Chapter 4: The Letters of Fred Arthur Weasley
September 2014 ~ First Year
Dear Mum and Dad,
I don't really know how to tell you this, so I'm just going to get it over with.
I'm in Slytherin.
I hope you're not too upset. It's actually okay here. I've made friends with a guy called Sejanus Flint. He seems quite nice – think you might have known his dad? Also I'm thinking about getting a snake tattoo on my back, house pride you know? Everyone in Slytherin has them.
Love Fred
September 2015 ~ Second Year
Dear Mum and Dad,
There's been a bit of an accident on the train. I'm in the Hospital Wing, but don't worry. Madam Booth says they probably won't have to amputate my leg.
Love Fred
September 2016 ~ Third Year
Dear Mr and Mrs Weasley,
We regret to inform you that there has been yet another incident with your son. This time it is a little more serious. We must request that you come to Hogwarts on your earliest convenience. Your son's conduct cannot be permitted, and we fear that we must ask you to take him away from Hogwarts for good. We are sorry to take this drastic step, but this time he has gone too far.
I look forward to seeing you.
Yours,
Professor B. Morrison
Headmaster
September 2017 ~ Fourth Year
Dear Mum and Dad,
I got a place on the Quidditch team on Saturday. I decided to go for Beater like you Dad. So now I'll be playing against Dom, which should be interesting. And James got on the team too, as Chaser, so there you go-we finally have Weasleys and Potters on the Gryffindor Quidditch team again!
Oh, and have you heard the latest news? They're taking Defence Against the Dark Arts out of the curriculum – apparently, the world's so safe we don't need it. It's being replaced by Wizarding Legal Studies, which sounds pretty rubbish.
That's all just now.
Love Fred
September 2018 ~ Fifth Year
Dear Mum and Dad,
I know it's traditional to start the year with a hoax letter, but I'm not going to bother this year. I think I've probably used up your gullibility, haven't I? I mean, I know you fell for some of them even if you claim you didn't. Remember when you flooed the school to check in second year?
Roxy seems okay. Dom's looking after her. Can you believe she's in Ravenclaw? (I know she wrote to you yesterday so I'm assuming you already knew that. If not, surprise! Rox is in Ravenclaw!) I've told her she's a disgrace to the family, but she looked like she might be about to cry so I had to give her a hug and explain I was joking.
Dad, can you send me some of your fireworks please? It's not for anything bad, just a bunch of us are going to have a firework display for Bonfire Night (you know, that Muggle festival just after Halloween, when they light fires and let off fireworks-Aunt Hermione gave us that lecture on it the other year, remember?) down between here and Hogsmeade. We've got permission and everything! And your fireworks are loads better than anything we can get here.
Talking of your stuff, I was a bit worried to see the article in the Prophet about that man dying after eating too many skiving snack boxes from your shop. I mean, I'm sure they can't blame you for it, can they? You do have instructions on the boxes after all. He probably died from something else anyway. But they made you sound quite bad.
Love Fred.
September 2019 ~ Sixth Year
Dear Mum and Dad,
Well, last year was my last effort I think. Quite a good one, I thought. You fell for it better than for any of the earlier ones. Thinking about it now, I feel pretty guilty about giving you that much of a fright. I mean, hearing that your only son might be going to lose a leg is obviously bad, but obviously not compared to thinking your business might be in trouble. Not that I would ever accuse you of being heartless or anything.
By the way, Rox probably won't tell you, but she's got a boyfriend. He's some Slytherin fifth year. It's all a bit disturbing, with her only in second year. Still, freedom and tolerance and all that!
Love Fred.
September 2020 ~ Seventh Year
Dear Mum and Dad.
Roxy is looking over my shoulder. She doesn't trust me after last year, it seems. I'm heartbroken.
So no tricks, no jokes, no hoaxes. Roxy says they're not allowed. I almost don't know what to write for my first letter of the year, without making something up.
I should have Quidditch practice right now, but it was cancelled, due to our brand new captain landing himself in detention. I should think that'll bring a tear of pride to your eye , doesn't it Dad? Not as much as if it was me, of course, but still, he is your nephew. Two of your nephews actually, because Louis is in detention too. day three of term, and they've got a week's worth. Those kids are good. I hope James doesn't get too many this year though, or it'll wreck the Quidditch team.
Not a lot else to report after three days. Roxy's just left, but she said to send her love.
Love Fred.
P.S. Gryffindor Tower's just exploded. No joke.