Private to All who are invited to the Bonding
Quickly and fretfully penned shortly before morning classes on Friday, the last day of term and day before the Bonding:

The invitation is here



It has come to my attention that Nymphadora Tonks has returned from whatever rock she crawled beneath her leave.

If you are among those invited to our Bonding, you know Remus and I well enough to recall our personal tragedy less than a year ago, in which we lost Mandy. During those trials, Auror Tonks was beyond disrespectful to Remus. Her words and actions wounded him deeply and made a truly horrific experience even worse.

I will be seriously, seriously displeased if anyone allows that woman to come to our Bonding as your 'guest'. Only Fenrir Greyback himself would be more unwelcome at our celebration. Being well aware that the individual in question is capable of altering shape as she choses, I will be personally erecting Recognition Wards around the entire area. I am both highly skilled at such wards and well enough acquainted with her magical signature to create the alert.

Anyone who knowingly attempts to assist her in slipping past our safeguards will be removed from the premises.

It is not in our nature to be demonstrative with our emotions or our relationship. We pay you a sincere compliment in our invitation to share something so private and meaningful to us. It is our desire that you will respect our wishes in this regard. To have someone attend who would cause pain and distress by their very presence would not enhance our experience in any way.

Sincerely,
Severus Snape