Notes: Written for the 12 Days of Christmas Style challenge. Next Generation Era.

Rose Weasley took a deep breath, staring down at the parchment in front of her. She could do this. She knew that she could. She had to, for she had no doubt her cousins would have already ferried the news, and her father would be turning apoplectic with rage.

Dear Mother and Father, she wrote, chewing on the end of her quill before scribbling it out, and fetching a new sheet of parchment. That was too formal.

Dear Mummy-no, definitely not, she thought and crumpled that piece of parchment, too, sighing. This next attempt had to work-for one, she was running out of parchment.

Dear Mum and Dad,

As I am sure you already know, I have been Sorted into Slytherin. The Hat said that I would be happiest there, and I think I believe it. I always tried to be as much like a Gryffindor as I could, Dad, but I think Mum knows, at least, that it's not where I belong. I'm sorry.

I've only been in this House a night, though, and I'm already really happy with it. Everyone is so nice to me. Scorpius Malfoy-the boy you pointed out to me at the train station, remember, Dad?-He's in this House with me, and he says that if I'd like, he'll help me with Potions if I help him with Charms. We've both already read all of the course books and I have a feeling that this arrangement will be really helpful to both of us. I promise, I'll still do my best to beat him in all my classes!

Al has been Sorted into Hufflepuff, by the way. I think he'll be really happy there, no matter what James says. He called him a duffer earlier, can you believe it? Professor Longbottom got very angry at him and took points off.

I really hope you can both still be proud of me. I love you loads.

With love,

Rose

"That will have to do," Rose said, folding the parchment, slipping it into a proper envelope, and resolving to head up to the Owlery as soon as she could.

"What will?" one of her new Housemates, Violet Nott, asked, peeking her head through the curtains of Rose's bed.

"Letter to my parents," Rose replied briefly. Violet nodded in understanding.

"Ah," she said. "Hey, want to come play Exploding Snap with us? Scorp brought the cards."

"Sure," Rose beamed, stuffing the envelope in the pocket of her robes and hopping off the bed. It might not be Gryffindor, she thought as she twitched the emerald green curtains closed. But it's home to me.