Dear Father,
Since I figured that you would write back the moment my first day started, I am writing to you to tell you that, yes, I am in Slytherin. Though it wasn't as if there was a single person bearing the name of Nott that wasn't in the house I wouldn't want you to worry otherwise. I must admit that the hat had contemplated placing me in Ravenclaw, but only for a mere second. The sorting tradition remains right and true, but there have been some subtle differences.
Purebloods like Abbott and Macmillan in Hufflepuff, for one. Even worse was the fact that they were actually happy about it. More mudbloods have been admitted into Hogwarts each year and the growth of their population has become higher than ever before. And, as usual, the next Weasel was sorted into Gryffindor. There was another strange phenomenon that happened when Harry Potter (yes, he is in my year) was placed in Gryffindor, as well. It appears that Weasel has already befriended him. I, of course, feel bad for the bad company he's made, but I knew better than to step in. The worst situations are better left alone. On the other hand, Draco Malfoy ended up doing just that. Potter protested that he had "already found good company" and left Malfoy standing there, looking like he had just been confunded. But I suppose you have a much more intertwined relationship with the Malfoys than I may ever have. You know very well their tendency to offer contracts beneficial to only themselves and form false alliances. Why would Malfoy have the desire to be guarded by two hulking dimwits and Parkinson? I've no idea. Just looking at all these disgraces causes me to cringe on the inside.
The thought of requesting you home-school me had come up, but it hasn't even been the first day yet. If there is anyone who knows to stay calm in any given situation, it would be you. To look on the bright side, not all purebloods of my generation have gone to ruin. I've formed a sort of friendship with Blaise Zabini, as he thinks of it. To me, he's only an acquaintance, but I suppose it would be good to have at least one person who I can trust to survive here. He seems to be the only person at Hogwarts that knows how to be mature and clearly understands where his loyalties lie. We managed to make some conversation on the train, which didn't last long, since he had found my compartment near the end of the trip.
As for the classes, I highly doubt that any of them would be interesting except for Potions. The new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor is a trembling idiot who wears a turban of garlic to "keep the vampires at bay." The subject has always been something of a joke to me. Charms is another effortless high grade that I can advantage of. You know how Transfiguration has never been a talent of mine, but I doubt I won't be able to catch on quickly. I ask that you don't scold me for not taking my classes very seriously. To be blunt, I doubt you would either.
I am already thinking of which electives I want to take in the third year, but I figure there's no need to think too far ahead. After all, you might end up homeschooling me very soon. I would also like to add that I hope you don't think I am judging my peers too harshly. I prefer to call it 'analyzing.'
Sincerely Your Son,
Theo