Friends!

Mari Haynes
Hufflepuff House, Hogwarts

Lucy Haynes
Haynes House, Holt, England

28 March, 2019

Dearest Lucy,

I made a new friend today! Her name is Luna Choi and she is the nicest girl. Don’t tell Mum, but she’s in Slytherin - that’s why I can’t invite her to come visit over the holidays, even though she already begged me to. She’s not very close with her family either. However, she told me all about her friends and even said she’d introduce me to them! Don’t worry, Luce; it won’t be like it was back at home. I’m going to have so many friends before the end of the year that you’ll be overwhelmed with how many people love me! I know you’ll get to be as popular as me soon.

I actually first met her at that party I told you about...at the dungeons? She let me take a small sip of firewhiskey - please don’t tell dad, he’d kill me! We danced that whole night and even though she’s a prefect (she’s so cool!) she managed to get me out of trouble. So many students got found out that day, but I didn’t have to clean poop or whatever like they did.

Anyway, she’s so pretty. Her hair is so unique - it’s lavender! We paint each other’s nails and braid our hair when we get tired of studying. Don’t tell mum, but we laugh so much that there isn’t much studying anyway. You’re going to be so surprised when you come to Hogwarts; I’m not that boring Mari you used to know back in Holt!

There’s a ball coming up; I don’t have a date, but I’m going with lots of friends. I’m still a little upset about when that boy knifed me, but the wound was healed pretty well with magic. I just still feel a little off, and I could swear that there’s some leftover pain, so I’m just going to wear a flowing purple dress to help. It’ll match Luna’s hair so well. I think she has a camera; I’ll ask her to take a picture so I can show you this summer!

I’m counting down the days that I get to see you again. We are going to have so much fun getting you ready for Hogwarts. Do you think Dad will finally let us get a pet? He’s seemed to be a bit more interested in Hogwarts, Mum says he’s turning around. Speaking of Mum, tell her I’ll write her back soon. I’ve been so busy studying, of course! We have to check out the joke shop in Diagon Alley this summer, cause now that I know about it, I want to go. People use stuff from there all the time - it’s wicked cool. And I’ll finally get to meet Oliver! Are you two doing well? I can’t believe you have a BOYFRIEND!

Oh, got to run - I forgot I told Luna I’d meet her in the Great Hall for dinner. Give Mum, Dad, and Grace my love and hugs, and same for you of course!

All my love,

Mari

The letter was written in black ink on parchment. There were some mysterious dried spots on the letter, which resembled tears that had dried up.

Mari handed the letter to an owl, but in a tragic mistake, said, "Deliver to Luna Choi, please!" She brightly skipped out of the Owlery.