Dazmond L. Wiedman-Briggs
#73 333 Knockturn Alley
London

Liviana Wiedman
Slytherin Table, Hogwarts
Scotland

Liviana,

Hello darling dearest, I do hope you're fairing well at the castle in recent months.  I apologize for not having written sooner.  Everything has been rather busy in an unusual way (well you know how things are always 'busy' usually, but this is slightly different from the rest).  Anyway, I know that you have holidays coming up and I am very much looking forward to seeing your beautiful face!  I don't think I'll make it to your last Hogsmeade weekend (lots of work to catch up on still, orders to fill and blokes to meet) though I did talk to Dominik and he should be meeting you there.  Watch out for an owl from him in the days to come.

How have things been up at the school?  I can't believe I've become so far removed from all of it.  I'd sure like to be more present in your next year.  Recalling fifth year for myself I know it was full of remarkable changes; dear me, I hope we can still connect!  I have some things to discuss with you over the Summer, explanations for my absence but much more important warning for how to deal in the world.  I know you must be in contact with mum and papa; have you been thinking you'll continue to stay with them this year?  I hope you will, as I've things to show you round the property now that you're older.  Mum of course would be devastated if you didn't - dad as well, even if he is a bit emotionally removed.  How could we ever live without his stories?

I miss you, sis, and love you undeniably.  Looking forward to seeing you soon.

Dazmond

Liviana Wiedman
Slytherin Dormitory, Hogwarts
Scotland

Dazmond L. Wiedman-Briggs
#73 333 Knockturn Alley
London

Dearst Dazlo,

Your letter made me extra special happy this morning! I've been missing you and our beastly brother very very much. Mum writes every other day and Papa at least twice a month but it's so hard to be away from the cottage! I don't think I'll ever get used to it even when I'm a grown up lady and have a brood of brats all my own. Salazar's knickers! That seems like ages from now. Father-Durin has inquired after my summer holidays but I've politely declined to see his face as I do not like it well enough to endure it for any extended period of time; even for Paris.

Easter was dreadfully dull without you; but Papa was home from whatever business he was away on and we had several very serious conversations about the importance of the O.W.L.'s and then Mum started talking about how I couldn't overlook forming lifelong connections to other affluent families. Of course I had to remind them that they've been giving me the same lectures since I was three. They both seemed pleased I would not be lured by the lights of Paris over the loving lights of home. Besides, if those dreadful rumors are true this could be my last summer to hang 'round and watch Dom play! He is very clever with the misdirect when I ask questions.

Oh I miss your face! I can't believe I haven't seen you since Christmas. It doesn't really matter though; I think I could go a million years (how dreadful it would be though!) and nothing could change so much that you wouldn't be my big sister anymore. Potions will be the death of me - mostly because I am surrounded by incompetent idiots; and I do not like the new Herbology professor as well as Bombay. She seems very flashy; of course what can one do? Maybe she'll make it out the year but as you well know Hogwarts has a notorious turn over rate. I do hope it doesn't apply to Professor Storm of course he's brilliant in DADA. Our transfiguration professor is interesting; he's a Tawse - but he seems...a bit off.

I have so much to tell you and not nearly enough time to write it all down! Lights out in ten and I've still got to wash my face. I love love love love love love love love love love LOVE YOU SISTERLU!

Dazmond L Wiedman
73 333 Knockturn
London, England

Liviana Wiedman
Slytherin Table, Great Hall
Hogwarts, Scotland

Liviana,

We miss you too!  Glad to hear that you'll be staying around town this Summer - we'll have to spend a good deal of time together, yeah?  I might actually be over at the cottage quite a lot.  I've been thinking about setting up shop in the basement over there again - I could use the space!  It's hard to do all my business with just half a dozen small cauldrons at the moment.  I kind of miss my bad boys up in storage, too. 

I was very sorry to hear about Professor Bombay's dismissal.  I'm afraid I don't have terribly much information on the topic, I've been so busy.  I should probably contact him to see if he's in need of work.  Do you know anything more about it?  Perhaps I'll send him and his mother an owl.  Who is the new Herbology Professor?  I can't believe how out of the loop I am.  Bad Dazmond!

Well I wouldn't take it personally that Dominik has been keeping mum about his career plans.  I think he doesn't know what to expect or what angle he might take.  It's an exciting time for him though.  He really does have the chance for a new beginning now, unless the powers that be decide that he hasn't had enough of a punishment yet.  I don't imagine that they could get away with sending him to Azkaban after all this time, but he hasn't exactly fulfilled the full terms of his contract.  We'll see how it goes.  I don't hold much faith in the Ministry or the public and I'm not exactly sure whose decision it will be in the end.  So far it's seeming as if Dominik has some sort of say but, we should know more next month I assume.

Back to work for me, now!

Love you, dear!
Dazmond

Liviana Wiedman
Slytherin Dormitory, Hogwarts
Scotland

Dazmond L. Wiedman-Briggs
#73 333 Knockturn Alley
London

Darling Dazlo,

Not that I am one to gossip; but it was all very mysterious cloak and dagger as far as Professor Bombay's dismissal went. There are all kinds of rumors floating around about what he might have done or who he might have been caught with. I know around Christmas there was a rumor about he and the  Arithmancy Professor, Myrni Levartian - but if one were to believe Hogwart rumors than I would have to believe that Dolly was seen sneaking out of Professor Trishna's room the morning after our Valentine's bash!

When are she and Dom going to stop being so stubborn and just get married already? I'm not even with them all the time and I can tell they're completely miserable messes without one another. It's all over Witch Weekly  - which can I just say I find it very disheartening I have pay to read about my own family?

His pictures always make me so sad; he is either terribly terribly morose or looks as though he's about to bite someone's arm off. Maybe it is time he hung up the broom if it would really make him happy. I just worry...well; you know - that if he doesn't have the Pitch to go to what's he got to get out of bed for every single day? Everyone has to have something; for you it's potions and for me... well right now it's school; then it will be adventures to far off places. I don't know how anyone ever could look at Dom and think he hasn't suffered enough already.

I know I'm only fifteen and I'm not supposed to notice these things - but I do.

And since I love you both so much I can't help but worry.

I'm counting down the days till the Cottage, brewing, and Dazmodio story time.

Dazmond L Wiedman
73 333 Knocturn
London, England

Liviana Wiedman
Slytherin Table, Great Hall
Hogwarts, Scotland

Liviana,

If Dom and Dolly have a chance I think it's coming up soon - the air seems to be ripe for it but if it does happen it's going to take a lot of work on both their parts.  Dolly was over the other day and said that he's been coming round but he's still with that news reporter.  I think Dom is gradually coming to his senses though.  The contract review and his 30th birthday seem to be instigators in that regard.  Not that I'm the kind to gossip either, mind.  But I think something is happening for him, and I'm inclined to think it's for the better.  He's most recently impressed the shit out of me with some of his actions, even if other observers didn't get quite the same impression.  He's finally allowing me to fight my own battles and I couldn't be more kind to the notion.  So sick of being treated like a girl.  I don't treat you like that, do I?

I can neither deny nor confirm the rumours of Dolly and the Hogwarts professor on Valentine's; like I said and as you well know, my presence at the school has been zilch in present months.  But I think Dolly is trying to figure her love life out as well - hard to say if she will be ready to give Dominik another chance even if he does come round.  Sadness.  Speaking of love lives, though, are you interested in anyone?  Do tell!

I've been enjoying Nate's company and spending a lot of time around the flat as of late.  Feels good, though there are a lot of outside pressures at the moment.  Knockturn isn't taking too kindly to him these days, since the old man went away to Azkaban.  I don't know why everyone is in such a huff about it.  Nate was just doing an errand for work after all, it's not like it was his Runespoor venom.  And everything would have gone without a hitch if that news reporter hadn't been sniffing round and saw him.  They used to date or something.  Wish I could've left her convulsing in that field rather than needing to fetch her for a deal with the red robes. 

Anyway, I know you worry about Dominik; I do as well.  Whatever he decides to do though, at least he has people who care for him and we can always be there for him to cheer him up and drag him out of his shell a bit.  Dom will do what Dom will do - and I think that he actually has suffered long enough that he's ready to force change on his life in a healthy way.  At least I can hope for that.  Let's spoil him this Summer, kay?

How are you suiting up for OWLS?  Nervous at all?  I know you'll do brilliantly, let me know if I can help on anything.

Love you endlessly Liv,
Dazmond

Liviana Wiedman
Slytherin Dormitory, Hogwarts
Scotland

Dazmond L. Wiedman-Briggs
#73 333 Knockturn Alley
London

Dearest Dazlo,

My life is being consumed by school. Honestly this ambition I have to equal your O.W.L.'s score is going to kill me. Of course I want to make Papa proud so there is that pressure too. To top it all off Maeve is dangling her leaving in front of Kitty like a piece of steak and while I have no desire to be the Queen Bee I fully believe Kitty will go so far as to believe being the Prettiest Princess will afford her the right to off people's heads; and I do mean that quite literally! How did you and Dolly survive it? Even if the books are only a fraction of the truth - how was it possible to rise above all the petty boring details of it all? Kitty is quite possibly the worst person I've ever met - and that includes my opinion about my mother and father. There are mornings I want to slip something in her breakfast just so I don't have to deal with her the rest of the day.

Then of course there is Jordyn, as far as stuck on themselves type A personalities go she's alright - a much preferable choice really. She's more concerned with her own acquisition of power rather than trying to destroy people to get what she wants. Then there is Neely; darling little Neely - with her hyperdramatic sobbing fits. She's completely hopeless for Landis (and no, I do not call him Landis he is strictly Mister Morgan but it feels silly writing that to you). I think quite honestly; unless Kitty was left in complete and social ruin Neely couldn't survive as as a queen. She'd be to easily picked off by someone with a nastier personality - not that Neely can't be nasty she just tends to fall in on her victimized self first and foremost. Kitty'd eat her alive.

The hardest part is how very little any of this matters to me. I know it's supposed to; but it seems like such a petty power struggle. They're all going to become socialites who marry well and divorce often. Inherently I understand the politics and why Mum feels its so important to build these relationships but the longer the year drags on the less I find myself caring. I especially want to cover my ears and start singing very loudly when she brings up Xavier or any of the Knight brothers. The boys my age are so dreadful - like Sellaphix. I cannot stand that little mouth breather; I don't care if his father was a brilliant apothecary. Figaro is a loudmouth slug for brains. Really the problem with boys Mum and Papa would find suitable is they're so dreadfully boring.

And yes, I am ignoring the first half of your letter because I feel like you and Dom speak in this secret code I haven't got the encryption key for. Things are changing but no one will tell me what - you've been off on adventures but won't tell me where; Dom's been doing some brilliant things but you can't go into detail. I know you do it by in large to protect me from things you think I shouldn't know but really I am almost sixteen after all. In some cultures I'd have been traded for a goat by now; though I think I'm rather worth four head of cattle and a fat dowry chicken.

I don't know what Dom sees in that reporter; she never brushes her hair and she has a big nose; at least the last one was kind of pretty.

Even though it's a Saturday, I've got a History of Magic essay to write. That crazy old bat Austerlitz is determined to suck the life out of all of us. I do wish you'd be able to make it to Hogsmeade. I know I know the potions we've learned this year but having you quiz me always makes me feel more at ease. You're a thousand more times thorough than any professor I've ever had - though Vaillancourt is proving very...interesting. She and Landis seem to be waging some sort of war. They actually had a terrible row in the Great Hall. Scandalous.

Dazmond L Wiedman
73 333 Knockturn

Liviana Wiedman
Slytherin, Hogwarts

Liviana,

It's okay to not be interested in the Slytherin power circle drama.  I always found it best to simply blend and spend the majority of my time honing my craft so that I could make it on my own doing what I loved.  School isn't about who the Queen Bee is going to be next year - who cares about that?  I think they just don't have anything better to think about.  I might be misjudging the situation, but from what you said... I don't know, mum has always been on about connections with me as well but I always took it as a leeway into business.  Just be yourself and you'll be fine!  The world will see that you have something essential to offer it.

I preferred to keep things quiet while I was in Hogwarts - I was very involved in my studies and my extracurricular potions projects so I liked to keep away from the crowds most of the time.  It's why I have such a good friend in your librarian, actually.  Thinking back I assume the only reason I got on with the popular Slytherins was because I provided a service and was Dominik's sister and Dolly's friend.  Dolly was obviously the one who dragged me out of my hide-outs to have fun past curfew and we did all sorts of silly things.  I guess I gravitated toward people mum wanted me round... I didn't have such a good time of it, though.  Would have been wiser to stick with Landis and my cauldrons strictly.  I don't have any regrets of course, I just want you to know that if you don't follow the expected path, no one's going to love you any less.

I did meet Figaro Sellaphix when I was teaching for Graham in November - he was not at all happy about our mutual situation, and that was even before my husband fed his father straight to the wolves.  You might want to be careful around that - there have been some serious backlashes in Knockturn and it isn't quite settled business.  Best to keep the boy satiated somehow lest he grows up to be another bloody bounty-hunter come to collect my Nathan's head.

Sorry if I sounded enigmatic before.  It isn't really as exciting as it might have sounded.  What I meant about Dominik is that he's had a lot to think about.  He's turning thirty next month, he wants to have children and doesn't have a history of success with long-term relationships, his emotionally-loaded contract is coming up for review, and he has to figure out what he wants to do for the rest of his life.  As for that amazing act of his  And as for me, my adventures are pretty nondescript.  They only have to do with business, which I'd rather not talk about since I'm writing this in between cauldron batches as it is. 

On that note, back to it!

Love you,
Dazmond

Liviana Wiedman
Slytherin Dormitory, Hogwarts
Scotland

Dazmond L. Wiedman-Briggs
#73 333 Knockturn Alley
London

Dearest Dazlo,
O.W.L.'s are consuming my life. I've started and stopped this letter to you a dozen times since the 14th. There is just so much going on! First there was the last Qudditch match of the year; Salazar's knickers it was hilarious. Erin actually saved this first year half-breed from falling out of the damn stands- but he flung her against the wall like she was a noodle! She stuck too; so were she spaghetti I suppose Mum would have called her done!

In the mix of all that Towler came sniffing about about Dominik. Of course this was before our darling brother actually wrote me so I just played it coy. I did invite him to maybe attend a match... I think it would make Mum happy. I mean he comes from a pureblood family; even if you know they're not on the same level as the Knights. I feel like I need to show her I'm at least half way trying on the chance she'll be so thrilled she won't bring it up again all summer.

I tried to read between the lines of Dom's letter but, well, you know how he is. He said he wanted my advice, but the only advice I really have for him is to just find what makes him happy. I know I go on and on about Quidditch and Dolly - but I honestly don't care what he does so long as he feels like himself while he does it. I suppose I came to this realization tonight when I was  studying with Lucas. He asked about Dom too.

This question may sound silly; it feels silly to be in this situation - but do you ever feel like... the only people you can remotely trust are completely removed from your life? I could never talk to the girls about what's going on with Dom; I couldn't even really talk to Dracon... and yet tonight I found myself betraying all kinds of secrets to explain the inner workings of the Socialite Warfare to Luc.

I've never cared before how shallow it seemed to other people because I knew the important people knew the truth - knew why it was important; why I had to do all of the stupid things I do like keep up with fashion and play nice with evil wenches like Kitty Li. It just really bothered me that Lucas didn't understand - but how can I expect him to understand? It's so different for boys.

Sometimes I feel like I just a Paper Girl; like nothing I do is real or matters. I think that's why I miss the cottage so much; why I miss you and Dom. It is the only place in the whole world that feels free of pretense; of any idea I am someone other than myself (whoever that is), I am sure it is just mental exhaustion and teenage melodrama fueling the pain in my gut - but I will tell you this; O.W.L.'s cannot come and go soon enough.

I miss you so much Sisterlu.