Conecting w/ Sibling 2.0

To my dear brother,

I'm happy to know that besides all the things that are representing a difficult challenge for you, that you have found some people with who you can relate and feel safer. I understand that those who make you feel closer to home are the ones you feel pleased to meet and have in your company.

It's normal to feel a little misplaced I suppose, I figure that most of those kids had grown up among their king, and so magic is a normal thing in their daily lives. I'm sure that for that reason they seem careless from your point of view. That doesn't mean you should not be careful, but I hope that some of those fears will disappear from your heart and mind as soon as you find more knowledge and consequently feel more at home.

In my imagination, that world is full with wonders and new adventures. Don't forget, that that world is your place too, that you belong in there. I'm sure if you open your mind to it you'll find more beautiful and wonderful things to focus on and be curious about.

What are all those other houses? You need to tell me all about it! It seems like an odd way to separate students according to their different personalities, don't you think? Aren't we suppose to learn from our differences? How can we learn that, if you are separated and put with people that are only like you? You are very noble to me, maybe you'll end up with Gryffindor if that's what your heart chooses, or that doesn't work like that? I also don't think that being someone who likes to read and educate their selves as a depressing thing brother, it shows wisdom and someone who likes to learn, you definitely fit in those descriptions to me.

Thank you for you letter. It makes me happy every time I have news from you and to know that you are alright and safe. I promise to keep with my studies, father has been busy as always and I don't want to disappoint him or anyone from our family.

Stay safe, can't wait to join you!
Fang Hui-Ying

PS: Thank you for the tip, I almost let it escape from me!

Letter to: @Fang Hui-Ming

September 2, 2021

Dearest little sister,

It's wonderful to hear from you and I appreciate your kind words and support. Your understanding of my situation and your encouragement means a lot to me. I feel compelled to tell you. I dislike Hogwarts. Nay, it would not be an exaggeration to say I strongly despise this place, even. I am acclimating to this place, slowly, but I fear I'll never quite belong here the way that others do.

The students are loud, chaotic, and have no sense of decorum or decency. The adults are equally frustrating, playing pranks on us Muggleborns for their amusement. No one seems to understand how dangerous things can be, and everything just sets me on edge.

... Or perhaps I am overreacting and bitter, and you will love every little bit of this place.

The first month was interesting, to be fair. There were students from all over Europe -- Russia, France, Scandinavia -- who were visiting. In some ways, it was interesting to note how similar we all are, despite our differences; but in other ways, the differences were staggering. In just how every aspect of their lives -- from dressing to feeding to studying -- is touched by magic. I had originally thought that magic was just fancy science, but so much of it just defies common sense. They have a sport here which is a combination of soccer and dodgeball -- except the dodgeball ball is made of iron. and the game happens hundreds of meters in the air.

Even that would not have been so bad -- live and let live, these odd, funny people and their strange, barbaric customs. What really got under my skin was yesterday. It was supposed to be the first day of school proper, and they have these magical boats to the school. It would have been a magical experience -- but then Schneider (one of my yearmates) had to push someone else into the water; and one of the adults went with it and pretended to be a giant octopus and dragged a couple of us from the water. It gave me a very big scare, but I'm sure you would have thought it a grand adventure in my stead.

Lots of other things happened. I got into evil Slytherin. A dead student apparently came back to life. . And I'm rooming with some scary upperyears, but that probably isn't very interesting to you.

To answer your questions, though. The houses are like families, sorted based upon your inherent qualities, though it does strike me as odd that they can decide that who is more brave than smart and who is more ambitious than loyal. It os al very muddled and confusing to me. Perhaps it is just one of those cultural things?

I'm sure you'll do great, and that you're trying your utmost. Do keep trying your best, and do keep in touch, I look forward to your letters ever so much.


All of my love and good wishes,
Fang Hui-Ming

我亲爱的哥哥,
my dear big brother
I wish I had more interesting things to tell you, half of what you've seen and experienced would be more than enough to make this letter a little more interesting! But on the good side, I've been doing what I am told and expected to do. Yesterday I finished to read an amazing book that mother brought me next time we went to the library, "Under Crook's Wood" by A.B. Martin. It's about adventure, bravery, the power of perseverance and friendship. This is how I'm able to live my adventures...through the eyes of amazing storytellers. And that's why I can't wait to join you and start to live my own!

I hope to help you feel more safe when we are both at Hogwarts, if it's not where we belong, at least we will have each other. I'm sorry that you feel that way, perhaps you need to give it more time? I'm sure you'll find your rightful place, after all you have always been smart.

The idea that exist so many magical schools all over the world is fascinating, can’t wait to have the opportunity to meet all these people too. Imagine if I happened to still live in China with dad…perhaps I would have to attend another school? I’m happy to not have found out the answer to that question, I prefer a thousand times to be at the same school as my brother! Even if they are loud and chaotic as you say!

It’s interesting what you imagined magic to be specially because it so different from what I thought it would be. I never thought of it as a science, maybe because my first experience was making falling snowflakes in our living room! Was one of the best moments of my life!

They have different sports too? That seemed really dangerous tho…they allow students to play them? I can agree with you, that sounded odd and unlikely to happen in a school. Are you sure is that dangerous? I would ask if wizards heal faster then people without magic, but I don’t feel getting any better since I made magic. You think that could have been a mistake? And I will not receive a letter to attend Hogwarts? That is my biggest fear you know?… even thought that falling from a magical boat into a magic dark lake is not an idea that is that appealing to me. I hope you were okay and nothing too bad had happened besides how scary that must have been. Do you have people there that can take care of you if something bad happens? If not I’ll be very concern with everything you just told me in your letter.

Why do you say Slytherins are evil? You are not evil, so you wouldn’t be chosen to be a part of it if it was that threatening. What did you mean a student came back to life? Is that really possible? Are you okay? Do I need to tell mum and dad to go pick you up? Please tell me if you are in danger!

I promise to do my best as always and please keep sending me letters with everything happening to you, although somethings sound thrilling you got me concerned with your well-being, you know I care a lot for you and I want you to be safe.

Miss you gēgē!
Fang Hui-Ying