Closed Friendly Correspondence

[Charles Abberline]

May 3, 2050
​

Rose,

I hope that you do not mind me writing to you. After we saw each other in Tākarokaro Park I reckoned that it might be nice to keep in touch with one another again.

To catch you up with what has been going on here in England, the Appleby Arrows have won another game, which was quite exciting to watch. I took my father along with me as I figured that it might do him some good to get out of the house for a change - I think he loved every second of it because he's still talking about the game now. I've done two more arrests since we last talked to each other. The office is slowly easing me into more difficult jobs, though people still very much treat me like the newcomer. I was at work yesterday until seven o'clock finished up reports for other people. I should consider myself lucky, though. According to my father, they gave him mountains of paperwork to do when he first started working for the Hit office. Anyway, that's it for an update on what's been going on in my life. As you can read it's all pretty boring stuff. What about you? How are you doing?

I hope to hear from you soon,
Charles

P.S. If the bird bites give it a treat, I've put some in the pouch attached to its leg.

 

[Rose Holland]

Hey Charlie,

Thanks for the letter! It was a nice surprise. It was fun to talk to you in the park, especially to hear a bit about your life in the UK.

I'm afraid your life is still a lot more interesting than mine. I don't know a lot about Quidditch, but are the Appleby Arrows the team you root for the most? Do you go to a lot of games? It's nice that you took your dad. I've been spending more time with my parents too now after school. Well, mostly my dad. My mum is pretty busy like, all the time.
I'm glad your work is easing you into the hard stuff, though it does suck that other people make you do their reports. That doesn't sound fair. I do worry a bit about your job, though. I mean, it's pretty dangerous right? Have you gotten hurt? I don't know if I should even ask, honestly. I still work at Honeydukes, so the most dangerous thing I see on a regular day is a chocolate frog. I'm still thinking of what I want to do after this, because... you had a point at our meeting. I don't want to keep working in a shop forever, but taking the next step seems scary. But soon Phoebe will be graduating too, and whatever she'll do she's going to shine at. I don't know, it's a silly thing to worry about. I'm doing alright, though! I've been watching my baby sister a lot lately. Oh and we had some wild family drama over Christmas break, but I don't know if that would bore you or not. I could explain more in my next letter, if you want.

Rose

P.S. You're Charlie, not Charles. That's just weird.

P.P.S. I gave the owl a treat but it did bite me first

 

[Charles Abberline]

May 12, 2050​

Rose,

Surely exciting things have happened to you! I have been to all of their home matches so far, which is funny because I never really cared for Quidditch at Hogwarts. I blame my sudden interest in the sport on my colleague's, if it wasn't for them I probably still wouldn't have watched a Quidditch match. How is your mother finding her position as Minister for Magic? I can imagine it taking away time that was there previously. You are more than welcome to spend your time with me and my Dad if you ever got bored of yours. I think Dad wouldn't mind it, he still thinks it's unfortunate that we had to break up - you'd actually do me a favour if you'd hang out with him, it might shut him up about me never bringing someone back home for once. It would also be lovely to see you again, though.

I have never been great at giving away advice so I am not going to pretend as if I am now, but why not do the thing you shine at? What subject did you shine at in school? You like working at Honeydukes, right? Why not take an enormous leap and open up your own shop? I remember you asking me at what age I knew I wanted to be a Hit-Wizard, well, it's because it was the thing both my parents loved to do, and in spending time with them helping solve cases at home, so did I. You could always take a page out of my book and follow in your parents' footsteps. I'm glad you're doing alright besides everything! How's your little sister doing? Is it odd to have another, and so much younger, sister? I wouldn't mind reading about the drama that occurred over the Christmas break, I don't think anything can bore me more than writing reports so you're all good!


Charle Charlie

P.S. I am sorry that the owl bit you still, I've had a long conversation with it on manners!

 

[Rose Holland]

Hi Charlie,

It's nice to hear your coworkers are taking you to matches. Does that mean you're making friends at your new job? What sort of people do you work with? I always imagined Hit Wizards to be kind of aggressive, but you definitely aren't. Guess I had the wrong idea. My mother isvery happy in her work, I think. She's very busy, but I really believe she enjoys being that busy. Though I do worry about her a bit sometimes. Are you subtly trying for me to come visit? Don't you bring your coworker friends home for your dad? How rude! Though I do think it would be fun to see you again.

I don't think I could ever open up my own shop! What would I sell? My bad knitting? I already struggle operating the register here, and I think the owner is just too nice to say anything about it to me. If anything, I want to go into Herbology... but because my dad does that too it felt almost like too easy a solution, you know? Like I was just picking the easy way out by doing what he does, and he could give me connections and stuff. But at least I'm not using my mother to get a high position at the ministry or something (not that she would let me, haha) I never knew your parents were Hit-Wizards too. Did you want to do it because of that? Phoebe is dong alright, I think. I haven't seen her since Christmas, but I doubt she's stressing too much about the NEWTs. She's smart and she knows it. It's a little strange to havea a baby sister, but I'm used to it now. It helps that Lucy is very adorable, though.

Ok here's the Christmas drama. Buckle in, it gets wild. So my dad has two siblings, one is my uncle Vincent who lives in France. He's my cousin Grace's dad, you remember her? He's always been kind of stuffy. But apparently when my dad and him were young, they had a fight with their sister (who I didn't even know existed until this year!) my aunt Melanie. She's pretty cool, and she and my dad made up, but my uncle Vincent was kept out of it because it was apparently all his fault they ever were estranged in the first place. So at the Christmas party we had invited aunt Melanie, but not uncle Vincent. Somehow he found out and showed up anyway, started shouting at aunt Melanie and everything. It was quite a scene, and my mum was lucky no press was lurking around. I bet people would have gossiped like mad. But yeah, it was a whole thing. Grace was so embarrassed. Does your family ever get this weird?

Rose

P.S. I think the conversation helped!

 

[Charles Abberline]

June 2, 2050​

Rose,

First things first, I'm sorry for waiting this long with writing back to you. I've had an incredibly busy few weeks.

I am indeed making friends at the job. It's been incredibly fun hanging out with a couple of them after work hours, however, I do think that it has to do with the fact that most of these people knew my parents when they worked there. I'm not complaining, though, as I said, it's been really great so far making new friends and going to Quidditch matches and pubs and such. It's honestly a mixture of both aggressive and non-aggressive people who work at the office. There are some who will go absolutely nuts when chasing someone, casting spells left and right in order to capture the criminals. I think that the reason why the Obliviators are so hostile against us, some among the Hit-people don't know how to keep a low profile. I'm happy to hear that your mother likes her new position! I've brought a some over, though they mostly come to see my father again and have a chat about the ''good old days'' as they put it. While having you over would be much more fun for me as well. So, you know, you're more than welcome to drop by any time you can.

You're knitting isn't that bad, I liked the things you made. You could always try and have a go at selling them, perhaps someone's in dire need of a hundred scarfs and caps! I don't know, it doesn't feel like taking the easy solution to me. If working with plants and herbs and such is something that you like and something that you would like to do in the future, then why not use your father's connections? I kind of used my parents' connections to get me through the whole process of joining the Hit-Wizard office. And yeah, I did want to become one become of that. I always liked the thrill of solving cases and such.

That's mental. I'm glad no one from the Evening Prophet was around to capture the scene! I was wondering, by the way, how does your family do things know? I reckon there's press surrounding your mother every minute of the day. I don't know half of my family, or at least I haven't seen them since I was nine years old. After my mother died, her half of the family broke any and all contact with us. Why? I have no clue and my father doesn't want to tell me either. If I could guess it's because they didn't approve of my mother marrying my father - his family is kind of well known for being nutters. I think it has something to do with the fact that my father's half of the family is prone to having signs of early-onset dementia. Grandfather does get weird from time to time. I spent a weekend with him a couple of weeks ago and he continued to annoy his neighbours for two days just to show me how loud they could be? Yeah, it doesn't make any sense, I know. I'm sorry my family isn't as fun as yours.

Charlie

P.S. You can call me Charlie the Bird Whisperer from now on!

 

[Rose Holland]

Charlie,

That's okay, I get that your job gets busy. It sounds very important and stressful. Are you taking care of yourself? I know you're serious and work hard, but you need rest too. I'm glad you have good friends around you at work, even if it's maybe a little strange they knew your parents. I had no idea obliviators were hostile against hit wizards! I guess all these departments have their own views on things... I bet you're one of the ones that can keep a low profile, though. You were always pretty good at being quiet, but maybe that changed. It's funny to see you call my mother's job new, as she's been in the position for a few years already. But I guess it's still a bit new, especially when we haven't really spoken much for a few years. I would like to visit when I have some time, it would be nice to visit the UK for a bit. Did I ever tell you I was born there? My parents grew up in England.

Thanks, because of your comment about my knitting I sent along a scarf, you have to take it now, haha! I guess you're right about the Herbology stuff. It's just a feeling I had in the back of my head, I guess. But you make a good point... I've always loved Herbology the best. Yeah the drama was weird, and I'm glad it didn't end up in the Prophet. Things have changed a bit, yeah... my mum has aurors following her whenever she goes out. My sisters and my dad and I have it less bad when we're out without her. She's too busy to really be out a lot anyway, to be honest. Your family sounds mysterious, and a little sad. But like I described in my last letter, my family has its own share of drama. I guess stuff like that is more common than I thought. Families are weird.

In news here... I moved out of my parent's house and in with my friends. Do you remember Hayley and Harley? We're still friends. They're a couple now actually, which is a little strange. But I'm used to it now, and we have a place together. It's pretty cool, really. Also, Phoebe has just graduated too. That's so weird, the year went by so fast. Remember whens he used to tease us and say we were dating? That was before we even were. I guess I should have listened to her, or maybe not. She gets awfully smug when she's right.

Rose

P.S. Your owl still behaved itself, so I guess the name is deseved.

 

[Charles Abberline]

June 16, 2050​

Rose,

I think I'm taking care of myself rather well, I've got a day off every other week so that's definitely nice. I have been working a lot lately, though. Perhaps it's time to ask for a week or so off... is it too early for me to ask for something like that? It's like I said in my previous letter, not everyone is as careful as they should be during a pursuit. As one might expect, the loud noises and bright flashing from casting spells attract Muggles who are not supposed to see such things. It's the Obliviators who, at the end of the day, have to erase those memories from Muggles, which is why they are not too happy with some of us. We are basically giving them a lot of unnecessary work to do. I do tend to keep a low profile, yes. I would like for the other departments to continue to be friendly towards me. You're right, it does kind of feel new to me still. I'm happy that we are talking again, though, I kind of missed that. I think you may have mentioned it once? But that's really cool, where are your parents from?

I will wear it proudly once the temperature drops! If it is something that you love then you should go for it one hundred per cent otherwise you will only come to regret it later on. I didn't know that the Minister is escorted by Aurors? Is that because of what happened during the election? You know, when one of the candidates got attacked? Or is that always been a thing? I don't or rarely see the British Minister of Magic, but when I do, they're only followed by a bunch of officials. I guess it kind of limits things for her, doesn't it? I'm not saying that I would trade my family for another one but it'd be nice to have a gathering again with everyone rather than just my Dad's side of the family. You're right, families are weird.

That's exciting news! You're definitely doing a lot better than me in that department. I hope my owl is still able to find its way to you. Quick side note, I'm glad it is behaving itself well. It tends to not always deliver mail or letters. Harley is the one who worked at the joke shop in Brightstone, right? Didn't she tease us also? Who knows, perhaps your sister is secretly a Seer and saw our future? I'm kidding, of course, that would be kind of scary. I don't really have any news, I think. Things have been a bit stale here. The only exciting thing I did was give an interview about someone we caught and the case surrounding it all. It was my first interview to give to the press, I guess that was kind of exciting!

Charlie

P.S. If you give it a treat this time around, it'll make a funny hoot noise for you.

 

[Rose Holland]

Charlie

A day off every other week... sounds pretty busy to me! I think asking for a week off is not a bad thing at all. Or maybe a few days, if you think a week is too long. Honestly, I'm not the best for advice, I barely know how that works. I have a pretty chill boss at Honeydukes, she's not one to be difficult about stuff like that, but I don't know what your boss is like. The thing you mention about Obliviators makes sense. I kinda wonder if that wouldn't... be bad for muggles. I mean, I know it's necessary, but having your memories wiped... I don't know, it sounds kinda weird when you think about it too much. That's stuff for my mum to think about though, not me. I'm happy we're talking too. My parents are from London, I think. They don't really talk about their time in the UK a whole lot. I think honestly they miss it a bit, especially mum. But that's not something she can really express as the Minister of Magic in NEW ZEALAND, haha. I think they're happy here too though.

Awesome, take a picture with it! I want proof! Haha, kidding. But I'm considering it, yeah. My mum isn't escorted by Aurors all the time, but pretty often. I think that has to do with it. She's probably a target. I don't want to think about that too much... It's pretty scary. Especially with Lucy being so young. It does limit her a bit, yeah. Spontaneous shopping trips together are a rarity now, and it's not as fun when she just gets recognized at every turn. But she's doing important work, and I'm proud of her.

The owl found the way perfectly! Harley did work in the joke shop, yeah. I think she probably did. That actually sounds like her. Oh man don't tell Phoebe that, she'll pretend to be a Seer forever. She's obnoxious enough as it is. She's sooo bored without school to look forward to, and with unlimited access to magic... she's practicing a lot of spells at my parents house. I think they are hoping she'll move out soon too. Wow, a real interview? Like for the prophet? Or something else? Can I read it? Was there a picture attached? I want details!

Glad to hear you are well, though.

Rose

P.S. That's a trick, it always makes a funny hoot noise!

 

[Charles Abberline]

Rose,

Does it? I thought it sounded normal. I filled in a form asking for a couple of days off. A new term has started at Hogwarts so thing will be easier - I swear, it seems that people are committing more crimes during the summer holidays than they would during any other holiday of the year. We've made seventy-five arrests in a span of three months. It's absolutely bonkers. I have never actually thought about whether having their memories wiped might be a bad thing or not for Muggles. I always assumed that it wouldn't because you always hear the Ministry of Magic talking about it, it's kind of normal to do so when you think of it. I hope it doesn't affect their minds too much. No, it'd be quite strange for the Minister of Magic of New Zealand to express such a feeling. I don't know if I have said this already, but I'm glad that you, and your parents and your sisters are taking it all in well. I can't even begin to fathom the pressure that rests on your family.

I will do so once the temperature drops, though I haven't used my old camera since I was eight. I hope it still works, might have to do some tinkering to get it to work again. Anyway, you can totally expect a picture once it's time to wear such attire again. I am happy that you are considering it, you've always had your way with flowers. That's great to hear, I was worried for a second that she might not find her way to you. Bubo is prone to get lost every now and then. Is she still doing experiments? If she needs a job, I might have some connections that could prove useful. It was for the prophet, yes. I have attached a copy of that day's Daily Prophet to the owl's leg, and it does have a picture. As I said before, it's about a case we are working on. The office thinks that there's a whole organisation behind the attacks on the Muggle world, to create chaos naturally. We've managed to capture one of them, well, why not boast about it, I managed to capture one of them after two months of tracking them. And so I was rewarded with doing the interview myself.

Perhaps I could come to visit you during my days off? It would be nice to see you again.

Charlie

Spoiler: Daily Prophet

 

[Rose Holland]

Hi Charlie!

I never thought about the holidays being an especially crime-filled time, but it makes sense. I guess Hogwarts aged kids do stupid stuff a lot, huh? Of course I'm way more mature than that now, haha. Seventy-five does sound like a lot! I bet its fine with the memory wiping, but I just couldn't help thinking how it would feel to miss memories. Though I guess you wouldn't know what you missed! The pressure is there, but it's not so bad. I think we've grown used to it over the years.

You don't really have to take a picture, though I think it would be fun to see. Phoebe's actually applying at the Ministry here soon, which I guess she has plenty of connections at already. She's hoping to be an Unspeakable, which is really strange as she rarely ever shuts up. I can't believe you were really in the prophet! But there you are! It's so fancy. It's so awesome you managed to catch one of those people. That's definitely something you can brag about, silly. I've bragged about lesser things, like the awesome prank we pulled before graduating. Did I tell you about that yet? I can't remember.

It would be cool for you to come here. We could hang out in Brightstone or something? Like old times.

Rose

 

[Charles Abberline]

Hello Rose!

Neither did I before I started working as a Hit Wizard. I do think that it is a combination of things. It sometimes feels like every little crime is organised by someone, there are days when everything just happens all at once and we are short on people making arrests. I do hope that it doesn't damage their brain, I would feel bad if it did. But you are right, they have no idea that something's been erased from their brains.

She wants to work for the Department of Mysteries? Huh, somehow I never imagined that Phoebe would want to join their lot. They are... strange, those Unspeakables. We try to get some information out of them of what's behind those doors every so often but they're not giving us anything expect cold stares. We joked that we should slip them some Veritaserum but then thought that the Unspeakables would probably have something on them to counter it. Weird bunch. All jokes aside, tell Phoebe that I wish her good luck. I guess that it is quite fancy, isn't it? I never expected to make it into the prophet, it's kind of an accomplishment, really. I don't think you have, but you should save it for when I'm coming over to New Zealand. They've granted my leave so I was thinking that maybe we would meet up in Brightstone on Saturday? I'd love to have a butterbeer in the Three Broomsticks with you.

Send me an owl back with your answer as soon as possible!

Charlie