Belladonna

Summer Correspondence

Belladonna 17

Summer Correspondence

The downside to Fred giving Ana his address, was that it meant Ana had to write to him first so that he could get her address. It took her no less than fifty drafts for her to be satisfied before sending the first letter. She couldn't decide how casual or flirtatious she should be. And she didn't have anyone who could help her with it.

Sev would be of no use, even if she wanted to tell him. Hestia might secretly be all right with it, but no one would ever know because she'd go along with whatever Flora said. Flora would absolutely abhor it. She'd throw a tantrum about how unfit he was, and how his family were all blood traitors and that sort of nonsense. Sadie would help her write a letter to any boy but Fred, because she'd be worried about what Flora would say and she'd want to keep the peace between them. And Ana couldn't turn to any of the Muggle girls around Spinner's End, because they all either hated her or feared her, and Ana didn't know which was worse.

So...she did the best she could.

30 June 1993

Red,

I hope your summer is going well so far. Mine is rather dull. Flora and Hestia have gone to visit their aunt and uncle up North; they're going to be gone nearly all summer. I met their Uncle Amycus on the platform, and I found him rather unpleasant. I wouldn't want to spend all summer in his company, but I guess family is family and sometimes we just have to deal with it.

Sadie has gone to Paris for the summer and won't be back until it's time to catch the train back. So it's just me and Sev. Oh joy! (Please note the extreme excitement of spending all summer in silence reading, doing homework, and brewing potions. Though I do rather enjoy a good brewing.)

Honestly, I wouldn't be too surprised if the Wicked Witch was called in for another inquiry this year.

Well, I'm sure I've bored you enough with the prospect of my summer fun. Maybe you could return the favor?

Ana went on to include details on how Fred should deliver his letter and then simply signed it as Ana. Since Ana lived in a Muggle dense community, she couldn't have owls flying in and out of their home. Fortunately, there was a secret entrance to the local post office. Ana took all her letters there and they saw that it was properly sorted and delivered via owl. Any return letters would arrive there by owl and then be sorted and arrive at Ana's door via the Muggle Postman.

When Ana went to send off her letter, she stopped and turned around three times before finally gaining the courage to send it. She felt ill the whole walk home and had to lie in bed for the rest of the afternoon. Then she had to wait nearly a week for his response. (But oh, when he responded you couldn't find a happier girl in Cokeworth.)

5 July 1993

Little Snake,

Wow. I hope you can manage to contain all the excitement in store for you. Not that you need any help, but should you find a little time were you're not having so much...fun...try these out on the unsuspecting person. Stink pellets from Zonko's. I told George I'd used all mine, so don't tell him where you got these. And since there's no magic required to set them off, there should be no need for the Ministry to come question you.

I suppose I can't really say much. My summers aren't much different. It helps to have a few siblings to tease, however...

His letter went on to describe what sort of pranks he pulled on his brothers, which was usually Ron. Ana treasured every word. He concluded his letter with...