With the capture of Verandi Farley and several high-ranking Trossach members, the British wizarding world has finally caught a break. The rate of rogue werewolf attacks have started dropping at a steady rate and, hopefully, things will stay that way. The Ministry is starting to loosen some restrictions, like not arresting werewolves standing on the street for loitering, however there’s still an obvious power imbalance between wizardfolk and werewolves.
The Cotswolds pack are continuing to advocate for the rights of werewolves and petitioning to change the legislation that has been set in motion by the current Minister for Magic, whilst the remaining Trossachs members are trying to stay out of the spotlight and keep a low profile… for now.
Whilst the British wizarding world seems to have calmed down, the same cannot be said for over in Northern Europe where a rebellion of magical creatures has risen. The state of things has gotten so bad that the European Ministry has enacted protocols to protect those under eighteen whilst their adult witches and wizards fight to keep control of their countries.
Students from Durmstrang have been sent to Hogwarts to keep them safe and those not old enough to attend school have been sent to live with relatives or designated British Ministry officials outside of Europe for the time being.
Will the low rates of werewolf attacks in Britain continue? How long will Durmstrang students stay at Hogwarts? Will the creatures usurp the wizardfolk in Northern Europe? Only time will tell.
SEPTEMBER 2019 It's been a very long, eventful summer in the wizarding world. A baby was stolen, several high ranking Trossach members were imprisoned, and werewolf attacks have drastically dropped as a result. What will happen now school has returned?
MAY 2019 An attempt to capture the beta of the Trossachs has been launched. Were the Aurors successful in their mission? Go read more here!
I hope that this letter finds you in good health and humour. I have had the opportunity these past months to think about our future as a family and I found myself regretting that we had so little time as a simple dinner to get to know each other.
As a surprise for Vinda, I thought I might reach out to you and converse via owl? For example, I know that you will by now be preparing for your N.E.W.T.s next year and whilst I do not profess to be a tutor, I have mentored many trainee healers in the art of potions and salves. Vinda herself almost rivals my own abilities, but I can offer any knowledge on the subject that you may require - herbology also.
If there is anything that you might need for school, studies or personal use (especially anything you do not feel comfortable requesting from your parents) then please feel free to send me a note - I will arrange its delivery promptly. It is the least I can do for a future brother of mine.
Speaking of family - I hope yours is well? I cannot remember if I asked at dinner about them and for that, I apologise. Do you have siblings, Adrian? If you do not, I apologise if I seem overbearing - although, in truth, it's probably something you should get used to rather early. You did seem to handle Vinda's overbearing nature quite well that night. Not many can, so congratulations on that - it is no small feat.
Post by ADRIAN ANDERSON on Jan 4, 2020 5:14:26 GMT
–16th of February–
Lieber Pierre, Ich hoffe, es geht dir gut. I am pleasantly surprised to receive a letter from my future brother, and I am very grateful for your offers of tutoring me. One of my favourite classes is Herbology but I would never turn down additional things to learn or ways to improve my memory. I'm not quite sure how we'd meet up for tutoring session while I am in school but they would defintely be useful in the holidays between 6th and 7th year. Despite my love for Herbology, I don't do so well in Potions. Perhaps you could recommend some books that may help me use my plant knowledge for potions itself? I am appreciative of your offer to purchase items I may otherwise not be able to access..I may take you up on it one day.
My family is doing well, thank you for asking. My mother fell ill during the holidays but has made a swift recovery with our personal healer. I cannot attest to Vinda being overbearing, she has nothing on my father, and I mean that in the nicest of ways of course. She just likes things to go her way, I think. I don't mind too much. I don't have any siblings, but I am glad that we are making acquaintance as we will be brothers one day soon.
Has Vinda spoken to you about her plans? She wishes to feed our peers a story about us being boyfriend and girlfriend, and then for me to propose romantically. I've known about this for a while, but since you reached out to me, I wonder how you feel about this? Sometimes it makes me dreadfully silly, holding her hand and knowing that it's mostly a farce. Ich würde mich freuen, bald von Ihnen zu hören.
I have now purchased myself an enchanted German translation book - it's quite handy, as I write your words and the ink returns as English. Why am I admitting this to you, rather than claiming to be multi-lingual? I guess it's in anticipation for when we meet next in person; I do not want you to think I can all of a sudden understand your German simply because I understand the written word. Perhaps I should write to the creator of the book; the translation enchantment only works from German to English and not vice versa. Perhaps it's a clever ploy in order to sell more books? I know that is what I would do, if I were the publisher.
In regards to the tutoring - you are very astute for a sixth year. It will be nigh on impossible to give you any meaningful tutoring with the ban on visiting Hogsmeade, given that potion making is a physical artform. There are some tips and tricks to make the preparation of some of the harder potions that little bit easier though that can be properly conveyed via letter, should you need. Come the summer time, I can definitely teach you how to slice, crush and stir with those... very manly hands of yours. I'm sure they're capable of finesse if we work hard on it. I'm sure the quickest way to my sister's esteem is dazzling her with your skill in potions.
I've included in this package a particular favourite of mine - Moste Potente Potions by Phineas Bourne. It is not on the Hogwarts curriculum so I would keep it just between the two of us if I were you. If you can master the potion on page 23, you will handle anything the examiners give you in the N.E.W.T.s . It's ... a personal book so please excuse the notations if they do not prove useful.
I am glad to hear that your family is well. Who is your famiy healer? Perhaps I know of them, or did they come in from Germany especially to assist your parents? I know my Grandmere says she does not trust any 'these useless English healers'... although she did not use the professional terminology it bears not repeating in a letter to a future family member.
Speaking of things going her own way - it is Vinda's 17th in a fortnight. Did you need any pointers on what to get her for her birthday? I must admit, as my baby sister I am prone to spoiling her on her birthday, but if you let me know what you had in mind I will ensure it is a lesser present than yours.
I cannot deny that your revelation about Vinda's approach does not surprise me. As you yourself said, she likes to have her way. I feel for her, really, as her betrothal must be even harder to swallow since Grandmere did not force a... marriage on me. It would be a bitter pill to swallow for an independant woman - please do not think too hard on her. I know that you've already been incredibly accommodating and for that, I thank you.
Do you... think with time the feeling of farce might slip away? I have not asked how you handled the betrothal - do not worry, I promise brotherly confidence in anything you share. Are you ... romantically involved with another girl and just have not been able to tell your parents? I can imagine that would be a difficult situation.
Post by ADRIAN ANDERSON on Jan 14, 2020 15:43:59 GMT
–24th of February–
Lieber Pierre, Vielen Dank für deinen Brief. Ich habe mich sehr darüber gefreut. Don't you think that a book like that is cheating? It is clever, very Slytherin, I think. Was that the house you were sorted in, like Vinda? I do enjoy your honesty, however, and I am glad that you have the means to understand my greetings. Perhaps when I see you next, I can teach you to speak my language and you can show me your skills in plants and potions. Then you won't have to buy that book and waste any money. I think that the charm for changing English into German would be slightly different from German into English, so that could be why it is not included in the same book?
You flatter me too much, Pierre, but thank you. I can't tell you how appreciative I am of your notebook and your promises on working on my potions skills. Your notes are brilliant, especially where you've noted details I've never noticed before. I'll never be a potions master, but I suppose that will be Vinda's job. I can't say I'm the most friendly of people, I've been told that many times now, so I hope that by showing interest and skill in something she's interested in, she will feel closer to me. I hope I'm not overstepping by telling you as much.
The family healer is a man from Germany, yes it seems my family holds the same views about English healers. His name is Stefan Dorner, he actually moved to England before we did. He'd a very good physician, very discrete and knows what he is doing. I don't know where he works full time, I've never asked, I assumed he owned his own private health business, but he could work at St Mungos.
I should have sought your advice, but I have already purchased my gift for her. It's the first edition of Livre des Potions Envoûtantes and I do hope she hasn't already got it. Do not bother holding back on presents, I'm not particularly good at them and you'll always want to be the favourite, correct? And you, Pierre, have been more than accommodating to me. I look forward to becoming part of the Selwyn family, to becoming closer to you.
I hate to admit it, but I'm starting to feel like it never will fade. Personally, I know I have not taken to it well. If I may speak candidly, I'm feeling suffocated, not by your sister, but by my own family. My father would not have me choose my own bride, like he got to. I'm struggling with the fact I do not live up to his standards, and my own...inability to fall in love with your beautiful sister.
I don't think it's me who you have to worry about being romantically involved with someone before the betrothal. I'm not sure if Vinda has told you, but we attended a kissing party. I am concerned and upset as she lost her tightly held self-control because she was jealous of the women kissing Willy Wagtail. I do not understand how she wishes for us to pretend to be a happy couple when she is so public in love with him. Please, I'd love some advice. I apologise if I sound brusque about your sister's feelings, but I am quite frustrated with her actions.
