Just Checking In (Eirian)

[cordeux]

Dear Eirian

Not sure if you've heard of it or not, but I remembered how you liked to have your nose in a good mystery book and this made me think of you. I was going through some of my old things at my parents' flat and found my copies of the Sherlock Holmes series. It's about a muggle detective who uses the power of deduction to solve mysteries that others can't. My mum bought it for me a few years before I got the letter to Hogwarts. In case you haven't heard of it, I'm enclosing A Study in Scarlet for your enjoyment. Let me know if some of the muggle terms are confusing.

How are you doing at Hogwarts? I've heard a few interesting things have happened since I left. I'm sure everything is going just fine with your studies, you were always a bright one. I wanted to know how the old team was doing. Wish I could go to the matches. Drop me a line whenever you're free.

Your curious friend,
Iris

[Deleted]

Dear Iris,

What a wonderful surprise to hear from you! How long has it been since our last exchange of letters/words? I fear way too long and I’m talking three quarters of the blame for it. Things just have been uberly busy here as always, but I’m still having fun studying so that’s the main thing. Now, on to your amazing present. WHY have I never heard of this guy before?! I can’t believe I missed out on this brilliant man, the way he thinks is absolutely awe-inspiring. How he just SEES things and blocks everything unimportant out. I’m only twenty pages in and it’s already got me hooked. I’m thrilled to find out who’s gonna be there first in the oncoming murder, Mr. Holmes or me! It might come across as weird to you, but what made me love this muggle detective is this passage I’m gonna copy for your convenience:

"I consider that a man's brain originally is
like a little empty attic, and you have to stock it with such furniture
as you choose. A fool takes in all the lumber of every sort that he
comes across, so that the knowledge which might be useful to him gets
crowded out, or at best is jumbled up with a lot of other things so that
he has a difficulty in laying his hands upon it. Now the skilful workman
is very careful indeed as to what he takes into his brain-attic. He will
have nothing but the tools which may help him in doing his work, but of
these he has a large assortment, and all in the most perfect order. It
is a mistake to think that that little room has elastic walls and can
distend to any extent. Depend upon it there comes a time when for every
addition of knowledge you forget something that you knew before. It is
of the highest importance, therefore, not to have useless facts elbowing
out the useful ones."

It might seem a bit silly or inhuman, but that is precisely what I think sometimes. A huge part of our brain capacity is jumbled and crammed with emotional affairs and reactions, if we only cleared out them, how much more brilliant could we be. I think if this man actually lived, he and I could be great non-friends.

I’m not gonna stall on the other news any longer though, I am sure you really want to know how the team does. I think we’ve got a promising bunch this year and our first match against Hufflepuff was a striking success! We blew them off the pitch 370-90, it was a great team effort, not to mention the snitch catching abilities of Cho, she’s perfect! Now let’s see how we fare against Slytherin in February, they’re not bad this year either. And then of course the finale against Gryffindor, Potter has taken over the team this year, this is gonna be interesting. Seekers make interesting captains, they’re outlook on the game is so different.

How are things going with you? Are you following through with that dream of yours? You wanted to be an auror, right, that’s surely something you could do well. I’ve recently discovered my dream job, but I don’t think I can meet the requirements for it. Sounds crazy for one like me, huh? But well, things happen. It’s a long story and not something I want to bother you with. I will keep you updated on my progresses with Sherlock Holmes, thanks again so much for introducing me to this amazing mystery. I just have to be careful it won’t take priority over my current workload of essays.

All the best,
Eirian

PS: you wouldn’t believe who’s teaching DADA now: SNAPE!

[cordeux]

Dear Eirian,

It’s quite alright! I’ve been busy too, you know, what with working a job and getting my own flat here in London. Speaking of, you have an open invitation if you ever find yourself in the city. Not sure if my guest room is of better quality than one at the Leaky Cauldron, but I’ll let you be the judge of that.

Now, on to Sherlock Holmes. To be honest, ever since I was first introduced to this series (let me know when you’ve finished, I have loads more sitting here on my shelf) he has been my role model. The writer (obviously a brilliant Brit, what can I say) was so creative, writing a few novels and many collections of short stories for Mr. Holmes and all of them kept me guessing with the twists and turns of the mystery. It’s very impressive. There have only been about five or six I’ve been able to figure out before the end! I think it’s probably one of the best things mum has ever given me.

My favorite story is the Hound of the Baskervilles. I must have read that book cover to cover within the span of twelve hours! I’m absolutely thrilled you’re enjoying it so far and I want to hear all about what you think as you go through the one I sent you.

It’s great to hear that the team is doing so well! You really showed those Hufflepuffs that it’s brains over brawn, then! Next you have to crush those Slytherins into the ground (don’t show this letter to McGonagall, she’d box my ears if I said something like this too close to her in the stands)! They won’t know what hit ‘em, those blithering gits! Alright, maybe I’m still a bit competitive and biased towards my old team, but who can blame me? I’m really hoping Ravenclaw makes it against Gryffindor this year as Potter is a brilliant seeker and probably makes an even more brilliant captain. Is he as good as Wood was? If he is, it will take all your wit and skill to win the match!

Now that I’m a bit more settled down in the city, I’m seriously considering applying to start Auror training. I’ve got all the requirements nailed so that isn’t a problem, it’s more of bravery and willpower. Da has been pushing me towards it which is probably why I’ve dug my heels in and sat on the decision for so long, but it’s hard doing one thing when your dream is to, well, put dark wizards in Azkaban. If I ever end up in St. Mungo’s, I’ll be sure to put in a word to your brother from you. Yes, alright, that wasn’t very funny of me.

What about your dream? I’ve got all the time in the world to read letters at the moment so it won’t kill me to get a long one from you. In fact, it’s rather nice to get long letters from you, I really miss hearing news about the school and being around all of you. Well, not all, there are a few bloody idiots that could do with a hex or two, though I won’t mention any names… Anyway, chop chop! Spill it, tell me what it is!

Waiting impatiently,
Iris

P.S. Snape?! If even he can get his dream job, I think you’re set for life, Eirian.

[Deleted]

My dear Iris,

Alright, so you wanted a long letter – you shall get one! It’s evening now and I just finished all my homework, feels good to have this Transfiguration essay off my back, even though it was a very interesting topic. Quidditch practice was very good today, even though I fear we might have almost-caught a Slytherin spy. Those CHEATS. We were just practicing a few new surprise moves, when we heard a creaking in the stands and saw some shadow disappear. When we rushed to investigate we saw someone had dropped a green glove. Now I don’t think Sherlock would need more than a few seconds to deduce what we did, and you can think of our anger. If three teams on this school can play fair, WHY CAN’T THEY?! Okay, calming down now, there’s no use getting worked up over it after all. In the next game we will see what they thought they saw from us, and we will be careful. That’s all we really can do, since we have no idea who it exactly was. About Harry, I think he is at least a little less obsessed about it all than Wood was, I heard some of the Gryffindor team mates complaining about that and comparing it to Harry’s style. He just seems to let an awful lot of his friends into the team, I’m not sure if that’s a good idea, favouritism never works.

I’m almost through with the book now, and I’d been done sooner had I not held myself back with all I could manage. Gladly, there are not many terms I was unfamiliar with, since I ventured a little in muggle crime and science for a few years now. Just a few of the military terms had me confused, but then they’re not too important, right? And I’m also intrigued to say that Sherlock Holmes seems to be always one or two steps ahead of me, which doesn’t happen often when I read murder mysteries. I’d be extremely happy if you could send me the next one with your next letter, I’m sure by the time the owl arrives I’ll be through with Study in Scarlett and can send it right back to you. What’s so good about Hounds of Baskerville? Is it the next in line or are some books coming between them? And are they all linked so you have to read them one after the other, or can you switch between them? Oh, so many questions, it’s long since a book got me that excited!

Your Auror training sounds amazing, but I know what you mean with others wanting you to do it. I had a similar situation recently before the new term started. My dad wanted me to have a talk with a curse breaker, which turned out to be the eldest Weasley brother, Bill. At first I didn’t like it my dad was doing my things for me, since I’m really no longer a child, but it ended up to be the best idea he could have ever had. Have you ever heard details about Curse Breaking?! It’s my dream job in a box! Solving riddles, keeping a cool head about it, having to figure out the most intricate mysteries while NEEDING to rely on your brains only… doesn’t that sound like me? Well, too bad I can’t do it. First, I would need to take my NEWTs in Potions for that, and I don’t know if you even know it, but I failed my OWLs in it, so I won’t be taking any classes in it any longer. The exam just was a nightmare, since apparently someone forgot to tell them I was not doing well with open fire. And even if I DID have the NEWTs, I don’t think I could ever work in such a dangerous field as Curse Breaking with that phobia anyway. Fire is gonna come in at some point SOMEWHERE and then I’d just be screwed and would put not only my life on the line but also that of those who are with me. I couldn’t take that risk. So I’m back to point zero I guess.

Eventually I know I’m gonna have to do something about it all, since I hate being so unreasonable myself. I can’t let myself being dominated by it all, and yet that’s just what I do. I can’t even understand it myself. There is literally NO reason why I should be afraid of fire that is under control, like on a torch, or beneath a kettle. There is NOTHING that can happen unless I behave completely stupid. But apparently instead of dying down my phobia just seems to increase lately and all I can do is watch. And certain people randomly attacking me with fire hexes because I prove to be smarter than them isn’t exactly helping…

Ah, look at the size of this letter, are you even still awake? I wouldn’t blame you if not, my ramblings about my illogical freakouts can’t be that interesting after all.
Tell me more about what’s going on on YOUR side of the world, aka London. Hogwarts sometimes feels as far away as the moon, it’s like a completely different world, but I’m sure you know that. Oh, and, if you come across a good riddle, don’t hesitate to send it along, I have been a bit lagging on them recently.

With my best wishes,
Eirian

[cordeux]

Dearest Eirian,

That’s horrible! Those no-good bloody prats! Absolutely drives me mad to think that they might have a chance against the team because of trickery. I might have to see if I can send good ole’ Oliver off investigating, if there’s anything he can really do once or if he digs something up (brilliant chap but definitely a Gryffindor through and through, no head on his shoulders for Sherlockian deductions, sad to say). I would have to storm the school if the Slytherins took the house cup! I’m sorry to hear that Harry is letting friends on the team, as fun as it is to play the game with your friends, friendship isn’t the same as skill and skill is what it mostly takes to win.

Speaking of Sherlock, I am pleased to tell you that, while there is a bit of a timeline in the books and short stories, they weren’t written with a specific order in mind. Anyone with half your smarts can figure out what the placement is within a few minutes, so I’m sure you’ll be fine. With that in mind, I’m sending along the Baskervilles novel so I hope you don’t have too many essays to turn in within the next two days! It is absolutely riveting and I find myself going back to it again and again. My favorite part of all is the chapter where you see the hound for the first time. Absolutely brilliant writing! The post owl is going to be a little irritated with me for sending her out with so many packages so please try and give her a couple of treats at your end so she doesn’t nip my fingers so much on the return trip.

I nearly ended up not being able to pursue a career as an Auror, I barely slipped by with an O on my O.W.L. for potions. It was a harrowing experience, I think you were around to see me moping in the common rooms, bewailing my fate. Might have been your first year, great first impression, I tell you. Anyway, my point is, maybe there’s a way you can redo it or get around it. Talk to Dumbledore or the head of house, whichever professor you’re close to, really. It seems really impossible to me that there isn’t something set in place to allow you to try again and to get the career you’re absolutely dreaming of. To have your fate based on this one test? Really, who thought of that?

I don’t want to get your hopes up too much if there isn’t a way, but certainly there has to be. You just have to keep searching for it. You’re a smart girl, I’m sure the answer will come to you (and when it does, don’t share it with those bloody, cheating Slytherins).

I’ve got to go, Mr. Whiskers is clawing at me to be fed and this post owl is eating me out of house and home. I foresee a terrible mishap involved patches of fur and feathers in the near future…

Crossing my fingers,
Ris

[Deleted]

Dearest Ris,

I know right??!! It could almost make even me freak, if I hate something it’s treachery and bullying and some of those Slytherins (I won’t say all, like some of the Gryffs do, cause you can’t lump a good 200 people together) have that behavior written all over them and are even proud of it. Oh, you’re still in contact with Oliver Wood? Maybe should have guessed, though, you seemed good friends all around the pitch. I was quite surprised so see him come back to Hogwarts, thought he would be on the British team in less than four years. But each to his own I guess, as long as he doesn’t fleeze the Gryffs in a match against us, he can do whatever he wants. He even allowed me to do some special singular Quidditch training with Sura, my Hufflepuff friend.

Ris!!!!! You didn’t tell me that Hounds of Baskerville is about a giant spectral dog!!!! That’s the muggle version of the Grim, who knows, maybe the family even SAW the Grim and that was their muggle explanation for it all!!! Gosh, when he first was described I nearly had a heart attack! I couldn’t finish it yet, but I’m at least glad the hound has little personal appearances until now. It’s clear that Sherlock doesn’t believe in him, and maybe so shouldn’t I … in the Grim I mean… but then, you didn’t see what I saw, you didn’t go to bed with the howling of a dog and woke up in a burning house… but anyway. Apart from that horrible reference, the book is once again a pleasure to read, and I am sure Sherlock Holmes will find a logical explanation to it all, maybe even for the dog itself. Why can’t there be a Mr. Holmes in these times? I’m sure he’d be a great stronghold for me, and a pleasure to converse with.

Oh yes, I remember that incident, when you were so distraught about your grades. Back then, I couldn’t understand it at all, excuse me in hindsight for maybe even rolling my eyes, but now I certainly get it. Looking back at things now, it certainly didn’t hinder our friendship, now did it? Only showed how determined you were to follow through with your dream, and determination is never misplaced – unless it’s for unreasonable things of course. You’re right, I know I should be talking with someone and my hope was almost raised when I heard it wouldn’t be Snape that took over the Potions classes this year, but my bad luck would have it, and now he’s STILL Potions professor. I just lack the guts to stand up to him, Ris, I know he thinks me a hopeless wimp. So before I even think of taking Potions again, I must be able to do it without fear. I can’t stay away from fire forever! Also not with Curse Breaking, that would be a joke. So many curses could be linked with fire, and just having it in the back of my head how much that would endanger me would probably ruin half of it for me. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life looking constantly over my shoulder, that’s ridiculous!

Gladly though, I might have found a fellow in crime so to say, but I’m not sure yet. I was recently storming off from a run-in with Trelawney (she tried to convince me I was in ‘grave danger’ – don’t ask!!) when I encountered a Hufflepuff my age (and don’t make the usual jokes now, he’s Hufflepuff House Wizard Chess Champion, so he DOES have some brains!) who apparently is afraid of water. The crazy idea occurred we could maybe try to get rid of our opposite fears together. Not sure about the how yet, but it’s the best perspective I had for quite a while. So, keep crossing your fingers!
How did the fur-and-feather drama end? I will give the owl a large treat before I send her on her way, so hopefully she won’t bother you as much.

With that and a hug for you,
Eirian

[cordeux]

Dear Eir,

Sorry it’s taken me so long to reply! I’ve been a bit busy lately, what with the Auror thing and a couple of visits to home. They’ve been rather disastrous lately so I’ve been trying to do damage control. Anyway, not like you want to hear much about that, on with the letter!

Alright, while I might not have lumped all Slytherins together in the past, they seemed to be getting a bad lot in near the time I graduated so it’s hard not to with so many bad apples in the bunch. There were only about two or three on the Quidditch team that I genuinely liked playing against. I don’t think Ollie is going to stiff you on points once he has to call. He was always one for a fair game, though he might joke about it. I’ve never known a Gryff to cheat at anything other than homework.

Honestly I didn’t tell you because I was afraid you wouldn’t read it, but I wanted you to because it has an absolutely logical explanation to it at the end and I thought it might help you out a bit with your fear. You know, maybe a little good luck for your potions problem? I’m not big on lucky trinkets but as a Ravenclaw I think if anything could be one, it’s a good story. Besides, you know how I feel about Grims. I think they’re a load of hogwash, superstition dreamed up by people like Trelawney and passed on due to tradition and coincidental sightings. You know what fear can do to the mind. When you’re trapped in that state, your mind plays tricks on you and you can see and hear things that aren’t there. It’s the bad side of imagination. That’s why children are always crying about monsters under their beds when nothing is there.

Really, Eir! I understand being afraid, lord knows I have some intense fears myself, but try and use that to push you and guide you to your goal. Sometimes when I’m afraid of something I like to use it as a motivator like “Well this is what’s going to catch up to me if I don’t push myself so I might as well get on it”. I don’t know if that makes any sense or not, it’s a bit hard for me to explain at the moment but I think the point should be clear.. Sort of?

A Hufflepuff afraid of water? I’m not really surprised, they always struck me as a silly but loyal bunch. However, I supposed that sounds like it might work… Though it would be absolutely terrible if he was helping you with your fear of fire and was too afraid to cast a spell to douse it. I’d have to wring his neck. Maybe you could try and get him swimming with the giant squid! Keep me updated!

Best,
Ris

[Deleted]

Dearest Ris,

I am sorry to hear that your family situation still doesn’t seem to improve. That can’t be easy, just try to not let it get to you that much, think of the logical side of it all. Mistakes have been made and they can’t be UNdone, so maybe your parents should try and actually START over, instead of still hanging on to who lied to whom. And they should think about YOU as well… you’re in the middle of it all, that’s hardly fair!

Oh yes, that’s true, a reason while I sometimes like and at the same time dislike Gryffindors, which is illogical, I know. A thing can never be the contrary of itself. But really, sometimes they are TOO fair, you know, or just sprouting the label ‘fair’ without actually acting on it. That’s even worse than being honestly unfair in my eyes. It should be interesting to see Professor Wood – cause I guess that is what I have to call him now, though it’s ridiculous for someone of that age – calling a match. I know he’s fair, I remember that incident, when Gryffindor could have called a re-match, because Harry was attacked by Dementors (I still shudder sometimes when thinking on that horrible game!), but he refused, saying that Diggory had obviously caught the Snitch. That’s sportsmanship!

Hmm, you are right, I might not have read it had I known, you sly girl. And I would have missed out, so thanks for not mentioning it. It might be the logical explanation in the end for that dog – really, I didn’t know you could change an animal’s appearance with phosphorus, that’s an interesting detail I shall keep in mind – but do you think there is a logical explanation for the Grim? I mean yes, it should not exist by all we know, but there still have been people seeing it and dying afterwards. However, I’ve often haboured the thought that the fear alone makes people reckless, and so accidents are more prone to happen. It might be my grandfather was shaken by the words my grandmother said, so he didn’t mind the fireplace… ah, we’ll probably never know.

You are helping me quite a bit you know that? I am getting surer and surer I really want to do something against it now. Who knows what might happen next if I don’t. We’re living in dangerous times after all. That reminds me though… do YOU have a fear that keeps you from something? It’s none of my business of course and you don’t have to answer this, but I wouldn’t have thought, from knowing you. You are always so cheerful and witty, if I didn’t know you have some trouble at home, I wouldn’t even know it. I think I need to find some of that cheerfulness again.

Hey, don’t talk so bad about Elliot, he really seems like an alright guy! And it is not water in general he’s afraid of – gosh, think of that possibility, it would not be very hygenic! – it’s just large bodies of water, like for example the lake. So he’d never go swimming, can you imagine that, the poor lad! Swimming is so wonderful, I could spend hours in and underwater!
How are things going with your auror career? Did you do the sign ups? And how did they go? I’m sure they’ll take you on with pleasure, but you must promise me to be careful, okay? Sometimes I wish the rest of the world was as safe as Hogwarts, I can’t imagine anything happening here, it’s like a different world.

Waiting for news,
Eir