Smoke-Novel

without alerting him, but I doubt many others within several thousand miles
could have. They butchered my elves. They desecrated my family shrine. I did
not torture him, or even torment him, but yes, I killed him. Such was my right,
under the law."
"True," Dumbledore admitted reluctantly.
"I shall be shifting through his memories. Magical human potion ingredients
being rare, expensive, and illegal, I thought you might have some use for them,"
Russell stated.
"True," Snape agreed. He often had to use less effective Muggle potion samples.
"I would like to send his effects, and his face, to his Master," Russell said.
"That might give you a bit of satisfaction, but it would merely raise their desire
to get a hold on you," Dumbledore pointed out.
"Not even you could have pulled these memories from him," Russell said. "If we
send proof of death, they won't think we learned anything from him. It might
also come as a shock to one or two that they won't just be sent to a
dementorless Azkaban until they can be rescued. They can be killed, too."
Dumbledore thought about that. When he still said nothing, Snape asked, "Who
would you send it to?"
"I'm not certain," Russell admitted.
"Send it to Narcissa Malfoy," Dumbledore suddenly said in a harder voice than
either man had ever heard him use, "With no message other than it be turned
over to her husband's master."
"Why her?" Snape demanded. Then he remembered why. "Never mind."
Narcissa Malfoy had suborned her cousin's house elf, leading to Black's death
and Potter's anguish. This was Dumbledore's way of reminding the spoiled
Narcissa Malfoy that she would not be forgotten. If Draco was present, it might
also scare the boy straight.
Snape was very worried about Draco.
Russell was now addressing his Headmaster and leader. "I have one remaining
elf. She will be splitting her time between her usual assignment, my manor, and
here, with your permission. I would not like her caught as the others were."
"Agreed."
"If you will excuse me, I have been awake seventy-five hours. I believe the
potions allowing me to do so will be giving out soon, and I'd like to shower and
eat before they do."