Professor Trishna
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Astronomy Tower

Sasha R. Schlageweit
London, England

The return letter was, quite clearly, written on a computer and printed - though the font is a typewriter-style font: Sasha's attempt at a joke.  It is, however, smudge-free.  Included is homework that was completed between the 28th and the 10th for a variety of classes.


Professor Trishna,

Thank you, sir, for the well wishes and passing on the assignments.  I appreciate both your concern and your efforts - it does help me feel a little less disconnected from Hogwarts. 

My studies are, overall, proving manageable.  The practical side of magic - the wandwork - has always been my weakness and, unfortunately, it's also the aspect that's hardest to pursue outside of school.  The decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery prevents me from practicing unless I'm under the direct supervision of a tutor so my abilities to progress independently there are somewhat limited.  I already have a lot to catch up on after using a wand that had never chosen me for the first four years of my magical education so I suspect I'll be doing a lot of practice in May.  The wandwork aside, I've actually been finding it easier to catch up while working on my own. 

I'm surprised to hear Professor Storm thought I did well.  It seemed I spent more time dusting sand and rubber off of me than completing the exercise.  I know my past track record in his class has been less than ideal - and not representative of my usual conduct.  I am hoping to redeem myself, though.  It's encouraging to hear he wasn't too horribly disappointed.

Parring down on my muggle subjects has helped considerably.  Since I no longer have to give the perception that I attend a muggle school (I don't know if you're aware of those circumstances), I've opted to put studying muggle history, literature and French on hold for the time being.  With some help, I've managed to enroll in both a muggle calculus and chemistry class.  Neither have been easy and I've had to play some catch up but not to the extent I was fearing.  Chemistry labs, however, are proving problematic.  I'm suspecting magic influences reactions - especially these that are at such a basic level - in some way.  I've gotten some results that are rather difficult to explain in laboratory reports.  My only saving grace in these situations is that the Professor is equally stumped.

I will give the star chart my best effort.  My old home did get considerably less light pollution than Dreogan's house but I haven't actually managed to convince myself to go out there, yet.  It's probably foolish, I know.  Dreogan has asked that I don't go there alone, as well.  But, I'll see what I can do. 

I, again, appreciate your words of encouragement.  To be honest, school work is a reliable distraction. I'm not really sure what I'd be doing with myself if I did not continue to pursue it.  This year has been trying enough as it is - I'd hate to add failing OWLs to the list of other failures.  Leaving school in itself felt enough like one though, in hindsight, I think I was lucky not to be expelled.  I made a rather unfortunate mistake at the end of last year and that put me at odds with the Headmistress.  My parents always taught me it never benefited anyone to complain when it was in their power to make the best of a situation.  I never spent a lot of time in London so I don't have a lot of social connections but I am spending time with the other riders on my junior polo team and am meeting people through my internship at the Ministry.  I've never really been a social butterfly as my lack of popularity is probably a testament to.

Pax Wintergreen is starting a D&D game?  Who's DMing?  I do hope it's still up and going when I return to school - I would love to join, help out or participate in anyway.  I'd also love to help.  I'll have to dust off Ohdin, my Paladin.  He was level five before, well, I got accepted to Hogwarts.  I used to play with a couple kids at Ethelburga - one of the older students started DMing a game and recruited some of us younger boys. 

How are things at Hogwarts?  How are the other fifth years?  Are things quieting down?