Blood of Mud, Wing of Bat

Chapter 2: The Dance of the Owls

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Dear Mum,

Whatever they tell you, it was a total accident, not on purpose! Anyway, he deserved it. How can one human being be so incredibly annoying? Georgia sends her love too.

Freida

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To the parents of Freida Weasley:

It is with sincere regret that we report that there has been yet another incident involving your daughter. Said incident also involved a gallon of Everlasting Glue, a crate of live Madagascar Weeping Cockroaches, and the 5th-year son of a member of our Board of Governors. I trust it is not necessary to go into detail. The boy is expected to make a full recovery over time, but his father is furious -- and, I might add, quite capable of making life difficult for us here at the school should he be provoked into doing so. While I do not like to tell parents how to raise their children, I also don't like to recommend expulsion from Hogwarts… particularly in a child's 7th year. Perhaps you could speak to Freida about her behaviour before permanent damage is done? Thank you ever so kindly for your time.

Minxie Sharemore
Gryffindor Head of House
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

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Mum,

Hi, how are you? We love you and miss you. Everything is going well in school. Did you hear about Chris getting onto the Quidditch team? Um, by the way you might hear something from the school about something that happened at lunch today. We had a teensy accident with some glue. It got blown really out of proportion! Practically nothing happened. It only got on one person after all. Of course it was rather inconvenient for him, particularly when things began sticking to him… and everyone started laughing… but anyway I have to go and study now. Hope to write to you again soon!

All my love,
Georgia

P.S. Freida says 'love you' too!

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To Ron and Hermione:

Realizin' that yer very busy and all, I thought this was so important that yeh ought to know. Your young Freida made off with an entire crate of my darl uh, valuable cockroaches and glued them all to another student! Granted that little bast fellow had it coming to him, but think of the poor wee beasties! Kin yeh talk to her about cruelty to our animal friends? And uh, borrowin' without askin' too? Thank yeh and I apologize fer havin' tuh bring this to yer attention.

Hagrid
Keeper of the Grounds
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

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To the Parents of Georgia Weasley:

Don't think I don't know what is going on. The others are too blind to see it, but it's perfectly obvious that oh-so-innocent Georgia is the true ringleader behind your twins' constant mischief and misbehaviour. I wasn't able to catch her red-handed when she stole the Spinneret Powder required for that Everlasting Glue, but rest assured, the next time, I will. When that happens, expulsion will be the least of what befalls her! Perhaps with her out of the picture Freida will finally become controllable. One can only hope.

Arsenius Jigger
Potions Instructor
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

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To the parents of Christopher Weasley:

We are pleased to report that young Mr. Weasley has been accepted as Chaser for the Ravenclaw Quidditch team. This is a great honour and we are certain that Christopher will do a wonderful job. We do hope that he will be able to remain our top student in Potions, Transfigurations, and Charms while maintaining the rigorous Quidditch practice schedule. Congratulations once again.

X. Hooch
Professor of Flying Studies
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

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Dear Mum and Dad,

Guess what! I've been accepted to the Quidditch team! The Slytherin captain tried to claim I only got in because of Dad being famous, but Freida and Georgia shut him up good. Everybody knows he only got on his team because his dad is rich anyway. I really hope that I'll have time to study with all the practices the team has scheduled. I have a Transfiguration essay due in only 12 weeks!

Chris

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To the parents of Jude Weasley:

We are rather concerned about your child's behaviour while at Hogwarts. He has taken an extreme interest in the welfare of his youngest sister and while this is laudable, his method of expressing his protectiveness leaves something to be desired. This morning he observed Nellie enter into an altercation with a 2nd year girl and thought it would be appropriate to pull the 2nd year girl's hair and push her down the stairs. Fortunately, no serious injuries resulted this time, but you can see where we would be concerned. He has been assigned detention for his actions, but we would appreciate it if you could please speak to young Mr. Weasley and let him know that such behaviour can't be tolerated. As a 3rd year he should know better. Thank you.

Missy Crunch
Acting Head of Discipline
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

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Dear Mum,

It's so unfair! Jude got detention for pushing a 2nd year, but he was only defending me! Besides, her brother is a 5th year and he will get his friends to beat up anybody who messes with her, so why shouldn't my brother do the same? Anyway, don't yell at him please? Pretty please? It's my fault, he was just rescuing me from someone really mean.

Love, NellieBellie

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Dear Mum,

I know you're going to be mad when Hogwarts writes to you about stuff I did today. I'm sorry for doing it and I know that bullying is wrong. Before you ask me, NO I don't want to get expelled or suspended! I promise not to pick on any kids smaller than me anymore. It's just that sometimes I get so angry when I see those beastly Slytherins doing it… and to my sister! I felt like I couldn't help myself. Next time I have to try to remember to do those things you told me about like reciting the wizarding elemental tables or telling a Prefect.

Love, Jude

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Weasley,

I realize that some allowances must be made for children raised in a shack and with no proper father, but really. Don't you think they suffer under handicap enough with his name and your bloodlines, without your failing to teach them respect for their betters as well? Mark my words, if this sort of thing happens again you will pay and so will your children. I will not tolerate my family's honour and reputation being compromised by rag-wearing mudblood trash. Have I made myself clear?

Draco L. Malfoy

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Dear Freida and Georgia,

I apologize about the howler earlier but... no, damn it, I was really upset when I got all those owls. How could you be so irresponsible? I know you are very proud of Chris' accomplishments, but it is not, I repeat, not, acceptable to permanently glue cockroaches all over another student just for making fun of him. What if they can never remove them? Did you ever think of that? Now, I have to ask you something very important. The kid with the cockroaches, it wasn't Salazar Malfoy was it?

Love, Mother

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Dear Jude,

Now, you must work hard to control your temper. You and the others inherited it from your father, and him from his father before that, so there's no use in just hoping it will go away. I know it must have been upsetting to see your sister being picked on, but there are times for action and there are times for just letting things lie! After all Nellie must learn to stand up for herself some day alright? Now I have to ask, and please answer truthfully: this 2nd year you pushed down the stairs, it wasn't Lucia Malfoy was it?

Love, Mother

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Dear Honey Bunches,

What is this I hear about you working with Draco Malfoy? I'm sorry about not being able to make it home again last week, but I swear on Merlin's tomb that I will be there tonight. I swear on my Keeper's broomstick! The lads wanted me to go to a resort in Majorca with them, but I told them there was no way, no matter how much fun they planned on having. It's domestic life for me!

Your "Ickle Ronniekins"

P.S. It is just a joke about Malfoy right?

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Dear Ron,

I'm so looking forward to seeing you! I've been so lonely without you. I'm getting the whole house ready for your arrival as I write this. See you soon!

Love, Hermione

P.S. How could you already know about that? I only found out about it myself a few hours ago!

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