A/N: Again, for notes in class, Rose is bold, Al is normal and Scorpius is italics.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter doesn't belong to me
Another Year Begins
Al,
How are your holidays going? We're in Spain again, staying in the villa. It's amazing, but I can't wait to get back to Hogwarts. I'm looking forward to starting my new subjects. I'm glad I listened to you and Rose now, though Dad doesn't seem quite as happy about my choices as I hoped he would be. He sat me down at the beginning of the holidays and asked me to explain exactly why I had picked those subjects, and then said that there was still time to change my mind if I wanted to. But once I told him I was completely happy with my decision, he seemed to accept it. I know they're not the subjects he would have chosen for me, but I hope he's not too disappointed. He did say it was up to me, after all.
Have you done the Transfiguration essay yet? Actually, stupid question. Of course you haven't. I attempted it, but I'm a bit stuck. Do you think Rose would help me if I asked her? That's probably a stupid question too, isn't it? I'll send her an owl tonight and ask her what she's written.
Hope you're enjoying your holiday.
Scorp
Rose,
Are you having a good holiday? Mine's been great so far. It's gone so fast, though. Only a few more weeks until we go back. I suppose we should be getting our book lists soon, and maybe we can meet up in Diagon Alley, like we did last year.
How much have you written for the essay on Switching Spells? I've got all the stuff on the history and who invented them, but I don't understand the theory behind them, and I'm still a roll of parchment short of the required amount. Help me, Rose!
Scorp
Scorp,
Try not to worry about your dad. Like Rose said, it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. Anyway, you're probably worrying too much. He probably doesn't actually mind. Maybe he was just checking that you really were completely happy with your decision, and reminding you that your options are still open.
No, I haven't done the essay, but I'll get Rose to help me.
Al
Dear Miss Weasley,
Please note that the new school year will begin on September the first. The Hogwarts Express will leave from King's Cross Station, platform nine and three-quarters, at eleven o'clock.
Third years are permitted to visit the village of Hogsmeade at certain weekends. Please give the enclosed permission form to your parent or guardian to sign.
A list of books for next year is enclosed.
Yours sincerely,
Professor Dabinett
Headmistress
Set Books
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
Intermediate Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 3) by Miranda Goshawk
Ancient Runes Made Easy by Laurenzoo
Numerology and Grammatica by L. Wakefield
Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them by Newt Scamander
Scorp,
My holiday has been great. Don't worry, I've got lots on the theory of Switching Spells, but it's probably too complicated to explain via owl. I got my book list yesterday, and my parents are taking my little brother, Hugo – he's starting Hogwarts this year – to get all his things on Saturday, so maybe we could meet up then? Al will probably be there too, so we can buy all our new books and I can help both of you with your essays. At least you've started yours. Al hasn't picked up a textbook all summer, and he looked positively shocked when I asked him if he'd done his homework yet.
Did you get your permission form for Hogsmeade? I'd forgotten we would get those this year. It's so exciting! Apparently Hogsmeade is amazing, and it will be nice to get out of school for a little while occasionally, won't it?
Anyway, let me know what you think about Saturday.
Rose
Rose,
Yeah Saturday is fine. Can't wait.
Scorp
Mum and Dad,
I'm so glad I'm finally here at Hogwarts! It's even better than I always imagined it would be. I was absolutely terrified during the Sorting, and I went into Hufflepuff. You don't mind, do you? You always said you would be happy, whatever house I went into. I wish Hugo were in my house too. He's in Ravenclaw. James looked pretty annoyed that I didn't go into Gryffindor, and he's been ignoring me for the last week, but Al came up afterwards and congratulated me. I met his friend Scorpius, too. He's really nice, and he's been helping show me around and stuff. Write back soon.
Love,
Lily
Mum and Dad,
I'm not in Gryffindor. But Dad, before you throw a fit or something, I haven't gone into Slytherin or anything. I'm a Ravenclaw. The Sorting Hat was torn between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw, like you said it was for you, Mum, but it picked Ravenclaw in the end, not Gryffindor. I think I'd have been happy with either really, but it's nice to be in a house where not everyone is already a friend of at least one member of my extended family. There are a few Weasleys in Ravenclaw – Lucy was sorted with me and Dominique is a couple of years above – but mainly Ravenclaw is made up of people who aren't closely related to me, which is nice for a change. It feels like most of the time I'm trying to live up to everyone else, but in Ravenclaw I can be my own person. Does that make sense? Maybe not, but I hope you can sort of understand. It's not that I don't like having a million cousins; it's just that they get a bit much sometimes.
Love, Hugo
Lily,
Of course we don't mind. I've known some great Hufflepuffs. Nymphadora Tonks, Cedric Diggory, Ernie Macmillan, Susan Bones: Hufflepuff is clearly quite capable of producing heroes. Ignore James; he's just being an idiot. Hufflepuff is a brilliant house, despite what some people might have you believe, and I think it's the perfect house for you really. I'm glad you're enjoying Hogwarts so far.
Love, Dad
Hugo,
Congratulations, darling, we're both very proud of you. It's wonderful to have a Ravenclaw in the family. And it's great that you and Lucy are in the same house, though I know Uncle Percy was hoping she would be a Gryffindor. We completely understand how you feel about having so many cousins. Just remember, you are your own, unique person, as you've proven by breaking the family tradition and going into Ravenclaw. I just hope you don't all get too competitive when it comes to Quidditch matches and the House Cup.
Love,
Mum and Dad
Scorp. Al.
Yeah?
Rose! Writing notes in class? Disgraceful!
Oh, shut up, Al. Did you two see the notice about Hogsmeade?
No, I didn't. Did you, Al?
Nope. When is it, Rose?
Next Saturday.
Awesome! It's gonna be great. Can't wait to see Honeydukes, and I need to get some supplies from Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes.
Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes? But that's in Diagon Alley.
They've got a branch in Hogsmeade now. We'll probably see Uncle George there. I think he's running the Hogsmeade branch, and Dad is running the one in Diagon Alley.
Cool. Can't wait.
So, Rose, what's the answer to Question Five?
Al! This is supposed to be a test! We shouldn't even be passing notes at all. If we get caught Professor Zabini will definitely think we're cheating.
Hey! You're the one who started it! You wrote the first note.
Yes, and now I'm saying we should stop and try to focus on the test.
Oh, alright.
But what is the answer to Question Five?
Rose?
Oh, fine then.
