Letters to the Unknown Open for 1 Closed

October 20

River,

The rain does get really boring, but the best part is that after the rain comes the snow. And because it rains so much, it also snows a lot. Then there's snowmen in the courtyards and impromptu snowball fights and walks out through the snow. Just make sure you wait until the lake is completely frozen before going out there, I made that mistake last year. The snow is great. It also has this effect on the school where everything just seems calm and quiet. Common rooms are usually less occupied so the days I don't want to go outside, I still get the opportunity for quiet and the fireplace is always roaring. Gosh, I can't wait for winter.

Well, it wasn't super fairytale... the boy was sort of flirty? Well, not really. But then he got really quiet. Didn't say a word or do anything for a really long time. Then two of my friends stopped by which was nice. Then the whole missing Simba stuff. I honestly don't know if I really want to pursue anything with him. Maybe I'll find someone else later... I dunno.

Oh no! I feel so bad for you. Missing out on all the ball stuff must have really sucked. The good thing is, there's usually the spring ball. And this year I'm sure the staff will facilitate it so we don't have angry mosp attacks. Which I recently found out were nothing more than the fact that there were a lot of flowers. After everything, it wasn't even a big scheme or anything. So that definitely settled me. But, there's a lot of time between now and then. And I heard about someone setting up a Pureblood club for everyone to experience some of what its like, they're supposed to be holding balls too I think, smaller ones granted, but if you're looking for that...

Anyway, I honestly can't believe how nice it is to talk to you. I mean, just get everything off my chest. Like, I have a really close friend that I tell everything to, but being able to write things down and sort of just vent is really nice. It keeps me sane.

Anyway, I've been talking to Simba and other things. I'm going to meet my permanent guardians over Winter Break. I'm really excited and a bit nervous. I'd been on my own for a long time, ooc: that's a lie so now I'll be able to have a family again. Simba's really excited for me to meet them since he's lived with them since the fire. Anyway, that's my dose of life drama.

How are you doing? Anything crazy? Anything funny? Anything sad?

Hope to hear from you soon,

Rose

December 3

River,

Hey again! Time has just been flying by. So much happening. So much, in fact, that I kept forgetting to actually check the drop spot. For… almost half a month it appears. The family owl (guardian family) has been dropping off letters during lunch and I already have the next one mostly ready so I don’t really drop by the owlery nearly as much. Anyway, I’ll remember to check more often, I promise.

Yeah, the ice on the lake did fall in. I guess it sounds funny? I’m still not to the point of laughing at it yet… swimming in that cold water is bad. Lets just leave it at that. And the person who saved me didn’t know how to swim so then I had to go back in to save him. It traumatized me for a while to be honest. I honestly still don’t trust the lake. But now I know how to deal with hypothermia.

So the whole mosp thing. They were ginormous angry wasp things with HUGE poisonous stingers. There were at least two dozen of them at the ball and since there weren’t any teachers there, we didn’t know how to get rid of them. I got stung twice. Not the best memories, I do have two pretty large scars from them, but I keep them hidden most of the time.

The one thing that I’m glad is that I’m not a Pureblood so there’s no reason I could ever be invited to an AB Gala. Like, what would I even do. Sit in the corner? Pretend not to be revolted? Try not to get into a duel with AB right then and there? There is no way that me going to an AB Gala would be a good thing. As far as New Years goes, which is when the AB Gala is I think, I’ll probably just spend it with my guardians. And Simba.

That’s awesome that you won your duel though! I lost mine, I just passed out for no reason. But we were against a really tough team so I guess that makes me feel a bit better. I think I can beat my next opponents though. Two huffles. Hopefully not you. But, if it is you, sorry in advance?

So not sure if you heard but on Halloween- There were rumors going around about… Well, you may have heard about a kidnapping… I was kidnapped on Halloween- It is true that I was chased by a werewolf—I guess I was a bit harsh above with AB, we were both kidnapped so I guess… You know what, don’t mind the above.

Anyway, I’m not sure if you heard the drama that happened to me late October. I don’t really want to talk about it. At least, not over a letter. I just want to say that I’m fine now.

Well, I really should send this letter out. I’ve been staring at it for a long time now anyway. I hope you find this letter alright. It’s sort of nice to write things down. Helps to process I suppose.

-Rose

5^th January, 2021

Dear Rose,
I'm so, so sorry for the late response! I was studying quite a lot towards the end of last term, so didn't get much chance to reply to your letter. Eb My mother told me that if I didn't get at least three Exceeds Expectations before the holidays I wouldn't get my Christmas present - I just managed to scrape through one in Transfiguration, and I was already doing pretty well in Charms and Potions so that's good. How did your holidays go? Did you get anything nice? My sisters got me a really nice fan, and I must have spent at least half of Christmas day opening it and snapping it shut again. It's strangely satisfying.

Anyway, onto your letter.

Merlin, that must've been an experience. Personally, if I saw someone drowning I'd probably run away to get a professor or something unhelpful like that. I'm not very brave... plus, I can't swim. I seem to have more of a sense of self-preservation than most students, haha.

Oh mother of merlin, giant wasps. Whelp, now that image will be stuck in my head for the rest of the week. Don't wasps die when they sting you though? So wouldn't mosps as well? Or maybe that's bees. I've never been brilliant with insects, they're a little icky. If you get what I mean.

To be honest, it wasn't all that bad. AB had done a surprisingly good job at organising it, and I'm fairly sure I saw Willow Ande, uh WA - do you know her? Hufflepuff, second year? On the dueling team, but I think she used to do Quidditch - there, and she's Muggleborn I think. That was surprising - the Beck Bs are a pretty purist family. Maybe AB's bringing them more into the twenty-first century. Not that I can speak - my paternal side is pretty purist. Not that we talk to them much... it's complicated.

Mind you though, you'll never guess what actually did happen at the gala - you remember my friend who AB attacked? Well, somehow she made her way onto the guest list! I managed to stop her from really doing anything drastic, but still... Merlin, that was awkward. And pretty scary, to be honest. How in Merlin's name did AB even end up inviting her?! Merlin.

Don't worry haha, I'm against some Slytherins next match I think. One of thems's a third year though, so I'm pretty nervous. Any nerve-killing tips? Heh. Good luck in your match though... Sort of. Don't win. But you can come close if you like haha.

Okay then... I've heard rumours that something happened but I didn't know you were involved. I saw the word 'werewolf'- Merlin are you okay? Werewolf bites can be lethal! Sorry, if you don't want to talk about it that's fine. I'm just glad you're okay. You are okay, right? Like, not just physically, mentally as well? You know what, never mind, you said you didn't want to talk about it. Sorry.

Anyway.

Talk to you later (I promise I'll be faster writing my reply next time!),
L River

January 24

River,

I swear I’ll get better at replying. I changed up my routine so I don’t really go by the owlery anymore. But, I will find a way to make sure I stop by way more frequently. Maybe, like, stop there on the way to Astronomy… even though they are on different towers. You know what, I’ll find a way.

Anyway, in response to your last letter which I had to spend the last thirty minutes digging around my trunk to find. Three E’s for a Christmas present? Isn’t that a bit harsh? Well, considering I don’t know your normal grades, it might not be. Wait, I said that wrong. Ahh, words. I didn’t sleep well last night. Anyway, back to your classes. That’s good that you’re good in Charms and Potions, they definitely are the most useful classes in my book. Especially you being a dueler and all. And fans are always fun. Its nice that your sisters got you such a nice gift.

Yeah, well, Mosps is like Moth-wasp. And I think it’s bumblebees that die if they sting you. But don’t quote me on that. But no, the Mosps definitely did not die once they stung you. But, they won’t be a problem next time. Apparently, if you don’t aggravate them, they’re totally docile. Besides, the only reason they showed up was because there were a bunch of flowers that weren’t charmed to not attract them. So as long as you don’t carry around a pitch full of flowers in your backpack, I’d say you’re probably safe.

Somehow I can’t imagine AB doing anything more than like, harassing random people. But at least it sounds like the ball was alright for you? And if I had to guess, AB’s parents were probably the ones who sent out the invitations. I doubt it was a student by student and more of a ‘important family’ type thing. I don’t really know, Pureblood status things are so over my head. But I don’t really know who WA is.

Oh, then you might be against one of my friends if you’re dueling Slytherin. Uhm, code name, uh… she’s a co-cap, a Slytherin one, pretty great dueler, has some dark-magic-vemony stuff on her right arm (only saying that because it might identify her). BC? Know her? Anyway, hopefully you’re not up against her. Not that you would do bad or anything, but because cheering on opponents and stuff. she’s my best friend and all ahhh, words…

Yeah, I don’t really want to write it down on a letter, if you know what I mean. But, if we were to meet in person I might talk a little about it. But I’m fine now. I wasn’t in November, but I’m alright now. It’s nice to see that you care some though.

Anyways, I’ve actually had stuff going on recently. The traincrash, which I’m significantly less traumatized over than I should be. But it has been like two weeks. Seeing a close friend unconscious is scary though Well, what else has happened? Oh, I’m learning to fight hand to hand. Self defense type stuff since I know I can’t rely on my wand all the time. And, yesterday I participated in the sleepover errand thing. Quite wonderful waking up with a nightmare right in the middle of it. But anyway, that’s why I’m so tired today.

Otherwise, it’s been a month! Have you been up to anything new? Doing alright?

- Rose

Timeskip to June 27th, 2021. The girls have kept exchanging letters during this time.
Note: everything crossed out is entirely scribbled over, so it's impossible to read, although Katrina may be able to work out a letter or two.

Hi Rose,
How are you doing?
Before I chicken out... There's this thing I've been wanting to write for a while now but keep putting off and basically I've been lying to everyone about my blood status because I'm not pureblood my grandmother was a Veela so I'm part Veela and Merlin it felt good to write that. I keep looking over my shoulder now though, I'm scared someone will see this. It shouldn't feel good to write. I've been keeping it secret all my life and I've never told anyone, not a soul. Except you, now, I guess. It could ruin my family's reputation, and all my friends would hate me, and I'd never belong anywhere. But they'd be right to hate me. I'm not even human for Merlin's sake. I'm dangerous. Full Veelas are some of the scariest and most dangerous creatures in the world, and I'm descended from one, and Ebony says that if I loose my temper I could do something terrible. Merlin knows I don't want that.
I've decided to not read this letter back for fear of giving up altogether. This feels like such a risk. Anyway, I'd appreciate it if you could tear this up or burn it or something. I've been told my handwriting's rather distinctive.
Your friend,
River