Letter:Tom and Araminta

From UnknowableWiki

Users involved: PirateSmile as Araminta and WinglessFlight as Tom.

First letter

4 May, 1945

Dear Tom,

I really do wonder about your skills of persuasion. As much as we’ve all scoffed at how little the muggles really know about the war, the boys are all quite amazed how you managed to talk your way out after a mere fortnight of serving in the Queen’s army. Honestly, the draft. I ask you. Then again, I’m really not at all surprised. You’ve always had an incredible talent for things of that nature. What a pity, though, that you can’t return for your N.E.W.T.’s. After this year, I can now understand completely why Cygnus and Rigel complain so fervently. It must be awful to have nothing to show for the past two years. Not that it’s your fault. I can’t fathom how the staff could expect you to remain in the army, prey to Grindelwald’s inferi (I still don’t understand how the muggles are still unaware that it’s not the German army), and then have the nerve not to admit you back to the school. Muggles really are such a dreadful nuisance, aren’t they?

Well, as you’ve asked me to keep you updated on happenings here at Hogwarts, I suppose it’s my unhappy priveledge to inform you that things are very much the same as when you left. Ariadne caught that imbicile Thomas Meliflua gallavanting about with Hazel Greengrass again, and I’m quite certain the engagement is off. My impossible cousin was, once more, caught on her way from the seventh floor with her clothes and hair in a shocking disarray, followed closely by a very shamefaced Orion.

I am quite simply appalled. Granted, none of us have ever particularly approved of Walburga’s nightly leisures, but our own cousin? It’s disgusting, that’s what it is. Especially since this doesn’t seem to be some drunken incident. While I’m on the subject of Orion, both he and Ignatius Prewett again ended up in the hospital wing. No one’s been informed as to why, but I’m quite certain it has something to do with Lucretia. He’s always been much too overprotective of his sister, but I’m afraid I just can’t see the sense in attacking Prewett. He’s a perfectly respectable match for her.

Something tells me, however, that you aren’t interested in these mundane scandals. As much as you’ve always been a part of student life here at Hogwarts, I know you’ve got your sights set on higher things. Obviously I cannot elaborate so much about the going-ons of the higher powers here at school as well as the daily social gossips, but I promise to disclose any information of importance that I can get my hands on. Professor Dumbledore has yet to return, but that comes as no surprise to anyone. I believe that if he does achieve what he’s set out to do in Germany, we’ll all know well before he arrives back at the castle. I’ve got it from Bathilda Bagshot that there’s all sorts of Prophet reporters lurking about the continent, so chances are you’ll receive word of his return long before I owl you with the news.

It may interest you to know that Professor Hasslinger was admitted to St. Mungo’s three days ago. It was a fairly nasty encounter, and Ariadne and I had the unpleasant misfortune to witness the incident first-hand. It was probably a good thing that we were there, though, or Hasslinger would most certainly not have been in any condition worth saving. We hadn’t intentionally come to class early, you see, but it was the day after Ariadne had walked in on Thomas and Hazel, and, being in an uncommonly sympathetic state of mind, I had decided to put up with the hot abuses she was so desperately in need to administer. Other people did not seem so generous, and I saw that there was great urgency to hustle the poor girl out of the common room, for little Druella Rosier seemed quite put out and on the verge of hexing us.

In any case, the two of us arrived in the Defense classroom some ten minutes before the bell rang. Hasslinger assured us that our presence was of no nuisance to him and carried on opening boxes as Ariadne continued her raving. We never did have class that day, but I’m told that he and Professor Llewellen were planning a conjoint lesson of dealing with dark plants. It certainly would make sense, as the next thing either of us knew, Professor Hasslinger had let out a cry of alarm and was no sooner bitten fiercely by the carnivorous coilpod he had been attempting to remove from its box.

Ariadne pulled out her wand and forced the wretched thing off the table, as I dragged Hasslinger, who had fallen limp to the floor, out into the hallway and called for help. Eventually Shreve Davies, that Ravenclaw always flirting with Cygnus - you remember, came running with Professor Flitwick, but I have to be frank with you and admit that there were several minutes when the two of us were terrified we would lose him. I’m a bit concerned for Ariadne. She hasn’t been quite herself since then, but I can hardly blame her. She’s always been so delicate.

The fact remains, however, that the carnivorous coilpod was not on the syllabus for that lesson. Professor Llewellen has been questioned, and remains adamant that she does not know why the coilpod was in the classroom at all. I’ve badgered Rigel and Orion all I can (for who else would find it amusing to get rid of Gryffindor’s substitute head of house?), but they, too, stoically claim that they know nothing. Other than to write to you, I will now keep my suspicions to myself. Don’t berade me, Tom, I’m not the only one who believes that one of them was behind it. I suppose I’m simply the only one foolhardy enough to come out and say it.

I’m eager to know how you’ve been keeping yourself entertained these past few weeks. Surely you’ve found yourself a job, or at least a place to stay by now. Keep me posted and I shall keep this correspondence as private as you wish.

I remain sincerely yours,

Araminta Back