Miss you lots! Letters Solo Closed

Letter 2 - From Gia, to Braxten (her father)
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September 3, 2020

Father,

Hi! It's Gia, if you couldn't tell by the way I addressed you. I just wanted to let you know how things are going at Hogwarts. First of all, none of this is a joke, like we agreed! Magic really IS real, and it's absolutely amazing here! Classes start on the seventh, but I wish they would start tomorrow, I just can't wait! I hear we're going to be learning spells and how to brew potions and all that. That's probably why we had to buy a wand back in Diagon Alley. What was that shop called again? Oh right - Ollivanders. Anyway, I miss you so, so, so, so, SO much! I've made one friend, his name is Simon. . . but we weren't sorted into the same house. Hopefully I'll see him around though - we met on the train coming to Hogwarts. Oh! And this place is literally a castle! I don't know how I'm ever going to know my way around this place. . .

I guess I should explain about the houses and all that. There are four of them, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. They have pretty odd names, don't they? Anyway, you're sorted into a house based on the different personality traits you have. For example, I was sorted into Gryffindor because I am brave and supposedly chivalrous. . . whatever that word means. Oh! Don't tell Vance which house I'm in please, I want him to guess. The rest of the houses are the house of the kind (Huffelpuff), the house of the cunning/clever (Slytherin), and the house of the intelligent (Ravenclaw). Simon is in Hufflepuff, by the way.

I miss you guys so much! I love it here so far, but. . . it's just not the same without you guys here too. I think we're allowed to go home for winter break though, so see you then! Don't worry about me, okay? I'll be fine here. Trust me. And plus, I'll learn a bunch of new spells that can protect me as well, if I ever DO get in danger. I'm so excited! Say hi to Alayna for me - I should probably write her a letter too, huh? I'm all lettered out for today though, maybe I'll do that next time. If so, would you give it to her for me? I can't risk letting her find out about the wizarding world and such. . . although I'm seriously tempted. But I won't do it, don't worry. Write back soon please!

Love you lots,

Letter 3 - From Vance, to Gia
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September 5, 2020

Hey Gia,

Yeah, that WAS a lot of things to process all in one night. . . I'm still not sure I understand all of it, and it's been a few days! Sorry I didn't write back sooner - things have been a bit chaotic with school starting up again and such. Can you believe they gave us homework on the first day? It's crazy! And you get to wait 7 days at your fancy magic school! Father's been busy too, so don't be upset if his comes a lot later than mine, alright? He's working nights now. . . he's been super stressed. I'm trying to help, but I'm not sure what to do. Any ideas?

Yes, you are going to be learning much more interesting things than me. I'm still learning regular school subjects. . . you're so lucky to be a wizard! Wait, do they call girls witches? Now I can't get the image of a green skinned creepy old lady with warts out of my head! I really shouldn't have written that down, huh? You made a friend? That's good, I'm sure he's nice. Father will be very happy about that, he's been so worried for you. Like, SUPER worried. He didn't even let us leave King's Cross Station until your train was completely out of sight.

How long was the train ride to Hogwarts? And you're in a literal castle? That's awesome! Can you take pictures of it? Sorry, I just remembered they said you weren't allowed to bring any technology there. I wonder why. Would it even work? Or do they do absolutely everything with magic, making it so they just don't have any need for it there? I'm not sure, you'll have to tell me in your next letter. So, you're in the house of the brave, huh? That's pretty cool - I guess you are kind of brave. . . just kidding. That house seems to fit you perfectly. Simon's in Hufflepuff, right? That's nice. Hmm, I wonder which house I would be in if I were there with you. Maybe Slytherin? Or Gryffindor, with you. What do you think?

One last question before I have to leave for school: How did you guys get sorted? Tell me in your next letter - and remember, don't be mad if Father's letter doesn't come as soon as mine does, alright? Miss you (kind of) as well. (Don't worry, I'm just joking as well. Well, maybe. . . No, I really am kidding.)

From your super cool and totally awesome brother,

Letter 4 - From Gia, to Vance
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September 6, 2020

Vance,

Wait wait wait wait wait. Why does Father have to work more? I don't get it - now that there's only the two of you in the house, shouldn't he work less? And by the way, it's totally fine that it took a while for you to write back, I've been a bit busy as well. So. . . uh, sorry for overloading you with information in my last letter! If I need to explain anything else, I'll try to spread it out over a larger number of letters instead of cramming everything into one long one. Also, they gave you homework on the FIRST DAY?! That's crazy. . . I'm glad I get to wait a while. ;P

About your witches question, yes, they do call us girls witches. But did you seriously have to remind me about that? I mean, I'm CLEARLY much prettier than regular human witches, so I don't have anything to worry about, but it's just so odd, right? I guess it kinda makes sense though, what with boys being wizards, but STILL. Question: why does you sound so surprised that I made a friend? I had PLENTY of friends back at home, you know that! But I suppose I trust Simon a lot more than I usually do after meeting a single time. . . well, I'm not sure why that is. And who cares, anyway? That's not the important part. Also, please tell Father not to worry about me (Yes, I told him in my letter, but still do it! Maybe even once a day, if you want).

I'm actually not positive how long the ride was. Me and Simon were talking for the whole way, basically, and it felt really short. But I remember someone saying that it took multiple hours. So, my sense of time is probably off. . . by a lot. Eh, once again, it doesn't matter much. As for the technology stuff, I have no clue. Probably one of the reasons you listed. And why thank you, I agree. I AM pretty brave! I also think Simon's house suits him well. WAIT. How did you know I am in Gryffindor?! YOU PEEKED AT FATHER'S LETTER! C'mon, Vance! I wanted you to actually GUESS, you know. Ugh, I should've known you'd do that. . . Hmph. I think you'd be in Slytherin, to be honest. But just because I told you that and gave you my opinion DOES NOT MEAN I'M NOT MAD AT YOU!

Before I answer your question, I need to warn you. This is all absolutely true, okay? It seems really weird and make-believe, like something from a fantasy book, but it is all TRUE. Okay, here it goes. . . Basically, we are called up in alphabetical order by last name and we sit on this stool in the Great Hall in front of everyone. Then, we place this really old worn hat on our head (the Sorting Hat) and it talks to you inside your mind. When it decides it knows which house you should be in, the hat yells it out and you go sit with the rest of your. . . housemates, I guess. See? I told you it's odd!

Ooh, also, I saw Simon again today! We played a Beatles song together. You know, the one Father loves? I used Mother's old guitar and he played piano. It was so fun! What have you been up to? Besides school, obviously.

From your loving (AND STILL VERY MAD!) sister,