I need your honest opinion and advice on a matter! I've told you of my friendship with Mr. Zabini (the cousin of the infamous ones) and how we have been writing. Well, during his most recent letter, he addressed me as 'Dearest Ruby'! The strangest thing is that I sensed something in both my cards and my stars, my Venus is in a favourable position for matters involving human relations.
Oh, I'm probably overthinking this. Do you think I should address him as 'Dearest Savino' in my next letter? We are only but friends, after all. Anything goes between friends, is it not so?
I did a Tarot reading for you before writing you by the way! I sense that you will meet someone new, or experience something new!
"Venus is in a favorable position for matters involving human relations" — Really Ruby, are your sure your feelings for him are completely platonic? Despite your claim that you are "only but friends", the way you fuss over over your correspondence suggests otherwise.
I will answer your question if only to soothe your anxieties. Address him as he as addressed you, no more and no less, but only if you feel comfortable doing so. Surely a grown man would not fault a seventh year for having reservations and I do hope you have some.
Delight
P.S. I don't doubt the accuracy of your tarot reading. I am always meeting new people and having new experiences. It is part of my job, don't you know?
Of course they are completely platonic! The couldn't be anything else. We met at a library and we only talk about Divination. I doubt that he views me in a way that men view women. Besides, he is a Zabini and even though he's never shown signs of being a purist, he probably doesn't view a half-blood as someone he could view that way!
I addressed him as he did me. You are correct, I cannot be faulted for mirroring him!
As for my Tarot reading, I do know that you constantly meet new people, but some are more important than others. Some last. You might meet the love of your life for all you know.
I've never heard a grown man call an unrelated woman by her given name. That's how boys at Hogwarts address their female friends, and even then the etiquette professor used to chastise them for it in class! I cannot fault you for mirroring him, but as your older sister it would be careless of me to encourage correspondence without reminding you to keep your heart guarded. A Zabini or not, men are men. Do not allow him to think you deserve less respect than you do. You know how it would pain me to see you unhappy.
And do not worry your little head about my happiness. I cannot imagine what would make me happier than fixing people's problems for them.
Of course I will protect my heart! My correspondence with Mr. Zabini only involves matters of Divination. We have not talked about anything personal or anything of that sort. I know that he is a man, but I doubt he really sees me as a woman. Besides, he is Italian, so that would explain his familiarity. People in the south tend to be warmer.
As for your happiness, as your sister I cannot just stop caring about it!
As long as you stay alert, I can see no reason to continue my fuss. I am glad that you've found someone to talk to about your interests; if I had known you'd be so interested in the divine at your age, I might have taken Divination at the OWL level so I might at least be able to understand half of what you're saying.
I have not met anyone exciting recently, or at least anyone exciting enough to take note of. Most people who find themselves the victims of their own magical accidents are usually exciting people, but far too reckless to consider keeping an acquaintance with).
What did you say my signs were? And what do they say about me?
I appreciate that you do not mock me for my love for Divination, even if you are not passionate about it.
I apologize for not writing sooner, but I worked on making you a birth chart like I do my customers. I'll explain what everything means:
Sun in Capricorn
This means that you are hard working and likely to reach great success in life, which doesn't surprise me in the slightest! Capricorns are the biggest workaholics of the zodiac. You do need to have fun too, you know.
Moon in Taurus
We have that one in common! The moon sign has to do with your emotional self. You want to feel secure and cared for. It is no wonder that we understand each other so well on an emotional level!
Mercury in Aquarius
This sign has to do with how you communicate with others. Aquarians are humanitarians. They think outside the box and have interesting ideas. I believe this shows in your work, which needs of you to think creatively and outside the box.
Venus in Capricorn
That one has to do with matters of the heart. You are practical and tend not to fall head over heels in love, but rather view things in a a more practical light.
Your commentary on Mr. Zabini certainly proves that!
This also means your ideal match would be someone with a heavy Earth representation. A fellow Capricorn or a Taurus or a Virgo.
Mars in Libra
This explains why you're so indecisive, Delight.
Jupiter in Gemini
You have a curious mind and are intellectually prone!
Saturn in Capricorn
The father of the zodiac. You are ambitious and want to succeed in life.
I didn't realize you have such a strong Capricorn presence. It is good, I suppose, that we weren't raised like our Urquart cousins, for I would fear you with all this Capricorn presence.
We all have our interests. But seriously, Ruby, you didn't have to make a whole chart. I'm not even sure what it all means! I won't deny that there's truth in your interpretations, but I think it takes more than the alignment of the stars to turn someone into one of those Urquarts.
Have you read Mr. Zabini's chart? I assume you must have—I can't imagine you would talk about Divination without talking about that. Does it make him out to be a good sort of man? Hopefully a trustworthy, honorable one and not a bigot like his relatives.
The truth is that Mr. Zabini has shared his birth chart with me and we have several placements that hint to high compatibility between us.
His moon (the one about emotions I told you about) is in Capricorn while mine is in Taurus. These are both earth signs and they both seek stability.
The truth is that we do have some aspects that hint to tension, but I chose to ignore them for more favourable ones. For example, his Mars is in Capricorn and this is a favourable aspect for marriage given my sun in Gemini. I'm only saying these things jokingly, of course, to have a bit of fun.
Don't you think I'm making any plans about marrying Mr. Zabini! Not at all! I'm only saying these things as a joke. Don't you get any ideas. He's only a dear friend.
If you were any other person I might read your letter as some elaborate effort to tease me, but I know you.
You may have convinced yourself that you have no intention of seeking anything other than friendship from him, but the moment he hints that his feelings are anything more will be the moment you convince yourself the stars have aligned for a reason.
Fret not for my heart! I am not that reckless and foolish, you know! I wouldn't just run off with Mr. Zabini and give myself to him!
I confess that it is thrilling to have a correspondence with someone as charming and handsome as him, but I realize that he wouldn't view me as a lady.
It's just a bit of fun. I have come to terms that probably nobody would ever want to have me as their wife. I will devote myself to the arts of Divination and he is a stimulating intellectual partner for that.
I am going to pretend that I did not read the first part of your letter.
Someone will take you as a wife one day, I know it. You are sweet, smart, and fun to be around. You don't need to marry some stuffy snob in order to find happiness. Please do be careful who you associate with, even in a professional capacity. I would hate for the perfect man to pass you over because he believes you and Mr. Zabini to be more than mere colleagues. Your happiness is of utmost importance to me.
You worry too much about Mr. Zabini! He isn't a rake like Mr. Fitzroy Prewett or one of those Quidditch players. I think you might be comparing him with the well known Zabinis, but I assure you, he is nothing like them. He is unpretentious and appears to have had a similar upbringing to ours. He just happens to be a Zabini and be related to them like we happen to be Urquarts and be related to Papa's brother and our cousins.
I don't think I'll find someone. It is not that I am seeking to marry someone rich or important. I just feel Iike most good families wouldn't want to have a woman with my reputation. I couldn't bare it to be rejected by someone's family. I think I shall perhaps turn down gentlemen first and not let them come too close. It would do me no good to be looking for a husband like other debutantes would.
Now it sounds like you're trying to justify why you should consider him for marriage.
And do not dare turn down a perfectly good gentleman willing to marry you as you are! Don't you hear yourself, Ruby? As much as Father loves you, I don't think he would appreciate you rejecting suitors simply because you consider yourself undesirable. If I found a good man that I liked, I would not turn him down, so don't you start!
I cannot afford to want a happy ending with the love of my life. It is best to accept my fate and devote myself to ventures in which I may actually succeed.