A Letter PV Phaedra Stavrou Finished

To Mister Avery,

xxxxI was worried sick when you disappeared before finals. I tried writing you, but my family's owl returned with the same letter. I blamed his bad navigation skills and he didn't like that; the damn thing bit me. He wouldn't go when I tried sending him off a second time, either. That was when I realised you probably didn't want to be contacted and my parents only confirmed it, but they spared no details past that. I can't fathom why whatever you were learning with your father couldn't wait until you finished out the semester. I really want to hear about it though, if you're willing.

xxxxThank you for the birthday wishes. Call it wishful thinking, but I look forward to thirteen. Is this the age we'll start to be taken more seriously? I hope so. I'm peeved for you that you have to start over as a second-year again. It's completely unfair. You're so smart you could skip ahead. Anyway, I don't know where you've gotten the idea that I wouldn't want to still be your friend. Remember, we're allies, and you being a year under me for reasons out of your control won't change that. I'll show you to my new friends and the rest of my family, and by God, they will like you or I'll give them an earful... them and anyone else who has something to say about you repeating.

xxxxLooking forward to seeing you again. I'd ask for a hint about my gift, but you're going to make me wait all throughout the train ride and start of term feast, aren't you? That'll be torture!

Your friend,



xxxxP.S. I missed you more.

To Ms. Stavrou:

I apologize, I wasn't aware anyone was trying to write as Alisdair kept all of my outside contacts to a minimum. I expected many of the purebloods would know I was gone and that you would somehow hear, but my father has kept everything hush-hush for the sake of propriety. He believes what happens behind closed doors should stay there. After spending these past few months with him, I'm tending towards agreement. You, however, I trust, and so I'll tell you whenever I see you at school. I'm always wary of putting these things in letters.

Thirteen is such an odd age, I find. Adults should be taking us more seriously because we're teens rather than children, but only just. I've heard it comes with some rather worrying changes as well and I think I'm beginning to understand - the more my height increases, the more my knees ache. Have you gotten taller since we last saw each other? If not, I may have to make fun of you, so prepare yourself.

I have to admit, I'm quite peeved about having to take the year over again. Not to mention the fact that I lost my status as Head Boy... at least I didn't get in trouble over that, since it was my father's doing. It's something I'll get over, but it's sad we won't be able to graduate together. You'll have an entire year ahead of me to get out into the business world and begin making deals. I'm glad we're still allies, though, because even though I'll be behind, I feel that together we can still make quite the profit when we're older.

More than that, I'm glad we're still friends. I don't know who I'd hang out with if you weren't still there. I haven't heard back from Eris or Rhea so it seems our pureblood numbers from first year are dwindling. People like us have to stick together and stick up for each other since no one else will. My family is aware of this and would like to have yours over for dinner sometime as a return favour for last time. If it goes through, I can show you Gorgo's room!

I won't be giving you even a single hint about your present, by the way. Everyone knows about your Ravenclaw brains and I can't have you figuring it out. Is this more effective than the Cruciatus curse? Possibly. But absolutely necessary because I like to build up anticipation.

Your friend,

Maxwell Avery

P.S. - Thank you.

To Mister Avery,

xxxxEase up on those knees, old man. And luckily for me, I have grown since seeing you, so you'll have to find someone else to tease. I'm now taller than my mum when I wasn't several months ago - as you know, she is rather short-statured, so perhaps passing her isn't anything worth bragging about, but it's a little victory nonetheless. I reach 167.6 centimetres now. How about you? Books say that women average under my current height, and I'm thirteen after tomorrow, so hopefully there's more growing for me in the future. Tall is respected... but not too tall. There's a couple of freakishly large people attending school, have you noticed? I don't like how small they make me feel. I bet they're part-giants. It's the only explanation.

xxxxYou're right about us sticking together. I haven't heard from Eris either, but it's typical that us pure-bloods get quiet over the summer - so she's probably fine. Likely just family matters, as usual. I did see Dymphna and Adam over the summer though, for Dymphna's birthday party (her place is lovely, by the way). You won't believe who I saw there; Professor Pendrast and Professor Jensen. Apparently, they are related to her - cousins I think. Small world. Or nepotism.

xxxxYou had me at dining at your place, and then you really had me at "Gorgo's room." How's that striking beauty? I remember how she nicked me the first time we met. I'll take up your offer on touring her royal domain, but I'll have to appreciate /her/ from afar this time. I so badly want to earn her trust. While we're on the subject of pets, Cleo is doing just fine. She still chases the dogs out in the gardens, particularly Bonnie, because Goliath isn't afraid to play fight with her right back. I also bought her a new harness so that we can get some exercise and fresh air together while at Hogwarts. She's getting accustomed to it rather well.

xxxxAlthough it's far off, have you given much thought to what electives you want to take in your third year? Personally, I'm most excited for Ancient Runes and Care of Magical Creatures. After the full year, I can warn you which classes are worth the energy before you waste yours, if you'd like, or let you see some of my notes to prepare. I usually hold on to them.

Sincerely,



xxxxP.S. My family says hello, and they'd enjoy dining with yours again.

To Ms. Stavrou:

'Old man?' I'm not the one in third year, grandma, so why don't you take a seat in your rocking chair. I'm surprised how much you've grown, though - it's weird to think you're taller than your mother at almost 13. Surpassing parents is an odd feeling because they always seem like the largest people in the world when you're young. I suppose it still holds true, just not for stature. I'm taller than my mother as well. 170.18 cm and counting; the counting part I'm assuming because I'm hungry at all times. I could eat half a cow and my stomach would be growling not half an hour later. Has this been your experience as well?

I have noticed these massive obviously non-humans. One boy my age was over six feet - taller than my father! I don't understand how it's possible to be so large at our age without having your bones crack and your joints break. If I could feel pity deep within my cold, pureblood soul (as the students seem to think about us), I would for them.

I'm glad to hear you've seen some of the old group. Dymphna is someone I've always been interested in connecting with, and Adam... I have a grudging respect for him. I oddly feel that we could get on well. Somehow I'm not surprised that our school employs people related to the students; nepotism rampant in Hogwarts proves that even the best places can fall prey to politics. I imagine that's how Solomon Lear got in as well; he seems hellbent on making our years there as traumatic as possible. Do you remember the lock-in? The rumours weren't exaggerated.

Gorgo is doing quite well, I still have a few scratch marks from times I forgot to feed her at precisely seven in the morning. She was with me on the majority of the business trips and you should've seen the way she attacked some of those purebloods who were getting overly rowdy with us. I'm sure she'll warm up to you eventually; it will just take time and maybe bribing her with sardines.

I'm glad to hear Cleo is doing well, she's a queen of the highest order. Give her a large treat from me and a nice little pet on the head, would you? It serves the pups right to be chased when they're in what she likely considers her territory. I'm thrilled I'll be able to see her again and I believe Gorgo will be too, whether she shows it or not. I imagine it gets lonely being the only cat in the house. She has me, but it's probably not the same as having someone she can really communicate with. We can take them both for walks together now that Cleo has a harness!

Ancient Runes sounds incredibly interesting, and I feel that Care of Magical Creatures will have many useful real-life applications. But... Divination is just so cool. You have the opportunity to get a glimpse of the future and even try to prevent a bad prophecy from coming true. Imagine how well you'd do on the stock markets if you learned to divine future numbers? Flying is useful for travel as well.

To be honest, I'm interested in every class. Even Muggle Studies; know thy enemy, right? I wish there was some way I could take everything without class times conflicting. Perhaps I could take the electives you don't and then we could share notes to get the full spectrum on everything. I don't think any type of learning is energy wasting because you end up using it all, whether consciously or not.

Your friend,



P.S. - My family says the same, my mother still raves about how beautiful your home is.

To Mister Avery,

xxxxWow. We're very close in height still. Thankfully, no; I haven't felt the kind of hunger you're describing. I have, however, been unfortunate enough to wake up these past couple of months with a pimple or two on my forehead or chin. I HATE when that happens. It ruins everything and looks ugly. The Cure for Boils is going to be my most mastered potion at this rate, I swear. I suddenly envy Eris' metamorphmagus abilities. I'd kill to be able to morph away physical flaws in an instant.

xxxxAre you sure the lock-in rumours weren't exaggerated? I heard plenty of them, but they all sounded ridiculous. I was told someone tangoed with a giant, and that some kid's toes were cursed into talking snakes. I hope neither of those were you because I've already laughed about it. But professor ineptitude is precisely why I've been considering joining the duelling team when school starts up again. I want to learn how to protect myself. There was no worse feeling than getting attacked my first year and not having the guts to fight back. I haven't told mum and dad yet, but I'm going for it regardless. Last year wasn't so bad in terms of traumatising events, but I imagine that's just the calm before the next storm.

xxxxSorry to hear about the scratches still from your cat. I can't remember the last time mine did that, at least not on purpose. I'm sure if you keep treating her as well as you are she'll stop doing it soon enough. Taking them both on a walk together sounds like a perfect plan. It could de-stress not only Gorgo, but us as well, and Cleopatra could use some more feline friends. And Gorgo likes sardines? Noted. I'll get a can for her from the house elves just so she'll love me.

xxxxI don't believe Divination is realistic for the vast majority of wizardkind, but I'm glad you seem so passionate about it. You like learning things just for the sake of it, or on the chance that such knowledge will be useful one day. Those types always fare the best in Ravenclaw. But back to Divination— don't you have to be a seer to even think about passing? That's what I heard, that and the professor takes it seriously, so good luck. It'll be worth it though when you prove me wrong and end up a business magnate from your predictions.

xxxxI'll be taking the two electives I mentioned, Ancient Runes and Care of Magical Creatures, along with Muggle Studies as my third. I wasn't thrilled when my parents insisted I take the latter, but I'm looking forward to it now. We're of the same opinion as you. No wrong could come from understanding how muggles operate no matter which way you look at it. Have you ever seen a muggle printer? I did for the first time recently. I got to press a button even. It's astounding how muggles made the printing press small enough to keep in their homes. For lacking magic, printers are efficient, but noisy though— sadly it seems like most things in a muggle's life must involve some sort of noise.

Cheers,

To Ms Stavrou:

A pimple? How treacherous the waters of teenage hormones are. I haven't had something like that yet, but Mother keeps harping on me to develop an adequate skin routine before I do. It's an odd thing to be told to do when I always imagined skin routines were more for girls. I feel a bar of soap is good enough; if it cleans the rest of your body, why not your face? Besides, like you said, The Cure for Boils can help take care of things. I can't imagine how Muggles function without it! It's all well and good though, as gross as pimples are, I don't think they detract from someone's facial symmetry. Besides, you could never be ugly, you have a set level of attractiveness based on genes. Be proud; you have good genes.

My god, word of mouth messes things up. I'm not entirely sure what truth is in the other things you've heard, but the closest there is to someone's feet turning into snakes is when Dorian turned his shoes into birds. It's a long story, but next time we meet up I'll have to tell you. Only an adventure with Lear could become so crazy - there's something about that man that gives me shivers even now.

The duelling team sounds like a fantastic way to practice defense. I've heard that if you practice something enough times, it'll become ingrained into you so that you can use it even in times of crises when your brain blanks. And in Hogwarts, clearly there's more 'times of crises' than anyone bargained for. If you've made up your mind, I'm sure we'll eventually meet each other across the duelling floor one day, since I'd like to get in some practice too. Go easy on me when that day comes, would you? There aren't many witches or wizards I'd be nervous to face, but you'd make that very small list.

Huh... I'm no seer, but there's no way in hell I'm going to fail out of that class. As mysterious as Nadège Benoit seems, she's still a professor like any other. In fact, maybe her being so mysterious isolates her from the other weird profs so she won't be as brainwashed as them. Maybe she's 'woke' as the Muggle children say. I don't really know what that means, but I was in the United States of America and many teenagers made mention of it.

Your parents are brilliant people; we'll likely have to blend in for business so that would be an exceptionally good class to take. My parents are of the same mind, so I've learned quite a bit already. I have indeed seen a Muggle printer! They're incredible little beasts and my father knows how to operate one well. The only problem is that you need a 'computer' to make full use of its functionality, and 'computers' are so complicated I don't know how Muggles can stand them. They keep mentioning something about looking things up using goggles, however I don't see how goggles could make the screen look better. Is there some sort of electronic device hidden in goggles? Perhaps Muggle Studies will say.

Anyway, I suppose this may be the last letter I send to you since we're approaching the beginning of school. Eris supposedly has a party coming up, so if you're in attendance then I'll see you there and be able to confirm that you're really as tall as you say. If not, we must meet up at Hogwarts to catch up and have that cat date with Gorgo and Cleo. I look forward to seeing the two of them get along!

Warmest regards,