Letters Between Stars and Spells PV Asai Teruo

@Isabella Bernard,
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry – Scotland
10/28/2025

Dear Izzy,

Thank you for your letter. It was a pleasant surprise to receive mail from so far away—your excitement is contagious, even across the distance. I hope your magical creatures class went well; hippogriffs are fascinating, though I’ve never had the chance to meet one in person.

Yes, I am from Mahoutokoro. I think your description of the school flying in on broomsticks is close, though day students travel on giant storm petrels. They are surprisingly graceful creatures.

You asked about the robes. Yes, they are enchanted, and they change color depending on how well a student is performing academically. It is subtle, but it is a constant reminder to focus on my studies.

I like to watch the stars whenever I can. From Mahoutokoro, the sky can be very clear at night, especially when seen from the terraces near the top of the palace. Orion is my favorite constellation.

Your attempt at Japanese phrases is… admirable. Learning languages can be really difficult, so I give you points for that.

Anyways… I like walking in the gardens. I really love plants. I also like reading in corners of the library, and sometimes painting.

I would be happy to write again, and perhaps you could tell me more about life at Hogwarts? I am curious what your classes are like, and what you enjoy most there.

Asai Teruo

@Asai Teruo,
Mahoutokoro - Kyoto, Japan
10/28/2025 MM-DD-YYYY

Dear Asai,

Thank you so much for writing back! I nearly bounced out of my chair when I saw your letter. It felt like a bit of magic all on its own. I think it’s amazing that you ride giant storm petrels to school! That sounds both thrilling and a little terrifying. Do they ever swoop too close to the water? I think I’d probably scream and laugh all at once if I were riding one! I'm used to riding Hippogriffs though! They're very nice and easy to ride.

It’s so fascinating about your robes. At Hogwarts, our uniforms are quite plain, though the house crests and scarves make them a little brighter. Sometimes I wish they were enchanted like yours, though I can see how that would make it impossible to hide a bad grade. Imagine walking into breakfast and everyone instantly knowing you bombed a test. That would be dreadful! Still, I think the robes must inspire you to always try your best. I admire that discipline. Gambatte, right? (I hope I used that word correctly!)

I love that Orion is your favorite constellation. He feels strong and steady, like he’s guarding the night sky. I can see him clearly from the Astronomy Tower. I also like Cassiopeia. I love her “W” shape. It makes feel like the stars are being playful and sharing secrets somehow! I sometimes bring a blanket, a lantern, and even a snack up there to stargaze with friends. Do you ever watch the stars alone, or do you have friends who share the same interest? I imagine the view from the terraces of Mahoutokoro must feel like the heavens are closer than anywhere else.

Your love of gardens and painting sounds so peaceful. I wish I could join you for a walk there! It sounds like the kind of place where you can think without noise or rushing. The Hogwarts grounds are wilder. We have the Great Lake where sometimes the giant squid waves a lazy tentacle hello. A forbidden forest which is as dangerous as it sounds, and lots of sloping lawns where students gather to talk or play. I sometimes sit under a tree with a book, and when the wind blows, it feels like the pages are fluttering in time with the castle itself. Maybe someday you can paint a scene of Hogwarts as I describe it. I’d love to see what my world looks like through your eyes.

As for classes, I think Defence Against the Dark Arts is the one that excites me most. Every lesson feels like stepping straight into an adventure. Learning counter-curses, dueling tactics, and even practicing shielding charms! It makes me feel prepared for whatever the world might throw my way. Astronomy, though, is where I feel most at peace. I love how quiet the tower becomes at night, with only the sky and the telescopes for company. I usually do very well in both of these subjects, sometimes even earning Outstanding, which is the highest grade at Hogwarts. Do you have a similar grading system at Mahoutokoro? And if so, what’s the best mark a student can receive there? I’d love to know how your achievements are measured. It might be fun to compare!

Anyway, I should probably stop here before I end up writing a whole book to you! I can’t help it! Your letters make me want to ask a hundred more questions and tell you every little detail of life here. Maybe one day, if we’re lucky, we’ll even get to visit each other’s schools. I’d love to see Mahoutokoro with my own eyes, and I’d be so proud to show you Hogwarts in return. Until then, your letters will be my window into Japan, and I’ll keep sending you little glimpses of life here. I can’t wait to hear more from you soon!

Yours eagerly,
Isabella Bernard

@Isabella Bernard,
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry – Scotland
12/28/2025
Dear Izzy,

You write with so much excitement that it makes me laugh a little. In a good way. I can tell you really like Hogwarts. Reading about your classes and the way you see the sky from the Astronomy Tower makes me curious about what it’s like there.

You asked about storm petrels—yes, they sometimes swoop close to the waves. At first it is frightening, but once you learn to trust their balance, it feels fun then.

Defence Against the Dark Arts must be exciting—I think I’d like that class too. It seems like the kind of subject that would make you feel ready for anything.

What is the Great Hall like? I’ve heard the ceiling looks like the sky—is that true? Do you actually eat there every day, or only on special occasions?

I liked that you tried to use that word. Don't worry, you used it right. It’s something people say to encourage each other, like “do your best.” It feels different when it comes from someone else, though. So, thank you.

You asked about friends and stargazing. I usually do it alone. Not because I don’t have friends, but because most of them don’t like sitting still that long. I like what you said about Cassiopeia being playful. That’s a good way to put it. I usually look at Orion, but I’ll pay more attention to Cassiopeia next time.

You mentioned you sing and dance in the first letter—do you do that just for fun, or do you perform in front of people too? I can’t imagine standing in front of a crowd. I’d probably forget everything.

One more question: what does Hogwarts look like in winter? You said you sit under a tree now, but do you still go outside when it’s cold, or do you stay inside near a fire?

I’ll keep this one shorter since you said you might write me a whole book next time. I’ll be ready for it.

Asai Teruo

@Asai Teruo,
Mahoutokoro - Kyoto, Japan
13/28/2025

Dear Asai,

Your letter was wonderful! I couldn’t stop smiling the whole time I read it. You make storm petrels sound like something out of a dream. Daring little birds racing the waves! I love the image of you watching them, trusting their wings, feeling that mix of fear and fun. It’s like flying on a broomstick for the first time. Terrifying, yes, but then… you get the hang of it. I wish I could take you flying just once. I have a feeling you would love it.

And YES, the Great Hall ceiling is exactly like the sky! It changes with the weather. Sunny, cloudy, starry, even snowing but we stay perfectly dry because it’s only enchanted to reflect whatever’s happening outside. We eat there every single day, at long wooden tables. Sometimes it’s loud and cheerful. Sometimes it’s quiet and cozy. On special occasions, it’s unbelievably magical! Like floating pumpkins during Halloween! And glittering icicles during Christmas!

You stargaze alone? I get that. I sometimes sneak up to the Astronomy Tower when no one’s around. It's peaceful when it's just you and the stars. I tried looking for Orion last night because of what you said. He does look brave. As for singing and dancing, oh yes, I perform! I get nervous every time, but the moment the music starts, it’s like my heart lights up. I feel alive. I’d love to sing for you someday. Or dance! You don’t need to stand in front of a crowd to enjoy music, though. Maybe we could just dance under the stars one night. No one watching. Just the wind and the sky.

And winter at Hogwarts? Magical. The whole castle glows. Snow piles on the towers like frosting, and the lake freezes over. We throw snowballs, build enchanted snowmen that wink and walk around, and drink hot butterbeer in front of the fire. But yes—I still go outside, even when it’s freezing. There’s this one tree I love, and in winter, its branches are dusted with snow, and the whole world feels quiet. Like it’s waiting.

I already want to write you more. I’ll try not to make this a whole book, but… no promises! Oh and there's an Autumn Ball taking place in the upcoming week at Hogwarts! I heard other schools would fly in as well. I hope to see you there!

With excitement and stardust,
Isabella Bernard!

@Isabella Bernard,
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry – Scotland
10/28/2025

Dear Izzy,

Your letters are… a lot brighter than mine. I mean that in a good way. They make me imagine Hogwarts in ways I wouldn’t have thought of myself. The Great Hall ceiling especially—it sounds strange but also wonderful. You wrote about the ceiling showing the sky, changing with the weather, even snowing without anyone getting wet. Reading your description, I kept picturing what it would be like to look up and see the stars above your head while you’re eating, or to have the whole room reflect a storm while you sit warm and safe inside. I think I would like that.

You wrote about music, how performing makes you feel alive. That sounds nice. I’m glad it’s something that makes you feel alive. I’m not much of a dancer. I probably wouldn’t know what to do with my feet. But when you wrote about dancing under the stars, I think I’d try it. I don’t think I’d be graceful, though.

I want to ask more about Hogwarts. You mentioned the Great Hall, and the lake, and the tree you sit under—but what about the library? You mentioned reading by the tree outside, but not much about the inside. I like to make a small fort on my bed with the pillows, and read there. There is no one who can disturb me there. Do you have a place like that at Hogwarts?

I'm really excited to go to the Autumn Ball. I want to know if meeting you there might feel the same as reading your letters does. You wrote about the hall filled with pumpkins and icicles, and I want to see it for myself too.

Until next time,
Asai Teruo

@Asai Teruo,
Mahoutokoro - Kyoto, Japan
13/28/2025

Dear Asai,

Your letter was wonderful! I couldn’t stop grinning the entire time I read it. You make even a pillow fort sound like the coziest, most magical hideaway in the world! Oh my goodness! The library! You’re going to love it here. It’s enormous, like a cathedral built entirely out of books. Shelves that go up and up until you can’t see the tops and the smell of old parchment and polished wood. My favourite spot is tucked way back in the Astronomy section. There’s a tiny window seat that nobody ever uses where you can see the stars at night while you read. It’s quiet and secret, like the whole castle forgets you’re there. I bet you’d love it. It’s like a pillow fort made of books.

And oh! Dancing? Don’t even worry about being graceful! Half the time I’m just spinning and laughing and trying not to fall over. When the ceiling fills with stars and the lanterns float overhead, it’s impossible not to move. Even if you only sway a little, you feel it.

And the Autumn Ball? I’m so excited I could burst! The ball room gets transformed into something out of a fairy tale: glowing pumpkins drifting in the air, icicles sparkling like diamonds, music echoing off the enchanted ceiling. People from other schools flying in. It’s going to feel like the whole world came to Hogwarts just for one night. I’ll send you a letter on the day of the ball to let you know what I'm wearing so you can find me. I want to see if meeting you feels like reading your letters like stepping straight into a story we’ve both been writing.

I already can’t wait to write you again. Maybe next time I’ll try to draw the window seat in the library so you can see it!

With excitement and stardust,
Isabella Bernard!

@Isabella Bernard,
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry – Scotland
10/29/2025

Dear Izzy,

The way you described the library… was so enchanting that I found myself reading your words over and over, trying to absorb every detail. A window seat tucked away in the Astronomy section sounds like something straight out of a dream. I’d probably spend entire afternoons there, reading until my eyes grow weary. Maybe, if I ever visit Hogwarts, that would be the first place I’d go. I hope you do draw it someday.

The Autumn Ball… I’m not sure where to start… it sounds more like a scene from a fairy tale than anything I’ve ever known. it’s almost quite impossible to picture the glowing pumpkins floating through the air while icicles sparkle overhead at the same time, but I’m curious to see it. And don’t worry—I’ll look for you. You said you’d tell me what you’ll be wearing, so i'll wait for that.

I’m quite excited to meet you in person. I’ve gotten used to imagining your smile and your energy from your letters, but seeing you for real… well, I’m not sure what that will feel like. I’m a bit nervous too, but mostly I’m looking forward to finally talking to you face to face.

Until next time,
Asai Teruo