letters and notes
ii. letters and notes
Letter to Bill (Third Year, September)
Dear Bill,
How’s Gringotts treating you? Mum says they’re sending you all over—Egypt, Turkey, places that sound straight out of an adventure novel. That’s mint, honestly. Have you made any friends? I reckon you’d have the best stories if you did. Imagine befriending an assassin! Everyone says the Levant doesn’t do that sort of thing anymore, but you’d know better than anyone, right?
Term’s going fine so far. We’ve got a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor this year, Garrett, from the Americas. He’s probably the best one yet. Tells us all these wild stories about his days working as an Auror, or whatever they call them over there. Everyone loves him already, but… I don’t know. He’s odd. Not in a bad way, exactly, but there’s something about him I can’t put my finger on. I’m probably just being paranoid.
The twins are back at it with their usual shenanigans, terrorizing the other houses, thank Merlin. If I have to hear Percy shout at them one more time, I’ll go stark-raving mad. Honestly, it’s like they’re trying to get his attention on purpose. Not that Percy notices anything unless it comes with a rule attached. I’ve been helping him prep for his inevitable rise to Prefect, and let me tell you—he’s got enough charts and schedules to drown a dragon. Sounds like a whole lot of work for nothing if you ask me, but Percy swears it’s worth it.
Anyway, write back soon, yeah? I know you’re busy, but I miss you.
Gwaine
Note, passed at lunch, from Gwaine to Percy
Perce,
Is Arithmancy actually worth taking next year, or is it just equations in fancy robes? Don’t lie—I know you secretly love math. Also, Snape glared at me for five straight minutes when I handed in my Sleeping Draught today. Pretty sure he’s plotting my demise, but that's nothing new.
Meet me after dinner if you’re done worshiping your timetable. I need help with Flitwick’s essay, and you love bossing me around.
Gwaine
P.S. Stop sighing at the twins every five minutes. It’s boring, and it only makes them want to bother you more!
Note, folded neatly and left under Gwaine’s bag
Gwaine,
For the hundredth time, Arithmancy is not just equations—it’s fascinating, structured, and infinitely more useful than watching Snape decide whether or not he hates you. He's already taken twenty points today, and don't lie, I know it was you.
And I’m not sighing at the twins. I’m sighing because the twins exist. There’s a difference.
If you bring your essay and stop calling me Perce, I’ll help you.
Percy
P.S. You’re insufferable, and I’m not going to stop disciplining the twins! Someone has to keep them in check, and it's clearly not going to be you!
Note, passed in the Gryffindor Common Room from Gwaine to Percy
Perce,
I’ll stop calling you Perce when you stop pretending to love rules. Face it—you’re just as bad as the rest of us! Anyway, if things keep going as they are, you're going to marry a rulebook someday, and Mum’ll cry because she wants grandkids. Do you want Mum to cry?
Garrett gave us another story today, something about dueling three wizards at once and coming out with nothing but a scratch. I thought it was a load of bollocks, but everyone was eating it up.
Don’t you think he’s a bit much, though? Too smooth, too…perfect. Like he’s trying to be everyone’s favorite. He's awfully friendly, and I know I should be happy about it, but. I don't know.
Anyway, I’ve nicked your Arithmancy chart. If you want it back, help me finish Flitwick’s essay before he docks me another point for “lack of effort.”
Gwaine
P.S. The clock is ticking! Your poor chart is weeping tears of blood. You want it back, you help me with Flitwick. Hurry!
Note, slipped into Gwaine's bag
Gwaine,
If you ever suggest I’d marry a rulebook again, I’ll personally tell Snape how you spend your free time trying to break into his stores and suggest he keep a closer eye on you. Don't push me.
Professor Garrett is competent—more than competent, honestly. Not everyone spends their time doodling dragons instead of paying attention. I don’t know why you’re so determined to dislike him.
And give me back my chart. I know where you sleep and I'm not above smothering you.
Percy
P.S. You’re lucky I haven’t reported you to McGonagall for “borrowing” my quills. Again. What are you even doing with them?
Note, unfinished, Gwaine’s handwriting—crumpled and smudged
Perce,
I don’t dislike Garrett. I just think… something about him’s too perfect. You ever meet someone who makes your skin crawl but you can’t explain why? Forget it. You wouldn’t get it.
Note, handed to Percy
Perce,
The twins stole my unfinished potion. I was feeding your quills to it, and now I may have created a golem. Sorry in advance, I may have thrown you under the bus a bit.
Gwaine
P.S. If you survive, I'll treat you to Honeydukes.