Am I doing something wrong, Nonno, Nonna? Solo

To: Lorenzo and Aurora Romano
From: Nico Romano
Sent: September 2nd, 2023

Dear Nonno(Grandpa) and Nonna(Grandma),

So, it’s my first real day at the school. I’m pretty anxious about all of it. I don’t really know how I’m going to make friends or fit in here. But I’m going to try, that girl we met back on the platform, nonno. I think she might be my first friend here, I know you don’t really approve but I’m almost certain she’s a half-blood and not a muggle born. She’s really nice, and knows a lot about herbology. Last night when we got off the train they corralled me and all the other first years like we were sheep to these little boats by the lake. The water and the view was breathtaking, it’s really hard to describe. But the castle, yeah apparently the school itself is a castle! But it was just, beautiful.

I stuck my hand into the water and I think that was a bad idea just from how cold it was. When we finally got to the school we waited in front of these giant doors that supposedly went to the great hall where we are supposed to eat. They let us in, and you wouldn’t be able to imagine how huge that one room is without being there, nonna. Theres two long tables on each side that stretch to the beginning and end of the room. So four tables for the four houses. Apparently a hat sorts everybody to the house they’re going to be staying in until they graduate, Slytherins, Ravenclaws, Gryffindors, and Hufflepuffs.

I was hoping to get Ravenclaw because I was told they were the most studious out of the bunch. But I got Hufflepuff instead. I don’t know if that’s a bad or good thing. I’m trying to find out but I really don’t feel like I belong. Maybe I just don’t belong at the school at all. Sometimes I wish you guys never moved here before me and Luca were born. I wish you stayed living in Italy as I could have been born there. Whenever we visit during the summers and get to stay at the manor, well I feel more at home there then I ever did at home.

I miss you both. Really badly. I haven’t gone to any of my classes yet, I woke up early and everyone else is still asleep. I wasn’t able to go back to bed so I wanted to write. If I write as the day goes by then I won’t forget anything after all. But I really miss you both, nothing feels the same when I’m not able to see you both in the morning. Nonno reading the morning paper and nonna making coffee. Or when sometimes you’d allow me to have a cup too about once every month. I miss getting to hug and read with you nonna. I miss sitting down and you telling me all about your past job, or about Roma, or just sitting there with me so I wouldn’t be alone nonno.

I feel alone, but I’m surrounded by a bunch of other boys. In a house that should grow to be like my family. I don’t want a new family, I want to go back home. With you both, with Madre(Mother) and Padre(Father) who would finally take days off work here and there so we would all go to diagon alley together. Or have a wizarding chess competition back at home.

I promised I would try my best, and so I will. I’ll try to fo the best in my classes. That way you both don’t have to be disappointed and feel like you didn’t teach me enough. That way I don’t mess with the family name to. And also just because I want to do my best to learn.

Oh everybody’s starting to wake up now, I promise to write some more when I have the time.

Alright I’m back! I’ve finished with my classes today, and I think I really like charms. Or at least will. The lessons was my favorite out of every one I went to today. The professor is really nice and helpful too. Defense agasint the dark arts was okay, the professor kind of intimidates me but it was okay. I have a few homework assignments I need to get done so I really need to wrap up this letter and run it to the owlery soon.

I love you both, miss you too. But I think I can do this. I just need to calm down. I’m shutting everything and everybody off before I even give it a chance! I can’t be doing that now, otherwise I definitely won’t be making any new friends at all. I can do this, thanks for teaching me until now Nonna and Nonno. I was doing everything wring before, but I just need to keep an open mind. And keep in mind what you taught me for all those years. Can’t wait for the first break so I can go back home and see you both again! We can play chess and make hot chocolate, maybe even take turns opening chocolate frogs up and seeing what we all got like we used to.

With love and care, your youngest grandson,

~ Nico