I write to extend my condolences regarding your sister. While she may not be dead, it is understandably a change for your family moving forward. I hope that I will still have the pleasure of your presence in our common room come September, for you are an admirable role model to the younger students of Hufflepuff house, and I should hate to lose you. In anticipation of the coming term, while I hope that badger loyalty will win out over social prejudice, please rest assured that any disparaging remarks of Miss Topaz Urquart’s condition in the common room will be met with swift discipline.

Sincerely,

Thank you for the assurances, Professor. It has indeed been a change- one I’m not sure we’ve all fully processed, if we ever will- but I am glad to hear that at least at school we may continue as relatively close to normalcy as we can. I fear Ruby shall find it even harder than I, but I am sure our house will find a way to offer her some comfort.

I confess I had not given September much thought, but it would be selfish of me to throw away my chance at education when my sister has had hers so cruelly cut short. I was actually wondering if I could ask a favour of you in regards to that. I’m sure you know Topaz loved Hogwarts and learning more than anything, and whilst I’m sure Papa won’t let her go uneducated, I was wondering if you or some of the other Professors might have some old quizzes or tests or worksheets or homework activites I could give to her? I daren’t approach Headmaster Black directly, and I know she cannot sit exams, but I hope some things to keep her occupied during term time might make mine and my siblings’ absences a bit less painful to bear.

I hesitate to respond in such a fashion, but I fear that not all of my colleagues would support such an endeavor. While I personally would be happy to provide notes and the like to your sister, should she desire them, and I am sure some of her former instructors would as well, it is rather a polarizing matter.

I have, though, enclosed a couple of old volumes on the history of Wizarding Europe that she might find interesting in the interim, in the hopes that something is better than nothing.

Sincerely,

Thank you ever so much, Professor. I understand what I was asking was a lot, but I feel so useless and I am sure the books will bring her great comfort. I just hope that she will not take being unable to return with my siblings and I to the castle too badly.