𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄

" summer of '76 "

✤ ✾ ✤

. . . an account of (nearly) all letters sent
and received by Maeve A. Byrne
in the summer of 1976.

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𝙹𝚞𝚗𝚎 𝟸𝟷, 𝟷𝟿𝟽𝟼

Happy birthday Maeve!! 

I hope this owl reaches you in time. It's nearly impossible to pay one enough to travel from India to Ireland at this time of year.

I found this planner for you in one of the shops in Diagon Alley when we were there at the beginning of the summer. The ink is enchanted to change colors and add little notes if you miss anything. I thought it might be helpful for next term so that you can get through it without doing anything drastic. And I also found that Rolling Stones record you've been talking about in a used record shop in Delhi! What are the odds.

With love,
Avanti

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𝙹𝚞𝚗𝚎 𝟸𝟷, 𝟷𝟿𝟽𝟼

Happy birthday, Maeve! I know you really liked those iridescent quills I had, so I got you a set. Mine were all dull after the O.W.Ls so I thought yours might be, too. I looked ahead at the supply list for Potions next term (you can laugh, but lists soothe me) and I bought you a few of the optional ingredients. I know you like to have them. And no, I don't know what you actually got on your O.W.Ls but I'm certain you got high enough to take Potions next term.

Love,
Mimi

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𝙹𝚞𝚗𝚎 𝟸𝟷, 𝟷𝟿𝟽𝟼

Maeve,

Since I never asked but I remembered that Sorcha's birthday was in June, I sent an owl to Elara asking what day it was. She is likely incredibly suspicious now which I am sorry for, but it was a necessary evil. Anyway, happy birthday! There is a parcel attached to this letter (hopefully–I had to borrow Regulus's owl and he might have dropped it over the Irish Sea) and I hope you like it.

– Sirius

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𝙹𝚞𝚗𝚎 𝟸𝟷, 𝟷𝟿𝟽𝟼

My darling Maeve,

Happy birthday! Oh, I wish I could be there to give you a hug and make you a cake with this new recipe I found in the back of one of my books. Speaking of books, I sent one along that I thought you might enjoy. I haven't read it, but the man in the shop said it would be perfect for someone interested in the sciences. And you'll have to look in the other envelope for the rest of your gift.

One more thing. Why on earth is Sirius Black writing to me asking when your birthday is? I find him incredibly odd.

Always yours,
Elara

✤

𝙹𝚞𝚗𝚎 𝟸𝟸, 𝟷𝟿𝟽𝟼

Elara,

I CANNOT believe you've got us tickets for the Quidditch World Cup!!! And I don't care that it's two years away and in Spain, it couldn't feel closer. The book is rather perfect as well, some of the topics are on my recommended areas of study for Trinity's entrance exams. Are you certain you aren't a seer? I feel like you can read my thoughts.

You're the first to hear this, but I got my hair cut yesterday and I finally went for the fringe. She went a little shorter than I wanted for the length and it doesn't look half as good as it did in that magazine (does it ever, though?).

And don't worry about Sirius. He only wanted to send me something. No funny business, I promise.

With love,
Maeve

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𝙹𝚞𝚗𝚎 𝟸𝟸, 𝟷𝟿𝟽𝟼

Sirius,

Thank you for your message and the gift. I know you think you're very funny sending me the Honeydukes sweets and I'd like you to know that I still haven't forgotten being terrorized in Hogsmeade. The handle wraps are absolutely lovely, and I've already put them on my broom. Though doesn't this count as you helping the enemy? I suppose you're considered to be the neutral party as an announcer.

How are you? I don't suppose I've ever asked you what you get up to in the summer. Is London overwhelmingly busy? Aoife said the tourists are everywhere.

– Maeve

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𝙹𝚞𝚗𝚎 𝟸𝟻, 𝟷𝟿𝟽𝟼

Maeve,

London is very busy, but I enjoy the tourist season. It makes me feel less alone when I see people rushing past on the street. Sometimes I sit in the downstairs parlor and watch them pass. I like to give each of them names and guess where they're walking to.

In truth, I don't get up to a lot in the summer. My mother hosts dinner parties on most weekends. The main purpose is to show off the house, the secondary purpose is to show off Regulus and me to her friends (though it's really just Regulus at this stage). My father has all but given up on me, and I rarely see him for more than five minutes a day. It's lucky he's been busy at the Ministry. I would somehow be having a worse time of it if he were here during the day.

How's Ireland? I bet it's peaceful. Please don't tell me you're still studying.

– Sirius

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𝙹𝚞𝚗𝚎 𝟸𝟾, 𝟷𝟿𝟽𝟼

Sirius,

It is rather peaceful now that the term is over and there aren't three boys causing me one hundred problems. But I would be lying if I told you I enjoy the summers. I work in a pub from June until August. Last year I was only bussing tables and being paid under the table by the lad who owns the place, but this summer they're letting me try out waitressing. The kitchen staff are already on my arse about mixing things up and I'm no longer sure I'll be any good at this. But on the bright side, free chips after each shift.

With Aoife gone, it's been rather odd. Sorcha and I barely speak to each other. It's strange–last summer we would have been at each other's throats but now we've reached this stage of silent acceptance. We coexist as if the other one isn't living in the same house.

I'm sorry to hear that things are terrible. Tell Ana Andromeda to get Aoife and come sneak you out. She's staying with my Aunt Josey right now while she gets started at the Ministry, and I'd bet she'd be up for it.

– Maeve

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𝙹𝚞𝚗𝚎 𝟸𝟿, 𝟷𝟿𝟽𝟼

𝐇𝐎𝐆𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐒 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐋 𝐎𝐅
𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐂𝐑𝐀𝐅𝐓 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐖𝐈𝐙𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐑𝐘
ORDINARY WIZARDING LEVEL RESULTS

THIS is to certify that the candidate named below completed the Ordinary Wizarding Level examinations conducted by the Wizarding Examinations Authority and obtained the following results:

Candidate: Maeve Ailis Byrne
Examination Period: June 1976

Pass grades                                     Fail Grades
(O) — Outstanding                      (P) — Poor
(E) — Exceeds Expectations     (D) — Dreadful
(A) — Acceptable                          (T) — Troll

Maeve Ailis Byrne has achieved:

Ancient Runes .................................. A
Astronomy ........................................ A
Care of Magical Creatures ................ D
Charms .............................................. E
Defense Against the Dark Arts .......... E
Herbology ......................................... A
History of Magic ................................ A
Potions .............................................. O
Transfiguration ................................. O

The Wizarding Examinations Authority does not accept inquiries or replies by owl in regards to O.W.L examinations results.

✤

𝙹𝚞𝚗𝚎 𝟹𝟶, 𝟷𝟿𝟽𝟼

Maeve,

I'm very excited to tell you that I'll be in Dublin with my husband at the beginning of July. He's keen to visit his alma mater, and I'd love for you to show me that bookshop you mentioned the last time we spoke. If you're free we could make a day of it–there are some people at Trinity that would love to meet you as you continue to prepare for your entrance examinations. Saturday the 3rd, perhaps?

I suspect your O.W.L results are in? I know you were worried, but I hope it wasn't too disheartening! Fifth year truly is the thick of it.

Write soon,
Katerina Collins

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𝙹𝚞𝚗𝚎 𝟹𝟶, 𝟷𝟿𝟽𝟼

Katerina,

Your timing is unnerving; I received my results for my O.W.Ls yesterday. It seems my sixth year is going to be a lighter class load than I anticipated. Not such a terrible thing, though. I'll be able to spend more time preparing for Trinity.

As for Dublin, I would love to see you. Saturday the 3rd is perfect. I've attached the address of the bookshop!

–Maeve Byrne

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𝙹𝚞𝚕𝚢 𝟷, 𝟷𝟿𝟽𝟼

Maeve,

Greetings from Jaipur! Our cousins took us to the Hawa Mahal today (the image on this postcard) and it was spectacular. So many windows & halls. The construction of it is "ahead of its time" and I'm sure you would have enjoyed the scientific explanation on air flow that my cousin was giving. Miss you!

Yours,
Avanti

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𝙹𝚞𝚕𝚢 𝟸, 𝟷𝟿𝟽𝟼

MAEVE,

WE WENT TO THAT PUB AGAIN, AND THEN ANOTHER ONE? I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY BUT A LOT! YOUR SISTER IS HERE. OR SHE WAS. NOT SURE WHEREABOUTS I AM RIGHT NOW TO BE ENTIRELY CERTAIN WITH YOU.

ANDROMEDA IS ASKING WHY I'M WRITING LETTERS AT THIS HOUR BUT I NEEDED TO TELL YOU AS IMMEDIATELY AS POSSIBLE.

– SIR

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𝙹𝚞𝚕𝚢 𝟺, 𝟷𝟿𝟽𝟼

Sirius (Sir),

I wish for you to know that it's never taken me so long to decipher a letter that largely said nothing. How on earth does your handwriting manage to get even worse? But I am glad that Aoife and Ana came to steal you away. They're good at that.

I hope you're recovering from what was likely a stellar hangover. Try drinking raw egg, my Aunt Josey swears by it.

– Maeve 

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𝙹𝚞𝚕𝚢 𝟽, 𝟷𝟿𝟽𝟼

Dearest Maeve,

Saluti da Milano! My mum and I have spent the entire day shopping and everything here is just so COLORFUL! None of those drab browns and blues that they sell in the London shops. I bought a few silk scarves today that I took ages picking out. I found you one that I thought would look pretty as a hair scarf, especially now that you've cut your hair with a fringe. I wish you were here, though. There are so many used book shops and I just know you would have loved browsing them with me.

All my love,
Elara

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𝙹𝚞𝚕𝚢 𝟷𝟸, 𝟷𝟿𝟽𝟼

My Elara,

Greetings from the Isle of Man! Isn't it exciting that I'm sending you a postcard for once? We spent a few days here, mostly hiking. It was so peaceful, made me entirely forget the smell of beer spills on the pub floor. And Sorcha and I only got into o̶n̶e̶ three arguments. It's wicked gorgeous here, though.

Missing you terribly,
Maeve

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𝙹𝚞𝚕𝚢 𝟷𝟹, 𝟷𝟿𝟽𝟼

Maeve,

I'm not eating a raw egg, that sounds nasty. I am, however, terrified because I don't even remember sending you a letter at all. Andromeda says I came back to her apartment and immediately started writing away, so I hope it was a good read.

I'm back at home now. I stayed at Andromeda's for a week which has turned out to be a large problem with my mother. Now that Andromeda and Ted are living together, the lucky girl has been disowned from the Black family. I went into the upstairs parlor the afternoon after we received the letter from my Aunt Druella and my mother had already burned Andromeda's face off of the tapestry. Things move rather quickly around here.

Regulus has been worse than usual. His new tactic is throwing me to the wolves. I'd like to think he doesn't know what he's doing, but he's far too smart for that to be true. Now his wholesome son act is complete with a comparison to Sirius the Terrible.

Aoife said you were going to the Isle of Man? How was it?
– Sirius 

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𝙹𝚞𝚕𝚢 𝟷𝟻, 𝟷𝟿𝟽𝟼

Sirius,

The Isle of Man is gorgeous. The last time I went, I was around five years old and I don't remember much of it. The architecture is brilliant and the cliffs drop right down into the sea. We went on a nighttime hike and I finally understand why Professor Aurelis is so obsessed with meteor showers. It was like an endless horizon of stars.

Life back home is not so glamorous. At work last night (or I guess today, I got home at one in the morning) a man asked me to guess his star sign based on his drink choice (Smithwick's). I got it wrong twice before he started shouting about me being a "false prophet." Still haven't decided if that was better or worse than the bloke that ordered a pint at the bar and was so far gone, he fell asleep while it was being poured.

I've hardly asked you about how life is as part dog. It must be fun to run around London without worrying about being recognized.

– Maeve

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𝙹𝚞𝚕𝚢 𝟷𝟾, 𝟷𝟿𝟽𝟼

 Dear Maeve,

Hi from Greece! There are so many cats here just roaming about, it's incredible. You would love it here though, very blue (your favorite). I haven't brought all my books with me and I am a bit worried about studying but it is summer, after all.

–Mimi

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𝙹𝚞𝚕𝚢 𝟷𝟾, 𝟷𝟿𝟽𝟼

Maeve,

Smithwick's is clearly a Scorpio choice. Don't ask me how I would know that, I never paid attention in Divination. I'm intrigued by this pub you work in. How did you ever manage to convince the man who owns it to hire a delinquent witch who attends magical boarding school?

There are so many dogs in London. So many. It's like that thing that they say, once you start thinking of a certain word, you begin to hear it everywhere? This is the case with dogs. I notice the ones on leashes, the ones sniffing in the trash, the ones barking at the shopkeeper in the corner every day while they try to steal the parcels that come from the butcher. You're going to think I'm insane, but I think they can understand me. It isn't so much that I'm speaking to them, but I can understand what they're trying to say with their motions and mannerisms.

You don't still have that book on Animagi, do you?
-Sirius

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𝙹𝚞𝚕𝚢 𝟷𝟿, 𝟷𝟿𝟽𝟼

Sirius,

I told the man who owns the pub–Declan–the same thing we've always told everyone. We attend a Scottish boarding school and are thus only home in the summer. It sounds rather posh and I think the current gossip in town is that my parents are refinancing their house to send their three daughters to an outdated finishing school in hopes that they marry rich.

The weather here has been miserable so I've been doing some research, and I do still have that book. I found a passage about animal trait development and what they term as 'sensitivities'. Everything you're saying sounds right–the more control you get on the transformation, the more control you have over interacting with other animals. It's easiest with the same type of animals, but it isn't limited to them. You should try talking to a cat, good practice for when McGonagall eventually catches you and reports you to the Ministry.

Please don't mention the delinquent witch that helped you when she does!
-Maeve

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𝙹𝚞𝚕𝚢 𝟷𝟿, 𝟷𝟿𝟽𝟼

Mimi!

I found this in a charity shop yesterday and I knew I had to send it to you. A signed photograph of that singer you and your ma love, Terry Reid. I can't believe someone wanted to bin it, but I suppose it was meant for you.

With love,
Maeve

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𝙹𝚞𝚕𝚢 𝟸𝟶, 𝟷𝟿𝟽𝟼

Dear Maeve,

IT'S PERFECT!

-Mimi

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𝙹𝚞𝚕𝚢 𝟸𝟷, 𝟷𝟿𝟽𝟼

Hi Maeve,

The weather here has been miserable, too. Though it's characteristic of London to be so grey and unchanging, I still get disappointed. Also, I think I've been reading too many books. Sometimes I think they affect my daily thought patterns when I read more than I speak to other living breathing people. Kreacher does not count.

Remus sent me a new record a few days ago. 'Agents of Fortune' by Blue Öyster Cult. Have you listened to it? I don't think it quite aligns with the music that you've talked about, but I think it's really good. Really good, to the point that my mother hates it and nearly snapped the poor vinyl in half yesterday. De mauvais goût, as the French say.

I did attempt to speak to a cat on your recommendation but it just hissed and ran the other way. And I will be mentioning the delinquent witch to McGonagall. How are your knuckles healing, by the way?

Sirius

✤

𝙹𝚞𝚕𝚢 𝟸𝟸, 𝟷𝟿𝟽𝟼

Hello Sirius,

My knuckles are perfectly fine. My ma, surprisingly enough, didn't even get mad a̶t̶ a̶l̶l̶ that much about the whole thing. She was fuming when she first read the letter, but then I told her what Severus said to Lily and I, for the first time, heard my own mother swear like a bloody sailor. There's a woman who teaches boxing at the community center and my dad paid for a whole summer's worth of lessons for me. I think he's got the right spirit, but I didn't have the heart to tell him that an aspiring Death Eater wouldn't pick brute force as a weapon of choice.

I haven't listened to that record yet. I only go to Dublin once in a month and they didn't have it the last time we were in the city. And I'm almost certain no one in Greystones has heard of Blue Öyster Cult.

–Maeve 

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𝙹𝚞𝚕𝚢 𝟸𝟹, 𝟷𝟿𝟽𝟼

Darling Maeve,

They gave me a letterhead! Aoife I. Byrne, Auror-in-Training. You're the first person that I've written to on this new stationary. I feel a bit like a little kid riding a bike down that hill on Victoria Road. They're still giving us tutorials and having us shadow current Aurors, but it's a lot of being thrown in the deep end while they prepare us for field work. I can't talk about a great deal of it because I signed a paper the first day here swearing me to near-secrecy. They also set us all up with a lawyer from the Wizengamot so that we could pen our own will. Isn't that so macabre? Ana said they might as well throw in a headstone catalog if they're going to be so ridiculous about it.

Aunt Josey has a niffler of her own now. She liked that one she was babysitting so much, she went out and purchased one in Diagon Alley. His name is Stuart (after that book about the little mouse that she used to read to us all the time). If you can imagine, Serafina and Stuart do not get along. I woke up yesterday morning to find that Stuart had chased her all the way up to the top of the fridge. I know you probably find this very funny because you never liked Serafina anyway, so I hope you got a good laugh.

Sean is already away in Switzerland on his first assignment for the Beast Division. I can't believe they would send him so far and so soon, but I suppose it's a good thing. I'd rather be in a different country than sit at a desk doing paperwork as a learning exercise.

Tell me everything, I'm desperate to hear about your summer.
–Aoife

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𝙹𝚞𝚕𝚢 𝟸𝟺, 𝟷𝟿𝟽𝟼

Aoife,

I almost don't know where to start.

I've been working most nights at the pub and sometimes an afternoon and evening shift on the weekends. I know you think Declan's is seedy, but I actually love it. Now that I've gotten better at waiting tables and I'm not pissing off the other wait staff, the bartender, and the kitchen at the same time (that was a terrible night), it's very fun.

During the day I just do chores with Dad and avoid Sorcha. Read out in the field. Ride my bike through the village. You won't believe this but Da has me taking boxing lessons at the community centre with that woman who lived on the corner next to Bridie O'Mahony, the one who was always out in her garden in a leopard print robe? Apparently she used to do (illegal) lightweight boxing in Dublin when she was younger. She's quite good. At the very least I'm getting a grand arm workout for Quidditch.

I'm glad Josey has a pet, she's been talking about getting one for years. I also want your take on whatever happened when you went out with Sirius. He wrote me a nearly illegible letter when he got back from being out with you and Ana but he didn't say anything else about it.

Love you,
Maeve

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𝙹𝚞𝚕𝚢 𝟸𝟺, 𝟷𝟿𝟽𝟼

Maeve,

I'm letting you borrow the record because Remus said he didn't like it very much and I need to get someone on the same page as me about this. It's no Joni Mitchell or John what's-his-arse, but I think you'll like it.

I have a story to tell you. You should put the music on while you read, it will make the experience better. Yesterday, I caught Regulus sneaking out of the library with a letter he wasn't supposed to have. Kreacher had brought it in with the owl post and it had Orion Black written on it in big bold letters. When I cornered Regulus about it, he said it was from one of those people our father is always meeting in secret. I asked him why he took it and he said it was 'information that involved him.' Reg looked so nervous, like he knew he shouldn't have it but couldn't help himself. I told him he could trust me if he wanted to talk, but he just shoved the letter in his pocket and told me to stay out of it. This isn't the first time something like this has happened, either. He's also been sneaking into the library to 'learn things they don't teach at Hogwarts.' I told him he was an idiot and that nothing good ever comes from secrets in this house. But part of me wonders if he's doing it because he's afraid of something—or someone. I think he's in over his own head.

Sometimes I don't know what I want. Some days I believe that there's something I can do, that my birthright as a Black will be enough to change everything. But then I see Reg sulking around and repeating everything our parents say and I realize that there is nothing I can do but leave.

Yours,
Sirius

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𝙹𝚞𝚕𝚢 𝟸𝟻, 𝟷𝟿𝟽𝟼

Dear Sirius,

You're right about the record. It's not Joni or John Denver, but I do think it's interesting. I think it says something that I've continued to listen to it. It's just odd enough of a sound that I can't tell if I like it or if I'm just trying to figure out why you do. Either way, it's pretty good. Sorcha just stuck her head in my room and I thought she was going to tell me to turn it off, but she only asked what the record was because she liked it. It seems you have your first convert.

As for Regulus. I think you're both right and wrong. He's certainly afraid, but not just of someone or something. He could be afraid of himself too, of what it might mean to step away from all the things your parents have drilled into him. You've got the strength to decide the life they want for you isn't good enough. Regulus doesn't, at least not yet. Maybe that letter is his way of trying to figure things out for himself. It's not a great way, but it's something.

You've talked about leaving before. I don't think leaving means you're giving up on him. You aren't going to be able to help anyone if you can't help yourself, if you know what I mean. And you're also not the sort of person who could live with yourself if you didn't try to drag Regulus along with you, at least in some way. He's still your brother. There's something good in him, even if he doesn't know it.

Don't lose hope, Sirius.
Maeve

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𝙹𝚞𝚕𝚢 𝟸𝟼, 𝟷𝟿𝟽𝟼

Dear Mae,

You're taking boxing lessons from Mairead Walsh? I feel terrible now for laughing when those kids starting making up stories about how she was only gardening to keep the Garda out of her yard because she was making blood sacrifices.

I'm not surprised Sirius didn't tell you much, I don't think he would have remembered half of it. He was so plastered Ana ended up taking him home to her and Ted's instead of leaving him to the wolf that is Walburga Black. It was a fun night, though. We went back to that Irish pub down the street from Grimmauld Place and the barkeep remembered us from Christmas time. Asked me if I wanted to sing a song again and I told him I was missing my guitar player. I also didn't realize you were such good friends with Sirius now. He talked about you a lot.

Do you know when you're coming to Diagon Alley yet? I know it's likely a ways off but I want to get the day off of work so I can spend it with you. If you can convince mum and Da to let you stay with Josey, I'll take you to this club that the Ministry girls have put me on to.

With love,
Aoife

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𝙹𝚞𝚕𝚢 𝟸𝟾, 𝟷𝟿𝟽𝟼

Dear Aoife,

Yes, Mairead Walsh didn't deserve all of those terrible things the kids would say about her. She had me over for tea and biscuits yesterday afternoon and showed me a load of photos from when she was young. She's wicked cool, she even met Amelia Earhart when she came to Ireland in 1932 after her solo transatlantic flight. Can you imagine?

I just asked Ma and she says that we're probably going to Diagon Alley mid-August because she's tired of going with the big rush right before school starts. Tentatively the 16th, but she also says you can pick a good day for you and we'll make it work. I want to go to the club!!

Love,
Maeve

P.S. can you please give Oat more of a snack this time? He said you only gave him a piece of dried fruit and you know that's bad for his digestion.

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𝙹𝚞𝚕𝚢 𝟹𝟷, 𝟷𝟿𝟽𝟼

Remus,

I hope summer hasn't been too dreadful for you so far. Have you been reading anything good lately? I could use some recommendations.

You haven't heard from Sirius by any chance, have you? I hate to bother you but it's odd that I haven't heard from him in almost a week.

Cheers,
Maeve

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𝙰𝚞𝚐𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝟸, 𝟷𝟿𝟽𝟼

Maeve,

You're never a bother. I've been writing to him a lot too and he's rather suddenly stopped responding. I'm worried that he might be planning something without telling us–he's been contemplating running away for a long time. James and Peter haven't heard anything either. God, I feel like the coppers in those late-night television soap operas trying to catch a runaway criminal.

Books–I read a lot in the summer to keep my mind off things. My most recent was 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier. Would highly recommend it.

Write if you hear anything. And I do hope your summer is going well, too!
Remus

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𝙰𝚞𝚐𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝟸, 𝟷𝟿𝟽𝟼

Sirius,

I hope you're just busy, but the fact that you haven't answered any letters is making me worried. I got desperate and sent a message off to Remus, but he hasn't heard from you either.

Maeve

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𝙰𝚞𝚐𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝟻, 𝟷𝟿𝟽𝟼

Sirius,

If this is about running away, please know that you have an entire handful of people who want to help you. I am perfectly serious, I will come myself if I have to.

Please write.
Maeve

✤

𝙰𝚞𝚐𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝟾, 𝟷𝟿𝟽𝟼

Sirius,

Are you alright? What's happened?

Maeve

✤ ✾ ✤