Dear Mum and Dad,

I know you're worried but I promise Hogwarts is a perfectly normal school and is safe as any other. After all, they have to answer to parents and a board of governors. Really the only difference is the magic.

Werewolves aren't as bad as you probably think. I don't know how much the letter the school sent explained, but that professor was taking a potion that let him behave normally in his werewolf form. And for the vast majority of the time- all except a few nights each month- he was just like any other person. In fact, he was my favorite teacher. I don't think he was ever a threat to us. He only kept his lycanthropy secret and left when it was revealed because people discriminate.

That escaped prisoner hasn't been spotted for a while. I think it was just a fluke that he got into the school those times and I'm sure it won't happen again with the dementors guarding us. By the way, I don't think they attacked the boy who fell of his broom during the first Quidditch match. It was probably just an accident. After all, the dementors are here to protect the students! They're just like police except they're not human and can eat souls. Its unpleasant being near them but it only takes a bit of chocolate to recover (I like the excuse).

Also I don't agree with what you wrote about the classes here being dangerous. I know you're upset about the Hippogriff but the more hands-on classes are just like science labs in normal schools in that students who don't follow directions can get hurt. The boy with the injured arm was really disrespectful to that Hippogriff. Potions explosions are pretty rare. And the Boggart might sound bad but it was really harmless. It only pretends to be something people are scared of. That makes it a lot less dangerous than many animals that we're used to having around. Getting rid of them can actually be really funny.

As for Quidditch, think how many people get injured playing football- and they can't be magically healed! Erin and I are really happy to get into reserve teams. To make you feel better, we still haven't got to play in a match and I don't think the good players even notice us.

Most of the time, I'm doing the sort of things that any student would do. I'm studying a lot more now but it's worth it because we've finally got passed the basics and my electives are really interesting. And I really enjoyed the Hogsmeade trips.

So please don't make me leave Hogwarts. I'm doing really well here. Didn't you always say that a good education is important? Just because this is different from what you expected, that doesn't mean it's not worth it.

Love,

Jane