Spinning Compass Network

[NB: due to the backdating of his last post, this one is over 2 weeks since he went through the portal]

Good evening,

I have a tale to tell you. I failed in my attempt to reach England, and my parents, but I believe that I am blameless in that failure. Instead, it is as if the very world consipired against me, that my success might have meant some catastrophic alteration to the timeline, or some other consequence unforeseen by me. Perhaps some magical protection lay over France. I do not know.

Some thieving brat member of the Parisian residuum tried to relieve me of my gold. I expected that, and saw him off with a few curses, but my broomstick was damaged, and I had to spend time repairing it. Then, as I flew, the Braking Charm failed altogether, which meant I flew straight into a an unexpected collision with a tree. I continued at a much slower pace, but then the steering calibration seemed to deteriorate before my eyes - and I assure you, I had proper care and maintenance drilled into me at school and there was no neglect on my part.

Time was of the essence, so I sought to take a carriage - a cart - any way to speed my journey. The coin made up for my lack of French, I believe, although I did have one fascinating conversation with a muggle in Latin. What became of me then? A broken wheel, a lame horse, an impassably flooded road...a gentleman here, to whom I regret I did not properly introduce myself, told me that without magical transportation the journey might take a month. This would surely have taken longer.

Why did I not persevere? It was not because my desire to see my family lessened. Rather it was the realisation that drowning would be a horrid way to should I make it to port, some disaster would almost certainly befall whatever unlucky ship I boarded.

The journey back to Paris was entirely reasonable and uneventful.

I do not regret what I did. It was an adventure, if nothing else. I am glad that I tried to reach home. But now I am perhaps more glad of a warm bath by the fire, a pot of tea, and my broomstick maintenance kit. I share this with you in case anyone cared whether I had an interest in what became of me, or if anyone in future should experience similar troubles.

- A.C. Black