17 June, 1894
Rex,I would rather you allow me to believe that you're spending your summer engaging in all sorts of tomfoolery, just so I could live vicariously through you. Even though I know it is best for my future prospects that I spend my summer here, I do find myself reminiscing on previous summers when our only worry was whether or not we would have something fun to share with our house-mates when we returned to Hogwarts. Is it not funny that we spend our childhood wishing adulthood would come sooner, only to crave the simplicity of childhood once we come of age? Don't misunderstand me—I do like Pendergast's and the lessons and the structure of it all, but it does make me nervous when I think about what's to come next summer.
I do feel a few day with you and Sirius later this summer might cure me as well.
I am glad that you're so enthusiastic about your studies. Alchemy is far beyond my repertoire; I still cringe when I think of my Potions OWL and am proud to say I have not touched a cauldron since [Herbology professor] made us use one as a planter at the beginning of sixth year. I probably would have benefited from another year (or three, or four) of magical theory, but at least in magic-intensive NEWT-level classes I like to think it is baked into the curriculum.
I know I am eager to return for one last year of Transfiguration. It is difficult to continue my animagi studies here with the constant teas and dinners to disrupt the cycle, but I am confident that I have built the resilience to at least attempt a transformation by the end of next school year. It would be a feat, would it not?
Always yours,
P.S. You could do with penmanship practice as well. Work on crossing your 'T's more evenly.