J. Storm
(℅ B. Spectre)
3A, House of Atreus
Knightsbridge
London

S. Schlagenweit
Ravenclaw House
Hogwarts School

9th January, 2011

Sasha,

Ignan tells me the whole school has probably seen this by now, but I enclose you a copy that hasn't been burned by your professors[1]. It's inside the box of vegetables you suggested would be better to send, if I sent anything.

(I still think you should indulge in a bacon sandwich occasionally, but well, we'll go easy and corrupt you with one thing at a time after the progress of my last visit…)

Balfour and I were over for dinner at Godric's Hollow last night. (Un)fortunate timing. We didn't so much as know they'd got engaged, let alone married, but I am told you knew when you got back to school. Merlin, you must have been one of his new year's resolutions. (I'm all for it.)

Of course you know that Miranda isn't really having a new sibling for you, that's obvious enough from the spurious evidence, and confirmed with the amount we all drank last night. Hope you're not too disappointed to not gain another family member so soon after your new step mother…?

We'll have to catch up again in February when they let you out to Hogsmeade. Enjoy your term until then, fellow workaholic.

Regards,

1.

Article

Sasha RW Schlagenweit
Ravenclaw Tower
Hogwarts School

J. Storm
(℅ B. Spectre)
3A, House of Atreus
Knightsbridge
London

11th January, 2011

Dear Johann,

Thank you for forwarding the article.  I actually hadn't had a chance to read it.  I have developed an allergy to 'journalist'-inspired gossip, so I'd ignored the rumors at first.  By the time I'd gotten wind of the gossip's topic, most copies of the article had mysteriously vanished. 

Professor Storm hadn't told you about the marriage, yet?  He doesn't seem the type for New Year's resolutions.  Maybe it's simply a by product of going domestic.   Either way, I won't complain.  I'll take what I can get, though I hope it isn't purely out of a sense of obligation.  He'd talked of her over the summer, but gave no indication of this.  Sounds like I wasn't the only one who hadn't been expecting it.

Professor Storm insisted on no fuss or gifts, but who can resist?  In fact, I'm hoping you'd be willing to help me with that.  I've enclosed a little muggle money and a website address, though I can't remember if you've been introduced to the internet.  If not, find Adon Eleor at the Ministry.  I know he has an iphone, now.  On that webpage, you should be able to find the 'Star Wars' page - there are Darth Vader hand towels and aprons there.  If you manage to find them, it would be grand if you can send them to me.  They'd make the perfect gift.  Hopefully, that's not too complicated. 

Given it was Witch Weekly speculating and Professor Storm hadn't said anything, I had assumed there was no sibling on the way.  I think I can make due with a new step-mother and, apparently, an older step-sister and a niece.  Who I am very eager to meet.  I bet she's quite cute.  The niece, I mean.  I'm glad they're family that I get to meet.

I would love to catch up over the next Hogsmeade weekend.  I have a sinking suspicion that this term is going to fly by and the amount I have to get done is almost enough to make me panic.  However, I've survived it before and I'll survive it, again.  I can always sleep in June. 

Additionally, Thank You for the produce.  You should try finding fresh tomatoes and zucchini in the Scottish mountains in January.  Should I ever get a hankering for bacon sandwich, I'll have no trouble finding that.  But, as you said, I can't let you introduce me to all the entertaining vices at once.  Maybe over spring break, after my exams.  I managed to talk some of the kitchen elves into cooking for me and gorged myself on ratatouille, last night.  It was grand and felt far more indulgent than a silly bacon sandwich. 

I realized, belatedly, as I was packing for the term that I completely neglected holiday tokens and gifts.  I don't know if anyone has properly introduced you to the wonders of the muggle musician Paul Simon.  The two records enclosed are quite good.[1]  I hope you enjoy them.

Sincerely,

Sasha

1.	The two albums sent are The Concert in Central Park and Graceland, two of Sasha's favorites.

J. Storm
(℅ B. Spectre)
3A, House of Atreus
Knightsbridge
London

S. Schlagenweit
Ravenclaw House
Hogwarts School

19th January, 2011

Sasha,

Forgive the tardy reply - been a hell[1] of a week. Tempted to ask you to co-ordinate a mass howler attack on the Witch Weekly offices by recruiting your classmates. You'd be doing us all a favour.

Glad the vegetables went down well in at least a couple of senses of the word. Lix has asked me to enclose a couple of places that will owl you a box on a subscription. Might be better than relying on me.

Ignan went a bit domestic when he bought the house, Sasha, Miranda's just the nail in the coffin. Give him a couple more months and I'm sure he'll come to his senses. He hates fuss, so I'm not surprised. However I was successful in the mission you gave me, hence the enclosed parcel. Hope that was what you meant? Some cloaked man with a funny hat all in black? Thank you for the tip regarding Eleor - though Addie assured me a backup plan - and also told me you're hilarious. She was laughing too hard to explain coherently. Make of that what you will. I remember 2009 when I was teaching you both things. I don't know...!

With reference to your last - your step sister's quite cute too. She's Carstair's PA on Level 2, and collecting a fair number of appreciative admirers from what I hear in the lifts. I've yet to suss her out myself, I don't go to Level 2 unless I have to these days.

Regret I have not had a chance to engage my ears with Paul Simon, but very soon. Many thanks either way for the gifts, hope the subscription to Wizarding Geographic has begun to arrive alright? I enjoyed my subscription last year from Ignan and thought you might also. If not for a long trip abroad, but some shorter ones.

I discovered your 'day release' is 12th February, so we'll come see you then. In the meantime, tell me of the weird and wonderful life inside of castle walls if you get a chance to write.

Regards,

1.	Lovers Quarrel in Slandermouth?