– Sally-Anne
Dear Heri,
Out of all the things that have been asked of me, the school books I no longer have need of are definitely among the oddest. You must be more studious than I originally thought. You realise that the curriculum of Durmstrang is quite a bit different than Hogwarts? Not to mention that I'm quite certain that we do not share the same academic interests. I have sent them along with this letter, of course, but what use they will be to you I don't know.
– Viktor
Dear Heri,
If it wasn't selfish of me, I'd demand you return immediately. You have no idea how annoying Megan's becomes without you around! I thought she was a huge blabbermouth normally, but it's like she's decided to dial it up to eleven! The only time she hasn't been getting on my nerves recently has been when Zacharias was around, and that's only because we all know he would have her running home in tears if she got him started.
Bless her, we've had some good times together, but it's like she presses all my buttons all at once when she gets started. Not even Malfoy irks me as badly!
Just the other day, we met some cute boys at a Quidditch game, and just when I thought Sally-Anne had charmed their de facto leader into inviting us to get ice cream with them, Megan starts running her mouth about how much of a Quidditch expert she is because of her pro player sister and scares them off! Not even the fool that was dribbling all over himself at her fawning stuck around!
It's like she had absolutely no concept of how human interaction works. She'd be golden if she'd just stop talking over everyone else during conversations. It's enough to make me want to scream!
Come back soon and rescue me!
– Hannah
Dear Hannah,
I'm afraid that Sirius doesn't plan on us leaving any time soon. He's become quite enamoured with small-town life and is drinking in the anonymity with gusto. There's not likely to be any protest from Remus either since he is rather taken with the charms of New England as well. Maybe you could go on a trip of your own? I mean if you truly need some time away from Megan . . .
Do try to be easier on her; her enthusiasm runs away with her and she doesn't realise that not everyone shares the same interests.
Speaking of presumptuous enthusiasm, my cousin Dora has been visiting, and in her giddiness of her first time having time off from work, she's volunteered me to be a babysitter for a child we met at a play-park.
I've told you about Ollie, right? Well, she expressed interest in the swings we saw on our way home from the beach, and while I was teaching her how to make the swing work, Dora struck up a conversation with the gentleman pushing his own child at the next seat over. Work and irregular schedules must have come up because I was soon recommended as a first-rate child-minder. Hourly rates were discussed. Before I knew what was happening, I was being introduced to the very charming Alabaster C. Torrington, a young man of two years old.
I'm a babysitter now; I didn't see that coming. He'll be over every day for the rest of the summer since Mr Torrington has a very time-consuming job, and the grandmother that used to watch him is in the hospital. I like children, make no mistake, but I have little experience with those that are just putting on their big-kid underpants. What's more, the lad is magical and his parents appear to be Muggles.
You've watched over your younger cousins before, right? Is there anything you recommend?
Love,
Heri
Heri,
The public has been clambering for word on you for a fortnight already; they're getting antsy that there haven't been any public sightings of you for a while. I've actually seen a few reporters scoping out the places you've been seen at before in hopes of getting an interview; one actually tried grilling me about what I knew. It'd be funny if it wasn't so pathetic.
Father has asked me how you've been doing and has told me to tell you that he recommends extending your holiday as long as you can. I assume he means that you should arrive home the day before we have to catch the Express at the earliest and Floo directly onto the platform the day of. I'm rather inclined to agree with him; the corrupted factions are scrabbling for whatever footing they can sink their claws into, and I don't doubt there are some sensationalists of Skeeter's ilk that would love to throw the kneazles amongst the pixies with misconstrued quotes.
I trust you are maintaining a low key over there. Keep it that way.
– Zacharias
"Come on, Allie," Heri coaxed, crouched down, her hand held out to the little boy hiding under the bed. "The creature's gone now; it's safe to come out."
The trembling boy under the bed merely shook his head, curling himself further into the corner her had settled himself in.
Heri bit back a sigh and rocked back on her heels. This was turning out to be a hell of a day. She should have known something like this would happen; after such a long stretch without having to battle anything, a monster attack was long overdue.
It had been nearly a week since Alabaster's father had started dropping off his son for the day — sometimes for the accompanying night as well — for Heri to look after. Alabaster was a good boy, a little prone to naughtiness, but he was lively without being obnoxious. He had been shy around her at first, but he soon warmed up when Heri proved herself to be a willing playmate. They had been having a grand time of it until today.
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