Dear Mum and Dad,
I talked to Hermione and Dumbledore about what I overheard Snape and Malfoy saying to each other. Hermione admits that Malfoy is up to something, but doesn't think it's on Voldemort's orders, and also doesn't think Snape is up to anything. She also reminded me that I'd heard of Fenrir Greyback when Malfoy was talking to Borgin. He threatened him with him. Doesn't that prove he's a Death Eater? Hermione thinks it might be an empty threat, but come on! She's just in denial.
Meanwhile, Dumbledore doesn't think the conversation is anything to be concerned about and won't tell me why!
But apparition lessons are to be starting up soon, so that's good. Everyone's really excited about them.
Love,
Harry
Dear Harry,
I believe we warned you that Dumbledore might not be surprised by what you told him. He trusts Severus, as do I, and I don't expect one overheard conversation to change that. It is entirely possible Dumbledore ordered him to talk to Malfoy. You probably don't have all the information, Harry.
As for Malfoy, he may be a Death Eater, and he may not be. Assuming for the moment that he is one, judging by what happened to Katie, he's trying to kill someone, and it could be any number of people. A few overheard conversations point to him, but any of them could be interpreted in different ways, and we have no way of knowing which is right. His age is a large step between him and Death Eaterdom, and if he is a Death Eater, I don't understand why Voldemort gave him a job when he believes Snape is in his service. I'm not convinced Malfoy is a Death Eater yet, but either way, you have no hard evidence. You've told Dumbledore; that's all you can do.
Meanwhile, good luck with apparition! Don't be disappointed if you don't get it the first couple lessons. It is very difficult.
Stay safe,
Love,
Mum and Dad
Dear Mum and Dad,
We had our first apparition lesson. You were right, Mum, it is difficult. The most exciting thing that happened was Susan Bones accidentally splinching herself. The heads of houses fixed her up, though, and otherwise nothing happened.
Actually, I overheard another conversation with Malfoy. He was having an argument with Crabbe. He said he didn't know how much longer it would take, that it was taking longer than he expected. He wouldn't tell Crabbe and Goyle what he was doing and that they just needed to keep a look out.
I checked the Marauders Map afterwards, but he was in the Slytherin Common room. I'm going to keep an eye on him from now on though.
And I forgot to mention in my last letter, Ron and Hermione still aren't speaking to each other. I think Lavender might be getting on Ron's nerves a little though.
Love,
Harry
Dear Harry,
Yeah, apparating is no picnic. It'll take you all a while to get the hang of it. Sorry about Ron and Hermione. Hopefully it will all work out. Good luck.
I don't know if the Marauder's Map is going to help much in this circumstance. It's only going to tell you where he is, not what he's doing. That's not concrete evidence.
You really don't need to be spying on anyone either. Concentrate on Dumbledore's lessons, regular lessons,
Quidditch!
And apparition. Be careful, stay safe.
Love,
Mum and Dad
Dear Mum and Dad,
Ron's been poisoned. Don't worry, he'll be fine, but... I'd better start at the beginning.
It was his birthday today, you know, and while he was opening presents, I threw a bunch of stuff out of my trunk to find the Marauder's Map to check on Malfoy. One of the things I took out was a package of Cauldron Cakes Romilda Vane gave me before Christmas. Ron thought they were a present, and he ate them, and they were spiked with love potion.
He said he wasn't hungry and didn't want breakfast. He started talking really weird about how he loved her and couldn't stand it, and I thought he was talking about Lavender, but then he said he didn't think she knew he existed. I thought it was a joke at first when he said he was in love with Romilda Vane, then he hit me for 'insulting her.' Then I realized what was happening.
I'm sure if it had been you and Sirius, Dad, you would have let him run amok until the love potion wore off. I admit the thought did occur to me. But I decided I'd probably deserve another punching if I allowed him to declare his love for Romilda, so I took him to Slughorn. Although, considering what happened, things might have been better if I hadn't.
Slughorn was able to make an antidote, and everything was fine. Except then Slughorn took out a bottle of mead he meant to give Dumbledore for Christmas. Ron drank first. It was poison, it was... it was bad. Luckily, I had given Slughorn a bezoar a few weeks ago for potions, so I found it, shoved it down Ron's throat, Slughorn ran for help, and we got him to Madam Pomfrey. He'll have to stay there for a week, but he'll be alright.
Fred and George are here. They were in Hogsmeade looking to buy Zonko's and waiting to surprise Ron, but we're not allowed in Hogsmeade anymore. Them, Ginny, Hermione, and I talked a bit about why this happened. As near as we can figure, the most likely targets were me, Dumbledore, and Slughorn himself. We think it was the same person who attacked Katie, and obviously, they didn't get to their intended target. Which means, eventually, the killer will attack again.
That's the main news, but Hagrid let slip something. He overheard Dumbledore and Snape talking. Snape said maybe he had changed his mind, and Dumbledore said he had said he would do it and he had to, and he also mentioned that Snape could make enquiries into his house.
For all he says that he trusts Snape, he thinks he didn't work hard enough to investigate the Slytherins.
Don't worry. I'm being careful.
Harry