My children have been reading this story as I have written it and look forward to each chapter as it is finished. When I finished this one, my 11-year-old daughter started it and halfway through handed it back to me and said "I can't understand anything that's going on here. It's too confusing."
I hope that none of you will feel that way. If you do, don't despair. You can just move on to the next chapter when it's posted in a couple of days. This is an extremely plot-heavy chapter, setting up the mystery part of the story so that what happens through the rest of the story makes sense. Hopefully, I have interspersed enough humor that you can get through it.
On another note, I have had several people ask me when George is going to be returning to the story. I don't want to give away too many specifics, but I will say that he will not show up in person for quite a long time. But we will hear from him on several different occasions. And when he does eventually appear in person, there will be plenty of snogging and cuddling. So, be patient. He can't come to Hogwarts, I'm sorry to say. It's just too dangerous. I know. I miss him, too.
Chapter 19
What's Been Happening at Home?
The walk through the dark cold corridors of the school seemed to take a very long time. Cassie wanted to break into a run but Professor McGonagall was walking along at what seemed to be a very slow pace and Ginny and Ron were content to follow along in her wake. She would have run on ahead except that she had no idea where to go. She could have asked one of the portraits, of course, but she had a feeling that that would take longer than just crawling along with the other three people. So she bit her lip, twisted her fingers nervously, and tried to steel herself against whatever news she was about to hear. She tried to run through a quick list in her head of what could possibly have happened to them. After all, it had only been three days. But she soon got lost in such a long maze of possibilities that she gave up on the idea. Eventually, she saw the gargoyle that marked the entrance to the stairs leading up to the headmaster's office and Cassie took a deep breath. She needed to be strong now.
Professor McGonagall left the three "cousins" at the entrance to Dumbledore's office after telling the gargoyle the password. It was no longer Canary Cremes, but instead she was pleased to note it was now Mars Bars. Both Ginny and Ron looked a little confused. "Mars Bars? What's Mars Bars? Is he off his candy theme now, or what?" Ron asked as the circular staircase rotated them gently and ever so slowly up to the actual door where Dumbledore presumably waited to give them the bad news. Cassie could have enlightened him about Mars Bars as they were one of her favourite candies, but she wasn't in the mood at the moment. Right now, she only had one thing on her mind and that was her parents. She was so nervous that her stomach was churning in giant knots. What would she do if they were dead? No, she couldn't think that way. There was no reason to think that way at all. She knew they were being guarded. She had to trust that the guards were careful.
The three of them entered the office very quietly, unsure of what to expect. Cassie immediately saw Arthur and Remus. They looked upset but not devastated. She hoped that was a good sign. She thought if her parents were actually dead they would be more upset than they looked at the moment. Professor Dumbledore entered a moment later.
"Ah, Miss Robinson. It's good to see you again. I imagine Professor McGonagall told you that we have some rather upsetting news about your parents?"
Cassie wanted to answer him, she really did, but when she opened her mouth, nothing came out except for a rather high-pitched squeak. So she nodded instead and was immensely relieved to feel Ginny take hold of her hand and give her a comforting squeeze.
"Let me tell you first of all, that your entire family is fine. No one is hurt or injured in any way. However, they have had a rather interesting weekend, more interesting than I think any of us were hoping for." Cassie had never understood the expression "weak in the knees" until that moment when she literally felt herself collapsing. Fortunately, Remus seemed to have anticipated this because a chair suddenly appeared behind her and he helped her into it before she wound up in an ungainly puddle on the floor. She sat there for a minute letting the comfort of the first part of his sentence embrace her before she had to face the second part.
"They're okay? They're not dead?"
Professor Dumbledore's eyebrows went right up and disappeared in his hair at that question. "Dead? Heavens, no. Remus and Arthur just returned from your home about an hour ago and they were fine. They miss you, of course, and are worried about you. But I believe they even sent some correspondence, didn't they, Remus?"
A thick envelope was pressed into her hands and at the sight of her mother's familiar childish handwriting scrawled across the envelope, Cassie almost broke down. A wave of homesickness so intense that it threatened to drown her suddenly washed over her and she concentrated for a long minute on just breathing deeply. "Oh! Thank you, Remus. And Arthur. I . . . I miss them, too."
"We told them you did but that you were settling in just fine." Arthur was smiling kindly at her and Cassie wanted to hug all three of them in gratitude for the good news but stayed sitting in her chair, unsure if her knees would support her yet.
"So what's wrong with her folks, then?" Ron and Ginny had pulled up two more chairs for themselves and Ron was never one to waste time in small talk. Not when he wanted to know something. Arthur scowled, Remus smiled, and Professor Dumbledore moved to sit back behind his desk.
"Well, that is a bit of a long story, I'm afraid, which is why I wanted to tell you right away the end so that you aren't in too much agony as Arthur tells it to you. Arthur . . . please tell Miss Robinson the story as you heard it from her father." Arthur nodded and settled himself more comfortably against Professors Dumbledore's desk. Cassie thought he might be more comfortable if he sat down but she soon realized that for him, this worked. He liked to pace, apparently, because her eyes had to follow him around the room as he walked and talked and told a story that she couldn't have imagined if she'd have tried.
"Remember how there was originally a meeting scheduled for Friday between Blackman and the Prime Minister?" Arthur didn't actually expect an answer here as he continued on without stopping, but Cassie nodded anyway. "Then, Andrew told us it was rescheduled for Tuesday but Blackman didn't know that yet?"
"Who's Andrew?" This was Ginny, who was obviously trying to follow along just as carefully as Cassie was.
"My dad."
"Yes. Anyway, it seems that a little matter of some visiting foreign dignitary was not going to deter Blackman from his plan. The meeting was re-re-scheduled for Friday around lunch time. When Andrew heard this, he was very distressed, as you can imagine. We had already planned on someone to be in the office from Monday onward permanently to watch over both the Prime Minister and Andrew, but things had not yet gotten to that point." Cassie was about to say something about how they should have had someone there protecting him no matter what or not let him go into work or something, but Arthur apparently read her mind because he continued. "We had asked Andrew not to go into work on Friday at all because we were unable to have a guard on him for the majority of the day but he said he felt it was vital that he be there. He said that if he was not it would be very suspicious. He thought it may even have convinced Blackman more that something strange was going on in your family which might make you even more vulnerable, so he insisted. We had given him a portkey to use if there was an emergency, but he was a little more nervous about using it than we anticipated and decided that instead of calling for help he would simply interrupt the meeting himself."
Cassie felt a cold shard of dread pierce her stomach and she subconsciously clutched her robes. "He purposefully caused problems with the documents that Blackman was supposed to be 'discussing' with the Prime Minister so that he would have an excuse to interrupt the meeting immediately after it started. His plan worked very well. He interrupted the meeting with the correct paperwork only minutes after it started and then he was invited to stay by the Prime Minister, who I gather is somewhat of a personal friend." Cassie nodded slowly, not caring about this part. What had happened to her father? "He was very brave, Miss Robinson. After a few minutes, Blackman got anxious and told Andrew he needed to go back to his own office because he was expecting an important phone call. Andrew coolly said he would have the secretary route the phone call to his cell phone." Arthur got a sudden bright gleam in his eye. "He showed me that. It's incredible. It's almost like magic. We should get some, Albus, for the Order." Professor Dumbledore smiled.
"We'll look into it."
"Blackman tolerated his presence for a few minutes, but got more and more agitated. Andrew pretended not to notice, hoping that the time the Prime Minister had allocated to the meeting would pass without Blackman being alone with him. However, he underestimated, I believe, Blackman's desperation. Blackman simply called the secretary in and told her that Andrew needed to go as he was not feeling well. Andrew felt like he could not cause a scene at that point. He said that he was feeling perfectly fine but that over the next few minutes he actually did get sicker and sicker and within the hour was actually heading home because he was so ill."
"Blackman made my dad sick?"
"Well, something like that. We aren't quite sure what he did as Andrew did not know the words he used and could not remember anything in particular happening. We believe he actually cast a very strong suggestibility spell on him, which basically is a spell that allows you to tell someone something and have them believe it, no matter how contrary to actual reason it is. We believe, again we are not sure, that he simply cast that spell, and told him he had the flu. Your father, then, believed that he had the flu and felt like it. The mind can be a very powerful weapon." Cassie nodded, understanding that easily enough.
"When he got home, then, did he notify the guards at the house or anything?"
"No. We believe that another part of the suggestions given to your father was that nothing interesting happened that day and that the meeting never occurred. So, when he got home, he reported to your mum and all the people who asked that nothing happened and that, in fact, Blackman had never even come into the office that day at all."
"Oh! That's terrible!"
"Yes. And I understand that your father was extremely sick all weekend, to the point that your mother was quite concerned. In fact, it was her worry that led to our discovering everything that had happened. Remus and I got there this morning, just planning on going over the plans for tomorrow when our insider would be on the job, but your mother was very insistent that this was not normal flu and that someone had done something to Andrew. So, just on an off chance, we did a Finite Incantatum spell on him, and sure enough, within about five minutes, he felt much better and was able to tell us what actually occurred on Friday."
"Of course, by then, it was too late. We are fairly positive that the Prime Minister has been placed under the Imperius Curse. We do not have proof yet, but that is just a formality. There would have been nothing to stop Blackman from doing it once Andrew left the office."
Everyone around the room was very quiet as they tried to absorb this disturbing news. Cassie was the first to speak. "So what happens now?" She thought there was a small possibility that she may even be able to go home now, but as soon as Arthur started speaking again, she realized that she might as well not even ask.
"Nothing different. We went over the newspapers very carefully with Andrew and as far as he can tell, the Prime Minister did everything over the weekend that he was supposed to do and nothing unusual or strange that he was not supposed to do. We believe they have him under Imperius and may have even commanded him to do whatever it is they want him to do, but it has not yet been necessary for him to do it. Truthfully, we expected this in any circumstance. It would have been almost impossible to keep the curse from being cast in the first place. And, we aren't sure we wanted to."
"What?! Then what was the point of everything . . ."
"We had hoped to know exactly when the curse was cast and perhaps to even hear what exact commands were given to him so that we could use that information to help us track down the wizards who were in the meeting that you witnessed on Wednesday night. That way -"
Cassie couldn't just sit there anymore. She hopped out of her chair and glared daggers at Arthur. "Are you telling me that you are willing to let a good man be under some terrible hex, curse, whatever, just so you can track down the wizards at that stupid meeting? The only reason they were even meeting was to plan for the curse to be given- it's been done! They're irrelevant now! What difference does it make?" Suddenly it was just too much and Cassie started stalking around the room, very frustrated. She didn't understand what the entire purpose of her being here, of the guard at her parents' house, of her father risking his own life to stop a stupid meeting was if they actually planned on it happening, actually wanted it to happen. "Is what happens in the Wizarding World that much more important than what happens in the Muggle world . . . Because I don't see it that way. I think you are being despicable. I can't believe this. I trusted you. All of you. And you let me down."
"Miss Robinson." Professor Dumbledore stood up and held up his hand. "Please. You are jumping to some very wrong conclusions. Let us explain. Then if you want to hate us, you can still feel free to do so."
Cassie looked at the three older wizards standing on the other side of the room and felt very foolish. She really had falsely accused them without letting them finish their side of the story. She flushed. "I'm sorry. I . . . I wasn't being fair. I don't hate you. Any of you. You . . . you've been wonderful." She didn't know what to do now. She felt like crying but knew that really wouldn't help the situation. She stood there for another moment, unsure of whether to beg for forgiveness or whether to just calmly take her seat again. Ginny stood up before Cassie had made up her mind and came over to her.
"Come on, Cassie. Let's sit down. This sounds like it's very complicated and I think we just saw the very beginning of it."
"Ginny's right." Remus smiled at the two girls and then at Ron. "It is very complicated. Extremely complicated. We feel like we are trying to organize something of major importance without knowing exactly what it is we are organizing. So, we are feeling our way along just as you are, Cassie, and just as your parents are. We hope, that if we move carefully enough, we can wind up with a finished product worthy of all the effort that has gone into it. However, I'm afraid we can't guarantee this. We just don't know enough, yet. But we're working on it."
"How come Hermione couldn't come to this meeting? Her mind could follow all this. I'm very confused," Ron admitted sheepishly. Remus laughed out loud, which seemed to dispel the last of the tension in the room that had been caused by Cassie's outburst.
"If you'll remember, Mr. Weasley, your cover story was that Cassie's parents, your aunt and uncle, joined the Order and sent her here so she would be safe. That is the story we are spreading around among the Professors as well. It makes sense to Professor McGonagall that if there is a problem with Cassie's parents than you would be interested, but Mr. Potter and Miss Granger would not be. We didn't feel that protesting would be helpful."
"Um, Professor Dumbledore, don't other Order members like Snape or McGonagall notice that there are no new Order members?" Ginny had not asked any questions up to this point, but Cassie felt this was a good one.
"No. Actually, the Order is not just one group of people who all know each other. We have several members who no one knows about and who don't know about anyone else, either. That is for their own defense. I don't want to discuss that any further, but believe me when I say that everyone is accepting the story that we are spreading and there is no reason to think that will change."
"Oh." Ginny nodded. "I see." Cassie had heard about the Order and knew a little bit about it from conversations she had been privy to. However, she was still not exactly sure about it. She did know that George and Fred were members, as apparently were Professor Dumbledore, Remus, and Arthur, and McGonagall. And Snape. She told herself in very strict terms to ask Ginny more about this later when they would have a chance to talk, but right now she was more interested in what was happening with her father and what exactly she was supposed to be doing here.
"Now, Miss Robinson, please. Let me try to explain this as briefly and simply as possible. But let me also tell you that we do not know very much and most of what I am telling you is speculation at this point. We feel that what was done to the Prime Minister was done for a specific reason, a reason undoubtedly tied to some event in the wizarding world. What this event is, we do not know. How it impacts Muggles, we do not know. When this event will occur or has occurred, we also do not know. We hope we can find out through spying on the Prime Minister and Blackman. And that has already started, believe me. Things are moving as rapidly as possible. We are also working very hard to determine anything unusual or noteworthy in our world as well. We have strengthened our usual eavesdropping channels and are contacting former informants who may be willing to again sell out their comrades for either immunity or Galleons. However, up to this point, we are looking for what could be a small needle in two very large haystacks, to use a Muggle expression." Cassie smiled wanly but both Ginny and Ron looked confused. "That is to say, for a very small thing in a very large area."
Professor Dumbledore looked at all three of them again, giving them a moment to absorb the news he had already announced. "The only thing we do know for sure is that there was a meeting where presumably all the important people in this plot were. If we could figure out who they are, we would probably at least have some idea of what sort of mischief they have planned. We do know about Malfoy and Blackman, of course. The Ministry, our Ministry, could be of some assistance to us, pulling in wizards who we suspect may be involved and allowing us to question them, checking alibis, allowing us to check travel records, portkey use, etc. Unfortunately, they are being, um, unhelpful."
Arthur made a rather strangled choking noise and Remus rolled his eyes. Ron grunted. Cassie knew that none of the people in this room had a great deal of respect for the Ministry of Magic. Although she didn't really know much about the Ministry of Magic, she knew and respected the people in this room and figured they had good reason for their opinions. As she thought about the Ministry, an unpleasant thought came to her. "They're not helpful because they don't believe me. And, they don't believe me because I'm a Muggle." Professor Dumbledore looked down at his desk for a moment and then looked Cassie in the eyes. "I wish I could tell you that you are wrong about that, but no. You are correct. They simply refuse to admit that there could have been any sort of meeting at all, much less that wizards would be plotting against the Muggle government. Unfortunately, there are those in the Ministry who have," he gave her a wry smile, "a rather medieval attitude about Muggles."
Ginny's face showed disgust, but it was Ron who spoke. "Yeah, and it starts at the top with that silly git, Fudge."
"Ron. He is my boss, you know." Arthur's tone was gently chiding.
"But he still is a silly git, Arthur." Remus's expression had hardened and Cassie remembered how much Remus was shunned because he was a werewolf. Muggles were not the only ones the Ministry had a medieval attitude toward. Ditto on the elves. So, she was certainly in good company.
"But," Professor Dumbledore broke in, "he's still the Minister of Magic and he is disinclined to listen to our concerns. So, I am afraid, Miss Robinson, that at the moment you are our best hope for trying to identify the men. You saw each of them, right?"
"Yes." Cassie thought back to that night and struggled to find words to express what she had seen. "There were eight men there. I am pretty sure that I saw everyone. There were six of them sitting in a semi-circle, facing the door for some reason. Lucius Malfoy was standing next to the door with everyone looking at him. Blackman was sitting, but he reached the door first. I got the impression . . . that he was in charge of the meeting. There was a seat for him, but no other empty chairs."
"So we know two of them, but need to identify the six others." Professor Dumbledore pursed his lips slightly.
Ron spoke up. "They were all Death Eaters, though, right? So can't we just show her pictures of all the known Death Eaters? She's bound to recognize at least some of them. If she saw them there." Cassie thought that was a pretty good idea. She knew that she had seen them all. Of course, they had all seen her, also. And they didn't know her and she didn't know them. And she was happy about that. She was definitely happy about that.
"Yes, I did think of that. So, I found all the pictures I could of all the Death Eaters we know who are not currently in Azkaban. And also some pictures of people who we suspect may be working on Voldemort's side even though they have not taken the Mark." Professor Dumbledore reached into his desk and pulled out a fairly large stack of photographs. Cassie felt confident that she could find at least some of the mysterious men in that group. "Would you be willing to look at these and see if anyone looks familiar?"
"Of course. It might take a while, though. That's a lot of pictures."
"Yes." Professor Dumbledore sighed. "Many too many." Cassie caught her breath. She hadn't thought about that. These were people who they were fighting against. People Harry was fighting against. People who wanted to kill Harry. And Professor Dumbledore. And Remus. And now her. Well, again, she was in good company, if that was any consolation.
Cassie picked up the pile and looked at the first picture. It had to be the wizarding world's version of a police mug shot. A scraggly-looking wizard was standing holding his name and a number, sneering and scowling. The next picture had a sullen-looking wizard who kept looking down at his feet and Cassie had to try to look at his face quickly in the brief moments that he glanced forward. The next photo was of a very large, mean-looking wizard with matted hair and long beard. Cassie was glad that, while the photos moved, they didn't have sound as the wizard appeared to be saying something very rude and crude. Cassie gave a start as she turned that picture face down quickly. The next photo was of a very smug and haughty-looking Lucius Malfoy. "That's Lucius Malfoy. But I don't blame you for making sure I wasn't imagining things. You're putting a lot on the line for me."
Cassie continued looking through the pictures, most of which were similar to the first few mug shots she had seen although some seemed to be casual snapshots, and some were even newspaper clippings. By the time she had reached the end, she had seen enough sneers, jeers, frowns and glares to last an evening. One wizard had even repeatedly made obscene gestures and Cassie wondered if that meant the same thing in the wizarding world as it did in hers. She imagined it did. But she didn't want to ask. Unfortunately, the only picture she had recognized was of Malfoy. She shook her head dejectedly as she turned the last photo over.
Professor Dumbledore sighed again while the others looked as disappointed as Cassie felt. "Well, thank you, Miss Robinson. I appreciate your time and effort."
"Can I ask you a question, Professor?"
"Of course."
"Is there some way that I could prove to the Ministry that I really did see and hear what went on that evening? I know that you have something called Veritaserum, that makes someone tell the truth. Hermione told me it was poisonous for Muggles, but I thought maybe you would know if maybe. . . . there was some way . . ."
"Well. That's a good question. I have actually heard of Veritaserum used on Muggles in the past, but it has to be done under extremely careful conditions with a modified serum, diluted and with slightly different ingredients, although it is still potent." Cassie felt a small thrill of excitement. Maybe this would work after all. "However, Miss Robinson. I have to tell you that I really do not think it would matter if you were to testify under Veritaserum or not. The modified version is not as powerful and most wizards refuse to believe that it works adequately. I think we just all must accept that until some other proof is found, something that makes sense to Cornelius Fudge, we are not going to have Ministry backing. And that is all right. We don't need to get discouraged."
"I wish I were an artist. I can see their faces so clearly right now and I'm afraid I may forget eventually. But I just cannot draw at all, especially people." Cassie had always envied her brother Matthew who had a real gift of artistic ability. She had none and had long ago accepted that. But she really wished that today she could just even sketch.
"Dean Thomas is really good at drawing. Maybe he could do it." Ron spoke up and Ginny nodded in agreement.
"He is really talented."
"Do you think we could have him draw them without actually telling him what is going on?"
"I think so. He's in the D.A. and all. And there's no reason we need to tell him anything other than you saw these people and don't know their names."
"Okay. I'm willing to try." Professor Dumbledore gave his approval and Ron went out to try to find Dean. While he was gone, the three older wizards talked with Ginny and Cassie casually about their classes.
"So, Cassie. How are things going here at Hogwarts for you?"
"Pretty well, I guess. I'm having a pretty good time for the most part. I really liked the Quidditch game yesterday. And the food is good. I just . . . miss being home."
"That's certainly understandable." Arthur smiled kindly down at her from where he was leaning against the desk. "What about your classes? Did Lupin here give you too bad a time in his class on Friday?"
"No. That was all right. I . . .managed to avoid being proven a Muggle. That's all I hope for, you know."
"Actually both of these young ladies were very impressive. Ginny did a fine job holding off Imperius and even Cassie managed to hold me off for several seconds. I was very impressed. It is not an easy thing to do." Remus smiled down at both of them. Ginny was staring determinedly out the window and did not acknowledge Remus' comments. Cassie thanked him politely, feeling very conspicuous.
"And I have heard rumors about Potions class . . ." Professor Dumbledore looked up from his desk and his blue eyes were sparkling. "It seems you have set Professor Snape on his ear. He is not quite sure what to make of you."
"Oh, I think he knows what to make of me. He hates me."
"And he wants to test. . ." but then the office door opened and both Ron and Dean entered and Ginny never was able to complain to Professor Dumbledore about Professor Snape's threat to test the Veritaserum on Cassie. Dean was carrying a large sketch pad and a set of charcoal pencils.
He really was very skilled and anxious to help. Cassie described each of the wizards she had seen that night as carefully as she could. And when they were done almost an hour later, Dean had produced six very nice sketches of male wizards. Unfortunately, they looked like they could be anyone. There were no distinguishing features on any of the men that really would identify them. Cassie was severely disappointed. But she supposed that the work of police artists was probably much more difficult than just sketching faces. Everyone offered Dean their profuse thanks. He was pleased to be able to help. "Just make sure, please, Mr. Thomas, that you do not tell anyone what happened here tonight. It is very important that the entire meeting and Miss Spencer's witnessing of it remain absolutely secret. It is a matter of life and death. Mr. Thomas, do I have your word?"
"Of course, Professor. Absolutely. I won't breathe a word to anyone."
"Thank you again. You may go." Dean left and they all looked at each other. Cassie was very discouraged. She had done her best to describe the wizards, but she had been unable to adequately express the individuality in their features.
"Professor Dumbledore, do you know Saffron Nightscall's father?"
"Yes. He works in the Ministry. He is a powerful wizard. He attended school here himself."
"Well, yesterday Saffron got a howler from him and I know I've heard his voice before. I thought maybe it was in that meeting. I would have never met him otherwise." Dumbledore raised his eyebrows again.
"I . . ."
"He's a frequent visitor to Fred and George's shop, Cassie. It is most likely you met him there," Arthur interrupted Professor Dumbledore.
"Oh. I thought that must be it." She had to admit that she was relieved. She didn't want to think about the possibility of Saffron's father working on Voldemort's side.
A few moments later, they all left Professor Dumbledore's office, heading back to the commons room. Cassie's head was spinning with all the information that she had been told this evening. And her parents' letter was clutched in her hand, thrust deep into the pocket of her robes. She really wanted to have a few moments to read it. But she wanted to be alone. She didn't feel like reading it in front of the entire common room, so after brief exchanges of greetings with Harry and Hermione who had been feeling considerably more relaxed after Ron had told them on his way to find Dean that nothing was seriously wrong with Pia's parents, that her father was just not feeling very well. "We'll have to fill you in on all the details later, maybe tomorrow we can go walking and talk about it," Ron was telling the two of them. Cassie didn't linger in the common room. She made polite hellos to anyone who spoke to her but traveled as quickly as possible to the staircase.
She found their dorm room empty and she was glad. She didn't want to have to make small talk. Right now, she just wanted one thing. She undressed with quick smooth motions, grateful for the warmth of her flannel nightgown in the cool of the room and managing to ignore completely the winking photograph. She completed her nightly ablutions quickly and slipped into bed. She pulled the curtains closed and reached for the electric torch she had hidden under her mattress. She could theoretically have the lamps lit beside the bed for late-night reading, but as that required a spell, she had simply done the next best thing.
She slowly opened the flap of the envelope and pulled out a thick fold of paper. She unfolded it, seeing her mother's familiar handwriting yet again on the top line of the letter. She bit her lip and forced back her tears. But despite her efforts, they soon flooded over and she had to keep wiping at them as she read.
My dearest Pia,
I hope this letter finds you as well as your father and I are. We miss you terribly , of course, but we are sure you are having a good time. Remus and Arthur assure us that you are fitting in just fine and that you are making many friends. Your little brothers miss you also. . . .
