Have I Got New for You!

16 January 2023

Colin ran up to the owlery to send a letter home to Ciarán. It would be the last time he'd be sending a letter with Uhuu. Seanmamó had written to him saying that she wanted to borrow him for Ciarán. She didn't say it outright, but Colin got the feeling that she knew much more about the correspondence he'd been having with his little sister over the last six months or so. She probably knew everything!

He called for Uhuu to come down and he spent quite a lot of time with the magnificent bird! "There's my lad! Listen. I've got to give you over to Seanmamó for a bit, right." He stroked the bird's head and fed him an owl snack. "She says Ciarán will need you and look after you. And we'll still see each other when you bring letters here, right?"

Colin was sad to see the bird go, but knew that he'd be well looked after and it sounded like he might have some important jobs to do! And with that, he secured his letter home to Uhuu and watched him as he flew swiftly into the north and west.

And at first, Colin thought his bird had turned around! For he saw a tiny speck winging towards Hogwarts from the same direction! After a while, Colin realised it was in fact an owl. It wasn't long until the bird descended from the overcast sky and entered the high window of the owlery. Colin loved watched the school owls come and go, and now he turned to leave. He was surprised though by an insistent tapping on his arm as he packed up his things. It was the same barn owl that he'd watched fly in. The letter was for him!

McCoire House
15 January 2023

Dear Colin!

Laddie, do I have some news for you! Sorry it's been a while since I last wrote (Christmas!). It was sad here, without Liam. You remember that sour looking lady we saw at Moira's wedding, the one that wore that really pretty green locket? You said she looked like she'd been sucking lemons her whole life! Even AngelFyre giggled at that. (How is she by the way? I can't wait to see her again!)

So! Anyway, I was digging around in the library (where else!) and found this in an old journal. It was just one page tucked into a book about werewolves:

....Agatha was her name. I'm telling you Iona, that girl is soooo creepy! I know she's in your house and all, but still! She wears this really cool pendant. I think it's a locket, its got a snake on it in pretty green emeralds. She's always touching it, kissing it, like it's got some kind of magic in it. Sus. She's always watching me, too. She calls me McCruel. Honestly, Iona, I swear she eats lemons for breakfast! What a sour face! She's like this super pure blood radical bitch or something. She keeps telling me she's gonna get even for what Colin did. What a loser. I punched her in the nose, right in the great hall! I'm telling you Iona, that girl is just wet paper. She broke down bawling and everything. And she thinks she's the next Moldy Voldy or something! Anyway! Headmistress M. gave me detention in her office. When I went up there, she gave me a biscuit and said to keep up the good work....

Obviously that was a note from Aunt Maureen to Aunt Iona back when she was in school! I wonder what she could mean by getting even for what Uncle Colin did though? She sounds like an utter loser though. Anyway, I thought you and your Fyre Angel would get a smile out of that, seeing as we were all interested in that woman last summer. The locket certainly sounds the same! I remember it had a snake on it in emeralds.

So Col, you wrote to me about Clair! --- ((I'm rolling my eyes, by the way!)) Well, you've only mentioned her about five thousand times! --- How's it going with the girl of your dreams, anyway? Did you ever ask her out PROPERLY? You told about what happened at the ball and how dear Lily almost died. I really hope she's doing okay and is still pestering you? Please tell Clair her spellwork sounded amazing! I think she'll make a bonny healer!

But: Have you snogged her yet? ((Barf!)) After that game of spin the bottle you told me about, I thought you'd've been making out on the regular with your Ravenclaw lassie by now! Honestly, you're such a dog Colin McCoire! WOOF WOOF HOWL HOWL! So get on with it already! Oh! Are you still planning to marry her when you turn seventeen? Oh how I wish Liam were here, so I could get the Ravenclaw perspective!

Oh! The big news!

This has nothing to do with anything, but along with that bit of note from Aunt Maureen, I found one from Auntie Andromeda! She wrote it to Da. I'm not quite sure what to make of it though. But let me ask you this --- is there a kid in your year, or maybe a year younger, that looks all gorgeous like you?

Anyway, I'm copying the letter as it's short. I'm thinking of asking Moira, too. She might know, cos I'm not really sure what to make of this.

Liam: Will you stop being such a DOG? I understand as well as anyone about you lads in the family and the whole 'McCoire Condition', but you'll be giving us a bad name if you keep this up. Do think lovingly of your Isobel and sweet Moira --- not to mention the wee twins --- as I ask you who is XXXXXXXXXX? I gather from certain "poems" penned by your hand that I've discovered tucked away in old books that she is an old school flame of yours. Honestly, my dear little brother, "hair of gold and eyes of saphhire! of you my love I'll never tire!" And now I hear that you have been seen with that certain woman recently? Sitting with the maternity patients in St Mungos? Do tell me there is nothing I should be be concerned over with the birth of a child there, a certain XXXXXX. Or will this be a repetition of your --- situation --- of two years ago with that American witch? See to it that this is the last time. I am, and remain, most displeased. --- Andromeda

Colin? What do you make of this? I'm sorry Colin, I can't read the names! They look like they've magically hidden, and I don't dare ask Ma or Da to undo the spell! Auntie Andromeda must have written this years ago, since the twins can only be you and Liam; but is she saying what I think she's saying? Do we have another sister or brother? Is she at Hogwarts now, this mystery kid? Have you met her? And what do you make of that bit about the American witch? I knew our Da had a load of girlfriends when he was at school, but, whoa.

All I can say Colin lad, is that if you go cocking it up with Clair, I swear I'll geld you myself! With. A. Spoon! She seems to be such a sweet lass, Col. Let's just hope she can keep my dear wolfy under control!

Love, Ciarán

Mentions: @Angelfyre McCubbin | @Clair Fernandez | @Charlie Moonglade