Chapter 67

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Tuesday 1/21/92

Dear Harry

I'm really pleased that you're doing so well in your classes. Are you still toning down your abilities very much? I remember you didn't want to attract too much attention, and as you said the people watching you would expect you to be good at Herbology after all the gardening you've done for the Dursleys over the years and everyone else expects you to be good at Defence because you supposedly defeated Voldemort as a baby, though I think you might be right that it wasn't actually anything you did. But flying, why did you choose to be good at that?

You're right to worry that the gift from Ron's mother was over the top and a little inappropriate, for a gift from the mother of a friend, more so when you include the fact that she barely knows you herself, especially as she didn't send it to Ron for him to give you. I don't know what is up with them. Is she the woman you met on the platform on the way to school? You were suspicious about her behaviour then too. You're also right that sending a letter that scolds you out loud where all of your friends and classmates can hear is a bit emotionally abusive. I'm very glad that technology doesn't exist to do that in the nonmagical world, I dread to think how my mother would react to receiving one. It is odd though, that Ron's mother is trying so hard to make a good impression on you with over the top gifts and then she goes and does that to the reason the two of you are in contact at all. Maybe she didn't think it through and the howler shows her real personality. I don't have any idea why she would try so hard to make such a good impression though? It doesn't make any sense, even if Ron was your best or only friend it wouldn't make sense. It would've made slightly more sense for Dean's mother to have sent you something but even that would probably have been something small like sweets, and was unnecessary as your gift to her was in thanks for the effort of passing our letters along.

When you add your suspicions of Mrs Weasley to your suspicions about Ron then I'm afraid that there is something odd going on with your friendship with him. If I were you, I'd listen carefully next time he tries to influence your opinions on things. What is he trying to get you to think and believe? And who do those beliefs benefit? Are they for your own good like making sure you eat enough and do your homework and pre-readings and go to bed on time to get enough sleep, learn to think for yourself or stay away from dangerous things or is he trying to prevent you from being friendly to a certain group of people or stop you from learning anything in particular? How do the Weasleys benefit from you being best mates with Ron? I'm afraid that I can't help you with that. I can't see an advantage but of course I only know what you've told me so think through all the things you know about Ron and the Weasleys that you haven't told me. Maybe there's an answer there.

I'm glad you sent Mrs Thomas a Christmas present as well as sending one to Dean, I only sent her a card. I'm sure she wasn't too upset with Dean, after all anything he bought her came out of money she gave him in the first place.

I'm also a bit suspicious about that invisibility cloak. As you pointed out whoever borrowed it should have returned it directly it isn't a gift, but on the other hand who gives an eleven year old the ability to become invisible and get away with being in places they shouldn't be? Please try not to get into any dangerous situations using it. And don't get caught trying to find blackmail material on the professors or spying on the senior girls in the shower which is what I know Ethan would probably have been tempted to do if he had a cloak like that. Keep in mind also that your headmaster is rumoured to be one of the strongest wizards in history with a lot of unique gifts. I wouldn't guarantee that he couldn't see through the cloak or at least see enough to know you're there or be able to sense you by your magic somehow. The other teachers might have a way to tell you're there too if cloaks like that are common in the wizarding world. Not to mention that if someone can't see you coming then they can't avoid you. You could easily be accidentally knocked down the stairs or something. Please be careful with it.

The Mirror of Desire or 'Erised' sounds fascinating. I can see where it would be a trap to be able to see your parents and grandparents, especially for you who had never even seen their photographs, but I don't think it would really satisfy you if you still couldn't communicate with them. There must be some sort of magical lure if men have literally sat there and starved to death looking at an image. I hope you take Dumbledore's advice and stay away from it. He seems to have your best interest at heard in this one instance at least, though I have to wonder what an object so dangerous was doing sitting in a school somewhere you could so easily find it.

I have sent you a photo of me and Mom so you can at least see how accurate the picture of her is compared to the image in the mirror but perhaps you should ask one of the professors for the contact details of your father's friends and write to them. They might be able to send you pictures of your dad and tell you some stories about him. You might get lucky and hear a bit about your mom too but remember that unless you're willing to tell people how abusive the Dursleys are they'll expect you to know about your mom. Mind you that might not be a bad way of going about letting people know that the Dursleys aren't the loving family you parents' friends would want for you.

Mom and I had a good Christmas break together, even if we didn't actually celebrate. We spent the day reading to each other and eating store bought Christmas cookies and Chinese takeout. It was just the two of us for the entire time I was home. I understand that her friends and relatives need a break I just wish I had the opportunity to get to know the people looking after Mom for me a little better.

It is good to be back at school though. I do have newish subjects but they all pretty much flow on from the subjects I did last semester, except I'm doing an extra chemistry subject instead of Dance. I did pass it so it was worth doing but I can't say that it helped me to be more comfortable around girls or that I enjoyed it. I'm very glad that it's over and done with.

Your friend always

Spencer

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