Winifred Oliver
Piddlehinton
Dorset, England

Sophie Flickwick
Somewhereville
(She's Travelling)

July 10, 2010

Dear Sophie,

I hate to bother you over the summer. I'm sure you are doing some super fun and exciting stuff. Cause you are always doing super fun exciting stuff. But I don't know many people I can talk to about this stuff, because like, I mean, not everyone is a seer. And I don't want to scare Mum and Dad with this kind of stuff. But you know how it is. Sometimes you dream stuff and it just freaks you out and you can't figure out if it's like because you can SEE THE FUTURE or if it's just having a bad dream. Cause sometimes dreams are just bad dreams and stuff. And I get that, you know?

Anyway... So yeah. I keep having this really really really awful dream. And it's so vivid and it freaks me out. And like, someone keeps dying? But I don't know who it is. I can't ever see their face. I can only hear it. It's weird. It's like the whole dream itself is dark and shadowy and I can only see outlines but I can hear everything perfectly.

It's not like, you know, a murder. I think it's just someone dying from an accident. Or from just being old. It's not like mean or anything like that. But it's like I've had it a few times and it worries me that someone is going to die and I could stop it if I could only figure out WHO is dying. I know it's like super silly. And sometimes people just have bad dreams. And the fact it freaked me out so much could be the reason why I keep having the dream. I've had it four times now in the last few weeks.

I just. I don't know. Have you had this before? Can you help me or something? Or just make me feel like I'm not going barmy?

Your Friend,
Winifred

Sophie Flickwick
Somewhereville

Winifred Oliver
Piddlehinton
Dorset, England

Dear Winnie,

I am sitting outside a little cafe in Madrid, it's really hot and there are boys everywhere who are super gorgeous. I think you would love it here, which should cheer you up a little - and least I hope it does.

To be perfectly honest with you, I do know exactly what you're talking about. I had very strange dreams for about a week before my mother died. They were all symbols, a screech owl, a blood moon, being trapped in the Ministry, the Forbidden Forest (still haven't figured out how that plays into everything). None of it made any sense until the event had come to pass. It's just something that happens sometimes.

You're not barmy, but if you really want to figure out what it all means there are things you can do to try and lull yourself into lucid dreaming. If we were at school I would know exactly which book it was you needed to read but it's just beyond me at the moment. Try not to be to hard on yourself, sit with the vague images for awhile, try to remember the sounds if you can. I had myself worked into a tizzy over my dreams and the more I tried to force myself to make it come into focus the less sense they made.

Winifred Oliver
Piddlehinton
Dorset, England

Sophie Flickwick
Somewhereville
(She's Travelling)

Dear Sophie,

Gorgeous boy ALWAYS cheer me up! I wish I was there with you, so I could see them, too! I am really hoping that fifth year is it for me! You know, that I finally found a gorgeous boy who wants me. I still miss Zel a lot, but I am glad that he and I can at least be friends even if it didn't work out romantically. He was a good boyfriend.

Lucid dreaming? I think I have a book somewhere about that. My mum bought me all kind of books about seers and seeing over the summer. She was so proud of me for getting better grades, and very excited that I have the ability, and she wants to be really encouraging. Which is nice. I mean, Mum loves me- I now that- but I've always been closer with my dad and she's always wished I was better at stuff. Anyway I'll read some more about that and see if it helps. I told Mum and Dad about it- but I think it freaked them out and they wouldn't talk to me about it.

Where are you going after you leave Spain? You know where I've always wanted to go? Italy. There were a couple of boys from the tournament who were from Italy and they were all so nice to look at. And I bet Italy is super pretty. I've a few romance novels set in Italy and they are some of my absolute favorites.

Sophie Flickwick
Somewhereville

Winifred Oliver
Piddlehinton
Dorset, England

Miss Spendiferous Winnie Oliver,

I think it's fantastic you and your mother are getting closer over the whole thing, it's good that she's supportive! Da and I had a long talk one of the first nights we were on the road and I think things are getting better between us again. It's funny how for the last year I've convinced myself I didn't need him or miss him but being with him, being with the band felt like coming home to myself. That probably makes no sense, but I think I felt like I lost "Sophie" for awhile and now I'm finding her again.

Tomorrow we're off to the South of France. And the week after we'll be back in London for a bit. I haven't decided if I'm going to do the Scotland/Ireland part of the tour with them yet. I definitely miss my own bed and having my own space. Boys are gross at any age. I had mistakenly believed that they got better the older they got. This is not true.

How goes the hunt for a lovely boyfriend? I've got to dash now but I can't wait to hear from you again!

Winifred Oliver
Piddlehinton
Dorset, England

Sophie Flickwick
Somewhereville
(She's Travelling)

Dear Sophie,

I am super happy to hear that you are feeling more like yourself again. I know that everyone was worried about you after... Well, you know. Cheerful, happy, bubbly, beautiful, sweet Sophie is someone I've grown to really care about. Even if we never really were like BEST FRIENDS IN THE WORLD you were always so super nice to me and that means a lot, because a lot of the time people aren't super nice to me.

I think they have to get better as they get older. I bet the Fayette twins are as gorgeous as ever. Uncle Archer won't let me come hang out at the auror office anymore. He says I'm too old to gawk at trainees. I think hes more worried about the fact that I'm getting old enough to tempt the trainees. I'm very nearly sixteen now. And mum keeps talking about how "well endowed" I'm becoming. Makes my dad really uncomfortable. And Zeke and Earnest have both promised to punch all of their friends if they look at me wrong. But I think that's silly. Everyone is silly.

I'm not really on the hunt yet. But I am hoping to be once school starts back. I see a lot of handsome wizards at my aunt's pub. I've been waitressing there over the summer! A real and proper job with money and tips. But they're all super old. Like thirty or something. And even if I do like boys older (seventh years, or recent graduates) I think that thirty is way too old for me to be looking at like that. There is a boy in the neighborhood, though, that is really good looking and very nice. I don't know his name and I've not seen him at Hogwarts. I wonder if maybe he's a squib or something. Or just moved here. I'm not sure. I should ask.

France sounds like a lot of fun. I don't think I'd want to spend time on the Ireland/Scotland part of the tour. That's not nearly as exciting. But when you are back in town we should make plans to meet at Diagon or Hogsmeade and go shopping! Wouldn't that be lovely?

Sophie Flickwick
Somewhereville

Winifred Oliver
Piddlehinton
Dorset, England

Dear Winnie,

Getting your letters has been such a nice little bright spot in my day! In general it's a lot of the same old same old thing, being on the bus, playing cards with the band, helping set up. While we were in Spain I did meet somebody. His name is Nasri and he is basically flawless. He drives a magic Vespa and took me star gazing. He asked if we could write but I decided it would be better to just end things there before they got complicated. After everything with Deus and Fig over the last year the idea of adding more baggage to my last year at Hogwarts just seems silly. I want to have fun!

You say the sweetest things, you really do. I've always considered you a very dear friend, someone I could count on to make me laugh or smile no matter what kind of day I was having. I know people aren't always kind to you but that's their loss not yours. You're a wonderful friend to have Miss Oliver and don't let anyone ever make you think otherwise.

Maybe boys are only gross if there is a group of them. The mystery is completely gone for me, I mean growing up with Johnny it already sort of was anyway, but this trip has just killed it. Have you heard from Dax or Dion? I haven't seen them in months and months!

Hope all is well there, can't wait to get home and see you!

Winifred Oliver
Piddlehinton
Dorset, England

Sophie Flickwick
Somewhereville
(She's Travelling)

Dear Sophie,

I am so glad to hear that you enjoy my letters! And you don't know how happy it makes me to hear that you think I'm a wonderful friend. I don't always have the best self esteem and I worry a lot that people don't like me or whatever. But I've been trying to get better and now that I'm getting older I think it's getting a lot better. I know I can't wait to start my fifth year. Especially since my magic is getting so much better! I wish I had worked this hard sooner. I wouldn't be behind like I am. But I can get caught up! I know that I can!

Nasri sounds super dreamy. But what's a Vespa? Is that a Spanish thing? I think it would be okay to write to him. But I get what you mean about ending things. You know that happens a lot in romance novels but then people usually end up getting together anyway in the end. I am very jealous you met a handsome Spanish boy to take you stargazing! But having fun is a good idea, too. And you know I've always liked Figaro. He's funny and he's always been nice and between me and you I think that he's a good looking guy. I'll keep my opinions on Deus to myself. You know how I feel about Slytherins.

I haven't heard much. I saw them a couple of times when I visited my Uncle Archer at the auror office. Still as gorgeous as ever. But Uncle Archer doesn't like for me to talk to them. Something about hormones and hexing people and all the paperwork he would have to fill out for it. Dax always was my favorite, though. I'd kill to get the chance to give him a good snog. Or to get a good snog in general.

I can't wait to see you either! I haven't had that weird dream again yet. But the other day I did do that thing where you just know stuff is going to happen. I was waitressing at my Aunt's pub again and I just knew this guy at one of the tables was going to drop his mug and spill his beer everywhere. I was already on my way to his table with a mop and a new mug when it clattered to the ground and shattered. I just sat down his beer and cleaned it up like it was normal to just know that. I've been doing little stuff like that fairly regularly. Its pretty exciting. I keep hoping that maybe it means I'm going to get better at seeing or something. I'm going to talk more to the counselor about it this year. I like her a lot.She's nice.

Love you Soph! See you soon!

Sophie Flickwick
Somewhereville

Winifred Oliver
Piddlehinton
Dorset, England

Dear Winnie,

I am sitting outside a small cafe in Paris, there is a light rain falling. It makes me think of the absolute downpours we get at the Castle but only because it's nothing like that. Nasari was incredibly dreamy. I will show you pictures when we meet up for our shopping day in the village. A Vespa is like... a motorcycle, only not? It's seems to be an even more popular way to get around in Wizarding Spain than brooms, or at least more trendy with the young good looking ones.

Fifth year changes a lot of things, when I look back at that year it just seems crazy  - of course so much of that had to do with the absolute insanity that was being a part of the same year as Sasha (you can't see it, but I just caught sight of myself in the storefront window and I was making the most hilariously dreadful face). I love how positive you are though and think this coming year is going to be amazing for you - I can just feel it (you know how we Seers are!).

I know this is short but I've got to get back to the band, they act as though they can't get a single thing done if I'm out exploring and they're left worrying. Can't wait to be home and see you!

Love,
Sophie

Winifred Oliver
Piddlehinton
Dorset, England

Sophie Flickwick
Somewhereville
(She's Travelling)

Dear Sophie,

Paris! I am so very jealous. I wish I could go do things like that. But I never get that chance. My family doesn't have any money or do anything fun or exciting. Dad can't do much because he's a squib, and mum works all the time with the ministry. I mostly just hang out with my aunt, but she has the pub so she can't go anywhere. And Earnie and Zeke are mega buttheads. They are so mean to me over the summer. Especially Zeke. I wish I had sisters instead of brothers. They're just so lame. And all they talk about are hot girls and THEY THINK SOME OF MY FRIENDS ARE HOT WHAT IS WRONG WITH THEM THAT IS SUPER GROSS.

Yeah. Sasha is... Weird. I mean he seems nice enough or whatever. But I remember that time in third year when he killed a girl or whatever. But he has helped me some with classes. When I stay with Cy he's at the Trishna's a lot. Speaking of which- did you know Professor Trishna had abs? Cause he does. And he looks like those smoldering centaurs on some of my romance novels. That was super distracting to figure out whenever i was with them last winter.

I can't wait for you to be home either! There's not much to do. Mum won't really let me go out to Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley alone. She says I'm not old enough yet- even though I'm nearly sixteen. But I've been saving tips from waitressing and I'm going to buy some fun new stuff when we go school shopping and save some for Hogsmeade when school starts.

Maybe when you get back we can have a slumber party or something? I would give anything to get out of Piddlehinton!

~Winnie

Sophie Flickwick
#12 St. Mary's Grove
Barnes
London, England

Winifred Oliver
Piddlehinton
Dorset, England

Dear Winnie,

Brothers are a chore, but sisters aren't actually that much better believe it or not! Ruby and Em were constantly bickering when we were growing up. Of course now that I'm home and it's just Nan and I the house feels creepy quiet. I am home though so any time you want to escape just come see me! Nan will be happy to have more people in the house, I think she misses having lots of people to cook for.

I think a slumber party is just the ticket! I'll owl Ollie too, if you don't mind? I haven't seen her since last Easter, we've all been so busy. I do have a few little trinkets for you, nothing major but I wanted you to know I was thinking of you while I was gone, and also to have a little bit of the places I went to tide you over till you can go yourself.

Owl back with a day that works best for you for shopping and slumber party madness!

xoxox,
Sophie

Winifred Oliver
Piddlehinton
Dorset, England

Sophie Flickwick
Somewhereville
(She's Travelling)

Dear Sophie,

Don't be so inviting! Becuase I would be so happy to take advantage of that and I know my mum and dad would be glad to have me out of their hair a little bit. Mostly because I keep fighting with Zeke and Earnie. And I'm sure my Aunt Leola wouldn't miss me too much at the pub. Someone today left me ten galleons as a tip. Can you believe that? I split it with the other girl who has been waitressing and with the bartender. Just to be nice. But I was so excited.

I'd love to see Ollie! I don't mind. Invite who ever you want! I think it would be so much fun. We could gossip and eat junk food and listen to the wireless all night! I'd say we could do makeovers and stuff but I can't do magic legal yet outside of school and I don't think Ollie is the sort to get into girly stuff. But I don't know. We could find something fun to do or get into!

But really- ANY TIME is good for me. As soon as this weekend? Or maybe next weekend to give Ollie enough of a heads up? I don't know if you'd want to or not- but I could nick a bottle of firewhiskey from my Aunt's bar and bring it with me. I've only had a few sips here and there- she says I'm still too young for alcohol- but it could be fun? I don't know. Is that considered fun? I feel like all the seventh years do is talk about parties and going out and having fun being a grown up.

You are the best! Love you!
~Winnie