20th April, 20XX

Dear Al,

I hope this letter finds you well. If you are wondering why it has taken me so long to write, it is because I have just learned about what happened to you. I am so sorry. I feel terrible about it, and I wish I could help. I asked Father to talk to the Headmistress, but she said that your mother has already confirmed your withdrawal. I am awfully sad that you are gone and I did not have the chance to say goodbye. Please write back to let me know how you are. Perhaps I can visit you this summer? I miss you already.

Your friend,

Scorpius Malfoy

~a~

13th May, 20XX

Dear Al,

How are you? I have not heard back from you. Are you angry at me? Please don't be. I am sorry. More sorry every day.

I am also sorry about what I said before you left. I shouldn't have argued with you. If you are angry about that, please know that I apologize.

Please do write back.

Your friend,

Scorpius

~a~

1st June, 20XX

Dear Al,

I still miss you, but now you are just being mean. I can't believe you still refuse to write me. It's very cruel of you.

Even James has shown more kindness. He sits with me in the dining hall at the Hufflepuff table and he walks with me to all my classes. No one has bothered me because he's always around, and even though he's usually a pretty nice person, he has a pretty mean glare. Did you know that? Anyway, even though I'm sorry I argued with you, I still believe that James isn't as bad as you believe him to be. Perhaps you can learn to like him too?

And please do write me back.

Your anxious friend,

Scorpius

~a~

25th June, 20XX

Dear Al,

I was unkind in my last letter. Perhaps that is why you haven't written. But I do so want to hear from you.

First year is ending at last. I feel that much has happened in this year, but of all that has happened, I am happiest about having met you and becoming friends with you, though it was very difficult. And I am saddest about your leaving. I do so miss you.

Emily, Jonathan, and Ernie miss you too. They told me so. They say you have not written back to them either and they are sad about that. We all wish you could come back. Our grades suffer when you are gone. . . I jest.

I am going back to the Manor for the summer. If you ever forgive me and wish to see me, you are always welcome to visit.

Your friend,

Scorpius

~a~

15th July, 20XX

Dear Al,

Summer at the Manor is very delightful. The weather has been good and everything is beautifully green. You would fit right in with your green eyes, especially with the toads that crowd our pond.

How is your summer? I miss Hogwarts a bit, but I like that I have my own room again. I especially like that I have my own bathroom. I also like that I can wake whenever I want and that I don't have to go to classes. Sometimes Father tries to make me read books and practice my penmanship, but Mother tells him that's dreadfully dull so we go on picnics instead.

I hope your summer started out as wonderfully as mine.

Your friend,

Scorpius

P.S. I have forgotten to inquire after Bess. How is she? Her brothers and sisters miss her and call for her every day. It is giving Father headaches.

~a~

12th August, 20XX

Dear Al,

I was mistaken. Summer has become rather dull. Father and Mother are nice but they talk about such boring things. I miss you and the others. I invited Emily, Jonathan, and Ernie to spend some time at the Manor, but they are traveling, so I remain alone. I am so bored, I even miss James. Are you two getting along now? I hope you are.

I almost look forward to going back to Hogwarts. Your sister is coming this year, is she not? Will you be seeing her off? I hope to meet you at the platform.

Your friend,

Scorpius

~a~

2nd Sept, 20XX

Dear Al,

I am sad that I did not see you yesterday, as are all your other friends in Hufflepuff. They are all well, in case you are curious. Ernie has got a dreadful sunburn on his face though and it is unpleasant to look at him these days. The welcoming feast was delicious, as always.

By the way, do you know if James is angry at me? I tried to wave hello at the Platform, but he didn't look like he wanted to wave back. And later, when I ran into him, he spoke to me as if we weren't close at all. I don't mean to say that he was unkind. He was very nice and greeted me properly, but he doesn't seem at all like the James from end of last term. I wonder what has changed.

I also wonder if your mother is angry at me still. I thought she glared at me before across the Platform, but I can't be sure. I wanted to go over and apologize, but Father held me back. If she is angry at me, could you let her know I am sorry? Your father seems all right though, but he looks very tired.

James tells me you are going to Durmstrang this year. I am sad that you will be so far away, but perhaps we will still have a chance to see each other some time. My parents are thinking about taking the winter holidays on the Continent. I shall let you know more soon.

Your friend,

Scorpius

~a~

10th October, 20XX

Dear Al,

How is Durmstrang? I hear it is colder there than here at Hogwarts and that the professors are more strict. I hope you are well. Hogwarts looks very pretty right now as we enter autumn. I was very sad around this time last year, but this year is all right. Second year classes are much harder, but I am blessed with very good friends, though I am sad you are not here.

I suppose you haven't spoken to James. He is still acting strange. That is, he is very nice and friendly when he sees me, but it somehow feels like we are not quite friends. Or not as we were at the end of last year. Do you know why that is? It makes me feel a bit sad. Have I done something wrong?

Please write back about Durmstrang. I hope you are having a good time there.

Your friend,

Scorpius

~a~

30th November, 20XX

Dear Al,

It has been more than half a year since I have seen or heard from you. I hope you are well. I am happy here at Hogwarts, even though my classes are going abysmally without your help. I am jealous of you and James—you both make it seem so easy to obtain top marks. Anyway, I don't speak much to James anymore except for when I occasionally run into him. Jonathan says it must be the Malfoy-Potter blood acting up and that my friendships with you and James were doomed from the start. I think he's being silly. I know I am happy to have met both of you.

I write this letter to tell you that I am beginning to get very busy as it is almost end of term. There are many projects and assignments to finish the hols, so I may not have much time to write. Please know that I am thinking of you though, always.

Your friend,

Scorpius