Dear Jacob,

Why do I expect anything? I really thought this year would be better. To start off with on the conga line, Dumbledore pretty much called me out in front of the entire school. I take back everything I said before. He really doesn't want us looking for the Cursed Vaults. And I don't want to look for Cursed Vaults! I only want to find you!

Not that anyone understands that, not even Professor Sprout. No one understands that I'm looking for the Cursed Vaults because of you. Not because I want glory, or to actually find them. But you. Another one's already opened, and my friend, Penny, gorgeous, popular Penny, was terrified. Boggarts started showing up in the greenhouse and gave her the scare of her life!

I'm also fighting with Merula again, and it hasn't even been a bloody week! She confronted me in Potions with her new gang. There's Ismelda— I don't know her last name. I think she might be a Rowle, though. I'm afraid of her— she actively wants to bring back the Dark Lord, and she's clearly off her rocker. Merula's playing with fire, I just know it.

Then there's Barnaby Lee. He threatened to Vanish all the bones in my body if I messed with Merula! I don't understand why anyone works with Merula. She's so mean! And he did seem nice, if oblivious, when I said Merula worked with the brightest sarcastically. Rowan said that he's the strongest wizard in our year and thicker than a troll. He has nice eyes, though.

Anyway, so much for third year being better. I really need to stop expecting these things, Jacob. I'm not even allowed at Hogsmeade because they think I'm too obsessed with the Cursed Vaults. To be fair, I did tell Sprout that Hagrid told me your notes were there.

Love,

Gracie

Dear Jacob,

A black quill? Seriously? Like the one we found in the Slytherin Common Room and the Artifact Room? Are you the mysterious "R?" Bloody hell, Jacob, we're going to have a long talk the second I find you, about everything. And I mean everything.

At least I'm getting a proper job— doing better than you, so far. I'm working for Madam Rosemerta while she works to find your Black Quill. And she told me something very interesting. You returned to the Three Broomsticks after you ran away. And later you were dragged out by Ministry Aurors. What is going on, Jacob? Are you a Death Eater or not? You're not even a Pureblood! Our mum was muggle-born, and our dad is a muggle! You're the farthest thing from what the Dark Lord wants!

Gracie

Dear Jacob,

Filch stole the notebook! Rosemerta finally found it, and I undid your Transfiguration, and Filch just waltzed right in and stole it! Apparently Snape is using him to keep information about the Cursed Vaults away from us.

I've got to figure out what my next plan is, but for now I'm just trying to relax. I've been playing an awful lot of Gobstones with Tonks. It's so much fun! She's so much fun!

Anyways, I've got to head to Herbology and see if Tonks will help me get your notebook back from Filch. One can hope, right?

Love,

Gracie

Dear Jacob,

Penny's acting strangely. She wanted me to help her steal ingredients from Snape, and attacked a Prefect to do it. She told me that she needed my help brewing a potion later. I think it must be a Forgetfulness Potion with the ingredients we stole. But what is she going to use it for?

Tonks and I bought a Nose-Biting Teacup to distract Filch with so we can get your notebook back. Hopefully that will go to plan. Wish me luck!

Love,

Gracie

Dear Jacob,

Oh my God. Penny told me what the potion was for. It was so she could forget that her best friend died because of a werewolf attack last summer. I told her to drink it, and I don't think she remembers anymore. I'm not going to ask, just in case it did erase that part.

I feel bad for Filch. Almost. He was so happy to get the teacup and be appreciated until it bit his nose. But then again, he wants to hang children from shackles in his office. At least I got your notebook, and Rowan was able to decipher it.

We then went looking for your room, Penny and I, and we found this lock on the door, with two keyholes. Apparently the lock belongs to a Tulip Karasu? Penny says she's a Ravenclaw in my year who's always in detention. She promised to introduce me, so I guess I'll meet another friend?

Honestly, Jacob, I'm tired of the games. I just want to find you and shut down the Vaults before anything else happens. I wanted to leave all of this behind. I'm tired of being different, tired of spending all my time chasing your shadow.

I'm even sick of my silver hair— it's how everyone can see me, see that I'm your sister— so I bought some hair dye from Zonko's, and now I'm a blonde. Don't tell Mum, by the way. Never mind, you went missing. She'll never know.

Love,

Gracie

Dear Jacob,

I met Tulip. And she's a jerk. She said I had to earn her help by disarming a Dungbomb she attached to her own poor toad, and then made me reveal all sorts of things about myself before she trusted me just enough to tell me Merula has the other key, and she and Merula worked together! She also keeps making comments about how she's going to betray me? I don't trust her, honestly.

I've got other things going on, anyway. Jane's been giving me private lessons on information she thinks I need to know, for some reason. Who knows why?

Love, Gracie

Dear Jacob,

Great, we just got done with our plan to steal the second key to your room from Merula. We threw this ultimate Dungbomb at Ismelda and Barnaby— and honestly, I feel a bit sorry about Barnaby. He's nicer than the other two. I would chuck Dungbombs at Ismelda all day, however. She's threatening to use the Killing Curse on other kids and to torture me! What the hell, Merula?

To be fair, Merula doesn't seem to like that much either. And she warned me that Tulip might betray me. Huh, that matches everything I've said earlier, doesn't it? I do not trust her. I'm not sure I trust Ben, either. And I got this weird note warning me that there are dangerous people looking for the Cursed Vaults that I'm now the number one target of.

At first, I thought maybe it was Merula, or even Dumbledore. But it sounds like something you would write. Have you been getting these letters somehow, Jacob? I have so many questions, but not nearly enough answers. What is going on?

Love,

Gracie

Dear Jacob,

We entered your room, and the first thing I saw was You-Know-Who. I panicked and ran out of there. I was so scared, Jacob. I hated that noseless, pale face and those red eyes. . . . The entire room felt so cold.

We need to defeat the Boggart before we can actually do any research. To do that, we need the spell ridikulus. Our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is even worse than last year's, so I have to learn it on my own. I would've asked Jane or Bill, or even Professor Sprout, since she did it in the classroom earlier, but Tulip suggested we go to the library.

I'll admit, I haven't spent as much time there as I would've liked. For the most part, Rowan hangs out there, especially since she doesn't want in as much to the whole Cursed Vaults as she used to. I think after the Cursed Vaults she's become afraid of them. Rowan wasn't in the library when Tulip and I came in.

I think I know why Tulip wanted me to go to the library with her, though. We were alone in the Defense section, and Tulip asked me why I was afraid of You-Know-Who. That's when I finally realized something. I don't know that you weren't involved with the Death Eaters. Never mind that our mum is a muggle-born witch, and our dad is a muggle.

The truth is, Jacob, as much as I said two years ago you would never, I'm not so sure anymore. With all you've done to us, to me, I'm not sure I can believe you were good. The thing is, I can see it all now, a little too clearly.

I was only five years old when you first went to Hogwarts. I was too young to remember all of it, but I know you were different when you came back that summer. You were colder, more closed-off. You'd promised before to send letters, to tell me all about Hogwarts. But you never did. And when you came home, you barely told me anything, except you hinted about some of your adventures.

I knew how thoughtful and kind you could be. And everyone, except Snape and Filch, saw that in you. I remember the brother that comforted me after my visions, the one who I clung to when our parents were strict. But I also remember how you kept pulling away from me. There might've been a time when you would've told me everything. But that time was so long ago, I'm not even sure it ever happened.

And I see the books and notebooks you kept hidden from Mum and Dad, and I can't help but think that maybe the reason you never told us any of it was because you were becoming a Death Eater. So much of it wasn't anything you said or did, not explicitly. It was the little expressions, the strange comments.

I don't think I really knew you at all. Can I still love you if the brother I knew no longer exists? Or maybe he never truly existed at all.

But I won't know for sure until I find you. So I guess I'll wait. At least I have another lead. Sort of. You see, the Daily Prophet is holding a competition via that hack Rita Skeeter, and she confronted me on the way to Potions Class. She says she thinks you're alive and knows what happened to you. I'm not sure I trust her, but she said she'd only give me information if I told her everything I knew about you.

I feel like I betrayed you, Jacob. I shouldn't have told her anything—but I did. I'm sorry. I don't know what to do, and I sometimes want to scream. Why won't anyone tell me anything? What happened to you? Do you even care about what you did? I don't know. And no one will give me answers, except for maybe you. So I have to try to get to the bottom of this.

Yours always,

Gracie

Dear Jacob,

I learned the spell! Tulip found a Boggart in the Artifact Room and stood in front of the cupboard so it would take her worst fear's shape. Honestly, her fear might be more terrifying than mine. Out of the cupboard burst this horrifying version of Merula, with tattered robes, levitating, and having purple glowing eyes— no pupil or white to it. Just evil, glowing purple. She was shouting about Tulip having done something to her, and how Tulip would never have friends.

Tulip then yelled at me to cast the spell before I could hear anything else. I turned Merula into this girly-girl singing about rainbows and unicorns and lollipops. Tulip got a kick out of it, but I can't stop thinking about it. I still want to reason with Merula, I still wish that someday we could be friends. I know her life hasn't been easy, and I know deep down she could be so much better than this. She isn't like her parents.

Although Merula makes it difficult for me to pity her, sometimes. Like right now, with Skeeter's contest. She's being absolutely obnoxious, partially because Skeeter seems to favor me. I refused to tell Skeeter anything about her. I don't want Merula to become the subject of that Skeeter's gossip rags. She doesn't deserve that. No one deserves what the Daily Prophet put me through, not after what you did.

Today I had to pick between Merula, Bill, and Penny to duel for the contest. I picked Penny— I knew I didn't need to beat Merula again. I have always been the better duelist. I had nothing to prove. I'll admit— it's because I wanted to impress Penny. I've always fancied her, from the day I first really talked to her, after I defeated Merula the first time. Merlin, that feels so long ago.

Anyway, Tulip promised to tell me why she was afraid of Merula, of all people. And explain what Boggart Merula said. I still wonder about that. What did Tulip do?

Yours always,

Gracie

Dear Jacob,

I'm not sure what to think of Tulip. She's eccentric and doesn't trust anyone, and she's such a jerk. And now that she's told me the truth, I know Merula was right. Tulip did betray her. And she never explained why. Just one day, she was done with Merula and discarded her. But she was the free-spirited daughter of two Aurors. So I understand why she turned out the way she did.

But that doesn't always mean that they can keep acting that way. I'm still going to keep Tulip at arm's length, because at the end of the day, I don't trust her. And honestly, that makes me sad.

No one feels all that trustworthy anymore. Rowan's been pulling away, and Ben has always been shady. I'm now scared of Penny, somewhat, after what happened with the Forgetfulness Potion. She was like that once— could she be like that again? Mum and Dad are so cold and strict now, not like they were when we were little. I can't trust Tulip, either, or even you. The only people I trust are Tonks and Bill. And they're not around as much.

Tonks at least helped me counteract the dye, since Christmas holiday is next week. I've ordered presents for all of my friends. I only hope that we will always be friends, and nothing else will change. But I couldn't possibly be so lucky. I don't think I'll write much during the holiday. My faith in everyone and everything is fading, and I wonder if it's all because of me. I need a break.

At least I ended up not winning the contest. Well, Skeeter handed me a blank envelope when she told me to announce it. So I announced myself. I knew I could take whatever Skeeter did to me. I wouldn't do it to Rowan or Merula. But Skeeter told me that it was actually Merula. At least she got what she wanted.

I keep doing the right thing, but it never seems to work out.

Sincerely,

Gracie

Dear Jacob,

We know where the next Cursed Vault is. Tulip actually figured it out, once we got to your notes. It's in the Restricted Section of the library, isn't it? Tulip thinks we need some more help, and wants me to befriend Barnaby.

I sincerely want to, though. He once admitted to me that Merula wanted him to spy on me, and that despite everything she's said about me, he still thinks I'm nice. He seems nice, too, despite threatening me with Vanishing my bones when we first met. Tulip also said he may be the most powerful wizard in our year— rivaling even Ben Copper!

Bill's had a bit of trouble, lately. You see, he fancied this girl, Emily. The problem? She didn't like him back. Thought quite poorly of him, actually. I had to break the news to the poor fellow. But it's alright— I can tell he'll be alright. I don't know if it's a visions-type thing, but I just know he will be alright.

We're so close! You know, this year, the curse is spreading again. More and more kids are sleep-deprived, some scared to go into the Common Rooms, or anywhere, really. At least one kid thanked me for what I did last year. The Cursed Ice was more terrifying than this, honestly though. I've handled worse than Boggarts— I can handle this now.

I'm coming, Jacob.

Love,

Gracie

Dear Jacob,

Tulip convinced Barnaby to meet me in the Great Hall. Apparently he's still rinsing out the effects of the Jumbo Dungbomb. I apologized, and told him that I would treat him better than Merula. I at least managed to convince him to like me, and now I'm dueling him this evening. If I win, he'll work with me, because I'll be worthy of his help. This doesn't feel like it did when Tulip wanted me to prove myself to her. I think he said he would at least think about helping if I lost.

I can't help but feel like something new is beginning. Something so much brighter than before. Here goes nothing, Jacob.

Love,

Gracie

Dear Jacob,

I honestly may fancy Barnaby, too. We dueled, and I won. He gave me a good run for my Galleons, though. I think I hurt him a bit, so I cast the Healing Charm. He's agreed to help me, but wants to go out to the Three Broomsticks, later. Do you think it might be a date?

Andre said that students usually don't date until fourth year, but I'm ready to go! I really hope I'm reading this right. I know I'm a bit young, but I can't help it. It's new, exciting, and honestly is one of the better things to happen to me in recent years.

Wish me luck!

Love,

Gracie

Dear Jacob,

Still not sure if it was a date or not. But that doesn't matter. I know I like him a lot now. He told me about his dad, how he was a Death Eater, and how his parents believed he could be more powerful than You-Know-Who one day. I think I could believe that. He also told me that he had met You-Know-Who one time. . . But he's not like his father. His father died when the Aurors were tracking down the Lestranges, Rowles, and Carrows, the serious Death Eaters. His mum, Annabel, raised him to be different.

He may not be the smartest on the surface, but he's a lot deeper than I first believed. I want to trust him— but I shouldn't. Everyone I've trusted, except for Bill and Tonks, has proven that maybe I shouldn't. I've been burned and scarred so badly. . . But I want to believe in him, in love and trust.

I have to keep trying to find it. Maybe someday. . .

Love,

Gracie

Dear Jacob,

I'll admit, I've been a bit busy with the lessons and schoolwork. Bet you forgot I had those, didn't you? I almost did, too. I forgot all the wonderful things we learn at Hogwarts. Tulip is still deciding the best time for entering the Cursed Vault. She needs one more person to create a distraction. She suggested either Bill or Rowan— but I suggested someone else. Tonks. I don't want Bill or Rowan to get in trouble, with Bill being a prefect and Rowan loving the library, but Tonks wants trouble. She is trouble.

She agreed to it, by the way. I also practiced some spellwork with her. I forgot how much fun Tonks could be. At least I know I can trust her. I can feel it. Besides, she's never let me down. Soon, we'll enter the Vaults, break the curse, and find you.

Love,

Gracie

Dear Jacob,

There is nothing like going to class after everything has gone down. We snuck into the library late at night, and Tonks nearly paralyzed poor Madam Pince with a baby Mandrake she had grabbed. We then headed towards the Restricted Section, only to find Merula and Ismelda waiting for us.

I dueled Merula again, and I beat her for the fourth time. She is getting better, though. But she's still nowhere near my level. Ismelda, on the other hand, is terrifying. I don't know what she was about to curse me with, but knowing her, it would've been bad. Barnaby took the hit for me, and shrugged it off. I don't know what it did, but he dueled them, and we snuck into the Restricted Section.

I could hear the duel as we searched for the entrance—kept hoping that Barnaby would be okay. I think I trust him the most out of anyone. He actually took a hit for me— no one else has ever done that. Even Rowan let me do the dangerous experiments with magic instead of taking it upon themselves. He's earned all my trust and loyalty.

I used the book you left in the Ice Vault to open the Fear Vault, and that was when Barnaby came in. He defeated both of them, and he knew they would be running to Snape, so I knew we had to go, and quickly.

As soon as we stepped into the Vault, I knew something was wrong. Tulip sensed it too, and asked me if the other one looked like that. Just as I was about to reach for the container in the center, I was whisked away, to this astral plane. It was full of gray-green smog, and I was standing in water. Three You-Know-Whos appeared, and he was choking Barnaby, wrestling with Tonks, and holding a wand to Tulip's head. I couldn't stand it, not even for Tulip. As much as I mistrusted her, I didn't want her to die that way.

I was able to cast the Riddikulus charm and changed the You-Know-Whos into dancing clowns— but that didn't make it all go away. We all announced our fears in hopes that we could make it go away— but that didn't work. Then all my friends disappeared— and then I heard you. You were telling me that it was all inside of me— so I had to duel the You-Know-Who boggart. It was terrifying. I barely won, and I was so sure I was going to die, and I didn't know what happened to my friends— but then he vanished when I defeated him.

I woke up standing in the same place, and everyone was asking if I was alright. I told them I was fine, although Barnaby looked worried, and used your broken wand to get into the vault within the Vault. There, I found an arrow, and a map marked with an "R."

That's pretty much what happened. But I think I understand more now. I know of at least three people I can trust. And someone I may love someday. I can feel that, too. And I know you and R are somehow interconnected. That R is holding you captive, according to Skeeter. Merula once told me you wouldn't survive for much longer. I can only hope you've still got some time on your side.

Love,

Gracie

Dear Jacob,

I just had the greatest time at the Three Broomsticks! All of my friends were there, to celebrate the breaking of the Cursed Vault! But Rowan was acting strange, accusing Ben of hiding something, and I have to admit, I think she might be right. Ben swears he really doesn't remember what happened with R, but I just don't believe him. But I don't believe Rowan either. I don't know why, but I just do.

I once talked to Professor Trelawney, who runs my Divination classes (they're pretty much useless) and she said that the visions and the feelings I have might both be part of my Inner Eye. She says mine is particularly strong, and that I have the true gift of prophecy. But we knew I was a Seer, didn't we? You've always known.

But anyway, we had the greatest time, and Hagrid said most of the Boggarts were gone! Then Dumbledore came in, reminding Hagrid he shouldn't have said that. But that's alright. I'm supposed to meet with Dumbledore on the last week of school. Yearly talk, I guess.

I've never felt so good, Jacob. Although I'm disappointed I still haven't found you.

Love,

Gracie

Dear Jacob,

I might be in a bit of trouble. I mean, Dumbledore wasn't mad, and basically made Hufflepuff win the House Cup again, but still. He told me he was running out of excuses for me, and one more toe out of line, and I'd be in serious trouble. I guess I am taking after you. But what am I supposed to do? No one seems to be able to find you. What happened?

In other news, Dumbledore finally found the person he's been looking for. He's spent so much time at school away looking for a witch who apparently had personal experience with the Cursed Vaults.

At least Hufflepuff won the House Cup again, so Jane will be happy for her final year. And I have no delusions about next year, it'll be just as crazy as this one.

Love,

Gracie