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LETTER FROM MR. JAMES POTTER TO COUNT REGULUS BLACK
24 August.
My dearest Regulus,
I send this letter to you two days before my carriage comes to take me to the place your coachman plans to collect me in hopes that it reaches you before I do.
I have spent the past handful of days in Sélestat. It truly is a wondrous little town, I can understand why you have wanted to choose to live near a place like this. The townspeople here wear such wonderful, colourful clothing, and the people that I have encountered are incredibly kind. This town is incredibly lively and everyone speaks in accents that reminds me of yours and sparks such a growing feeling of want. I ache to see you, my love, and I cannot wait until the day that I am in your arms again.
I have thought of your name, of your smile, and of your beauty for long. You have plagued my thoughts and my memories for the long time that we have been separate. Your face and your laugh, such a sweet thing like a bell that rings through my mind for hours even after we have long gone to sleep, remains in my dreams. This entire trip, beautiful as France may be, I have thought of nothing but how each beautiful mile and vast stretch of land brings me closer to you.
That being said, I have learned to not talk of my visit to you with the townspeople. You have made quite the reputation for yourself, my love. I told the innkeeper that I am staying with where I was going the first day that I arrived. She is a lovely older lady with her husband sitting in the back room for a smoke, and she paled to a point where I almost called for someone. She rushed back into where I presume she and her husband live in the building, and when she came back out it was with a rosary that she placed over my neck, pleading for me to not go and for me to stay safe. Of course, I intend to place the rosary upon the bed with a letter assuring the sweet woman that I will be alright and I do not wish to take it with me upon my last day here -- though I wear it to help her feel more comfortable everytime I pass her walking in or out of the building.
Since then, I have been careful mentioning your name, as the fear that my presence fills people upon them learning my destination has been immense. However, it becomes harder and harder to not talk about my visit with the excitement that consumes my body to the point that it feels as though I cannot move another muscle over the thought of seeing you. My body craves to be held by your hands, Regulus. My blood craves to have your face pressed against my neck. How I long to see you.
These days, wonderful though they are, have been hard. This town truly is lovely, and I have gathered many recipes from the locals to bring home to my mother -- although many of them use garlic so I doubt you will be able to eat them, I do think, however, that it shows the effect you have had on this town -- but I miss you so desperately that I can barely enjoy even the luxuries that I love in my everyday life.
I have not much more to say to you that I wish to say here. That is not for lack of stories to tell you, my love, but there are more that I wish to say in person instead of through written word or have already expressed to you through previous letters. Therefore, I shall finish my letter and send this off tomorrow at first light.
Your love,
James
Please let Kreacher know that the nights have been cold and, since we will be traveling to your palace later in the evening, to bring me a blanket that I can rest under while he takes us. I know that you and Kreacher do not tend to feel the chill, but it will be much appreciated for myself, even with my warming spells -- you know that I have never been good at them.
…
JAMES POTTER’S JOURNAL
26 August, Sélestat.
I departed from Sélestat only moments ago, getting onto my carriage that will take me to where Kreacher will meet me. It is a nice carriage, I must admit, though the people that are heading in the same direction as myself are acting a bit odd. The women hold onto their rosaries a little tighter and I ran into a man wearing a necklace of garlic flowers. I understand why they do this, I must admit, my husband has left quite the mark on the people of the town. There was a stronger argument made in my mind with the most recent conversation that I have had with a man sitting near me, who looked panicked that I seemed so calm and had no sort of protective item on me, but I know that my beloved would not do anything of harm to me.
Though I do wonder what he has done to the people here for them to be so on edge the closer to the castle that we get, even with us being so far from it. Far enough that I need to take another carriage from here to there, though Kreacher is particularly diligent with picking me up when he needs to. Even still, I would have figured that after the death of Count Orion and Countess Walburga, the two wretched people that parented my beloved and ran over the town with an iron fist that terrorised them into being unable to leave their homes at night -- it was at that time in which I did fear coming to the castle even if to visit Regulus and Sirius, and therefore knowing that I was protected from the wolves -- people would feel better about the castle that looms over their town. Alas, I have learned that Regulus still holds a renowned name amongst the people. Perhaps they will only relax when the last of the Black family dies off.
The road is slightly bumpy, not fully paved with proper stones yet, but nothing unbearable to write during outside of the occasional jerk and, as the sun begins to set over the horizon, I feel myself getting excited. Most of the dying light from the sun will be gone by the time that we will be just past Saint-Hippolyte, where this carriage’s direction detours from my own, so as the sun begins to go down, it only means that Kreacher’s arrival will be growing nearer.
…
JAMES POTTER’S JOURNAL--cont.
Kreacher has picked me up from the carriage only moments ago. The people that I was sharing my carriage with were growing restless as we passed Saint-Hippolyte and the fearful looks that were being sent my way upon my announcing where I was going were getting to an almost unbearable degree. Though Kreacher was quick to pull up next to the carriage soon after Saint-Hippolyte, in which we made a quick stop to let a couple people off and pick up a couple more, and he was even quicker to grab me from the doorway of the carriage and onto his own, offering up a blanket almost as soon as I was seated. I am now writing this under the comfort of the soft blanket while Kreacher begins to take us into the more mountainous area, my warming charm active.
I think I can almost make out the castle from here, though the trees around it and the growing darkness hinders my vision further than it already is hindered. It is cold, I must admit, even under the blanket and with an ongoing warming spell, and I long to be in front of the fireplace with my husband, sitting in the bed that he sets for the two of us.
Sometimes, I feel sorry for the way that Regulus sacrifices some of the comfort he gets from his coffin in order to sleep in a bed with me, but he always reassures me that he truly does not mind and that it is truly not horrible for him to experience. It is also only for a couple days, or weeks if I am lucky, that I am visiting him before he is able to go back into his coffin.
Kreacher has warned me that it has been long since Regulus has drunk and is therefore aged more than normal. Apparently my love fears that I will be disgusted by the way that he looks at this stage, but I care not. While his beauty is entrancing as is, it is not truly his appearance that has made me fall in love with him. Though I must admit that the thought of him waiting to feed on me is thrilling enough that I swear my blood jumped in my body at the news. I must have had some reaction from the way that Kreacher eyed me, sometimes I forget that he is not just a house elf anymore and has since been turned.
The howling of the wolves has begun and I await anxiously to see if we are joined by Remus and Sirius tonight, it has been too long since I have seen my best friends. The night has nearly fallen and I cannot see as well as Kreacher, though I know that we are getting higher. I hesitate to cast lumos even though I can as I do not want to interrupt the tranquility of the night. The horses are getting more and more startled and restless, which leads me to believe that at least some of Regulus’ wolves are nearby, but Kreacher is managing to keep them calm enough for our journey.
We are halfway up the mountain now and the wolves are beginning to close in. The horses are panicking but Kreacher is doing what he does best and keeping them calm. I think I recognise the stark black coat of my friend Sirius but I can’t be sure until we’ve found ourselves at the actual castle and he returns back to his form. I anxiously await our arrival.
…
JAMES POTTER’S JOURNAL--cont.
It is late now. I arrived at the castle shortly after I finished writing my last entry but had not had time to write until now.
Upon arriving, Regulus was waiting at the door for me while Kreacher took the carriage and the horses into their stables around the other side of the castle. My husband greeted me with a wonderful smile and outstretched arms, which I found ease falling into. He held me for a moment before pulling away and smiling, “Come, my dear, you must be starved by now. I have had a meal prepared for you and we shall dine together.”
“Together?” I asked, “Will you feed on me tonight?”
“Perhaps,” was his response, “though I want to make sure that you are healthy enough that I can feed properly but not take too much from you.”
“You always know when to stop,” I reassured him, but he did not deign me with a response. Instead, he took me by the arm and led me to his grand dining room, where the fireplace was roaring and was a lovely warmth to my cold bones. The meal was wonderful, as it always is when I feast at the castle, and I was quick to eat before Regulus was taking me from the dining room into the room that we would be staying in. It is a comfortable room, filled with lavish greens as many of the rooms here tend to be.
Regulus left me in the room while he dealt with a couple things, though I took some time to venture through the hallway, discovering that some of the doors in the castle still lock on their own. I wonder how the other vampires are -- Regulus has informed me that they wish less to feast on me, but I still do not enjoy being around them for long. I still think of Barty straddling me and bringing his lips mere inches from my neck the first time that we met, and it brings me both distant pleasure and chills.
No matter, now I am settled back in my bed, feeling warmed by the food in my stomach, the lovely atmosphere of the room, and the thought that I will once more be sharing a bed with my love. He has aged only a bit, his under eyes sagging and his skin wilting, and there is a certain pallor to his skin, though I know that everything will be right when he finally is able to feed upon me. Even still, even with the way that he lacked to look at me for much of the night, he is attractive to me as he was the night that we met.
I did see Sirius and Remus, though it was only at a glance. Regulus was talking to them outside when I peered out one of the windows. I am thrilled to be in audience with them once again. I am sure that we will have time to visit at many points. I know not how long I will stay here, I told my boss that I would be gone for weeks but I might wish to stay longer.
Now, I hear my husband venturing into our room. He makes his way up the walls, and I ponder why he does that instead of turning into a bat. Perhaps it is easier for him to open the windows when he’s climbing the walls than it is for him as a bat. For now, I shall finish with this and allow myself long awaited sleep after my travels.
…
LETTER FROM MR. JAMES POTTER TO MRS. LILY EVANS-POTTER
27 August
My sweet Lily,
I have arrived at the castle as of yesterday. My travels were pleasant, the valleys of France are truly beautiful and one day I long to bring you and Mary to see it, as well as meet my beloved. I have yet to talk to them, but it appears that Sirius and Remus are in good health. They joined me on my journey to the castle last night with Kreacher. It is wonderful out here, although the nights are colder than I was expecting, but the sunrises and the sunsets are charming as always from where my room is able to see, the sky is painted in lovely pinks and oranges that I think you would adore if you went out here.
I have not much else to say about myself, so I must ask about you. I hope that by the time that I am sending this that Mary has arrived at our home and is keeping you in good company. How is Mary? I know that you have been exchanging consistent letters with her for a long while now but you have yet to tell me the contents of them. I might think that I do not wish to know about the letters sent between the two of you, just as you never wish to know about the letters exchanged with Regulus.
I know that it is hard to send letters to the castle from where we live, but I wish to hear from you soon after this. Regulus has allowed letters to be sent between the two of us, though he asks that it is not many.
Your husband,
James
…
JAMES POTTER’S JOURNAL
27 August
The morning started slowly. Regulus and I were quick to rise with the sun but we both wished to remain in the bed with each other, the curtains drawn and hidden in the intimacy of darkness. We did not talk much, just embraced each other in a way that my body has been longing for.
After a while, we both encouraged ourselves to rise and made our way down to the dining room where a delightful smelling breakfast as well as Remus and Sirius were awaiting us. “James!” Sirius called upon seeing me, rising out of his chair faster than I thought possible, though I also fail to remember that Sirius is as much a vampire as his brother. His embrace was fierce as it always is, and he was thrilled to actually be seeing me in this form, “How are you doing, my friend?” He cheered before taking me from where Regulus and I had our arms linked to sit me at the table in front of a plate, “Did you travel well? Has it been long since you have become Prongs?”
I laughed at his excitement, though I have to admit that my own chest was filled with glee at seeing him, “You ask many questions, Sirius. I am doing wonderfully now that I am here, and my travels were pleasant. Alas, Prongs is a hard creature to be able to come across, as the city does not enjoy people like me. I can not show Prongs as easily and freely as you can out here.”
“Perhaps we will have to take him out tonight.” Sirius concluded before nearly falling into Remus’ lap, although it did not seem as though he minded. Remus and I ate while Sirius and Regulus remained near us, though they did not eat. Sirius looked like he had eaten previously, and Remus seemed paler than last I saw him, so I imagine that his feasting was recent. Regulus, on the other hand, was staring at me with a hunger that tells me he wishes to feed soon. My blood sings at the thought, I wish that it will happen today.
After breakfast, we broke apart. Regulus sent Remus, Sirius, and some of the other wolves towards where some people were beginning to climb the mountain in some sort of hunt that Kreacher sent word of, and I imagine that Regulus has gone to the top of the castle in order to watch the proceedings. I myself went into the library, although I did not have any intention to read. Even if I wanted to, most of the writings are in French, a language that I only know the barest of and not enough to read the books that are read by the Black family. Even more, I would not have known where to start, this library spans longer than I have been able to explore before, going far back and up three stories, filled to completion with shelves. I dare think, sometimes, that this library holds almost every book that has been published in all of Europe, and I dare say that Regulus has read nearly all of them.
It is in this library that, instead of reading, I wrote my letter to Lily, waiting in anticipation for my beloved to finish with his duties and come to collect me. While I understand his need for duties and for safekeeping, I do wish that he and I could spend a day together, even without Sirius and Remus, love them as I might.
As noon approached, I worried about the fact that Regulus is out in the sun, but I know that he will take care of himself as needed. It does, however, make me wonder why there would be a monster hunt in the middle of the day. Perhaps they were thinking they could capture my love whilst he was in his sleep, that would be if they even managed to get inside the castle. The wolves do not sleep during the day, but neither does Regulus for most of the afternoon. I am continuously both astounded and envious of his ability to function on such little sleep in the way that he and Sirius can.
Regulus had finished with his duties soon after finishing my letter to Lily, where he informed me that he was having prepared both a lunch and a dinner that would deem me sufficiently healthy in order for him to feed on me without fearing that he would take too much and render me ill for the next several days.
The lunch and the dinner were both delightful, as they always are, and upon finishing with my last meal of the day, my husband took me by my hand and led me up to our room. It was a wonderful experience, him feeding, as it always is. He laid me on the bed, tenderly and with nothing but love and passion in his touch. He lit enough candles for the two of us to be able to see and placed a delightful feeling warming spell over the two of us -- he has always been better at warming spells than myself, with much smoother movements and a grace that I have only ever seen in him.
After we were settled, warmed, and I was laying relaxed from a lovely massage that he had quickly given me -- he has informed me in the past that the more relaxed that my muscles are, the more pliant my body is and therefore the easier the blood comes to him -- he finally laid his body over mine, kneeling over my lap. He made a show of it, licking over his lips enough to make them shine in the dim light, smiling at me until I could see where his teeth had sharpened, slowly leaning into my space. He pressed a kiss to my lips first, soft but with the ferocity that my husband functions with at all times, biting my lip and making it bleed a lovely red.
He did not linger at my lips for long, slowly beginning to trail along my neck, his lips pressed to my skin in a feather-light sensation before he was finally at my neck. I was impatient by the time that he was pressing gentle kisses to my neck where he was preparing to bite. I felt an entire body shiver upon him opening his mouth, those beautiful fangs finally touching my neck.
The initial bite hurt, as it always does, but I was prepared for it from time and time again of him feeding from me. The pain only lasted a moment before the euphoria began to kick in, as it always does. I felt the calm wash over me from my neck to my head, down my arms and torso, until even my feet had come numb. I was limp in the bed, useless to my husband’s feeding, but I also felt elated. My heart slowed but my blood was absolutely singing and I felt my eyes close without my permission. I am sure that many sounds fell from my lips but I remember it not from the sensation as well as from the growing light-headedness from the loss of blood.
I know not when it stopped, only that soon enough Regulus was pulling away from my neck. There was a lovely filter over my mind, and my husband cared for me in the way that he always does. He lapped at my neck until the blood slowly trailing over my skin was wiped away and gave me some water to drink after the whole thing. I am writing this by candle light while he is drawing a bath for me to take, satiated and pleased, albeit marginally light headed.
Regulus comes back now to take me to my bath, so I will finish for the night. I imagine that I will be sleeping well tonight.
…
LETTER FROM MRS. LILY EVANS-POTTER TO MR. JAMES POTTER
1 September
My husband James,
I am relieved to hear that you have arrived at your destination and I hope this letter reaches you. I hope that by this time, you have spent more time with Remus and Sirius and as Prongs yourself. I know that you have been wanting to and I am aware of the isolated area that you will be in. I would love, as you said, to be able to meet Count Black for myself.
As for myself, Mary arrived on the 26th of August and has been staying in our guest room. It fills my heart to be able to see her and spend time with her and, luckily, no one has bat an eye at a best friend going occupy the time of a wife whose husband is gone on travel. Although I fear that she is more distracted by what is going on back at home with herself than she is with me, as she has been telling me of these three suitors that have asked for her hand.
I must admit that I am a bit jealous of her telling me of these men, they all seem quite kind and she gushes profusely over their respect for her and the kindness they showed her. How I long for her to show me the same kindness, and I cannot help but wonder if she would prefer one of those men over myself. How do you do it, James? How did you survive being in love with me while my heart was for my best friend before you found someone for yourself? How did you live like this? With this pain in your chest knowing that the feelings are returned, but with not the same ferocity that you hold for them.
I worry about Mary leaving me, no longer looking at me with the love one would their wife and instead looking at me with the love of a friend, of a sister. I fear that change will happen with these suitors, as she has spent a significant amount of time gushing about them. I fear that my heart may not be good enough for her. Do you think that I will find someone for myself, a Count Regulus to distract me from the love that I feel for her in the way that he distracted your heart from me?
I wonder if part of her gushing over these men is that they are nearby to her, while I am so far away. How do you deal with that, James? Deal with the distance. I know that you write letters to your lover from so far away, but how do you ignore that longing enough to allow you to do your daily requirements? I am in the same home as my beloved right now but my heart hurts enough that I feel I cannot get out of bed in the morning, though it has never been this bad when I think of her. Perhaps it is the idea that I may not have her.
I just wish to kiss her once more. She placed a gentle kiss on my lips when she first stepped foot into our house but has not since and I crave it. My body sings for hers to be pressed against mine.
Alas, wish me luck in this, my husband. Wish me luck in regaining Mary’s heart once more, and I will wish that you have a wonderful time with your lover and a joyous journey back home when you do decide to leave.
Your wife,
Lily
As much as I trust you and Regulus and that you will be safe, please be sure to send me more letters to assure me of your safety. Please send to me when you are starting your journey back to me.
…
JAMES POTTER’S JOURNAL
5 September
A letter has arrived from Lily today and my heart cries for hers. How I wish I could mend the pain that my lovely wife is feeling, how I wish I could encourage Mary to feel back for Lily in the way that my wife feels for her. I wish not to see her heart break over Mary. Alas, I have no choice from all the way in France. I have told Remus and Sirius that she is in good health otherwise, although Regulus does not enjoy me talking about her in front of him. I believe that he grows jealous over the marriage I have with her, even if I remind him many times a day that he is the one that I love.
On the topic of Remus and Sirius, we went out last night, I as Prongs, Regulus as the beautiful black-furred cat, and Sirius and Remus as their wolves. It has been too long since I have been able to venture out into the world as my animagus form, having to hide from the people of muggle London as well as from the aurors that remain hidden in the streets of the city. It is easy to forget, as well, that Regulus is an animagus alongside us as he does not go into the form of Leo very often. He prefers to get around by climbing along his walls and flying as a bat, though he has admitted that Leo can be useful when he wishes to venture into Sélestat without the worry that he will be hunted -- even if the people fear him while he is afar, the people of the town tend to act hostile towards him when he is near, even if I do not understand the hypocrisy of it.
I recently had an encounter with the others. Barty found me while I was resting in another room, followed shortly by Evan, Dorcas, and Pandora. Although we have an understanding that they shall not come after me, for I am Regulus’ to claim, I still get uneasy around them. I look at their faces and am reminded of the first time that they came to me, of Barty leaning over my body and the feeling of both fear and lust that filled my heart. Barty still looks at me with a hunger that makes me shiver, but Dorcas and Pandora seem to have no intent to feed on me, as they are the most amicable of the four. The four are not unpleasant to be around, although they do make me uncomfortable on a certain level. I know that my love has warned them to stay away from me many times, although they must come to visit me at least once when I travel here.
As I write this, I hear Regulus coming to see me in the room. He is more lively now that he has fed again which makes my heart swell. He is no longer hiding his face from me in the dark, as I suspected that he was doing before he had fed on me the first time. He is getting along better with Sirius as well, although I am unsure of how long that will last.
Regulus has just transformed into Leo and has rested upon my lap, and I feel light at the thought. I figure it is time to finish with my writing so I can give him my undivided attention. How I love my husband and wish for him to be viewed as such by the rest of society.