Adelaide!

I promised I would write, didn't I? School began on a rather boring note this year (for me anyway) but I suppose I will have to survive on the dull wit of people who are not you. Gracie[1] is being nice. She feels bad because she thinks I'll miss you desperately. Of course she's right but I wish she wouldn't *think* it so loudly.

Love,
V.

1.	Gracie Slant, housemate.

O Adelaide, O Laidie.

Can't wait to drop defences. Having my arse handed to me on a regular basis by hex-happy Gryffindors isn't my idea of a good time. If you're visiting mum and dad this week could you please owl me my copy of that novel I borrowed? Edgar says he can't find it but you'll know where to look.

V.

Virgil! My poor sleepy boy. Who in Merlin's name is hexing you off their feet? Do I know their older siblings? Tell me. They ought to know you're off limits, darling.

P.S. Book enclosed (it was under the record player in a different dust jacket).

Always,
Laidie.

Laidie, I won't rat on them! Not even the Gryffindors. It's quite alright. They've had nightmares all week and now they're too tired to even hand in their homework, much less bully me. Don't tell Yavin. Burn this.

V.

How is training, Adelaide? Is it all very glamorous? Are you surrounded by handsome lawyers?

V

V!

The other attorneys-in-training happen to have as many pimples as they did back at school. Nothing is glamorous. Yet. There is a lot of drinking involved so I'm sorry if this finds you late! Don't tell mum but I really don't like my flatmates. How could I? None of them are you. They are very boring and all they want to do is go to parties.

Always,
Your Laidie.

Two months.

I'll see you in two months! Alex says hello. She is reading over my shou

[a messy scribble, two people vying for a quill]

Never mind! Two months! I love you.

V.

Dearest Adelaide,

HORMONES! Salazar's socks! Two boys in my dorm had wet dreams last night and if I have to live with that awful knowledge, so do you. Ought I hold it over their heads? Give them knowing looks? Mum wrote to say you have finished your spell at the Ministry and you're training with a private firm now. Congratulations? Why didn't you tell me about your plans over the summer?

V.

Firstly: eeewww, that was TMI but I appreciate you not going into detail.

It wasn't confirmed so I didn't want to say anything! The trainee pay here is so much better. How is fourth year treating you so far sleepy boy? Honestly can't wrap my head around the fact that you actually LIKE Divination. You can read my fortune when I see you at Hogsmeade next month. Palmistry, none of that Tarot nonsense.

Yours,
Laidie.

Can you get me a couple of things from Selfridges, Adelaide? One of the muggleborns was thinking about it and I need to see if the Gucci jumpers are as vivid as she imagines them. V.

Virgil - catalogue enclosed, owl me back a selection (NOT the yellow cashmere, that is more Morgenthau's pace). How are you and Gracie? I couldn't tell if you were both... you know, at Honeydukes. Only curious. She seems quite possessive. Anyway, I bumped into Earnest the other day. Gone pro with Quidditch! His poor dad.

How was your 15th birthday? Was there cake?

Ad e lai de

Miss you badly, Laidie. Walked through the most terrible nightmare last night. I wish we could sit in the Kitchens together. Don't tell Edgar. He always feel guilty. It isn't his fault.

Yes there was cake (lemon poppyseed).

Sleepy boy! It's nobody's fault (least of all yours). Winter break soon. What do you need? I'll send you anything an owl can carry. Let's go to Southbank when you're back. We'll get roasted chestnuts and chuck them at the pigeons. I miss you too. Really, V. I wish I could hold you.

Laidie.
[a lipstick mark where she has kissed the page]

Dear Virgil.

I just realised that I haven't heard from you in a MONTH since the new year. Have I been so easily forgotten this term? Did my Christmas gifts not pass muster? Oh, but I should be glad that you're getting on better with everyone. You always make Slytherin sound so much worse than the other houses but I promise Ravenclaw is every bit as demented. My love to Alex.

Sincerely,
Adelaide.

They are calling me Virgil the Virgin.

Darling. Sleepy boy. Are you telling me they aren't??

Laidie.

Adelaide,

I KNOW for a fact that most of them are! I've simply made the strategically unwise decision of admitting it in public. They're obsessed! I hate this. Virgil the Virgin! Virgil the Virgin! Carries a bloody catchy tune, too!

Do you remember Emily? Emily Carter? I've decided it's going to be her. We're dating, it makes sense, doesn't it? She is rather sympathetic. Calls me "golden apple" whatever that means. Pretty too. Let me know what you think.

Love,
V.

Virgil Spencer Avery Carstairs! EXCUSE YOU!

We are not going to discuss this over owl! Hogsmeade weekend!

A.

Alright. I can't talk long - they'll think I'm pathetic, running off to meet you every time.

Laidie.

Sorry. I didn't mean that.

V.

It's alright. Listen, I've moved flats. I live on my own now - north London. It isn't far from Chalk Farm and the Camden stables. Photos to follow. Thoughts?

Always,
Laidie.

Thoughts: the guest room looks awfully comfortable.

Virgil.

Good.

It's yours. Come stay with me for a couple of weeks this summer, sleepy boy? I've asked mum and dad. We'll have a grand time, I can show you all my favourite haunts. There's this wonderful Japanese restaurant by the canals and some choice ducks to heckle.

And please don't do anything with Emily if you don't ACTUALLY want to. You have time, V. If anyone gives you trouble, don't listen to Yavin's moralising. Read whatever you want in those imbecilic little heads and menace the hell out of them. You're off limits. Do whatever it takes - and this isn't the lawyer brain talking.

Love,
Your Laidie.