Grindelwald started to show remorse in his later years, according to Dumbledore in canon. Perhaps his providing guidance to the young ones allowed him some insight and empathy? He still has issues with his old friend. More shenanigans from the Marauders – Mischief managed anyone?

1973

21st February 1973

Dear Tante Giselle

I am Professor of Herbology at Hogwarts. I have been referred to you by a former teacher about a delicate problem. Someone has been breaking into and snipping the leaves from my mandrakes in the school greenhouse. I would have blamed a slug infestation but for the weather. It is far too cold this time of the year for a slug infestation. Moreover, which slug infestation would affect only one pot to the point of stripping it of all its leaves but leaving the remaining 99 intact?

I am really concerned if anyone is breaking into Greenhouse 3 at this point as the mandrakes are of age. What if someone gets killed by the mandrakes' scream? I strongly suspect one of the students. However, I do not wish to accuse anyone without any evidence. Filch caught him out after curfew the night before. He claimed to be looking for his misplaced quill outside the greenhouses. Peter is such a nice and well-behaved lad. We had to deduct points from Gryffindor for being out after hours. Filch had him empty his pockets, but nothing incriminating, not a single leaf.

Pomona Sprout

Spring 1973

Dear Sprout

Wheesh, when you mentioned delicate, I thought it was going to involve a late paramour under the mattress. Of course, it is the slugs. Have you not heard of the Scandinavian Mandrake-eating Ice Slug? They might not be common in Scotland. It might be possible one or two sneaked in with some imports from Northern Europe. I hear they are partial to mandrake leaves. Methodical too. They normally start on one plant and strip it first before moving onto the next. The coming of spring should resolve the problem by melting the slugs.

In my honest opinion, one would be a fool to go traipsing in a mandrake plantation without adequate protection. If that someone ends up petrified or dead, it is their own fault.

GG

31st March 1973

Dear Tante Giselle

I am a young witch with 2 young sons and my husband works as a junior ministry clerk. It is a great worry to me with the ongoing wizarding war in Britain that something might happen to him. Perhaps we rushed into marriage a bit, not that I am regretting it mind you. I love my husband and sons but oh, I feel the world is no longer a safe place for my little boys to grow up in. Our family always tended towards large families and twins. Since our parents are still mad at us for eloping, we are on our own – apart from my brothers Fabian and Gideon checking in on their nephews occasionally. Should I just stop at two? I do want a little witch. Am I a terrible mother?

M. Weasley

Spring 1973

Dear Mother Weasley

Oh, the same old issue about elopement. Your parents and in-laws should be thankful there are at least 2 heirs in the cradle. As for stopping at two – Nein. Just let magic do its thing. I believe the old saying goes – one for Vati, one for Mutti, one for a spare, one for magic and the last for the dragon in its lair. If your family magic tends towards large families, go ahead and be bountiful. Merlin knows how many casualties the community will suffer in this war. No one has written a textbook on how to be a mother that did not involve kids puking all over you or trying to set the house alight. With a large family, you might get things right by number 4 or 5. Or maybe never.

If the war is a concern, would you consider packing up your family to Europe or somewhere war-free? I understand you are still in disgrace with your parents. How willing will they be to pay you and your family to move to South Africa or South America?

GG

Spring 1973

Dear Auntie

Please cease and desist with the letters from bored hausfraus. Shouldn't you be one advising witches on their 'delicate' problems? I refuse to answer anymore letters of that ilk. The same goes for those letters from widows moaning about losing their husbands in this damned war. Are there any further letters from Hogwarts? No, I am not developing a soft spot for Albus' students, the little mischiefs.

Your nephew

Gellert Grindelwald

15th April 1973

Dear GG

I have been mugged by a pair of Gryffindors and the headmaster does not believe me. I was not drinking anything stronger than butterbeer at the Slytherin dorm tea-party earlier. I have been collecting Death's-head Hawk Moth chrysalises to sell to the Apothecary so I can buy Mother a birthday gift. I carried the jar on my person because I was afraid of losing them. Now they are all gone. I swear on my wand I recognize those arrogant voices even if they had charmed my tie into blindfolding me. They are James Potter and Sirius Black. They have been picking on me since Year one.

My teachers do not believe me. The headmaster thinks I have been drinking the gigglewater and brandy Nott and Avery smuggled into the dorm and dreamed the whole incident up. I did not blindfold myself and lock myself in the broom closet where the house-elves found me. And I missed Potions class and supper too! I do hope Lily was able to cope at Potions since we always end up as partners. So what if we are from different Houses? We are still friends. And I think she is the only one who believes me.

Half-blood Prince

Spring 1973

Dear Prince

Your headmaster is an idiot. I can attest to that. For your dear Mutti, may I recommend you transfigure some pebbles into pearls? It might work in a cinch. Thing is, no one listens unless you make them listen – hear what they want to hear, blah blah. How are those duelling practices and potions study coming along? You might wish to form some firm friendships and alliances of your own within your dorm – just so you can survive your student years. And this Lily. Might this fraulein be the girl of your dreams?

GG

17th September 1973

Dear Tante Giselle

I am a Muggleborn witch studying at Hogwarts. I have a problem with an obnoxious toerag going by the name James Potter. He is nothing but a bully and I cannot see why everyone else thinks the sun shines from his backside. Sure, he might be good at Quidditch and his family's well-off, but I choose my own friends and who I hang out with. Who cares if they are from Slytherin? They are not all dark wizards there.

Compared to those bullies in Gryffindor, my friend is so much more mature and knowledgeable. I mean, I really enjoy discussions with him on the finer points of potion-brewing. We could go on for hours – or at least until Potter and company chuck his books into the lake. Severus cannot afford to replace those books the way things are at home. We had to fish them out and dry them with a charm but some of the ink still ran. I tried telling Potter to lay off, but it is like talking to a stump. Then they ambushed my good friend and hexed him with jelly-legs hex. He could have drowned. The tough part is getting teachers to listen since James is the school's golden boy.

Will it be a magical faux pas to transfigure James and his friends into worms?

Lily

Fall 1973

Dear Tiger Lily

Wow, someone is feisty. As much as I would approve of your sentiments to turn the bullies into worms, I doubt it is worth endangering your magical education given your status as Muggleborn. Unless you have been fortunate enough to be adopted by a wizarding family, this is likely your only chance at refining your magic and learning about our culture. No, it is not a faux pas so long as it is done during a wizarding duel and reversible.

Methinks those bullies are fools for getting between you and your friend. I sense you are a protector every bit as fierce as any mama bear. Perhaps these bullies might be pureblood cretins? I have noticed that too much emphasis on blood purity in the family leads to village fools and lunatics. I would strongly advise you and your friend to persist in your pursuit of education and if possible, form alliances with any other victims of these bullies. The enemy of my enemy is an ally. If you have sufficient numbers, you might be able to stand up to them.

GG

P.S. May I be so bold as to ask if your relationship with your Slytherin friend is of a platonic or romantic ilk?

Author's Notes:

Mandrake leaves and Death's-head Hawk Moth chrysalises are ingredients in the Animagus potion. Someone has been busy in Hogwarts. Lily puts her foot down and Grindelwald might just be rooting for Lily and Severus.

In the 19th and early 20th century, it was said to be common practice for upper class families in Britain to send any offspring who disgraced the family off to distant corners of the world in hope that they would make good. Got a gambling problem? Playing fast and loose with the ladies? You might find yourself on a steamer to India or Africa.