My Dearest Elisabeth,

Okay, harsh, sorry, I really meant it as a joke (not the other thing, well, the other thing too but right now I’m referring to chastising you for not writing to me.) Why don’t we start over before you end up with anger lines all over your beautiful face, okay? Hello, my lovely cousin, I am happy to receive your letters whenever you feel ready to talk to me, but until then I will wait here patiently with a smile.

Well, let me tell you, the sorting ceremony was a disaster for one. One girl fainted after she got sorted into Slytherin, mind you, though I’m pretty sure that’s a medical condition not that she was horrified at the prospect of being a snake. Then, that girl’s cousin? Aunt? I’m not quite clear on their family’s tree if I’m honest, threw a whole tantrum in front of the whole Great Hall like she was no older than Jean-Marie because she was sorted into Ravenclaw instead of Hufflepuff. And I was thinking - that hat did you a favor, could you imagine being a Hufflepuff? Embarrassing. Okay, that was a joke don’t tell my Hufflepuff friends. Anyway, come next morning there’s rumors flying about another first year in Ravenclaw who went feral and attacked a seventh year girl for no reason and lost their house so many points I doubt their house will ever regain its dignity. So as I said, the first years this year are unstable.

So, speaking of Quidditch, the roster was released today and it seems I made it as Keeper, which Laurent would be proud of, wouldn’t he? Even if you think it’s an absolutely barbaric sport, I would appreciate it if you could see if mother can bring you to at least one game, even if you can’t stay the whole time. And you’re right, I was indeed lamenting about my hectic schedule and my father certainly will not be pleased once I tell him about this, but it was sort of a bet between me and a friend that I could beat him at Quidditch and it led to me trying out. In all fairness, I didn’t expect to make the team so honestly I’m blaming him for this. I’ll make sure my grades stay up and I will keep up with my studying; I just may have to rearrange my timetables a little bit and cut back on my participation in my various clubs.

I’m happy to hear that you are adjusting well and even if you say that you don’t miss her, I’m also happy to hear that Aunt Beatrice still misses you enough to send you things. You know, despite everything, she’s still your mother and I know my mother worries about me more than she should so yours probably does too. Let me know if there’s anything I can do from here to help you over there, of course! And you have now intrigued me; what bold thing did you do and from one to ten how worried should I be? And of course I won’t tell anyone - I wouldn’t do anything to upset you (on purpose).

Your loving cousin,
Dorian Rosier

P.S. All academic materials on alchemy and potions will be sent post haste!