Dear Mater and Pater,

I have arrived safely at school. Cousin Araminta Meliflua was most helpful during the train ride, introducing me to other pureblood students. They were talking about hunting Muggles; one of the older students said it was a great idea. I wanted to tell them that it was wrong, but whenever I opened my mouth, they would tell me to be quiet, that I was only a First-Year and no-one pays attention to First Years. They also told me that they’d shoot me if I said anything to you.

It is my pleasure to inform you that I’ve been sorted into Slytherin although the Hat tried hard to put me in Gryffindor. I told it I couldn’t, that I was a Black and we all belong in Slytherin. It told me that I didn’t have to go to Slytherin if I didn’t want to, that I was a brave young man and I’d do well in Gryffindor. But I begged it to please put me in Slytherin. Araminta was looking at me in a very strange way and I wasn’t feeling very brave at all. Finally the Hat told me that I could make a difference in Slytherin I’m very proud of my House; don’t believe Araminta’s stories that the Hat took too long to shout “Slytherin”. It took only a few minutes. It was actually quite fast.

I have met the other boys in my dormitory. They are all purebloods, of course. I remember seeing them at public festivals, but not at our parties: their last names are Dolohov, Mulciber and Nott. Can I befriend them? Are they our equals? They don’t look very friendly

Abraxas Malfoy is the Fifth Year Prefect and he told me he’ll take care of me. He said that we, high born purebloods should always be together. I don’t like him at all; he makes me uncomfortable

I wonder if Gryffindor is more fun

Your respectful son,

Alphard

Tags: 1936, alphard_black

Dear Sanara,

Hello! How are you? I know it's been a while since we saw each other last. I hope your parents are well and Edgar, Edwin damn your brother too.

Da said I thought you would appriciate getting some letters from Hogwarts.

I'm in Gryffindor which is really great. The other first years seem nice enough. Augusta and Mezereon Can you imagin are the only ones I've really talked to. It's strange living with other girls in a dormitory. We are in a tower and have four poster beds decorated in red and gold. Dagamara Corby has a horrible cat who keeps hissing and attacking Picus. Picus is my kitten, a little tabby with folded ears. They started out upright, but when he was a few weeks old, they just folded down. He's really quite bonny and growing fast.

Lessons are wonderful and we are learning a lot. We'll some of us are. Some Slytherin keeps lighting things on fire. Must be a bad wand, I guess. Professor Dumbledore is odd but I love his class. Transfigurtion where we turn all sorts of things into something else. And there's Potions and Charms and Defense against the Dark Arts. You'll love it here.

I need to go. History in ten minutes

Tags: 1936, minerva_mcgonagall

Dear Da:

I’m in Gryffindor! Important bits first so you won’t fash too much. The Sorting ceremony was not as nearly as scary as everyone said it would be. Just standing about with everyone staring at you… though I think one of the boys almost soiled his robes even before he got to the chair. The hat was nice enough to me, a bit chatty about wit and courage. I think the process could be improved if it just to the point strag straightaway.

The journey on the train was okay, though I couldn’t find a quiet seat place anywhere. It was bedlam for the first few hours. I don’t know where the prefects were but they certainly were not doing their jobs. I really wanted to finish my reading, but I’ll read the last few chapters tonight when I’m done with this letter.

Picus is hiding under the bed. I don’t think he likes Dagmara’s cat who is a big gray female. Dagmara told me that she catches gnomes in her garden in Kent. (The cat catches them. Not Dagmara.) I hope it’s that. And not that he’s afraid of the toad of the girl with the glasses. I’ve forgotten her name. But Picus is such a wee thing. I think he’s mostly fur. How big do you think he’ll get? As big as Lir was?

I’m looking forward to classes. Defense against the Dark Arts sounds exciting and so does Tranfigur Transfigurations. Professor Dumbledore is in charge of that and he is our Head of House. I can’t wait until our flying lessons and quidditch. I promise not to show off on the first day, but a two of the first year boys in Gryffindor are Muggle born and they had never even heard of wizards, let alone Quidditch. Do you think the flying teacher might let me move up with the 2nd years? Or take extra lessons?

Well, I need to read before the it gets too late. I miss you, Da. But I’ll make you proud. Wish Mum could see me.

Love Always,

Tags: 1936, minerva_mcgonagall