Dear Mum and Dad,
I had my lesson with Dumbledore, but I'm not supposed to tell anyone. Dumbledore said I could keep Ron and Hermione informed, but no one else. It's important. Sorry.
Did you hear about Stan Shunpike? I don't know what the ministry's playing at taking him seriously. There's no way he's a Death Eater! Hermione thinks they want to be seen to be doing something. Everyone's scared nowadays. The Patil twin's parents wanted them to go home, and Eloise Midgen is already gone. But Hogwarts has got to be safer than their homes! As Ron says, we've got aurors and protective spells and Dumbledore. But Dumbledore's not around all the time. He's gone quite a bit. We think he must be off doing stuff for the Order.
Anyway, Hagrid's been avoiding us since he found out that none of us are taking Care of Magical Creatures. It's not a requirement for any of what we want to do, and we really don't have time. But we haven't had the chance to clear it up until today. We went down after Quidditch tryouts. We managed to explain, and now we're talking again, but Hagrid's upset because Aragog's dying. You remember, the giant spider Ron and I talked to in second year? Thankfully, there's nothing we can do to help, but he's still grieving.
The Quidditch tryouts went fairly well, but they were long and exhausting. There were a bunch of people trying out. Some of them weren't even Gryffindors! But I think I've put together a pretty good team. Katie Bell is still on the team, of course, along with Ginny and a girl you don't know called Demelza Robins. She's good at dodging bludgers. The beaters are Jimmy Peakes and Ritchie Coote. Neither of them are as good as Fred and George, but they aim well.
Ron's back on the team as well, which is good, because the other option, Cormac McLaggen was a real git. Ron saved five goals and McLaggen saved four. Turns out, Hermione confunded him, but I don't mind because, as I said, he's a git.
I saw the news about your search of Malfoy Manor. If it's not at his house, then he must have brought it to Hogwarts with him. But Hermione says everything was searched before they were allowed to enter school. I thought he must have had somebody send it to him by owl, but they're all being searched as well, so I'm not sure how he got it here. I'm sure he's up to something though,
Love,
Harry
Dear Harry,
We understand you can't tell us. It's probably not safe to talk about it in a letter anyway. Just be careful.
Yes, we did hear about Stan. I don't think he's a Death Eater either; he doesn't have the mark for one thing, although that's not conclusive proof. Hermione's right. Voldemort is getting stronger by the day, and the Ministry wants to calm people down by showing them that their making progress. It isn't right, but it isn't as bad as some of the things the Ministry did in the First Wizarding War. Yet.
We don't know what Dumbledore's up to, and we couldn't tell you if we did. But it has to be something to do with stopping Voldemort.
I'm glad you three made up with Hagrid. And, I'm sorry about Aragog.
Really?
Yes. Hagrid cares about him. I mean, I don't want any of you three near him or his family. But please, give Hagrid our regards.
Well done on the quidditch tryouts! It sounds like you've got a great team. Tell Ron we know he'll do well.
And well done to Hermione, too! I didn't think she had it in her.
As for Malfoy, I know what security measures are around Hogwarts, and I don't think he could get anything dark or dangerous inside the school. It's as close to impossible as anything can be.
Be careful, Harry, and good luck with everything.
Love,
Mum and Dad
Dear Mum and Dad,
I don't know if you've heard by now from the Ministry or Order, but Katie Bell has been attacked. Ron, Hermione, and I witnessed it. Katie and her friend were arguing and then struggled over the package she was carrying. Katie rose into the air, and she started to scream. Then she dropped to the ground and started writhing and screaming. I ran to get Hagrid, and he took her up to the school.
It was because of a cursed necklace. We think Katie was put under the imperious curse and was told to take it to someone. She wouldn't say who had given it to her, but I think it was Malfoy. The necklace was in Borgin and Burkes; I recognize it. But McGonagall thinks there's no proof and hundreds of students probably go into Borgin and Burkes. Leanne said that Katie came back from the girl's bathroom with the package, but that doesn't mean Malfoy had to be in the bathroom. The only problem is that Malfoy wasn't in Hogsmeade today; he was with McGonagall in detention. So, he must have had an accomplice.
Oh, one more thing. I caught Mundungus Fletcher in Hogsmeade selling Sirius' stuff! He must have gone back to the house after Sirius' died and stole a bunch of stuff! He ran away before I could jinx him or get anything back, the git! I'm going to talk to Dumbledore about him. Maybe he can do something.
Harry
Dear Harry,
We did hear about Katie. Dumbledore says it's being taken care of. As far as we know, she's going to be fine, after she stays sometime in St. Mungo's.
It sure was a sloppy assassination attempt. I don't think it was Malfoy, though. You already have the reasons why. He couldn't have brought the necklace into school, and he wasn't in Hogsmeade. I know you don't like Malfoy, Harry, but even you have to admit that none of your suspicions can be considered hard evidence.
As for Mundungus Fletcher, I'm frankly not surprised.
Git!
True. Anyway, I don't know if Dumbledore can do anything about him but go ahead and ask. He's probably the only one who could do something.
Please be careful, Harry. Malfoy or not, someone is trying to kill someone. No detective work.
Stay safe.
Love,
Mum and Dad
Dear Mum and Dad,
Dumbledore says Mundungus has gone to ground since I confronted him, but he will make sure that he will not be stealing anymore of Sirius' possessions.
I also told him about my suspicions of Malfoy, and all he said was that he will be taking all appropriate measures to look into anyone who might have had something to do with Katie's attack.
See? I'm not taking any risks or doing any detective work. I know no one believes me, but I know I'm right about Malfoy.
Love,
Harry
Dear Harry,
I'm glad you're staying safe. At least you know that Dumbledore knows what you think, and he's going to do everything he can about it.
I'm also glad to hear that Mundungus won't be taking any more old Black heirlooms.
Be careful,
Love,
Dad.