Anthony Hoult
Slytherin Common Room
Hogwarts Castle
Scotland

Devlin Matthews
Cell Number Who Knows
Azkaban

Jack Spade,

I’d  make some dumb shit joke about hoping this letter reaches you well, except I’m certain you’re occupied enough with getting to meet your cellmate and thanking Salazar that dementors nor longer run Azkaban to actually appreciate the humor of such a line. I’d also inform you that I thought of sending you a treat, but then decided I wasn’t certain you’d receive it, but I have a feeling that you’re busy enough being curious about how the bloody hell you’ll manage to get out to actually be able to give time to curiously wondering what I might have been planning to send you. So, instead, I’ll replace all those pleasantries with a simple: ‘hey, how ya doing, Jackie boy?’. Hopefully you won’t read that sarcastically –as it’s honestly only half ironic, yeah?

So now, I’m stuck. There’s something I need to know, man: do the guards read your letters before delivering them? I want to tell you some rather interesting, but confidential news about that one thing you were a part of and I was too. But, see? It’s honestly too annoying to be all secretive, and if there’s anyway around it I would really rather go with that. If there’s need, though, there’s need, and I’ll just stick to being cryptic –for now, just know that the shit you and I were a part of is now in good hands. My hands. Or, well, in this girl’s hands, but I’m her Second-In-Command now, so same thing.

Anyways, until you let me know just how careful I need to be, I’ll leave that there. I wasn’t happy to hear you were tossed in that bloody place –why was it again? If you need any help getting out, don’t write to me; I really rather keep away from breaking people out of prison, sorry, Jackie boy. But anything else is cool, I guess. If you need food and you can get it, tell me. Or if you need anything done on the outside world, don’t hesitate to ask.

Hoping to hear back from you soon,
Anthony Hoult

Devlin Matthews
Prisoner nX906[1]
Azkaban Prison

Anthony Hoult
Slytherin Common Room
Hogwarts Castle
Scotland

1.	Horrible I know... pretend it is runes

Hoult,

Mate, its great to hear from you but if you call me Jack Spade again, I will send you a howler with all your dirty little secrets. That world isn't mine any more so don't expect any help from me. And yes, the guards read the letters. Try not to get more time tacked onto my already long sentence. There are some dead scary blokes here, so I don't need the help to stay.

Devlin Matthews

---

As it is being read, a special spell on the letter reacts to Tony's touch and slowly warms as a faint, tightly packed scrawl appears between the lines and on the unused portion of the letter. It is the same spell used by the former Mafia to write notes to its members and only reacts to their touch. It reads:

---

Tony,

Sorry for being such an arse in the letter above but I really can't risk the extra time. The guards are pretty dim but they treat me well enough (And yeah, thank merlin that Dementors no longer run the place. I can't even imagine). Unfortunately, being known as a ministry snitch and a 'favorite' of the guards isn't winning me many points amoung the prisoners. The whole "Scary blokes" thing isn't far off. I'll be lucky to be alive after 6 months or at least in possession of all my body parts.

But I digress. As for mailing me, just use the same spell we used back in the day to send messages to each other. Just put whatever mundane gibberish you want for the visible bit, as long as it isn't so outlandish that the guards notice. I look forward to hearing how everyone is doing. I don't dare ask my sister or father because neither of them would agree to subterfuge. That being said, you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.

I suppose congratulations are in order with you climbing up the ranks, though I am surprised to hear that you are only second in command. Whose the woman? I'm not particularly against a woman leading the group but there is only one crazy enough to take it on and if it is her, you have your work cut out for you. Whomever it is, keep them in line. The Mafia isn't about hurting people, its about making money as smoothly as possible, so don't let some crazy bird screw it up.

 As for advice...I guess the best bit is to accumulate some good contacts. A good one at school is Kari Strong[2]. She is a 4th year in your house, if you don't already know her. Sharp as a tack and spins a brilliant lie. Aside from the fact that she will be an excellent customer and will bring you business, her father is a lawyer. He managed to help me get my sentence cut in half, so he is worth his salt. She can be a bit of a brat and headstrong, but she has money and is willing to spend it for the grades. Tell her I sent you.

I'll also try to get you a potion masters address that I worked with back in the day, though she might be wary considering my current situation. If you do end up using her, be respectful or I swear to god they will have to actually lock me up for murder. A potion master of her caliber is irreplaceable, so she is worth her weight in gold, understand?

That being said, there is only one other piece of advice that I have for you. Don't be stupid. I'm dead serious, don't get caught up in the real crime. Keep it petty and keep it in Hogwarts. You are young enough that you will get off with a slap on the hand and some detention, but if you screw up like I did, you will end up like me. I don't want to see that happen to anyone else. I mean... They broke my wand in front of me, mate. In front of my very eyes, just snapped the damn thing like it was a twig. I felt like they broke every bone in my body and quite honestly, I kinda wish they had instead. Six months may not be long, but I have no idea what the hell I am going to do afterwards.

So yeah, don't be like me.

Also, I was serious about not calling me Jack, Jack Spade or Jackie boy. Just...don't.

~ Dev

2.

LINKAGE

Anthony Hoult
Slytherin Common Room
Hogwarts Castle
Scotland

Devlin Matthews
Prisoner nX906
Azkaban Prison

Matthews,

Now, see, here I am trying to be all nice and kind to you, and all you do is be an ass. I try to give you company –at least through written word-  for your stay at that dreadful place, and you reply with scowls and a bad mood. Who knows? Maybe a prolonged stay is what you’ll need in order to better that attitude. If you want further letters from me, you’ll be needing to apologize and start collaborating. It’s not my fault you’re in there, so stop being so sodding mean.

Tony

---

The letter within the letter, hidden by the same spell Devlin used in his own missive, warms its way across the parchment as he reads:

---

Devlin,

Don’t worry, mate. I was a bit worried at first at the short reply, but once the spell kicked in I managed to understand. I should apologize for being such an ass myself, but I thought it might be best to convince any curious guards. Last thing we want is for you to get your sentence extended –the world needs you. Or, well, maybe it’s not that cosmic, but as much as I’ve wanted to hex you once or twice, I actually think you’re cool. And, y’know, you’re hot, so that’s yet another reason you shouldn’t have to stay in that bloody place. You don’t deserve it. Or, well, I guess you kind of did things that justify it, but whatever.

Now, I know I’m no expert, as I’ve certainly never been in prison, but I’ve seen a few muggle films, and if Azkaban is anything like a muggle prison you just need to really manage to establish your worth. Don’t be a wimp, answer back and be respectful to those who really matter. Do your part and join the chain of command within the prisoner’s, and you’ll make it out fine. Or, if all else fails, pull out the blade you stabbed at the Ministry and stab it at someone else: offer to make a deal. And then come visit me at Hogwarts so I can hex you for having gotten caught –you might have been my superior, once, but that’s no longer the case. You deserve a good hexing, sorry to say it, mate.

I’ll be happy, in the mean time, to bring you news about the wizarding world. Obviously, I’m locked in this stupid castle, learning stupid crap, and not everything reaches us here –but there’s rumors floating around that paint an interesting picture. You’ll want to jump right back into society when you get out, so I’ll do my best to keep you caught up and ready. As much as I like the thought of hexing you, the idea of being your right hand is rather more alluring than serving this blonde who gives such a damn about public image that she makes me fake date her. Of course, she’s good at kissing, so it isn’t entirely all at loss, but these games aren’t what I signed up for, nor were they what we did when you were around.

Well, I’m not particularly against the idea of hexing people who need to be hexed, but I do agree that the Mafia isn’t quite about that. The girl is Alexa Bagnold, not sure whether you’ve heard of her or not, or even interacted. To be honest, things are somewhat falling apart, but I plan on being a big portion of helping build us back up to our former glory. There’s threats to us within the castle, but nothing that can’t be managed. And, if all else fails, I’ll always have a backup plan to pull out and into the shadows. Manipulation might not really be what I enjoy most, but I can play games like a son of a bitch if need be, and I’m not about to be caught.

Contacts are what I want to build up, but privately. I don’t think being this girl’s right hand will prove to be without its challenges, and against my better will I might have to be a bit slyer than I like. Building my own little black book, and making sure those within it are behind me and not her feels important: if this ever blows up, which at times it feels like it might, someone needs to take the fall while someone else makes sure everything is still in tact and ready to continue forwards. I’ll get in touch with Strong –I’ve only ever heard of her-, and get her on board.

I understand completely, Devlin, and I would never dream of making you look bad with a contact you’ve given me. A potion’s master would be a good thing to have at hand, and if she’s as good as you say, I’ll be sure her worth is kept intact. Just let me know.

Afterwards? Afterwards you’ll gather the pieces and carry on, Devlin. It’s six months, and it’s not a crime with a high caliber –I mean, murder might have been harder to get over, y’know? So once you get out, you let me hex you stupid for being an idiot –sorry, I’m not just letting go of the chance to hex someone like you-, and then you’re moving on. And being smarter about anything you get in to. As for me, I’ve already told you: my wand’s print will be no where close to this. I hate it, but I’m in the shadows, and I’ll make sure to be as far away from the chaos if –when- it comes.

Old habits die hard, but I’ll stop calling you any of those. Keep safe and try not to get any limbs cut off, they’d really distract from your attractiveness, mate.
Anthony Hoult

Devlin Matthews
Prisoner nX906
Azkaban Prison

Anthony Hoult
Slytherin Common Room
Hogwarts Castle
Scotland

Hoult,

You're right. I have been an ass. I don't do apologies, but even I will admit when I was wrong. I'll try to be more receptive to your 'camaraderie' in the future, so please don't give up on me.

How have things been at school? I hope a little less dangerous now that I am gone. Or is that less interesting? Either way, I hope things are well.

Do keep writing, I need to hear normal stuff less I go insane staring at these damn walls.

Dev.

---

Tony,

Bloody hell, Bagnold? Thats the new head? How the hell did that happen?? I suppose this is what I get for leaving the Mafia in Alex's hands to pass down. He never could say no to a pretty face. Can't be too mad at him though. With his mum missing, he has probably been out of sorts. Or partying like a maniac. They had one of those relationships.

You are going to have to be strong and sly, mate. Girls like Bagnold are dangerous. You seem to have a good handle on the situation though. Keep in the background, gather contacts and prepare a good alibi if she gets in too deep. I made sure my own lieutenants were safe when I was caught, but I can't say she will do the same. It's probably a good idea to get some blackmail fodder on her too. You never know when you will need it.

Honestly, I don't know how much help I can give you from here. I don't wield any sort of power anymore, especially in Hogwarts, and frankly, I'm glad. This whole mess has pretty much ruined any desire I had had for the game. Now, I just want to live peacefully and not get tortured or watch my loved ones get kidnapped. Speaking of which, Please keep an eye out on Lucy. She's a good kid but she is related to me, so I know trouble will follow her. That and I am worried about her mental state. Being kidnapped can't have been good for her.

I'm keeping the letter short today. The guards are getting suspicious about the amount of blank space I am leaving, as well as why I seem to keep writing to someone I apparently don't like (Didn't intend the cover letter to go that direction, but one must play along in these situations).

Keep Safe,

Dev

PS: I do deserve a good hexing, but take it from me that I have gotten more than punished for being caught. Keep the hexes limited to painless if all possible. I don't need any more scars.