Agatha Abbott bit her lip as she tried to decide what in the world to make for dinner. She remembered with fondness when her husband had been alive. He had enjoyed showing off to his Muggle wife by making dinner using as much magic as possible.
With a start, she her a tap on the window. Even after well over a year of having her daughter off at Hogwarts and constantly writing letters, the arrival of post by an owl still seemed far from normal.
Still, she was always happy to receive a letter from Hannah. She opened it and began to read.
Dear Mum.
She looked at the greeting in puzzlement. Something had to be wrong: Hannah never addressed her letters that way. Hannah was much more likely to put, "Hello Mum!" Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Agatha continued.
You remember how I told you about the Chamber of Secrets?
Agatha rolled her eyes. Of course she remembered that ridiculous story.
Everyone thinks Harry Potter is doing it! It seems impossible, but let me tell you what happened at Dueling Club (Don't worry, I was careful!)...
She rapidly read through the story describing Harry talking to a snake. She shook her head again, this time because the wizarding world was so strange. It held a certain charm, but to her it was like a fairytale—except without the guarantee of a happy ending.
Ernie says Harry is behind it all. Well, I don't want to believe it, but I think it might be true. I know he's a Gryffindor, but who's to say he couldn't be the Heir of Slytherin? He might be. It's just... he's Harry Potter. But he did talk to a snake, so that has to mean something. I think I might actually agree with Ernie.
I hope this letter isn't scaring you. I just wanted to tell someone. I'm really confused. But, no matter who the Heir is, I don't think I'm in much danger. Dad was a half-blood, after all. Don't worry about me.
Love,
Hannah
Agatha reread the letter, and then set it down. She always felt confused after reading Hannah's letters. She was glad her daughter was happy, but it was so hard to be supportive of something that she would never come close to comprehending.
She sighed.
As for the Harry Potter issue, she had no idea. She knew of Harry's fame and she knew that Hannah used to think highly of him. The "Heir of Slytherin" issue she had no opinion on.
All of a sudden, she wondered if Hannah ever felt a lack because her father had died, which left her with a parent who could never understand magic. She tried to chase the thought away.
As she picked up a pen to respond, she thought, I hope she'll be all right.