Dear Procoppio | Cheers, E. Decipio PV Closed

Date: June 19, 2020
Addressed to: Decipio @Evelynn Decipio
Delivery: At dinner via cat, just before professors made their announcement

Decipio,

To be completely honest I am very surprised that you chose to reach out to me. Not many people like to write letters to me because they complain about my spelling and grammar a lot. But I guess thats why I'm not a editor right? And I am also surprised that you read my article! To be completely honest I didn't realize that people actually read my stuff so that was a plesent suprise. And for the record I don't actually know who leaked that transcript. Riddle and I did see an Extendeble Ear when we were talking but we never saw who had it... its a little bit conserning actually.

I must admit that you are right about all of the gossip and the rumors. Its hard to tell what is fact and what is fiction here but I just go with my gut to be honest. I was their during the Hufflepuff common room fire but I was sort of too busy saving people to figure out what was going on. I can talk to some of the kids who were standing around being useless and see if they found anything though. Plus Oliveire and Henry wrote that article about the fire and they got pretty much most of it there. I left just before all the chaos at the Blossom Ball started but to be honest I think that staying might have been the smarter option. I have contacts I guess from the people who were at the Blossom Ball and were injured or attacked but I have no idea when they'd be ready to talk about it.

You're deal sounds promising. I agree to it! I help you, you help me... I guess my mom would say that we are scratching each other's backs right now! I actually have an idea: let's share sources. Or at least the information we get from the sources. The two of us run in very different circles so pooling everything that we know would get us one giant circle right? And that means a whole lot of information so maybe we can start piecing whatever the hell's happening together.

I must admit I am very worried about Lear. I haven't tried to ask any of the professors but I can only imagine that they would wave us off like its NBD. We need to take notes and observe, Decipio. But I am confident that between the two of us we will be able to figure it out.

I am curious though. You mentioned the symbols and I actually thought they were tattoos. But if they're another Dark Mark... do you think Voldemort could have a twin? Or maybe a descendant? Or someone who wants to be just like him? A.... a admirer? That would be crazy. The whole thing about half-breeds being let into Hogwarts is more than a little concerning too. I don't know what to make of it all- my mom says that breeds in the wizarding world is no different than skin color in the No-Maj world, so personally I do not care too much about it. I agree whole-heartly that something suspishus is going on at Hogwarts but I don't even know where to begin.

I think we need to divide and conquer like Abraham Lincoln. If we see as much of the picture as possible we can start piecing things together, one by one, section by section, and we will finally get to the bottom of this. I think Alexx would call it "investigation journaling", or some big fancy frase like that. I just call it common sense. I will talk to my friends contacts in Ravenclaw and see if they know anything. After all they are incredibly smart. Maybe you can talk to the lions and the snakes? We need first-degree witnesses, Decipio, some real credible information.

I am eagerly awaiting you're response.

Date: June 22nd, 2020
Addressed to: Procoppio @Ami Procoppio
Delivery: Delivered by owl at breakfast

Procoppio,

I mean... in my defense, I don't edit your articles and had no idea about your spelling or grammar. I don't know why they'd complain though. While it's true there are some errors, it's not like it makes your letter unintelligible. You can still read it just fine. And why would you be surprised I read your article? I'm on the staff. I'd have thought everyone reads the paper... Don't they? I mean isn't that why we're all on the Headliner? Because we want to be kept in the loop of all the goings on about the school, news, gossip, or otherwise, and being on the team means we have the inside scoop? And really? You don't know who leaked it? The article literally says it was published by you and Riddle. Is that not right?

But anyway, if that was a real conversation... I'm not sure if I should be offended or not. I was the one who got the Liberation Club together... For the record, it was less about trying to prove Mr. Potter is innocent (although I still have reason to believe that he could be and there's something very suspicious about his case), and more about getting to the bottom of Umbridge's supposed murder. Which I'm not actually sure even happened at all, if I'm being candid. But another thing... Riddle mentioned four witnesses. There were only three. At least only three that were made public knowledge... Do you know the four she thinks she was referring to?

As for the Hufflepuff common room... If that isn't too much trouble, I'd actually really appreciate if you wouldn't mind asking around a bit. Even if Henry and Oliviere did cover it in their article, it's possible there might have been little details that may have been documented incorrectly (Henry has a habit of getting the facts wrong), or missed entirely. It's better to get the same story from several sources to ensure it checks out and to be able to weed out possible fabrications, whether intentional or not. There's definitely a tried and true method to research, and it's better to know false from true.

But excellent! I'm glad the deal strikes your fancy. I was thinking exactly the same thing. I scratch your itch, you scratch mine, sort of deal, and by pooling information together, we get a clearer idea of the bigger picture. More to work with for both of us. You for your articles, and me for my research.

And I know, right? Professor Lear has been missing since, what, October? Since the masquerade. I mean, the professors finally made an announcement that night you sent your reply, but could you believe it? "As some of you have already noticed, Headmaster Lear is currently not in attendance". Like, no kidding. He hasn't been in attendance for anything at all in months. Months. And this is the first they're mentioning it? I was beginning to wonder if they'd even noticed, or if they'd somehow let him fade into the background as nothing other than another suit of armor that wanders the castle. … Do you think he's hiding in the castle as a suit of armor?

Nevermind. That's stupid. Anyway. Glad they are taking the exams lightly. But I can't help but wonder, if he really was away on personal matters to take care of, why that wasn't announced when he took his leave, so that his absence wouldn't be thought of as suspicious in the first place... I don't believe them for one second.

And the dhampir students reporting for breakfast and supper every day? Are they serious? First of all, that's disgusting. Second of all, what did they mean by race-baited? And what happened at the Masquerade Ball? Anyway, if any of them are hoping to continue having their identities unknown, they'll have a hard time doing so.. Anyone could just have a little linger near Professor Equinox's classroom at those feeding times (honestly..) and see them coming and going.

Also, I knew they were connected! Did you hear what Professor Browne said about the hags? There is a coven, and they think they're involved with those common room attacks, and some of the other things. What I don't get is how they're so calm about it. If they've been able to get in this close so many times without the professors' knowing or being able to interfere... Makes you wonder if there are some people in the staff that are in league helping them get access, don’t you think? Honestly, I can't believe how many people had such issue with the new restrictions and curfews. Honestly, I can't believe we haven't all just been sent home by now...

Anyway, sorry, that was sort of a tangent. Back to the marks.. I don't know. I don't know many kids our age who have tattoos. From what I understand, you're not even allowed to have those done until you're an adult. So unless someone was willing to needle them, or it's something else… Could be anything, though. Maybe it is a Voldemort 2.0. Maybe it's the hags. If they're as involved in everything as Professor Browne seems to think, maybe they're responsible for this, too. They're still witches, from what I can tell. I'm sure they'd be capable of whatever spell it is that makes the mark.

The thing about the half-giants, though, is that they weren't half-giants. At least, one of them wasn't at least. At the Liberation Club meeting, Professor Caradoc told us that they chased after one of the half-giants that escaped the ball into the Forbidden Forest where it turned into one of the hags. They're capable of polymorphing themselves. Or transforming. Or whatever it's called. And I'm sorry, but I don't know about this whole all breeds are the same, thing. I don't see regular students going around trying to rip the necks out of their peers.

Anyway, yea, I can tackle Slytherins and Gryffindors. Let me know what you think about all of that.

Enthusiastic partner in discovery,
Decipio

Date: June 26th, 2020
Addressed to: Decipio @Evelynn Decipio
Delivery: Left on desk in Headliner Office

Decipio,

Apologies for the delay with the reply. I wanted to get some more information from my Ravenclaw contacts before writing so I actually had some decent stuff to talk about. Sorry about that.

Personally, I do not have anything against the Liberation Club. We probably should've done more research but to be fair, it was just gossip. No one actually knows anything that's going on as far as I can tell which is why it's just rumors or gossip. This is why we need people like you, Decipio. And speaking of me and Riddle's conversation, I've got to admit, I don't remember much of it. It was so long ago and honestly not that important to me. But I guess I could ask her if you want me to double check. I don't know if she remembers much either, though.

I have my POV of the common room incident and I took some notes down but I think I'll need to talk to more people. But so far Henry and Oliveire seem to have their facts down solid. There seemed to be something that attacked all the kids who fell through to the basement and someone definitely saw someone lurking outside the common room. I talked to one of the kids who saw it, Maria Dee, and she seems sane enough to know what she's talking about. I wonder who that could be? Could it be one of those hags the professors were talking about that night? I've never seen a hag, except for this one really mean 5th year.... but that's not the point is it? I trust my own eyes and my housemates'es stories, but if you want me to ask around some more I can definitely do that.

The fact that Lear's been missing scares me slightly but he is a smart man. Heel be fine. Its' very suspishos that he has been gone for so long but I can only assume that he is alright. He must have a very good reason for leaving us so suddenly but that reason is definitely not the same reason that the professors said was his reason. When he comes back? I am MARCHING ON OVER TO HIM after he gets comfortably settled in and says hi to all his friends again to get some answers. The students deserve to know! Maybe he was gone to get rid of all the hags for us. I bet Lear would do that for us.

Man if you don't know what something means there's probably no way that I'll know what it means (unless it's a No-Maj term). I kind of feel bad for all the dhampirs if I'm honest. I bet that a lot of people treat them unfairly but I think that dhampirs are pretty okay for the most part. And I definitely feel like people would hang around to see them unless there's a secret passage from Equinox's office that we don't know about. I didn't go to the Masquerade Ball but I think there is been a lot of weird stuff happening with Ilvermorny students and their teachers? But I could be wrong.

I don't think that any of the professors would ever betray us to the hags though. I think that they think that if they panic then wheel panic and I think that what they're thinking is right. But I trust the professors to take care of us so I don't think there's anything wrong with what they're saying. Besides I think that most of the school hates rules in general so with more rules piled on the ones already in place their bound to get antsy and try to rebel. A small and shelfish part of me hopes they do just because there will be lots of fun articles to write about it but then again that's very shelfish. And secretly I would be really sad if we got sent home! I like Hogwarts. I really do.

The marks are crazy, aren't they? Maybe I can interview one of them who has a mark... but I hope they don't start questioning why I'm asking about they're tattoo. It would make a great article though won't you agree?

I am afraid that I have to disagree with you about breeds. One of my dearest friends is part giant and he wouldn't even hurt a fly! Unless the fly took his food or hurt one of his friends but then the fly would definitely deserve it. But most students who may be a part breed are usually harmless I swear!

Alright then. On to the main course. I talked to some of my contacts in Ravenclaw and I heard stories about some weird shit man. She claims that she didn't see much but she did mention dolls that looked like that students. Like voodoo dolls from New Orleans! She said that there were a whole bunch of them in the Forbidden Forest, all of them looking like one of the Ravenclaws in the group. She said it was real creepy. What the hell could those be? I mean a doll of me would be super hot and super cute but still kind of creepy. Espeshully the way she described it. I don't think I would want one of those dolls.

But yeah that's what I've learned so far. I don't know where to turn to next. There's just too much to try and piece together; it's like a gajillion-piece puzzle, and we don't have the picture! Let me know what you think we should do next.

Permission to have IC knowledge of the man outside the Hufflepuff Common Room and the hag dolls in the forest has been granted by Maria Dee and Cecily Quinn, respectively.

Date: June 28th, 2020
Addressed to: Procoppio @Ami Procoppio
Delivery: Handed in passing at breakfast

Procoppio,

Not at all to worry. I don't think there's any need to question Riddle about it. Honestly, I barely remember what I wrote about it in my last letter to you, so it was probably just a curiosity of the moment and nothing that actually really mattered. Sorry for the trouble there.

Sounds like you're off to a great start with your investigations, though. It's promising to hear that Henry and Oliveire are working out well to give you their perspectives on the events. And that's really interesting about what Dee said… I wonder what that was all about? Did she give you any kind of description of the person? For all we know, it could have been a professor or a prefect or something in the hallway on rounds. Maybe try to get a bit more information about that, if you can? I certainly don't think it would be a bad thing to ask around a bit more. The more information, the better. Even a very small little detail could end up being very important in the end, so having as clear a picture of everything as possible from as many viewpoints as possible would be helpful.

I hope you're right about Professor Lear, though. I have a hard time believing he's attending to personal business like the Professors said. If he had been, he's been at it for quite some time, and no doubt there would have been an announcement at the start of his absence, not this far into it. But… hopefully he returns soon. I suppose with summer already here, all we can do is hope he'll be at the returning feast in September.

You mentioned weird stuff happening with Ilvermorny students and their teachers? What do you mean? I've noticed that their Headmaster has still been lurking around our school for some reason. Pretty much ever since Professor Lear went missing, really. It's almost like he's hoping that he'll get instated as our Headmaster if he lingers long enough. But do you know anything more about them all? Or..?

I can see where you're coming from with the rules, though, and with hoping people rebel a bit. Admittedly, it does make for interesting stories and also gives a bit of a tell into who can be entrusted with what. I'm not opposed to the rules, personally. Especially after what happened at the Blossom Ball, it makes sense. Although I wish we were allowed to stay up in the common room. I can't do my homework in the dorm at night when people are snoring right nearby… And speaking of articles, I think one about the mark would be fascinating! I would very much support you interviewing one of them to find out more about it if they're willing to tell you.

As for the rest of it… I don't really know what to say. Dolls that look like students? Like voodoo dolls? That's… a might bit frightening, really. Voodoo dolls are interesting and all in concept, but in reality that would make for very dark magic. When did this all happen? The announcement said there was the coven of hags in the Forbidden Forest. I wonder if the dolls have anything to do with them. Did they do anything? The dolls, I mean? Or were they just… there? And how did the group even come across them in the first place? Given everything the professors always say about the Forbidden Forest, I'm amazed horrified that anyone would actually want to go into it…Could you tell me more about that? Or who I could ask for more information, maybe?

On a sort of off topic idea… You said you really like Hogwarts. How What has it been like since you joined the school? Was it always like this? Sometimes it feels like everything happening around the school is just too much in a way. I can't help but wonder how it stays open. If there was a muggle school and there were dangers to their students, it would get shut down. Is this normal? I mean…I guess there are dangers all the time when practicing spells or doing any of the games and activities, really. Even Quidditch isn't exactly safe. But this seems excessive in a way? How do you stay positive?

Kind regards,
Decipio

p.s. I'm not sure if you'll be able to reply right away, but you're welcome to write me over the summer. I've included my address below.

Date: June 30
Addressed to: Decipio @Evelynn Decipio
Delivery: Owl before lunch

Decipio,

Sorry, gotta make this one quick. Dea's harping at my ass to get packed and ready to get shipped off to the summer camp.

Maria Dee said very little to me, just mentioned the strange figure and then she just sort of... scuttled off, I guess. Why do all the younger kids scuttle? Are they afraid of us? Weird. But anyways, I didn't get a chance to talk to her before we left school but I can try and find her at the summer camp. Although, I don't know if she's going. But I guess we'll see. I can also ask around and see who else saw that figure at summer camp or even when we get back to school.

The stuff with Ilvermorny was just rumors. Gossip. They came for that ball, right? (I actually didn't go, Pendrast was gonna serve my head on a platter to my mother if I didn't finish that essay) I heard some crazy stuff happened, but since someone said that a unicorn pranced in and started disco dancing, I don't think much of it is true. Besides, I frankly don't remember most of it... you should ask someone who went. But yeah, the guy's kind of creepy. Like a... a pervert. He just gives me really bad vibes.

Cecily didn't tell me when she saw the dolls actually... I should ask her during the summer camp, if I can find her. The nerd decided she was going to tent with her Quidditch teammates, believe it or not. Crazy! She spent down spending time with me to spend time with her team? So weird. We should interview her, together. You have way better questions than me when I interview people. I'd definitely say ask Cecily Quinn when we get back to school in the fall. And maybe Dralt, too. He always looks like he knows something you don't, but I think that's only when he's wearing his glasses. Do glasses give people special powers?

I think I like Hogwarts because of the people. The atmosphere. It's dangerous, sure, but lots of things are dangerous. The tube's pretty dangerous, but my mom and I still take it a lot when we have to get someplace in London. Planes are pretty dangerous too. I think... this sounds kind of bad, but I think I just ignore everything. At least, I did. Things would happen, and I would just shrug it off. Because in the human world, there are bad humans who do bad things to each other and its pretty dangerous. And then you mix us with magic, which also means bad magic, and creatures or vampires or giants. You get the good and the bad of everything and sometimes that bad starts to pile up and look like it outweighs the good. You know? And it's hard to stay positive. It really is. But... I have my friends. I have the things I love to do, and I have people that are like family to me at this school.

I also had another note... a question. You're so good at asking questions and stuff... you know that idea Alexx had? About... Hogwarts After Hours? You should ask her to be in charge of it. Or maybe to just write articles for it. I think it would be really beneficial you know? We could never publish it in the Headliner because the professors might make us take it out of sikulashun circulation because its like propeganda or whatever. But Hogwarts After Hours, and anonymously...? I don't know, I think there's potential. Just saying.

If you send an owl before summer camp ends, just uh... send it to the Quidditch stadium then, I guess. But my address is at the bottom if it's after.

Date Sent: July 17th, 2020
Addressed to: Ami Procoppio @Ami Procoppio
Delivery: Rolled, attached to the leg of a large and dignified barn owl

Hello Procoppio,

I have to admit, I am rather excited to be sending you this letter! I am sorry that it has taken so long, however. My mother actually allowed me to purchase an owl after getting back to London from the Express! It was such a nice surprise, something for doing well in the first year. I think it will make writing much easier going forward. Not just easier, but also less noticeable. We could pass information to each other in relative secret, if need be. But Janus—that's the name of my owl—he took a little longer to warm up to the idea of actually delivering anything at all than I expected considering how keen he had been to accompany me home. But perhaps he just wanted out of the Menagerie, I'm not sure. Do you know much about owls? I've only ever worked with the school ones before now.

Anyway, you must be just about finished with the summer camp now, I think? How was it? Did you enjoy your time there? How was the game? I'm still very sour about having to miss it. A friend of mine has promised to write me with a detailed play-by-play, but it just isn't the same as being able to watch it for yourself. Hogwarts did win, though, right? I hope so. As much as I don't like to admit it, Hufflepuff has done so well all year with their games. And done so honourably, I might add. I would hate to see them lose after coming so far.

Did you end up talking to Cecily at all, either? You'd mentioned you might try to talk to her about the dolls while at camp. If not, that's alright as well. You'd also suggested maybe trying to talk to her together when the new school year starts, so I can make a note to reach out to her. And Dralt as well, like you recommended. I'm sorry she decided to tent with her Quidditch mates, though. It sounds like the two of you are rather close. I think I would feel a little betrayed as well if a friend of mine decided to spend their time elsewhere. Quidditch team members or not. Honestly, with how much time we have to spend with our team mates in practices, I might think I'd want as much time away from them as possible.

By the way, I want to thank you for what you said about how you see our time at Hogwarts. With the dangers and everything really just being not all that different from what can happen normally with regular life. Maybe I've just often been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Or perhaps it's just been a particularly bad year. I'm not sure. It all seemed very overwhelming this past year with everything that had happened, but I think your way of focusing on the positive things—your friends and those activities you're in—is a good way to manage and get by. I'm going to try to do that more next year. I don't want to be scared anymore.

Your question about Hogwarts After Hours is an interesting one, too. I do remember hearing about that, I think back in December? I had considered trying to submit articles for it at the time, and would be interested to do so again. I think there are a lot of stories about these very events that we've been talking about that haven't really been discussed but that the school has a right to know about. Maybe it would help to give people the confidence to come forward with any information that they might know as well. I don't know about being in charge of it, though. I'm still pretty new. But maybe even just writing…I'll talk to her.

Anyway, I think Janus might actually start pecking at me if I make this any longer, so I'm going to wrap up here. Looking forward to hearing from you again, though!

Kind regards,
Decipio

p.s. And no, glasses certainly don't give anyone special powers. At least I don't think so. Unless…I wonder if they can be enchanted in some way to allow special vision…

Date: July 31, 2020
Addressed to: Eveline Decipio @Evelynn Decipio
Delivery: Attached to the leg of an extremely cranky and haughty European eagle-owl, accompanied by a small Tupperware container

Dearest, Decipio

Since I know this is already gonna happen, sorry about Evers (that's the owl). He's a massive pain in the ass to pretty much everyone on the face of earth except my mom. If he tries to pecks your hands just give him a mouse or something. If I could I'd send you letters with a different owl but my mom thinks Evers is just the best. He's not. Your owl is super cool though! I don't know much about owls to be honest. My mom pretended that Evers was just a normal owl in the wild that liked to hang around our house before I learned about the wizarding world and even when I started to go to Hogwarts I wasn't really that into birds either. I know my friend Dea has a owl who's very cool but honestly I just really like cats. Big cat person over here. The school ones are good enough for sending the ocashunal emergency letter home to my mom or my dad but Evers usually does all the heavy lifting for me. Maybe that's why he hates me so much.

AND HELL YEAH! Hufflepuff totally crushed the pulp out of those Russian wizards. I mean my tent sucked ass wasn't really the best but the game itself was really cool. Everyone was super fast on their brooms, and all the Hufflepuff players did really well. Serena was so fast, and she and Kovacs got the snitch! What a team! But I agree... maybe I should get a video camera or something. Do you think the wizarding world has video cameras? Then we could tape games and include clips in the Headliner, right? Well, I hope your friend does a good job describing the game. I don't remember a lot of it, to be honest, I was kind of staring at Alexx in aw the whole time so I don't remember a lot of details. I think I want to join the Quidditch team when we go back this fall though. Maybe I can put my insanely awesome muscles to use.

And I barely even saw Cecily! What's up with the Ravenclaw Quidditch team? Are they like a bird cult or something? I barely even saw a hair of her blond head during the entire camp which was a major bummer. We should hunt them down during the school year, along with other Ravenclaws. I know there's one that I kind of want to talk to anyways, so like 2 stones with one bird, right? Maybe we can set up like a interrogation room in the Headliner office... or what do they do on those police shows? Like a tip line?

Speaking of the Headliner, I think I'm going to quit writing for the it. I... I actually haven't even talked to Alexx about this yet, but I don't think I want to write anymore. I mean don't get me wrong I love the Headliner a lot and the people on the team too. But I don't even like writing, man. Especially not articles. It's like homework, except other people besides you're professors read it! I joined the Headliner because... uh... well I didn't join it because I loved writing. But I've been watching the printing team do their thing since the day I joined and I think I could do that you know? I don't know. I could put up with the deadlines and the writing in the beginning but now I'm not so sure. I heard 4th year is supposed to be really hard with a lot of homework, and the printing side of stuff seems less stressful. And frankly, a lot less work.

And part of me is wondering if my writing was even any good you know? My mom read the first couple of paragraphs of this letter over my shoulder cuz she's a freak and she said my writing was really hard to read! And that it didn't flow, or whatever that means. Maybe I'm just not cut out to be a writer. I dunno.

Anyways I hope you're excited for your... what, second year? Honestly the homework was a pain in the ass but I guess if you're as nerdy as everyone else on the Headliner you'll enjoy learning about the stuff. I liked Transfiguration especially, Cy really knows how to get your blood pumping during her lessons. Love her.

I hope you're having a good summer!


ps my mom's a nerd a made you and your family some cookies. There vegan though so IDK if you want to eat them... take a bite and tell me what you think I guess.

Date Sent: August 11th, 2020
Addressed to: Ami Procoppio @Ami Procoppio
Delivery: Rolled, attached to the leg of a large and dignified barn owl

Dear Procoppio,

First of all, please pass along to your mother our thanks. It was a very lovely surprise to receive the container of cookies. I'll admit, they weren't quite sweet enough for my taste, but my mother quite enjoyed them. Besides, as my gran always says, "It's the thought that counts". We're quite touched that your mother cared to share her baking with us. A delightful treat, really. And you weren't at all exagerrating about your owl, Evers, either. Fortunately, I managed to pull my hand quick enough to avoid any real damage. Janus wasn't too thrilled, though. I don't think I've ever heard him squawk quite as loud as he did, or puff himself up as large as he was when he swooped over to batter Evers back out the window. It was quite the ridiculous sight, really. Janus isn't even half Evers' size, but took it upon himself to be my white knight, it seems. At least he had the sense to fly away immediately upon exiting the window, though, rather than continue aggravating Evers.

Anyway, I'm sorry to hear that not everything about the summer camp worked out as you might have hoped. With how long you had to stay there, it really is a shame that the tent was as it was. Were you not able to choose who you bunked with? Is that why you didn't see Cecily as much as you'd have hoped? Or were the quidditch teams all bunking together? We can certainly converse with her and the other Ravenclaws when term starts. I'm almost relieved I didn't go if that was the case. I think I would rather not be forced to share a tent with certain members of my team. That aside, that's rather exciting news that the game was exciting enough to make you consider joining the team once term starts up again. Do you know which position you would go for? Personally, I always thought that you looked like you could make for a frightening beater.

I have to laugh here. When I first joined the Gryffindor team, it was for the beater position. Can you believe it? Me? A beater? I even had Professor Berceguay give me a few private lessons to give myself as much of an edge as I could get. Thankfully, the team had the sense to trade my role with Edelhardt's, so I was instead positioned to be a chaser. At least until the second string seeker position became available. I had always fancied myself a seeker, so I was fortunate to be able to slip into that position. But anyway, point is, if you do want to try for beater—or any of the positions, really—I could probably give you a few pointers. If you'd like. You'd be welcome to come fly with me in the mornings before class for some practice.

I like your idea about taking video recordings of games, as well. (Does that mean you're not from a wizarding household?) It's something that I've wished we could do for a while now. I would always have my mother record my riding lessons and competitions so that I could watch them afterwards and note areas in my positioning, posture, and jump approaches that needed to be improved. There is a lot of benefit to being able to watch through clips of sports games after the fact as well to assess similar things. Unfortunately, nothing electronic works at Hogwarts. You can read about it in "Hogwarts: A History", but all electronics stop working when they're near magic. I think it's like how you can destroy a hard drive or other devices if you bring them too close to a powerful enough magnet. Magic is like a super powerful magnet that fries electronics.

But that's not to say that something similar couldn't be done! There are cameras that function in the wizarding world, afterall. So perhaps they have their own equivalent to a video recording device as well? Although, with how wizarding photos move, perhaps that's not even necessary. I imagine you could likely task someone to take periodic photographs throughout the length of a game and if you had enough of them, perhaps they might play out like a series of gifs (do you know what a gif is?) that play out the match. With this already being one idea on your mind, though, I'm quite intrigued to see what else you have to put forward for the Headliner. I can't imagine why you would have joined the article team if you didn't enjoy writing. I hope Miss Severin allows you to change over to help with the printing team instead.

I'm quite looking forward to going back to school. I wasn't for a while, but I've found myself missing the castle and the classes quite a bit. And quidditch quite a lot. Although, I am a bit nervous as well. This might sound strange, but have you ever had your fortune read? At all? I went to a fair this past weekend and they had tarot reading there. I thought it would be just a silly thing…but in a way, I think it's partly what is making me feel more confident about going back. It was strangely accurate. I'm not even sure anymore if she was actually only a muggle. Some of the things she said were a little too accurate. Without going into everything, though, she ended up saying that although it was a dark and dangerous path, as long as I stayed brave (I guess I really am a Gryffindor) the cards had aligned in my favour.

It seems strange to find comfort in cards, though. Can they really tell the future? You've been taking Divination, have you not? How do you find it? It wasn't one of the courses that I was really interested in initially, but now I'm not so sure… I still wouldn't be able to take it for another year, but maybe there's something to it?

I likewise hope you're enjoying the rest of your summer,
Decipio

p.s. My mother was so touched by the gesture that she wanted to return the favour, so we're returning your Tupperware with some treats as well. They are homemade chocolate nut bars based on Eat-More chocolate bars, if you've heard of those? Admittedly, it's not the most appealing to look at, but they are rather tasty. And they're vegan as well.

Date: August 21, 2020
Addressed to: Evelynn Decipio @Evelynn Decipio
Delivery: Attached to the leg of an extremely cranky and haughty European eagle-owl

Evelynn,

The Eat-More thingies rocked! My mom ate so many of them that I could only eat like 2. Scout (that's my baby brother he's not even 2 yet) tried to eat one but I think it might have hurt his teeth two much. I don't really know. But they were really really good. And vegan, too, which is great! The wizarding world sucks at being vegan friendly. Their like, diskriminating against us or something it sucks.

Janus is so dope, man. He's actually polite?? And he's very pretty too. Do owls even like being called pretty? Whatever, he's a very pretty owl- Evers is HUGE. I don't know why my mom needs an owl this big, but the big guy coughs up the nastiest vomit-clumpy-thingies I've ever seen. And he definitely will fight back... Dang, man. Now I'm kind of scared for Janus. If Evers keeps acting up just let me know and I'll tell my mom to tell him to stop. Lord knows he doesn't listen to me.

Amadea invited me to tent with her but she forgot to tell me who else we were gonna be tenting with... which really isn't her fault I guess but a little heads up could've been nice right? Safe to say there were a couple of unexpected surprises that came with that but nothing I couldn't handle! We got to choose who we were tenting with, and I guess the whole Ravenclaw team choosed to tent together. I'm not sure if Gryffindor or Slytherin tented together but I know Hufflepuff definitely did. Makes sense right since it's their big game?

And thank you! I think I would be a frightening beater too. I've been working out more because I felt like I was getting really out of shape you know, because I used to be like SUPER strong. And maybe you started out in the wrong position but I think Seeker fits you really well, so I'm glad that you stuck through it! I'll have to keep a special eye out for you on the field then, even if I don't end up on the team. But if I do, and I somehow do get beater (even though Hufflepuff's beaters are FREAKING AMAZING), I'm definitely going to have to take you up on that morning flying offer. My hand eye coordination may be unbeatable but my flying is a little rusty.

And yeah, you're right- sort of? I grew up in America with my dad who's a No-Maj and then moved to London right before I had to go to Hogwarts. And that electricity stuff kinda sucks I guess but it makes sense at the same time. Maybe that's why No-Majs have never actually had any good proof about her before. (Yes I know what a GIF is, but is it a hard g or a j? It's a hard G. There's no other right answer) Maybe we should talk to someone with a camera... I think that Sarah girl has one? God, what's her name? She's a Slytherin. Her last name's like Marshall or something? Maybe she can get us some good shots in general to put in the newspaper.

Also, you ride? That's super cool! Must be why you're so good at Quidditch then. You'll have to show me a video one day.

Interesting thing about your future though. I don't think I have, although my mom tried to make me get it read once. But your future... that sounds scary, right? But don't they always say that stupid thing about how you can be brave if you're not scared? Or maybe it's not actually that stupid. Either way, even if the lady's words do come true, I think you're very brave and that you'll be able to achieve whatever it is that you want to achieve, or what you need to achieve.

I don't actually take Divination, my electives are CoMC and Muggle Studies... I'm bad enough at Astrology AND Astronomy as it is, I don't need more pressure from the stars in Divination, you know? But I think if a proper wizard does it, if a proper magical person takes a look at your future... well, maybe there's something to it. Didn't crystal balls play a big part in the Harry Potter debacle in the 90's? Or maybe I'm making that up, I don't know. I'm not very good with history either.

Well, break's almost over, and I've done almost no homework. Mom's taking me to Diagon Alley on the 25th for all that back to school nonsense, maybe I'll see you there. Unless you already did all your shopping which is probably smart. But anyways I guess I'll see you at Hogwarts! Mom's promised to send fewer letters (she used to send them daily, it was insane) so I'll probably use Leo (that's my cat) to send you stuff. He's not the most reliable messenger but I think short distances is okay.