There are far more muggles than wizards. It's easy for our society to go unnoticed by them, because at home there are secrecy laws and muggles aren't supposed to see any magic.
There have been wizards ever since there have been humans, I expect. I was told that science came about after the secrecy laws, when muggles convinced themselves that magic was a silly superstition and only what their scientists said mattered.
I don't expect my cousin would lend you her books, but I could borrow some and show them to you. In duelling lessons nobody gets hurt unless they're very careless or inattentive. Lessons are to learn the skills and spells, really, and for exercise. It's a bit more likely at our club, or if one boy is duelling another to settle an argument, but serious injuries are very unusual. Adult wizards used to duel to the death over things but that's rather old-fashioned.
I could transfigure a feather into a key, but it would only open a door if I knew exactly what the key to that door looked like, so that my transfigured version fit properly. An unlocking spell would be simpler.
Human anatomy? You don't mean that you cut up actual human bodies to look inside them, do you? I know just what you mean about the teachers. My favourite is Professor Shafiq, because he's patient and doesn't blame me for things or point it out in front of everyone if I get something wrong. And he isn't horribly strict but he isn't the sort of pushover that nobody takes seriously, either. Do you have someone tutoring you here in Preya?
Most of the lower orders are muggles, I think. There are poorer wizards, but a poor wizard can still use spells to repair his home and clothes, and conjure up water to wash with and that sort of thing. And our Ministry pays for even the poorest magical children to attend school for at least a few years. It is one of the good things about Preya that I haven't seen crowds of filthy muggles, or beggars, or even a workhouse. I like talking about home, though, so I'll tell you whatever you like about it.
My father says that ruling over muggles is entirely possible but would be very troublesome and not worth our time. But he isn't going to be a character in my story. I'll think some more about that plot.
And I can't imagine starting school at five! I had lessons with my tutor from when I was four, but that isn't the same, because it was only me and my brother, and we stayed in our home. I get along quite well with my family here although it's difficult sometimes because none of them are from my century.
I promise that I am not joking about the elf and dragon! The elf is named Dilly. She looked after me when I was an infant.
The owls are trained by wizards who are expert at it. I'm not sure if they have to be a special sort of owl, or if any owl will do. I think it is easier to write messages this way than to find a courier, though.