Disclaimer: Characters and events are the property of J.K. Rowling.

20 November 1991

Severus,

The wards around Hogwarts must be growing quite lax if a troll managed to pass them. I find it odd that in light of this, you chose to concentrate your vehemence on what seems to be an entirely separate event. I must admit, being bitten by a dog does not have the life and death feel that your letter was so clearly trying to impart. I do trust that you have succeeded in having the owner soundly reprimanded and the beast put down. Once they have the taste of human flesh, you can never trust the creatures again.

And no, I do not believe that it is fair that Mr. Potter has already been named to the Quidditch team. I simply chose to ignore your obvious vehemence in my last letter in order to show you how little such trifles matter in the greater scheme of things. With any luck, he'll be knocked off his broom by a bludger and you'll be rid of him for good. There, does that make you feel better? Really, sometimes I wonder about you, honestly I do.

Your Aunt Gertrude (thank Merlin, no relation of mine) in Boston has yet again sent us a turkey for 'Thanksgiving'. No matter how many times I have attempted to explain the disparity of culture to her, she insists on doing this every November. Your father tells me to leave well enough alone since the fowl is usually enough to feed us for the better part of a fortnight. I, however, believe that catering to that madwoman with her altogether ridiculous birds is inviting trouble. I wonder if I could convince her to send a nice goose for Christmas instead?

Speaking of Christmas, have you given any thought to coming home, or do you plan on staying shut up at Hogwarts as you have for these last half a dozen years? I do not wish to pressure you into something you might rather not do, but with your father's condition this might very well be the last Christmas we have to spend together. Given that fact, it is entirely appropriate that you be here as well.

Regards,
Mother

P.S. As for the carnivorous beast, that spell worked fine, but I find that I would much rather be rid of the thing entirely rather than having it confined to its corner. Is it truly that important that I keep it? And why can't you grow it in one of the Hogwarts greenhouses?