Hogwarts: A Future

Chapter Twelve: Form in Letters

Al gazed around the empty common room. It had always felt so easy to talk to his father, but now the prospect of writing for advice, and advice about a Malfoy, had halted Al's quill. There was something very real and solid in writing a problem down. What would his dad say when he read that Scorpius Malfoy was his friend? Should he tell his dad about Aello? Or just about the other first years?

Sighing, Al realised he was not even sure what he wanted advice about. More than anything he just wanted to see and speak to his parents. A nagging voice spoke again in the back of his mind, what would they say about Scorpius?

Ink dripped from the quill onto parchment. Blotting with a glove someone had left on the table a shock of realisation hit Al. Here he was worrying about what his parents would say about his friend, when he had just proclaimed, more than once, that it did not matter in the slightest what anyone's name was. He snorted. Re-dipping his quill Al began again.

Dear Mum and Dad,

Thanks for your last letter. Sorry I haven't written back yet, Hogwarts is a lot busier than I thought. James has got onto the Quidditch team. He's very happy about that. I did okay in my potions homework, but I think that's because Rosie helped me. She keeps dragging me to the library. Sometimes we go with our friends. Edwin and Petra are twins and in Gryffindor, then there's Scorpius and Iapetus who are in Slytherin and Rachel from Ravenclaw with Rosie. They're all really nice. Some of the others aren't too happy we're friends. I wanted to ask don't know how it's difficult sometimes. I miss home lots. James is excited about going into Hogesmede for the first time. I was wondering if I could have some extra pocket money? So I can ask James to get something from Hogesmede for Lil.

Love you lots,

Al.

Reading his handiwork Al thought it was not bad. It gave a balanced view of his friends, and seemed to have another purpose altogether which was to get a present for Lil. Al only hoped there was a lack of worry, especially where he had crossed out some attempts to describe his situation. He folded the letter, marked it To Mum and Dad then pulled another sheet of parchment towards him.

Dear Lil,

You will be so amazed when you get to Hogwarts! It is great! The lessons aren't too hard at first and being allowed to make magic happen is so cool. The castle is bigger than I thought it would be. James was lying about the ghosts scaring first years, and about what he said about the Giant Squid. It did NOT try to eat us in the boats. Not had flying lessons yet, that's on Monday, but I'm sure I won't fall off because of Mum and Dad teaching us already. There are a few cats that don't belong to anyone, only the school. Some are very fluffy and ginger and have red eyes, and others are all brown. They go where they like and I heard some seventh years say they thought they were part Kneazel so are very smart. I thought you'd like to hear that most of all. It'll be Christmas really soon, then I'll tell you all about it. Miss you Lil, and I'll try to remember to write more. At least I've sent a letter, more than James did in his first year, although you are too young to remember it.

Love from,

Al.

Having satisfied the demands upon him as an older brother, Al was happy with his epistle skills. He folded the letter to his sister one time more than his parent's letter, then tucked it into the first letter.

He only got lost once on the way to the Owlery, and only found where he had taken a wrong turn after an hour. Still, Al had high hopes that by that evening his Dad, Mum and Lil would be reading his letters. Deliberately choosing a big school eagle owl Al gingerly attached the letters to the large taloned leg and watched the owl swoop gracefully out of the window and out into the afternoon sunlight.