John, 15 December 1990
Life at home is unbearably hateful. I find all of these holiday festivities most distasteful. Between mother, father, and Mycroft's inquiries about my health, schooling, and plans for the future, I've not had a moment's peace. We should have stayed at Hogwarts.
-SH
Sherlock, 16 December 1990
After nearly burning to death in my own bed, I disagree. We've been on break for a day, so you cannot be miserable already. Quit being so melodramatic and chin up. Only 21 more days to go.
-JW
John, 17 December 1990
21 days is an eternity. I am likely to go mad before they are up. If my family drives me to an early grave, I bequeath my skull to you. And all of my potion supplies. And Madame Curie, though you must remember to only feed her the expensive owl treats. She's quite picky. I probably should draft an official will at the rate things are going. Mycroft tried to engage me in a game of Gobstones yesterday. Gobstones, John! What a ridiculously dull pastime. I am not sure he and I are actually related.
-SH
Sherlock, 18 December 1990
Oh, you two are definitely related. Besides the physical resemblance, you both have terrifying powers of deduction, a total lack of sentiment, and no consideration for the feelings of others. You are far too generous in terms of passing on your worldly possessions. I've always wanted an antique skull. And of course I will take care of Madame Curie. She and Sig get along quite well.
-JW
P.S. Gobstones is bloody awful.
John, 19 December 1990
Your sarcasm was practically oozing out of that last letter. I needed a napkin to wipe it off my hands. And I resent your putting Mycroft and me at the same level in terms of deductive abilities. I am capable of considering other's feelings. I declined to comment on Molly's outfit when she went out with you, Sarah, and Lestrade. The plunging neckline made her motives quite obvious.
-SH
Sherlock, 20 December 1990
My mistake. I should have clarified that Mycroft's deductive abilities are far superior to yours. That was quite foolish of me to portray you as equals. Molly's neckline was not plunging; it was tasteful. And it worked because she and Lestrade are meeting up over break for tea.
-JW
Sherlock, 21 December 1990 And now you are not responding to me. I'm sorry. What I said in my last letter was uncalled for. You know I didn't really mean it. You are infinitely more intelligent than Mycroft.
-JW
John, 22 December 1990
I do not understand why you think I would be bothered by the contents of your letter, but apology accepted. By the way, I sent the hair I found to Lestrade. He has a cousin in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. She's going to take a look and see if she can discover any more information on our would-be killer, though it may take a while. My parents are insisting I journey with them to our lodge in the Alps for our annual ski trip that I have managed to avoid for the past few years. You wouldn't care to come, would you? My parents mentioned I could invite you, and it might be SLIGHTLY more tolerable if you came.
-SH
Sherlock, 23 December 1990
A DNA test would probably be quicker, but I doubt many witches and wizards are on the record. And this settles it. Forget the ski trip and come with me to Clara's ranch. Dad and Clara are on board, and Harry even reluctantly agreed to your joining us. I give you permission to milk the attempts on my life for all they are worth when convincing your parents to let you go. We'll pick you up on the 26th at 9:00 in the morning. And we're taking the car. My dad's not too fond of Floo powder.
-JW
John 24 December 1990
My parents have approved of our plan. Mother gushed on and on about you for several minutes and then said, "Of course you can spend the rest of break with the Watsons. You should be there for John in his time of need." I think she wants to adopt you. I suppose this means I shall have to comment on the scenery and try not to engage in a shouting match with Harry.
-SH
Sherlock, 25 December 1990
Happy Christmas!
Mercifully, Harry is not driving with us. It will be just you, dad, and me. Please thank your mother for the jumper. It's quite dashing, but I have a feeling she spent far too much money on it. And the Quidditch gloves are fantastic. I'm impressed that you went into Spintwitches without bursting into flames, since you usually avoid it like the plague. Anyway, do try to enjoy your Christmas, and be nice to your family. I'll see you tomorrow!
-JW
John, 25 December 1990
I shall do my best seeing as it is the holidays. I played Mycroft in Wizard's Chess today, though I soundly defeated him. I am glad you like the gloves; it was quite a trial for me to enter that cesspool of sport and buy them for you. I like the self-tuning resin you got from Dominic Maestro's. It works very well. As for Cluedo, my parents found in quite intriguing, as they have never seen a Muggle board game before. I, on the other hand, was not amused. I look forward to the hour of our departure tomorrow. Happy Christmas, John.
-SH
A bit of a mellow chapter. I wanted to experiment with the letter format, as John and Sherlock would obviously not have texting. Their owls must get quite a workout. Thank you for all the follows, favorites, and words of encouragement!
