Language Exchange

[Mei-ling Moriarty]

*Letters between Mei-ling and Isabelle


To Isabelle Vernier,

So my tutor gave me a list of names I can write to in order to learn more about french. I've only been learning it for a couple of weeks, so I hope it's okay that I chose to write to you. I like to think I am good with language, but it took me five years to properly get the right English words and so I suppose that does not make me good at languages.

To tell you a little bit about myself, I was born in Vietnam, but I was adopted when I was six years old. My new family raised me in New Zealand for a while before my new dad moved to England where I got another new family. I suppose this letter won't be very long because I am running out of things to say. Sorry, there's not many french words in this letter, I hope you are better at English than I am in french.

I await your reply,
J'attends votre réponse,
Mei-ling Moriarty.​

 

[Isabelle Vernier]

To Mei-Ling Moriarty,

Thank you for writing to me. French is my first language and I am writing to you in English which is going to be my second language. Your French seems good to me but I don't know any Vietnam words to talk to you in also, so English is what I will stick with.

It looks like you had quite a complex childhood. I was not adopted like you but, once my mother died, my father, brother and I went moving around France for father's job until my father met another lady. She already had a daughter and then my father and her had twins after they married so I have a big family now.

As for school I go to Beauxbatons Academy of Magic which is not too far from where I live. What school do you go to? I have step-cousins that go to that school in New Zealand. Perhaps you knew them? You might not but it's worth a try.

It looks like I have to end this letter now.
Thank you for writing to me,
Isabelle Vernier.

 

[Mei-ling Moriarty]

To Isabelle,

My tutor has given me free time in class to write you. There are three others in my class, we all practice after normal classes or between classes and stuff. It's a lot of fun. I am sorry I forgot to mention that I am attending Hogwarts Scotland, I'm a Hufflepuff. That means I'm nice, and fair and some other stuff that I probably should've listened to, but didn't.

I'm sorry about your mum. I don't really remember my parents, but my adoptive dad talks to me about them sometimes. I'm pretty sure he's lying because he never met them, but it's a nice thought. There's just me and my brother Augustus at the moment. I don't think my dad's have plans to adopt any others. If they do you'll be one of the first to know!

I didn't spend a lot of time in New Zealand unfortunately, but if I ever do meet them I'll let you know. I'm sure they would be really nice like you. It'll be Christmas soon and I can't wait. We always have a really big party, I'll send you lots of pictures!

Jusque-là, au revoir pour le moment,
Mei-ling.
​

 

[Isabelle Vernier]

Mei-Ling,

I don't think my class is like yours. My father got someone to come to my house and teach me and my siblings privately. I like the things the lady gets me to do because I like to learn but your class sounds like it's a lot of fun too. Hufflepuff is a word I haven't heard before so I will write that down in my journal. My teacher says it is a house and is a group of people who are similar to each other at school. I wish Beauxbatons had houses because that way I might be able to find someone like myself. Was it easy to make friends once you were sorted?

It's okay about my maman but I can't imagine how it must feel to never know yours. It's great that your adoptive parents are good to you though. But I'm not sure if you want to have more siblings because I'm already sick of my half-siblings and babies can get annoying. Maybe if they ever think of adopting ask if they could adopt someone closer to your age so you don't have to worry about the crying all the time.

Thank you for saying I am nice. I don't usually talk to people and if we met face to face don't think I will be talking like I am now. Christmas is my favourite holiday because everyone can be together. It's the first Christmas for me with the babies and hopefully it will be fun. I can't wait to see pictures and maybe I will send some to you in return.

Au revoir, un nouvel ami,
Isabelle.