...That's a very odd thing to say, isn't it? When you learn a language that is not your mother tongue, you tend to question expressions that a native would take for granted. For example "Make no bones about it" - what on earth does that mean? "Can't have your cake and eat it" - that's another silly one, as surely you can do exactly that. I have my ( Read more... )

Dear Charlie ( Read more... )

Dearest Pari ( Read more... )

Dear Luna,

I am now a lady of leisure, residing in a rather splendid hotel in Venice. Of course, this sounds far grander than it actually is - and no, Val hasn't thrown me out. I stayed in Pavia for a week as a guest, and due to protocol must actually live elsewhere until the wedding. It's quite odd; back to hiding, in a way, like we were at ( Read more... )

Private

I just had the most irate owl from poor Pari. She and Daddy had come all that way, only to discover that term isn't going to start for another few months. She's so disappointed! However, Daddy took her to Diagon Alley anyway, to order the books on her list, her robes, and of course, her familiar. Although she says she couldn't find ( Read more... )

(In reply to Luna's previous owl.)

Dear Luna,

Once you've recalled where I put an envelope of yours, the following may make some sense.

You're on your way to Hogwarts, and we have arrived in India. We are like boats in fog, passing unnoticed!

Pari and Toyah are practically like twins - both brown from the sun, muddy from the banks of the Devi ( Read more... )

Dearest friend,

Before you start reading, it'll be a lot easier if you say, three times, the name of the items we collected competitively in our sixth year, and tap your wand to the page ( Read more... )

This might seem like a strange request, but it's important to me.

I need to find Payod's remains.
I know he fell at Hogwarts during the first battle, and I know roughly where the Death Eaters took the fallen, thanks to Professor Lupin's reconnaisance work.

Please, might I go and collect what is left of my brother so I can take him home?

Padma

( Read more... )

Important note to self: When opening long-distance owl post that has been delayed in storage for any length of time, exercise caution. You never know whether you might find broken glass, foxed books or in this case, an unstable engorgement charm affecting a two-year old delivery of kulfiA delayed thank-you to my wonderful, generous aunt. And now I ( Read more... )

He is alive, and safe. Thank gods.

Bill and Ernie brought them both back from the Forbidden Forest. The Forest. Why didn't I just go and look there, instead of chasing all over Britain...
I hadn't even considered Dudgeon thrall as a possibility, that's why - so when he didn't show up on the map, I assumed he had gone. Luckily, Severus had no such ( Read more... )