The owl that delivers the envelope to the Great Hall during supper looks unusually dour.  It clicks its beak once at Dante when he takes too long to remove the letter from its claws.  On the outside of the envelope, there is a stamp marking it SPELL-CHECKED and CLEARED FOR DELIVERY.  Inside, the letter has clearly been reviewed and carefully censored.

Leo Gamp
Cell #856 Block ∀
Azkaban Prison
North Sea

Dante Garcia
Ravenclaw Dormitory
Hogwarts
Scotland

Dear Dante,

Words cannot express what it means to get a letter from you, my son.  I am so incredibly glad that you've decided to write, and I will honour any decisions you make about how you want to communicate with me.  As you've said, you're old enough to decide. I want to respect you for that.

It is so very good to hear from you.  I hope that the fact that I am replying to your letter will give you your answer.

There are so many things that I want to say, and many more that I want to ask you.  You're in Ravenclaw House?  What did the Sorting House say when it placed you there?  Do you look like me, or do you take after your mother?  What is your favourite subject at Hogwarts?  What are your friends like?  How has all of this been for you?  Has your mother --?

But before we get to any of that, I feel as though I must first say:

I am so incredibly sorry, my son.  I am sorry that I haven't been able to be there for you for all of these years.  I hope that you will forgive me, but I understand if in your heart, you can't.  It is unfair that so much more than walls have kept us apart, have kept us from knowing each other.  I would that I could have been there for all of those days that matter: your birthdays, your first step, buying your wand, seeing you off to Hogwarts.  I am hopeful that, someday soon, that will change.

I want to respect your wishes, but I think it might be best that you wait to see me until I am released.  If Ms. Jingleberry's word is as reliable as her punctuality, then I expect my hearing to proceed on ███████████.  With any luck, if ███████████████████ and it ███████████████ ███████ very soon thereafter.

I care about you very much, my son.  Once my appeal goes through, if you are willing, then we can see each other soon.

Your father,
Leo

Leo Gamp
Cell #856 Block ∀
Azkaban Prison
North Sea

Dante Garcia
Ravenclaw Dormitory
Hogwarts
Scotland

Dear Dante,

Ravenclaw is a noble house, one of the best of the four.  I don’t think that I was quite quick-witted enough for Ravenclaw — certainly no quick wits like your mum — but I have no doubt that you must make them proud.  Congratulations on your outstanding grades.  I can’t say I remember doing so well in my first year.

To answer your questions:

1.  You are my son, and that is really all that matters.  Family runs deeper than anything else.
2. Occasionally gruel, yes.  The food here leaves much to be desired, as the two dominant flavors that they serve us are bland and gray.  It is certainly nothing compared to a Hogwarts feast, so you will have to eat a double helping for me at your next supper.
3. No tattoos at all, so I apologize for not being very exciting.  Do you think that I should get one before I leave?

I am sorry to hear that the Gryffindors are giving you such a hard time on my behalf.  Telling them to sod off is a well-reasoned plan.  I don’t know ██████████████████████████.  I think that I will be satisfied just to be home with you and your mother again.

Now, some questions for you:  What is your favorite time period that you’ve learned about in History of Magic?  Who is your favorite professor at school?  Do you have an idea of what you’d like to be, if not an Auror?

Your Father,
Leo

A few hours later, a drawing follows the letter.

Dante García
Ravenclaw Dormitory
Hogwarts
Scotland

Leo Gamp
Cell #856 Block ∀
Azkaban Prison
North Sea

Dad,

Your new tattoo. You could add glitter too. Mum loves glitter.

Love from
Dante