epistolary
'epistolary (adjective)
- (of literary work) in the form of letters
- relating to the writing of letters'
July 1995
Dear Harry,
How, in Merlin’s name, does a light switch work?
I knew that Muggles had come up with fascinating technology, but light switches… they are insane! Auntie Andie could not stop laughing when she found me examining it the other day – I was trying to balance the switch in the middle.
And how do they work? Is it actually connected to the lights on the ceiling? If so, how? It’s so similar to a lumos spell, but I know how that works. Your magic draws upon the light waves in the air and focuses them into one ball of light. If you are in complete darkness, then it draws upon the heat in the air and that is why sometimes your lumos spell can cause a fire if you’re drawing on the wrong energy source, etc.
But light switches? They’re truly fascinating.
Don’t even get me started on microwaves. My cousin, they tried explaining how it works, but it was so complicated, something about radiators? Or maybe it was radiating? Anyhow, they baffle me, well and truly.
It heats up food? But from the middle? Why is that useful? And all food that comes out of it is about as edible as a Flobberworm, but it is rather useful for re-heating a hot drink if you’ve forgotten about it, I suppose.
I hope you’re doing okay. I know that you mentioned your nightmares were getting worse? I don’t mean to pry, but if you’re concerned, I’ll listen (well, read, I suppose).
Your ignorant friend,
Draco
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Draco,
Thanks for that letter. I don’t think I’ve laughed that hard in months. I can see why your Aunt would have a field day with your examinations.
I’m not sure of the specifics, but you’re right, they’re connected to the lights on the ceiling. There are wires in the walls which conduct electricity (which, I hope your Aunt has explained to you, because I’m really not sure how to).
Anyway, this electricity is heated? I think? And that’s what causes the light.
Microwaves on the other hand, I’ve not a clue. I remember my teacher in year six explaining it (at the Muggle school I used to go to) in science (the Muggle study into how the world works).
I hope you’re okay too you know… you always ask how I am, but you evade my questions.
Yeah, the nightmares are worse. It’s really weird to be honest. It feels real, you know? And not real as in vivid, real as in, I’m pretty sure it happened. I can’t explain it. I just sound bonkers.
It’s not pleasant, so a bit of a warning.
It’s a dream where, there’s a lot of laughter, a lot of blood, I think it takes place in a Muggle house. He seems to tell Nagini (that’s his snake) to feast… yeah.
I don’t know the house, or the people in it, but I can see the faces of his followers so clearly, that I’d be able to point them out in the street, so, yeah. I know I sound mad, don’t worry about it, I’m sure it’s just a manifestation of my other nightmares.
Thanks
Harry
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Harry,
That’s really, rather disturbing – the content of the dream, not the fact that you think it’s real. Is there anyone you could talk to about it?
Dumbledore might know something, but I’m not sure if he would reply to you, he does seem rather busy.
Yours,
Draco
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Why didn’t I think of that? Honestly, thanks Draco.
There is someone I can write to; I’ll write it right away.
Your forgetful friend,
Harry
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Draco,
You haven’t written in a while, so I hope that everything is good. Sorry I haven’t written either, but my Aunt and Uncle have been avoiding me which, put me on edge a little (it’s all good though).
Is there anything happening relating to the tournament in the Wizarding World? I’m sort of cut-off here, and Hedwig seems unable to send letters to Ron and Hermione, she returned with them.
Harry
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Dear Harry,
That’s strange, perhaps they both went away and forget to inform you? It happens (I went to France once without telling Blaise and he was one letter away from sending a search party).
I really don’t know how to tell you this Harry, that’s why it’s been a week since I sent a letter. The Ministry released an official statement which, well, it said you’d had a traumatic experience and started spewing the first conclusion you could come up with. They said He hasn’t returned, and everything is fine.
I’ve attached a snippet of the Prophet, if you can’t keep it then send it back with Delphinus, she won’t mind. I thought you ought to read it yourself.
The Prophet has been calling you a liar ever since, it’s rather difficult to read. Auntie only gets it to see the political agenda at the moment, but I want you to know, I believe you, my Auntie believes you and Tonks (that’s my cousin), they believe you too.
If you wish for me to send you more snippets than let me know, but it’s all slander. It isn’t the healthiest of ideas to read only lies (bad ones at that) about yourself.
Yours truly,
Draco
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Draco,
Thanks for the paper. You’ll be happy to hear, I don’t really want to read any more to be honest. It makes me sick just thinking about it.
What does Fudge think he’s doing? Outright denial will only make things worse; it’s fucking insane! I just hope people know it’s a load of tosh – really hope.
Tell them it means a lot, especially after reading the paper. I think your Aunt and I would get along, and your cousin.
Anyway, how’s Muggle life treating you? Any more discoveries to report?
Harry
p.s, I managed to write to Remus actually, about the nightmares. He had some insightful ideas, but no idea how to stop it.
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Harry,
Are you all right? It’s been over a week since your last letter.
I got the letter today – well, today when I’m writing this, I’m not sure when you’ll read it.
I’m disowned!
Merlin, that’s weird to write. You’re the first person I’ve told. Is it weird that I feel numb about it? I mean, I’ve known it was coming, it was inevitable by this point. My father has been threatening to disown me since my first year, and I know that the only reason he hasn’t is because my mother would never have allowed it.
My father will seek any way he can to appease You-Know-Who, which means that my home is no longer safe.
My disownment is a good thing I suppose, it means my mother does care for me. You would love my mother. She’s rather clever with words. She tends to say what she wants, with most people not realising what she really said until hours after (which works wonders if you want to insult someone). My mother was the one who took me into Muggle London when I was little, since my father would never have allowed it.
I won’t be able to talk to her now, which means I’ll only know how she is through the Prophet, or gossip, which, is not preferable.
Reading back through that, I feel as if I may have written a little too much, sorry. Anyway, there’s been little mention of you in the Prophet this week, you’ll be glad to hear. I think it’s possible that they might be backing off a little now, no doubt because someone has pointed out that you’re only fifteen.
Which reminds me, Happy Birthday! You’ll probably receive this either on or a little before your birthday, so Happy Fifteenth! I’m afraid I haven’t gotten you much, I hope you don’t mind. I wasn’t too sure what to get you. I’ve attached some chocolates though. They aren’t as eye-dazzling or mouth-melting (literally) as Wizarding chocolates, but they taste so much better.
Yours truly,
Your friend and Muggle expert (almost),
Draco
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Sorry Draco, I didn’t mean to drop off the radar for that long. I’ve been feeling like shit recently. The nightmares, the isolation from the Wizarding World, the fact Ron and Hermione won’t reply to my letters… if it wasn’t for your letters, I think I’d have gone mad.
Thanks for the chocolate, it cheered up my sour mood quite a bit. I haven’t heard from anyone else for a while now, besides you and Remus. I don’t blame some of them. They’re – I guess pre-occupied is the best way to describe it – but Ron and Hermione don’t really have an excuse, and it’s pissing me off. Sorry, I don’t mean to rant on about this.
You didn’t over share by the way, if anything, I’ve already overshared, so don’t worry. Your mother seems nice. I’m glad she was there for you growing up. It must be hard; I know what it’s like to not be able to see someone you care about because of things you can’t control. Is there no way you can talk to her? No secret way of sending her letters? Just to ask if she’s okay?
No one can tell you how to feel about your situation, least of all me, but I’d say your response is reasonable – you’ve been expecting it. It’s just cemented it, hasn’t it? Made it real, but you knew it was coming. I guess you already grieved for it.
I have to go, it’s rather late and your owl seems eager to go home.
Thanks for making my birthday bearable,
Harry
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Draco,
Don’t panic. You won’t hear from me for a while. May have gotten in trouble with the law. You’ll read about it in the Prophet I suspect.
I cast a Patronus to save my idiot cousin and the Ministry is claiming I had no grounds to use magic outside of school (which is ridiculous, I know it’s ridiculous).
Anyway, my trial is set for the twelfth of August, but I think I’ll be relocating until then, I’m not too sure. I received a very cryptic message about it.
I’ll be fine, please don’t worry,
Harry
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Dear Harry,
What?
I’m going to assume you won’t receive this letter, but what, in the name of Merlin himself, do you mean, when you say, you got in trouble with the law?
Harry, I mean this in the nicest possible way, I think I would have worried less without a letter.
Scratch that, I’d have worried, but the situation would appear a little less extreme.
Your incredibly anxious friend,
Draco
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Dear Harry,
You didn’t get my last letter, and I slept on your original letter, so I decided to re-write what I wrote, to truly express my concern.
What, and I stress this, the fuck?
Your baffled friend,
Draco
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Dear Harry,
There’s something oddly therapeutic about writing a letter to you and knowing you won’t ever read it.
I feel like this is the moment to tell you that your handwriting is absolutely appalling and as soon as school starts, we will be working on getting it legible (you won’t read this, so I don’t have any regrets in writing this).
My Aunt told me not to fret and that it’s fine because it isn’t as if you’re being tried against the entire Wizengamot. She’s right of course, but still.
I feel as if your letter should have been a little more descriptive about what exactly happened. I understand why it wasn’t, and I do greatly appreciate that you wrote to me, but Merlin Harry.
Your ever concerned friend,
Draco
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Dear Draco,
If you write to me one more time about how Harry bloody Potter can’t write to you, I will personally fly to your Aunt’s house, and strangle you.
He will be fine.
Your annoyed friend,
Pansy
P.S. how are you? Are you sleeping well? Are you eating well? Please remember that your well-being is important too, you always forget about yourself.