September 10th

Dear Tiana,

I hope you had a pleasant summer. Did your grandmother teach you the famous beignet recipe? Did you do anything fun? Did you help your dad make anything special for he and your mum's anniversary? I know everything is food with you. hahaha

Are your classes going well? I'm sorry it took me almost two weeks to write you back. I haven't felt up to writing.

Regina hasn't spoken to me since we've arrived back at school. I thought it was curious that I didn't see her on the train ride here but now I know it's because she was clearly avoiding me. The worst part is that I don't know why! We didn't fight. I almost wish we had. At least then I would know why she is angry...if she is angry. She doesn't seem angry. When I tried to ask her what I did she simply dismissed me. She isn't mean. She just...cold. She only speaks to me when she has to. And it seems she has to speak with me more than she would like considering she is still co-leading our Unity Club. We had one meeting which had a good turn-out but I couldn't even enjoy it because it was so awkward. Even Professor Green has noticed and has been giving us really pointed looks.

We were so good last year and I was so excited to see her again. And then...this. Nothing. It's like we've reverted. We haven't been this awkward around each other since our very first night at Hogwarts.

I suppose she just realized I wasn't worth her friendship. I don't really have anything to offer to the friendship and she's perfect. She could be friends with anyone. I guess I had false hope because we're roommates. I know that at your school everyone only has one roommate but here, it's rare, and I thought that had bonded us in some way.

I suppose you'll stop writing me one day too. And that's okay. I would never want you to feel obligated to write with me. I'm just happy to learn about you and your school while I can.

I feel terrible complaining because no matter how miserable I've been here, Hogwarts is better than anything else I've ever known. Maybe this is just a sign that I should focus more on my schoolwork. That I should focus and learn everything I can while I'm here.

Anyway, I hope your school year started out better than mine. I can't wait to hear all about it!

-Emma

November 1st

Tiana,

How were the Halloween celebrations at your school? The Hogwarts ghosts were really in their element the last few days here. I can't imagine how quiet your school must be without them, especially peeves!

I promised I wasn't going to complain to you about my Regina problems anymore but you asked so I'll update you enough to tell you that there is nothing new to report. I've given up on trying to figure out what I could have done or not done and just accepted this new quiet life.

I've been forced to find a new partner in most of my classes. We only still sit next to each other in Defense because Shang wanted to keep everything the same as last year. Neal is always happy to accommodate me. And Archie and Graham are nice as well. They've all seem to have made friends in other houses though. Maybe I was so focused on Regina last year that I didn't try hard enough to make other friends?

I do sit next to a girl named Mary Margaret (M.M for short) in Potions now. We have to interact a lot. She seems really nice, although I don't know how much we have in common. Regina always glares at this girl and the fact that she doesn't like M.M weirdly makes me want to spend more time with her. I don't know what that says about me, especially when I wish I wouldn't care what Regina thinks anymore anyway.

January 12th

Tiana!

We have a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor! And she's AMAZING. Apparently Professor Chang had to go back home to China for family reasons so they got a replacement. Everyone was really worried when they announced that we were getting a new professor half-way through the year but it turned out better than I could have imagined.

Professor Gabriella Delacour.

Even her name is beautiful. Did I mention how pretty she was yet? There is a rumor that she is part Veela, and her niece goes to the school so I'd say the rumor might actually be true. She would know if there was Veela blood in her family, wouldn't she? I had to look up what a Veela even was when people started saying these things. Do you know what they are? I assume you know everything since you grew up in a magical household but that's proven to not always be the case. Well if you don't, you should look them up. It's fascinating and would totally make sense since she is so amazing.

In other news, Regina more than perfunctory spoke to me today. True, it was only to ask my opinion about the new Professor but maybe it's progress. I doubt it. She seemed annoyed by home much I liked her. She always did like Shang more than I did though so maybe that's why. I don't care either why.

Or I'm telling myself I don't care why.

February 14th

I do not have a crush on Professor Delacour! I can't believe that's what you got from my letters! Is it because I mentioned how pretty she is? Because anyone would mention that! If you saw her you'd understand!

I think she may be staying on as a Professor next year too which will be awesome. No, I'm not too distracted by her beauty to learn anything! I actually feel like I've really learned a lot in her class.

You just have love on the brain because it's Valentine's Day. And don't try to use logic on me and say that when you wrote the letter it was two days before the holiday! If Ilvermorny is anything like Hogwarts than the school has been a buzz with Valentine's news and festivities all week! Every body wants to know who everybody else is going on dates with or getting flowers from. And I'm not just saying that because I didn't get anything, because Neal happened to give me a chocolate frog today! Not anything too romantic but then again, I wouldn't have accepted it if it was. Everyone keeps telling me that he likes me but I'm not too sure. And I feel bad but I just don't like him like that. He's just...such a boy! Anyway, it's mostly the older kids like Wendy that are worrying about Valentine's Day. Nobody in my class really got each other gifts. I don't even think Regina got anything and she has to be the prettiest girl in our class. Even if she had, it's not like she'd tell me about it.

Still annoyed at you,

Emma

March 22nd

Happy Birthday T! You know how at the end of my global unity club meetings, we can share things our pen-pals have written to us? Well, I told everyone the other day that your birthday was coming up. Two of the older students who have pen-mates in the states said that they were going to make sure their mates wished you a happy birthday in the halls. Did they? I bet you were embarrassed. I know you're not an attention seeker. I'd like to think I'm not either but you would probably say I was lying. It feels nice to get attention sometimes. I craved it for so long that any amount I get at Hogwarts can feel overwhelming. I think you should get use to attention though. If those cookies you sent for Christmas were any indication, someday you're going to be a famous chef! The whole wizarding world will want to eat at your restaurants and own your cookbooks!

Your cookbook will probably be much better than the one I've gifted you (oops, I hope you opened the package first) but I still hope you find it helpful!

Wishing you a great year!

Emma

June 25th

I have brilliant news T!

Professor Mcgonagall asked Regina and I to come to her office today. (It's thankfully becomes less nerve-racking each time I speak with her.) She informed us that at the end of every school year the heads of many of the major wizarding schools gather together for a conference. Apparently they discuss the years events, changes in curriculum, etc etc. Honestly not super exciting. Although I did have a suspicion that the gathering was just a reason for them to gather and gossip. What is exciting is that she invited the two of us to go with her!

It's being held at Beauxbatons which means I get to go to France! I've never been out of the UK before. I has never even been out of England until I got on the train to Hogwarts! It's so exciting! Although I can't help thinking the whole trip would be more fun if I were still friends with Regina. I won't let her ruin the experience though. I may never get the chance to go there again!

I'll try to write one more letter before the end of the school year to tell you all about it! We come back from France the last day of school. Mcgonagall said we'd be back in time for the feast and to finish any packing. I suppose I'll just have to write to you early the next day before we get on the train back to Kings Cross. I don't think I'm getting placed with the same foster parents this year so maybe these new people will have a reliable owl I can use to message you during the summer. I still have your address just in case.