Author's commentary

Did you guys know that Google Docs lags when you reach a character limit of 1.02 million?

*looks at my 650 page TLS document*

Yeah... I had to spend some time this week changing how I store this fic. Now let's counter this with an unreasonably short chapter!

June 29th, 1991

Dear Melissa,

My mother told me about the trial yesterday. I am glad that Harry is away from his family now. I know you probably don't want to hear this from me yet, but I am sorry for bringing up your family when we last spoke. I hope you can forgive me for that.

Sincerely,

Domonkos

June 30th, 1991

Domonkos,

It's not just the muggleborn thing. We almost lost Harry twice because of what you did. Worse- worse might be the wrong word, but you told the world about the boggart.

Look, I know you didn't mean any harm by it. . I know you were trying to help; but I feel . violated. That's the only way I can describe it. I wish you had left that out, that you could have at least warned me what you were planning to do. Also, just because my family isn't magic doesn't mean I'm ignorant or that my family is ignorant.

I know this feels petty, but I can't forgive you yet. I accept what you've apologized for, but I'm just not ready. It doesn't feel over yet, if that makes sense.

Melissa

June 30th, 1991

Dear Melissa,

You are right. I apologize for telling my mother about the boggart. I only mentioned it to her to explain how I knew about the abuse. I did not think she would publish that knowledge. That said, I will respect your wishes and give you space.

I'm sorry,

Domonkos

July 5th, 1991

Dear Houdini,

I'm bored. Life is boring without you at the house. Don't suppose you can come over for a surprise visit?

Melody

July 6th, 1991

Nice try, snake girl. Your parents already told me that you're grounded for the month.

Sirius

Don't mind him, Melly. At least we can send letters in the meantime. When you're allowed to leave the house we'll hang out at the flat. I need to introduce you to my cousin Nymphadora. She's a distant cousin (apparently the Blacks and Potters are related in some way) and she's a lot of fun. She's something called a metamorphmagus, so she can change her face and hair just by thinking about it! It's really cool. I got to show off a bit to her and dyed my hair blue. We had a bit of a contest with other colours, but you know how hard it is to keep changing colours. She won pretty easily, but she was able to give me some tips on how to manage my magic. Uncle Sirius and cousin Andromeda were really impressed with what I can do. Did you know that there's an actual colovaria spell we'll learn in fifth year?

Also I got to meet Healer Marshhaven the other day. I'm not sure what to think of her yet. We mostly just talked about how I'm settling in. Though I think Uncle Sirius said something to her about Hitchins. He's been almost scared since then, I think. Like he's scared to hug more or get too close. I feel bad about it. I've apologized to him a couple of times, but he keeps saying that I shouldn't be sorry about it. Any ideas of what I should do?

Houdini

July 7th, 1991

Hey Houdini,

Nope, can't say I knew that about the spell. Though I guess that's why you were able to do it right with that word. Nymphadora sounds cool. I wonder if she's ever disguised herself as a celebrity to get free food at restaurants or something? That would be pretty funny.

Don't worry about Marshhaven. Talking with a therapist takes time to open up and get the benefits of it. As for Sirius, since he's scared of hugging you, you just have to hug him, instead! A lot. He's probably had less hugs than you have these past 10 years. It takes getting used to. Maybe you two should go out to fun places. Or pull a prank on him! If you still have your prank book that ought to be fun! Let me know how it goes.

Melody

July 8th, 1991

Hi Melody,

Going out was a good idea. We weren't really able to go out last week since reporters were waiting outside trying to talk to us. Though today we went to Diagon Alley. It's incredible, Melody! It's just like you and Jeff described it! We went out for ice cream and he got me fitted for some robes. I had to get a couple fancy robes, too. I'm supposed to visit Arcturus on Thursday. The invitation said it's meant to be a family dinner, but Uncle Sirius says Blacks always treat dinners as semi-formal things. The Tonks weren't invited, though, which is too bad. I could have asked Tonks about the celebrity thing then. Oh, right, I should mention that Nymphadora likes to be called Tonks.

Hope things are going well with you,

Houdini.

July 9th, 1991

Hey Houdini,

Nope. I'm still bored. On the plus side, I'll probably finish most of my summer readings before school. At least until I know what new books I need.

Glad you got to see Diagon Alley. Maybe we can go together later? We should be getting our Hogwarts letters at the end of the month, I'll be free by then.

I'm not sure what sounds more awkward, having to have a fancy dinner with Sirius' grandfather or having Tonks call herself Tonks in front of other Tonks'. That's got to be confusing. Why not just call herself Dora? Better yet, Dora the Explorer!

Melody

July 10th, 1991

Morning Melody,

Going to Diagon Alley would be great! Maybe Jeff can come with us?

Why do I have a feeling that Dora the Explorer is one of your "jokes"?

Houdini

July 11th, 1991

Dear Houdini,

Right you are, my snake-charming friend! Also, I'll look into making it a day out for all of us.

So, it's Thursday. Let me know how the dinner goes. Hahaha!

Melody

July 12th, 1991

Dear Melody,

Dinner was weird. I couldn't tell if Uncle Sirius and Arcturus were trying to be nice to each other or pick fights. I tried to stay out of it and be polite. He said a couple things about muggleborns that I didn't like, but Uncle Sirius brought up my mum a lot and that seemed to help.

That reminds me, Uncle Sirius has been telling me a lot of stories about my mum and dad! It's been really nice to hear about them. I mean really know about them. Not all those things aunt Petunia used to say. He even has a couple pictures of them! They're moving pictures, too, so it's like a mini movie! I'll show you them when you come visit.

Houdini

July 13th, 1991

Morning Houdini,

That's great about the pictures! Maybe some of his old friends will have more pictures of them?

Sadly that doesn't surprise me. I'm sure Sirius already warned you about how his family is. Hopefully his grandfather will change his tune in time.

Melody

July 19th, 1991

Morning Melody,

We had dinner with Arcturus again yesterday. He and Uncle Sirius were talking about maybe getting me a tutor over the summer. Well, Arcturus talked about it, Uncle Sirius didn't seem to like a lot of his ideas. Said that he was being a stuffy old man set in his ways. Though I think he had some good ideas that even Uncle Sirius agreed with. Since the Potters used to be a big family, he said that I should learn more about running a house. It has to do with managing the things my parents left me. Did you know they had more than one house? They also mentioned that my family has a lot of money.

I have to ask, and be honest with me, how much of this stuff did you know beforehand?

Houdini

July 20th, 1991

Hey Houdini,

Um, that's a bit of a sensitive topic. Can you make sure Sirius isn't reading your letters?

In short, yes, I know about the money thing. For the house, I know about a house or cottage at Godric's Hollow that got blown up from You-Know-Who; though it doesn't surprise me that the Potter's have multiple properties.

I think as long as the tutors don't mind half-bloods you should be fine. It's not a bad idea.

Melody

July 21st,

Melody,

Why didn't you say anything about it sooner? We could have used that money ages ago! I know you needed those textbooks for school last year. Most of them were the same ones you had at home, besides that defence book.

Houdini

July 22nd, 1991

Houdini,

How? The money is at Gringotts. You need the key to get in. If we tried anything we would have gotten in serious trouble.

Also, you're ten. Why would I make you pay for textbooks?

Enough of that. How are things going with Sirius?

Melody

July 23rd, 1991

Melly,

Because you ended up buying textbooks twice. I know how you are about saving money to be rich.

Houdini

P.S. Things with Uncle Sirius are getting better, but don't try to change the subject.

July 24th, 1991

Houdini,

Once again, you're ten. I'm not charging you for textbooks. If you really want to make it up to me, don't be lazy about reading them. Think of it as an investment into your education. (there, a money term, are you happy?) Knowing Professor Snape he's probably going to be hard on you, so you might as well be prepared for it anyways. It wouldn't hurt to learn about bezoars. Just saying. Also, I'm pretty sure being good at potions runs on both sides of your family. So that's a thing to think about.

Melody

July 25th, 1991

Melody,

I'll be eleven in a week. Though I guess you have a point. Marshhaven's been saying that I ought to let people help when they offer. Even Uncle Sirius has said I shouldn't be so worried about it. I don't know, it just feels weird sometimes at how you and your family always try to help me. That said, I'll try my best with those books and the new ones from the school list. It's nice to know something like that about my parents, thanks.

Houdini

July 26th, 1991

Houdini,

You're very welcome. I wish I knew enough to be useful about them. It's basically scraps. At least you have Sirius around to tell you more about them.

Also, next time we talk, let's make it an actual phone call so that we can say things in minutes what took us a whole month to write.

Melody