Catch Up <Hayden>

To my favorite adult,

I’m doing okay, I guess. OWL year is definitely harder. The homework load is a lot to handle. So far I’m managing it okay though. I’m having some issues with my dueling class, but I think everything else will be alright. Potions isn’t too bad. I’m actually pretty good at it. I just don’t enjoy it very much. We’re not allowed to tweak anything, which sort of defeats the purpose. I think the professor’s afraid we might blow something up. Mikko and his friends definitely would. But they’d do it on purpose.

Don't worry. I'm not spending all my time studying. I found a book about wand cores in the library, so I’ve been reading that. Did you know you can actually use fairy wings as a core? I won't bore you with the details, but it’s been a really interesting read. I’ve been drawing a lot too. I sent you a picture since you asked. It’s a tree down by the lake. The Herbology professor said it’s a sycamore. It made me think of you since you’ve got a sycamore wand. Supposedly they’re really hardy trees that can survive all kinds of harsh weather and pollution. And they’re good shade trees, which is why people like them. It seemed like a good fit.

I’d really like to see you this weekend if you have time. I was actually thinking about writing you to ask. Toby and I sort of had a fight a few days ago. It’s complicated. He got upset I was adopted, and he was trying really hard to push me out. I finally got him to talk to me, and I think we sorted things out. But you know how Toby is. Once he gets something in his head, it takes a few tries to get it out. He's really freaked out about the new Ministry legislation, and I'm worried he might push me out again to try and protect me. I don't know how to help him. Especially if he won't let me. Is this what it felt like when I yelled at you that day after the Eye? I’m sorry about that, by the way. I know I’ve said it before, but I am. You didn’t deserve the things I said.

Speaking of Hogsmeade though. You’ll never guess who I met last weekend. Alec Wayland. The Quidditch player. Did I ever tell you he saved my life the day of the fires? I don’t remember. But Trace took him a letter for me, and we’ve been writing. And then I went to Honeyduke’s and he was there. He’s really nice. Funny too. You’d never know he was famous.

I’ve got an Arithmancy essay to finish, so I have to stop there. I can tell you more this weekend. It’ll be really good to see you. I miss you.

Your favorite,
Hayden

P.S. I won’t tell Hannah if you won’t. If Trace finds out he’s not my favorite adult, I’ll never hear the end of it.

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Enclosed with the letter is a rather detailed drawing of a large tree with a lake in the background.

(OOC - I changed the Toby paragraph to reflect what happened in the thread with him and Hayden, but it should still give off the same feeling.)