Disclaimer: I just acquired the rights to Harry Potter. Sadly it was only a dream…

Dear Astoria,

I came across something very…interesting earlier today.

It's not something that would make the history books and not something that many people would want to see. In fact, I suspect that a lot of witches and wizards would happily destroy if they found it. Yet it's an interesting and…I don't think I could bring myself to destroy it. It's a sweet and touching reminder of young love and not something evil in itself. It's just the person who made it was an evil person. But does it make what I saw evil or is it just another gentle expression of young love?

Sorry, I'm getting all philosophical.

I found it on a tree, cut into the bark of an old oak that had seen the centuries pass. (I think it's an oak anyway. I wouldn't know for certain.) It's an inscription, a piece of graffiti put there by magic. It's not much really, but the inscription is very cute. It reads like this.

Yaxley loves Schmitt

Now I don't know who Schmitt is. According to the German lady who runs our hostel, the name translates to mean Smith. Could they be related to the Smith family I wonder? It's an interesting thought.

Anyway it's an old piece that's been there for a very long time. Or at least, longer than I've been alive anyway. I've no idea who Schmitt is but the fact that Yaxley thought to tattoo his love to the world is a reminder that he was more than just a Death Eater or a man who was involved with the attack on Hogwarts. He was a human being, a person with feelings and flaws. A man who felt love, just like any of us. It's easy to forget that, standing on the side of the victors.

Maybe I'll look up who this Schmitt family is when I get home. It'll give me something to do anyway.

As for what's happening in Slytherin, I would advise you to keep your head down and keep your eyes open. We're Slytherin's and politicking is in our nature. This isn't the first time that the old rules have been broken, but every time new rivalries and power plays rise again. Keep your eyes open and you should see them as they rise. Maybe, if you're smart or lucky, you'll be in a position of power. Or even in a position to influence house politics. Just…be careful okay? They don't play nice with these things.

Well wishes,

Your sister Daphne