A/N: This is meant as a tribute to my favorite stories and authors (basically all of whom are on the QoHG list). I hope none of those mentioned take offense, as this is not meant to reflect anything about their personalities or real life situations. I wanted to include more, but I didn't want to make this unnecessarily long. So to everyone: please forgive me. That being said . . . *runs and hides*.
Chapter Seven
Letters from the Front
Daddy,
Hogwarts is more different than I thought. They do magic in all the halls
and even at each other. I saw one boy turned into a red clipy. I even saw
a boy my age wearing a skirt. It was very funny. I have learned loads of
magic already too. I learned how to make a shield. When I do it right the
spells bounce off it. Draco (he is this boy in 7th year) told me how to
do it. He told me I was talented. School is very amusing. Tell John "hi"
for me.
Love,
Carol.
***
Dear Carrie,
Just got your owl. I haven't told you all of the awful things that
have been happening here. The Gryffindors and the Slytherins have been involved
in a prank war. Sometimes it's been pretty funny, like the time when all
of the Slytherins were forced to speak in rhyme for a whole day. Sometimes
it's been annoying, like the time the Gryffindors were forced to yodel,
and sometimes it's been a bit dodgy, like the time when these rampaging
clowns nearly killed Hermione Granger (Head Girl from Gryffindor). Things
have gotten worse in the past few weeks though. Just a couple days ago Terry
Boot was accidentally hit with a spell that transfigured him into a red
hairpin. And he's not the only one. There have been others. We've tried
to talk to the Slytherins and the Gryffindors, to get them to see reason
and end this nonsense, but they won't hear of it.
Enough of all that. On a happier note, I tried out to be Ravenclaw Keeper
and I made the team! I'm very excited. Anyway, how is life in Austria? Have
your nightmares gone? How is little Joshua doing? Do you have any plans
for this summer? I was hoping my family and I could come and visit again.
Owl me soon and update me.
Sincerely,
Monique.
***
Sue,
It's about time you finally got around to owling me. Where on earth
have you been and what have you been up to? You really need to get to a
fireplace so that we can have a good long conversation. You simply have
to tell me about this hearthrug you mentioned in your last letter. I want
details.
The big news here is that Robin finally asked got Marian to agree to marry
him. I just got an owl from her yesterday. Apparently, he's proposed twice
before, but she turned him down. Third time's magic, I guess. She said that
they're going to some island to do it. It sounds absolutely brilliant.
Oh, and Justin is finally working up the nerve to ask Padma Patil (7th year
Ravenclaw) out. I keep telling him to just seize the day, but he's so incredibly
nervous. He's really sweet, though, acting as if she were his beginning
and end.
In other news, the prank war between Gryffindor and Slytherin rages on.
The pranks seem to be getting worse, and now "civilians" are being
affected. Why, just the other day, Sue (5th year) was hit by a stray spell
and transfigured into some kind of pickle sandwich. She still smells vaguely
of pickles and she feels like she's lost all but a glimmer of hope that
Michael Stewart (5th year Slytherin) will ever notice her. And last week,
someone stole all of my socks. Honestly, if I ever find out who took them,
I'll curse them into next week. Anyway, we simply must chat sometime. There's
so much more going on. Owl me back with a time that's good for you.
Imogen.
***
Dear Mum,
School is going pretty well. The prank war has escalated in the last
few weeks. I have managed to get through relatively unscathed, but Bobby
Gordon hit poor Kevin with a rather strong cheering charm. It's been 8 days
and it still hasn't worn off. To make matters worse, all the other kids
keep calling him "Happy," and I don't think he much likes that.
I wouldn't expect him to owl you about it though. He's rather sensitive
about it.
The only other item of interest is that I'm attempting to play matchmaker
for my friend Ginny. She has quite a crush on Harry Potter, and I'm trying
to get them together. I think they would make a lovely couple. I really
wish I had some help though, like Ginny's twin brothers, but they finished
school last year. Anyway, send my love to Dad.
Love,
Larissa.
***
Dear Mum,
School is fine. Don't worry about Cece. She's doing well and is tops in her year. I have been looking out for her as best I can, but it's difficult since we're not in the same house. She's made some new friends this year (a few of them are male) and seems to be enjoying herself. Things have been rather difficult of late and with her being in Gryffindor and me in Slytherin, it's been hard for us to spend any time together. I'm sure you know all about it from her letters, so I'll spare you the details. Suffice to say that I will make more of an effort to see her in the future. Other than that, there is nothing of interest. I will owl you later.
Neil.
P.S. Please do not ask me to give her the quills and inkwells speech. That is your job, not mine, and I don't know that she'd want to hear it from me in any case.
***
Dear Michael,
How have you been? I haven't seen you in ages. Hogsmeade weekend is
next weekend. Do you think you'll be able to meet me there? Bring Gwenn
and Edmund if you can. I miss them as well.
I have to tell you about everything that has been happening here at Hogwarts.
There has been an ongoing prank war between Gryffindor and Slytherin. I'm
not exactly sure how it started, but it's been both frustrating and humourous.
On the one hand, it's been virtually impossible to learn anything in the
classroom. And there has been a problem with people from out house and from
Ravenclaw being caught in the line of fire, so to speak. Terry got turned
into a red hairpin and little Eric Jones was turned into a Scotsman-kilt
and all. Still, some of the pranks have been amusing, like the one when
some of the Slytherins were hit with a spell that made them all do these
incredibly silly, bizarre walks. There was also the time when a few of the
older Gryffindors were hit with some kind of drunkenness spell. I sure hope
that didn't damage any friendships, if you know what I mean (nudge, nudge).
Oh, and then there was this one when this prat Percy-7th year Hufflepuff
who gets my vote for Upper Class Twit of the Year-was accidentally hit with
a spell that made him paranoid about fruit. He insisted that the Hufflepuffs
get training on how to defend themselves against attackers armed with various
types of fruit. Completely mad, yet incredibly funny.
So, tell me, how are Edmund and Darling as roomies? I do wish those two
would quit sniping at each other. The same goes for Edmund and Gwenn. I
just wish they'd get past it and realize how they feel for each other, especially
after what happened New Year's Eve. Thank gods you and I were never like
that. Anyway, maybe we could help them out? Well, owl me in a hurry so we
can work something out. Later love.
Love always,
Anne
***
Father,
School is going well. I still have the highest marks in Potions. I received your last owl and will attempt to improve my other marks. No new news worth mentioning.
Draco.
***
Dear Aunt Paula,
I just received your owl last week and haven't had a chance to reply
until now. Classes are going wonderfully, and are an exciting challenge.
NEWT's are coming up-those are equivalent of degree exams at University-so
I've been spending a fair amount of time studying for them.
Though my studies have been progressing quite well, the same cannot be said
for the situation with out rival house, Slytherin. The Slytherin pranks
have become decidedly underhanded. Just last week, they turned poor Ron
into a teakettle and made him sing a silly little song about it in front
of the entire school. It took Harry and me three days to convince him to
leave the boys' dormitory. I think he's still red from embarrassment.
I wanted to thank you for your idea about the ballet. We arranged it so
that Draco Malfoy and his cronies performed the Russian Dance from the Nutcracker.
The pink tutus were an especially nice touch. Honestly, though, it's getting
to the point where you can't walk down the halls without something happening
to you. I already told you about the clowns, and just yesterday Harry's
clothes were transfigured into a towel and tiara. I thought he would die
of embarrassment and rage, and poor Ginny looked like she was going to pass
out. Everything has gotten out of control, but I don't know how we're going
to break out of the vicious cycle. Any ideas?
I have to run, but I wanted to ask you one last question: I keep having
this recurring dream about bouncing quarters. Seeing as you're a Muggle
Psychiatrist, I was wondering if you could tell me what that might mean.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Love from,
Hermione.
P.S. Please don't say anything to my parents. You know how they can
be.