Dear Professor Kesali,

Sorry, old habits die hard, Sir. Ambrose here, Ambrose Pepper. Sorry it’s been a long time since I’ve written. Probably best I don’t start a letter with a third sorry for saying sorry so often, but nearly did. I hope you are well. What are you up to these days? My brother Tim (he’s in Ravenclaw) says that Professor Hendurabi from Durmstrang is now the charms teacher at Hogwarts. I think they had trouble finding anyone as good as you, Sir.

This week would have been my first week as a seventh year at Hogwarts, but instead I attended a full day learning how to handle acromantulas. Easy - no worse than dealing with Professor Storm on a bad day! No, I joke, nothing about beast handling is truly easy, but I did better than some of the older apprentices who did their NEWTs. That made me proud. Acromantulas are truly massive. The size of carthorses. I wouldn’t want to try and ride one like a carthorse though. You have to win the respect of an acromantula and they’re clever, like sphinxes. I’ve met those Not that I’ve met any of those.

I had go get an international portkey to… Ambrose rambles on about the experience, clearly very excited at the whole ordeal and proud of how well he handled it, but rather modest.

Hogwarts going back reminded me to write to you,  you see. I still am forever grateful for all your help with my OWLS. I would never have got my acceptable grade[1] without you teaching me how to do things without speaking the incantations, and fighting my corner with the other professors. I mean, I’m not perfect these days either, but I’m slightly less likely to blow things up.

Ambrose rambles on again about a weekend intensive course on how to ride kelpies which he attended in June, and a week long camp led by a centaur to improve his ‘fitness, resolve and fortitude’ alongside trainee hitwizards, aurors and such, where he is excited to update Gale on the adventures of some of Gale’s once NEWT students like Raine Almasy. ‘She’s an animagus and fought proper dark wizards already!’

One of my other proudest moments this year had to be capturing a griffin[2] that was sent to the Minister for Magic. I caught it right in the corridor (with some help) right in front of him too. I did it with a tray of breakfast, it was amazing. I had to take it to the office in a suitcase!

I’m hoping to retake my apparition exam soon. I failed first time. It had been going so well until I splinched.[3] It was so embarrassing! I splinched my bum! They had to regrow it in St Mungo’s. Worse it was Healer Misslethorpe and he’s like a family friend, and Meredith Misslethorpe’s dad. Have you ever splinched? I can tell you it’s a real pain in the arse, ha ha!

I better finish my letter now, as it’s my turn to change Amelia. She’s almost one and a half now, and sweet as can be. She likes to nick my toast in the morning and try and walk around in my work boots, even though they come up to her knees. Super cute. Dad and Gabrielle send their love too.

If you’re ever in London, let me know. I can buy you drinks now!

Yours,

Ambrose

1.	15th July 2011, OWL Examination Results for Ambrose Augustus Pepper
2.	1st March 2012 Shut that Griffin Door!
3.	11th April 2012 Left Behind

Gale spent the better part of half hour simply focusing on one thing from a letter that was beyond a treat to see. The baby kept looking in on him from her book as though she was concerned, but mostly confused as her dad was leaning against the counter as though he was going to throw up.

I can buy you drinks now.

How had he gotten that old!? What did he mean a drink? Butterbeer? No. That was just him reaching.

“Papa?” A little voice came from her place on the cushions and held to his leg, and that made Gale smile and brush a hand through her hair.

“Yes, Mon chou, I am just accepting an emotion and letting myself feel it, even if that emotion makes me feel a little…” He tried to find the right word. Sad wasn’t it. Guilty? No. “Thoughtful. Go, finish your breakfast.”



To say that your latter could not have found me at a better time, is not and understatement as the view from my window has been a bit gloomy now that three of my five foster children have returned to Hogwarts, and it is just the baby and I. My eldest has since graduated and working for the ministry.

I left Hogwarts to focus on the family I never knew I wanted. My partner and I took on this family and though he didn’t remain I still stayed because that is what we do as parents. We stay.

I made a promise and I swore before the ministry that I’d remain and here I am.

We have a quiet life where your services would much be needed as we have a cow that refuses to allow us me to milk her. Perhaps you could come by one day in the spring after her calf has weaned and we can talk about this? Or even beforehand?

I am so very proud of you and all that you have accomplished. Aren’t you? You should be.

Much love,

Professor Eyepatch