My Dearest Elisabeth,

My life is boring without you in it, etc. etc., you know the drill. How come you have yet to write to me? I’ve been at Hogwarts for a little over a week and I haven’t gotten a single letter. Are they holding you hostage there at PSYR? Or are you still angry at me for what happened before I left? Because if you’re still mad at me for that I told you it was just a test and I thought it would be funny. At least that bruise you gave me managed to heal up before anyone asked why I needed a beauty charm on my eye.

Anyway, I’m doing rather well so far here at Hogwarts; met the two new prefects for Slytherin, got the first years settled (or at least I hope so - the new set seems rather unstable), and even tried out for Quidditch. Which, that’s a long story but I just finished that up like an hour ago and my arms still hurt from swinging that beater’s bat among the rest of the trials. Are you allowed to come visit from PSYR? Maybe you could come see one of the games if I make the team (I will need all the support I can get).

Are you doing okay where you’re at? Not missing home too much, I hope? Aunt Beatrice said she’d send you plenty of treats just like she does for me, so it shouldn’t be too hard on you. I know it’s not as fun there as you would have hoped, but hopefully this time you’ll fit in better, if you know what I mean. I hope your roommate is nice. Write back, please! If you do, I’ll send you a copy of my potion's homework.

Your loving cousin,
Dorian Rosier

Dorian,

Imagine me having a life that does not revolve around you. I’ve been busy, obviously, it seems you haven’t. I was fully intending to write to you when I got the chance, but getting settled into PSYR has taken me some time. And regarding you know what, I’d rather not go into that so if your intention to write to me was to find out if I regret what I did in retaliation to what you did, the answer is absolutely not and your so called joke was not in the least bit funny.

Unstable? Unstable how? Please, do tell. There’s been no such thing as gossip around here so far and I’m rather bored out of my mind. But, it doesn’t surprise me any; my father always said the English had lower standards for their students than we did. But also you must tell me what on earth possessed you to try out for Quidditch! Were you not just lamenting how busy you were this year? I hardly think your father would approve of you tossing away your academics so you could play some frivolous game (which, I think is rather barbaric, if you want my honest opinion. Laurent knows this as well). However, as I do love you, I might see one of your games if it fits into my schedule and Aunt Ophelia is willing to take me. The Headmistress keeps us rather busy here and I only have so much free time.

As for me, I’m doing as well as one would hope. PSYR is no Bellerose, but it’s not terrible and so far I haven’t felt any sort of hatred toward any of my peers, which is nice. We shall see how long that lasts, of course. My mother has indeed sent me plenty of things to remind me of home, though truthfully I didn’t expect her to think of me after everything; she hasn’t really said two words to me since telling me to behave myself before we left the Château in July. No matter, I don’t miss her as much as I thought I might and it’s only for two years, yes? Unless something changes. Like the fact I did something rather bold and I will tell you only if you swear to keep it quiet because I haven’t decided yet if I wish to proceed. I hope this letter is sufficient - send me your Alchemy work as well, please!

Your loving cousin,
Miss Elisabeth Champagne

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!

Dorian,

Oh dear! That sounds terrifying, I hope that poor girl is okay. The one that fainted, I mean. I wonder why her parents sent her to Hogwarts if she has such a medical condition; my mother would insist I was too fragile if I was her. As for her ambiguous family member, you must forgive her for her reaction, I know it’s improper and I would never think to do such a thing, but she is but a child. Being away from home must frighten her, and I rather think I understand how she feels. Though, I don’t quite know what to say about the girl who attacked another, that sounds highly inappropriate, no matter the reason she used to justify it. Perhaps the governesses in Great Britain need more training? I can’t imagine how they managed to keep their jobs if their charges are behaving in such a manner after they are sent away to school. And of course, your secret hatred for Hufflepuffs is safe with me, after all, who would I tell even if I wished to? I don’t know any of your friends because you’ve failed to introduce me to any of them.

Should I congratulate you? I suppose I should, it would be polite. Congratulations for being an idiot, Dorian. Your father is going to be furious when he hears about this and you’re going to end up having an overloaded schedule. Trust me, I get you wanting to play, I don’t blame you, I know you and Laurent are fond of that barbaric game, and I support you playing it for fun during the summer, but I know how much pressure you are under already with your classes, clubs, and other responsibilities and I don’t want to see it crush you. And the fact you did this all because of some stupid bet? That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. But, if you’re going to do it, I certainly can’t stop you and because I love you, I’ll go to your stupid games if I can and I’ll defend your decision when Uncle Lucien inevitably sends you a howler over it because you and I both know he will, but I’m not going to like it.

Yes, yes, I know my mother loves me, but we can still not like the ones we love and I’ve got a feeling after what I did at Bellerose, she doesn’t like me; best I can do is stay out of trouble here and hope she forgives me for my mistake. And of course, I shall pester you for anything I may need. As for what I did, I wrote a letter to whomever handles applications for the Flint Institute. You told me how your friend, Miss Flint, handles both her debutante duties and still attends lessons and I think that I can do that too if given the opportunity. Mr. Flint wrote back and told me I need my father’s permission, of course, but otherwise I could perhaps take an aptitude test so even if I don’t have my O.W.L.s, I might be able to still attend lessons. But I’ll need your help writing to my father about it because he’ll never agree if I ask him alone. I know I just got done yelling at you over Quidditch and your father but this is different because you’re just being stupid and I’m talking about my future being more than being a society wife.

Your loving cousin,
Miss Elisabeth Champagne

P.S. Aunt Ophelia said yes!! She’s taking me to the Ministerial Debate!!

My Dearest Elisabeth,

The girl who fainted, Rose? Daisy? Something floral, anyway, her elder sister is in the year ahead of me in Slytherin so I imagine she’ll be keeping an eye on her this year. That family is huge and our Head of House is her grandfather? I think? Again, still very confused about that whole family tree, so she’ll be fine. I was one of the few at our house table who wasn’t set on condemning the one who had a meltdown at the sorting, figuring the same as you, but she’s Ravenclaw’s problem now so I likely won’t be seeing much of her anyway. But, maybe you have a point about the English governesses - I wouldn’t know as mine were all French and all quite terrifying. Do you remember Mlle. Granger? I think I still have scars from her ruler. Also, I would have introduced you but they were busy and so was I in case you forgot.

I love how at the end of your letter you ask me for my help but you spend an entire paragraph calling me an idiot; you’re really lucky that I’d do anything for you. Maybe I did do it for a dumb reason, but I’m confident that I can make it work and it might take some convincing but I’m sure even father will see that having something fun to do in between all my coursework will be beneficial in the long run. It’s not like I’m running off to become a Quidditch star; I’m still going to the Flint Institute after graduation and then starting as a healer trainee and eventually Director of St. Mungos. That’s not changed a bit. But, my dearest Elise, I do appreciate you’ll still come to my games if you can; you’ll be my lucky charm.

That certainly was bold of you, but I have always supported your ambitions and this has not changed, even if you think I’m an idiot. I think it would be fun if you and I could be classmates at the Flint Institute if you are permitted to attend and you’d manage it on top of your debutante duties with ease. And I suppose I can write a letter to Uncle François and soften him up a bit before you ask, though it would be beneficial if you’d ask my father as well as he is much easier to convince and having his approval will help your case. However, I do have one thing to remind you of that might throw a bit of a wrench in your plans. You’re betrothed to a pompous arse who would never let you continue your education once you get married, and once you get married, you will need his permission.

Apologies for dampening the mood a bit there, but you can't get too ahead of yourself without considering that. Nevertheless, I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day and I’m happy to hear mother is taking you to the debate so you can see Miss Whitledge. Let me know how it goes!

Your loving cousin,
Dorian Rosier