Dear Mum and Dad,
I got a Firebolt for Christmas! It was waiting for me when I got back. There was no card, no letter at all. Hermione told McGonagall, and she confiscated it, and it's going to be stripped down! They thought it might have been sent to me by Sirius Black, but that's ridiculous. How could he have brought a Firebolt while he's on the run? Besides, how would he have known my broom was smashed, or even that I played quidditch? I'm positive there is nothing wrong with it. I can just feel it!
Harry
Dear Harry,
I can understand your feelings on this matter. The Firebolt is certainly a masterpiece. But, I think it's better to be sure. It wouldn't be too much of a stretch to assume my son plays quidditch, and no one thought it was possible to escape Azkaban or break into Hogwarts either. It's best to be careful. I'm sure if there's nothing wrong with it, as you say, then you'll get it back, probably in perfect condition.
Be careful,
Dad
Dear Mum and Dad,
The school governors agree that Hagrid bares no responsibility for Malfoy's injury. But they have also decided to uphold Mr. Malfoy's official complaint and put Buckbeak on trial before the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures. Hagrid's crushed. He doesn't think they can get off because the committee's got it in for interesting creatures. They told him to keep Buckbeak tied up, but he brought him inside his hut instead. He couldn't leave him outside in the snow alone. We promised to help him do research for the trial.
Harry
Dear Harry,
I was afraid something like this would happen. The committee does probably lean towards execution rather than letting them off. There's still hope though. As long as Hagrid argues a good case, I think Buckbeak can get off.
I'm glad you're helping him.
Love,
Mum
Dear Mum and Dad,
Wood tried to get McGonagall to give back the Firebolt, but she refused. Told him he's got his priority's wrong. He also talked to me about the dementors. I told him I was working on it.
I had my first lesson with Professor Lupin this evening. We used a boggart, as we can't use a real dementor. I tried three times, Remus wouldn't let me do more. The first two times I still passed out, but the last time I managed to conjure a sort of, silvery shadow that kept the dementor away from me, but didn't drive it off. Still, Remus said it was excellent for our first practice session.
Love,
Harry
Dear Harry,
Congratulations on conjuring a Patronus! I'm proud of you.
Remus is right; it is very advanced magic, well beyond third year level.
With a little practice, you'll be able to hold the dementors off if they come to the next match, but I don't think they will. Dumbledore will be keeping them in check after last time.
Good luck, both with the lessons and with quidditch.
Love,
Mum and Dad
Dear Mum and Dad,
I got the Firebolt back! I told you there was nothing wrong with it!
Ron and I were going to make up with Hermione. I feel a little bad for not talking to her, as she was only trying to help. Still, her enormous workload keeps her pretty busy. We're still not sure how she's getting to all her classes.
It seemed like everything was going back to normal, until Ron took the Firebolt upstairs and found blood on the sheets. Scabbers was gone, and there were ginger cat hairs on the floor.
It looks like the end of Ron and Hermione's friendship. Ron's furious that that Hermione never took Crookshanks attempts to eat Scabbers seriously, hadn't kept a closer watch on him, and is still trying to pretend her cat is innocent. Hermione thinks that there's no real proof, the ginger hairs might have been there since Christmas, and Ron had been prejudiced since Crookshanks landed on his head.
I think the evidence suggests Crookshanks did kill Scabbers, but when I tried to point this out, Hermione lost her temper and told me to leave her alone.
I don't know how to make this better.
Harry
Dear Harry,
I'm sorry Scabbers is gone. I don't know if Crookshanks ate him or not, but it doesn't really matter. Ron and Hermione have to decide if their friendship is more important to them than their pets. That's something only they can decide. I don't think there is anything you can do.
I'm glad you got the Firebolt back! I bet it's amazing! Make sure you flatten Ravenclaw in your match. Good luck!
Love,
Dad and Mum
Merry Christmas, everyone! I probably won't post next week due to the holiday, but I will be back the week after. I hope you all have very good holidays.