like to go?

Affectionately,
Febs

  

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26 June, 1888

Febs,

Do you think it would be much of a scandal if I repaid the favor from earlier this month by kidnapping you?

(I'm just kidding, of course. Don't tell my boss.)

If I could travel anywhere, I'd like to visit India, specifically Mandira if given the chance. I've always been interested to see how other countries handle their magical education. What about you?

Yours,

E.

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   February Umbridge

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— set by MJ! —

June 26th, 1888

Edric,

I'm  sure this kidnapping would be much more fun than you being stuck in a hospital bed. Also I'm pretty sure I'd go willingly, so it's not kidnapping, now is it?

India, really? I wouldn't have guessed that and I don't know why, but I would find that fascinating too. I've always wondered about foreign magic schools as well. I know it's likely going to sound cliché, but I'd really like to visit France. Not the touristy spots where everybody goes. I want to do the little alleys and local things, the flower markets and little bookshops. It would be nice to just explore with no time limit and really see the small towns for what they are.

Affectionately,
Febs

  

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26 June, 1888

Febs,

Kidnapping in legal terms? Probably not. Society would, however, proclaim that you are a clueless woman whose naive notions of love were taken advantage of by a man nearly twice her age. I would be dubbed a womanizer and you one of the many victims they'd believe me to have—assuming anyone were to find out.

I must admit my idea of travel has been tainted over the years. I rarely leave the country with my job, and the times that I do are usually on less pleasant terms. I can see the allure of escaping to a rural French village, however; perhaps you'll get the chance to do so one day.

Affectionately,

E.

  

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— set by MJ! —

June 26th, 1888

Edric,

I wish you could have seen my expression reading that. "Naive notions of love" and "nearly twice her age." So now I'm in love and you're older than I thought; sounds like the plot for a questionable romance novel. I fancy myself fairly level-headed, if a bit brash, thank you very much.

I'm certainly going someday, whether it's with company or spinsterhood finally claims me and I go by myself. Just another reason to start looking for work, I'll need to start saving for my whirlwind adventures. You should get out of the office more often (not right now, I know) but when this is over, I think a holiday would do you some good. Then you can write to me and tell me all about it without it being a jaded event.

Someday, there's always a someday and sometimes it's today, you never know.

Affectionately,
Febs

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   Edric Umbridge

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26 June, 1888

Febs,

You can't expect society gossip mills to be report with one hundred percent accuracy, now, can you? I hardly believe society would think Miss February Lynch, the eldest daughter from a respectable family, would run off to London to join her lover in bed. That sounds more like a questionable romance novel than the tale I've told you.

Neither can I believe that a woman of your beauty and charm could remain unclaimed until the age of spinsterhood. Perhaps introducing you to my library sooner rather than later might prevent you from being snatched away while I'm at work. Someday indeed.

Affectionately,

E.

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   February Umbridge

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— set by MJ! —

June 27th, 1888
Morning

Edric,

Sorry I fell asleep reading after my last letter last night.  I'm sure Ianthe was done with us anyway, she'll know the route between us with her eyes closed at this point.

I'm sure society gossip already has a thing or two to say about me, without knowing that I'd much rather be in my lover's bed than just about anywhere else right now. Imagine if they did, oh the headlines. We do sound like like a romance novel though, when you put it that way. It's kind of amusing.

Remember I'm nearly twenty-two, I'm positively ancient by debutante standards. I should already be married with a baby or one on the way. However if you wanted to keep me hidden away in your library I wouldn't protest at all.

Sorry no scones this morning. I think Mrs. H is on to me, best not give her anything to dwell on. Good luck today.

Affectionately,
Febs

  

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27 June, 1888

Febs,

A very intelligent owl—stubborn, yes, but very intelligent. She does suit you well.

I'm afraid the news may anger you, but I fully plan to participate in the expedition in the fog, as mentioned in the Prophet. There's no telling what idiots might show up to "help", but I think having trained aurors on the case might give much-needed protection.

I implore you not to go; the adventure may sound alluring, but it's bound to be hell in action.

Affectionately,

E.

  

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— set by MJ! —

June 27th, 1888

Edric,

Right, of course.

Good luck.

February

  

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27 June, 1888

Febs,

You're mad. At what part?

Fondly,

E.

  

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— set by MJ! —

Later that evening

27 June, 1888

Febs,

Alright, you haven't responded to me all day. Either you've found something to occupy your time or I've truly angered you, and though I'd prefer to believe the former is true, I'm more inclined to believe the latter.

Fondly,

E.

  

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— set by MJ! —

June 27th, 1888

Edric,

I don't know what frustrates me more, the fact that you automatically assumed I would be angry or the fact that you would think I would actually sign up- or be allowed to at this point. I think I'm smart enough to know what I can and cannot do by now, but clearly you don't think highly enough of me to let me decide. I'm impulsive, not stupid.

I wasn't angry until your idiotic letter showed up. I had already assumed you'd be going anyway, that you would likely be an asset to the people going- and that I would not. However, I had no idea you thought so little of my decision-making skills. Good luck Edric, I hope it goes well.

February

  

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27 June, 1888

February,

I trust your judgment, though it's now obvious that I cannot trust that you will try and understand my motives without jumping to conclusions.

My intention was not to cause offense; I only meant to express my concern for your safety, but it is obvious that did not translate through writing.

I hope you'll accept my apology in time, but until then, I hope you find happiness with your next lover.

Sincerely,

E.

  

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— set by MJ! —

June 27th, 1888

Edric,

If I could march into your goddamn house right now and punch you I would. I meant I hoped the fucking expedition went well, not the rest of your life as if I was never going to see you again. We have a disagreement, through letters no less, where it's hard to judge inflection and tone and expression, and you think I'm just going to abandon ship? If that's what you think, you've got another thing coming. If that's what you want I hope you tell me real soon so I don't bother to worry about you on that godforsaken adventure.

Otherwise I accept your apology and offer one of my own; apparently I'm terrible at being worried about. I'm sorry I misunderstood your motives. I'm usually the one doing the worrying, especially when I'm confined to my room and not the one going on a dangerous mission into the fog from hell. When people express concern I don't understand it makes me feel like I'm being judged as incapable.  

Be safe,
Febs

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   Edric Umbridge

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