II
3rd of September 1994
Dear Isolde,
I got to school alright. It was a long train journey, but I saw my friends, which was good. We have a Feast, to mark the start of term, and it was amazing. I always miss school food when I'm on holiday.
How was your first day back at school?
I finished that book I bought from you yesterday evening. It's good – not as much of a triumphant ending as some of the others I've read, but I enjoyed the idea of two groups of children camping out on the island and looking out for themselves. It's something that I probably would have found great fun when I was younger.
Any more recommendations?
I hope you're well, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Cedric.
19th September 1994
Dear Cedric,
I'm well, thank you. My first day back at school seems like such a long time ago, but I suppose it takes a while for the post to get here from Scotland. Yes, it was good. The classes are much smaller, the teachers much friendlier. I have a pile of work to do for Art, and loads of essays for English Literature, but I'm enjoying myself.
I've made a couple of new friends – Linsey and Rhiannon – who are both in my Psychology class. You're lucky that your food is nice – ours is slop, so I bring things in from home.
Swallows and Amazons was one of my favourite books as a child, and I will admit that when I was in primary school, I camped out several nights by the river, pretending to be like them. It was very cold and building the campfire was a challenge that I'll never forget! I don't think I'm cut out for that kind of thing.
I'm sending you a copy of Pride and Prejudice – it's really a girl's book, but it's a staple classic that I think you should have a go at. It costs £2.00 – send it with your next letter. I hope all of your classes are going well – have you presented your chosen book for your project, yet?
Looking forward to your next letter.
Isolde.
"And our next presentation – Mr Diggory," Professor Burbage calls from her seat behind the desk, her hair spiralling out in curls from beneath her witch's hat. "Which book did you read over the summer, Mr Diggory?"
He stands up and weaves his way to the front, plastering on a smile for the class. "I read Birdsong, Professor."
"I haven't heard of that one – will you give us all a brief synopsis?"
"It's about a man called Stephen Wraysford, who goes to France at the beginning of this century – it follows episodes from his life, from falling in love with his patron's wife, to fighting in the First World War, which devastated the Muggle World from 1914 to 1918."
"Yes, we'll be learning about that sometime at the end of January. Did you enjoy the book?"
"Very much so, Professor. It's a fascinating study of the human soul in the depth of absolute terror, and I would strongly recommend it to the rest of the class."
"Thank you very much, Mr Diggory. Next?"
He sits down next to his friends again, putting the precious volume safely in his bag as one of his other classmates gets up and begins to witter about a light, silly book that they borrowed from a friend.
31st October 1994
Dear Isolde,
Everything has been happening at Hogwarts recently. How do I explain it to you?
Okay, so basically, every five years, there used to be a competition between us, and two other schools in the same league that we are. We get together, and a champion is selected to represent each school. There are three tasks, and each champion competes in them to win points, and eventually, the whole tournament. It was very outdated, so they scrapped it a while back, but this year, the boards of our schools have decided to bring it back and well, I've been chosen as the champion for Hogwarts.
I'm still in shock, to be honest. I never thought it would be me. It's such an honour to have been chosen, and I can't quite believe it, although, through some error, there's another champion for Hogwarts too. His name's Harry Potter, and he's fourteen – people don't know why on earth he's been chosen, and there's been a lot of outrage, but he's a decent kid and I don't mind sharing the champion-ship with him.
One school comes all the way from Norway, and the other from France – their champions are nice enough. The first task is in mid-November – I have no idea what it's to be yet, but I'm sure I'll find out soon enough.
Pride and Prejudice was a hard book to get through – it took me ages, which is why I haven't written recently. The style is so difficult to read, considering that it's such a short book – though I quite liked the fact that Elizabeth got over her aversion to Darcy, though why he opted for arrogance in the first place is beyond me. Wickham, however, I have no sympathy for. He's a complete and utter rogue and it's disgraceful that he goes off with such young girls, though Lydia was so annoying I almost felt it was her comeuppance!
Write to me soon
Cedric.
5th November 1994
Dear Cedric,
That's wonderful news! I'm very proud of you for getting 'champion.' It sounds like an exciting event, and I hope your first task goes well for you. I'm lying on the grass in my back garden, watching the fireworks that my Mum is setting off down the other end. They're so pretty, all red and green and white. We also have a bonfire.
I don't suppose you know the story of Guy Fawkes? Since you'd never heard of the First World War, then I'm assuming not. He tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London on this day, many hundreds of years ago, and well, got caught. We remember him by burning his effigy every year in the fire – I often feel a bit sorry for the guy, but the Houses of Parliament are so beautiful I wonder why anyone would want to willingly destroy them.
Speaking of the First World War, Remembrance Day is approaching – remember that? I told you about it when we sat and talked about the war – we have a two minute silence at eleven o'clock to mark the end of the war. I've enclosed a paper poppy from the village shop for you, if you want it.
Pride and Prejudice is the crown jewel of 19th century English literature, and yes, it is a bit dense, especially if you're not used to it. I completely agree with you on the subject of Wickham, though to be honest, I don't particularly like Elizabeth. She jumps to conclusions too quickly, though I suppose she was a product of her upbringing and her period. Aren't we all?
Thinking of you.
Isolde.
12th November 1994
Dear Isolde,
I wore the poppy yesterday on my school uniform – my friends were utterly confused by it (yes, they too know nothing about the First World War – I can picture your incredulous expression right now) until I explained, and Professor Burbage thought it was a wonderful idea to uphold the two minute silence in class.
That's a fascinating story about Guy Fawkes. He really tried to blow them up? All these things I don't know – it's utterly ridiculous, isn't it?
Well, in answer to your question, I think that to an extent, we're a product of our upbringing and the way our parents raise us, but I also think that people do have the strength to break away from that and be their own people – it's the thing that you either follow in your parents' footsteps or take a completely opposite path to the ones they took. Nature versus Nurture and all that.
I'm sorry this is so short, the bell is ringing, and I have an essay to write.
I'll write again after the first task.
Cedric.
23rd November 1994
Dear Cedric,
I'm pleased you made good use of the poppy, and yes it ridiculous, the things you don't know. What kind of nonsense are they filling your head with at school? It's supposed to be an elite boarding school and yet you know nothing about history at all!
Nature versus Nurture is an interesting debate, and I'm sending you a copy of a play by Shakespeare, which you need to read when you have time. Three different ones, actually, to keep you going. The Tempest is the one about Nature and Nurture – when you read it, think about the characters of Sebastian and Caliban, and tell me your opinions.
The second is Romeo and Juliet, which is a complete and utter classic – it's, without a doubt, Shakespeare's most famous play – and it has such beautiful quotes in it. I really want to know what you think of it, as it's one of my favourites.
The final one is Hamlet, which again, is a tragedy, but more about revenge and madness than about love. For these, you owe Avalon Books seven pounds – please send it with your next letter.
Good luck for the first task.
Isolde.
29th November 1994
Dear Isolde,
Well, the first task was interesting to say the least. We champions would have been completely blind, but somehow, Harry found out what it was and told me, for which I am very grateful. I have to think of a way to repay him. We had to retrieve a box shaped like a golden egg through several obstacles which were, in actuality, pretty dangerous. I got a burn to my cheek, but nothing worse. Now, apparently, the golden egg holds the clue to the next task – in February – but it is so cryptic that no-one has any idea what it is telling us.
Thank you for the books – I've enclosed the money for you. I'm reading Romeo and Juliet at the moment, and the others are sitting on my bedside table amongst piles of work. Again, the words are very dense and strange, though I'm getting the hang of it as I go towards the end. They do talk about nothing in particular a lot – and it's quite unbelievable that Romeo is so obsessed with Rosaline at the beginning of the play, then suddenly falls for Juliet. It makes no sense.
They do not fill my head with nonsense at school – we simply do different things to you!
Write soon.
Cedric.
14th of December 1994
Dear Cedric,
So are you saying you don't believe in love at first sight? I'm afraid Shakespeare plays are rather like that – it happens very often. I'm not sure what I believe about it – I believe you can fall for someone very quickly, but then only when you get to know them does it truly become love. All that talk about the difference between love and lust, I suppose. I just like Romeo and Juliet because it's got the loveliest quotable bits, lots to analyse and look at, and it's great to act out. I especially like the sword-fighting bits, and since there were only a couple of boys in my English class when I studied it, I always got to be Mercutio, who has to be my favourite character. He's just so lively, and fun, and it's always so sad when he dies.
(I am assuming you've finished it by now – if not, I've given you a huge spoiler. Sorry.)
Evidently you do different things. How on earth does your school prepare you for life when you leave it?
As for the first task – well done – but I didn't realise it would be so physical! I thought you were referring to a more mental intelligence kind of thing, but no – I hope that your burn has healed. What kind of clue is it? I might be able to help – but then again...
When do you come home for Christmas? I've started to think about your present already, books, I'm afraid. Always books, but if you want something else, I can see what I can do.
Write soon.
Isolde.
20th December 1994
Dear Isolde,
I'm really sorry to say this, but I'm not coming home this Christmas. There's a ball, as part of the tournament, and as a champion, I'm expected to be there – with a partner. I'm sorry, I really am.
I finished Romeo and Juliet – I admit, I did not see that ending coming – and the Tempest. Hamlet is next on my list. Back to the Nature/ Nurture debate – it's interesting, isn't it? I always thought that Nurture would win out, but Sebastian just seems to be evil by Nature, doesn't he? Caliban, though, he's an interesting study. There are so many different factors contributing to his character, but I think from that speech – you know 'Be not afeard, the isle is full of noises' readers can surmise that he's not a monster really, but circumstances have made him so.
My school prepares me perfectly for life. I learn loads of things that come in useful. Just not history. Yes, books are fine as a present, thank you – I've enclosed yours here, and no, you are not to open it before Christmas Day. I hope you like it.
The clue is a song. Something about water, and being underneath it. I don't know. I'll work it out somehow.
I'm sorry. I hope you have a good Christmas.
Cedric.
25th December 1994
Dear Cedric,
It's alright. I'll live. I hope you have a good time at your ball. Who did you ask?
Thank you very much for your present. Those sweets are hysterical – I tried them out on Linsey, which was interesting, since she got one that apparently tasted like vomit – and the quill pen is fantastic. I feel just like someone in the Middle Ages with my quill, ink and parchment! (That's a compliment, by the way.)
Now can you see why I like Romeo and Juliet so much? And yes, Caliban is a very interesting character, and I do love that speech that you quoted. The part where Prospero turns on him because he tries to rape Miranda is interesting, because, as an animal, he wouldn't know the difference particularly, but then honour was such an important thing in those days.
I have mock exams soon for my AS-Levels, and I've been handing in coursework all term. My final piece for this unit of art went on the last day – I was really proud of it. The theme is meetings, and I've done a mother and her child for this piece – a picture is enclosed. For my final exam – I think I've already figured out what I'm going to do, but I'll leave it until I can show you at Easter. You are coming home for Easter, aren't you?
I've enclosed your present, and I hope you enjoy it.
Merry Christmas.
Isolde.
A few days after the ball, Cho finds him sitting in the library, poring over Isolde's latest letter as if it is an ancient artefact that will crumble to dust if he is not gentle enough.
"Who's that from?" Cho asks, hopping up onto the table. Her shiny dark hair swings in her eyes, and he looks away for a second.
"My friend, Isolde."
"Isolde," Cho echoes. "I haven't heard of her before. Does she go to another school?"
Cedric raises his eyebrows. "She's a Muggle."
"A Muggle? Why are you writing to her?"
"Because," he says slowly, as though she is a young child who cannot understand, "she's my friend."
"But she doesn't know about magic?"
"No."
Cho looks at him in a sceptical narrowing of dark eyes. "Okay."
He puts the letter down, pulling a parcel from his bag. The brown paper is coarse against his skin, and his name is written on the front in Isolde's spidery handwriting. He unwraps it gently to find two books sitting there, picking them up gently. One is incredibly old, clothed in red with neat gold printing on the cracked spine and thin, delicate pages sticking out here and there.
"Andersen's Fairytales," Cho reads over his shoulder. "It's not in very good condition, is it?"
"It's old," Cedric says. "I like it."
"Of course." Cho's voice is almost scathing, and he glares at her.
"Isolde sends me Muggle books. There's nothing wrong about that."
A bright flush creeps onto Cho's cheeks, and she looks away. "What's the other one, then?"
"A book of letters from the soldiers of WW1," he murmurs, turning it over and over in his hands.
"What's World War One?"
"A Muggle war."
"My dad says that the Muggles are always at war," she says, boredly. "There's several going on right now, apparently. I'm going out to Hogsmeade. Would you like to come?"
Cedric shakes his head. "I need to reply to her."
"Okay, then. I'll see you at dinner."
She disappears in a swirl of robes, and he relaxes back against the seat. It's not that he doesn't like Cho, particularly, it's just she doesn't understand what Isolde is to him. What books are to him. He doesn't think she'll ever understand, and, in that moment, he finds himself longing for sharp blue eyes and a sarcastic tongue, for the jangle of her jewellery and the smell of the bookshop.
He pulls the piece of parchment closer, and begins to write.
29th December 1994
Dear Isolde,
Thank you very much for your present. I look forward to reading both books – especially the fairytales; I can't believe you managed to find such an old volume to give to me. I'm glad you liked your present.
The ball was good. There was lots of dancing, lots of music and a sit-down dinner. I took a girl in the year below – her name's Cho Chang, and she's nice, but she doesn't really understand about books. We've been out a bit together since, but it's not as serious as she likes to think it is.
Yes, I can see why you like Romeo and Juliet. It's got such a tragic ending that I can see why it appeals to teenage girls! But yes, I like Mercutio, and it is very sad when he dies – I think I was more upset over that than over the actual protagonists' deaths! I'm reading Hamlet at the moment – it's quite creepy, with the ghost, isn't it? And they all descend into madness pretty quickly.
Your picture is really good – it looks so realistic, and I like the way the mother is completely fixated on her child like it's the only thing in the world. Yes, I am coming home for Easter, and I'm looking forward to seeing you.
Cedric.