breaking news [ava]

[Deleted]

dear ava,

What's up, hey, hello! I heard the funniest thing the other day, but of course no one would let me put it in the paper - well, they wouldn't let anyone put it in the paper, but especially not me. Apparently the newest conspiracy on the street (I hope you're sitting down, because you might faint from how ridiculous it is), is that Muggles murdered my father. I mean, how stupid are people, actually? To think that Muggles could kill a trained Auror without a struggle is laughable. Just a story that I'd thought you enjoy hearing. Hope everything's going well at school. Oh, are you spending Christmas here, or part of it? Abigail hasn't said much to me about it. Well, I guess I never asked about it, but whatever. This letter is getting way too long. Sorry. Hope to hear from you soon!

yours, royal

[Deleted]

Dear Royal,

It's great to hear from you! I have to tell you I was sitting at the Gryffindor table in the great hall when I read your letter. I am so glad that I was. I was left breathless for a split second. Muggles! Honestly, where do these people come up with such nonsense? I will admit, I'm glad it didn't make the Daily Prophet, someone might have taken it seriously and actually started to scapegoat muggles even more. I mean they're absolutely defenceless really. Almost completely harmless and yet people are so keen on making them out to be the bad guys. People just get ridiculous theories when fear is on the rise. It's sad and a shame. I'm so glad you told me though, definitely one to listen out for at Hogwarts. I'll let you know if anyone else gets wind of it. I'd be curious to find out how that one started. I do have a few theories in mind. None good.

I'm not sure about Christmas as of yet. I haven't really had much of a chance to talk to Abby about it. It'd be nice to come over, visit you and your mum but I don't want to impose. I know it's not going to be easy. Might have to just play it by ear this year. Hehe, that rhymed!

I hope you're keeping well and staying out of trouble!

Yours truly, Ava

[Deleted]

ava --

I'd have to agree with you there. The last thing Dad would have wanted would be for Muggles to get any more flak than they already do. It's bad enough that they have to live without magic - though the science they've invented is quite fascinating - and to kill a governmental official is a universal offense, magic or Muggle, any country of the world. It's not something that I'd ever let get put in the paper. I mean, I don't choose what gets put in the paper specifically, but they've more or less started running all the articles about him by me. Something about 'respect for the family'.

If it's worth anything, I'd like you to drop by - you wouldn't be imposing. It'd be weird to just not have anyone over, y'know? Spirit of the season and all. I mean, it's going to be hard, don't get me wrong, but...well, I'd like you to be there if you could work it out with Abigail.

You're a poet and you didn't know it! (That rhymed, too. I'm very talented.) And, just for the record, I never get in any trouble. Well, I never get into any trouble that can directly be traced back to me as the source. Oh - before I forget - I've received an inordinate amount of candy from an anonymous source and I'm...98? 99? percent sure it's not poisoned. Well, I haven't died yet so I guess it's not, but whatever. If you want some, just let me know, because there's no way I'll be able to eat it all.

sincerely, royal

[Deleted]

Dear Royal,

Yes! Totally! Though I find not many people agree that muggle's and their way of life is fascinating. Muggle's cope sooo well without magic and do such a great job ignoring magic! Great minds think alike. I wish I could have fit muggle studies into my N.E.W.T's but I didn't want to overload myself this year. I'm already taking an extra class. I'm also really pleased the paper's got your back, I'm glad you've got support at work.

Well how could I resist such a request. I'll definitely pop by this Christmas. I'll talk it over with Abby as soon as I see her next. I'll get my mum to help me bake some yummy treats. I'm not so much of a cook, as well you may remember with the burnt cookie fiasco of 2019. I'm sure it was Abby that convinced me it was a great idea for us to try baking at 2 in the morning. I seriously thought your dad was going to go crazy at us but he totally found the funny side to it all! I know it's hard on you guys and your mum more than anyone but I want you to know your dad meant a lot to me. I miss him too.

Agh! Sorry if the parchments a little crinkled in places. I had to run off to Potions. I nearly lost track of time.

I'm sure you're always in trouble for something, you just don't know it, but I'll be sure to burn your letter so nothing can be traced back to you and it's not taken as a letter of admittance!

Candy is awesome! I would so love some! There's a Hogsmeade weekend coming up soon if you want to catch up in person. If you haven't the time then air-mail candy is just as good. Might even come through with some snowy goodness at the moment, weather's not great here, but don't let that deter you from a visit! The Leaky Cauldron's starting to get a bit festive I do believe!

Looking forward to hearing from you again, Ava

[Deleted]

dear ava,

What N.E.W.T.s are you taking? I'm sure Abigail must have told me but I've been thinking about a lot of stuff lately. I'm glad you're trying not to stress out; seventh year was really freaking difficult for me and I didn't take any extra classes. If you ever need help studying or anything then feel free to ask. I mean, I don't know how I'd get into Hogwarts or anything - well, the headmaster would probably let me in, come to think of it - but you might be better off finding a study group. You can choose to do whatever, actually. I should stop rambling.

Yeah, no more burnt cookies. Please. It's the stuff like about dad like that that I miss the most. I miss the way he smiles. I think that having company might make it easier. Idle hands do the devil's work or something like that, you know?

Your parchment's not wrinkled, don't worry. Hope you had fun in Potions class, because I never did. I'm glad that my letters are so riveting that you lose track of time! I've never had anyone so interested in what I've had to say before. Guess that's why I'm writing a book. Maybe then other people will think of me as someone worth listening to. I mean, I've always been worth listening to, just not so intently. You know what, this is just getting weird. I'll stop.

I sent some Chocolate Frogs your way (as you can probably tell, considering this letter was attached to them. My one condition is that if you find one of my father's cards you send it back to me. I'm trying to find one but I've had no luck so far. That's the reason why I thought someone would send me a buttload of candy like this. Maybe they knew of my quest. In case you're wondering, I'm also missing the cards of the four founders of Hogwarts. Just in case.

When you know when the Hogsmeade weekend is, tell me. I'd love to see you and Abigail sometime. Sorry this letter got so long - I know you have better things to do than read this. Hope you're still doing well!

fondly, royal

[Deleted]

I've got Charms, D.A.D.A, Herbology, Potions, C.o.M.C, Advanced Flying and Transfiguration as an extra. It's pretty easy going really. I just have to give up a couple of free periods every week to fit in Transfiguration, but it works. I suck at Potions and Herbology in particular. I have to try so hard with those two and I only manage to just get 'E's'. This is my last year so I have to really try harder with those two. The rest are pretty easy and Transfiguration is a breeze. I can do that, I just can't do Potions, it requires perfect timing and it's too similar to cooking, and we know how I am at that! Herbology is also terrible, I can recognise and prune plants, I know what they can be used for but there's no way I can keep things alive. Apparently I have 'a knack for killing plants'. Not sure you can help there but you can try. It might be a lost case.

I get what you mean. If you ever start getting too inside your own mind and want to let it all out, you can always send me a letter. I'll respond, unless you don't want me too. It can be nice just have someone that knows what's going on in your mind without them having to say a word. There's no judgment here - you know that.

Of course I'm interested in what you have to say. Especially if it means ignoring potions, even for a moment! I hope I get an advanced copy of your book when it's done. Also it's not weird, you're never weird, at least not in a bad way.

Thank you so much for those! I'll keep an eye out for any cards, I don't collect them but I know a few people who do so I'll ask around if I don't find them in this batch.

Next Hogsmeade weekend is the first weekend of December, it'll be great to see you in person and I know Abby will be pleased!

Always, Ava.

[Deleted]

dearest ava,

I'm afraid I can't help you much with the Herbology debacle. Defense Against the Dark Arts was always my strong suit. I was told by a least a dozen people that it ran in the family, but personally, I think that's rubbish. If I do something well it's because I do it well. It didn't hurt to have access to the Minister of Magic and about a dozen Aurors, but I digress. Dark Arts and plants don't have much in common, unless you talk about the crazy dangerous plants that they don't let students touch. As for Potions, the only advice that I can offer is to practice. I scraped an O by taking extra classes on the weekends. That might be a little more difficult for you since you're already giving up some of your free periods though. You should have taken Arithmancy - it's a lot easy to study for than Potions because it doesn't require as much hands-on practice.

I really appreciate that. A lot of my school friends have been kind of...distant. I appreciate that it's a hard topic to talk about but it can be very lonely to have everyone kind of clam up. It's awkward, because none of my friends have dead dads. Well, Teddy does, but he doesn't remember his dad so it's kind of a moot point. I'll probably take you up on your offer sometime.

Funny thing about getting an advanced copy of my book is I actually have to finish the damn thing. I'm treading water here; I have all these memories but no way to organize them. I don't want to use a Pensieve because it feels so...sterile. Impersonal. If you have any suggestion at all as to how I go about organizing these thoughts, please, please, for the love of all things good, tell me.

You're a lifesaver, A. Thanks so much. I'll see you in December, I hope!

always, royal

[Deleted]

Dear Royal,

I could not do Artithmancy. Too many numbers would turn my brain to mush. Besides I like my subjects, mostly. I need them to become a hit witch. They're the ones that are going to be most beneficial to me and big skills I'm going to need when chasing down the bad guys! I've started my revision schedule so I'm getting prepared for my exams. Only a couple of months left now and then I'll be graduating. It's such a daunting and depressing thought but at the same time I just can't wait!

I guess your friends are distant because they're not sure what to say or do. Let them know if there's anything you need, I'm sure they'll be willing to help you out. Once I've graduated I can help out too, it's just a little hard from Hogwarts.

Well the main question is how do you want to present the book? If you want to present it as his life then work chronologically, if you want to have people know it's from his son then you can jump a little from time to time. Start with the introduction, what your dad meant to the world, his accomplishments and most of all what he meant to you and your family. Make a draught of chapters you want included and I'll help you figure out the best order for them all if you want. Just make sure you don't stress yourself doing all of this. There’s always someone you can reach out to if needs be and don’t forget about your mum. I’m sure she’ll have plenty of little personal touches to add if you get tapped out.

‘Lifesaver’ is a bit extreme but you know, I do what I can! Just don’t tell anyone, I’m not this nice to everyone, just the people I like! See you in December, Royal!

See you soon, Ava

[Deleted]

dear ava,

The thing I like about numbers is that they don’t make sense. Potions can change depending on the phase of the moon (I mean, seriously, whose idea was it to make that a thing? It’s hard enough without having to plan your potion around the moon cycle) and animals are finicky and change by the minute. A number will always be a number and I appreciate that. You’d think it’s not that useful for a political career but some of the theory behind it is actually quite interesting and applicable.

Graduation is going to be great! You can spend some time with your family and friends and then go looking for a job. Since everyone’s graduating from the same school at the same time it’s actually rather easy to find one. The Ministry’s always looking for well-trained witches and wizards, especially since the incident with my dad. You’re gonna do great on your exams!

It’s kind of a weird thing to ask of someone, though. Like, there are days where I honestly don’t want to talk to anyone and those are always the days when people try to be helpful. I don’t want to push them away though, because then when I do feel like talking there’s no one there. That’s one of the reasons I like letters so much – if I don’t feel like talking I can just respond the next day, and no one gets mad.

As for the book, I’m considering it having it be the story of both of our lives. Not only my dad’s life, but also how it touched mine and set me on a new course. I mean, my dad’s pretty much the reason I’m a Slytherin and that’s a big deal for me since there’s still such a stigma against my house and such. I guess…I want to tell his story, but I also want to make sure people know that no one exists in a vacuum. The best thing that you can do with your life is touch others, you know? And my dad touched a lot of people and I want to show that.

You lions are silly. I’ll keep your secret if you want me to, though. That’s one of my biggest strengths. Until December!

yours, royal

[Deleted]

Dear Royal,

I think I'll leave the numbers to you!

Graduation is going to be a new chapter of my life. I'm just going to miss the familiarity of Hogwarts. It's my second home. I'm looking forward to starting a career though! Some people are worried but I'm excited. I just want to dive head first into it all and get started on my training all ready. I'm so excited I'm even looking forward to filling out the paperwork, talk about crazy!

Whatever you do and however you do it, just make sure you're happy with it and it'll all be right.

Knew I could count on you, Royal!

Forever, Ava

[Deleted]

dear ava,

Whatever you say, Ava, whatever you say.

I think this poor owl I've been borrowing might peck out my eyes if I try to get him to send any more letters in the near future, so don't expect to hear much from me for at least a week or so. I anxiously await seeing you later, though.

Study hard. Eat right. Try not to fall in love with any cute boys. Miss you loads!

forever, royal