A Different Beginning

Chapter VI - First Year

  Dear Harry,

Congratulations! I knew that you would be an awesome Quidditch player, after all, just look at me. If you didn't take after me, I would be shocked. If Lily were here right now, she would be saying 'Ego, James, ego', but meh, I don't care. I was a damn good Quidditch player and I'll admit it. Also, congrats for getting into Gryffindor. It sounds like you've had some pretty exciting adventures so far. If you find that map it will be easier and you will have a less chance of being caught.

I think I know why your potions professor hates you as well. Remember all those Marauder stories Moony and I told you, well... there was this one kid, I'm sure you remember, we used to call him Snivelis... yeah, his real name is Severus Snape. He holds a grudge against me, Harry, don't worry about it, and ignore him as much as you can. There's nothing that you can do since he's a teacher. But everything should be alright otherwise. Though I have no idea how a git like him became a teacher, but that's beside the point.

It sounds like you've met some great friends. Neville Longbottom, yes I do remember him. In fact I just ran into his Gran yesterday in Diagon Alley. I'm glad that you're still friendly with him. We just haven't had the time to get over and see him in a while have we? Augusta is a hard woman, and I can only imagine how hard it was for Neville to grow up with her. From what I've heard, she's never really gotten over what happened to Alice and Frank. Also, I'm glad that you stood up to Malfoy and defended Neville. That's exactly what good friends do for each other. I'm proud of you.

Ron Weasley sounds like a nice kid too. I know his dad briefly; he works at the Ministry with me. I'll have to go introduce myself again. I believe his name is Arthur. This Hermione girl does sound a bit annoying, but I'm sure it won't last. Peter was super annoying but he grew on us.

Not too much has been going on here. I've been working a bit of overtime and Moony has been busy researching his furry little problem. He is determined to find a cure, and I believe that one day he will. I've also been thinking about redecorating some of the rooms in the East Wing. I know that we don't really use them, but if we don't take care of them they will fall apart so I'm working on some plans. We'll see how it goes.

Moony is pleased with your letter as well. We hope to hear from you soon.

Love,
Da

P.S. Foolish does miss you terribly, he cried the first night, but I think he's alright now – I let him sleep in my bed.

Dear Da,

Hermione has grown on us. On Halloween someone let a troll in, and we were all ordered to go back to our dorms, but then I remembered that Lavender Brown said that Hermione was crying in the girls' bathroom. Ron said something about her being bossy and not having any friends and she ran off in tears. Anyway, I told Ron, and we both felt guilty because we sort of made her cry by talking about her like that. We hurried off in the opposite direction to warn her about the troll. Well, the troll found its way into the girls' bathroom! Hermione was hiding but the troll was trying to hit her with its huge club! I jumped at it and ended up sticking my wand up its nose, not that that did anything of course. Then I yelled at Ron to do something and he yelled the first spell to come into his head–Wingardium Leviosa–the club flew from his hand and smacked the troll over the head, knocking him out.

Professor McGonagall came rushing in and was completely shocked and angry. She lectured for a bit and demanded to know why we were there. Then Hermione told her that she had gone looking for the troll, and that if Ron and I hadn't come and saved her, she would be dead. I couldn't believe it–she told an out-right lie to a teacher! Well, I guess there are just some situations that cause you to become instant friends.