Dr Maturin writes some necessary owls (all, of course, heavily warded)
Alone at his own desk, among drifts of papers and watched over by the benevolent geranium, Stephen pores over his recent correspondence with Susan, and thinks about the notebook of wagers on upcoming deaths. Whoever made the notebook had, perhaps unwittingly, done something of a favor to the school by bringing enmities into the open, or at least further into the open than they had previously been; yet Stephen can only wish the book had not existed. River is away somewhere, which gives him ample leisure to re-read the correspondence and turn over attendant problems in his mind, as well as problems of his own world on which he has received no correspondence in some time. Finally, his anxiety raised to an uncomfortable pitch, he takes several sheets of parchment and dashes off some overdue owls of his own.
(to Sir Joseph Blaine, at the Admiralty)
My dear Sir Joseph,
I do hope that this owl reaches you safely and with speed: no word from you has reached me for weeks, and I am concerned at your erstwhile silence. Has the dread katamari engulfed our world? Has all our work been for naught? If it were so, how should I ever be informed? You see why your silence disquiets me so.
On a more mundane note, again I find myself writing to you with laborious instructions as to estate administration; there is an individual, named therein, who must be given access to my various accounts, most especially in the case that anything untoward should befall me. This time I have taken care to ensure the correctness of all documents, you may be sure, and you may find all sureties and proofs enclosed. Enclosed as well is a letter which I beg you convey to my daughter, Brigid, who remains under the care of Mrs Oakes. It would not do for her to receive a magical owl, or to know my present whereabouts, as you know. I must also humbly retract certain remarks I made to you at one time, when you had thought to court Miss Blenkinsop. Age is indeed no guarantor of indifference.
Finally, by way of recompense for the many dreary chores I find myself beholden to you for undertaking, I enclose several specimens of Lepidoptera and Heterocera. They were given to me by a young man recently arrived at Hogwarts from a sort of deserted island, and they should prove quite the triumph for you at the next meeting of the Entomological Society.
I remain, affectionately yours,
S. Maturin.
(to Brigid Maturin, somewhere in 19th-century England)
Dearest of all daughters,
I must beg your pardon for my silence, and for my continued absence: I shall be away for some time yet, and am uncertain when I may return. It eases my mind greatly to know that you are as ever in the capable hands of Mrs Oakes and Padeen. Captain Aubrey has arrived here, so I am not without companionship.
On that subject -- I have made a new acquaintance in this place, to whom I am to be married eventually; rest assured there is no diminution of your mother's memory; indeed, I should be surprised if you could accept my intended in the role of a mother, but I hope perhaps you may grow to become friends.
Give my love to all at home, but to you I send my love most of all.
(to Miss Ginny Weasley, at Hogwarts)
Dear Miss Weasley,
I rejoice that all has been put right, and am honored to count you as a friend, as you are so dear to River. I shall not even venture to ask what she told you, in owls or otherwise. It is best that I not know. Is it true that the professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts is no longer with us? If so, a celebration is in order, and may his replacement prove more benign than he.
While I am not unaccustomed to contention with sword or pistol, magic dueling is quite unknown to me, and I shall certainly be in attendance when your Mr Potter offers informal instruction.
Sincerely,
Stephen Maturin.
(to River Tam, at Hogwarts)
Sweetheart -- The owl I received earlier was not from whom I thought. You offered assistance and I believe it would be foolish pride for me not to accept: the matter concerns a dear friend of mine, to whom I owe an enormous debt, and not of the financial sort. I should not like to entrust it to an owl, even one very heavily warded. Come when you can. -- votre S.
(( RP worksafe for a change. No smut, no squick, just lots of wibbling about espionage. ))