Dearest Friend *Hetti*

[Genie Çaglayan]

December 15th, 1883

My Dear Hetti,                        

Something has happened that I fear will change everything. I fear for my safety in writing this letter, and yours as well. Let me explain. I haven't much time, so unfortunately, I must be blunt and it will be shocking. I went into town and ran into Draven at the potions shop. I was buying something to settle my sickness due to the condition I am in, and I lost my temper with him. I told him about the baby, Hetti. Oh how I wish I had kept it to myself. He began to threaten me and my family as a whole. He held his wand to my womb and I was terrified he would kill me as well as the child. Oh Hetti, I am beside myself with worry. I fear he will come after me. I'm afraid I was wrong, and he never loved me. He said that he did, and for one night I believed him...I believe that he believed it. But now he will ruin everything! I don't know where to go or what to do from here.

I must go, my brother is here to say goodnight, I have to pretend that everything is fine. Oh what have I done with my life?

January 1st, 1884

Hetti,

Please forgive me for never sending this letter as it was. I was terrified that it would fall into the wrong hands. I am afraid that the situation has gone in a direction I had never thought possible. It may have taken me a few weeks to come to my final realization, but I have decided that Draven King is too much of a danger to myself and to my child. The only way I saw to protect us both was to come clean with my father and confess everything.

I was right, Hetti. He has practically shunned me as his daughter. He says I am not worthy to carry his name any longer, and therefore am being sent abroad somewhere to be married. He has already posted the advert in the Prophet, and I am doomed to marry a man I do not love in order to protect the family name. I cannot see how my husband will believe that the child is his, as it will be born nigh three months before any possible due date. And for all I know, this foreign man will beat me and perhaps kill Draven once he has found out.

Oh my friend, I am full of woe and loss. Please help me see the light in this dark situation.


With Fondness,

Genie Fawley

[Henrietta Boustle]

Dearest Genie,

I do not even know what to write. Your news have more than shocked me as I had already been worried for I had not heard anything from you for so long. I myself did not write as I did not know if the letter would reach you or if it would be controlled before being passed on to your hands. I have read about your marriage in the Daily Prophet and while I dearly hope that you will stay safe, I cannot help but see the good in it. I am sure that, whoever this man is, will be able to protect you from the one who did this to you much better than your father could. Of course I have no knowledge about politics, but with your father being such an important man, every threat against you is against him. Your husband will be able to protect you, I am sure.

I very much hope for you that he will see the child as his for marriage binds you. Maybe in time you can come to love him. You have a great heart, Genie, and you are capable of love. Maybe you will find it in you for him as well. It is the best I could wish for you.

I would wish I could help you in your situation, but all I can do is read your letters and feel with you. If there is any more I can do for you, please do not hesitate to ask.

In hopes of hearing from you, with a little light of happiness shining through the darkness,

Henrietta B.

[Genie Çaglayan]

January 7th, 1884

Dear Hetti,

It is the night before my wedding. We arrived in the Ottoman Empire a few days ago, and this is the first time I have been able to sit and have a moment to myself. I have met many relatives here that I wasn't even aware of, and of course, I have also met my soon-to-be husband. His name is Mehmet Caglayan, and he is very kind so far. I must admit that I do not feel myself worthy of such kindness, when he is not aware of how unfaithful I have already been. Marrying someone who is not the father of my child feels very wrong. I only hope for forgiveness one day from my family.

I normally would call my fiance by his surname, but as I am to marry him tomorrow, I feel that I can refer to him as Mehmet, at least to a dear friend such as yourself. He is very tall, Hetti. And I must admit that I find him very handsome. He has dark hair, as did Draven, but he adds to his face a full beard. He is quite intimidating upon first appearances, but he has been nothing but good-natured ever since our arrival. He even told me that he plans to buy a house for us in London so that we might be close to my family! I worry that we will also be too close to Draven, but that is a problem we must face at some point.

Did I tell you that I told Draven I lost our child? I can only pray that he believes me, and that this child belongs to my husband. There is no telling what he may do if he knows the truth. He is a mad man. 

Hetti, I miss you. I must confess that though I am nervous for what is in store for me tomorrow, I am tentatively happy for what is to come. I don't deserve it, but I am grateful just the same. How have you been? Please tell me what you have been entertaining yourself with aside from work. You deserve to have happiness as well.

With Love,

Eugenie Fawley

[Henrietta Boustle]

Dear Genie,

I am so happy for you that you find your husband to be so kind to you (I assume the letter will take a few days to arrive so receive my warmest congratulations). And you do deserve kindness, Genie, for you are not vicious. Of course I had hoped that you would form a liking to your husband, but to hear it confirmed makes me very happy. I hope I will one day be able to see that handsome husband of yours as well. How splendid it would be if you came back to live in London. I had been so afraid that this great distance would forever part us and test our friendship.

Have faith for now that everything will work out and that Draven King has believed you. You will be well protected, I am sure, when you are not on your own anymore.

Forgive me that I cannot entertain you with stories of my life for there has been little time aside from work. Father asked me to take up a second job as the oportunity presented itself. I am now helping Mrs. Stensrud keep the house for she is too weak to do so on her own as she is confined to her bed. I have spoken to her once so far and she has been nice to me. Maybe you remember Miss Laila Stensrud from school? I have seen her a few times so far as well as Mr. Stensrud. It is a very grand house indeed.

I hope you have a pleasant time in the Ottoman Empire. Do you know yet when you will return? I miss your company dearly, Genie.

Love,
Henriettta B.