Post by ryder on May 24, 2012 22:03:13 GMT -8
The following posts contain a series of letters written back and fourth between Ryder O'Callaghan and his older brother, Lyle O'Callaghan. Keep in mind that my characters know nothing more than I do, which only includes the vague teasers, so they will be relaying information that each discovers individually.
On the morning of December 11th, while sitting at the Gryffindor table for breakfast, an ashen-colored owl dropped in with the post. It appeared no different than any other, save the slight crests over its eyes and the slim tuft of feathers missing upon its back. Every student knows what their own owl looks like, and perhaps those of their family. Ryder recognized the small creature instantly. Raphael. He belonged to Lyle. Of course, when the pale envelop dropped in front of him, the brunette wasn't surprised. It was even sealed with Lyle's typical royal blue ink. A smile adorned his face as he tore open the paper, sending the owl on its way. The paper inside had been folded numerous times to fit it inside, and was lined with precise, neat brush strokes.
R –
I hope you get this letter before you pack your trunk. (That sounded harsh, didn’t it?) I know that we talked about you coming home for holiday, but some things have sprung up. I’m pretty sure you’ll understand by the time I’m finished writing.
First, our father will be out of town for the entire month of December. He might even be gone for January, he just hasn’t told me yet. Before you jump to conclusions, as usual, I should probably talk to you about what’s been going on here. I don’t know what’s happening, but something big is coming. Everybody is talking about it. Or, well, not really talking. More like fidgeting and tiptoeing and other silly little things. As such, I’ve been spending practically twice as much time in the office and in the field. Everyone is in a tizzy, it’s ridiculous. Maybe there are more raids, I have no idea. Either way, even if you came home, I wouldn’t be able to just pop in and keep you company. I’m really sorry; it’s just that things are getting hectic. I can only imagine it getting worse for both of us, especially if someone gets wind of something huge. It seems the entire industry is waiting for something to happen, sitting on eggshells. What they're waiting for it a mystery to me, although, Father is really out of the country on some quest for some fabled creature that I am pretty sure does not exist.
I wish I could tell you more, but honestly, they don’t trust me as much as they used to. Ever since the first guy I worked under got taken in, I’m pretty sure they’ve been keeping a closer eye on me. I’m not allowed to really tell you anything confidential, just keep your eyes peeled. Because I know that you definitely read the Prophet on a daily basis, right? And that you keep every article I’ve ever written in a shoe box underneath the couch in the tree house. (Hah, you know I’m kidding!) There are loads of rumors spreading around out here; I can only imagine what they’re like where you are.
I’ll try to keep you posted on anything. I’ll write as often as you reply, if you want, or maybe every day if that makes up for it. That, and I’ll make sure your gifts get wrapped and sent through the post so they’ll reach you on time. Just because we won’t be home doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy Christmas, now does it? I’m sure I’ll get Father in on writing, you know how awful he is at replying to anything though, so don’t get your hopes up too high. Maybe I’ll just end up writing a card and forging his signature like I used to, or maybe I’ll be able to escape this reporter prison for a trip to Hogsmeade to meet up with you. It all just really depends.
Oh! A couple more things. One: please, please, Ryder, try to stay out of trouble. I know it’s pretty much your life blood, but I really don’t want to get a bunch of warnings about your new set of detentions or how you caused a lot of property damage or killed the giant squid. Don’t do anything too stupidly dangerous. It’d really make me feel better about not bringing you home. Maybe if you focus on your studies instead of your pranks, that’ll help? Two: if Araelia is around for the holidays, maybe you should stick around her. She’s a good person. Smart, too. Maybe some of her intelligence can rub off on you and I won’t have to spend all of December worrying that you’re going to get yourself killed. Not that I think you will, but some one has to look out for you. That’s all, I’ll write to you again soon. Hope to hear back from you, too.
Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!
– L