It's an ink blotch not a tear. Solo

Backdated: September 10th 2022.
A series of letters between Brennan Lee Mulligan a second-year Slytherin, and Theodore Carter Mulligan his ten-year-old brother.

Mo dheartháir daor, My dear brother,

I can't actually believe you're a second-year now Bren. I know you've only been one for a few days but it already feels like it's been a full year yet and I can't help but wonder when you're going to come home. Daideo Grandpa is already starting to lecture my ear off now that you're gone. It's just like when you left for your first year, but it's worse now that I'll be heading off next year with you. Just like last year he's just claiming that he's trying to spend as much time with me as possible before I eventually 'leave him behind to fend for himself' too. But at least this year I won't have to hear him rant about the different houses and how I should be like you and him and get in Slytherin. I don't know why but Gramps really has a thing for trying to claim Slytherin is the best house. Or maybe he will just go on a rant about houses again but only a few days prior when I head off to Hogwarts too.

The house is quieter now that you are gone, especially with Dad almost always working these days. But I already went off on a rant about this to you during your first year. Sorry about that by the way, but at least I have Gramps to give me long talks by the fireplace. That's always last for hours on end the old man really can talk our ears off. Oh, do you remember that time when we were younger and got in trouble? I can't remember what for since the details are all fuzzy, but I do remember him making us sit down on the floor. While he sat on the sofa lecturing us for an hour straight! But hey at least he made it up to us with those delicious cookies he always manages to make. If there was an old people contest for baking he'd win without breaking a sweat!

This year I'm going to try and study all I can about defense against the dark arts! That way when I do get to Hogwarts I'll have an advantage. And as soon as I learn enough spells I want to join the dueling club. That way nobody can compare us to each other again, and I'll be the cooler sibling! I promise that soon in my first or second year. I'll be such a good spell caster that I'll even beat you, Brennan! Don't worry though, when I inevitably harm your huge ego and pride I'll go and buy you those extendable ears you've always wanted. Dad might not let you get them but he always says we can spend the money we earn on whatever I want. So we'll make it a promise, no an oath! But only after I beat you and prove I'm the superior sibling. And maybe after all that's over we can go and play in our backyard like we used to. Or we can do whatever you want to, so don't o buying those ears on your own. I want to earn the money myself work my way up in strength and eat you as a rival! And then I can give you those ears as a testament to my growth over the years. And your own growth too!

I really miss you, Brennan. Just like last year things just aren't the same when you leave me behind. But I know you'll always be my big bro. Even if were split to opposite ends of the world we'll stay in touch through any means necessary, that was our solemn oath. And I know you won't break it ever. You haven't broken a promise yet! So I won't either. It sucks though sometimes. It is so much easier for me to just talk to you in person than to write letters. My hand always starts to cramp cause there's just so much I need to tell you about. And don't you dare say I have tiny baby wrists again! I'm not a baby anymore Bren Bren, I am ten now thank you very much!

I also think that I'm going to try and pester Dad and Gramps about letting me get a pet again. It hasn't worked yet but I can't give up! I really really want to get my own pet, you know how much I love creatures of all kinds. They're all so resilient and unique none quite like the other.

Airím uaim thú. I miss you. Stay safe and write back to me or I'll get Dad to disown you!

Theo the great signing off. See ya soon Lee B.

Love,
Theodore.

Letter in plain text:

Reducio

Mo dheartháir daor, My dear brother,

I can't actually believe you're a second-year now Bren. I know you've only been one for a few days but it already feels like it's been a full year yet and I can't help but wonder when you're going to come home. Daideo Grandpa is already starting to lecture my ear off now that you're gone. It's just like when you left for your first year, but it's worse now that I'll be heading off next year with you. Just like last year he's just claiming that he's trying to spend as much time with me as possible before I eventually 'leave him behind to fend for himself' too. But at least this year I won't have to hear him rant about the different houses and how I should be like you and him and get in Slytherin. I don't know why but Gramps really has a thing for trying to claim Slytherin is the best house. Or maybe he will just go on a rant about houses again but only a few days prior when I head off to Hogwarts too.

The house is quieter now that you are gone, especially with Dad almost always working these days. But I already went off on a rant about this to you during your first year. Sorry about that by the way, but at least I have Gramps to give me long talks by the fireplace. That's always last for hours on end the old man really can talk our ears off. Oh, do you remember that time when we were younger and got in trouble? I can't remember what for since the details are all fuzzy, but I do remember him making us sit down on the floor. While he sat on the sofa lecturing us for an hour straight! But hey at least he made it up to us with those delicious cookies he always manages to make. If there was an old people contest for baking he'd win without breaking a sweat!

This year I'm going to try and study all I can about defense against the dark arts! That way when I do get to Hogwarts I'll have an advantage. And as soon as I learn enough spells I want to join the dueling club. That way nobody can compare us to each other again, and I'll be the cooler sibling! I promise that soon in my first or second year. I'll be such a good spell caster that I'll even beat you, Brennan! Don't worry though, when I inevitably harm your huge ego and pride I'll go and buy you those extendable ears you've always wanted. Dad might not let you get them but he always says we can spend the money we earn on whatever I want. So we'll make it a promise, no an oath! But only after I beat you and prove I'm the superior sibling. And maybe after all that's over we can go and play in our backyard like we used to. Or we can do whatever you want to, so don't o buying those ears on your own. I want to earn the money myself work my way up in strength and eat you as a rival! And then I can give you those ears as a testament to my growth over the years. And your own growth too!

I really miss you, Brennan. Just like last year things just aren't the same when you leave me behind. But I know you'll always be my big bro. Even if were split to opposite ends of the world we'll stay in touch through any means necessary, that was our solemn oath. And I know you won't break it ever. You haven't broken a promise yet! So I won't either. It sucks though sometimes. It is so much easier for me to just talk to you in person than to write letters. My hand always starts to cramp cause there's just so much I need to tell you about. And don't you dare say I have tiny baby wrists again! I'm not a baby anymore Bren Bren, I am ten now thank you very much!

I also think that I'm going to try and pester Dad and Gramps about letting me get a pet again. It hasn't worked yet but I can't give up! I really really want to get my own pet, you know how much I love creatures of all kinds. They're all so resilient and unique none quite like the other.

Airím uaim thú. I miss you. Stay safe and write back to me or I'll get Dad to disown you!

Theo the great signing off. See ya soon Lee B.

Love,
Theodore.