The small advertisement in Witch Weekly contained the heading IF YOU NEED A FRIEND. Henrietta could not tell if Hermione reading the advertisement out loud or her husband following with a suggestion that she might write in was intended to be supportive and comforting or cruel. It was clear to her that they had planned this little performance of stumbling across the advert and spinning it in Henri's direction. Did Hermione think that having someone to write letters to would do her good, or were they only tired of her taking up space in their parlor? Letter writing was one of the very few hobbies they could encourage a young woman in mourning to take up. In either case, she supposed she couldn't blame them. She did take up a good deal of space, without contributing much of anything to their household. She wondered idly where she would go when Hermione and her husband grew tired of her, assuming that Holden didn't want her back? To Hortense's house? To a more distant relation?

She didn't react to her sister and brother-in-law's performance in the moment, but later when they had left the house on a social call she crept back to the parlor and copied down the details from the ad.

12.22.1891

Dear Mysterious Friendly Letter Writer,

I saw your advertisement in Witch Weekly for someone to exchange letters to and if you are still seeking penpals, I can perhaps offer my services. I am too much confined to the house at present to do much of interest so I find myself with an abundance of time on my hands. May I ask what led you to place the ad? Or more precisely, what you are looking for in a writing companion?

Sincerely,
- H -

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Rune made this! <3

23 December, 1891

H,

Your services would be very much appreciated. It's been too long since I'd had a regular correspondence partner. I spent much of my youth abroad, you see, and I nearly always had someone to correspond with. Writing keeps the mind healthy, don't you agree? And like yourself, I'm in a phase of my life where I find myself stuck indoors. My excuse is rather a long story—what's yours?

Sincerely,
Weatherby

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12.27.1891

Dear Weatherby,

Sorry for the delay in response. Christmas, et cetera. I also spent my youth abroad (well; if you can call my past "my youth" when I am still rather young) but I have the sense from your letter that you were traveling, while I was not. I was raised in the South of France with my father; it's fashionable I think for English men to marry French wives but my parents were unfashionable and did the opposite. In any case, I've now come to England to live with my sister while my father's house is entirely remodeled, and apparently nothing at all of interest happens in this country in the winter. Between that and not knowing anyone here, I've found myself quite lonely. That's my excuse — and now that I've shared it, what's yours?

Sincerely,
- H -

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Rune made this! <3