The package is rather deceiving.  Though it appears to be a thin, manila style envelope and feels as such, upon opening, the receiver will be shocked to see quite the stack of papers, gathered together in bunches using clips with various notes all over them to try and guide some of the less interesting passages.  On the first title page there is a note that she should get a binder and organize everything by subject – more to come!  The owl carrying the letter is standard and even tempered, if a bit on the flighty side.  Like treats and nibbling at hair. 

Akiva Katz
Library, Ministry of Magic
London, England

Fauna Blake c/o Tulojow Nadge
Hogwarts Health Hut
Hogwarts Grounds

Dear Fauna,

I’m so sorry it took this long to get this information to you.  I’ve been compiling what I could find that would make sense to what you seemed to be interested in.  There are some books that I think would be good in the footnotes on some of the articles – I highlighted them for you to look into at the Hogwarts library, I’m almost positive there should be copies there.  None of them are restricted or rare, so you should be able to get your hands on them! 

I hope you don’t mind that I’ve made some notes for you – if you don’t like them, just do an erasing charm and it will get rid of the ink marks.  There are also little paper notes to direct your attention as well as separate the articles by topic.  I trust you have your own research as well, so I picked some of the more obscure topics: historic legislation, cultural acceptance and changes in relationships, and scientific research regarding lycanthropy (just in case).  The last section is a little dense, but I put most of my comments there, so that should help!    If you have any questions, don’t be afraid to ask!

On a less serious note: how has your knitting been going?  I hope better than mine… this scarf I have been attempting is rather dismal looking – especially after my cat got at it – little orange hairs everywhere.  I don’t know what I’m doing wrong, but I think it’s got something to do with the fact these needles must be cursed… hmm…

Tell me about school and what you are planning to do! I know it is only the end of September, but I’m sure the year will go by much faster than you anticipate and I can’t help but be interested! 

Don’t hesitate to ask for anything, and I hope to hear from you soon!

-Akiva Katz.

Fauna Blake
West Tower, Owlery
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Akiva Katz
Library, Ministry of Magic
London, England

Dear Akiva,

Thank you!! This is so helpful. I braved the library yesterday and found the books you highlighted for me. I’m going to try and bribe a few of the SAWS members with Tulo’s chocolate chip cookies to help me look through them.

The notes you added to the articles are amazingly helpful, too! I really appreciate this. I’m not sure I would have been able to decipher a few of those sections without your comments. And… I’m really impressed by the charm you used to make the folder look so, um, inconspicuous. Hehe. The last letter I got from the Ministry, a house-elf randomly popped into the common room

Maybe the next time I see you I can help you with your knitting? Or try to help you? I don’t know if you want to see me outside of school but   I think it would be fun if  Mine isn’t all that great, either. I think pets just know we’re trying to make something nice, so they like to make things difficult for us. My rat decided to use the scarf I’m making as a nest… I couldn’t find it for a week, until I looked underneath my bed and saw Bernie curled up in it, munching on cracker crumbs.

Bernie probably likes the Hufflepuff colors. I don’t know. Anyway, I’m not sure my scarf will be ready to give to Ollie when I see her during the Hogsmeade weekend. Oh well. She’ll probably be really amused by it.

I’m looking forward to Halloween already! I’m kinda.. sorta nervous about the dance though. I hate those things where you have to have a date, otherwise you feel left out. There’s this boy that I like… but it’s silly. I will probably end up asking one of my friends to go with me. I have too much to do anyway, planning the decoration stuff, since the art club is signed up to be on the decoration committee, you know?

But how are you?  How’s it feel to be at home and at work? You sound like you are doing well so I hope everything is going great. How’s your boyfriend friend Dreeogan? Sorry if that’s, uh… don’t mean to pry!

~Fauna

Akiva Katz
Library, Ministry of Magic
London, England

Fauna Blake c/o Tulojow Nadge
Hogwarts Health Hut
Hogwarts Grounds

Fauna,

I am so glad that all the information was helpful and that you were able to locate the titles.  I think they’re all geared toward what you and your friends are trying to do, so it shouldn’t be that difficult to get someone to join in.  If they’re persistent, I’ll send brownies next time and you can hold them ransom.

It’s a simple charm, tenuis.  Next time I see you, I can teach you how to use it if you haven’t learned it in charms! I’d be happy to – it’s very useful if you ever need to send something like that.  I’m sure you will be at some point, so it’ll be a neat trick, at the least. 

I would love the help, by the way.  I think I am forever doomed with this thing.  It must look better than mine, which has turned into a rather knotted chew toy for my cocker spaniel.  I suppose I can make good dog toys… But, anyhow, I’m sure your friend will absolutely love it! I find with homemade gifts, it is far easier to give something that might not look as pretty but was infinitely more thoughtful than a purchased item that might not be so pretty.  I was thinking of making mittens… but… if I can’t even knit a rectangle… well… they would probably both be left hands or something! 

Your worries about the dance are completely understandable! I always hated them too – except my first year.  I went to Halloween as a nerd, though I’m afraid very few people actually got it.  I was quite weird throughout school and had a horrible time of the first few years – picked on dreadfully, but you shouldn’t let your duties for art club stop you from enjoying yourself!  I can’t imagine this boy you like wouldn’t want to go with you – what is he like?  You are a very nice and pretty girl, he’d be silly not to want to go with you! 

What kind of things are you planning for the dance?  Do you have a costume yet?  I’ll probably be at home this year, but I’ve gone to parties with my muggle friends before – it’s great fun!  I’m enjoying being home and working again.  You never realize how dreadfully boring just sitting around is until you do it for an entire month!  Work is pleasant and a nice break from cooking all day (I never thought I would have said that). 

You’re not prying, by the way – I pried first - it’s completely legitimate.  Dreogan is doing well, thank you for asking!  I speak for both of us when I say thank you so much.  In your next letter, you’ll have to tell me more about this boy (since we’re sharing, haha!) and let me know how things are developing (research, knitting, and movement included).  I will talk to you soon! Let me know if you'd like brownies.

-Akiva Katz

Fauna Blake
Hufflepuff Table
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Akiva Katz
Library, Ministry of Magic
London, England

Dear Akiva,

Tenuis? Hmm. I’ll have to ask my Charms professor about that. Thanks!

Oh, I’m sure your scarf isn’t that bad! I mean… dogs go after things like fancy shoes, too, not that I own any. But, I have to agree about homemade gifts. My friends sometimes ask me to draw something for them, for the holidays and birthdays and such. It usually means more than anything I could find in a store, anyway. So I’m sure that even though our scarves are just a bit.. mangled, they will be appreciatted. I hope!

You went to Halloween as a nerd? Cute! Do you have pictures? That just sounds so creative and fun. I went as a Cinderella type my first year. I’m so sorry    I can’t believe  It’s hard to imagine that anyone made fun of you! It’s just, you’re very smart and nice. I mean, I got picked on a lot too (actually, it’s never really ended), but… I don’t know. Seems very strange that kids would single you out.

Oh, so, this boy… it’s really silly. And kind of complicated. He’s never really paid any attention to me except very suddenly, at the end of last year. But he still has a girlfriend. I think. It’s so confusing! Anyway, I don’t think I’d ask him, because I rejected him over the summer (because of the whole girlfriend thing), so he probably doesn’t like me anymore, anyway. See! It’s all silly. And I’d be extremely embarrassed to ask him.

But thank you for the compliment! I really have no idea what I’m dressing up as for the dance, yet. The art club meeting is coming up soon, though, so maybe brainstorming for the decorations will help give me some ideas for my costume.

Even if the dance doesn’t go so well, the Hogsmeade weekend is this Halloween. So there is hope! I’ll be seeing a few of my friends who don’t go to Hogwarts anymore, and SAWS is planning a field trip, of sorts. We’ll be meeting with a few werewolves to learn more about their experiences. I’ve always thought that being close to Ollie has made me more aware of these things… so for students who don’t know a werewolf personally, they can still hear about their lives first-hand and understand a little better what they go through. Probably better than reading a textbook about it, anyway.

I should have time, since Hogsmeade weekend is two days, if… that would be a good time to meet? I mean, if you want to? I understand if you are busy!

I’m glad that you are enjoying work, and that Dreogan is doing well! Of course, I love brownies. I wish I could send you something… my last foray in the kitchen was during detention, last year. Erm… I sort of helped start a food fight.. I really didn’t mean to… but there was bacon involved, and people get crazy over bacon?

~Fauna

Attached to the letter is a picture of all of these pieces put together nerd outfit with Akiva in the middle as an eleven year old, smiling like an idiot, thumbs hooked under the suspenders, and glasses on crooked.  The two pens are in the shirt pocket and the shirt is tucked in.  It’s suitably nerd-tastic.  Also attached is a small box, inside contains a dozen homemade brownies.

Akiva Katz
Library, Ministry of Magic
London, England

Fauna Blake c/o Tulojow Nadge
Hogwarts Health Hut
Hogwarts Grounds

Fauna,

I’m very sorry it’s taken me this long to respond to your letter! I had intended to reply earlier, but certain events happened and well… I’m sure you’ve read about it by now.  I actually haven’t had an opportunity to read this until today, honestly.  It’s been a little hectic at the Ministry, to say the least.

Definitely not the most pleasant subject, however.  I wouldn’t normally sweep something like that under the rug, but there’s very little that we can do and I trust Level 2 will do their jobs well.  

As for being made fun of, I went to school in a far different time than you are.  I was in the same year as Harry Potter – there were a lot of people who felt even more strongly about issues of blood than they do now.  Not only that, but I liked math and science and babbled about it constantly.  I could tell you a dozen stories about it – but, to save room on the parchment, I’ll just assure you that you are not alone!  Don’t worry, when you leave school, you’ll find the larger world is far too busy to make fun of you for the most part, anyway.  

I understand complicated – believe me – and it sounds like a typical problem!  I’m glad you rejected him during the summer though.  You‘re stronger than you think and it’s a mark of your character that you said no.  I admire that a lot.  Whatever happens, you did a good thing, and there are plenty of boys out there!  You may not know them now, of course, but they’re there.  (I would normally say I’m not the person to ask about this – but, you know, it speaks for itself).  

That’s a busy Hogsmeade weekend!  It sounds like it’s going to be very productive though – your idea about talking directly to werewolves is a great idea.  It would really humanize it for those that don’t really know a werewolf.  You’re going to get a lot out of it, and seeing old friends is good too!  I miss those days! If you were doing those things on Saturday, I could meet you Sunday.  

Saturday, I generally spend with my parents – Shabbat (seventh day of the Jewish week, day of rest) doesn’t end until sundown and if I’m correct, you’d be back at the castle then anyway.  So, I’d be happy to meet with you on Sunday – I want to stop down there anyhow, so it would be perfect.  You can fill me in on how the dance went and everything.  You should take pictures of the decorations and things; I would love to see them!  

The best costume is usually something you pull together from your own wardrobe anyhow, so I have faith you can be creative enough to figure something great out.  Also, don’t worry about not making anything – I’m not the one who has to study constantly and also organize an entire group of people for two clubs.  Ambitious! You need all the fuel you can get.  

-Akiva Katz

PS: I can’t believe you helped start a food fight!  It’s hard to imagine! But I suppose, from what I have heard, bacon can do that to a person.  I've never had it so I can't say!

Fauna Blake
Hogwarts Health Hut
Hogwarts Grounds

Akiva Katz
Library, Ministry of Magic
London, England

Dear Akiva,

Oh, wow, thank you for the brownies! They are delicious! I ate five in one sitting. I was good, I shared with friends. Kind of.

I really love that picture. It’s so cute! The outfit is perfect too. You’ve even got the buttons! I couldn’t stop giggling when I saw it.

I’m really sorry to hear about what happened in the Ministry. When I sent you my last letter I didn’t even know… it’s so awful. And scary, for something like that to happen right there. I hope, well, I hope you and Rayn everyone are doing okay. I mean, if that happened at Hogwarts. I mean, not that-

I just hope you’re doing okay! Sounds really busy.

You’re right, though. My sister says the same thing. That once I leave school, less people will be so worried about.. what someone wears, or how they talk. So it’ll be easier. Though I really shouldn’t rely completely on that. I’ve been trying to be more confident lately, and I think I’m getting better. It helps that I have people looking out for me, like you and Tulo and. So… thanks!

I didn’t realize you were in the same year as Harry Potter! That must have been, well, definitely a different time. Not that you’re that much older than me! But a lot can change in ten years.

Oh! So I have a funny story. Well, funny and sad. Sad because- well, you’ll see. I asked my friend Fig to the dance. I was too nervous to ask Devlin, and it would have been weird after I rejected him, and I wanted to go with someone. So I asked Fig, who’s a Hufflepuff,  like me, but a fifth year, which means he’s a little immature. Fifth year boys, you know? I can’t talk to the seventh years. Anyway, I asked him, and he completely didn’t get it. He was like ‘oh sure Fauna, you can hang around the boys and I. You’re a seventh year! You can buy stuff from Zonko’s!’ I was… well, I didn’t know whether to laugh or burst into tears. But I settled for returning his high-five. Yes, a high five. Do you see why this story is both funny, and so, so sad?

But, after I explained what I was actually asking, he seemed to get it, and... well, he might be looking forward to the dance a little too much now. I did say that we were going just as friends, but yeah.

He just kept grinning! I admit, it was kind of an ego boost.

Well, anyway, I’d love to meet you on Sunday! I’ll be sure to take a lot of pictures of my costume, if I end up making it in time, and of the dance decorations. If all goes well we are planning on a Forest theme- like a Forbidden Forest/enchanted spooky forest type setting in the Great Hall. My friend Mysti thought of it and she’s just brilliant.

I can’t wait  Looking forward to seeing you!

~Fauna

P.S. Oh, but I told you it was an accident! The food fight was a result of… A) my clumsiness  B)Ollie’s obsession with bacon  and C) Bad, bad luck.  Did you know I got voted most unlucky AND most clumsy in last year’s yearbook?

Attached to the letter is a package of fresh fudge (purchased from a confectioners’), tied up in a white box with yellow and pink ribbons.

Akiva Katz
Library, Ministry of Magic
London, England

Fauna Blake c/o Tulojow Nadge
Hogwarts Health Hut
Hogwarts Grounds

Fauna!

I just read about what happened in the paper – you were mentioned in the article.  (I’m always a day late on the paper – I wish I had seen it sooner, I would have known and wrote you immediately!) 

Are you alright?  You weren’t hurt, were you?  Is everything okay?  I just knew I had to write you to check in.  Please let me know how you are doing and if everything is alright! 

Are you still up to meeting?  I could always find a way to Tulojow’s hut if you do not think you want to leave school grounds – I’m to understand it’s not entirely impossible to receive special permissions, and perhaps I could do that if you aren’t comfortable with leaving.  I wouldn’t want to inconvenience you, after all. 

I hope you are alright and I cannot wait to hear from you.  Please respond soon!

-Akiva

Fauna Blake
Hogwarts Health Hut
Hogwarts Grounds

Akiva Katz
Library, Ministry of Magic
London, England

Dear Akiva,

Thank you so much for the letter (and the fudge)! It made me smile. My dormmates all love it when I get a new package from you.

Don’t worry, I’m completely fine. I wasn’t hurt at all. Not a scratch on me. I am worried about Headmaster Professor Greyfriar, though. He got the worst of it and though I was there with him at St. Mungo’s, I wish I could see him again and see how he’s doing. I’m afraid that… I’m really worried.

To be honest. Honestly,

I feel awful. I mean, like I said I’m fine physically, just… feeling down. What happened was –It’s so dumb. But you know that boy I told you a little about, Devlin? Well, I followed him to Hogsmeade, because… I’m curious about him. I mean, I didn’t mean to be creepy. But a fifth-year, Bea, saw me and tagged along, and we kinda convinced Sasha to join us. And then we got to the Three Broomsticks and Devlin and we ran into Knox, and after Devlin left, Knox and his friend offered to escort us back to the castle. ‘Cause it was the night of the full moon, you know? So, so dumb… I just keep thinking about… I don’t know, I shouldn’t have gone out. Maybe things would have been different and Prof Greyfriar wouldn’t have been hurt if I hadn’t followed Devlin.

So, when Greyfriar and his friend were escorting us back, they we kept hearing these weird sounds in the woods. And then all of a sudden a werewolf jumped out at us and attacked Professor Greyfriar. And then everything happened so fast. The spells weren’t doing anything, so Mr. Dragulia had to use a knife, and… I didn’t know what to do. I cast a disillusionment charm on Bea and Sasha so they could escape and get help. Then these new people came in, I think they were a part of the capture unit, and they took care of the werewolf, and I went to St. Mungo’s with Greyfriar because, well, I think he needed someone with him.

But now I don’t know if he’s okay or not and I’d hate to think…

Sorry I’m unloading this on you. I don’t mean to worry you. How have you been? Anything new going on?

I’d still really like to see you during the Hogsmeade weekend, if I’m allowed to go out. My mum’s panicking about the attack and the Headmistress sorta is not happy with me. So I’m not completely sure if I’ll be able to go, but I’m planning on it. I guess, I mean, at least I won’t have to worry about a werewolf attack since there won’t be a full moon on Halloween. I will be careful though.

I’m also hoping I might be able to visit Professor Greyfriar, if he even wants to see me. But Sunday is still a good day for you?

~Fauna

Akiva Katz
Library, Ministry of Magic
London, England

Fauna Blake c/o Tulojow Nadge
Hogwarts Health Hut
Hogwarts Grounds

Fauna,

I’m so glad you are alright.  I was so worried that you had been hurt – the newspaper, as I’m sure you read, was very vague about what happened to the rest of you.  Quick thinking on the disillusionment charm!  You must be very good at that subject – it was one of my particular favorites while I was at school, along with arithmancy and ancient runes. 

You shouldn’t be worried – St. Mungo’s is exceptional and they will do whatever necessary to help him.  I know several staffers in the building and they will make sure he recovers adequately.  If anything had changed in his condition, I’m sure it would be in the news.  Professor Greyfriar is, after all, a prominent figure in the community – it is information people would want to know. 

I’m sure he would want to see you – regardless of what you think about your responsibility in what happened.  If it was meant to happen, it was meant to happen.  As my grandmother would have said, ahf tsu lochs – something like “as luck would have it,” but more like it was beyond your control.  I know you want to blame yourself – but if it was going to happen, it would have regardless of you being there, after all, Professor Greyfriar would have had to leave at some point during the evening – regardless of whether or not he was escorting you, Bea, and Sasha or not. 

You did a good thing by protecting the younger students and going with him – that was brave of you, really.  I’m sure thanks to your help, as well as Mr. Dragulia, Professor Greyfriar will get out of this as best he can.  It isn’t your fault, whatever happens.  Don’t worry about unloading on me!  What good would I be if I couldn’t listen to you vent once and a while?  Did this Devlin boy ever find out you followed him?  Does he know you like him? (Sorry, curious!) 

As for me, nothing quite as traumatic as your experience – well, not in the same way at least.  Things have been interesting, but I suppose that’s what happens when you’re in the “real world,” so to speak.  It was why I didn’t respond directly – just a small thing (I’m fine – don’t worry about that at all). 

Sunday is still perfect for me and I hope Headmistress Snark is not too hard on you.  I have to admit, I thought she was absolutely terrifying when she worked in the ministry – and it was a bit of a shock to learn she was going to be working with children… but I suppose that is also one of those odd twists of fate.  Your mum shouldn’t worry too much – the likelihood of the repetition of such a scenario is so small that you will most likely never come across anything like it ever again. 

You best be careful! And I’ll see you that Sunday!  Depending on what is going on, Dreogan might come along – but I can send him off or something so we can have time to talk!  (You know, girl things – don’t require the presence of a man – hah!) 

Don’t worry and don’t blame yourself for anything – ahf tsu lochs!  I will see you very soon!

-Akiva Katz

Fauna Blake
Hogwarts Health Hut
Hogwarts Grounds

Akiva Katz
Library, Ministry of Magic
London, England

Dear Akiva,

Thanks. Your letter really made me feel better. I’m trying not to blame myself, you know, but it’s just hard when I could have made smarter choices. But then again, the werewolf attack was pretty random. If it hadn’t happened to us, it could have happened to someone else, and… who knows if they would have survived. At least Professor Greyfriar is alive.

I wish I could have done more, but… you’re right. I’d say if something like that ever happened again I hope I’d react better, but the chances of that happening are so small that I guess it doesn’t matter. And of course I wouldn’t want it to happen again. I just can’t help but imagine how I could handle things better if I ever needed to. It gives me some peace of mind to try to work it out in my head, I think. It’s weird.

I think Devlin knows I was there. I haven’t talked to him yet, though. Heh. That would require, well, talking to a boy. That I like. I'm hopeless!

Oh, something strange happened with the whole getting a date thing for the dance, and it’s been bugging me like crazy. It’s silly to worry about it in comparison to everything else that has happened, but anyway, my friend Fig, for some reason, called the date off. I really don’t get it coz he seemed so excited before. But he’s also been going through a lot with his dad, so maybe that’s it. I just don’t have the courage to ask someone out again at the moment.

Akiva, I don’t mean to sound pushy or anything, but if you need someone to talk to you can always  I mean, it sounds like you’re going through something too, and I just wanted you to know that I can be a good listener. I wouldn’t want to just always talk about my problems, you know? I’d feel bad. But only if you feel comfortable telling me. I won’t be offended  I’m here, is what I’m trying to say.

Can't wait to see you! Do you maybe want to meet at the Leaky Cauldron for lunch, or something? It would be fun to say hi to Dreogan if he wants to come.

~Fauna

Akiva Katz
Library, Ministry of Magic
London, England

Fauna Blake c/o Tulojow Nadge
Hogwarts Health Hut
Hogwarts Grounds

Fauna!

Talking to boys is always hard – it doesn’t mean you’re hopeless.  Sometimes, you can’t think of them as boys you like when you want to talk to them even if it’s almost impossible.  I guess, in the past, I’ve used work as an excuse to talk to them, so maybe using school as a ploy – a project or something – would help.  Maybe you need some help with studying (if you know what I mean!). 

That’s very strange, about the dance.  I can’t imagine anyone cancelling with you, but maybe it is like you think and he’s just having problems with his dad.  Sometimes, especially with teenage boys, problems at home really do leak into everything.  If you don’t think you can ask anyone else, just go with friends – that’s usually more fun anyway.  You can dance with a lot of people and aren’t tied to one arm the whole night.  Really, it’s probably better that it happened that way – you’ll have a far better time this way!  I remember when I went to the Yule Ball with my boyfriend Felix, and though it was very fun, it is always optimal to have options!   

It’s sweet of you to offer to listen – I just didn’t want to burden you with anything that isn’t really worth worrying over, especially with you being in school – you have more important things to worry about!  It was only a minor thing anyway – a mishap with a potion that was thankfully fixed without too much of a problem, but I was worried like you wouldn’t believe. 

Sometimes being in a relationship is so stressful!  I wouldn’t change it for the world, of course, but there are times you just want to… I don’t even know.  Maybe this goes back to your inability to talk to boys, but I find it hard to get Dree to talk to me about what really bothers him.  I guess it might be private, but I’d like to know sometimes. 

I feel like we both try a lot of the time, but sometimes it just misses the mark.  There are moments where things could not possibly be any better and then there are times where I don’t know what I could do to make it work more smoothly for us.  I have no intentions of ending anything – I love him too much to considerate it over such silly things, they’re just some concerns.

See what I mean when I say it’s a burden to you? Adult problems are so much less exciting than school problems.  We’re also scheduled to get in a new shipment of articles, so if they come in before the weekend, I’ll be able to bring them with me rather than send them this time.  Lunch sounds excellent – and I’ll ask Dree if he wants to come.  I can’t wait!

-Akiva

Fauna Blake
Hogwarts Health Hut
Hogwarts Grounds

Akiva Katz
Library, Ministry of Magic
London, England

Akiva!

You’ll never believe what happened. I can’t believe it. It’s crazy! It’s just… no way!

I don’t have to worry about going to the dance single anymore. I know you said that it’s not so bad, but it is sometimes! And well, my last year and all that. But you’ll never believe it!

Devlin Matthews. Asked me. To the dance. 

I know!



Sorry. I just, I really can’t… I have no idea how that happened. It’s like… maybe he knew Fig blew me off and felt bad for me? Or maybe he actually likes me? All I know is that girls have been after him for weeks and suddenly he goes “Hey Fauna do you have a date” but of course much smoother and sauver (is that a word?) than that.

I am so excited. I have never been so happy about a dance in my life.

Anyway, I just had to tell you!

But now that I’ve stopped, well, hyperventilating, I can respond to the rest of your letter. I know what you mean about boys. Many of them hate talking about stuff. I think they think it makes them… mushy? Not as manly? It’s just silly. I mean, I can kinda understand it because that’s how people tell them to act, but it’s really frustrating when you need them to talk and they won’t.

I’ve never been in a relationship before so I can’t really- I’m probably wrong, but… I guess I would keep being you. I mean, you would keep being you, because you are a very open person, which is good, and then point out to him sometime that… well, it’s not really fair for him to hold back too much when you don’t? But just.. phrase it in a better way. Definitely phrase it in a better way.

It seems like you and Dree really care about each other, though. So definitely worth it, like you said. I guess relationships aren’t perfect but I mean, the two of you keep trying so, that’s really important, you know?

Well, anyway, thanks for telling me and I hope I didn’t say anything too weird.

I probably won’t be able to write again until I see you, but I can’t wait for Sunday! (And Friday!)

~Fauna

With the letter is a package that is lightened with a weightless charm.  Inside the box, there is another delivery of cookies, chocolate chip, homemade of course, and the interior of the box is charmed to keep the cookies warm and soft, of course.  There are also candies thrown in with the cookies.  Clearly, the sender was in a fabulous mood and the cheerfully medium blue writing is another indication, as opposed to standard, Ministry black. 

Akiva Katz
Library, Ministry of Magic
London, England

Fauna Blake c/o Tulojow Nadge
Hogwarts Health Hut
Hogwarts Grounds

Fauna,

How are you?  It feels as though it’s been ages since I saw you last!  It almost has, actually.  But, we moved into our house a few days ago!  I don’t remember if I told you when we met, but the house is beautiful – as you can see, from my cookies, the kitchen is very large and probably one of my favorite places to hang out.  There’s a fabulous island in the middle of the space, and then the dining area is right off of it… it’s everything I could have asked for. The Door is Always Open , so Home Sweet Home!   

But, I had some other news I wanted to share with you, and in the process of getting the whole house set up, having family over, and everything else that bogs down one’s life, I didn’t get a chance to tell you!  I’d love to have told you in person, of course, but it appears that won’t be happening.  So, without further ado:

I’m engaged!!!!

We were moving in Sunday (the 16th) and we ordered out, because the house was a mess and even though I did an ace job of setting up the kitchen, Dree insisted on getting Chinese (we usually do – he’s very habit driven… but anyway!), and I ordered.  He made a big deal out of getting extra fortune cookies, but I didn’t think anything of it, you know, it was weird, but he likes them, so… it didn’t even cross my mind when I was ordering.  But, when it got to the house, he wanted to start with the cookies, I thought it was rather typical and he handed me one of the dozen or so cookies. 

When I cracked it open, on the little paper, was the question!  He had planned the whole thing right under my nose.  He had me order my own engagement!  It might not have been the fanciest thing, but it was incredibly sweet and thoughtful.  I just wanted to let you know (I knew you would appreciate it)! 

Anyway, enough about me! How are you doing?  How is that boy, Devlin?  Did anything ever become resolved with the Halloween Dance stunt?  I hope you’re doing well in your lessons and you are enjoying your weekends!   I know this letter isn’t very long, but I’m sort of scribbling it down in between people coming in.  Write soon! 

Much love,
Akiva

The phrase, “The Door is Always Open,” when said out loud, will reveal the address of the Katz-Eleor home.  In the same vein, the phrase “Home Sweet Home” will make the address disappear.  The capitalization of the sentence is supposed to make it stand out and hopefully, Fauna will say them out-loud.  Otherwise, it just looks odd.

When Fauna received this package and read the letter in the Hufflepuff common room, she let out a very, very loud squeal that could be heard even in the Hogwarts Kitchens. Then she hopped onto one of the couches in the common room and did a funky dance, giggling like mad and continuing to dance as a befuddled audience gathered and wondered what exactly was in those cookies.

However, she did share the cookies and the candies with her housemates, and was in an especially good mood for the rest of the night.

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Akiva! Akiva! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Heee! I am on a sugar high from the candies you sent me and I am so, so happy for you!! Hehe! You're engaged! To Dree! And it's just so exciting!

You're the first of my friends to get engaged, which well, makes sense because you're not a student at Hogwarts, haha. But oh wow! Did you two set a date? I hope that question isn't annoying. But let me know when you know! 'Cause I will skip school and steal a car if I have to

I LOVE the fortune cookie idea! That is so creative and sweet! Major props to Dree! Tell him I said I think he's clever.

It's just so... I already said exciting ten thousand times. But exciting!

I'm so glad the moving in went well, too. Better than well, considering! And ooo the kitchen! These cookies are amazing!

I'm doing good! I haven't talked to Devlin much since the dance, but I plan on it. Lou's encouraging me to ask him out on a double date for the winter holiday. Eee!

As for the dance, well, Snark pulled an evil move and she's assigning a bunch of us to clean up duty in the Infirmary. Every Sunday. For at least ten Sundays. It's crazy. But... at least I get to see Devlin during that time!

Other than that, a bunch of new professors are coming in! Makes me kinda nervous, and I really miss people like Mainwaring and Gunnar. But as long as Tulo stays, I'll be ok! She's a lifesaver.

I promise to write more later! Thanks so much for telling me about your engagement! I'm so excited for you!

Lotsa love,
Fauna

Akiva Katz
Library, Ministry of Magic
London, England

Fauna Blake c/o Tulojow Nadge
Hogwarts Health Hut
Hogwarts Grounds

Fauna,

I’m glad you like the cookies, I was in a baking mood after I got everything set up, but don’t eat too many!  You’ll go absolutely insane on sugar!  Of course, I guess that’s like telling a puffskein not to eat boogies, so… lost cause.  Don’t get a stomach ache! 

I let Dree know you thought he was clever and he was glad to hear it!  I’ve told him dozens of times since, I think.  I’m very excited too, so I don’t mind the emphatic use of the word, believe me.  I have used it more times than I could count as well. 

As for a date, Dree and I haven’t really talked about that kind of thing yet.  But, I wouldn’t worry.  It won’t be for quite some time – there’s no rush, believe me!  No reason to shotgun (haha)!  I washoping for somewhere during the early summer months, perhaps, but we will see – it all depends on what we finally end up deciding.  I would not worry though! You’ll be able to attend, I’ll make sure of it! 

You MUST let me know how things are going with Devlin when you ask about that double date!  Maybe before you go, we can go shopping and get you a new, fabulous outfit.  Every girl needs a new outfit for an important date, after all. 

That is royally horrible though, about Snark!  I remember when she worked at the Ministry, I was always somewhat afraid of her… That kind of punishment definitely seems like something she would levy.  I hope it doesn’t negatively impact your Sunday activities!  I hope the new professors aren’t as strict as she is and you will do well for the rest of the year.  I have no doubt you’ll be great with an amiable professor, but the hardened ones… they are so much harder to get along with. 

Write soon! Let me know how things are going and if you need anything, just ask! 

Much love,
Kiva

PS: Tell Tulojow I say hello next time you see her!  I haven't spoken to her in a while!