The long-distance bird that is waiting impatiently for Johann to pick up his letter is not an owl, but a Brahminy kite. An additional note is tied to its leg; it says "Please be gentle with her, she gets irritable on long-distance journeys but this is all I've got. Watch out for her beak!"

The recipient watches her fly off and gets the impression that she is more than glad to get the hell out of this strange country.

---

To: Johann Storm
Diagon Alley
London
UK

From: Arcturus Hollingbury
Shah Alam
Peninsular Malaysia

Dear Johann,

I don't know where to start with you. I have so many things to say. I guess the thing that you deserve the most from me - and rightly so - is my apology for not being in contact with you.

I'm really sorry for not talking to you since I left. I suppose you've moved on now, and I don't blame you. If you haven't, well...you should have. You're a great person to be with, and I don't regret my time with you at all. If you're angry with me, if you want to shout at me for this, I'll willingly let you just yell at me for abandoning you and not saying a word about where I've gone to and why.

I would love to say this to you face to face, but you know how I'm like. I can't do confrontational situations. Even so, the fact that I find it difficult to write to you now because I feel so overwhelmed with trying to make up for leaving you like that. There are girls here who are surprisingly attracted to me, but I can't say if it's because I'm Western (still recovering from culture shock - it's taken me a while) or because I'm...pretty? Some girls say I look pretty. I honestly am not sure if I should take this as a compliment or not. My mother's just laughing at me.

But I really, sincerely want to make it up to you when I come back. I can't say for sure when I'm coming back, unfortunately, but may the gods strike me down if I don't come and talk to you when I return to England. I just hope you're still there? If you're still there.

So many hopes. So many doubts. I don't know if you hate me or will forgive me. And honestly, even if I feel guilty and regretful about my actions, I can't blame you. The only thing I hope is that you haven't fallen back to your old ways with your sleeping potion addiction. If you are...well, just don't. Please. I would be so disappointed.

I guess this is it, I would probably write more things once I try to get over my apprehension about what your reply to this letter would even be. I still have anxiety; it's getting better but not as good as I would like it to be. I have a long way to go in many respects and in all my flaws.

Before I end this letter, I just want to thank you for the time you've spent with me. I will cherish it. It's a good memory to have, and certainly one to use to reinforce my Patronus.

Love,
Badger.

The letter arrives by the usual post, having been sent via the Ministry it is stamped, and quite long. The handwriting is irrefutably familiar.

---

A Hollingbury
Shah Alam
Peninsular Malaysia

J Storm
Department for International Magical Cooperation
Ministry of Magic
London
UK

Monday, September 13th 2010

Arcturus,

Well this rather disproves the theories of your dramatic death, kidnap, obliviation and eloping with a mistress that Elixa went through in May after your sudden departure. Not that I believed them, especially as your mother vanished too and your father seemed nonchalant. It didn't take long to establish you'd gone to do one of the things you've always wanted to do, but Elixa was so entertaining…

I won't be sharing your letter with her, rest assured, she still is blissfully unaware of us being any more than friends, or my assigned healer before that. Either that or she has developed extraordinary powers of patience not to ask. This is almost entirely impossible. Have you ever known her not ask?

Would be lying if I said I hadn't thought of you. Often. In the past four months, I've had to find other people to go to the pub with. This is a travesty, especially as they drink more than you do. Although you appear to have been paying your part of the rent in Diagon Alley from Malaysia, I've probably spent more nights on your sofa of late than I ever did when you were here.

I would also be lying if your bed didn't look decidedly comfy and empty when I'm occupying the sofa. She's cleaned in there, by the way, but otherwise it is entirely undisturbed and as you left it. I checked and remember.

Decorating and moving into the box room just feels too official, and I don't do putting roots down, still.

Anyhow, Arcturus, apology accepted provisionally, though you owe the next round at the pub when you get back. Then you'll be forgiven. Of course I'm a great person to be with, otherwise why would you have spent so much time at the start of the year with me? Sharing a sofa, telling me off for bothering your reading, allowing me to bury my face in your neck...

Are you blushing, Badger, or is it just the Malaysian heat? Perhaps it's those lovely girls you mention. Of course they're going to find you attractive. You're foreign, mysterious, enigmatic and - though I say it myself - rather handsome. I'm imagining you've got a filthy tan, and you're not smothered head to toe in those St Mungo's robes these days. Perhaps I'm a little jealous of these ladies.

But, must be honest with you, as you have been with me. After all, we did agree to always be honest? Things have moved on for me, but only so very recently that your letter arrived with additional alarm. I'm sorry, that perhaps is hard to hear in a letter. But, to all intents and purposes, in the weeks before you left, I think we both knew.

Spend the night with one of those lovely ladies. What happens in Malaysia, stays in Malaysia after all. I want you to be happy. Patronus memories aside, I think we both know I wasn't the one fate chose to make you truly happy. So, thank you for letting me try, and for what you did. Then, and as ever, before in saving my sorry skin.

Come home soon.

There is a bit of a gap in the letter here, and it's clear the quill has changed, taking two sittings to write this.

There is quite a rambling passage about changes in staff at St Mungo's, shops in Diagon Alley, Ministry protocol, the wrap up of the Tetrawizard tournament, to the point the letter has now taken several hours to write between cups of tea.

There is absolutely no mention to the events of July, or the upcoming trial. Everything is upbeat.

I must close now - sun is coming up and I'd prefer to be off to work before Elixa is. She's taken it upon herself to try and make me eat breakfast. Well, when she's not taking breakfast with the likes of Rufus Delacroix or one of her other bed fellows! Things haven't changed that much, see?

Give my warmest wishes to your mother. If either of you need any assistance, or if I can put you in touch with anybody in the country to further your research, do not hesitate to contact me. Gabrielle and I would only be too happy to assist in our official capacities.

Very much look forward to hearing from you again, if you haven't got your handsome backside back to Britain.



PS And hello to Rustle. How could I forget?! I've had nobody to share my cheese with!

Apart from one large blot next to the 'Dear', the paper is unblemished. It seems that the writer had spent a while to think of what to write with their quill hovering over the paper and forgot about the fresh ink on the tip.

---

To: Johann Storm
Diagon Alley
London
UK

From: Arcturus Hollingbury
Shah Alam
Peninsular Malaysia

Dear Johann,
Oops, I missed out a few words in the last letter. Specifically, I wanted to say that I've found you the most attractive out of all the people (well, the girls - not many guys here who are willing to be open about liking men, although that's due to the culture here) who have ever approached me. But I'm sorry to say that I'm really not the type of person to have a one-night stand here, Johann...you should know me better than that, aha.

Oh, if Elixa is bringing men home I'm certainly okay with that, although I'd rather they don't make a noise. I like my evenings quiet. That's the nice thing about Diagon Alley, I suppose. That's how it is here too - quiet most evenings except for the chirp of the crickets and possibly the occasional car passing by below my window.

Move in all you want, although I'm surprised you're not staying with your, uh, partner? Or I suppose that would be too early. I'm not even surprised that you like to wander around in my room from time to time, I'm actually sort of touched by that. Hopefully you can introduce me, it's never too late to meet new people. (And only now I'm saying this...well, better late than never, even so.)

I personally don't know if I ever knew what we were supposed to get up to in the future, but that can be left for another time. Judging by the amount of things you've written - have you been sleeping well, Johann? - it sounds like I've got my work cut out for me. I took a few days to even read your letter thoroughly. It's a lot of information to take in.

I hope you're eating breakfast! If you're staying with us, you may find that the two of us might be very enthusiastic about having breakfast. You should be! It's good for you, Johann, and as much as I know you may have an innate anathema to anything that is good for you, maybe you could try breakfast for once?

(I'm joking about the anathema.)

My mother says hello back, and so does Rustle. Although I'm not quite sure about his enthusiasm, since all he did upon hearing your name was to prick his ears up, but nothing more. He's the laziest shit in the world, I swear.

Shush about my backside, you.

Love,
Badger.

With the trial underway it became increasingly impossible to write an upbeat, happy letter back to Arcturus, especially with Elixa fussing over whether he was alright each evening. He is on compulsory annual leave, with little to distract him, so preoccupies himself with origami as he did at St Mungo's. Indecision over what to write and a potion-induced haze add up to a messy, somewhat terse letter. He regrets sending it and contemplates writing another to apologise, conflicted. Arcturus writing at exactly this week has been both fortunate and a complete disaster.

---

A Hollingbury
Shah Alam
Peninsular Malaysia

J Storm
Diagon Alley
London
UK

September 16th 18th 2010

Arcturus,

You flatter me, but I think I am in a pool of one who has ever approached you. There are no competitors. And if not one night then, six. Or take six ladies for one night. Whatever makes you deliriously happy. And don't tell me it's me. I'm here, and if that was the case you'd never have left.


Lix tends to not come home rather than bring men home. Or perhaps it's me being on the sofa that's put a stop to it. If I feign any interest in that side of her life she'd only be too happy to elaborate. I'm off my food enough.


When I said early days in my last, I, well, really did mean early days. I'd prefer not to elaborate, but, I think it might just be wizards for me, and he's very different to you.  But the pool's only been two there.


I wish I could be more succinct with my explanations. It's been a busy week, and I don't even know where to begin. Some things are better said in person, as you posed.


Don't worry about my sleeping, my eating. I don't think you're my healer when you're that side of the world. I'm still alive and able to do my job. There's nothing to worry about.




(There is an origami owl enclosed)

To: Johann Storm
Diagon Alley
London
UK

From: Arcturus Hollingbury
Shah Alam
Peninsular Malaysia

Dear Johann,
Are you okay? I wasn't trying to flatter you, just being honest. Sometimes you don't realise what you have until you've lost it...but that's a thorny place that even I won't go to. Sorry.

I may not be your healer, but I am always a healer and I'm firmly of the opinion now that living is not the same as not dying. Please take care of yourself after all whatever's been going on over there calms down a bit. I'm not going to ask...things over there are already distant enough when I read your words in an entirely different country, and I'm afraid that I might come off as disconnected. I'd rather not do that. If anything my job has taught me, one of them is that everyone's troubles are always worth listening to intently and being there for them, even if it's just for ten minutes. So I'll wait until I get back, whenever that is, instead of trying to second-guess your facial expressions and the thoughts running through your head as I reread your letter for the umpteenth time.

Thank you for the owl! Though short of sending you a deactivated Deathpod seed (which is banned anyway), I have no idea what to send back in return. They have strange things here that I never would have realised meant for good luck! Well, I know the Seeing Eye from Greece and that may be weird, but this little thing apparently means good luck and wealth because it looks like a dragon. Entirely grumpy, legless dragon, if you ask me, but I've seen the animal in real life and they are beautiful. And expensive.

Take your time. Don't have to reply me so soon. Excuse the scribbled out dates, I was trying to gather my thoughts for a while. Try and get enough sleep and food. I've left books in my room, although I'm not sure if you want to read them considering the material...but it's something. It's all I can think of.

Love,
Badger.

Enclosed is a little golden arowana charm that has glass rubies for eyes.

A Hollingbury
Shah Alam
Peninsular Malaysia

J Storm
Diagon Alley
London
UK

September 24th 2010

Arcturus,

I apologise for the undoubtedly awful letter sent last Saturday. I concur that living not the same as 'not dying'. But sometimes 'living' takes a giant's effort, and it's more the gamble between 'not dying' and 'dying' that one has to watch out for.

I'm okay. But I have been better, you're quite right.

Everyone I know here currently falls into the following categories:
a) worried I'll do something stupid
b) far more aware I've done something stupid
or
c) pretending not to fall into the first two
(Which in retrospect has always been the case, but I'm ever more aware.)

Glad you liked the origami owl. They were one of the better ones. Thank you for the gift in return. I did fold some dragons but they always look a little droopy compared to the real beasts. I'll have to modify one to look legless to represent an arowana.

I did a lot of origami last weekend, but I've little else to get up to as I'm on annual leave, and my private work has all but dried up. It's always rather soothing to fold paper for hours on end.

Went into the office yesterday morning, only to be sent packing. I've been put on compulsory annual leave, as I've been called before the wizengamot. I'd quite like to go back to work, there was an adjournment for full moon, so I thought I might put in a few hours at least, especially as I'm leading the team these days, but apparently it's all or nothing. Like I lose the ability to speak eight languages because I have to give a detailed witness account to a bunch of plum robed people selected for their supposed wise judgement. I'd rather be busy and working and around people. You'd feel the same, right? Well, the former part anyhow.

I read the books in your room a while back to try and sleep, though I read them again this week as you prompted. Definitely not captivating, but I  now have a better understanding of your fascination with the hard to harvest deathpod and the Malayan fauna for the fact of reading 243 pages. That rip-roaring yarn had me unable to put it down, what a thrill. You can safely imagine a droll expression to accompany that.

Have you learned any Malay? I've never studied the Austronesian languages, so look forward to learning a little off you on your return. Much of my recent studies have been in gobbledegook. I would not recommend learning it. Goblins are pointy-toothed bastards.

Your room's a change of scenery from the living room, at the very least. (I'm writing this perched on the end of your bed.) It'll feel very odd to come back I imagine. You were barely here before you went away, after all. Everything's starting to have more of Lix's touch on it, and I don't just mean the alcohol she's brewing in the pantry (don't drink it, Merlin, some of it could probably strip paint), or the fact the laundry piles up every now and then (I'm absolutely sure brassieres double as wizard foot traps). I mean, she's bought cushions that match. There's a painting on the wall in the living room, and she's rearranged the kitchen. Things are on lower shelves like a short person prefers.

As a result, your room is the one place here that is exactly as it was at the start of the year, minus a Badger and some of your things, of course.

Don't leave it too long before you come home.

Yours,

It appears that the writer accidentally dropped cigarette ash on the paper and tried to brush it off, but in the process has left a black smudge on it.

---

To: Johann Storm
Diagon Alley
London
UK

From: Arcturus Hollingbury
Shah Alam
Peninsular Malaysia

Dear Johann,
Wow, certainly sounds like you've got a handful going on there. I won't make you suffer the details; you can tell me all about that stuff when I get back. Should I get back. I'm still not sure when.

Do I actually have a book on the Deathpod? I suppose it was only mentioned briefly (and that book isn't mine; it's my mother's). Either way, that book and many other materials do not do the plant justice. They lie. They are liars. Do not believe them. The Deathpod is a hurtful, hurtful creature and whoever was cruel enough to cause its genesis needs to be thrown into a pit of Lethifolds.

But enough of my grievances about a plant you've probably never even seen. I know a bit of Malay, but only just enough to get around. And curse, although I'd rather not do that. But I do know enough to hang out with my colleagues on occasion - well, on the occasion we do get to hang out, which is not much. Also enough so that I don't get scammed by hawkers looking to take advantage of a helpless lily-white foreigner.

Zeus so help Elixa, I will have words with her if she doesn't clear that bloody shit up in the pantry once I get back. Aah, it sounds that things have changed very very drastically without my typical demands for order in the flat, I suppose I have my work cut out ahead of me.

You should take a break. Don't work yourself so hard. Get some rest. I take it you are functioning well enough without your usual dose of Sleeping Draught, are you? Or not? You should find ways of making yourself tired. Exercise, I have discovered, is a very good way of doing so - not that I go out on running excursions, but we do a lot of hiking here to get to our research subjects and I have to say that I have lost some weight due to this hot weather and the amount of physical activity.

I'm sitting out here on the balcony of our residence, and it's rather warm and yet windy. The fresh smell of the rainforest...I wish I could bring smells back? But alas, I can only enclose photos. A few are of the stunning view from the treetops in the Cameron Highlands; we were there for a week extracting various essences from plants for our research. One from the island of Langkawi; this place is spectacular. Did you know it's home to a rare seaweed that could possibly be an answer to curing joint pain? It's all very fascinating. I went diving with my fellow colleagues. Being Greek has given me some tanning capabilities, apparently.

The last few are of a night market, where I got to taste some food while we were chilling out. You can't see my "filthy tan" here, dim orange lights don't complement my skin well. But you do get to see a few of my colleagues. The girl standing next to me is Sara, or rather her nickname is, as her full name's a mouthful even for me; she's been introducing me to Malay culture a lot! And there's my mother trying out some noodles.

I'll leave you with these magical photos. I have more, but I can't possibly enclose all of them without risking this letter turning into a parcel, and I don't think the Brahminy kite is partial to those.

Will think of more things to write about in the next letter, but it's all very up in the air right now. I'm not sure I'm going to have free time like this again in the next few days; I'm taking advantage of the cool night air chilling out on the balcony.

Love,
Badger.

PS: Oh Zeus I nearly burned the letter by accident. I need to get this thing sent before I do anymore damage to it.

Enclosed are a small bundle of magical photos.