Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Headmaster: Phineas Nigellus Black

Dear Miss Potter-Peverell,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as a fifth-year student.
Term begins on 1 September.
Preliminary supplies have been collected for you and will accompany you on your journey to the castle.
As you may be aware, the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery prohibits the use of magic by those under the age of seventeen outside school. However, due to your unique circumstances, the Ministry has graciously agreed to allow Professor Eleazar Fig to help you hone your spell-casting before escorting you from London to the castle for the start-of-term feast and the Sorting Ceremony.

Yours sincerely.

Professor Weasley
Deputy Headmistress

Dear Professor Weasley,

I am writing to express my gratitude for being accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, despite my lack of previous education. I cannot deny that I am worried about the different level of education between myself and my future classmates, but I am thankful that Professor Fig is willing to teach me as much as he can before the school year starts.
That being said, I would like to inform you that, due to a lack of living family members, the Ministry of Magic was kind enough to emancipate me. As a result, the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery does not apply to me. 
In addition, should there be any documents that need signing for my acceptance to Hogwarts, please send them to me directly.

Once again, I am very grateful for the chance to attend an institution as prestigious as the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and I am looking forward to attending classes.

Yours sincerely.

Lady Alya Peverell
Head of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Peverell

Anne,

The feast just ended, so I’m sending you this letter before heading to bed, so it's going to be rather short. I’m pretty sure Ominis is currently writing one of his own, though, so you probably have two letters to read now and won't mind this being a bit shorter. You better be reading mine first, though!

So, for starters, the train ride was absolutely TERRIBLE. For some reason Black thought that making REYES of all people our new Quidditch Captain is a good idea, so of course that shabbaroon had to walk up and down the entire train and rub her new badge under everyone’s noses! That daft cow was absolutely insufferable. You know that, as much as I despise it, I’ve learned to ignore Reyes’ weird obsession with me, but now she spent far too much time GLOATING not only about her badge but also about your absence—I’m honestly not sure what I would have done to her had Ominis not held me back, but I’m sure it would not have been pretty. I wouldn’t have regretted it either, I’m certain.

In the end Winston had to tell her to shut up. Black made him a Prefect, so she had to listen if she didn’t want to start the year with detention. Never regretted getting in trouble so much if that's the kind of power I could have had—not that it would have changed much. You know how Black is. I’m sure that, if the Gaunts hadn’t already as good as disowned Ominis, Black would have made him a Prefect. It’s all about names and families and connections with that man, just take the students he actually made Prefects: We’ve got Winston, of course, but also Isaik and Joshua. I feel a little bad saying it, but it’s obvious that they’ve only gotten their positions because of their families—after all, who wouldn’t want to be in the good graces of the Italian Minister of Magic’s grandson? And everyone knows that the Blacks and Yaxleys are friends, so it’s no surprise he chose Joshua, either. McDowell, as well. I don’t know Violet as well as you do, of course, but I honestly didn’t take her for Prefect material, so I’m sure it must have been her Family name as well. There’s no doubt about Ignatova, naturally, and I’m glad that Kat made the cut, but Pinch-Smedley? PINCH-SMEDLEY? It’s like Black was drunk while choosing the Prefects this year!

Seriously!

Listen, the Gryffindor Prefects? Bloody Perfect Princess Potter and her two friends! Shafiq is reasonable enough when she’s alone, but Potter and Abbott are anything but model students—how could anyone believe this to be a good idea?! At least he made neither Prewett nor Weasley a Prefect, I don’t think the castle would have survived either of them in a position of power. Not sure if McLaggen is a much better choice, but I guess at least Longbottom has a good head on his shoulders. A little sad that only one out of six Prefects is actually capable, but I guess that’s Gryffindor for you. Can’t wait for Eric Northcott to mess it up and get his badge revoked—I’d say it’ll surely happen before Yule, but Ominis is betting on something awful happening before Samhain at the latest. Never thought I’d see the day where I was hoping that Northcott wouldn’t do something terribly stupid—at least until after the holidays are over.

Also, the bet about Fawley becoming Headboy is still on—the bloke did become a Prefect. Probably the most capable one of our year, so no surprises there, though I still maintain that his competence is rather unusual for a Ravenclaw. As smart as they claim themselves to be, they are really just a bunch of bumbling fools. Most of them can't seem to find their way out of the book piles they’ve built all around themselves. Looking at their Prefects, I’m sure it’s going to be hilarious to watch Andrew Larson, Astoria Crickett, Samantha Dale, and the Dibble twins scramble to live up to the expectations Hector will undoubtedly set for them, that stupid overachiever.

The Hufflepuff Prefects are as unassuming as expected. You lost the bet on Sweeting becoming one, but honestly, who could have expected Black to choose doormat Arthur Plummly and teacher’s pet Cass Blackwood? Rissa at least has a backbone, and Crouch is probably the meanest Hufflepuff I’ve ever met, but I just can’t wrap my head around Blackwood and Plummly being PREFECTS. I mean, PLUMMLY? Even Pinch-Smedley and Potter were a wiser choice. Honestly, I don’t have much hope for the Hufflepuff Prefects this year. Morrison isn’t much better than Blackwood, and while I personally appreciate Ezra being a Prefect (it’s always nice to have family in good positions, even if it’s just a fifth cousin becoming a Hufflepuff Prefect) we both know that he’s not known for having a backbone either.

The firsties are going to eat them alive, I swear.

Or Reyes will.
You should have seen her, Anne! She spent the entire train ride gloating over her badge like that thing gave her any actual power and not just the authority to plan training sessions for some odd twenty students. And then we arrived at Hogwarts. 
She couldn’t really gloat as much during the feast, naturally. Even Reyes is not that dumb. The entire thing took about three hours, the year is pretty big this time around (we have a total of fifty-three firsties; largest House for the third year in a row!), and I could SEE that she was in AGONY trying to hold in her bragging. You should have seen her during the longest head stall—this little Hufflepuff (a Brown, I think) took almost five minutes and I swear Reyes was about to turn actually PURPLE. She looked about ready to riot when Fig came in at the last minute with a new student. Tiny thing, maybe a third year, went to Ravenclaw—the important part is that, after the newbie got sortet, Black stood up and told the entire Hall that Quidditch was CANCELLED this year!
I swear, at least half the student body was trying not to laugh at Reyes’ face—at least once we got over our own shock, that is. As much as I love Quidditch, I would give it up in a heartbeat to see that expression again! It was absolutely glorious! I heard from Priscilla that Reyes locked herself into her dorm room and cried. Kat was pretty annoyed that she couldn’t get into HER dorm because of that, so I imagine the next few days will be quite interesting for everyone. I expect a lot of yelling over the next few days. Joshua already asked a House-Elf to provide snacks for the show. As you can see, he takes his new duties very seriously indeed.

I’ll be sure to keep you updated on that. Personally, I’m looking forward to seeing Kat tear Reyes to shreds for locking her out—everyone knows not to get between Katerina Ignatova and her beauty sleep.

Good night and sleep well,
Sebastian

Anne,

I can hear Sebastian chuckling to himself as he writes, so I am assuming he is penning a letter to you as well. Knowing you, I am certain that you will read my own letter first, so I will endeavour to provide as much accurate information as I can before you go on to read his crazed ramblings.

The train ride was terrible without you.

I know that Sebastian will most likely blame the awfulness on Reyes once again making a nuisance of herself, but I believe we both know the truth. Reyes would have made herself a thorn in our sides even if the Headmaster had not named her as Slytherin’s Quidditch Captain; we are all aware of that fact. The true reason the train ride ended up being terrible was because you could not be there with us.

It has not yet been a day without you, yet I still find myself sorely missing your presence.

I am certain Sebastian will not breathe a word of it, but he has been moping since we met up this morning. He is trying to hide it from me, but I am merely blind, not stupid. It has been less than a day, but I can already tell that Hogwarts will never be the same without you.

There are quite a few differences as a whole this year, I fear. I already anticipated some changes due to the added pressure of our upcoming O.W.L.s, but it seems that I have failed to realise just how much the appointment of Prefects would affect our year. Not that I was not anticipating some kind of controversy; I am the treasurer of the betting ring after all, but it seems like I failed to comprehend just how personally some people would take their appointment—or their lack thereof. I am certain that Sebastian will provide you with more than enough information on Reyes’ particular situation, and he might complain about the choices made for the Prefects, but I would like to believe that I have long since come to know what type of information it is you value the most.

First of all, just to get the information out of the way, a new student has joined our year. I heard quite a few people comment on her short stature, but do not believe whatever foolish thing Sebastian might tell you as a result. While I might have been unable to learn this new girl’s name, I have managed to gather quite a bit of other information. Namely the fact that she is to join our year as a fellow fifth year despite lacking any form of previous magical education. Even more curiously, though, is the fact that I overheard Professor Fig tell Professor Weasley that they have been attacked by a dragon on their way to the castle.

Sadly, that is the extent of my knowledge as of now, although I am certain that I will have far more information available by tomorrow.

Second of all, as I already stated, Reyes has indeed been appointed as Slytherins’ new Quidditch Captain, as we feared. Luckily, Headmaster Black has banned Quidditch this year after last year’s incident, so she will not have much room to abuse her newfound power for this year.
In addition to that, I have a list of our years’ Prefects for you:

For our own House, there are Katerina Ignatova, Grace Pinch-Smedley, and Violet McDowell for the girls, as well as Winston Edwards, Isaik Prafectus, and Joshua Yaxley. Which means you lost four Knuts since I was not appointed.
In Ravenclaw, the Prefects are exactly as you predicted—Andrew Larson, Eric and Maria Dibble, Hector Fawley, Astoria Crickett, and Samantha Dale. I am almost impressed by how accurate your guesses were this year. I would have been impressed if you had not completely failed in your predictions of the Hufflepuff Prefects, that is.
Arthur Plummly, Ezra Lloyd, Nathaniel Crouch, Cassandra Blackwood, Charlotte Morrison, Sacharrissa Tugwood. I have to admit that I agree with Sebastian on his assessment here—I cannot imagine what the Headmaster must have thought to make this particular selection and I cannot help but fear that he made a grave mistake in his choice this year. As you know, this means that you lost a Sickle for getting every single prediction wrong.
That is almost more impressive than your previous success.
Lastly, the Prefects for Gryffindor are once again close to your predictions. Ciprian McLaggen was chosen instead of Prewett, but aside from that, you were right: Eric Northcott, Marius Longbottom, Clarice Potter, Leonora Abbott, and Sahina Shafiq. 

All in all, that means you lost one Sickle and eight Knuts. But since you also somehow managed to win three entire Sickles, I will send you your winnings with this letter instead. Congratulations.

Third of all, House Slyhterin has gained a total of fifty-three first-year students and is once again the largest House for the third year in a row. To be honest, it was close—Hufflepuff got fifty-one students themselves and Ravenclaw also has fifty new students total. Fifty one if we were to count the new fifth-year girl. Only Gruffindor is smaller, with only forty students.
I have to admit that I am rather pleased with that development.
As much as the constant rivalry between the Houses annoys me, I cannot deny being pleased at seeing the Gryffindors at the bottom of any given list.

I will send you another letter tomorrow, hopefully with more information on the new fifth-year and her dragon, as well as both of our schedules. 

I wish you a pleasant night.

Your friend,
Ominis

Dear Miss Potter.

My name is Lord Corvinus Gaunt the Second, Head and Lord of the Ancient and Noble House of Gaunt, progeny of the great Founder Salazar Slytherin himself, and one of the last living descendants of the brilliant Callum Peverell.
Due to your young age you might not be aware of it, but the man you yourself and the whole Potter Family appear to be descendants of, Ignatius Peverell, was a younger brother of my own Ancestor. As such, the Noble House Gaunt, as the older line, has a greater claim to the Peverell Name than the much younger line of House Potter. We, of course, do not fault a young child like yourself for not knowing your place, but I am afraid that we cannot possibly let this matter stand as it is.

The House of Gaunt has a rightful claim to both the Peverell Name and Assets.

As already stated, we, the Noble House of Gaunt, cannot blame an uneducated child for their misgivings, but I am afraid that should you not hand over our rightful inheritance to their lawful recipients, we will see ourselves forced to sue you to obtain what should have always been ours.
I hope you will come to make the right decision regarding this very important matter.

I look forward to receiving your positive answer in the near future.

Yours sincerely,
Lord Corvinus Gaunt the Second
Head of the Ancient and Noble Hause of Gaunt, Descendant of Salazar Slytherin, Heir of Slytherin, Descendant of Callum Peverell, Member of the British Wizengamot.

Dear Mister Gaunt,

I, of course, understand why this matter is of such great importance to you. I hate nothing more than to see someone’s belongings being stolen because of someone else’s greed, so I tell you this with all sincerity I have in my heart: FUCK OFF.
I am the one and only rightful Lady Peverell, chosen by Magic Herself to bear both the Name of the Family and the role as its Head of House and I will not be threatened out of what is rightfully MINE by an incompetent ninny who cannot even do his research properly. Here’s a tip for the future, dipshit: your Ancestors’ name was Cadmus Peverell, not Callum. Just as my own ancestor was called Ignotus Peverell, not Ignatius.
If you want to threaten someone into giving up their inheritance, at least have the bloody brains to do it right, you gormless git!
I’m only going to say this once: Keep your greedy little paws off of my shit! This is MY rightful inheritance, MY rightful title, and MY rightful name. You don’t have the right to own ANYTHING, and if you don’t stop trying, I fear that I will find myself forced to sue YOU.

I look forward to never hearing from your dumb arse ever again.

Yours sincerely,
Lady Alya Azalea Potter-Peverell
Head of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Peverell, Heir of Gryffindor, Descendant of Ignotus Peverell, Member of the British Wizengamot.

Dear Lady Peverell.

I had intended not to bother you while you are still getting used to the wizarding world and Hogwarts with all its classes, but I fear that will no longer be possible now.
My name is Lord James Edward Potter, Head of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter and Head of the British Auror Office, and as you might be able to guess, one of the many things I’d like to speak to you about is our shared family name. I would hate for false assumptions to stand between us.
That being said, I do not wish to pressure you into a meeting. As previously mentioned, I had no intention of contacting you until you are more settled, so this meeting will only happen at your discretion.

I will be delighted to hear from you whenever you are ready to do so.

Yours sincerely,

Lord James Edward Potter

Head of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter, Head of the British Auror Office, Member of the British Wizengamot.

⏃

Dear Lord Potter.

I apologise if the lateness of my reply has made you feel ignored. I had been under the impression that the words “at your discretion” might imply some kind of leeway, but that seemed to have been my mistake. That being said, I would appreciate it if you could refrain from sending your grandson as a communications liaison in the future and simply send me another letter yourself if you have something to say to me.

Regarding your request for a meeting, recent circumstances may make it necessary for the two of us to meet far sooner than my personal feelings on the matter would have preferred. If it is agreeable with you, I would like to suggest meeting for lunch on the next Saturday, October 18th.

Yours sincerely,

Lady Alya Peverell

Head of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Peverell, Member of the British Wizengamot.

⏃

Dear Lady Peverell.

I apologise if my grandson made you uncomfortable. I will endeavour to follow your preference for personal communication in the future.

If it is amenable to you, I would like to suggest meeting at the Gilded Griffin in Hogsmeade for an early lunch, let us say at 11:30? Should you agree, I will reserve a table under my name for the given time and date.

I await your prompt reply.

Yours sincerely,

Lord James Edward Potter

Head of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter, Head of the British Auror Office, Member of the British Wizengamot.

⏃

Dear Lord Potter.

I hereby agree to the suggested time and place of our meeting.

Yours sincerely,

Lady Alya Peverell

Head of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Peverell, Member of the British Wizengamot.

Dear Mum,

I know that this letter is never going to reach you. I don’t doubt that these letters usually do reach their recipients; don’t misunderstand, but we both know that this one can’t. You’re not dead. You haven’t even been born yet, after all.
But I think writing this letter will still do me some good. I’m sure Doctor Martens would be proud of me.

I… I don’t think I ever got to thank you. You’d probably say that it’s unnecessary, but you are the only reason I’m still alive. You died so I could live, and that action didn’t just save me that first time but far too many times after.
So, thank you. You deserve to hear it.

I miss you.
Back home, I at least knew that you were watching over me. That I could reach you through the stone if I absolutely had to. Now… you’re just gone. I’m the only person who even knows that you exist.
It helps that I look more like you now.
I can’t say that I don’t miss the Potter hair in some really strange way, but it’s nice to look in the mirror and recognise parts of you in myself. I know it wasn’t intentional on their side, but Sirius and Remus mostly talked about Dad. I guess that’s kind of natural as well—I looked like him. Everyone talked about him more than you, even Snape did, and he was supposed to be YOUR friend. I guess… It’s nice to finally have a connection to you other than Aunt Petunia of all people.

I’m sorry about my name.
I know that it’s not MY fault, but I’m still sorry. I can’t say that I miss being Helena Potter all that much, but it is the name that you gave me, and I hate that I lost it. I like the name I have now as well, though. My middle name is Azalea now, you know? I know that you aren’t the biggest fan of these flower names yourself, but it makes me feel closer to you. Like I belong.

You’ll never get this letter, I know that, but I just really want you to know that I love you. I love you so, so much, and I miss you.

Love, your daughter

Helena

⏃

Dear Dad,

I love you. I don’t think I ever got to tell you that. I love you and I miss you, and I’m so, so thankful for you. For your sacrifice. For keeping me alive.
And I hope you know that.
This letter will never reach you; you’re not actually dead, so you will never read these words, but I would like to believe that you know. I have to believe that you know.

I’ve finally met other people from the Potter family. Well, just two. Another James Potter, the current Lord, and your grandfather, Henry. I think the family tree I saw said that he was still alive when you were a kid, so you probably know him far better than I do. Or ever will. It hurts to look at him. He looks so much like you, I’m almost scared I’ll call him “Dad” by accident should I ever let my guard down around him.
The other James invited me over for Samhain, but I don’t think I’m comfortable with that. I mean, I’m here, so I’m definitely not comfortable with that, but there are just too many people there that I do not know. Too many strangers claiming to be family.

I’m more comfortable staying at Hogwarts with my friends.
I think you’d like them, even if half of them are Slytherins. They’re a chaotic bunch. Not in the way you Marauders were, I think… Maybe a bit less playful and more… feral. That’s honestly the best word I can think of. I shudder at the thought that, in some reality, Ominis might have met Sirius at some point. They both love making their smartass comments. Garreth always reminds me of the Weasley twins, just with fewer pranks and more “insane scientist” somewhere in there. I’m not even sure if you know what that means…

It’s stuff like this that reminds me what I was robbed of. There are so many things that I should know about you and about Mum, and I hate that I will never be able to learn.

It makes me miss you even more.
I wish you were here.

Love you,

Helena

⏃

Dear Padfoot,

I’m sorry.
I know that you’d probably tell me that I have nothing to be sorry for, that your death wasn’t my fault, but I still want to say it. I’ve had both enough therapy sessions and battles to know that there was no way to do anything about that spell. But it is my fault that we were there in the first place. I’m the one who stepped into that trap.
Knowing you, you probably couldn’t care less, but this guilt… It’s been eating me alive. You were the closest thing I ever had to an actual family, and I am to blame for your death.

And I’m sorry that you never got your freedom. That Peter got away. That you were forced to live in that house again.

Did you know that I got you pardoned after the war? I guess the fact that Kingsley was the Minister helped a lot, so I’m not sure how much credit I should really be taking, but what matters is that you did get your pardon. They stripped Peter of his stupid Order of Merlin and awarded the thing to you. Can you believe that? It all felt a little half-hearted, but at least no one’s cursing your name any more.

Did you know that I have a Black name now? For some reason, the inheritance test at Gringotts decided that my name is now Alya. It’s not too bad, I think. I mean, the name itself is lovely or whatever. What I mean is that I’m fine with being called Alya, despite the fact that I miss being called Helena as well. Don’t tell dad, but… You were the closest thing I ever came to having a father. A very, very irresponsible father, but a father nonetheless. The only one I can remember. Having this name, Alya… it reminds me of you. You know, like some kind of weird amalgamation of my three parents—Alya for you, Azalea for Mum, and my last names obviously come from Dad. It makes me feel a little bad for Remus, but I guess it is what it is, huh?

It makes me wish you were here.
Did you know that I almost named my newest pet after you? He’s an ACTUAL grim, and not just some kind of wannabe dog. You would have liked him, I’m sure.

I miss you, and I love you.
Yours, Helena

⏃

Dear Moony.

I’m sorry.
I’ve failed you. You and Tonks trusted me to take care of Teddy, to be there for him, and I’m… I know that I had no control over this entire time-travel bullshit, and I also know that Andy is probably taking better care of the little one than I ever could, but I still feel like I failed you.
I’m so, so sorry.
I’m sorry about Teddy, and I am sorry you had to die. Yes, yes, it’s not my fault, whatever—I’m still sorry. You deserve to be with your son, and Teddy deserves to be with his parents. 

He likes copying me, you know?
Usually, he just copies the hair colour of the person he wants to be held by (it’s always fun when he goes Weasley red, absolutely hilarious), but he almost always has green eyes. It’s rather flattering, to be honest. 

He was starting to talk when I last saw him. Andy insists that his first word was ‘granny’, but I kind of doubt that. The first thing I heard him say was moon… he’s not like you, you know? Not a werewolf. Your fears didn’t come true. The worst thing he does is get a little grumpy around the full moon—he almost never sleeps through on those nights, but he settles easily enough in company. He loves my Animagus form. Not as good for cuddles as Padfoot, I’m sure, but he never complains.
When I… left, Teddy was starting to learn my name. Or I would at least like to believe that he was trying to say my name. He’s got some trouble with the ‘H’, and the ‘N’ isn’t really coming out either, so he mostly just calls me Lea. I don’t mind, of course. It’s the first real nickname anyone’s ever given me. Hermione and Ron tried Lena for a while, but it never really stuck, as you know, so Lea is nice.

He never tried mum.
I had a long talk about it with Andy, only months after the battle. She asked me whether or not I wanted to be a mother figure for Teddy, and I… Honestly, I still don’t know the answer, even now that it’s most definitely too late. I’m too young to be a mother. I was too young back when I was still nineteen, and I’m definitely too young now that I’m fifteen again. But I also never wanted to replace Tonks.
I want both of you to know that.
Andy and I had agreed that we would let Teddy decide what to call me once he’s older—once we both are older. When he actually knows the story and is old enough to make a decision himself. Not that it matters now… I guess I just really want you to know how sorry I am for leaving Teddy and that I never wanted to replace either of you.

I miss you.
I don’t think I ever told you, but I love you like the uncle you should have always been. I don’t blame you for that; do not misunderstand (I blame Dumbledore, not you). You are my uncle in every way that matters, and you will forever remain my favourite teacher, though Professor McGonnagal is obviously a strong contender for the spot as well. You’re my role model, though, as a teacher. You were what I tried to be for the DA and what I’m trying to be for my friends now, in this new timeline.

I’m going to create a better life for you. I need you to know that.
Greyback will never be able to lay a hand on you or anyone else. I don’t want you to be cursed with that horrible sickness (yes, it IS a sickness; get that through your thick skull, damn it!) ever again, and should I fail, I will at least make sure that your circumstances will be much better.

I love you, Uncle Remus. I miss you.
Yours, Helena