I hope you're not too buried beneath Mount Paperwork or the Ireland fiasco today. A perk of not being permitted to work (and they are so very few) is not having to the Old Fart's work. Maybe I'll get lucky and he'll retire before I'm back. Doubtful.

In the interest of starting over, I propose we stick to letters until my activities are a little less monitored. Your brother is one of the aurors keeping watch on my flat, I think anyway, and you were right. I can't risk losing my job for impropriety, no matter how much I'd like to. Plus, the little personal knowledge I know about Gabe tells me he wouldn't let either of us live it down.

Thank you for my scarf and socks back. I had gotten rather attached to the scarf and it's already back to keeping me warm.

How much trouble do you think we would get into if I assisted you with Mount Paperwork? I can fake my way through ministry reports like none other. My younger brother just started as a first year as well. Can't believe he's already old enough to attend school. Kieran and I meant to see him off, but you know why that didn't happen.

Malou is as protective as ever. The other day I had reopened the wound on my toes and she wouldn't allow me to tend it them myself. For the best, I suppose. I do have to say her working still is probably best for our friendship, I can get a bit snippy when I'm under house arrest.

Honestly, I'm not sure if I have or not. My hands aren't cold to the touch anymore, but I am staying bundled nevertheless. You learn not to take warmth for granted when you're that cold.

Please, send me an old case file. As much as I love reading (the detective novel is interesting, by the way!) I would kill for something truly challenging. Something that requires thought and focus. That would make my forced vacation much more interesting. What do I win if accurately decipher the shorthand?

So weird. I still remember teaching him how to walk, and now he's off to school. Don't blink, I guess.

Oh, I wouldn't dare fight her on healing matters. She has fixed me up on more than one occasion, and I've long since learned her word is law. Malou is also the chef in our house, so if I piss her off I won't get fed. I may be tiny, but I have an appetite as large as a horse. (Oh, how I miss the Hogwarts feasts!)

I'm quietly dreading it. Lots of blankets and layers to avoid the fireplace for a while yet. I'm hoping that if I keep my back to it it won't haunt me as much. I spent a lot of time in the cave staring at the flames while Mr. MacFusty slept, and, considering how ill he was, he slept a lot.

As long as you don't wind up in the beast division she might still be able to check in on you. She knows how to heal just about anything after dealing with me all this time. I know a few things too, rudimentary field first aid. She's always horrified by my work, but it gets the job done.

That's good to know. I ... cannot cook. At all. I've tried many, many times and it doesn't end up well. Cleaning is more my speed, which works out well with her and I. What's it like living in a boarding house?

This case file is intense with the shorthand. Definitely a challenging puzzle, especially when accompanied by wine. (Only one glass, my senses are not at all dulled. You can tell your brother that if he asks.) I'm going to enjoy figuring out the cipher tomorrow.

A friend of mine claims to be very talented at transfiguration, maybe I'll ask them for help when it time. Charms can't be too difficult for a transfiguration master.

Good luck with the flat! I'm very grateful to not live in a boarding house. Ours is in London, though. Either way, privacy is a great privilege and I hope you two do well together!

Enjoy your early morning. Perhaps the only perk of this all is being able to sleep in without complaint. I'm still survivingly solely on coffee, though. Talk to you soon.

Not too many. Won't deny that I'm trouble. I did go missing for a week, after all.

Your mother is a wise woman. I'll trade some cleaning charms for warming ones if you need. Clutter is the bane of my existence. Only thing I allow in terms of clutter are books. I could make a table out of my book collection, or a Christmas tree even. Haven't had time like this to read in years, though.

If I had the choice I would sleep in until noon daily. Malou knows not to try and talk to me until I've had at least one cup of coffee. The case file is interesting. I think I've deciphered two of the abbreviations. There's one I think I'll need a better frame of reference for. It's certainly complex.

Tybalt? As in Tybalt Kirke? He was my year mate. I enjoyed the few chats we had, he's a good man. Nice pick of a roommate. Could've done better in the Quidditch match, though. I don't buy that it was the wind.

I'll do the dishes if you do. Should I save a date on my social calendar? It's very busy, you know.

The continued late nights at the office has allowed my terrible habit to continue. I'm at least tolerable after two cups of coffee?

Yes, it does. Wouldn't be a challenge otherwise. I think I figured out another one. I'll send it back with my notes once I finish for you to look over.

I'm sure it did. Tell him Abernathy says hello next time you see him, it's been ages.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed to be back to work by the end of the month. Your brother probably has more insight there than I do. Supposedly, they have a suspect but no proof. So, we'll see. I'd like to be able to go for a walk freely again without fearing for my life.

There's definitely a few I'm stumped on. The context makes a few different answers possible. 7/10 count as a win? If so, I will claim dinner as my prize.