At Our Parents’ Behest
September 4, 2026
Beauxbatons Academy of Magic
Hi Theodore,
Surprise, surprise.
My name is Elodie van Aelst and in case you're wondering why I am writing to you, it was my parents...or rather, our parents who suggested I write to you. I am the daughter of Matthijs Willem van Aels and Maeve Bell-van Aelst, and apparently, our parents have known each other for quite some time, which gave them the idea that we should get to know each other too. I was told it would be a good opportunity to make a new friend. They have probably mentioned this to you already.
I'm currently attending Beauxbatons which is probably the most exciting thing that has happened to me recently since I'm homeschooled my whole life. I'm not really sure how one is supposed to make a friend through a letter, but I'd like to believe this is a reasonable place to start.
I don't know much about you yet, except that my parents suggest I write to you. In return, I can tell you something about myself. I like reading although I tend to get distracted when I find something interesting and end up reading longer than planned. I also like spending time in the garden and playing the violin.
I've never been to your school, I was told you're attending Durmstrang? If you don't mind, I'd like to hear about it. What it's actually like? Is it scary, like what I am hearing from other people?
Anyway, my dad will ask me if I sent this, so I've decided to stop putting it off. I hope you don't mind receiving a letter from someone you've never met.
It's up to you if you'll write back.
Hoping you will,
@Theodore Alexei Vorona-Russo
WC: 290
PC: Zephyr Deakin
At Our Parents’ Behest
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September 7th 2026 Durmstrang Institute |
My parents had told me about you and your family, of course, and I find myself obliged to say I haven't heard anything bad about you. I am quite skeptical about writing this letter to someone a complete stranger to me, but I must say I'm also intrigued about your life in Beauxbatons. I've been to France only once and by force, I admit; it's quite a lovely country but very crowded.
I see you've written me some things about yourself; I'll justify it and tell you something about me. Seems like you already know the basics: my name and school, and normally I'd leave it at that, but seeing that I'm now informed about your hobbies as well, I'll add more to it.
I'm half-Russian from my mother's side and half-Italian from my father's. I like cooking, something I've learnt from my mother when I was younger, and it eventually became a passion of mine. In contrast to that, most of the day I'm boxing with my grandfathers or alone.
To answer your question, it depends on who you ask. Personally, I find Durmstrang beautiful, but it could just be me enjoying its atmosphere. Some people might find Durmstrang scary, and I'd give them that, because I can't guarantee someone with a different vibe liking its energy.
Sincerely,
@Elodie van Aelst
words: 221
At Our Parents’ Behest
September 12th, 2026
Beauxbatons Academy of Magic
Hi Theodore,
First of all, you’re too formal. Please call me Elodie from now on.
I’m glad to know that nothing bad was said about me. Thank you for telling me about yourself. It’s interesting that you enjoy both cooking and boxing because those were completely opposite hobbies. I don’t know much about boxing, so perhaps that’s an unfair assessment. By the way, I’m curious, what’s your favorite food to cook?
As for Beauxbatons, I like it very much so far. The school is beautiful. It’s bright and elegant, I can help stopping and staring every now and then when I’m walking between my classes. Like I told you. I was homeschooled my entire life before coming here, so it’s good to know that the students were nice than I expected. There’s nothing to worry then.
Although I’ll be honest and say arriving at a school full of students was an adjustment. I wouldn’t say I was nervous, just a bit unprepared. No one told me how loud a castle can be when hundreds of children were talking to each other at the same time. I got used to it little by little but I haven’t met someone I can call a friend here yet which was saddening. My parents will not be very pleased about that.
Your description of Durmstrang was not what I expected either. Most of the stories I’ve heard about it were not good. Now that you shared something about your school, I suspected some of those stories were an exaggeration. What is it like there during an ordinary day? What do you see when you look out the windows? Is it as cold as everyone claims? I hope I get to visit your school someday, if that’s even possible.
Hope you have a nice day!
Until next time,
@Theodore Alexei Vorona-Russo
WC: 310
PC: Zephyr Deakin