It sounds as though you need more wishes of good luck than I or our brother, to be facing up to poltergeists all the while! I confess I am wary of living under the same roof as old Peeves again, though I do try to keep out of his way.

I also wondered whether a little sisterly embarrassment might do you some good, for I very nearly launched myself off to apparate to you immediately and squish you in a horrible hug for the gloves you sent, possibly in front of all your coworkers. Or perhaps worse, your gaggle of friends. Fortunately for you, that would have meant crossing out of the Hogwarts gates before I could apparate, and you won't be surprised to hear I was too lazy for that. So instead I shall have to deluge you in compliments here, and fawn over you and my gift all at once. Whoever could have a more thoughtful, adorable brother than I?

Joss is Joss, as well as ever. The most that I hear from here is griping about her quidditch team's trials, as usual, though I don't begrudge her for it. It is all rather entertaining.

I haven't any cookies from home, but I have enclosed some iced buns, courtesy of the Hogwarts elves, as a little sustenance to spare you from starvation in the meantime. They might prove a tasty nostalgia of their own.

I must leave you here, for I am about to set down my quill and pull on my lovely new gloves again, and stroke my face with them a while.

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