"Drop Me an Owl Sometime" is basically the behind the scenes stuff we don't see beyond the Harry Trio. Letters from students, teachers, all flying around the school-literally. I will be doing four installments of this, one for each book, although I might need two or three chapters to finish them each. Oh, there will be no letters from Harry, not in the first book anyway, because I don't think he would have sent any as he was new to the wizarding scene and truthfully had no one to send a letter to.
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Year of the Philosopher's Stone
Dear Padma,
I can't believe we're not in the same house!! What was that stupid hat thinking when it put you in Ravenclaw and not in Gryffindor?? Well, maybe we can keep in touch via owl and at lunchtimes and stuff. You are my twin sister after all! Anyway, did you see who's in my house as well?!? Harry Potter! THE Harry Potter! Scar and all! I couldn't believe it, no one could, when he walked up and got Sorted. We were already Sorted by then and to tell you the truth, I was rather hoping he'd end up in Gryffindor. How exciting this will be, being in the same school as Harry Potter!
Love, Parvati
Father-
I'm in Slytherin, as expected of course. There weren't too many Slytherins Sorted this year, but I promise to be the best Slytherin possible. Well, obviously I'm the best Slytherin someone can be-I'm a Malfoy.
You didn't tell me that Harry Potter was going to start school this year! I already don't like him, even though everyone else does. It's ridiculous the way everyone fawns over him, like he's a bloody martyr for something he didn't even know he did! I offered him friendship on the train actually though, just to see, but he was sitting with that Weasley scum (I can't see his nose for freckles) and refused it. This year will be interesting.
-Draco
Dear Parvati,
Ravenclaw isn't so bad really; everyone's really intelligent and nice. I've already had a debate with a third year about werewolves actually, he's so smart! I do wish I could be in Gryffindor with you though, it's weird being without you for once.
I've seen Harry in the hallways but I don't have any classes with him. Is he as nice as everyone makes him out to be? Fame can go to people's heads.
Yours truly, Padma
Dear Gran,
I'm at Hogwarts now, it's brilliant! I'm in Gryffindor too, I'm ever so relieved because I thought I'd be sorted into Hufflepuff and they're made fun of to no end. I think I'll like it here. The only trouble is that I keep losing my new toad.
Love, Neville
Penelope:
Hello, this is from Percy Weasley, Gryffindor Prefect. I had a question regarding the Charms assignment Professor Flitwick assigned over the summer-do you think you could maybe answer it in Hogsmeade this weekend? It would be much appreciated.
-Percy Weasley, Prefect
Fred, George, Katie, Angelina, Alicia-
This year we will WIN! No exceptions this time, we must win!
Oh, and keep your eye out for a Seeker…I don't think I need to tell you why…
-Wood
Draco-
By now your first classes will have started. I don't think I need to remind you of our high expectations for your work. Oh, the package attached is from your mother-she thought it'd be a nice idea to send you some sweets. Myself I can't see why anyone would voluntarily place sickly hard candies into one's mouth, but there's no accounting for taste. Just don't eat too much, we actually want you to be able to lift off the ground come your first flying lesson.
As to Harry Potter: try not to appear too hostile towards the boy as people have some sort of a fondness for him. However, I do not resent your animosity towards him as I imagine he is quite like his father was: arrogant and strutting around everywhere like some sort of overgrown rooster.
-Lucius Malfoy-
Padma-
Sorry I haven't been writing as much, it's just that the teachers have been much harder than I thought! Anyway, Harry seems nice enough. I haven't really seen him hang around with anyone besides for the red haired kid (Don? Tom? I don't remember) and only occasionally with Dean and Seamus (who for the record is actually quite cute). So far I don't think he's gotten the full grip exactly how famous he is!
-Parvati
Dear Mum and Dad,
I can safely assure you that Hogwarts is a truly intellectually stimulating school. I have already made loads of friends, it's really great. My favorite class so far is Transfiguration: the teacher is very nice and the work is challenging but I'm making my way through it all right. Oh, and I promise that I'm brushing my teeth and making sure nothing's caught in my brace daily.
Love, Hermione
Dear Belinda,
During your class Harry Potter made a spectacular dive and caught a Remembrall. That was his first time lifting off the ground by broom, wasn't it? Just making sure.
-Minerva-
Minerva-
How exciting! A born Quidditch star I'll wager, not unlike his father before him. Yes, I am quite sure that was his first flight. Well, I wish him luck in the Quidditch games to come…if Dumbledore lets you!
-Belinda
Dear Albus,
I am writing to ask you to bend the rules regarding first years being exempt from Quidditch teams- I witness Harry Potter dive and catch Longbottom's Remembrall at an alarming speed without so much as scratching himself! Now, you know how much trouble Wood and I have had trying to find a replacement Seeker ever since Carlotta Banks moved to Germany in the middle of last year. Remember how we had to use Ruben Clearwater in the finals last year and he passed out when he flew into the goalposts? A complete disaster. You know, it would probably be in Harry's best interest to play on the team, seeing as it would help him to fit in more and enjoy something he's truly very good at.
-Minerva-
Dearest Minerva-
I would be delighted to let Harry play on the Gryffindor team. It will be good for his self-esteem.
-Albus Dumbledore-
Father-
I can hardly write I am so angry. It's a complete outrage!
Our first flying lesson was about three days ago, and it started off with Longbottom breaking his pudgy wrist and being rushed off to the Hospital Wing by Hooch. Naturally, I burst out laughing because of the pathetic way Longbottom fell off of his broom, and then Potter decided it was his noble duty to rescue Longbottom's Remembrall from me. So, I got on my broom and flew up and he followed me on his, which was truly idiotic because he's never done that before. I wasn't about to have him shove me and push me off my broom, so I threw the stupid thing. He dived and caught it and all of a sudden all of the Gryffindor geeks were cheering. It was very irritating, so I flew back down, landed smoothly of course, and waited for them to stop.
McGonagall stopped them for me. It was amusing the way Potter went all pale and the way his lame friends tried to defend him. She carted him off and I thought that he was gone and I wouldn't have to deal with him anymore. But nooo…yesterday he gets this package and I catch up with him and Weasley later to find out he was sent a broomstick. And he's a first year! Figures that Potter would get special favors for having a bloody scar. I'm not stupid; I figured it out. The Gryffindor team, the Slytherin Quidditch Captain Flint told me, has been looking frantically for a Seeker. Dumbledore is letting Potter join the team because he's "special" and sent him a broomstick. I really, really don't like Potter now.
-Draco
Hey Dad can I have a broom?
Ron you know that's against school policy, not to mention our wallets. And next time, sign your letter properly please. –Dad
Not fair that is. Harry just got one, a Nimbus Two Thousand in fact, he's Seeker for the Gryffindor Quidditch team! He's the youngest in…well a long time.
-Ronald Thomas Weasley I-
Dear Hermione,
It sounds like your having a lovely time. Dad and I are busy with the dental practice of course, but we miss you terribly. It's not quite the same without our most organized secretary there to handle the appointment schedule!
Work hard, brush your teeth, and write us back soon.
Love, Mum
Percy,
I'm terribly sorry I didn't write back before. I was so busy writing that Potions essay on Midnight Mushrooms Professor Snape assigned us that I didn't even see the letter my owl Helena left for me. As one Hogsmeade weekend's gone by, how about the next one? I'm also aware that the summer project has been handed in by now, but maybe you have more questions for me?
-Penelope Clearwater…Ravenclaw Prefect
Dear Ron,
How is Hogwarts? I can't wait to come next year, and without you here at the Burrow I think I'm going mad! Just yesterday I caught myself talking to the toaster and asking it if it could please hurry up when I caught myself and was completely horrified. Plus, that toaster hasn't even worked for years so I figured it'd be best to write you a letter.
I miss you terribly: here at home it's almost like being an only child, except it's not because Mum and Dad are always flapping about you lot. By the way, have you met Harry Potter yet? What's he like? What are his hobbies? What does he want to be when he grows up? What color eyes does he have? I swear I'm just curious.
Mum and Dad send their love.
Love, Ginny
Charlie-
You've heard of Lucius Malfoy, right? Well, his git of a son, Draco Malfoy, has challenged my mate Harry to a wizard's duel- any advice?
-Ron
Potter-
Not ducking out now, are you?
-Do I Really Have to Sign?
Dear Percy-
Your brother Ron is in fact breaking many rules. I found it appropriate to write you this letter and inform you of his disobedience. He and Harry are planning to sneak out and-
Oh sod it all, I'll go to them myself!
Dear Mr. Filch,
I happen to know that tonight at midnight, Harry Potter and his friends will be in the trophy room- no permission, after curfew.
I hope you find this information satisfactory.
Signed respectfully,
Draco Malfoy
Malfoy-
Thanks for the tip. I'll follow up on it immediately.
-Argus Filch
Dear Granny,
Remind me never to get a dog.
Love, Neville.
~~
next installment coming up soon!
