Thank you very belatedly for the wonderful birthday gifts. I am ever so sorry for waiting so long to write but there have been several on-goings at school which are easy distractions. The new outfit is perfect, and the donations for the care packages will be put to very good use. We earned a final Hogsmeade visit yesterday for reaching our goal. The scones and jam were absolutely delicious and I shared them with Dedalus, Augusta, Elvira, Frannie, and even Bilius Weasley for performing a very brave act.
You see, Bilius found Claudius Diggle one of the younger boys wounded in the lavatory, and only a little while before that Geraldine Corner was found in another lavatory, but she was also frozen stiff. She still cannot move. Oh, and she is a Muggleborn, and the boy has Muggleborns for parents. Several students think the person behind this has a grudge against Muggleborns, but yesterday four students were attacked while the rest of us were at Hogsmeade. I wasn't hurt, but Augusta found our friend, Elvira, alone in one of the lavatories and she was very badly hurt. She is definitely not a Muggleborn, and I think two of the others were even frozen like Geraldine. One of them may even be a Fullblood like us, I think.
Oh, but, even though this is all scary, there are some good things happening as well. I had a wonderful time in Hogsmeade prior to the attacks, which is when I behaved as a Prefect should and put on a brave face for the younger years while bringing them back to the castle with Sammy Gudgeon. Dedalus even helped me entertain a few of them. We walked to Hogsmeade together, Dedalus and I, with our friend, Frannie, and then I met with the boy who is tutoring me in Transfiguration, Emrys Fletcher. He is a really nice boy, Pappa, as this is the third time he has been helpful since we have met. I do not think it was a date, but we did have lunch and he bought me a toy I do have a toy for Xeno when I return home, so please let Selene know about it for me. I miss her and Xeno so much, oh, and you and Mumma as well. Have you heard anything from Culann? Every time the wireless has a broadcast I am worried for him. And Jack even though he is a mugg
I also received a real part in the school play! Dagmar Wigworthy, our student representative, persuaded Professor Berry into letting us have another, and so we are going to celebrate Professor Binns' life in a very theatrical way (that is, we are going to fabricate it a bit to make it more entertaining). I think I told you he died earlier this year, during our lesson! It was scary but he is a ghost now and so he is still teaching us. I find it hard to pay attention when he is so obviously Professor Beery assigned me the role of Cliodne the Druidess. Our Binns, a boy named Florean Fortescue, will be playing him while he rescues me from Regulu -- oh but, Regulus was hurt too! well, the boy who was to play him is one of the ones who was hurt yesterday, but I suppose we will just have to recast him, which is a shame because Regulus Moonshine is a very nice prefect.
Please do not worry, Pappa. I am positive as long as we all follow the rules we will be safe. Everyone was obviously so happy about having a day away from the castle that the ones who stayed behind were caught off guard. Please stay safe and know I love all of you. Give Xeno a hug for me and tell Culann I miss him if he writes. (And do let him know I hope I will be able to perform for him if I can. Did you write the letter, Pappa?)
Love, ~Allie
PS: Oh! Yes, I forgot. Dedalus, Augusta, and Elvira gave me a kitten for my birthday! She is tiny and adorable, and her curiosity reminds me of Xeno's ability to get into everything. I've named her Vivace and I cannot wait to introduce her to home. I promise to do well on my OWLs and make you proud.