Dear Mom,

I hope this letter finds you well. I'm sorry that I haven't written as often as you would like me to. I have been buried under school work. I knew that it was going to be hard doing second year work, but I didn't realize how hard. I spend at least three hours every night doing homework. The only time I've left the castle to do anything is to watch the Quidditch games….otherwise I just stay in the common room or library studying.

Mom, I'm not going to lie. These last two months have been a really hard transition and I'm starting to think it was a mistake to not change my name. I'm okay…I am…to some extent. People are putting the dots together though. First off, because of the name Coleman they know I'm your daughter. Then, they see all those wanted posters for Father and his picture in the paper every week. Yesterday, before the Halloween feast, an awesome Slytherin girl did the honors of putting two and two together for our entire potions class—she "accidentally" called me Carrigan Black, and when she "noticed" her mistake, she said "Sorry, you just look so much like your Father." I slugged her in the jaw. I'm not really proud of what I did…but the punch would have made both you and Gabriel proud. I knocked the girl clean off her feet.

That's why I'm writing to you. Professor McGonagall said either I could tell you, or she would. I'm sure she's sending a letter along anyways to inform you of my misbehavior and that I have a months worth of detention. As if three hours of homework a night wasn't bad enough, now I have detention every night for a month also.

I don't know what came over me. I just slugged her. She called me Black, Mom. She called me his daughter…and she said I looked so much like him, which implies that I look like a man! I was just so offended and I wanted to teach her a lesson. She's been bugging me since the start of term. I think she's destined to be my arch enemy—I mean she's in Slytherin and she kind of has powers like me. You never told me that others would have powers like me. I mean, I figured some people would because Gabriel does. But Mom, this girl, her name is Divinity Jasper, she has some kind of mental telepathic power. She reads people way too well and it's not just Legilimency because she didn't use it on me at all. At least, I didn't feel her use it on me. She just knew things…she talks as if she's an adult…but she looks my age. It's weird. I don't know what to make of it…

Anyways, please don't be mad at me Mom. I swear, what I did was in self defense. Divinity had it coming. If I hadn't socked her a good one she would have kept talking and then her dumb friends would have cursed me when I turned my back. Harry actually stepped in when I socked her. This all happened after my potions class. As Ginny and I were making our way to the feast for dinner it all started. When I punched Divinity, her friends pulled their wands, like they were actually going to do something to hurt me or something. Harry, Ron and Hermione were walking by and saw the fight. Harry jumped in, lifting his wand to them. Mom, he's kind of spectacular. Harry is a great friend. I'm really happy I've gotten to know him. And Ginny is probably my best friend. It's nice to have them…they've helped me through all of this stupid drama with my name and who I am. Harry knows. I told him. I didn't tell him that Dad killed his parents…I just told him that's who my Father was…and he didn't know how to react at first. Which I don't blame him. He's okay now though…but I'm afraid of what will happen when he finds out that Father killed his parents. Is he going to hate me? Can I blame him for hating me?

Alright Mom, I think I've written enough and it's the end of my first detention session. Now I have to go do hours of homework before class tomorrow morning. I love you and I hope you're doing well. Tell Gabriel I miss him!

Carrigan

PS-Hector is doing well here! He loves Hagrid who takes very good care of him. I go to see him everyday and if it's nice out I sit with him out hear Hagrid's hut and do my homework. Thank you for letting him stay here with me. I don't know if I'd be able to do this with out him...he's good company.

Dear Miss Coleman,

Hello, I'm writing to you today concerning an incident that happened yesterday with your daughter Carrigan Coleman. Before the Halloween feast I walked into the Great Hall to find Carrigan in hand-to-hand, Muggle combat with another student. I broke up the fight and found that Carrigan had started it.

I wished to inform you of her behavior, and also that she has been given detention every evening for the next month as punishment. Fifty points was also taken away from Gryffindor. I encouraged Carrigan to write to you, addressing the issue, so I hope this letter does not come as a surprise to you. If you have any questions or concerns please write to me whenever you feel the need.

Sincerely,

Professor Minerva McGonagall

Dear Carrigan,

I'm disappointed to hear that you resorted to violence to solve a verbal disagreement you were having with another student. Yes, I may be proud that you know how to defend yourself but you should not exert force onto other people. Before you know it you will no longer be the bullied but the bully. Please be more careful about your decisions. Yes, I want you to stand up for yourself, your friends, and what you believe, but violence is not always the answer to a problem. You're a smart girl, I'm sure you could come up with witty responses to the insults you're receiving. Unfortunately Carrigan, we live in a dark dangerous world. Because of who you are, people are going to come after you all the time—verbally, mentally and physically. Right now, don't respond physically unless they attack you physically. If Divinity Jasper continues to harass you verbally, respond verbally. Please, I do not want to hear of you starting another fist fight ever again.

Now, concerning how you're being treated because of your identity. I am sorry that I was not a parent and changed your name. I should have. I let you down Carrigan. I wanted you to like you name and I wished to be respectful of your wishes, but I should have been the parent. I should have made the decision that would have kept you the safest from the violence that your name can cause. With that said, you need to do your best to ignore the harassment. I know it's hard, trust me. I went to my dorm some nights and found hippogriff poop in my bed. You need to stay positive. Sticks and stones, love. Just remember that. Let it all roll right off your shoulder. It sounds like you have good friends there who can support and help you. If you need me, you know where to find me.

I wouldn't worry about Harry being mad at you about your Father. He seems like a sensible kid, and a sensible person would know that we do not choose our parents, nor are we responsible for their actions. If he does get mad just give him so space. Harry is a good kid, but like you he has a lot from his past on his plate. He comes with a lot of baggage and he needs to work it all out before he can be okay with you. I hope that helps, Carrigan.

Please behave. I love you and will see you soon. Gabriel says hello and that he misses you too. Be good!

Love Always,

Mom.