The Flight Of The Vulture

Chapter 17: The Smell of Death

July 1st, 1973

After their first date, Belle spent any free time she had in Ed's company. He unknowingly taught her everything about the muggle world. They went roller skating and ate ice cream. They had a great time at the Beach Boy's concert after watching her very first baseball game. She met his family, who were all very welcoming. He showed her a Television, and after she revealed she'd never seen one, he took her to her first movie. He did find it confusing that she'd never seen one, seeing as there were TVs in Scotland. They would stay up late listening to records and would kiss under the stars inside his car.

It was after one of these late nights that Belle arrived home to a long distance owl carrying a letter in it's beak. She expected it to be from Professor McGonagall but she was surprised to see different handwriting.

Dear Belle,

It is honestly a joy to write to you as I have missed you desperately. You can't imagine the emotions I have had in missing you. At first, after realizing you weren't writing me back, I was very angry. I thought you had betrayed my trust. Then I realized, were I in your situation, I'd have done the very same thing. I understand now what you were alluding to on the Hogwarts lawn. I wish I'd understood better, and I feel awful about what I said. I wouldn't blame you if you hated me. I have vowed with my life never to reveal your situation or location, not to anyone.

As the school year has ended, your family did arrive at the Platform looking for you. They were disturbed when you did not arrive. First came the letters, then they arrived at the school.

Mr. Urquart, the head of the Auror department, had several of us Aurors hidden in Hogsmead. We were very prepared to help defend the castle.

Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall greeted them at the gates. It seemed to be a gaggle of your brothers. They were not allowed to enter the school's property to search for you. Your brothers did not cause a large fuss, especially once Professor Dumbledore said we had no control over where you went when you left school. However, Mr. Urquart believes they may try to cause more trouble over it in the future. 

Professor Dumbledore however, has full faith they will not return to the school. He also believes that Ingrid did a well enough job destroying the evidence of your disappearance. However, people are looking for you now. We don't know if they suspect America yet, but I would recommend caution. 

McGonagall approached me after the situation at the castle. She wanted someone else to know your whereabouts beside herself and Ingrid. She worries her owls may be watched more carefully now. She also said it would be good for us both to keep in touch so you never feel like we have forgotten you. Nothing we correspond about will be shared with anyone else, for both our safeties of course. 

Many things have happened since you left. I'll try to keep it to the positives of course. I'm sure you have heard about the traumas of war and those horrible atrocities, so I will not prove myself to be a negative correspondent. I will try to send you only the best news.

Auror training was intense, but I quite enjoyed it. Frank and I made it through rather quickly, with honors even. We've both been off traveling the country, trying to stop dark wizards before they can attack innocents. I've been doing my best anyway. I know it's not as glamorous as what you've been up to. McGonagall says you are making a real splash in Moda.

I'm engaged by the way. Frank proposed with his own mother's ring, can you imagine? It's beautiful. It's so untraditional! I was surprised because his mother is quite set on tradition. It's a gold band with a single red ruby in the center. He asked me on his family's property, beneath a beautiful willow tree beside a small pond. He said it's his favorite place and it only seemed right he ask his favorite person to be his wife there. We aren't in a rush to be married, but we'd like to be by next year, before this war gets crazier.