How are you? I hope your relatives aren't too beastly. I'm so sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you, but there's so much happening. Besides, my relatives are here, and they don't know I'm a witch, so I couldn't very well send Blackie with this letter to you. That's my brother's owl's name. I don't get an owl until third year, mum said, because I write most of my letters from school anyway, and they have owls to use. Zack got one, cause mum and dad didn't know that when he started. But then he had to go and name it Black Bart. I should get him, out of kindness to the poor bird.
I'm having the most splendid summer, you have no idea, except that I can't use magic. I can't believe how much I miss it. But my cousins are visiting from Spain, and it's so much fun. My cousin brought one of his friends, who's really cute. I think he likes me. But any time I talk to him my beastly brother starts making cat calls. He's two years older than me. He should be more mature than me by now, don't you think? And I got in trouble when I put a fish in his bed. But you should have seen him jump. Not that I did (I don't watch my brother go to bed, that's just gross) but I sure heard it. He sleeps up in the attic, and he fell right out of bed, so everyone in the whole house could hear him hopping around and shrieking. I only wish you could have been there to laugh with me. But mum's very angry with both of us now, so Zack has to fix the dock, and I have to do the dishes every night for the rest of the summer. Can you imagine? And she always uses so many pans when she's cooking.
I wish you could come stay with us. Are you sure your aunt and uncle won't let you come? Maybe if you ask them often enough, they'll give in just to shut you up. We can hope.
Mandy
Dear Nym,
How goes it? I have to apologize, but I'm writing for very selfish reasons: I don't want to have to go downstairs and face Sybil. She's staying with us for the next week and a half. I don't know how I'll survive. She's always moaning about doom and stuff, ever since she found out that there are some people (ahem, mum) who actually take her seriously. As if she could really see the future. But she walks around in a beaded shawl and huge glasses anyway, burning incense and chanting nonsense to 'purify' the house. It reeks here, ever since she came.
I bet your house doesn't reek. Mister Malfoy would never allow it, to hear dad talk about him. When he found out you were staying there he kind of went 'oh', like he was surprised and really worried. All I'm saying is, keep your nose clean, you hear?
Can't think of much else, really. I'm going to Diagon Alley next Thursday to get my school stuff. Maybe you can meet me there? If your aunt and uncle will let you, that is. They probably will. Won't they? It's not like you can stay cooped up in the library for the rest of the summer. Although having your own quidditch pitch sounds awesome. Maybe someday I can come visit, and we can practice for quidditch. Not that I want to get on the team. I'll leave that to you. I expect you to play for England someday. And I'll be your biggest fan. And here there was something heavily crossed out. Sorry, Sybil just came in and grabbed my letter. She wanted to make a prediction for you. Whatever, I'll do it, and it'll be way more accurate than anything she could possibly come up with. Here goes, dim the lights and read it in a really spooky voice: you're gonna go away on a trip in a month. It's coming clearer… there's a train… oh, and there's lots of other people… a date, a date… September first…
Why, I do believe you may be going to Hogwarts. Can you imagine? The crazy things I come up with. But here's a serious warning, from mum and dad. Take care of yourself, Nym. The Malfoys are a funny lot, as bad as the Blacks. And we all know what they're like.
Hey, hey, don't throw the letter away, Nym. I know your mum's a Black, and so is Sirius, but I just mean in general. They're not all as nice as your mum, as I bet you'll find out as soon as you meet your grandmother (unless that's already happened, in which case, I told you so).
Let me know if you can come.
Rick
Dear Nym,
I know Mandy's been writing you, because she tried to take Bart yesterday. Didn't even ask. Not that I expect her to. What's hers is hers and what's mine is also hers, is the way it works with her. Luckily, I don't see her too much anymore. Mum keeps her penned up inside so we don't have to be near each other. Not so luckily, that's 'cause I have to fix the dock, which is no fun. The water is freezing, when you have to stay in it for absolute ever to get some of the nails, and it keeps moving when I try and hammer. And my cousin is no help. Him and his stupid friend keep jumping on it when I'm trying to work. And all Mandy can do is sigh and bat her eyelashes at the stupid little Spanish boy.
Well, I think that's enough whining, don't you? Just so you know you aren't the only one with an annoying family. I'll trade, if you like. You can come listen to Mandy and Phil and I'll go use your uncle's quidditch pitch. I'm so jealous, you have no idea. Your very own World Cup pitch. That's so amazing. And be allowed to use magic whenever you want… I'd put up with your aunt and uncle if I could do that. They don't sound all that bad. I mean, a little weird, but lots of people are, right? But you've got your own house elf, and the ghost librarian sounds really cool, even if the house keeper is a prig. I mean, it'd be like having your own private Hogwarts. Except that they're making you act all proper, and all. I can't imagine it, you behaving properly. I'm just waiting for word you've been killed 'cause you started throwing food at your uncle. Hehehe. That'd be hilarious. Not you being dead, I mean, but you throwing food at your stuck up uncle.
Anyway, the dock is calling me. Not actually the dock, but mum yelling about the dock. Same thing, I suppose.
Zack
Miss Nymphadora,
I am shocked an appalled to hear of your conduct at supper last Sunday. Have you no dignity?
Mum hasn't got any left, that's for sure. I heard her griping when James and I were in Diagon the other day. So of course I had to ask around and find out what happened. All I can say is, good on you! Keep up the good work, and maybe she'll get so mad she'll explode. James says that can't happen. He also says hi. But he's getting impatient, cause he wants to go shopping for his wedding with Evans. Can't think why. But I gotta go. Hope you can come, by the way. James has included an invitation for you with this.
Sirius
Hello Nym,
I'd say that I hope you're well, but judging by what you did to Sirius's mum last Sunday (yes, everyone knows about that now, your aunt loves to gossip), you uncle probably hasn't left you alive long enough to receive this. He hasn't given you lines to write or anything, has he? That was my grandfather's favorite punishment for me when I was bad. Copying out of the bible or, if I was really bad, the dictionary. Terrible. Not that I was ever bad. Model child and all that, of course. You know how it is.
I'm glad to hear you managed to find all the books I instructed. So the librarian was surprised, was he? Can't say I am. Although I would almost imagine your uncle reads them nightly. But that's neither here not there. I expect that thesis done, you know. Even if your days are completely taken up writing lines as penitence, I'm not changing the due date. I also want a paper on Mistress Morgan's book and your work with it. I don't expect it to be as in depth as the other, but I want a full summary, plus your commentary, and a detailed explanation of what you did in making your bracelet. Let's make that due at the same time as your other paper, shall we?
Your uncle must be wondering what you're doing, sending away such thick scrolls every week. I'd advise against telling him, although I suppose you could if you really wanted to. Don't see why you would, though. I wouldn't trust him as far as I can throw him, personally. But that's just me.
Don't forget, I want those papers by Monday morning.
Remus