Ferguson Amherst
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry
Slytherin Table

Sasha Schlagenweit
London, England

Sasha,

Where are you?!?!

I tried to find you all day yesterday, but I couldn't. At first I thought you were avoiding me because you changed your mind about, you know, the dance and... everything. But then you weren't at breakfast this morning, or classes, either, and now people are saying that they made you leave the school.

What happened? Did you really have to leave? You didn't say goodbye. When are you coming back? Is everything okay? Are you okay? Last time you left the school suddenly, you ended up kidnapped by one of the wizarding world's most wanted. I think you can understand why I'm freaking out a little. So just let me know what's going on, all right? And that you're safe. And not kidnapped.

But don't think all this means I'm going to forget about your birthday, because I'm not. I'm attaching your presents and card to this owl, and trusting it finds you by the 21st. The bird cage is for that owl you keep saying you are going to get, and the other is just something I thought you could have fun with. (The cupcakes, obviously, are for eating.) I really hope you like them. I had been planning on delivering them in person, and obnoxiously taking pictures of your face as you opened them, but you'll just have to describe it for me so I can imagine it, okay?

Happy birthday, love. I miss you already - I know it sounds silly and cliche, but I do. And, clearly, the only solution is for you to grab yourself a pen and some parchment and write me back right now.


P.S. Place your lips in the space below for your birthday kiss, since I can't deliver that in person, either (I know it's dumb, but do it anyway. For me? Please?)










P.P.S. Did you do it?

Sasha Schlagenweit
London, England

Ferguson Amherst
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry
Slytherin Table

My Dear Fergie,

I'm so sorry for my sudden disappearance; I would have told you in person.  I went looking for you but you were probably still asleep.  I didn't have a lot of time and, by the time I had everything packed, my escort was there.  I definitely am not avoiding you and I don't regret anything.  You're, easily, one of the best things that has happened to me this year. 

The Board of Governors dismissed me for the remainder of the term.  I didn't want to leave but I didn't have a choice.  They think I need time away to, I guess, get things together again.  Maybe they're right but it feels like everything's just spinning more and more out of control.  It just felt like Hogwarts was the last place that felt right and normal anymore and now that's gone.  You should have seen Adon chewing out the Governor that dropped me off at my sisters.  I'm not allowed back for the rest of the term but they'll let me return for the summer term and OWLs.  They say it isn't punitive, even though it feels like it is so I don't really know if they're taking my prefect badge or what all is going to happen.  I don't really know. 

I'm back with Dreogan Eleor, though, which is nice.  I was afraid he might be angry that I was sent home but he didn't seem to be - at least, not angry at me.  It's still a little strange, living in someone else's house but I guess it feels a little more like home than it did back in January.  I may be going back out to my old house later to get some of my things from there - I'm not really sure what to expect from that.  All in all, it is strange to be back in London. 

Thank you sincerely for the presents; to be honest, with everything, I'd almost forgot about my birthday myself.  I try to avoid opening presents early if I can but I made an exception for the cupcakes since they're edible and probably shouldn't wait until Saturday.  Baldur enjoyed a little of the frosting; apparently, he prefers blue frosting to green frosting.  My camera has a timer on it; I'll set it to take pictures when I open the presents.  It won't be the same as watching me open them in person but it's better than nothing, right? 

I know it has only been a couple days, but I miss you as well.  I hate the feeling that it'll be so long before I see you again.  Knowing I could see you every day has been an immense comfort these last couple months; being separated by our houses was bad enough.  How are things at school?  Has anyone said anything about, you know, the dance?  And us?  I don't think Fauna has told Akiva anything - at least not that I've noticed. 

I hope this letter finds you well.  I'm eager to hear how things continue to go.

Yours truly,

Ferguson Amherst
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry
Slytherin Table

Sasha Schlagenweit
London, England

Sasha,

I'm supposed to be writing an essay for History of Magic, but writing to you feels more important. Especially since it's your birthday today. How was it? I hope you remembered the pictures. I want to see them.

I can't believe, though, that the governors just sent you home like that. And at such short notice, too! It's ludicrously unfair. I'm glad Adon chewed them out. They clearly deserved it. Maybe I'll write them a letter and chew them out, too. They probably wouldn't care, since I'm only a student, but at least they would know someone disapproves.

I'm glad you're safe, and I hope you settle in comfortably with Dreogan and Akiva. I wish I was there so I could offer hugs when necessary. I hate that we're so far apart now. It's weird not seeing you every day. I keep automatically looking for you when I walk into a classroom, and coming up with all these things to tell you that I think you'll agree with, or laugh at, or that will make you blush. And then I remember that I have to wait until I can write it all down and some owl can be bothered to fly out to London and deliver it to you. It's not the same by a long shot.

This week has been awful, to be honest. DADA on Tuesday was the worst. Professor Storm had us playing this game where we had to run around outside on two teams, and protect these barrels. I planned to just sit behind a tree and not get killed, but one of the Fayette twins decided he got to call the shots, even though Storm didn't appoint team captains or anything, and expected people to listen to him just because he's a seventh year animagus. He wanted me to climb a tree. I don't care if he can turn into a magical pixie horse, I'm not climbing a tree for anybody. Apparently that makes me a bitch, or at least Georgiana Trishna thinks so. I'd rather be a bitch than an overpainted slag, though, so I think I'll survive while she freezes to death in her almost nonexistent skirt.

One weird/nice thing did happen though. Neely talked to me in class. I don't know if that means she doesn't hate me anymore and I'm not sure if I should approach her now or wait for her to approach me again. But it's something.

I'll talk to Fauna. I didn't think about that being a problem, before. But I think (hope) that I can convince her to keep it quiet. I ran into her the day you left. She was really upset - it seems she and Devlin broke up. I think it's probably a good thing. Even Fauna and her silly hats can do better than that. I'm supposed to go to her birthday party this evening (wish I was going to yours instead). If I can get a minute alone with her I'll ask her not to say anything to Akiva.

No one else has really mentioned the whole dance thing. I don't think most people were surprised. The rumors have been flying around forever, after all. I wouldn't worry about it if I were you.

Well I guess I better get to work on that essay. Please please please write to me soon and tell me you had a fabulous birthday. And include those pictures! I've stuck in a couple for you, as well.

---

The following letter and pictures were delivered by Jack, Sasha's new elf owl.  The letter and the enclosed pictures were magically shrunk for transportation.  On the back of the shrunk letter, engorgio is written in a legible size

---

Sasha Schlagenweit
22 Grafstraße
Schönau am Konigsee, Bayern
Deutschland

Ferguson Amherst
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry
Slytherin Table

Dear Fergie,

Remarkably enough, the owl you sent was able to find me, even though I wasn't in London.  I seem to have been kidnapped again though, this time, it was by my sister.  Thursday evening, without explanation, she dragged me to the train station (blindfolded, mind you - she told a number of people we passed she was my sister.  I wouldn't be surprised if they were police officers.  Muggle Aurors.) and stuck me on a train.  Adon came with us, too.  We took a late train to Amsterdam where we spent Friday and my birthday with her friend, Erwin Kappel.  He and his boyfriend partner, Lourens, have been together for almost seven years - since they were 17.  I really wanted to talk to him but, I admit, I never got the courage. 

I opened your presents in Amsterdam but the apartment was small so there wasn't really any place to open them in private.  I asked Erwin to take pictures - he looked curious but he didn't ask.  However, he's also not a very good photographer so they didn't come out that well.  But, I love the gifts.  As you can see, I have an owl to fill the cage with and I think Jack thinks the cage is a mansion.  I love the jousting set - the grey horse has become quite loyal.  The other two are a bit ornery - but, Jacoba claimed one of them and Erwin and Lourens claimed the other.  They were a little confused by the moving horses but Jacoba convinced them it was some sophisticated motorized game with voice recognition.  Erwin kept shouting at his horse because he thought it needed the volume for the microchip to register and Jacoba kept asking her horse to do stupid things.  It finally bit her and they both ran off under the futon.  I had to coax it out with carrot cake before we left.   

Saturday night, we took the overnight train to Munich and spent the day there visiting with family friends before heading down to my Omas.  We went skiing yesterday.  Well, Jacoba took me to the slopes and drank beer in the chalet while I went skiing.  It was fun and it was good to be back in the mountains, again.  A little cold - it's remarkable how quickly I forget how cold it gets up here.  We head back to London tomorrow.  It was, to be honest, nice to get away.  Not having anything to do with the wizarding world or school or anything. 

How did your essay go?  What was it on?  Or, would you rather not think about that?  I start back into lessons after I get back to London.  I've hired some tutors and am going to be taking a chemistry lab and a calculus class and King's College.  Dreogan is also working on getting me an internship at the Ministry though I don't know a lot of the details, yet.  I've got so much to catch up on, though.  It's really all very daunting.  The tutors will be able to let us move at my pace, though, which will help. 

I don't think the Board of Governors will care but I like the idea of you chewing them out for me but it never hurts to try.  I miss Hogwarts and I miss you.  I can't wait to see you again.  I know - I do hate that we're so far apart.  It seems like as soon as we catch a break, someone comes in to mess it up.  There were a few times these last couple of days I could have used one of your offered hugs but I had to settle for staring at a little foolish pink unicorn.  Baldur is really jealous and I was half-tempted to give it to him but, for some reason, I can't.  It's kind of inexplicable. 

That DADA exercise sounded challenging a little too much like war games not fun and Fayette sounded like he wasn't a very good leader. The exercise probably called for a leader but a leader uses his tools to their strengths.  Why he thought you should be the one climbing trees is beyond me.  Since wands are, technically, ranged weapons you would have been a sitting duck in a tree.  It was just a stupid idea.  I don't see how not wanting to get shot out of a tree makes you a bit an unpleasant person.  Designing traps and obstacles and other protections would have been a much better use of your talents.  Of course, at some point someone one just has to ask how valuable a barrel is. 

Neely talked to you?  What did she say?  I know she's going to probably hate me forever but I hope she forgives you.  It wasn't really your fault I was a bad boyfriend. 

I hope you can talk Blake into being quiet but, be careful around her.  I think she's harboring some dangerous secrets and I don't want you to get hurt.  I don't know if the suspicions are true (but, I'm fairly certain they are) so I don't want to cause any alarm but I'm glad she's in a different house.  And, that she doesn't have prefect privileges.  Just to be on the safe side, you might want to stay away from her after dark.  Especially on full moons.  I really don't want her telling Akiva anything but I also don't want you getting hurt. 

Well, the subway's pulling into the Munich station and I need to let Jack head off before I check into the hostel.  They don't allow pets and I think an owl would get some weird looks.  Most owl treats are too big for him but he really likes field beans if you have them.  Also, beware he likes to burrow in your sleeve if you aren't watching.  Like, by now if you've been ignoring him while you read the letter and can't find him, he's probably crawled into your sleeve. 

Yours truly,

---

Ferguson Amherst
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry
Slytherin Table

Sasha Schlagenweit
London, England

Sasha,

Oh my magic, Jack is pretty much the tiniest, most adorable thing I've ever seen! Well, okay, tied with Pepper. And you were right - he did climb up my sleeve while I was distracted reading. But I didn't mind, and he seemed comfy there, so I let him stick around for a few minutes. I'm glad he likes the cage. Anything as cute as he is totally deserves to have a mansion.

Your birthday trip sounds like it was a lot of fun! If you have to be kidnapped, that's the way to do it, I think. Picturing your sister yelling at her horse is making me laugh, and poor confused Erwin! (By the way, what is a microchip?) I wish you'd talked to him. I mean, I get why you didn't. I've never actually worked up the nerve to talk to an adult about it, either. Except your sister, but she kind of, you know, started it. But it might help.

Seventeen isn't much older than we are now.

I've never been skiing, so I'm jealous you got to go. I kind of suspect I'd spend more of my time in the chalet like your sister than I would on the slopes - it's cold. But I'd like to try it someday. Maybe you can teach me?

Ugh. School. The essay was on the goblin wars, nothing really interesting or all that challenging. But we had our first charms lesson with our new professor - Professor Kirchlehner, he's from Durmstrang, too - and it was a total disaster. He put us in pairs and told us to practice stupefy. At first I was with Kit, which would have been okay, but then Callum made a fuss about how he couldn't stupefy a girl, so Kirchlehner paired him with me. And he wouldn't let me switch, even after I told him what happened the last time we used that spell in class.

The worst part is, Callum apologized to me about that, so now Kirchlehner thinks I'm a whiny brat and Callum is just misunderstood. Which is the only reason, I'm sure, Knight said he was sorry. He's never apologized to me before and I don't believe for a second he actually meant it. He just wanted to look better than me and impress the new professor. And he did! It's unbelievable.

Neely didn't really say much. Just that the DADA lesson wasn't fair, and how much better it would be if we went to Durmstrang. I'm not sure I agree with that - Storm came from Durmstrang, after all. But I was too surprised to say anything, and then someone stupefied us (seriously, I have very bad luck with that spell). Then the class was over.

How are your tutors? Are they nice? I hope so. And I'm sure you'll have no problem catching up. You're so smart and you work so hard - you'll do fine. What are your muggle classes like? It's weird, if you think about it. Last term you were at a wizarding school hiding your muggle subjects from your classmates, now it's like you're doing the opposite.

I'm sending you more pictures, but just to warn you: they're kind of silly. This is what happens to me, you see, when you're not here - I get bored and let Fir give me make overs. I'm not frowning in the first one to show how 'tough' I am. I'm frowning because I can't believe I let him do that to my hair.

There's one more thing I have to tell you, and I really don't want to because I'm not sure how you'll take it. I wish you were here. It would be so much easier to explain things in person. See, something happened at Fauna's party. No, she didn't turn into a werewolf. I assume that's what you were hinting at in your last letter... are you - you're really serious about that? But it was something else.

Dion Fayette kissed me.

I have no idea how it happened, or why. I mean, he was tipsy, I guess, but I think I've made it fairly obvious that I hold him in nothing but disdain. So I don't understand why he would think it was okay to stick his tongue in my mouth do that! I think this goes without saying (I hope this goes without saying), but I didn't kiss him back. I was too shocked to do anything, actually, even push him away. I just kind of... froze. And then it was over and I left and I'm really kind of freaking out about it. Partially because, well, why would he do that? But mostly because I'm afraid you'll be mad at me. Please, please don't be mad at me. You are, honestly, the only boy I want kissing me.

Write me back soon, so I know you're not mad. Or, even if you are - so I can work on fixing it. I really liked your last letter... I could just picture you saying all that stuff, it sounded just like you. (And tell Baldur sorry, but maybe I'll send him a small fluffy stuffed animal he can chew on, next time.) As always, I miss you. I can't wait for spring break (just one more month!), so we can see each other again. We should start making plans now! It'll give us something to look forward to. Do you think... I mean, I know we'll have to be careful, of course... but do you think we could maybe, I don't know, go on a date? A real one? Think about it and let me know. Unless you really are mad at me. Then... still think about it.

---

Sasha Schlagenweit
Stables Behind Northern Racing College
Great North Road
Doncaster, Yorkshire

Ferguson Amherst
Slytherin Table
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry

Dear Fergie,

His cuteness aside, I have to admit, I was a little leery of my choice of owl since there's, obviously, a limit to how much Jack can carry.  A letter is about his limit.  But, I'm discovering that hiding an owl from muggles is a lot easier when you can stash the owl in a pocket or sleeve.  I'm writing my letter in the hallway of the Northern Racing College's barn in Yorkshire and muggles keep walking by oblivious to the owl currently nibbling my elbow.  For better or worse, Jack's learned he's less likely to get squished when you lean your arm against a desk if he's crawled up past your elbow.  I'm not that ticklish so it doesn't bother me much.  Also, excuse the loose leaf paper - I wasn't sure I could get away with writing on parchment so I took the muggle route.  And, I've really missed the bright, crisp white pages and the ruler-even thin blue lines. 

I'm riding in my first show since last August this weekend.  I don't really know how it's going to go but it's just a qualifying show.  It has been a little surreal - there are a few students from the riding team at my old school here and one of them, Becca, managed to recognize me.  Or, she recognized my horses and assumed it was me - I'm not sure which.  I still haven't figured out what we're really supposed to do in these situations - you know, when people ask about where you're going to school - or, really, anything about us?  I guess it's easier when everyone you know is magical but it now seems weird to still be lying. 

Jacoba's jousting horse is slowly coming back around and starting to trust I won't make him treat the tilting rail as a tightrope but he still bites Jacoba anytime she comes near him.  It is quite amusing.  To me, at least.  She's still miffed that a 'moving toy horse' won't accept her apology.  And, microchips are these very very small things that - it's hard to explain, actually.  But, they conduct information digitally and make a lot of things in the muggle world work.  They're a pretty remarkable invention but they're one of the things that really seem sensitive to magical influence. 

I really did want to talk to Erwin but that, alone, felt awkward enough.  It only made it worse that it was impossible to find time to do so without my sister around.  And, they are close friends - I don't know if he'd say something to her even if she didn't overhear.  If I could find a way to just floo to Amsterdam for the day, I might try to talk to him.  I don't know how feasible that is, though.  Especially without it looking strange. 

I'd love to teach you to ski.  It's a lot of fun, especially if you aren't afraid of heights.  And, it is cold. Especially when you're learning since you tend to fall a lot and get wet.  But, the chalets in the Alps are always pretty toasty and the ones around here are close enough to Italy that they make it the right way - like it's just molten chocolate. 

You had to practice stunning spells with Knight?  Hasn't this new Professor heard anything?  If he tries to get you killed again, let me know.  I don't actually know what I'd do with that information but it seemed impressive sounding to say that.  Did you get to stupefy Knight, at least?  That might have made it worth it, actually.  I'll try not to worry about the fact that we, again, have new Professors while I'm away from school.  I just hope they figure out a little more about the students before Professor Kirchlehner goes and tries to partner me with Knight.  By the way, is he religious?  You probably can't tell but his last name translates to church teacher which suggests, at some point, his family were involved with a church.  I wonder where he's from.

I've started in on tutoring and classes this week.  I was at the stables doing morning chores ... actually, I was braiding Wobias' mane ... when Professor Storm showed up.  He was just standing there in the hallway at seven in the morning.  Apparently, I'm not allowed to cut off my sentences anymore which just makes me more self-conscious about what I'm saying.  Now, I don't just worry about what I'm saying but how I'm saying it. 

I also started in on classes this week at a muggle school as a mid semester 'transfer' student.  It's really nice to be studying precalc with a math professor and to have some real help with Chemistry.  I really like the lectures and I'm actually managing to follow what they're covering for the most part.  I am behind - which I was expecting - but not as badly as I'd feared.  The chemistry experiments, though, are proving problematic.  I don't know, but I think magic interferes with chemical reactions somehow - just like it does with electricity.  I was working on my first lab exercise with my partner and I was measuring some hydrochloric acid and it curdled.  Right there in the pipet while I was measuring it!  The professor is baffled, obviously, since it's not supposed to do that - there aren't even really solids in HCl to curdle in the first place.  Especially when there's no basic solutions involved.  I'm really hoping it's a fluke and next week's lab goes better. 

I've also started teaching riding lessons twice a week here - or, rather, down in London at the stables.  Just beginners classes and such but it's fun.  Some of the kids are so clumsy, it's kind of cute.  Next week, I start interning with Johann Storm at the Ministry of Magic in the Department of International Magical Cooperation.  I'm not really sure what I'll be doing but it should be interesting.  So, somehow, my schedule has managed to fill up - I don't really know how it did that. 

I agree with you.  I couldn't imagine going to Durmstrang.  From what it sounds like, it'd be like going to a school full of Knights and Tawses.  I'm really hoping I won't have to officially change schools but, even if I did, you couldn't pay me to go there.  I'd rather just study on my own.  Like I'm doing now. 

I can't believe you let Fir do that to you, either.  But, I'm glad you did.  They're actually kind of cute.  The Elvis wave, I think, is my favorite.  The one with the big bulbous wave.  But, really, I think it's wise as a general rule to stay away from hair styles that could be described bulbous.  Bulbous and hair shouldn't be found in the same sentence.  I don't know if you know who Elvis is but you'd be a perfect match if you were wearing a white and silver tux.  Of course, you'd be cute no matter what you did to your hair. 

Of course Fauna wouldn't have turned into a werewolf on her birthday.  It wasn't a full moon. 

And, of course I'm not angry at you.  It is rather shocking to get kissed unexpectedly, I know - and I pretty much reacted exactly the same way as you, didn't I?  I can't say I'm not at least a little jealous that I wasn't there to kiss you instead but I believe that you didn't and wouldn't have kissed him back. It just seems unfair he gets to be there stealing kisses while I'm too far to do so.  Fayette obviously needs to, you know, learn to keep his mouth to himself. 

I can't wait to see you at spring break.  It seems so strange and quiet not seeing you all the time and it doesn't seem fair that I had to leave right after, you know, everyone knew.  I was so worried about everyone finding out but looking forward to just being us and, now, I don't get to see you at all.  We should make plans for the holidays.  My muggle classes take that week off, too, so I should be free from those.  And, we've got to study for OWLs, anyway so tutoring shouldn't be too interfering and  You probably don't want to study on spring break but I'm sure there's other fun stuff to do. 

It makes me nervous but I think it'd be alright if we went on a date.  I think, if we're careful, it should be fine.  I don't know - maybe I'm worrying too much but it seems risky to stay in London.  Maybe we could go someplace else for the day.  It must be possible to floo places - Mr. Storm might know.  Do you have any ideas of what you'd want to do or where you'd want to go? 

I miss you, dearly and I can't wait to see you, again. 

Love,

---

Ferguson Amherst
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry
Slytherin Table

Sasha Schlagenweit
London, England

Sasha,

I've never recieved a letter on muggle paper before. It was certainly a surprise, and kind of strange-but-interesting. Parchment generally comes in rolls, not sheets, and muggle paper is so... white and clean and orderly. I guess it'd be easier to learn how to write with it, though, with the lines and everything. Why are there holes in it though?

Even though Jack is really small, I'm sure there are ways to work around it if you needed to send something bigger than a letter. Like if you ever needed to send a package or something. I bet we could find a charm that would make it light enough. Or you could borrow a friend's owl, or use the post office. They have bigger owls, and it shouldn't cost too much to use one. But none of those owls are going to be as cute as Jack, so I'm glad you chose him.

Good luck in your show!! Of course, by the time you get this it'll be over, but I'm saying it anyway - good luck, and don't worry about how it'll go. I'm sure you will do great. You'll have to tell me all about it in your next letter, okay?

As for what to tell your friend, I'm really not sure. I've never actually known anyone who didn't know about Hogwarts, so I've never really given it any thought. You're right - it is a lot easier that way. I'm probably not the best person to ask about that kind of thing. But I guess I would just tell her you were invited to attend a... more exclusive school? I don't know. You've probably figured it out by now. But I know lying sucks, and you just got to where you didn't have to, here. I'm sorry you're stuck in that position again.

I still don't understand what a microchip is, but I bet it's awesome.

Maybe you could write Erwin a letter, if flooing is too complicated. You could use the muggle post system! And your odd, holey paper. I'm sure he wouldn't tell Jacoba, if you asked him not to. Coming out to your family is a really big deal, I'm sure Erwin would understand that and respect your privacy.

You were right - saying "if he tries to get you killed again, let me know" was very impressive. I'm not really sure what you could do about it, either, but I will definitely be sure to tell you. It will at the very least give me someone to gripe to about it. We did take turns practicing the spell, but I'm not sure I'd say it was worth it. 'Stupefy' is quickly becoming one of my least favorite spells to be on the recieving end of. It seems to be happening far too often lately - and all in class, too! I have no idea if Professor Kirchlehner is religious or not, and to be honest I'm too afraid to ask him. I don't think he likes me very much.

We have another new professor though. Transfigurations. Professor Hallett used to be a Ravenclaw, and she's very petite and seems on the stern side. Better, though, than Storm or Austerlitz. And I don't think she hates me (at least not yet), so that's good.

Storm told you you weren't allowed to cut off your sentences? Why does it matter how you talk? It's not like you're cutting off incantations. Merlin, he can be an unpleasant fellow. I don't envy you the private tutoring sessions with him. Was it a nightmare?

I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope nothing curdles in Chemistry again. Which is another muggle thing that I don't understand. It's sort of like potions, I gather? You have fun with that. I know I don't have to tell you to have fun with your riding lessons - as long as it involves being near horses, I'm sure you're happy.

Is Johann Storm related to Professor Storm? It's like your surrounded by them. Creepy. But, other than that, your internship sounds exciting. You have to let me know how it goes.

'Big bulbous wave' and my hair should never be in the same sentence. You really thought that was cute? I'm glad, despite the fact that I'm beginning to question your taste. (Kidding, of course - you like me, so obviously your taste is flawless.) This round of photographs is less... daring, fashion-wise. I'm back to my tried-and-true side part. They do, however, feature a bonus of Sophie and Jordyn - not that you'll find that all that exciting. But hopefully my face makes up for it.

I'm actually kind of worried about Sophie. She's been... sulky, lately. And she's not usually like that. Maybe it's Fig's fault. You know they're dating, right? Which is still just... really weird, to me. But I guess it makes sense. They are both fairly loud and out going and generally peppy. Being around them together can be downright exhausting. Maybe it's having the same effect on Sophie - being that energetic all the time has to take, well, energy. And she's been known to be grumpy when tired.

Fauna is not a werewolf. She just... She's not.

But about the party and the... kiss-attack. All this makes me feel like I should apologize again for that day in the boy's loo, back in November. I mean, I can't say that I regret it. It lead (eventually) to everything else between us and I can't regret that. But having been on the receiving end of an out-of-the-blue kiss, I can say now that I know how you felt and I'm sorry. It is unfair, ludicrously unfair, that Fayette's here and you're not. If you had been here he wouldn't even have gotten close, because I'd be way too busy celebrating your birthday with you to attend Fauna's party. Even though I think Fauna and I are friends now and until then I didn't really mind going, since I couldn't be with you.

I have something else to tell you, but this time it's a good thing! The Divination Club has kind of fallen into a funk over the last few months, with not much of anything happening. So I volunteered to take it over and now I'm president! I'm really excited about it and I've got a few really fun ideas. I won't bore you with all of them, since I know you're not into that stuff. But I was thinking of maybe hosting an event in the Great Hall so people can have their palms read or something, to spread the word about the group starting back up. What do you think?

I also thought it might be fun to have club t-shirts. I was thinking maybe a black tee with a crystal ball on it, or something similar. I figure you can't go wrong with black.

Other than that I honestly haven't been doing much. At least not for fun. School has taken up most of my time - the professors are really starting to pile on the homework, the closer it gets to OWLs, and my Potions grade has got to pull up before then. I don't really have any intention of taking the class after OWLs are over, but I would like to pass my exam anyway. I am more than likely going to use potions at some point in my life after graduation - everyone does - so I'd like to at least know that I have a handle on it enough to do so. Herbology I'm not so worried about.

Spring break really can't come fast enough. I know it's just a month away, and getting closer every day, but it still feels like forever. Especially since now I have a date waiting for me when it finally arrives! You have no idea how excited that makes me - thank you. I really haven't thought about where to go or what to do, beyond vague day dreams. What about a muggle date? You could show me the um, the cinema. You know, with the moving muggle pictures! I've always been curious about that. Or we could go on a picnic.

Honestly, though, I'm not picky. As long as I get to spend time with you (and, yes, without studying) I'll be happy.

Sasha Schlagenweit
London, England

Ferguson Amherst
Slytherin Table
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry

Dear Fergie,

Isn't it nice?  Muggle paper is called loose leaf paper.  I guess because they're individual sheets or something, I don't know.  But, I miss the bleached white during the year.  And, the lines.  You should have seen me my first year - maybe you did, I don't know - but I used to rewrite my essays four or five times, until I learned how to write straight on parchment.  I hated the thought of turning in a crooked essay.  I guess kids from wizard families learn the art of straight writing when they're little.  The holes are there so you can put the pages into binders.  They're like books that have rings that you slide through the holes.  So, you can keep them together.  And reorder them and reorganize them as your notes develop.  I miss binders, too.  But, I miss my computers most of all when I'm at school.  Perfect, neatly printed black letters on white pages. 


The show went alright - better than I was expecting but not as good as I'd hoped.  Dieter actually did better than Wobias, which isn't too surprising.  Wobias tends to get stiff if he's not worked enough so he lost some points on circles and turns.  But, I placed third with Dieter and fourth with Wobias, which isn't bad.  And, it was a start.  We'll only get better from here on out.  This Sunday, there's a small show jumping trial up north of London that Dieter and I are riding in.  I'm looking forward to it; I'll let you know how that one goes. 

I ended up just telling Becca and Maggie that I still go to school in Switzerland.  It felt really weird but it was easier than coming up with a whole new lie.  I thought about keeping it vague and just saying I went to an exclusive school, like you'd recommended, but I knew they would have been curious and would have asked for details.  I'm starting to think the lying will never go away.  Not unless we leave the muggle world behind entirely.  Maybe that's what most other muggleborns do. 

I took your advice and sat down last night to write Erwin but, to be honest, I had no idea what to write. I don't really know what I'm saying or what I mean.  Or, even, what it is I'm saying.  I know I really like you.  I know I don't want to be dating anyone else.  What that means - what what that's supposed to look like on paper - even what others are supposed to think about it, I don't know.  It's all very confusing and I only become more aware of how confusing it is when I actually go and try to put those thoughts into complete, articulate, legible sentences. 

Why did he have you doing Stupefy in charms anyway?  Does Professor Kirchlehner not think Professor Storm has us practicing those things enough.  I really hope we aren't still dueling each other in both charms and DADA when I get back.  Having one class to get hexed upside the head is more than enough.  And, the last thing I need is to come back to school and accidentally curse someone in another new professor's class.  He probably already has heard all the awful stories about me.  I assumed all the new professors had though the new Transfiguration professor wants to meet with me about lessons.  What's she like?  Should I be worried?  At least I have a wand that works well with me. 

To be honest, I don't really know exactly how the session with Storm went.  I fumbled a lot at first.  And, he reversed my knees at one point so I went falling on my face.  But, he didn't seem too angry or disappointed so I don't think it went terribly.  He did ask me about why I hadn't apologized to Knight, yet, for hexing him.  Even if it's the right thing to do, I don't think it's a very good idea.  Not unless there's a professor around to make sure he doesn't kill me.  How are DADA classes?  Any drama there I've missed?  There always seems to be something happening in that class. 

I think Johann is related to Professor Storm somehow, but I don't know how.  My first day was a little strange - he'd forgotten I was supposed to be there.  But, we met with this real estate investor - I assume they're called the same in the magical world - from Holland and showed him four properties around Britain.  Mr. Bergen seemed to like me - it was kind of fun talking all business like to him.  I talked him into buying three of the four properties.  Well, it wasn't just me, of course, but I was the last one he spoke with before the meeting was over.  It was pretty fun. 

I didn't know Figaro and Sophie were dating.  The only time I've been around the two of them was that day at lunch when that article came out.  Sophie seemed ready to hex Figaro.  I'm not sure she likes me very much, either.  But, then, if she's really dating Figaro now, who knows.  She definitely never came across as sulky to me.  Most of the time she's, yes, loud and energetic.  It's actually a little intimidating  Figaro does tend to do thing without thinking, much.  Did I ever tell you it was he that told Professor Ramsey I'd told him to steal the test?  He just doesn't always think things through.  I wouldn't be surprised if it was something he did.  Hopefully, she'll perk up some. 

I'll admit, that kiss back in November terrified me.  But, in hindsight, I honestly am not sure what it was that terrified me so much: the surprise of it or my reaction to it.  I am glad you did kiss me, though.  If you hadn't, I'm not sure I'd have ever figured out what was happening. And, even if I did start to realize, I probably would have pretended not to notice.  Being your boyfriend these last few months made it worth it. 

That's very neat about the Divination Club!  I know you'll be very good at leading it.  I might even be tempted to join, now.  Though, I'm not sure it's wise to test your patience that way.  But, I remember you reading my palm back at the beginning of the year.  You know I'd be one of the first ones there in the Great Hall to have you read it, again.  I like the sound of those t-shirts.  Even with our classes with crystals balls just leaving me with a headache.  They are pretty, even if I don't see anything but cloudy glass.  I'm not looking forward to that OWL. 

Actually, I try not to think of OWLs if I can avoid it.  I'd offer to help you with potions if I were there.  And, yes, you're right - chemistry is rather similar to potions.  Chemistry is more intricate, though.  Potions is more messy.  I much prefer the chem lab to the potions dungeon.  I think I'm going to actually miss my chemistry class when I go back to Hogwarts. 

I promise not to do any studying on our date.  In fact, I'll even try not to even think about studying.  A muggle date sounds fun.  And, easier.  Since, I don't really know what non-muggle dates look like.  Dinner and a movie is the classic date, though.  I guess I'm also supposed to promise to have you home by a certain time.  Or something like that.  At least, that's what they do in the movies.  I've never been on a date that wasn't in a classroom.  At least not that I knew of at the time. 

You know, I'm hoping to hog you over the break.  I don't know how much time I'll be able to spend with you without raising suspicions but I hope it's a lot.  It's hard to imagine that just a year ago I barely knew who you were.  Now, a day doesn't go by when I don't think of you. 

Love,