september 27th, 2025
Dear mama,
I hope you are well. I'm sorry I couldn't get a letter out to you sooner, but things have been hectic trying to settle into Hogwarts.
To start, I was sorted into Hufflepuff, known as the house of the kind, and has a badger as its symbol. The Head of House when I started was a man we called Professor Browne, but he has since resigned and been replaced by the librarian, Miss Alarie. Both were very nice and kind, and also very supportive. I was also appointed a captain of the Duelling team for the house. It is unknown how I was considered, but it seems I'm doing well as I have not yet been removed from the position.
A few weeks ago, I watched over a duel and played my first match. Don't worry; I'm not really injured, and the nurse is very good at her job. Besides, there are worse sports to play here. I heard from my peers that Quidditch is a classic wizarding sport, so I took a brief look. It is brutal. They willingly let us swing bats and metal balls around, and they just let them drop hundreds of metres to the ground when they're knocked out. The other sport, Broom Racing, is less aggressive, but still very much so with the amount of physical tackling racers do to one another. Not only that, their tracks are scary to watch. They've got magical creatures on the tracks.
As for classes, there is not much to say. For our first year, we study Charms, Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, History of Magic, Astronomy, Herbology, and Flying. My grades have been good, and I'm averaging an O, which is the highest grade we can achieve here.
I would say I am enjoying my time here. I have my doubts about the Wizarding World, still, but the friends I've made have been patient with explaining things to me. Here, I'm a Muggle-born. That's the term they use for children who don't have magical parents. I'm not sure where the word comes from.
Despite all this, there is much to miss about living in our home and in London. I'm having to handle my own washing, though it is mostly just sorting them and giving them to the house elves here. The house elves are the housekeeping staff around here, and they are very nice, though they're not dressed so well. They do not seem to mind, however. I have to set my own clothes out every morning and wake up on my own. All meals are hosted in the Great Hall and the selection changes quite a bit. I have to get around the castle on my own which, honestly, is the tiring part. We are not allowed to fly brooms outside of class or sports, so we have to walk up and down several floors between classes. What's even worse is that the main staircase moves frequently, so sometimes you get stuck and have to wait until the stair reaches your platform.
On weekends, there is nowhere to go. In the first month, this wasn't quite an issue as the castle was large enough to explore for a while. But now that some time has passed, I am starting to get rather bored of the place. We're not allowed to go to the neighbouring village until we're older, which is Third year. So, until then, I can only spend my time in the castle.
How have you been? How has father been? I hope Cassius hasn't been too sad by my absence. Tell him I miss him dearly. As for Magnus, I send him my regards.
It is almost winter break, so I will be back home soon.
Using owls must be weird for you, but I have been assured that they know where they're supposed to go. So, once you are able to reply, just send the owl back with your letter.
Much love,
Vera
