THE MAIL THAT CAME ON APRIL, THE 6th
Dear Hugo,
I'm taking the opportunity of our resupplying to send you a letter, so that you don't start thinking your old man was already killed in action. It would take more than them to take me down! The weather's rotten, and I must admit this hellish island is the last place I'd go on holidays, but well, food's not too bad and from time to time, I see a seagull basking in the sunlight and it reminds me I promised you we'd do this trip to the Lighthouse of Alexandria – just the two of us, no women. Well, without your sister, I mean. We're still on for this, son, I haven't forgotten. It's just that these dragon riders are nastier than we thought. Tell your uncle Charlie I'll have a little chat with him when I come back (is it true he and Harry are teaching at Hogwarts? Wicked!)
The escort's about to leave, I need to hurry if I want this letter to go with them. Wish a happy birthday to Al, give a kiss to Rosie for me and try not to get yourself into troubles when you sneak to Hogsmeade (if you get caught by McGonagall, I don't know a thing, is that clear?)
Your father who loves you,
Lieutenant-Colonel Ron Weasley of the 24th Brigade of Aurors
Yo, Al!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Sorry for the poorly written card, I grabbed it in Diagon Alley on my way back from buying stuff for the mission. Finally, they're sending me to the battlefield! I'm taking the Northen Express at noon, one-way to Islay! No more Floo network surveillances and endless boring guards in the Department of Mysteries. I can't wait to fight for real! Wish me luck, and I'll wish you just as much: the giiiiirl! How are things between you two? Did you kiss her yet? Get moving, mate, before someone else takes her.
Give five to Terrence. See ya,
Teddy.
PS: I am assigned to Ron's brigade! Ain't that cool?
PPS: Last night, your father's elf made a chocolate cake to die for! All the Aurors who were at HQ stuffed their faces, shame you didn't get a bite!
PPPS: Erm, forget the elf. Forget everything. I'm not supposed to tell you anything about HQ or the mission.
Dear Rosie,
I'll post this letter at the next station, so you will receive it probably when I am already in the Hebrides. We won't be able to write to each other for a while, since communication lines are very limited there, but I will think of you both every day.
Honey, I know you're worried a lot, but you shouldn't believe everything the Daily Prophet says or the rumors in Hogwarts. Everything will be alright. You trust me, don't you? Be strong and if you are worried too much, go talk with Neville.
I don't want you to blame yourself for our divorce. Your father and I are grown-ups and our choices are ours. I wish more than anything that you wouldn't have overheard our last argument and those words that went too far. Sometimes when angry, people say the stupidest things – it's the case for your father, but it's also true for me and I am ashamed of it. Anyway, this situation is neither your fault nor your brother's.
Don't grow up too fast, sweetie. You'll have plenty of time to be an adult. Have fun, spend time with your friends, buy other things than books, go to Honeydukes (you will find everything you need in the small bag) and don't forget to share your loot with Hugo. Give him a big hug for me.
Mum who loves you.
Dear Terrence,
The owl came straight to us, this time - HOORAY! I think Ms. Plummet would have had a stroke if it had again knocked at her window. I never saw a bird with so little sense of direction...
Mum loved the Bertie Bott's Beans and demands to know why you waited - I quote - "so long to share with us the treats of the wizarding world". (I didn't remind her that those were the ones you had us try during the Christmas holidays your first year and that she puked all night because of them at the time.)
I signed the contract this morning and we will go visit an agency tomorrow afternoon to put the house for rent. I know we already had this discussion and that you feel able to live alone for eight months, but Mum and I still think we would be really bad parents to leave you in England for such a long time when you're only fourteen! Now, this is our new offer: you finish the school year at Hogwarts, then Albus and you come to New Zealand for the month of July if his parents agree. Otherwise Mum will stay with you two in Oxford while I'll go ahead with the team to start the filming. That way, your summer won't be too bad.
Terrence, I know how much you love your studies at Hogwarts, but I think it's time you start to consider what you will do later. It's going to be a good experience for you to travel, to see other things - other people. Surely there is a very good school of witchcraft in New Zealand, and if there are none, why not trying a normal college? I think it'd be a good idea. You have tremendous capacities and you could do extraordinary things in our world too, without the need to confine yourself to magic...
Mum thinks I've written enough and suggests we talk about this together another time. Can you ask Professor Longbottom when he'd be free to meet me? I have to go to London this weekend, but I'll have some time next week. Monday or Wednesday, whatever suits him. Of course, he'll pick the place. I don't know if it is easier for him to leave the school or for me to come to Hogwarts...
Terrence, making choices following only our feelings is not acting like an adult. And not considering ALL possibilities is behaving like a child. Your future is not one more experience to try out, it is something you have to build. Your mother and I know you will take the right decision.
With love,
Dad.
HARRY POTTER!
HOW COULD YOU MAKE MY LITTLE GINNY CRY FOR THREE DAYS? DON'T YOU DARE THINK TWENTY YEARS OF MARRIAGE ALLOW A MAN TO SLACK! HOW CAN YOU LET THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY OF WIZARDS GOSSIP ABOUT YOU CASTING AN UNFORGIVABLE CURSE AT YOUR OWN SON! I CAN'T BELIEVE WE HEAR THINGS SO RIDICULOUS NOWADAYS! AND WHAT'S WITH GOING TO TEACH AT HOGWARTS? HAVE CHARLIE AND YOU COMPLETELY LOST YOUR MINDS? I REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THIS FAMILY! FIRST RON AND HERMIONE, NOW YOU! DID YOU LOT PLOT TO GIVE ME WHITE HAIR BEFORE MY TIME?
I hope my grandchildren are fine. How is James' cold? Hogwarts must be charming in this season. DON'T TEACH THEM STUDENTS DANGEROUS THINGS.
YOUR MOTHER-IN-LAW
MOLLY WEASLEY
Dear Harry,
Sorry for the howler, I hope you were able to open it someplace safe...
I think Molly forgot to send the card because she was in shock (but I'm sure you had a good reason – and Ginny will come round eventually) so give our best birthday wishes to Albus: tell him the new car has been delivered and I count on him and his muggle-born friend to help me work on it this summer!
Arthur.
My kitty cat,
No, no blushing. You're not that old yet, I can still call you like this when we're in private (I don't see why you'd go read this letter to your friends and if James does it for you, you can tell him that a howler from his grandmother would be a blessing compared to what I have in store for him).
I wish you a wonderful birthday. I know your friends have smuggled in tons of chocolate cakes and butterbeer to celebrate in the Gryffindor common room in all honors (and in compliance with the rules of Hogwarts, needless to say) so don't be too serious, try to see how much people love you and enjoy my birthday gift!
The "Stars Sweeper 6005"! I would have dreamt to ride it when I was your age (except it didn't exist yet). I didn't open the packaging, even though I really wanted to try it, so I hope you let me ride a bit this summer! No, just kidding. Your mother's too old to do stunts on a broomstick. Although... well, I'll stop my nonsense right here.
I sent the broomstick at the beginning of the week so Neville would have time to check it before the next game, but this letter is only leaving now... after all these events.
Albus Severus Potter, I want you to remember that whatever happens, your father and I will protect you and will love you forever. I suppose by now your dad has explained what happened when you were little. We have not done talking, but I'm sure of one thing: your father would never hurt you.
He's not very good at choosing what secrets to keep to himself and he tends to want to save the world always taking the most dangerous path, but he would give his life for you. So would I.
I don't know what's going to happen next, and I dread the tangled skeins of the ministry, their twisted ideas, their dusty old spirits, but I want to believe that we still have friends, that we will not be abandoned. Kingsley Shacklebolt has yet to say his last word and your father is, after all, the favorite candidate for Minister of Magic.
Everything will be fine, Al. Don't worry. Don't listen to rumors, it's useless. Do your homework, play Quidditch, keep hanging out with Terrence and Scorpius... and try to be a little less obvious with Wendy (and don't you dare going over the limits, young man! Or you'll have to deal with me...). Have fun, treasure the time you're spending in Hogwarts. You'll have plenty of time to be an adult later...
Your Mum who loves you very, very, very much.
PS: give Lily a kiss for me – she's not the one who sold you about Wendy - and tell your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher that if his idea of "place of remembrance" for your fifteenth birthday was the landing place of a portkey, he'd better find SOMEWHERE ELSE before Sunday morning if he wants me to forgive him in the next twenty years!)
Dear Wendy,
Would you please stop sending mail by owl? These wild creatures are dirtying our facade and they scare your little brothers when they scratch at the window with their talons. I really do not understand why you cannot make the effort to put your letters in a proper envelope and send it by the post, like a sensible person.
I must say I was extremely disappointed by the lack of enthusiasm you showed at the idea of our spending summer in the Caribbean. It is extremely rare that your father has free time during the holidays and the whole family must be present. We will leave as soon as you get home and I hope you will put on a cheerful and pleasant attitude. You do not want to cause trouble to your father, do you?
Another thing that gives me great concern: your letter was not only full of crossings-out and grammar mistakes, which is unacceptable for a young lady of your education, but the name "Albus" was repeated with indecent frequency. Do not let yourself wander thinking you could have any relationship with a boy from that world. It is bad enough that your father suffers you to do your studies in this obscure school. Moreover, I refuse to hear you speak again of practicing this barbaric sport where you hit balls - God in Heavens.
I will not send you what you asked for. For one, I do not find suitable of you to offer this boy a birthday gift (and do not try to make me believe it was not for him, that was clearly a jewel carved to be worn by a man) and secondly, I do not see how an owl could carry a package of this value.
Your brothers made drawings for you. I hope this awful volatile will not have ruined them.
Are your grades better? Do not forget that whatever your school is, you owe it to yourself to honor your name. Try not to gain weight, your dress for the June reception is ready. Do not wear these horrible piercings, you are not a hooligan.
Your father does not have time to write, he is working, but he sends his love.
Kind regards,
Mother.
Dear young master Albus,
Kreacher wishes Happy Birthday to the young master and may he be healthy.
Kreacher made a cake for the young master and all those greedy Aurors ate it whole when Kreacher went to get candles.
Kreacher is too old, he could not stop them in time. He will make another cake and give it to Master Harry when he returns.
Kreacher would like to see the young master, but he knows he must not go to Hogwarts. Dobby told Kreacher what the school elves say about the Great One who appeared and Kreacher is very concerned.
May Merlin protect the young master.
Kreacher, servant of the very noble and very old House of Black.
Gin,
The snoops are linking the erratic readings of the Trace of your son Albus and the dragon spotted last night in the skies of Hogsmeade.
I don't know what will happen, but it smells fishy. The ministry is desperate enough for the quillpushers to decide sending a kid to the battlefield...
I'll let you know but I beg you, be careful!
Tanya
Dear Mr James Sirius Potter,
Dear Miss Lily Luna Potter,
We have received word that your younger brother, Albus Severus Potter, currently enrolled at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in 4th year might actually be a magical creature category XXXX, potentially XXXXX, and that his identity is be a forgery of which your parents, Ginevra Molly Weasley and Harry James Potter are guilty. As a result, we inform you that your presence is required at a preliminary hearing to be held at the Ministry of Magic on April the 17th at 11:00, to determine the nature of your younger brother as well as the liability engaged by your parents in this situation.
Hoping this one finds you in good health, please accept, dear Mr. & Miss Potter, the expression of my highest consideration.
Lazarus Flamcqush
Department of Magical Law Enforcement
Ministry of Magic
MISSION ORDER
543210
Colonel Harry James Potter
You will report tomorrow, on Sunday, April the 7th, at the camp of Islay at 1:30 PM and you will relieve from his duty Colonel Maximilian Rottweiller, charged of the territorial defense in the Hebrides. Your mission is to make Bercelak MacFusty prisoner and to end to the raids conducted by the dragon riders in air, on land and at sea.
Fifteen brigades of Aurors will be under your orders.
Peaceful negotiations having failed, Hermione Jean Granger-Weasley, director of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, will draft a final and complete surrender treaty addressed the island agitators and assist you upon its signature and its implementation.
For application.
Major General Sebastian Nash
Auror Office
Ministry of Magic
Dear Mr. Weasley,
The Ministry of Magic has been aware of the presence of a Magical Creature Category XXXXX in the field of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry. A wild animal of this size cannot be tolerated any longer in the vicinity of civilians.
The breeding of dragons being banned since 1709, disciplinary actions will be proposed to you in the months to come and you will have to justify the introduction of such a danger on the territory protected by the Ministry of Magic.
However, since the country is currently subject to the bestial threat of dragons attacks, you are urged to join the ranks of our armed established in the Hebrides.
You will accompany Colonel Harry Potter and his son Albus Severus Potter - whose exact nature will be determined at a future hearing - to the camp of Islay where you will put your strengths and knowledge in service of the nation.
All action in any other sense or escape attempt on your part or that of the dragon would be futile. Our magical brigades were ordered to open fire on you or the hybrid child at the first sign of insurrection.
Hoping this one finds you in good health, please accept, dear Mr. Weasley, the expression of my highest consideration.
Ariadne Swiftpen
ASF Special Brigade
Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures
Ministry of Magic
TBC
Next chapter: A LITTLE GIRL WITH A BLUE RIBBON