The Tale of the Cat and the Toad

[Emmeline Woodcroft]

The journal has minimal enchantments done by Emmeline so that only Gabriel and herself can read its contents. It is often seen being carried by school owls back and forth from Hogwarts to London.

  

[Emmeline Woodcroft]

September 14, 1886

I must apologize for not getting this sent to you sooner but it has been quite the whirlwind these past two weeks! I'm not entirely sure where to even begin! First, it sounds as though a certain poltergeist was not quite content with simply wreaking his havoc during the school year. The scoundrel managed to interfere with the first years' acceptance letters! There were many a new student who didn't receive a letter at first. Could you imagine not receiving your letter like you know you ought to? I'm certain I would have been quite devastated.

And as if that were not enough, he hid the Sorting Hat! We all gathered in the Great Hall as is usual but when the first years were ushered in they were told they wouldn't be sorted right away! They had to be placed in temporary houses while the whole school pretty much searched high and low for the hat! I'm sure you can imagine that as a prefect, I've been quite busy in the short time I've been back.

Prefect duties are a bit more time consuming than I had thought they would be. I believe it is safe to say that I won't have much spare time on my hands since I also need to prepare for my OWLs. I do hope I end up doing well enough on them but I suppose I shouldn't stress overly much about it. I do have nearly a year before I have to worry.

I sincerely hope you are doing well! I can't help but to admit I feel as though I am not quite whole without you in the commons with me. I've noticed Emma seems a bit out of sorts as well. I'm quite certain she's constantly on the hunt for Mr. Croakenspots. I never would have thought a cat and a toad could have become the best of friends but apparently they had. When I know what our Hogsmeade trip schedule is, I will let you know so that we can perhaps arrange to meet during those times!

Emmeline

  

#nolansetsrlyfe

Reply

[Gabriel Vablatsky]

September 18, 1886

That sounds absolutely horrible! I can't believe Peeves would pull a stunt to such an extent, especially on students who hadn't even received their letters yet. I can only imagine how that affected all of the first years and how detrimental it was to their emotions. Hopefully they have looked to you and the other prefects for guidance however and found all of the advice exceptionally helpful!

There is no doubt in my mind that you will excel at your OWLs and do your very best, Emmy! Croakenspots agrees with me and he wishes you and Emma the best of luck during the semester - I've heard that a toad brings a certain type of fortune too, so perhaps it will transfer to benefit you both! He even stamped his little foot in ink to sign the page and is now staining the floors... It will be a feat to finish writing a page with that little beast hopping around.

I will be looking forward to that day and will try to make as much of my time free as possible! I've been working as much as I physically can to help out mama and Fern and they are very grateful for my efforts. They know I've been upset about not continuing with my education, but I figured that so long as you're at the castle until you graduate I can at least live through your experiences!

  

[Gabriel Vablatsky]

November 25, 1886

Emmy, I think something terrible has happened... My mother appears to have gotten into a bad batch of potions and turned herself into a child! Yes, a child! She's small, less hag-looking, and certainly less intimidating now that she appears as if she's half my own age. I'm not really sure what to do, but she most likely can roam the streets without being harassed too much, so perhaps she can find a nice job as a street cleaner or something in the meantime. I hope the effects wear off soon!

  

[Gabriel Vablatsky]

Letters from January to May were to be sent, but weren't. Gabriel had requested his sister to mail them but found out she instead collected them in a drawer and forgot. He burned the excess parchment to help heat the house and instead summed up the prior months in one letter.

Emmy,

I am sorry this note is finding you so late! I requested that Fern send you my letters, however just found out she hadn't at all. While it is hard for me to be mad at my family, I am still somewhat frustrated and figure this is why I should do these tasks myself.

I hope you have been well regardless and I look forward to reading your response, along with the events that have occurred this year! I can't believe you'll be going in to your sixth year -- you're almost done! And I hear that you're allowed to go to the ball as well. I hope you have a great time there and that your testing was completed with little error. I can only imagine how difficult they must have been and still am thankful I don't have to bother myself with them any longer.

On my end, I've had little fun though was able to spend some time with my cousin Ezra at a quidditch game! I got elbowed in the eye and suffered somewhat, but given my location I wanted to remain as optimistic as could be. I can tell you it wasn't easy, and I worried dearly for Croakenspots, who I had to leave at the house in my mother's care, as she isn't the best with toads. Besides, it is not often that my family invites me to outings, and a rarer occurrence that it happened to be a quidditch match, so I couldn't possibly turn down the opportunity.

At the shop, I have had an interesting time. I unfortunately entered a quarrel between two higher classed ladies and had to intervene slightly without causing much frustration or further anger. I'm not sure why I was left to tend to these individuals, as I really am not the greatest at conversation, but am glad the situation blew over in the end. Otherwise, I have been enjoying my time to the best of my ability and hope the summer brings with it much joy and laughter.

I hope all is well, Emmy, and that you are achieving all that you set your mind to! If you are near London, we should certainly meet to rejoice if you are able, or I could make my way to Hogsmeade to enjoy the warm air whirling through the park. Though whatever the case, we should plan something before the summer ends if you want - I can always make arrangements with my employers to set aside time!

With the utmost sincerity,

Gabriel V.

  

[Gabriel Vablatsky]

Dated prior to the start of summer.

Emmy,

I can't wait to see you again during the summer! I hope your exams went well, though I am sure you will tell me all about it when you're home. Croakenspots misses his little feline friend and gets so antsy whenever he sees a little cat on the streets now. I think he has withdrawal symptoms or something! Whatever the case, we are due for a visit and I think a bench within the park would be the perfect place to meet. We could even take a trip on the lake - I hear that's a fun thing to do during the warmer months, though I've never had the opportunity to take part in such an event. I'm open to anything!

Regards,

Gabriel V.