Oct 1, 2010

A letter in a blue envelope is delivered by a large, crotchety owl.[1]


Good morning Brynn! Or evening! Or whatever time it is whenever you are hearing this letter. Good day. Uhh. Yes. Good day.

I just completed a giant afghan blanket, I laid it on the floor and it took up most of my bedroom and drapes over my bed and onto the floor. Ulysses[2] likes to hide under it while Rosie[3] barks at him. I think she thinks he's disappeared.

Business has been good at my dad's bakery. Gertie has been helping out there a lot. They're serving cold cut sandwiches now, with their bakery bread. It's brought in a bunch of new clientele.

How is your beautiful boy cat?

Fondly,

Bertie

1.	It is a chatter, which is the spoken equivalent to a howler. They do not combust unless commanded to by the recipient.
2.	His french bulldog
3.	his pug

Bertie! It's so good to hear from you! I love these letters – I really do. Sometimes you just need a little something extra during the day, and these always do it for me. You're lovely to keep writing.

Your blanket sounds wonderful! You're so talented. You're always making me wish I'd learned to knit. Our nana's a knitter, and my mum knits a bit, but it's just not anything I've ever picked up for myself. A giant afghan! Wow! How long did it take you? I can't imagine! It's amazing you have the time!

Oh, you're making me hungry! I'll have to pop by the bakery for lunch sometime, though you know I'll be tempted by everything but the sandwiches! Maybe tomorrow, in fact. I get into a rut sometimes, you know, and I end up staying in at lunch, or working through it, and I'm always at the same spots when I do venture out... yes, that will be nice! Thank you for letting me know!

And what else did you ask? Oh, oh, yes! Felix! He's wonderful. He'd be honored if he knew you were asking after him! He's always such a good boy. I can't see him from where I'm sitting, but I'm sure he's about. I'll absolutely let him know you said hello!

I hope to hear from you soon! I hope all is well at work, and with the dogs! I've been thinking about you up at Hogwarts. It's funny. Well, no, it's not funny – it's... it makes me happy. We all think about going back sometimes, don't we? It must be so strange.

Have a lovely day!

Brynn

Brynn!

Your letters are one of my highlights of my day.  The afghan took me ages to make, I can't remember when I started it. I do remember that I have grown and shaved off several beards since then. That.... is... probably not a unit of measurement. I was working  on it before I got the transfiguration position at Hogwarts so... There's that.

I guess I forgot to mention I'm not working there anymore! I'm back at the ministry, auroring it up and harassing everybody with knitted goods. All is right with the world.

We should catch up sometime. Would you like to get dinner with me..? There are a couple of nice places I want to try out. If you don't want to that is okay! No pressure! It can be as just friends or... Uh.

Tell Felix that his coat is impeccably groomed.

Bertie

Oh, Bertie!

I can't believe you're back in the office! I would have come to see you an age ago! Still on level two? I wish I would have known! Truth be told, I have been avoiding two lately, because apart from stressing me out on the regular, my sister's working up there now. I've been dying to take a peek and see how things are going, but I know she'd murder me. I've been doing my best to hold off! Shame on me! Serves me right! The good news is that I have an excuse if I do feel compelled to stick my head in! I only wish I had more downtime... or any downtime. And I talk about learning to knit! Ha!

And yes. Yes! I'm absolutely available for dinner, absolutely! After work, almost any night! The exceptions being, of course, the 23rd, 24th, and 25th of this month – and maybe the 22nd. And possibly the 26th. That whole week is... it's likely to be a bit busy. If I have time to eat dinner at all that week I'll be surprised! But any other night! I am very open to different cuisines, and I rarely treat myself to anything fancier than a curry now and again.

I passed your compliment on to the cat. He is purring. It might be because I'm petting him, but I'm sure he is appreciative!

Take care, love! I hope to see you very soon!

Brynn 

Brynn!!! Brynn!

Are you serious? Wow. Uh. Okay. Wow.  Okay, we definitely won't do a dinner on the week of the full moon. That makes a lot of sense, knowing your job.  Okay.

Would you be okay with going to Slandermouth? We can floo there, or apparate. Would you like to meet at the docks? There's a restaurant I've been wanting to try, but have never gotten the chance to.

Is the 18th okay?


Bertie

Dog yaps in the background

I guess Ulysses wanted to say goodbye too.

The 18th should be perfect!

And when you say Slandermouth, you don't mean the Italian restaurant on the water? Is it very costly? I know, I know, I should treat myself every now and then, but I'm terrible at it! I don't know if I've been anywhere so fancy... ever! But I suppose the 18th gives me plenty of time to figure out what I can wear! Oh, heavens! I need to be pushed outside of my comfort zone more! I don't feel prepared at all!

But why am I saying this to you? You don't need to hear this! It's going to be a lovely time! What I really meant to say was thank you for the invitation!

All my love to you and the dogs!

Don't worry Brynn, I'll cover it. My treat! I'm sure whatever you choose to wear will be lovely. I haven't been, but I've heard good things. My cousin, Flynn, has taken ladies on dates there before.  He really likes it. And my other cousin Audrey loves Italian food. I can't imagine her going on a date, but... I know she's been. Not with Linus, though. I've heard they don't allow children, you have to be at least seventeen to even pass through the entrance.

I'll see you on the 18th then. 6:00 okay for you?

Bert