Private Message to Dad and Mum

[alt_ron]

Hi, Dad, Mum.

I know I could send an owl, but then I'd have to find some parchment, and, yeah, no idea what I've done with the stationery box again. Somewhere in my trunk--same place half my socks get off to, I reckon. (I think the twins might've put a false bottom charm on my trunk, actually. Mum, do you know if there is such a thing? Cause, honestly, stuff gets lost in there all the time. I mean, just, poof! and it's gone.)

So, yeah. I've got loads of hours in lessons. More than ever. And people are already going mental about it being OWLs this year. I'm not fussed, though. I mean there's months and months before then, and anywiz, I've done better since Professor Carrow got repl Professor Brutka took over teaching Transfig.

I mean the only thing I might really fluff is Dark Arts (or, y'know, Noble Arts--that's what they're calling it now). Not sure how I'll get through an OWL for that, but, well-

Anywiz.

Have you heard anything from Charlie? Are we going to visit him at the preserve again at Christmas this year? It'd be really nift if we could.

Well. Hope things at home are all right since we left you with all the chores. Guess the gnomes are glad we're gone!

Your favourite son,
Ronald

Comments

[alt_arthur]

Hello, son, good to hear from you, and thanks for giving us a brief report on how the beginning of school is going for you. Yes, I've heard from a couple of different sources that Professor Brutka is a very good Transfiguration teacher, so that situation can only be a win. What do you think of the newest member on staff, Professor Dolohov? I would be very curious to get your and Ginny's impressions.

I detected some hints from Fred and George that you may be thinking of going out for Quidditch this year. What positions are open? You'd prefer to play Keeper if there's an opening, right? Is there one this year? Well, if you do give it a try, I certainly wish you the best, son. Goodness knows with all the games of pickup Quidditch you've played with your brothers and Ginny, it would stand to reason that you would have just as much experience as any other hopeful candidates. If you do try for it, I wish you the best with all my heart. I plan to keep up my custom and proudly wear my old Gryffindor jersey on game days (even if your Mum keeps telling me it's only fit for the rag bag.)

We did hear from Charlie, just yesterday in fact. He's sporting a nasty burn on the back of his right hand, he says, but he's as happy as a salamander in a kiln because they've managed to nurse back from her injuries that Hebridean Black he's been fussing over (the one that was in that skirmish with two Welsh greens a couple of months ago). She's managed to mate and has a new clutch of eggs. Your mum has been moaning to me privately that the only grandchildren she can expect from Charlie will probably be dragons. He does seem more preoccupied with them than with his own species, and of course, there are perilously few opportunities for him to date on the Reserve. I don't think any plans have been made for Christmas yet, but I think that Charlie would prefer to join us at the Burrow, if it'll be allowed (and doesn't leave them short-staffed). I think he should be able to tell us one way or another in about a month.

I saw a couple of gnomes scurrying around amongst the cabbages this morning when I went out to lock up the goats. They're certainly getting bold again (the gnomes, I mean; the goats are ALWAYS bold), now that you, Fred, George and Ginny aren't around to spin them around and chuck them over the fence.

Good to hear from you, son. Love from,
Dad

[alt_molly]

I'd be happy to send you more socks, Ron. How many more pairs do you think you need? I have just finished a stack of them and can send them off with Errol. The yarn's light, so the package won't be too heavy for him (and I'll include a package of shortbread, so you'll know I miss you, too! Do share a bit of it with the others.)

Love,
Mum

[alt_ron]

Well I mostly need one of each pair I've got! So, um. Yeah, it'd be great if you sent some. Maybe there's a charm to keep them together so I wouldn't keep losing half the pair?

Shortbread would be wizard! Thanks, Mum!

[alt_molly]

Try tapping the sock with your wand and saying 'Invenio geminos.' The other sock should fly out to meet it, almost like a summoning charm. It will usually only work if the lost sock is in the room.

Come to think of it, there's no reason that you can't use 'Accio sock.' Or I suppose you should use 'Accio lost sock' or 'Accio my sock.' Otherwise you might find yourself being pelted by all your roommates' dirty laundry!

[alt_ron]

Too soon to say about Professor Dolohov. Did you know he's Russian? So people are calling him all sorts of mad things instead of just Professor Dolohov. And everyone's got a different idea about what's proper or what he wants us to call him. I don't even know. But in our lesson last week, he made things really interesting. I mean, he asked questions and then let people answer, and he really listened to what we said, and asked us other questions about what we meant or if what we said was true, then what would that mean if something different happened or in another situation or whatever. It just- I didn't expect it to be so interesting.

About Quidditch, yeah. We need a Chaser and Keeper. But I don't know about going out. Thanks for saying, but I don't know.

Yeah, your Gryffindor jersey is really vintage, Dad. Glad you'll be wearing it. D'you think you might come for a match?

I guess it'll be all right if we're home for Christmas. Only, it would be wizard to go to the preserve again. I think I'll write him, maybe, and see if I could come sometime. Like the twins did, y'know?

Maybe you should try tossing the gnomes in with the goats and see what happens! Or, yeah. Maybe not.

[alt_arthur]

Hmm. Do keep me apprised of what goes on in that class. I'm very interested, I assure you.

Charlie would doubtless be very happy to hear from you.

Gnomes in the goat pen? Oh, my, what an alarming mental picture that creates...