Btw I didn't die.

[Orpheus Parkinson]

12th July, 1884

Dear Mother,

As I’m sure you have read, a fire has been sweeping the centre of Hogsmeade. My home must have been amongst the first to catch fire, and is completely razed to the ground. I escaped with only smoke-inhalation and several minor burns, however I believe the maid died before we could reach her. I am currently being treated in the field-hospital in the park, though by the looks of it the fire is only spreading- the de Montfaults have also been burned out, and Javert has invited me to stay at the theatre with them until we can find somewhere else to stay.

I will check on your home tomorrow, and try to save as much as I can in case it too catches fire. Give my love to Andromeda and the boys, and I hope you are all in good health.

Yours,
Orpheus

  

[Astrid Parkinson]

• Orpheus,
  
  I am exceedingly relieved to hear that you are unhurt, whatever might have happened to your home. I thank you for the offer to check on my own, and would impose further for you to check upon your grandmother, aunts, and uncle as well. While I am sure there is nothing to worry about, their silence on the matter does cause me some unease. I am sure that any of them would be happy to house you if they are able to do so; I daresay it would be both more appropriate and more comfortable than a theatre!
  
  We are all doing very well indeed, though I think "roughing it" at a small inn is beginning to take a toll on your sister. The poor dear is unaccustomed to being without amenities; I shall take some time tomorrow afternoon to have a new dress cut for her, in the hopes that it sets her more at ease.
  
  As you know, I am still working--perhaps more than usual--so if there is anything I might owl you from the Ministry, do let me know. I hope you've forgiven me for not warning you of the quarantine (given the blaze, I do now regret this decision), but also that you have considered how horribly bored you would have been at work with your department all but shut down.
  
  Do keep me appraised of the condition of my house; I shall give your love to your siblings.
  
  Affectionately,
  Mother

  

[Orpheus Parkinson]

15th July, 1884

Dear Mother,

Now I am out of immediate danger, I can write more fully- I have been back to check, and my house is all but obliterated, and what little remains is being pulled down tomorrow to make the street safer. Your own house is so far untouched, though the fire is only a few streets away. I took a few chests with an undetectable expansion charm on them and have removed everything that I could (mainly clothes, books and photographs) though several paintings must have a permanent sticking charm on them, and I obviously couldn’t take the furniture. I’ve paid for fire-proof shutters to be put up too to prevent looting, though I doubt they’ll stand up to the fire if it is fiendfyre like the prophet says.

As for our relatives, I believe Grandmother must have found other accommodation, for her house was shut up, and Uncle Eldbridge and Aunt Lucille have found safety with a friend in Bartonburg with their children, though they too are now homeless. I haven’t seen Uncle Lucius, nor Aunt Isolda and her family, though I’ll search the refugee camp in the park tomorrow and see what I can find out.

I am sure a new dress will please Drommy immensely- if she desires anything that she had to leave behind, I am sure I can find it amongst what I have saved (I’m afraid I cannot vouch for the organisation of my packing) and send it on to her-the same goes for anything you or my brothers may want.

If you would be able to check with my superior if there is anything he needs me to do, I would be much obliged, though as you say I doubt there is little work needed right now.

Yours,
Orpheus

  

[Astrid Parkinson]

July 16th, 1884

Orpheus

Your forethought in ‘rescuing’ some items from my home is greatly appreciated, and I suspect your siblings will prove to be similarly grateful. You have done nothing less—and perhaps even more—than I myself would have under the circumstances, and I thank you for it. I am sorry to hear that your own residence has not been more fortunate. If the fire continues to spare mine, I would implore you to seek shelter in it, as I should hate to see you more inconvenienced than necessary.

I am pleased to hear that my mother and brother have moved on to safer pastures; I shall write to them once I conclude my letter to you.

Your superior, it seems, is ill, but with much of the country’s transportation network shut down or abbreviated, the department is by no means in dire straits. I suppose you must consider it a vacation of sorts.

And finally, do not trouble yourself overmuch with digging through our possessions. If you might procure a pair of books and perhaps some needlework with ease, then by all means do so; do not go to any great lengths, however, for I am quite capable of keeping your siblings occupied without.

Do stay safe, Orpheus.

Affectionately,

Mother

  

set by soph

Reply

[Orpheus Parkinson]

17th July, 1884

Dear Mother,

I went to check again yesterday morning, and it appears that your home hasn’t been spared either. The fire was out in that street when I went to check, but the whole street had evidently, and from the authority of the auror overseeing a salvage attempt, that it had been ablaze for most of the night of the 15th. Structurally, the house looks sound (from what I could see) but the interiors have no doubt been destroyed or are beyond repair, though your home has been more fortunate amongst its neighbours, many of whose dwellings like my own are being pulled down as soon as they are certain the embers have died.

I am glad to hear that my absence is not causing a strain on my department, and now the fire is out I am certain I am no longer in any immediate danger beyond that of being trapped in this quarantine. I have also managed to procure the items you requested, and have attached them to a seperate owl to spare this one from too much burden- I do believe this is Andromeda’s work bag?

Yours,
Orpheus

Attached: A small selection of books and a sewing bag

  

[Astrid Parkinson]

August 1st, 1884

Orpheus

If you have not yet read the paper, then please allow me to be the first to reassure you that a respite from idleness is on the horizon: you will be able to return to work next week! While the technical specifics do escape my understanding, the long and short is that, even if ‘trapped’ in quarantine, Ministry workers who prove to be in good health can once again access the Ministry—and through it, the rest of the world!

I shall be using this opportunity to check on—and begin repairs of—my home. Unfortunately, Andromeda and Mordred are not able to come through yet, so we should be very much obliged if you would join us for something of a ‘camp’ dinner at The Leaky Cauldron sometime next week.

Affectionately,

Mother

  

set by soph

Reply

[Orpheus Parkinson]

Dear Mother,

I am glad indeed to be able to return to work- I hate the thought of deserting my post, even when there is so little work to be done, but pray that this hopefully means that the end of the quarantine might be in sight. If not, it is at least a slice of normality, and I can pick up some supplies that I’ve been running a little low on.

I would be more than happy to see the others and to join you for dinner, whenever convenient.

Yours,
Orpheus