Letters Home
Frosty, Draco's owl, delivered Draco's letter the next morning. Alyssa handed it to Remus, who opened it and read it out loud.
Dear Mama and Papa,
I have a lot to say, but I guess you'll want to know where I was Sorted first. I'm in Ravenclaw, with Harry. Professor Flitwick said you and Uncle Sev were almost in Ravenclaw, is that true? Our dorm is all blue, with bronze hangings on the beds. The doorknocker is awesome! What other House needs to use logic to enter their common room? They all have to use passwords-boring. The train ride was long, but fun. There was a boy named Neville who couldn't find his frog, so Harry used Accio to summon him. I know we're not supposed to let others know that we already know a lot of magic, but he was really worried that the frog would get hurt. There was this girl, I think her name's Hermione, who seemed really bossy. She was too worried about trying to know everything- for a minute I thought she would be a Ravenclaw. She was a Gryffindor though; same as Neville and this other boy we met. His name was Ron, and I doubt that we'll get along. He didn't like me because of Mother and Father, and because of the fact that they supported Voldemort and were Slytherins. He was going on and on about how the Boy-Who-Lived was supposed to be coming to Hogwarts this year and how he would be his best mate in Gryffindor, and on and on until I wished you had taught me the silencing spell. Harry was happy that no one knows that he's the Boy-Who-Lived though. That would make him stand out even more than Nyx will. She's in the Chamber with Sasha, though no one else knows that there are two basilisks at Hogwarts, even though they're only going to be there sometimes. Sasha said that Athena, the leader of the eagles, wants to see me! I wonder why? I'm going to ask the Headmistress if I can visit her in the Glen, but if not then Sasha said she'll come to the Chamber. I think Hermione and Neville will be good friends, though Ron seems like trouble. There's a boy in Slytherin, Blaise I think, who seems nice, and a girl, Susan I think she said, talked to us while we were waiting to be Sorted (she's a Hufflepuff). We'll get our schedules tomorrow, but I think the Headmistress is still hoping you'll come teach Defense Papa. Apparently, there hasn't been a decent Defense professor in ages, 'cause nobody applies for the job. The Potions Master and Transfiguration teachers were new too. A prefect told me that since the Potions Master quit years ago, the castle hasn't tolerated another for very long. A 7th year said the same thing about Care of Magical Creatures, but I can't take that till later, so it really doesn't matter. I have to go now, if I want to send this before curfew.
Tell Raven I said hi, and can you send "Where the Red Fern Grows" back with Frosty? I forgot it when I was packing.
Love,
Draco
About the same time that Frosty delivered Draco's letter to his parents, Severus and Sirius received their letter from Harry, courtesy of Harry's owl Thunder. Unrolling the letter, Severus began to read it aloud.
Dear Papa and Padfoot,
I'm in Ravenclaw! Draco is too, so we'll be in classes together and stuff. I was worried that we would get sorted into different Houses and never be able to see each other. I know it's silly, but I was really nervous before the Sorting. Everybody was talking about the Boy-Who-Lived and how he was going to be a Gryffindor, for sure, just like his parents were. I was worried that people might realize who I am if I went there, so I'm glad I got Ravenclaw instead. The hat said that I'm brave and cunning, but I'm also smart, so I should go to Ravenclaw. I hope none of my friends from the train will avoid me 'cause we're not in the same House. None of the people I talked to are in Ravenclaw. Susan's a Hufflepuff, and Hermione and Neville are Gryffindors, though Neville's nicer than Hermione. I haven't got to talk to the others much, but the other boys seem nice enough. At least no one in Ravenclaw picked on Draco. I wanted to hex this boy named Ron for badmouthing him on the train, but I knew you'd both be upset if I got in trouble before school started. Well, you might be Papa, though I know Padfoot would probably laugh. The dormitory's nice, though it will be kinda weird sharing a room with four other people. My bed's right next to the window, with Draco on the other side. I can't remember the other boy's names right now, but they seem to be ok. Nyx is in the Chamber with Sasha, and Professor McGonagall said that Draco and I are allowed to visit them when we don't have class, as long as nobody else finds out. She said that people are scared of basilisks, and they would panic if they knew two of them were in the school, even though they don't stay here all the time. Sasha stays with the other familiars in the Glen most times, and I think Nyx will go there when I'm in class. Draco said that if the Common Room gets too noisy or crowded, we can always go study in the Chamber, like our own secret clubhouse at Hogwarts. I bet the Slytherins would be jealous! I got to go; Draco finished his letter already and is waiting for me.
Write back soon, and can you send my art box? I forgot to put it in my trunk when I packed, and now I can't draw anything.
Love,
Harry