Arriving the morning of the 14th September at breakfast, carried by a hefty looking brown owl that belongs to Monty Pepper for carrying heavy parcels. It is familiar to Lenora from previous letters.

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M Pepper,
Sandy
Bedfordshire

Miss L Amherst,
Hogwarts School
Scotland

Dear Lenora,

I hope this reaches you well at Hogwarts. The summer is always too short, though I hope the Scottish countryside is providing fresh inspiration, along with the multitude of unique faces in the castle. My Zeta complains of the frequent new Professors, though I suspect she was looking forwards to drawing some new faces. If you see her, do persuade her to show you them.

My reason for writing, other than to keep in touch with such a precocious talent, was to enclose the brochure from the exhibition in London I had the chance to visit this week. It is incredibly bad luck that it coincided with the new term, otherwise I would have very much liked to invite you along with young Mr O'Connor to view it with me. The variety of magical drawings and paintings all on washi were refreshing. It is a most versatile medium, as you will see from the photographs. The detail in the Sumi-e was breathtaking, though I'm afraid the photos do not do the original paintings justice - the brushstrokes in the movement - exquisite.

Keep me appraised of your progress - though I would rue to set you homework, I would be most interested to discuss three contrasting portraits from the school collection at the end of term, if I could pose a challenge.

Best wishes,

Monty

Lenora Amherst
Ravenclaw Table
Hogwarts
Scotland

Monty Pepper
Sandy
Bedfordshire

Dear Monty,

It is incredibly bittersweet to be back at Hogwarts. I always adore the summer months- having time to really immerse myself in my work and to enjoy the beauty that the world has to offer- and returning to Hogwarts is always a mixture of disappointment and excitement. I admit, this year, that it also heavily laden with melancholy. The fact that this is my last year- the final time I will grace the halls of such a majestic place- is monumentally difficult to grasp. I grew up here. Some of my best memories are here. And I am certain I have yet to explore every nook and cranny that Hogwarts has to offer.

The new professors this year seem to be a bit more... unusual than I am accustomed to. There is a new Charms professor- admittedly he is incredibly handsome, and I actually look forward to doodling him in my spare time. Mostly because he has such a harsh jaw-line... I don't think I have ever seen an individual with a more defined jaw in my life. It's unusual. He is a bit grumpy- somewhat gruff- but after things settle in for the semester, I know I am going to need his aid. I have been struggling with the charms on my paintings. Getting them to "stick" so to speak. I know with practice and experience it will get better. Or perhaps I am simply too ambitious. But it is important to me to grasp realism as best I can with some of my pieces. I have been working on a large depiction of one of my favorite Goblin skirmishes. I am excited to finish it- and when we have a Hogsmeade weekend, I would love to be able to share it with you. I have never been more proud!

I am jealous that I had to miss that exhibit! The photos are breathtaking- I can only imagine witnessing it in person. I cannot imagine ever working with washi and ink in that way. Ink is so unforgiving. I've never been able to really get the hang of it- it's so much more complicated than paints. There are others in my house who can do beautiful works just scribbling on parchment with their quills. I much prefer pencils, charcoal, etc. But it looks like a fascinating technique. I admire anyone able to master it so well. Of course, I tend to admire anyone who can work in mediums I struggle with.... I basically admire every artist I've met. I just wish there more of the dreamy types in Ravenclaw- sometimes I feel out of place. Scholastic achievement is nowhere near as important to me as finding the time to paint.

I always enjoy a challenge. I've found the most fascinating portrait on the fourth floor in a hallway of unused classrooms. I haven't yet figure out who it is- an old, cantankerous woman with the ugliest I've ever seen constantly mewling for attention. She has zero interest in talking to me- though I have tried. I admit one day I convinced Sir Cadogan to invade her space. It was probably the most amusing portrait interaction I have seen in my life.

If you go to anymore exhibits with brocures- please send them to me! I am always excited to see other's work. Especially when it is so drastically unexpected! I might try to experiment with the technique a little- if only to learn a few things and have some variance.

There is so much more I would love to talk about! My summer was so immensely busy! But I've plenty of homework assignments half-finished and I've already written half  a novel to you a it is. And despite not being competitive- I definitely don't wish to botch my grades. NEWTs will be here before I know it- and they will decide where I can go after Hogwarts. I would love nothing more than to spend my adult life immersed in art- but unfortunately I am acutely aware that a "day job" is an unfortunate necessity.

- Lenora

M Pepper,
Sandy
Bedfordshire

Miss L Amherst,
Hogwarts School
Scotland

Dear Lenora,

I can empathise with your melancholy of the final year, as can a significant proportion of the county's population (of our kind, I mean). Enjoy every moment.

You may find joy in experimenting the order of your application of the charms. Layering the spells rather than combining or incanting can provide different results. I find my combinations differ to the work of others, but when we next meet, if suitable I would be more than willing to demonstrate my own methods if they might assist you to find your own.

By all means, consult the defined jaw of the Charms Professor. I have asked Zeta to send back one of her caricatures so I can examine. Her short was response was 'oh Merlin not you too'. The chap have a fan club?

Write me when you hear of the first Hogsmeade weekend, and we shall make arrangements, you me and Mr O'Connor, and my dear daughter if she'll entertain her old dad.

Best wishes,

Monty