Dear Professor Lupin,

Have you heard we're hosting the Triwizard Tournament at Hogwarts? I'm kind of glad I'm too young to compete, but it does sound like fun. The twins have been cooking up all kinds of ideas on how to enter. They reckon 16 is old enough, even if Dumbledore insists you have to be 17.

I had a strange dream this summer and woke up with my scar hurting. I'm fine and it's not a big deal at all, but I felt like I should tell someone. Anyway, I wanted to ask you something. There was a girl you went to school with named Bertha Jorkins. I really need to find out more about her, but no one I've asked knew her very well. Do you remember what she was like at school? I think she was in Hufflepuff.

-Harry

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Dear Mum,

There are so many things I want to tell you about, but I'll start with the most exciting. Hogwarts is playing host to students from two other schools this year: Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. They're here for an inter-school tournament, and it's awfully exciting. At meal times, there are new and interesting foods from all across Europe. I get to try something new every day. Yesterday I had the bouillabaisse and it made me miss spending holidays in France with you and dad. Do you think we could go again this summer?

There's even three new classes, including ones taught by professors from both of the new schools. I'm of course taking all three of them. Alchemy may be my new favorite class ever! It's taught by the Headmaster and it's riveting. Did you know that alchemy can actually turn copper into gold? But apparently it doesn't last forever and there's been a lot of ancient wizarding wars started by monarchs presenting gifts of alchemical gold, only for it to revert back to copper a month later.

It's been terribly exciting to make new acquaintances and learn to see things in new and different ways. The French professor from Beauxbatons has made me look at everything differently, including myself. It was hard at first, but I think I'm getting the hang of it. And the Durmstrang professor—I think he's Swedish maybe?—is determined to whip us all into shape. He's supposed to be teaching dueling, but it reminds me more of gym class. Except now I have to run laps in a skirt and Maryanne Chandler isn't there to laugh at me. Harry only chuckles. I've never felt so sore in my life and I've half a mind to give up. Do you think you could send me a book on yoga? Maybe that would help.

Thank you so much for the birthday gift! The necklace is absolutely gorgeous and I plan to wear it everywhere. Except maybe during Professor Aaberg's Dueling class. I know magic could probably fix it if it broke, but I'd be distraught if something happened to it.

Harry, Ron, and Ginny are all good. Mostly. Harry's having a really good year, even if he's frustrated quidditch is canceled. The inter-school tournament and all the new students is putting extra strain on the professors, so the headmaster cancelled quidditch to help them balance the additional workload. Ron's been incredibly grumpy this year. I've no idea what his problem is, but we've been fighting a lot more than usual. I wish he'd get over whatever it is that's eating him. Ginny has started making eyes at Michael Corner from Ravenclaw. I think she's taking my advice to heart. I told her to stop waiting for Harry to notice her and start seeing the boys who did. She's so pretty and very nice and she deserves a boy who notices.

On that note, I don't know how else to say this, but I think I might have met someone. Kind of. At least, I think I have. I like him, and I think he likes me back. Maybe. It's hard to tell. How does one know these things? How can I know for certain without making a complete fool of myself?

Anyways, his name is Viktor, and he's one of the exchange students from Durmstrang. He's very sweet and a little shy. And he's very talented. We share a table in Alchemy and do our assignments together sometimes. He's brilliant. Really brilliant. Which makes it all the more infuriating when I hear one of the idiots in the common room call him "dumb Krum." Just because he speaks a little slowly. English is his third language: of course he speaks slowly!

Also, can you send me a catalogue for M&S? Mrs. Weasley was nice enough to do all our school shopping while we were at the World Cup. Only, I didn't realize that dress robes were on the list. I like Mrs. Weasley, and it was ever so nice of her to do all our shopping, but the dress robes she got me are awful. They're a terrible shade of mauve and fit like a paper sack. I've no idea what we need dress robes for this year, but I refuse to be caught dead wearing these ones. I'm hoping a nice Muggle dress will work much better.

Miss you and dad bunches!

Love,

Hermione

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Dear Mother,

I am slowly settling into a routine at Hogwarts. Quidditch practice until breakfast, then classes, dinner, and studying in the library until dusk. My studies are going well; the Hogwarts professors are far more challenging than I expected, especially the transfiguration professor. She does not look on the Durmstrang students kindly, but I am doing very well in her class. She is very accomplished, and my transfiguration has improved noticeably, just in these few weeks.

The potions professor, Master Snape, worries me, even though he feels the most familiar of any of the professors. If he is not dark, I will eat my hat. He is a full Master and very good at potions, although perhaps not very good at teaching it. I wish I could tell you I had gotten better, but the subject still does not come naturally.

I have had to avoid the quidditch pitch and only practice on my broom very early in the day. The Hogwarts students are very excited by my presence and I think practicing while they are awake would draw a very big crowd. You would laugh to see how I stare longingly at my broom. I have missed flying.

Karkaroff pushes all of us hard. We train for hours on the weekends and sometimes late into the night during the week. He is determined to win the tournament, and he expects me to do the winning. Is it wrong to say part of me does not want this? That part of me is frightened? I am not brave when I am not on my broom.

He will not be happy with me, I think.

Mother, I need your advice.

I wish to enter into a betrothal contract.

There. I have said the words I have barely let myself think. Her name is Hermione and she is fiery and beautiful and passionate. And so smart. She makes me laugh. I could talk to her all day and still have more words in the morning. But there are complications. First, she is in her fourth year only, although I know for certain she turned fifteen and is of age for a contract. More importantly, she is Muggleborn. She does not understand our customs and I doubt her Muggle father would look kindly on father contacting him to procure a settlement for his daughter. I am not sure Hermione would look kindly on it either. She is not knowledgeable in our ways. Hogwarts does not teach these things.

What am I to do? Nothing you and father taught me has prepared me for this. I feel foolish. I've barely known her a month. But when I am with her I feel at home, even when I am so far from Bulgaria. The other boys here do not notice her, for she is like a whirlwind, and these little English boys are frightened of her spirit. But it is only a matter of time before one of them sees her as I do. And at the end of the year I will be gone and she will have three more years of school.

I do not know what to do. Please, guide me in this.

Your son,

Viktor

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Dear Albus,

I had a strange letter from Harry. He's told me he's been having dreams: ones that leave him with an aching scar. He made sure to tell me they were nothing important, but he's nowhere near as subtle as he thinks he is: a Gryffindor through and through. I can tell he's worried. As am I.

I fear that something is on the horizon, Albus. I'm sure you've read the signs too, what with the recent events at the World Cup. But I'm worried. If there's anything you can do, any extra precaution at all that you can take, please ensure that Harry's name is not entered into the Tournament. It would be too easy for someone with malicious intentions to harm him under the guise of an accident.

I will, of course, answer Harry's letter and impress upon him the need for safety, and that he may always come to me with his concerns.

Sincerely,

Remus Lupin