Dear Mum and Dad,

Thanks for sending my socks. I guess I forgot to put them in my trunk. Anyway, I'm in Gryffindor, if you didn't already find out. Funny, huh? I thought I might be in Ravenclaw, that's what Aunt Hermione said. I met a boy from Ravenclaw that I really like, his name is Basil, and we did our homework in the library together today with that boy Milton that Mum helped with underage magic. So you don't have to worry if I'm making friends.

There's some kids in Gryffindor that you might be interested in, too. Oliver Wood's son Kerry just started this year, and Davis Bell says his cousin knew you when you were in school. And Trevor Jordan, he says his uncle Lee was friends with my uncles. My favorite people in Gryffindor so far are a girl in my year named Berengaria, and a second-year boy named Ran. Ran's got lycanthropy, and he doesn't mind if everyone knows. He says it's probably because of Uncle Remus that he even gets to come to school here. He really likes Uncle Remy and Aunt Tonks, because he got bit by Fenrir Greyback. I think it would be cool if Uncle Remy could write a letter to him or something, because I think Ran's lonely. A lot of the kids are afraid of him, even though he wouldn't hurt anybody. I thought Berengaria was going to be like that, but she and Ran sorted it out yesterday, so that's all right.

We have two new professors this year that you won't know. Professor Kilburne only finished school a couple of years ago and he teaches Ancient Runes now, plus he's Head of Slytherin. I know you don't like Slytherin, but there's some nice people there now. Professor Kilburne has a brother in Slytherin who's a seventh-year. Our prefect, Lark, she's dating a Slytherin. Anyway, the new Potions teacher took Uncle Charlie's place here, he's Head of Gryffindor and he's teaching our first flying lesson tomorrow. He's an American, and I think he's interesting. He got attacked by a werewolf in Canada, he says he went there to help just like Aunt Hermione and Uncle Remy and Aunt Tonks did. He didn't get bitten, but the werewolf almost killed him. He has an eyepatch because it tore his eye out, and his face is sort of lopsided, plus he has to walk with a cane because his leg got hurt. Hagrid says Professor Stevens reminds him of Auror Moody, the one who died in the war. I heard Professor Milles and Thumbley say how sad it is because he's not very old and he has to go around like that forever. Anyway, he's nice, he let me talk to him about my nightmares (yes, I had one, and don't worry about it Mum, I'm fine) and he was really sad that my parents got killed.

I'd better go to bed now, I want to be rested for my flying lesson. I still don't think I should even go, you already taught me how to fly, but I don't want to fall asleep on my broom and look stupid in front of everybody. I love you, Mum. Love you, Dad.

Your son,

Matt