25 Stuart Road
Acton
London

Arcturus Hollingbury
277b Diagon Alley
London

Dear Arc,

How are you doing? I would have dropped by to see you, but given your fondness for routine and work I most likely would have accidentally intruded. A letter, we decided, would do better.

We haven’t seen you since Christmas. Your mother is wondering about you. She insists that you are not in a right state of mind lately, though she admits it is an instinct rather than anything factual. Despite that I’m inclined to believe her; she has had many ‘feelings’ that often turn out to be right later on down the road, and I would be exposing myself to your mother’s wrath if I were to dismiss her gut feelings.

I hope you are keeping well. You don’t have to reply to this letter if you’re busy or tired; the last thing we want you to do is worry about us. Granted, your pedantry will have you point out that we are worried for you, but of course. That’s what parents do. But as we’ve learned, you only come to us when you’ve found no options left, and since you haven’t done so we can only assume that you do know what options you have at hand.

Your mother wants to let you know that she might take a two-week trip to Greece to see her parents. She’s inviting you, though it’s not mandatory. “Just tell him that it might be his last chance to see his eel,” was what she told me. I’m not going to ask.

As for me, I am aware that you might still be conflicted over the information that I can’t share. At this time, dispensing that information is still unavailable to me, but I know you well enough to have found out on your own. Please do not entertain her if you can.

I suppose it would be strange of me to remind you about how power corrupts at this time. Forgive me - it is always on my mind: the dangers of power and using it without thought of consequence. It is a heavy responsibility, and perhaps now is the best time to be mindful of it. Power is always within our grasp, Arc. Be careful with what you do with it.

With love,
Dad

PS: Your mother thought this ball might be able to weather Rustle's impassioned need to shred soft objects to pieces. Let us know the result of the fight. We're taking bets.
PPS: Please give Metis some water when she drops by and avoid accepting any dead voles she may have picked up along the way.

Enclosed is a grapefruit-sized cat toy that, according to its tag, changes shape to 'keep a feline's interest fresh'.