Owls from Adele Kyteler, sent 28 August 1942

[finaldefense]

To her brother, Hadrian Kyteler, in reply to his owl:

Well warded and accompanied by a second sheet of paper.

Dear Hadrian,

I'm a different kind of Gryffindor I think. The kind that tells people what they're doing, and why they're doing it, and then does it. If I should. And I'm pretty sure that I shouldn't run out on Mum at the moment without notice. But I want to hear everything about everything.

Love,

Addie

PS I haven't forgotten.

The writing on the accompanying piece of paper is slightly older than the letter and, while in the same hand, the lettering is more childish. It is folded and sealed and marked 'For HADRIAN ONLY ENDYM DASHWOOD KEEP OUT'. It is moderately warded, and there are signs of two earlier spells still visible in the paper, both performed with Addie's wand:

1. an extremely light and childish warding, still in place
2. a childish and obvious hex which would turn Endymion Dashwood's lurid face purple for a few hours. It would be noticed and avoided by any student wizard with half a year's experience in Hogwarts' practical jokes. It has, nevertheless, been disabled by someone using same wand that set it.

In addition, it looks very much like someone crumpled it up and then later tried to flatten it with some charms and the weight of some thick books.

The piece of paper contains a map of the Chattox-Kyteler house, with a couple of escape routes marked. The labels are in the Kyteler twins' private language.

~*~*~*

To her sister, Fiammetta Kyteler, in reply to her owl:

Lightly warded, and in Italian

Dear Fia,

I am glad that my letters were understandable. I am much more used to reading Italian than writing it; it is so much harder than you think it will be, writing in a language that you think you know from books.

Hadrian has always been terrible about sweets and so has Endymion from what I remember. I think before they were engaged they used to ask each other for permission. I suppose once you have engaged to share your life with someone you have engaged to share all your sweets too. I am not sure I ever want to get married!

I will see you tomorrow, and thank you for trying to save me cake, even if it turns out to be impossible.

Love,

Addie

~*~*~*

To her father, S. E. Kyteler, in reply to his owl:

Carefully warded

Dear Daddy,

I will be at your house after lunch tomorrow; I wouldn't miss supper for the world. I will ask Susie as well, I think she needs to get out of the house.

Thank you for your thoughts about Mum. I know that she needs to make happiness for herself, but I can't stop wanting it to come to her soon. I am very ashamed to admit it, but I am looking forward to being at school, so that she and Susie can do what they need to do.

Love,

Addie

PS What do you mean "too many books"? I can't understand what you could mean, such a thing is impossible! There are only a barely adequate number of books in this library, and your library, and in the world besides.

~*~*~*

To Lavinia Scalara, in reply to her owl:

Carefully warded

Dear Lavinia,

Thank you for your kind offer. Do not worry about trying to make British food; I am very eager to try some more of your tarts, and I am desperate for more of your elf's Italian cooking too. (Or at least, I think it was Italian cooking, please forgive my ignorance!)

Thank you also for passing my letter onto Fia. I can understand how it can get lost amongst all the post our households are exchanging these days. Thank you also for your words about my mother.  I am not really able to say much more about her; I felt much of your advice was for her rather than myself, and I am not in a position to pass it on. But thank you for the thought.

Yours,

Addie