slow, boring devon

September 4th, 1992

To my royal highness DJA,

How are you? I heard you haven't been feeling well after Apparating with Dad. Was it that bad? How was it?

That is so cool, Dee! George and I've never even Apparated before! You have to tell us all about it in your next letter.

We heard Mum's speech yesterday. The whole school did, actually. It exploded during breakfast, right in the Great Hall, and it was hilarious. We didn't know if we should be laughing, terrified, or surprised. Ron looked like he was about to burst into tears and Harry looked like a guilty puppy.

Honestly, don't tell Mum, but I totally get their idea. It was brilliant, flying Dad's car here!

Oh, one more thing. Gilderoy Lockhart turns out to be a bigger pain in the ass than I imagined. You know, in our first class, he gave us fifty-four numbered quiz all about himself. What is Gilderoy Lockhart's favorite color? What is Gilderoy Lockhart's secret ambition? When is Gilderoy Lockhart's birthday, and what would his ideal gift be? The real question is WHO CARES?

Lucky you, not being here!

By the way, Percy, George and I want to know how Mum and Dad are doing. Is Ron's flying car thing a really big deal? Will they be okay? They won't tell us anything. Please keep us posted. Love you!

Yours truly,
FGW

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September 11th, 1992

Dear FGW,

And Percy and George.

Yes, I'm perfectly well. Apparition feels just like travelling with Floo powder or Portkey, but intensified. And I was just a little dizzy. It's... hard to describe. Instead of hearing it from me, why don't you ask your parents to experience side-along Apparition yourself?

Did Ronald and Harry get in trouble? Are they in some sort of probationary period? Are they well? I heard from your Mum that they crashed into the huge, enchanted tree and got punched around.

Trust me, Mrs. Weasley is more concerned that angered. She doesn't really care about the car (I think she's been looking for ways to get rid of it, actually), or the fact that seven Muggles spotted it flying. She keeps on repeating, "As long as Ron and Harry are alive."

Your father is facing enquiries at work, as you know. They wouldn't tell me much, too. But from what I've gathered, there are going to be a few hearings in the near future. He's been going home late these days, saying there are more raids and paperwork.

But don't worry. I'm sure they will be fine. I'll write you if there are anything worth updating.

Good luck with Professor Lockhart! Try to learn something from him. At least he's quite a sight for sore eyes.

Love you back.

Sincerely,
DJA

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September 17th, 1992

COMPARED TO HOGWARTS, nothing eventful or fun really did happen in Devon.

Daisy spent days after days running through her routine like clockwork: lonely breakfast, homeschool, lunch with Ms. Sloan, monitor the few Allen Residence's housemaids' work, visit the Burrow for afternoon tea, hoping for letters, do schoolwork and personal experiments, eat dinner (either alone, at the Burrow, or with the maids), then sleep.

Mrs. Weasley didn't have much to do either. She was handling her grief for sending all her children to boarding school by adopting loads of new hobbies. She had new recipes, knitting patterns (eight new knitted sweaters for Daisy, yay), cleaning and gardening hacks lined up for her to try, but Daisy's visit was still the most important event of the day for her.

Daisy wondered how Mrs. Weasley could hold up if she was already this lost two weeks in.

Heck, she wondered how she herself could hold up. Life wasn't as lively without the Weasley children around.

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October 2nd, 1992

To DJA,

Sorry for the late and short reply. School work is piling up and there are a few things George and I have to do. We're trying to nab a salamander from Care of Magical Creatures class and see if they can stand Filibuster firework the way they do with fire. I'll tell you the result of my experiment in my next letter.

Mum would kill me if I even suggest to travel with Apparition.

Ron and Harry are fine. They got detention, but that's it. Seems too easy compared to what they did to the Whomping Willows, right?

And, yeah, I've learned something from Professor Lockhart. No matter how good looking someone is, if they're plain stupid, it's useless.

Thanks for the update, Dee. I know I can count on you! Hope you're well.

Bye-bye,
FGW

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December 10th, 1992

TWO LETTERS CAME a few days ago. One, bearing bad news, confirmed that none of the Weasley children would be spending Christmas and New Year at home. Mrs. Weasley kept on rambling about how brilliant Hogwarts was during this holiday —amazing feast, gorgeous decoration, and there were trustworthy professors there to keep her family safe. Like Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, and oh, Professor Lockhart. But her eyes spoke disappointment and a little sadness as well.

The other one was from her father. It came with a Christmas green dress, cute enamel pins, and hair accessories, saying: "Merry Christmas, Jane. Love, Father."

A phone call followed soon after, at which Mr. Allen said, "I am terribly sorry, Jane, but some travelling and trading issues surfaced, which landed me busy in my Southeast Asia office, right now in the middle of December. I don't think I'll be back until... January, maybe."

"That's fine, Father."

"I trust Ms. Sloan is treating you well?"

"Of course."

"And what is this news I heard, you running off somewhere every evening?"

"Ah..." Daisy faltered, "It's a new habit, Father, afternoon walk. I just walk to the Community Park, sometimes around the block, and back."

"You're not still associating yourself with that red-headed freaks next door, are you?"

"No," Daisy replied in a heartbeat, because if she even slightly hesitated, her father would surely go berserk.

"Good," There were a few seconds of static before he continued, "I'll let you know of my flight back soon."

"Okay. Have a good day, Father."

"You, too. Good bye."

The line went dead and Daisy squealed in pure happiness. She had the rest of the year free from her father's pressure and watching eyes. She couldn't wait to go to the Burrow, shop for presents with Mrs. Weasley, celebrate Christmas there...

"Young lady?"

Daisy looked up to see Lucy, "Yes?"

"I was just wondering if you're going to have dinner here today."

An idea suddenly popped into Daisy's head.

She nodded, "Yes! And please make sure that everyone's present."