Dear Charlie
Author's note: sorry this has been such ages! I had a bit of a block about it. Any way I hope you enjoy it now. It's quite a long chapter.
Disclaimer: Nope, I still don't own it
Chapter Four- Hangovers and Other Natural Disasters
London, January 30th, 1993
Dear Charlie,
How are you? Recovered from New Year yet? Thank you so much for having me to stay; I had the most amazing time! You never really conveyed in your letters how beautiful Breen is, especially still decorated for Christmas. Rugged and awe inspiring. It was wonderful to finally see it; I can completely understand why you love it there. The wanting to look after dragons part I'm still trying to wrap my head around- though they are surprisingly beautiful, especially the Romanian longhorns. It was so good to see you again, Charlie sweetie. It felt exactly like old times, particularly the part where we blasted Bob Dylan and got insanely drunk. That was very familiar. I may still have a slight hangover as a result. That's not to say that you haven't changed Charlie, you have, but in a good way I think. You've grown up, but you can still have fun.
So I met Lucy at last! I have to admit I was terrified about that part. I mean, you never stop talking about her in your letters- how was I going to seem to this perfect person? But she completely put me at my ease when I saw her; she's the most incredibly sweet and open person. I was afraid we wouldn't have anything to talk about but it urns out we have one huge thing in common- you! It was great fun having someone else to moan with. She wasn't quite what I was expecting, too petite and blonde and wispy for the outdoorsy type, but she's clearly tougher than she looks. I think she and I have quite al lot in common. The one thing I just can't understand is what she's doing with a loser like you!
I think Mum and Dad were a little disappointed I didn't sped New Years with them, but they understood that I wanted to see you. I had a good time with them over Christmas- we went Carol singing and had a whole succession of doors slammed in our faces. I also pigged out on Mum's mince pies. She makes the best mince pies in the world. It's the pastry that's the key- all sweet and crumbly.
I am not enjoying being back at work. I was just getting used to the relaxing break when the dull grind of daily routine was thrust on me once more. I officially hate studying. Now that I've passed concealment and disguise so easily they're expecting me to have some kind of actual skill! Not that what I'm doing at the moment isn't useful or important. I'm taking a course in health magic, first aid- that sort of thing, from one of the healers at St Mungo's. It's pretty taxing stuff, advanced spell work and not something I've ever done before. Not to mention my tutor, she's called Miriam Strout, is the most irritating woman I think I've ever met. She seems to think all her patients are about three. Still, it's a good deal better than Dawlish- or as I like to call him Lechy Mcpervyson
I had a drink with Johnny Edwards in the Leaky Cauldron last night. Did you know he's engaged to Mattie Lewes now? I can't help finding that really weird. We only left school a year and a half ago. I'm definitely not ready for marriage yet. Still, Johnny and Mattie were dating at Hogwarts and it's completely obvious they're made for each other. Perhaps I'm just being bitter. After all, my getting married would involve my actually having a boyfriend… I hope you know how lucky you are to have Lucy.
How's work going for you- are you busy, or is New Year a light season dragon-wise? It must freezing over there. How do you Lucy avoid hypothermia? Let me know if your Mum sends you any more news about things at Hogwarts and give my love to Lucy.
Cheers, Tonks xxxxx
888
Breen Dragon Reserve, February 16th, 1993
Dear Tonks
Thanks for your last letter. It was great to finally see you again at New Year. When I went to meet you I was terrified that I wouldn't recognise you- what with your morphing and it having been so long and everything- but I knew you straight away, even if you had turned your hair a stupid colour (you can pull of most things my dear but lime green is not one of them!) I'm so glad that you finally got to see Breen and meet Lucy- I suppose I feel that, well, this is my life now and I want you to be a part of it. You and Lucy seemed to get on really well, which was a relief. I was having nightmares that you'd hate each other and I'd be stuck in the middle. It feels nice to know that I have, well this sounds stupid, but your approval. I really like her a lot. Wait she wants to write to you now…
Hi Tonks. It was good to finally meet you. You were scared about meeting me? I'm the one who was completely terrified beyond belief about seeing you! You are Charlie's best friend after all. He goes on about you constantly. Well now I can put a face to the letters, though with you it never stays the same face for long does it…
Hi again. So how's the healing course going? I'm impressed- that's really difficult magic medicinal stuff. But then you always were a little genius weren't you! It sounds like something that will be really useful- in life as well as in your job. I wish we'd learnt some of that kind of stuff at Hogwarts- you never know when it will come in handy. We have trained medi-wizards at Breen of course, in case of accidents, but still, it's good to know for yourself.
Work here is pretty much as usual. There was a bit of a crisis about two weeks ago when one of the Horntails escaped and nearly set fire to the village- it took about ten of us to restrain the blasted thing and get it back to the reservation. We had officials from the Romanian ministry round and everything- they were absolutely furious of course, I mean what if a muggle had seen, or someone had been hurt! It was a total nightmare. Lucy and I spent the next three days solid repairing every single breach in the shield wall of this place- so nothing gets out ever again.
On the plus side Valentine's Day was great. I actually remembered to get Lucy a card and flowers. She was of course speechless with joy.
He means I was speechless with surprise- he did something right for once!
Anyway, I did my best to make it a romantic occasion and we had a good time. I know you hate valentine's day- but I think if you had someone to share it with you might enjoy it a little more.
Speaking of romance- So Mattie and Johnny are getting married- that's huge news! They are completely perfect for each other. I haven't seen Mattie since I came out here- what does she do now? I remember she was very interested in transfiguration at school- something to do with that? I completely understand what you said about them being too young- but I suppose if you know you're right for each other, what's the point in waiting? Anyway it's great news, maybe I'll see you at wedding.
I am increasingly worried about the stuff happening at Hogwarts. Mum wrote me a quite panicky letter saying another student, I think his name was Justin something, has been attacked, and, this is the really weird part, Nearly-Headless Nick has been attacked as well. I mean, what kind of horrible thing can hurt a ghost? Mum was talking about taking Ron and Ginny out of school. Of course I told her that was a stupid idea- but there's something badly wrong at Hogwarts. I just hope Dumbledore sorts it soon. Keep your ears open for information, ok?
Best Wishes, Charlie xxxxx
Ps: cannons lost again, sigh…
888
London, March 12th, 1993
Dear Charlie,
Grrr! How dare you have a fun Valentine's Day when mine was appalling beyond belief! First I get laughed at by Kingsley because I didn't get any cards (he of course, as a dashing Auror, got loads), and then I have to spend the entire evening studying for my healing examination. I felt like a complete loser. Valentine's Day is an abomination- I will not be convinced otherwise. You have merely succumbed to the tinsel allure of its flashy commercial exterior- but be warned- this hides a cold, cold heart! You'll soon see.
How's work going? That sounded like quite a major disaster you described in your last letter. I would just have completely panicked. Funny- I can deal with dark Magic, but not magical creatures. Was the village you mentioned the same one you took me to- you know, the one with the pub where the barman has a wooden leg and the fire whisky is the cheapest I've ever found. God I felt ill after that night! Hopefully everything is back to normal by now- no more escapes, or outbreaks of dragon pox or anything. What's Breen like in the spring? Green and fresh like England or more wild?
Everything is pretty much as usual here. I passed my healing test respectably enough- though I was up until two o'clock that night studying for it. It was tough, but I managed alright. I'm now taking a course in the history of the dark arts- old cases, that kind of thing. I think the general idea is that you learn to spot patterns in dark magic and a bit about what kind of people these dark wizards are- you know, psychologically. It's really interesting, and I think it will be useful when I qualify as well. However it's not happy reading. I've looked at a whole load of files from when Voldemort was powerful and, well, it's horrible.
One bonus is that I've got Moody as a tutor again. He's a real expert on all this stuff, and manages to make it all interesting as well- not like Bins- remember how we used to spend the whole of history of magic plotting ways to irritate Filch- especially after he confiscated your fanged Frisbee. Anyway- Moody's an improvement, even if he does harp on about anti dark precautions all the time. I'm still working with Kingsley as well, which is always interesting. It's a great way to pick up tips for later.
Mum's been awful ever since she found out Mattie and Johnny are getting married. She seems to think it's high time I found a nice young man and settled down, possibly in a house in the country with a few children. After all she and Dad were married at eighteen, I have had two years longer to find myself a husband. She becomes intensely interested if I even so much as mention anyone of the male sex. Parents can be so interfering sometimes! Just because I haven't had a boy friend since that rather disastrous thing with Eddy in seventh year she thinks I need to be married off- that I can't manage my own life. It's quite hypocritical really- I mean she married the last person in the world her parents would have wanted her to. Oh well, I suppose she's just trying to look out for me.
Mattie and Johnny have fixed a date for the wedding. It's going to be on Christmas Eve this December- apparently she thinks Christmas is a really romantic time, their planning to go really traditional about it as well. I never knew Mattie was so conventional. She was telling me all about it at lunch time today- she works as part of the accidental magic reversal squad now- so does use her transfiguration knowledge quite a lot actually- turning things back into what they should be. I see her quite a lot now actually. She's asked me to be a bridesmaid- which I think is quite ridiculous- I'm 20 years old!
Any more news about Hogwarts? I've been asking around about the chamber of secrets, a looking in books but I can't find anything out.
So, in spite of that almost miraculous victory against Wasps last week, the cannons finish bottom of the league again. We do we bother Charlie- honestly, what's the point? If only we'd been around ten years ago when mad Morgan Murphy was captain, sigh. Anyway- there's always next season to look forward to- and the qualifying rounds for the world cup begin quite soon. Maybe England will fare better eh?
Best love to Lucy
Cheers, Tonks xxxx
888
Breen Dragon Reserve, April 15th, 1993
Dear Tonks,
Well, you said you wanted to see Breen in the spring, so I'm sending you a photo of Lucy and me on the reserve- hopefully that will give you a bit of an idea. It's so beautiful here at the moment, flowers everywhere, though it's still quite cold. Me and Lucy have started walking again since the snow thawed though and it's amazing watching the place coming alive again after winter. It's hatching season again here as well- we have three new Ukrainian Ironbellies as well as two baby Horntails. It's incredibly exciting here at the moment. One disadvantage is that I'm so rushed off my feet taking care of them and recording their growth I have hardly any time to be with Lucy which is irritating.
What do you mean it's irritating? Why would I want to spend more time with you? Ha ha ha- I crack myself up! Hey Tonks- How's the dark history course going?
Oh yeah! How's work? Sorry but that course sounds really depressing. It can't be healthy to spend all your time reading about past horrors, even if it is useful and quite interesting. Maybe Professor Binns put me off history for life. What do you do to cheer yourself up- let me guess, a combination of sarcasm and chocolate, am I right? How weird is this though- you're already nearly two thirds through your Auror training. In just over a year you'll be fully qualified. Are you looking forward to that- or is it scary?
You as a bridesmaid- ha ha ha! I'm sorry but I find that idea so amusing, especially because you're so sulky about it. I can just picture you in a frilly dress- scowling all the way down the aisle- I have drawn you a cartoon to illustrate the point. Please take note of the hobnailed boots sticking out from underneath the frills- I felt they added a touch originality- what do you think? I really hope I'll be able to come back for the wedding- seeing you in a dress would make it worth the effort!
I don't have any more news about what's happening at Hogwarts. Lucy found the legend of the chamber of secrets in her copy of "Hogwarts- a History". The story goes that Salazar Slytherin left Hogwarts in a huff because the other teachers wanted to let muggle- born students in, but before he left he made a secret chamber in the school, which his true heir would one day open in order to purge the school of everyone he thought wasn't worthy of a place there. Apparently it's now open. I think that's one of the most horrible stories I've ever heard. I hate this pure-blood stupidness, I just wish there was something I could do about it. But you can't force people to be decent can. At least, if the monster or whatever it is only attacks muggle-borns, I can know that Ron and Ginny will both be o.k.
I feel really guilty being all the way out here when mum's worrying away at home- but what could I do to help if I was there? I'm glad I know what it's all about now though- trust Lucy to have to have a copy of the most boring book ever written!
It is Not boring! It is a fascinating examination of a complex and thought provoking story! I would expect and ignoramus like you to understand though.
I'm not an ignoramus- who was it who knew how to treat that horntails cold?
Anyway Tonks, I everything's going well at home
Best Wishes, Charlie.xxxxx
888
London, May 20th, 1993
Dear Charlie,
Thanks for your letter, how are you? Wow. Breen Really is beautiful in spring isn't it? I had no idea it could be that green, and the flowers and the sunshine are beautiful. That photo made me smile; you and Lucy both look so cheerful and sweet together, I've stuck it up on my bedroom wall. The cartoon on the other hand did not make smile one bit- ok so I laughed out loud, but it's really a very serious issue. Mattie has gone wedding crazy I think. She's talking about orange bridesmaid dresses. No matter what I do to myself I will not look good in orange- no one could look good in orange. Lucy will understand this ever if you don't.
How's work. I hope everything's calmed down a bit, you were sounding pretty frantic when you last wrote, what with all the new hatchlings being born. How different are they from one year to the next I wander, the weather might make a difference I suppose. I have to say though that a heavy workload is no excuse not to see your girlfriend, you should make time for her. Lucy's a fool if she lets you get away with neglecting her so badly, you have to pay a girl attention or she gets to think you don't care.
Your right when you say that studying the history of dark magic is depressing. I get days when I feel like there's just no point in trying to become an Auror, however many evil wizards or witches you catch, there are always more. Chocolate does help though (yep, you guessed right there too!), and so does Kingsley, he keeps cheerful, and lets me know that there's always a reason to keep fighting. I can't wait till I'm qualified and can really start making a difference; you know putting the people who do this kind of stuff away in Azkaban where they belong. Anyway I'll be finished with the dark history in another month, which will be a huge relief I can tell you.
Well, mum seems to have calmed down on the marriage front for the time being. I think Dad must have talked to her, he knew how irritated it was making me. I don't know what he can have said though, mum's so damn stubborn, maybe he told her I'm having a wild affair with Mad-Eye Moody or something- he he he. Wish I was having and affair- wild or otherwise, there are simply no attractive men in my life- its miserable. Maybe I'm too choosy or something. Everyone else seems to manage it no problem.
I went to visit your mother at the weekend. She invited me round for lunch strangely enough. I think she thinks I need keeping an eye on. Maybe she's right. Anyway it was nice to talk to her. I have more news from Hogwarts for you- apparently there's been another attack- two girls this time. One of them is one of Ron's best friends apparently- Hermione Granger. Your Mum was trying to be cheerful, but of course she's upset for Ron.
You shouldn't worry about coming home though- there's nothing you can do. Dumbledore will sort this out.
All my love to Lucy
Hugs, Tonks xxxxx
888
Breen Dragon Reserve, June 28th, 1993
Dear Tonks,
Well I have a huge amount of family news, ranging from the horrible to the quite amusing; it was all in a huge letter from mum I just got. The first part, the horrible part, is that all this year it's been Ginny opening that chamber. Oh she didn't do it of her own free will, but what happened is almost worse, she's been possessed by a kind of enchanted diary, that belonged to you-know-who when he was at Hogwarts. Apparently she got so taken over by the thing she nearly died, that thing made her take herself down into the actually chamber itself. I feel ill just thinking about it. It seems almost a miracle but she's Ok. Harry Potter went into the chamber after her, killed the monster, destroyed the diary and brought her back to school safely. She's still in shock, but she'll recover. Mum and Dad were convinced she was dead, they were at Hogwarts and everything, it's nightmarish. I keep thinking about what might have happened. The more cheerful part of the news is that Percy has a girlfriend. Fred and George apparently think this is hilarious and have been teasing him about it constantly ever since.
Everything happening here seems almost trivial now, Lucy and I are both fine, the hatchlings are growing at an alarming rate, which is a good sign. It's progressed from spring to summer; we spend any free time lying outside in the grass, which is lovely. It's almost hot.
How are you, I suppose you've finished the dark History course by now. How did your test on that go. Well, I'm sure you did really well, you always do. You're going to be a very good Auror you know. I always admire you when you talk about making a difference. I think you really can. Don't let the other side get you down!
Orange bridesmaid dresses- hahaha! I could just hear you shuddering when I read that.
I sympathise Tonks- you're right, no one looks good in orange. I had to wear baby pink to my sister's wedding, which was pretty bad.
Look, on the romance front, I really think it will happen when it happens you know. It sounds like a stupid cliché, but the right man will come along eventually.
Thanks for being so great with Mum through this whole chamber thing. She mentioned you in her letter, said it was really nice to see you
Best wishes, Charlie xxxxx
PS: England versus Uraguy on Saturday- I hope you'll be listening. I know I will.
bograt- thanks, I like Charlie a whole lot too.
Sexyface- Yay another lovely review! I'm trying to incorporate the action of the book a lot. I think it makes it more relevant somehow
