SOLO Letters to the Lafee Estate Closed

Something tickled her nose. Anastasia awoke slowly from the middle of a dream, eyes blinking repeatedly in the darkness of the dormitory. Yawning deeply, Ana rubbed one eye, opening it halfway to peek out of her silk curtains. The sun had yet to rise and rather lazily, she rolled over and closed her eyes.

For all of about three minutes.

Tense, though no real reason to be outside of her homesickness, Anastasia Lafee rose from her four poster bed and got dressed as quietly as she could. She shoved her hat under arm, grabbed her shoes by their laces, and reached into her trunk to grab her favorite quill. On her tip-toes, Ana sneaked out of the room as quietly as she could, trying her hardest not to wake anyone.

Descending the spiraling mahogany staircase, Ana found an empty common room and a cozy spot by the fire. She jumped up a moment later, realizing she hadn't grabbed a piece of parchment to write her letter upon. After a quick check of the tables across the way, she found more than enough parchment to write on, and curled back up in the chair by the fire.

She took turns staring off into the flames and scribbling furiously, so engrossed that she didn't even realize the common room was slowly filling up with other students. A hungry growl from her stomach shook her from her morning reverie and finishing up the letter, stuck her quill in her ponytail and went off in search of the Owlery. 

By the time she found the circular stone room, even with directions, she was glad for having woken up so early. Her stomach had growled every step of the way but she was eager, nonetheless, especially to see and experience new parts of the castle. With every twist of a hallway, misstep in the stairs, or doors that changed or led nowhere at all, she found herself loving magic--and Hogwarts, evermore.

Wrapping her scarf around her neck just a tad tighter, Ana walked into the Owlery, glancing up with wide eyes, excitement and nervousness (and hunger) coursing through her. What seemed like hundreds of sets of eyes stared down at her, and swallowing, Ana cleared her throat and made a soft cooing noise, searching and calling out for Augustus. When she found him she smiled and urged him down. It took some convincing, but eventually he did so, perching on the fountain's ledge so she could affix her letter.

He gave a little hop, as if testing his weight, and then spread his wings and took off. Ana stared after him for a full minute, watching the skies even long after he was out of sight. With the sun a little past the horizon, Ana wiped her damp cheeks and turned on her heel, intent on finding the Great Hall and the breakfast that was surely being cooked by now. 

Hey mum, hiya pa,

Mum, you told me to write you in the morn, so I am.

I think I woke up a bit too early. The sun isn't even up yet. My new bed is comfy though and I like how the sheets were warm and comfy when I crawled in last night. I hope they do that every night! The house elves here really do a good job. The castle is really big and I did get lost a few times, but some of the other kids helped me find my way. Some of them are really nice.

Hopefully they'll be serving breakfast by the time I send Augustus off with this letter, because I'm starving! The feast last night was incredible but I think I'm even hungrier now.

How are Eli and Ethan? It's only been a day but I miss them. And you guys and Nanny Grey.

I can hear people coming down the staircase so they must be serving breakfast by now. I love you guys!!

With love,
Anafe

P.S. Mum, please don't forget to send me some of Nanny Grey's muffins!!
P.S.S OH! I almost forgot! I got sorted into Gryffindor! Just like you, pa!