Sasha R.W.S.
Ravenclaw Tower
Hogwarts
Scotland

Johann Storm
London
England

Dear Johann,

I hope this letter finds you well and you are able to accept these gifts discretely, without raising too many undesirable questions.  If luck is with me, they will have neither arrived too early nor too late.  I wasn't able to discern from the announcement whether the engagement would be long or short.  If the wedding date is still months out, and you're the type to never open presents early, you're welcome to hold onto them and slip them in amongst the others as they arrive. 

Please accept my apology for taking so long to write and offer my congratulations and good wishes.  At first, I was unsure whether you'd chosen discretion for personal or political reasons and, as such, didn't know whether such sentiments would be welcome.  I have come to understand, though, that there are many layers of complications and those, together, probably meant it was best the announcement was left to the newspaper. 

I wish you a bright and festive wedding and an equally wonderful future together.  I hope these gifts come in handy, though I wasn't entirely sure what type of gift one with Ms. Bombay's affliction would most appreciate. 

I look forward to hearing the details when I'm next in London on break, whether they're of preparations or the event itself.

Sincerely,

Sasha S. 

The package and letter are carried by a pompous looking Ministry owl who looks disgruntled to be bringing post to a student at Hogwarts rather than the Headmistress, and as such pecks anything and anyone close until it can be subdued with a mouse, and then doesn't wait for reply.

J. Storm
Department of International Magical Co-operation
Ministry of Magic
London

S R W Schlagenweit
Ravenclaw Tower
Hogwarts
Scotland

Dear Sasha,

Thank you kindly for the gifts enclosed on the twenty-first, which were rather thoughtful indeed and most generous.

It is I who must apologise, dear cousin, you have been mislead that matters regarding a marriage between myself and Healer Bombay were progressing past the ridiculous report in the newspaper earlier this year. I confess I have been trying not to think on it since.

You may think it completely unbefitting of me, given you visited shortly after the event before new year and what we discussed, but on Christmas Day I did propose to my dear friend Hannah.

There was some merry confusion in the meantime, as owing to several complicated situations in the past year, on Christmas Day I had agreed to assume the role of her romantic partner to save face with family. We did not arrange for the announcement, nor have we any reason for insinuations of offspring either, thank Merlin (though you should have seen my Father's face…)

In retrospect, I rather took the role to heart, and what was a convenient charade for Hannah in repayment for her great patience with me during the last year, became actual fact with an engagement ring. I can only laugh about it now - though the whole incident hasn't benefitted anyone.

I quite lost my wits - and you can perhaps see why I have been so reticent to explain this or make public declaration. But the simple fact is, Hannah and I are no longer engaged, and the fact we were was not based on the true reasons people are meant to become engaged.

So I return your beautiful gifts, in the hope that you will know of someone far more deserved of such generosity to celebrate a genuine romance. I'm unlikely to be the bona fide position of ever staring into the eyes of a woman to marry her in my lifetime, though I confess we had a very near miss this year. As this year progresses I am unsure if a woman will ever feature in that way in my life.

I apologise again for misleading and not informing you of the matter. I suppose this means Ignan is none the wiser either - that is a conversation I do not look forward to. It is the sort of thing I would expect him to find great amusement in and share it with you?

Confusing matters aside, it is most heartening to hear from you! I have always assumed you would be caught up in intense study as you have always described, a most admirable pursuit.

How are matters with Raine, and the lovely Abigail? I see more of her these days for her employment with Accidents and Catastrophes.

Have you thought more on travelling this summer, or should I speak again to Gabrielle about the possibility of another stint with the Department?

I'm afraid as ever I am sworn to secrecy about the Tournament, though I know it is of great speculation still as to any finale.

After your exams are done, you shall let me know when it is possible for our paths to meet, even socially, as it would be most lovely to see you and hear all your tales.

Yours,

J

    Sasha R.W.S.
    Ravenclaw Tower
    Hogwarts
    Scotland
   

Johann Storm
    London
    England

Dear Johann,

Your predicament with Healer Bombay over Christmas does sound peculiar and confusing.  Not to mention terrifying, if one had not gone into the evening expecting or planning to come away from it engaged.  I suspect this is the type of memory that will become more amusing as time passes.  For the present, though, I can understand wanting to ignore it. 

Do you find yourself in these predicaments frequently?  Not pending nuptials, necessarily, but inadvertently finding yourself in unintended situations?  That seems to happen  to me with daunting regularity in recent years and I don't recall it being a trait in my mother's family. 

As far as I can tell, Professor Storm does believe you are preparing for a wedding but I can not be sure.  It isn't a topic that has come up, though I can't say we spend time gossiping.  For your sake, I hope he does find amusement in it, though I fear you might be overly optimistic in thinking he'd share it with me.  I've learned to content myself with avoiding any significant hexing.   Merlin only knows how.   

Studies are continue to be intense.  NEWTs are only 15 months away and I'll be sitting A-Levels (muggle version of NEWTs) soon after.  I'm still anxiously waiting on my results of the muggle exams I took over the holidays.   Despite the studies, I did want to write.  You are, so it seems, the only family I have to write to.  Aside from my sister who is busy dredging up past family secrets. 

It appears as though magical ability isn't entirely unprecedented in my mother's family.  We had a great uncle who, in addition to fighting for the Nazis, was among Grindelwald's followers.  It's a mystery whether my mother or her parents were aware of his magical ability and if, in general, she knew more than she ever revealed. 

Matters with Abigail are well.  By chance, we had a Muggle Studies field trip to London on my birthday in February and Abby was able to join us.  Our Charms professor was my escort and he's a rather eccentric fellow.  He chose a somewhat dodgy muggle neighborhood - I suspect for the shock value, if nothing else.  Far too many insinuations were made about piercings and tattoos to allow one to become entirely relaxed but it made for an exciting afternoon.  Her parents continue to strongly encourage her to marry this Durmstrang student so things between us remain as obscure and undefined as ever. 

I hope to do some traveling this summer though, if I'm being honest, how much depends on what happens with Abby's engagement.  As of yet, I don't exactly have anywhere to stay over the summer, unless I return to my parents' home but, if all goes well, I hope to spend the majority of my summer in London.  I would enjoy interning with the Ministry, again.  I was also curious whether either you or Ms. Murray-Harker had contacts in other countries' International Departments.  I know it might be a lot to ask, but it would be a wonderful experience to spend a couple weeks interning at other Ministries. 

I am eager to see what the rest of the Tournament brings but, I admit, I'd be okay if the goblet passed me up for the rest of the year.  Participating in the first event was exciting but I think I've had my share of excitement for the year. 

I am planning on leaving school for Spring break and will, hopefully, be finalizing arrangements.  If you are around, I would like to see you.

Sincerely,

Sasha

J. Storm
Department of International Magical Co-operation
Ministry of Magic
London

S R W Schlagenweit
Ravenclaw Tower
Hogwarts
Scotland

Dear Sasha,

Yes, I would be most delighted to see you in the Spring holiday from Hogwarts. I do hope this letter finds you in time. Are you stopping in London, or going back to Germany? Let me know the most convenient day and I will arrange to be away from the office to meet you.

Terrifying is a perfect word to describe it all, but please do not concern yourself with my meddles. What predicaments I find myself in are almost always self-indulged, or so my colleagues, friends and family tell me. You however, apparently do not lack this 'common sense' that is cited as a cure-all for such a life.

After all - you would far more readily take after Ignan as your father, would you not, and he's always been cited as a most practical and level-headed member of the family. I've only seen him angry once, and that was my doing - again.

Don't be telling him about matters if he is unaware! Goodness knows our paths will cross and he can have a good laugh at my expense. He might already know, come to think of it he didn't ask me of it last we saw each other. Has he told you he's taking up a place in Godric's Hollow? Needs quite a bit of work, has a crotchety old ghost. Nowhere near as grand as the place you were at when you put me up the other year, but well, he can call it a home and you can call it a shed...!

Fascinating to hear that your magical heritage is not exclusive to our side of the family, what with your sister working in the Ministry now I think there have been enough conspiracy theories floated about the place. As for the Muggle world wars, well, there's plenty of our kind who swear blind they were involved in one way or another, even if officially a lot is denied. Have you ever read anything like A.R.Mistice? They can be quite entertaining to read with a pinch of salt.

I remember my grandfather recounting of the tale of the Angels of Mons from the First war, Muggles claimed a phantom army of bowmen assisted the British troops when they retreated to Mons in Belgium in 1914. There's a few takes on whether this was magical interference on a great scale. We're very good at interfering with the Muggles when they're inconveniencing us. I would hazard a guess that Nazis and purists harbour similar interests, and that should our differences with Muggles be revealed, they could either have been feared or set us as Gods. -- Either way, do tell me more when we meet.

Gabrielle knows of your interests from your last letter, and will implore to contact you directly should she have much luck with opportunities. She's dropped the Harker from her name these days, best not to ask, but its a lesser complication from family. She is another who knows of you and Ignan. He imparted the news to her back in January to my understanding, but to my knowledge the circle has not extended otherwise. Given half a chance she would have adopted you into our family without a blood tie at all, I might add.

Study well, not long now until you can escape. I await your owl.

Yours,

J