Slughorn's concerned about his star pupils as the Marauders graduated Hogwarts. I probably messed up the timeline of events somehow, but I have decided to roll with it since the movie-verse was not exactly compliant with the book-verse.

1978

15th February 1978

Dear GG

I have heard about you from a student. I have concerns about a few of my talented students that I am not at ease voicing to the headmaster as he will mark me down for favouritism again (as if he is not partial to his lions). I prefer to think of myself as a spotter of talents deserving of nurturing and cultivation to achieve their best in life.

I have become aware that one of my brightest pupils – Lily – seems to be falling in with the wrong type of crowd. Of course, it had to involve a handsome young never-do-well of a wizard, even if he is of the Potter family of hair tonic fame. Being the only child of his parents in their latter years, young Potter has been running wild since he was a lad. I would prefer Lily to be walking out with Severus, a fellow talent in Potions. Just imagine how much they could achieve as a pair. They had my hopes up for a while before their falling out. I imagine with Potter, poor Lily will be stuck at home minding the children and caring for his aged parents while her husband goes carousing with his friends.

It is a disaster in the making. Young Snape has become decidedly subdued after their quarrel. He is no longer as keen as he once was submitting his papers to Potions International. I do hope he bucks up soon with his mastery on the line. I do not wish to see him waste his life as some apothecary clerk.

Another young man I am concerned about is Regulus. He was on his way to be a Quidditch star before his accident at home over Christmas, so he claims. I know his mother Wally Black has a foul temper, but I sense that Reggie has been hit several times with an Unforgiveable curse. I doubt Wally would resort to that level of punishment. He refused to see a healer and claims he would get his healing elixirs from Severus if required. He will have to sit out the House Cup this round (and I had money on my House) as he can barely get on a broom the way he is shaking.

There seems to be a certain clique forming among my students, including the alumni. Malfoy offered to write recommendation letters for Severus and Reggie to work with Misters Notts and Avery. There is something amiss, but I cannot figure out what. I do hope it is just the Slytherin bias. I understand a few other students were similarly approached.

I am honestly concerned about my students' well-being

Professor Horace Slughorn

Spring 1978

Dear Slug

There is a reason why two potioneers should never ever be joined in blissful matrimony. If one gets blown up, at least there is someone remaining to care for the children. I trust our Tiger Lily would have the confidence to put her foot down if her hubby does not pull his own weight. If not, I am sure she would pack up the baby and up for her mother's. About that lad getting Crucio-ed or imbibing potions that might cause shakes, please pack him off to a qualified healer, not someone still working on his potions mastery and suffering from heartbreak. While we are on matter of healers, you might want to check if you have been Obliviated, because you really sound utterly Confounded.

Oh, I am sure your concern for your special students is much appreciated. So any Death Eaters yet? Are you sure they are not recruiting your students for their cause?

Yours insincerely

GG

17th June 1978

Dear GG

I am writing to you for advice about this club I have joined. At first it was just a harmless spot of Muggle-baiting and other harmless stuff. Cool magical tattoos and all. Next, we were casting jinxes and hexes at Muggleborns and blood traitors. Fine, perhaps setting fire to Cousin Andy's greenhouse was not as fun as I expected, thanks to the Mimbulus mimbletonia and Bubotubers she was cultivating for St Mungo's. We needed to ask a friend to provide us emergency healing elixirs and we still stank for weeks. Now we are being asked to really hurt folks, not just hex their property. Cousin Bella threatened to do more than Crucio me the next time I fail to show up to hex the legs off some old Muggleborn wizard or Muggle for kicks. It is not as though I can volunteer for Potions duty or something that would keep me away from the action.

What should I do? Should I go along with it? I think I might get tossed in Azkaban if I go to the authorities, if Cousin Bella does not AK me first.

RAB

Summer 1978

Dear RAB

Here we are again with that conundrum of doing the right thing versus the easy thing. The easy thing being keeping your head down and going along with what Cousin Bella and gang say. The right thing might get you killed but surely there has to be more to life than blasting greenhouses to bits. Oh, how squeamish are you about bloodshed? I mean the sort with lost limbs, life-altering injuries, and possible death? Would you prefer to be on the receiving or giving end of it?

Do you have anyone outside you can trust to speak to without you being sent to prison? Cousin Andy or someone else? How good are you at running and hiding?

GG

17th August 1978

Dear GG

I have been in an ongoing relationship for about a year, but I am wondering if I should break it off. James is still a prat when he drinks too much. He was a total ass to my sister's then-fiancé, and Tunia has refused to speak to me since. My sister has since married and moved away. However, he has behaved quite decently to my parents when visiting over the summer. He brought his friend S along and somehow manage to keep him on a tight leash, figuratively of course.

S only got a ticket for illegal parking of his motorcycle. No brawls at the local pub or any such hijinks. Back in the Hogsmeade, they have had their weekend privileges suspended for an impromptu duel in the Hog's Head. Recently, our mutual friends have dropped hints that he might be popping that question soon. I suspect he has already sought my father's permission to court me. What should I do? We just graduated. I do not wish to be rushing into things we may later regret.

Seriously concerned

Lily

Summer 1978

Dear Tiger Lily

I understand that as a Muggleborn, you are not well acquainted with the traditions and conventions of wixen dating and unions. An engagement of upwards of five years is acceptable as this is the time when the young couple really get to know each other with their parents' blessings. Perhaps your swain is finally maturing. Just keep an eye on his drinking. You can accept his proposal with promise of marriage in the future and wait. If it does not work, an amiable breakup is possible and favoured in our society. It is not formal marriage contract yet. Those are trickier to get out of since they involve both families' magic. This will not apply to you as a Muggleborn.

That said, please note getting to know each other should not involve a summer of knowing each other in the Biblical sense as some Muggles call it. If you must, please utilize a contraceptive potion or be prepared for a hasty wedding.

GG

Fall 1978

Dear Albus

Look, perhaps I have been a bit pushy. Please listen to me when I say you should watch out for the following families – McKinleys and Holmes. Yes, that anti-Vision runestone has been acting up. Can you please discharge these wizards from active duty? There are young children involved who may be in great danger in the coming years. I am sure you do not wish for entire bloodlines to be wiped out on your watch as Chief Warlock.

Gellert

31st October 1978

Dear Gellert

By Merlin's beard, one might think you actually care about these children. I note you did not even ask whether they were squibs first. Perhaps you are starting to show some inclination towards rehabilitation. Still, it is creepy having you admit you are a pushy bastard. Not that it is going to change our decision on your imprisonment at the ICW.

To add on, there are no members with the names Holmes or McKinley, and we will decline membership to any witch or wizard of those names to be on the safe side. We will check the Muggle registry if they happen to be future Muggleborn wizards. Can you get a better timeline? I have sent my cousin Arabella to check in on your Auntie and she informs me she is doing well. Understand she let Arabella have one of her Kneazle kittens on hearing Arabella crossbreeds them with cats.

Albus

P.S. I will request the Austrians fix that pesky runestone. Cannot have you losing your mind from those Visions before your parole hearing comes up in 2000.

Author's Notes:

Poor Grindelwald's Seer powers are on the fritz. He is referring to the Bones and McKinnons.