Split Life Of War DISCONTINUED

39 The Letters

Chapter 39

I ate dinner, and stayed to enjoy the radio music playing in the main room. Tom was cleaning the empty tables, and slowly people left for their rooms or homes. After an hour or so, I got up and walked back up to my room as well. The two boys sat on their beds. The taller one got up and handed me eight envelopes. I looked down and saw that one was my Hogwarts letter. There was also seven others that had my name on them. I set my Hogwarts letter aside, and started with the letter on the top of the pile.

Cathy,

I hope you got back to camp safely, as I do not know. I was attacked in the forest, and forced to leave camp along with Raven. We will return to Hogwarts this year, but I am unsure if there will be much to return to. Professor Snape was made headmaster, I do not know if you have heard. The Muggle Studies teacher also resigned, and two professors, the Carrows, took the place of Muggle Studies and DADA. I sent Caleb a letter as well, as I am not sure if he is with you. I had finished all of the homework our professors assigned over the summer, as has Raven. Hailey is with us, but she knows nothing of the Wizarding world. Thankfully, she is just a normal demigod.

Hoping to see you soon,

Alisa

I looked up. Both the boys also had a Hogwarts letter, but the taller boy was reading a different letter he must have received. I folded up Alisa's letter, and set it in a drawer in the stand next to me. Then I grabbed the letter next in the pile.

Dear Catherine,

This is Kevin. I am coming back to Hogwarts in the fall. I just found out my mum is dead. My brother is making me come back. Death eaters killed my mum. My brother is a third year Hufflepuff. Did you hear about the new professors? They are death eaters. Do not talk to me at Hogwarts.

Kevin

I frowned, confused. What was going on with him? Last year he was really nice and friendly. In addition, he did not even tell me where he had disappeared to the last few months of the school year. Did he even know his dad? His letter had just left me with more questions than answers. I shoved his letter in the drawer along with Alisa's. Five more letters were left, and I picked up the next one.

Sis,

Well, I wish we were sisters. However, we are not. Alisa, Hailey, and I had to leave camp. Did you get back there safely? Did Clarisse save the camp? I am returning to Hogwarts, so do not worry. Did you hear about the new professors and Snape? If you have a Prophet, you should have. Are they death eaters? Did you finish your homework, because I did not. Alisa and I are going to get our books the day before school starts.

Hope to see you soon,

Raven Black

Tears started to well up in my eyes. I hope I see Alisa and Raven when they come to Diagon Alley. One of the next letters are sure to be from Caleb, but who else would write the other? I took a shaky breath and picked up the next letter. The handwriting on the envelope was strangely familiar. I do not believe that I know any other people in the wizarding world. Once I opened the letter, I remembered exactly who would write such a lengthy letter.

Dear Catherine Granger, Daughter of Hera

This is Xavier, and I am indeed alive. I have found that I am a son of Athena, the goddess of wisdom, battle strategy, and crafts. How was your summer? My summer was all right, but it could have been improved. How is Raven? I will come to Diagon Alley the day before the Hogwarts Express leaves. I have finished the homework we had been assigned over the summer. Have you finished your homework as well? There was quite a lot of extra credit that I finished as well.

I hope to hear all about your summer when we meet again. I hope to inform you about my summer as well. If you remember Kevin Bell from Hogwarts, prepare yourself. He is a son of Apollo. Kevin is also working for Kronos. I cannot tell you how I know, in fear that this letter may be intercepted. Watch your back, as there are unknown forces everywhere. Even where you feel safest, your life may be in grave danger.

Sincerely,

Xavier Higgs

Son of Athena

Second Year

Gryffindor House

At least that letter was proof that he was alive just as Hermes had said. Leave it to Xavier to end with a list of formal titles. I found much relief in the fact that Xavier was safe and well. Now, after Xavier's letter, I understood what had changed Kevin. It puzzled me though, as to how Xavier had known about the son of Apollo. Three letters remained, only one belonging to Caleb. The clock chimed eleven, and I looked up in surprise. The two boys had discarded their cloaks, revealing black masks over their faces. The taller boy had raven black hair, and rather tan skin, while the other boy had blond hair and electric blue eyes that shone brightly. The shorter boy was climbing in bed with his bedside lamp turned off, while the taller boy was staring at a letter. I finally picked up another letter.

Dear Catherine,

I hope you are safe and well. I have to obliviate mum and dad to keep them safe, they will not know that they have any children, and will hopefully move to Australia. If anyone asks, I went with them. Harry will not be returning to Hogwarts, and Ronald is "sick." Be careful at Hogwarts. Keep your friends close, do not get in any trouble, and stick to your studies. Things will be horrible this year, but do not give up, no matter what the Prophet says. If we make it out of this, we will go down to Australia together to fix mum and dad, and return a family.

With love,

Hermione Granger

Tears flooded down my cheeks as I closed her letter and put it in the drawer with the others. I hate the word "if," it leaves empty promises. I looked up to see the taller boy watching me. The shorter one had fallen asleep. I wiped away the tears and waved him off. I took the letter that bore Caleb's handwriting, put it to the side to read tomorrow, and opened the other letter.

Dear Cathy,

I cannot tell you much in this letter, as it may be intercepted. I can only tell you that Luke has doubled the amount of demigods, and has a traitor at camp. I do not know where you are, and only hope you are safe. Sorry for having to keep you on Luke's ship, but congrats on escaping. I am going to return to the wizarding world two days from the start of school. I hope to see you then. However, for now, good luck.

Jacob Tatlock

I had forgotten about Jacob. The letter was placed in the same drawer as all the others. I looked up to see the taller boy's light off, but his outline revealed him sitting up, watching me. I managed to give him a small smile. He sank into his bed; I turned off my lamp, and did the same. The moon gave a soft illumination to our room through the window, and all was silent. I could hear the steady breathing of the boy who had fallen asleep earlier. Soon sleep took me as well.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

October 3, 2015

I am dedicating this entire day to writing. I did not wake up until nine, and finally had a meal at noon, so I had fewer interruptions. No, I am not starving myself, I just was not hungry, and you should only eat when you are hungry. Last night I was working, and it was the best night ever. Nothing is better than working with new and old friends. I hope that this book will go to 64 chapters, and so far I have no doubt it will. Enjoy your school year!

*BAM* wut