Ambrose Pepper
Gryffindor Common Room
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

O M Pepper,
Potton Road
Sandy
Bedfordshire

Dear Uncle Monty,

Hope you and Aunt Catherine are well. I’m writing about Juni’s birthday on the 20th March. It’s definitely a Hogsmeade weekend that weekend, so I think the plan will work. The only issue might be if I cannot convince her to go to the village because of what happened last time. If that happens would you be able to bring it to the school gates? I don’t want to ruin the surprise by telling her what it is, and I don’t want to upset her by insisting she go to Hogsmeade or lying to her to get her there. She’s been through enough.

It might not like to be kept in the garden for too long. After it arrives on Friday, please would you be able to take it for a walk for a few miles on the Saturday? I know that is a big ask, but they are meant to roam 5-6 acres at least. It will need a bit of hay as well as the grass. I don’t know how much grass you are happy for it to graze in the garden. It will also need access to plenty of water. They drink 5-8% of their body weight in water every day.

I know this is a massive ask, and you’re the best uncle ever for helping me out. I owe you a hundred favours. Owl me back to let me know if this is all ok still or if you need more information.

Thanks,

Ambrose

M Pepper,
Potton Road
Sandy
Bedfordshire

Ambrose Pepper
Gryffindor Common Room
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Dear Ambrose,

Everything is going to plan. It will arrive on Friday 18th about teatime. I’ve got buckets, agreed to buy a little hay off the girl with the horses down the road for the time it’s here. I’ll try taking it for a walk. I mean, people already think I’m crackers so what’s the harm? If I can’t I’m sure Theta will help me out. It’s like walking a dog I’m sure.

Ambrose, I don’t mean to put a damper on the plans, but where is it going to live until you both get back from school? Has Mr Zamperia said yes to keeping it at St Alban’s? It’s not going to be able to stay in our garden, it’s not big enough. Also Aunt Catherine may have found out, and that means your Dad will be next. Don’t suppose it can stay at Hogwarts?

Yours,

Uncle Monty

F. Pepper
Murray Manor
Wiltshire

Ambrose Pepper
Gryffindor Common Room
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Ambrose,

Aunt Catherine told me tonight that you and Uncle Octavius have been in contact. What are you doing? Don’t you think it’s impractical to buy an alpaca for Juni when she is at school? Mihai’s never going to want to keep an alpaca when Juni’s away for term time. He is barely home as it is when she is at school, he is a very busy man. Whatever made you believe this was a practical idea?

I understand it is a very sweet, romantic gesture for Juni’s birthday given her love of alpacas, but you more than most understand that keeping livestock is a very time-consuming venture. They need a lot of grass and space and looking after. Who is going to do that while you’re at school? Besides, one alpaca is going to be lonely? Aunt Catherine ‘oogled’ them on the computer and said they live in herds. I suggest you reconsider your plans as soon as possible.

Love,

Dad

Ambrose Pepper
Gryffindor Common Room
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

F. Pepper
Murray Manor
Wiltshire

Dad,

Calm down. You were the one who said we didn’t have enough space to keep animals in Biggleswade but Gabrielle said it was fine in Wiltshire. I’m not going to be here next year so I’ll look after it. besides not keeping animals at home has put me on the back foot with my creatures studies. It’s fine. I agreed it with Uncle Monty.

There is more than 6 acres in Wiltshire. I know this because I measured it out on foot at Christmas when we went over to visit. Tim checked my sums. I talked this through with Uncle Monty and you know he wouldn’t help me unless he thought it was a good idea. Juni is going to love this. She adores alpacas and has always wanted one.

I want to make her happy, Dad. She had a horrible time last month and needs something good in her life to look forward to. All we’ve got is exams to look forward to, and if we survive those, perhaps the summer holidays. Well, I’ve got my apprenticeship, but Juni’s coming back here for more lessons and more exams. At least she can have fun with an alpaca and get to call it her own.

Trust me, I know what I am doing. Creatures is my thing, Dad. I will write instructions for Imp and everything. They are easy to look after.

Love,

Ambrose

Ambrose Pepper
Gryffindor Common Room
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

M. Pepper
Potton Road
Sandy
Bedfordshire

Hi,

Dad’s oked it, and I’ll pay you back for feeding it of course. It’ll go live in Wiltshire, and Imp will look after it until I get home.

Please, please stick with the plan. Not for me, but for Juni.

You’re officially the best uncle ever.

Ambrose