13th October, 1893

Minnie Mine,

I’m so sorry for not writing to you sooner, I know how much you have worried about me and I can’t imagine how much pain you’re in now as I did read in the paper that your sister passed in the tragedy. I was badly burned and it left me not able to have much use of my writing arm for a long time, only now am I able to write on my own without shaking the parchment too much. But, never fear, I’m recovering well and I will be okay, so there is no need to worry. My mum told me she met you back in September. I imagine you must have been home for your sister’s funeral; I hope she and my father made a good impression on you, even if that’s not exactly the way I wanted you to meet them. It warmed my heart to know you were thinking of me, even with everything going on with your own family - I was thinking of you too.

Because I’m still recovering, I won’t be able to see you in Hogsmeade tomorrow, my father won’t hear of it (though I did ask), but hopefully I’ll be okay by November. I hope you’re keeping your head up, Min, your sister wouldn’t have wanted you to be miserable. Let me know if there’s anything I can do for you.

Yours always,
Elijah

— Jessamine Parkinson —

  

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Beautiful Set by Athena ♡ !

14th October, 1893

El,

I’ve been in such a melancholy haze these past several weeks that I’d feared I’d forgotten how to smile, but seeing your letter arrive this morning showed me that I haven’t. I’m so pleased to hear that you’re recovering well and you mustn’t worry about doing anything strenuous, especially not for my benefit. I shall see you again in November, and if not, I will see you in December and so on; seeing you again is worth the wait.

Your parents were lovely, I promise, though I fear that it is I that made the terrible impression on them. Your father in particular seemed rather cross with me, and I don’t blame him; I made it sound like I was only your tutor and even being your friend was something to be ashamed of. You know I don’t feel that way, of course, but I was afraid someone who did feel that way about what we have would overhear me if I spoke the truth, such as that wretched little bitch, Liliana or, even worse, my father. I hope one day I’m granted the opportunity to show them that I’m not as awful as I may have sounded.

I’m doing my best to keep my head up, though I doubt Wisteria would care if I didn’t because I was so terrible to her when she was alive, and I regret that fact every day. And it’s not just her that I lost, but Mrs. Farbridge, Angelique’s mother, also perished in the attack and I loved her like a second mother; she was always good to me even when Angelique and I didn’t get along, though I think we’re beginning to bond now, which is nice. She even gave me one of her mother's jewelry pieces to have once I’ve graduated.

Chessie insisted I come with her to Hogsmeade and just sit and have tea and that was nice; it’s getting so cool out these days. I prefer Winter, but Autumn has such a nice feel to it too, doesn’t it? Anyway, while I was there, I bought you a book to read while you’re resting. It’s an English translation of a French book by one of my favorite authors; he writes books full of excitement and adventure, so I’m sure you’ll enjoy it very much.

All my love,
Minnie

— enclosed is a new copy of the carpathian castle by jules verne —

  

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