Dear Cousin Isolde Malfoy

[Egeria Rivers]

7 October, 1881

Dear Isolde,

I am sorry that I haven't written since I saw you last. I hope you are doing well, and that you are still filled with the bliss that comes from being married. I am doing well and many things have happened since I last spoke to you.

I am sure you've heard from Elaine or Huon by now but I thought I should inform you that the scandal of the daily prophet has really set the school into uproar. It is such a scandal - teachers are even threatening to resign because of it which is quite distressing.

I am behaving myself properly as you can imagine.

I should also tell you that the sorting ceremony was rather ordinary compared to what I envisioned with the defeat of monsters. I was sorted into Gryffindor House, just like my parents and have attended all my classes.

I do not get along with many of the other first year girls who are in my year - they are so loud, boisterous and rude to the point that I wonder if they have been taught the proper ways to act at all. I know its not a Gryffindor trait to act as such since Maria Gallagher and Augusta Longbottom are also in my house though and they are very strict when it comes to etiquette. I have made few friends here at Hogwarts and while most are older than me, I have one close friend who often sits with me in class. Her name is Cecily and she is lovely.

I hope you are well,
Love always.
Egeria.

  

[Isolde Malfoy]

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Dear Cousin,

Oh, Egeria, do remember that I know what Hogwarts is like! I only graduated a few months ago and while my life has been hectic since then, I have not yet forgotten everything. I never thought I would be so relieved to have one of my own family members in Gryffindor, but that House does seem to be free from blame in this scandal. Miss Longbottom is an ideal role model for you; she comes from a very old and prestigious family. Miss Gallagher may also be a good influence, although I caution you to watch for odd, progressive notions with her. Stay far away from Miss Potter and Miss Haskett! Cut them completely out of your life and do not allow their acquaintance.

As for the Sorting, it is tradition that you do not tell incoming Hogwarts students what to expect. I did not even tell Elaine or Huon what to expect, but a little apprehension never hurt anyone -- and the relief on seeing that it's just a hat makes everything so much easier! I hope that your friend Cecily is as lovely as you believe. Does she come from a good family?

Do write again, I want to hear all about your classes. Do I know any of your older friends?

Sincerely,

Isolde Malfoy

  

[Egeria Rivers]

Dear Cousin,

I'm sorry, I must've been overwhelmed. The entire place is so new and different from what I know that I had completely forgotten that you yourself had graduated only a few months ago - it feels like over a decade has passed. You are probably well aware of the fact that it is very rare for sixth years to even associate with first years - even students of the same house so I don't think you need to worry about Miss Potter or Miss Haskett associate with me. I have only met Miss Potter once, and that was at the trainstation when I got lost on my first day in Hogsmeade.

I am glad you approve of my friendship with Augusta Longbottom. I had so hoped you would. I talk to so few of my housemates that only Miss Gallagher (I haven't noticed her progressive notions but I will try and be as wary of them as I can), Miss Longbottom and Miss Baddock (she is the third of the older students I speak to. She is a seventh year Gryffindor who I met at the opening feast) that even losing one would be very difficult. I must admit that I spend most of time time in the company of Ravenclaws, to whom I seem to get along better with than Gryffindors who seem to be very loud and boistrous as a whole - I wonder if mother was like that afterall she was sorted into Gryffindor as well. Cecily is a Ravenclaw so I mostly follow her, and have become acquainted through her. I have also made friends with a second year called Petra Sleptov whose father teaches our Defense Against the Dark Arts class. I haven't yet become deeply acquainted with any Slytherin's, as you might recall our two houses have a rather intense rivalry.

As for my classes; I'm doing very well in theoretical wizardry although my spellwork leaves much to be desired. I practice constantly but I do not seem to be improving which is very frustrating. I use the spells exactly how we are shown with all the correct words and hand movements and yet something always seems to go wrong. I am quickly beginning to believe that grandmother, and mother's wand dislike me or something - can you think of a reason for the malfunction? I am sorry if I am complaining I don't mean to.

If it weren't for my wand I think my favourite class would be Charms - Professor Violet teaches Charms and she is the nicest woman and seems to be very strict about manners and proper behavior and has already told some of my housemates the proper way to behave which was a relief. We haven't done much transfiguration yet, but I'm finding it difficult to understand Professor Beckett's teaching methods. I can answer all his questions easily and yet I do not know why he allows us to work on homework in class.

I am afraid that I do not particularly like Astronomy. I don't understand the point of it beyond the prediction of weather and moon phases and the teacher, Professor Knox, seems to be oddly excitable. I do the work that is provided, of course, and I get rather good marks compared to other students but I cannot wait for the time to come where I don't have to wake up at midnight to peer through a telescope.

I enjoy Herbology, and it's quickly becoming my favorite subject, and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I already knew - this surprise of course extends to all my subjects. I am thankful that my governesses, and grandparents have gone to such lengths to ensure that there are no gaps in my education, and I wasn't aware that my education in 'dark creatures' was so much more indepth that other students that I think I'll succeed, surprisingly, in Defense Against the Dark Arts as well.

I have yet to make my mind up about Potions or History of Magic Class, and am withholding any opinions on Art Class. The teacher who used to teach it, resigned after the publishing of the article and we've only had a new teacher, Professor Aesalon for a week. She seemed nice and very reserved so far. I'm also taking music classes but at the moment it is very boring as we are focusing on the easiest pieces. Pieces that I learnt when I was learning how to play the piano. I am not sure whether I should see Professor Odin about setting me something more complicated that's at my level of difficulty or should I continue to try and not make waves? I've just tried to be inconspicuous so far but I'm beginning to feel that if I can't practice like I usually do and am stuck playing such easy pieces that my skill level will drop. What do you think I should do Isolde?

I hope that is enough to sate your curiousity, and I apologise for the delay in writing. I've spent every spare moment I've had so far trying to master spells.

Love Always,
Your Cousin,
Egeria Rivers.

  

[Isolde Malfoy]

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Egeria,

It is good that you have found suitable role models among the students. I do wish that we could have been at school at the same time; I would have liked to help you get settled in. In all honesty, I would have thought it more likely that you would have been sorted into Ravenclaw than Gryffindor; you have always seemed to be the quiet, studious type to me. I am not at all surprised that your friends include a Ravenclaw and the daughter of a professor.

As for your wand, Egeria, inherited wands do have their drawbacks. Sometimes they work quite well for the descendants of their original owner because each generation is quite a bit like the last; however, when a child is very different from her mother they can cause problems. It is likely that you and your wand are not a good match, which is the reason that most children are taken to a wand shop to purchase their first wand. A wand that is in agreement with its owner is far easier to work with than one that is simply an heirloom. If you would like, I can take you to Ollivander's over Christmas to get you a wand better suited to yourself than your mother's wand is. It is not that the wand dislikes you necessarily ... it is simply a bad match.

I remember Miss Ollivander; she was the librarian last year. She always seemed quite reserved and soft spoken, much like you yourself. It does not surprise me that you enjoy her class, although I am glad to hear that she is doing more than sorting books. She is a member of a proud wand making family (the very one that owns the best wand shop in Britain) and should be using a wand, not sitting behind a desk. Many of the others are new this year as well, although I can venture an opinion of Professor Rutledge and his History of Magic class. The content is not always interesting, but the Professor himself is very passionate about the subject and tends to be fair.

As for music, my suggestion would be to approach the professor. Many of the students are likely beginners, but there will be others like you who grew up with enough culture that his class is a waste of time. Simply be polite, but direct, and you should have good results.

My curiosity is sated for the moment, and I must admit that your life sounds a great deal more interesting than my own. My days are primarily filled with reading, embroidery, music, and watching the house elves. I am looking forward to your visit this Christmas.

Your Loving Cousin,

Isolde Malfoy