My Dearest Ellory

[Atalanta Pendergast]

Thursday 8th March, 1883

My dearest Ellory,

With your mother recovering from her ordeal, I could not, in all good conscience, refrain from writing to you. I fear I've been somewhat neglectful as an Aunt, and it has been far too long since you and I spent time together as we used to. Your cousins are far too practical to have much of a care for ghouls and fairies, but I always did prefer the study of such creatures to what I suppose are considered the more æuseful' subjects: I never cared much for charms and potions. I was happier outdoors, and though none of my children seem to have inherited this trait - they're far more like their father than their mother - it pleases me to know that my niece has developed similar inclinations. We'll see each other soon, I'm sure: belated congratulations are in order after all. A prefect! I'm dreadfully proud, my dear, and can only hope that Walter and Samuel achieve similar success during their time at Hogwarts.

Do remember, my dear, that you only need write. You have endured so much for someone so young, but you needn't ever think that you're alone in this world. Your family loves you dearly - even if perhaps they struggle to show it - and so, my dear, do I.

All my love,

Aunt Attie.

  

[Ellory Pendergast]

March 8 1883,

Dearest Aunt Attie,

I do not blame you at all for not writing to me sooner, as I am sure that you have been busy. I should have written to you more often as well, so I suppose that we are both a bit guilty.

I always admired you for enjoying things such as magical creatures and the outdoors. I have never been a person who enjoyed spending her time inside. Thankfully, I have improved at some of the more practical classes this year. Or at Charms, at least. I think that I will keep that class after my OWLs, along with Transfiguration, Ghoul Studies, Astronomy, Care of Magical Creatures, Divination and perhaps History of Magic. I am not planning on keeping any of the practical classes if I do not enjoy them. After all, a house-wife is not exactly supposed to know how to brew difficult potions. My future husband, Mr. Edward Macmillan, is a healer himself, so he would be skilled enough at potions for the both of us.

Thank you for the congratulations! At first I considered myself quite unfitting for the part, but seeing my other yearmates, I suppose I was not such a bad choice. I do think that the fact my siblings used to be prefects played a role when they picked me, though. I am used to my duties now, though, and I think I am doing a good job so far.

How have you been lately? I apologize, I do not really know much about your latest news. I hope everything is alright in the family?

Sincerely,

Ellory Pendergast

  

[Atalanta Pendergast]

Friday 9th March, 1883

Dear Ellory,

Everything is quite alright in our home, my dear. Nothing much changes in our household: your cousins come and go between home and school, and as you well know your eldest cousin, Emma, married a very respectable gentleman last year, and thankfully seems perfectly content. I worried, you see û I never thought she would be happy tied down by marriage, but I suppose we all have our parts to play in society. Minnie will soon have to be settled, and you'll be marrying your own gentleman soon enough. And as for meà well I find time for little else but my charitable endeavours!

On that note, I am intrigued by your Mr MacMillan. Your Aunt Helena's children have never been particularly sociable û they're quite like their mother in that respect û so I have had little contact with the boy, but I have a great deal of respect for her, and should he prove anything like his mother I will happily endorse your union. And a healer you say? That's certainly impressive, and I'll look forward to interrogating your Aunt further on the subject of her son. For now, I offer hearty congratulations and wish for nothing but your happiness, though I'm afraid that is not always the case in marriage. Love is never guaranteed, my dear, but the world is changing, and perhaps the nature of marriage will too.

I am so pleased to hear of your current success in all subjects, and though you may not think there is benefit in learning the practical arts given your likely future, it would be a tremendous waste of such intelligence and talent if you did not apply yourself fully. I'm sure your parents feel the same.

All my love,

Aunt Attie.