Remembering good, old times.

[Minoas Stratis]

There wasn't a better reason for Minoas to wear his biggest smile other than Gryffindor winning its first match of the year. It was an intense game and he had enjoyed every moment of it. His shoulder that had been hit by a bludger was still somewhat sore but he had decided to ignore it, thinking that it was soon going to cease. Despite being extrememly happy and wanting to celebrate their victory with his teammates, he had decided to do something else first, something that he was postponing for a long time but now he had decided that it was a good opportunity to fulfill it. Still wearing his Quidditch uniform, he was mounted on his scarlet streak and was flying towards the owlery. He was just too lazy to go their on foot, having to climb the whole staircase to reach the towers when he had an alternative way that he was really getting accustomed to.

He entered the round room from an open window and the rush of his entrance made a number of owls screech irritated for being disturbed. Minoas had only visited the owlery a couple of times. He was usually summoning his owl or another carrier bird with the help of a wooden whistle. The heavy smell of owl droppings had reminded him why he was avoiding this place bu he was going to get along with it just for today. He was in high spirits and his elated mood wasn't going to be affected that easily. He dismounted his broom and went closer to the window from which he had just entered. He leaned his broom against the wall, next to the window and turned his attention on the window's sill. There, were located a few pieces of parchment under a pebble, used to prevent them from being blowed away by the wind. In addition, the parchments were also accompanied by a ink bottle and a couple of quills. Minoas took a piece from underneath the pebble, chose a quill and uncorked the ink bottle. He dipped the thin nib into the viscous ink. He hesitated for a moment to think of what he was going to write down on his parchment and soon started scribbling down.

Dear sister,

How have you been? I'm quite mad at you for not having any news from you recently and I decided to send you an owl or else I'm going to hear from you when I'll be graduating. Today I just felt the need to let you know how grateful I am for the many things you’ve done for me and all the times that you were there for me. Thanks to you today I did a great job as a chaser, representing Gryffindor and that I own it to you and your patience to teach me. The match just finished and we were playing against Ravenclaw. The new Gryffindor team has been workind together pretty well but in every practice I feel that the team really misses you and your energy. I hope you are doing fine wherever you are and that you are enjoying life. I can't wait to hear from you and just remember. You're my dearest friend and whatever the case, I'll be there beside you through both the good times and the bad times.

Your brother,
Minoas

After finishing it, Minoas decided not to reread and let in this letter what came spontaneously out of him. Then he folded the parchment and searched for his owl. It didn't took him long to recognize the big eyes of his little owl. Glauce flew towards him and landed on the ledge when she realized that her master needed her assistance and hooted excited for that. He carefully wrapped his letter around her foot with a twisted string he had forgotten in his pocket and let her fly off the window. He stayed there as he watched her growing smaller in the distance. He was absolutely trusting Glauce to deliver that letter. She had never disappointed him and despite her little stature, she could easily compete with an eagle-owl about her stamina.
Knowing that Briar was somewhere in Australia, he was expecting a reply later that day. For now, he left the screeching owlery to enjoy a warm shower.

 

[Briar Rowan-Cullen]

Briar was at work. there had been nasty incident earlier in the week where a dragon had broken its way out of its constraints and trampled and burnt much of its breeding centre and injuring some of the wizards who worked there. although Dragons weren't her department Briar had been asked to help there as it was far from a full moon and there wasnt much going on in her office. she had jumped at the chance. she loved all dangerous creatures though admittedly dragons were her sisters speciality. she had just got back to her desk from the centre when she saw a little owl fly in through the window. assuming it was a note from one of the breeders asking to remember to bring something over she opened the letter and smiled when she saw her brothers hand writing. she red through it and smiled. before putting it in her bag. she would reply this evening after the ministry shift had ended before quidditch training.
At about five that evening she signed out then sat at her desk a parchment in front of her she read through the letter again before writing a reply.

Dear Brother
It is good to hear from you. I m so sorry for not writing I have been pretty busy recently. I don't know f you saw in the prophet earlier in the week about a dragon who ran rampage well I have been busy trying to sort that out, which to be honest has been a good change from paper work. yuck.
anyway. Well done for the quidditch. I wish i could have seen you and the team play, Gryffindor and ravenclaw sounds like a fun game. it is a shame the same game got called off last year I was looking forward to Beating Jeremy, yes I know I am overly competitive but that is the point of sport right? though maybe the team captains didn't think so
Your skills aren't due to me helping you training. your skills are due to your skills. the trainer doesn't make the moves for you. though it is nice to know it was worthwhile.
So how are things at school? staying out of trouble. hang on let me rephrase that. as breaking rules is half the fun of the place. have you had many adventures?
Here things have been pretty good. As I am sure you know I have been drafted onto the Macaws so i will be playing quiditch alongside your cousin. I also managed to get the job i wanted at the ministry in werewolf support services, though I am also generally working in the department for control and regulation of dangerous creatures which is good fun though a lot of paperwork. Also I have got back together with Dederick which is great, I spent most of the summer living with him in london though now I have moved to Wagga waga in australia (have you heard of the wagga wagga werewolf) you are more than welcome to stay over christmas break if you want, it isn't fancy but the location is great though there are a lot of spiders. How was Egypt? run into any mummies?
anyway I had better go. I have quidditch training tonight. though you too should be sure to know i will be there for you too whenever you need me. you just need to send an owl.
Briar
oh and i am enclosing a few of dragon scales. I am sure you will find some use for them. I got them from work this afternoon. a couple are for you and please can you give the others to madlyn.

she quickly red through the letter before sealing the scales inside and attaching it to the leg of the owl who had been waiting on the top of her cabinet all afternoon. she then turned out the lights and left for the quidditch pitch a large smile on her face.

 

[Minoas Stratis]

Few hours after the Quidditch match and after he had taken that shower, Minoas was lying on his bed in his dormitory wearing no more his Quidditch gear but a casual outfit of jeans and t-shirt. He was a wreck from the game. All his muscles were sore and he was feeling his whole body heavy while his shoulder was still aching from the impact with that bludger. With a first glance it looked nothing more than a bruise but why risk it and lose next match? He had to go to the hospital wing and have it checked out preventively.
He just needed one more minute on his bed, just to collect the strength needed after such a tiring morning to stand up and walk over to the hospital wing. He yawned and stretched his arms while lying down. His yawn was interrupted by his moan when the pain pierced through his shoulder. While sedating the pain by rubbing with his fingers the sore area, a knock by the closest window earned his attention. Glauce, his owl was knocking with her beak the glass of the window and enthusiastically when her master perceived her presence.

Indolently, Minoas reached for the window and opened it, letting a nice breeze sweep his face. The little owl shot rapidly inside, flew around the circular room twice before performing a flying pirouette and roost at the foot of Minoas' bed. Minoas remembered the letter that he had sent earlier to Briar and enlivened a little bit. He carefully untied the roll of parchment from the foot of the owl and patted her on her head while she hooted once more, satisfied for carrying out her task succesfully. Minoas unrolled the parchment and a handful of red scales drop out on his bed. Puzzled, he picked one and studied it. Could it be what he was expecting?
He read through her letter, a smile forming now and then as he was getting informed about her latest achievements. "Really!? Sweet!" he exclaimed astonished, making Glauce look at him bewildered with her huge eyes.
He had another look at the scales in his hand, this time as if they were an invalueable treasure. He couldn't believe he was holding in his palm dragon scales and judging from their scarlet color, they should be from a chinese fireball, his favourite. For a moment, he remained silent gazing at nowhere in particular with a wide grin on his face while he was imagining Briar riding casually a dragon. Forgeting temporarily about his sore body, he jumped on his feet and started making a mess of his trunk until he found the proper gear to write back to Briar. He used his bedside table as a stable surface to conduct his letter.

Dear Sister,

Apology accepted. I know that you must be really caught up with your new life. I'm so jealous of you! Did you manage to touch that dragon? That would be so exquisite! Your new job must be really fulfilling and exciting. Good for you! The match was good and hey, I think they won't be liking me either since I was having the possesion of the Quaffle the most time. Better do it yourself and fail rather than put your trust on someone else I guess. I think I got this at least from my trainer.

School is fine. Quite boring. I don't seem to be connecting with many people around and all the fun staff are prohibited. I got a detention as well. I tried to help a first year who got trapped into the forbidden forest (remind you of something?) and I got into trouble. Professor Kingsley busted us in the end. I'm starting to believe that she is camping there most of the time. She got really furious when Aspen and another centaur threatened her while defending us. By the way, you have Aspen's greetings. She looked fine. Unfortunately, I couldn't really hang out with her while I was grounded and I decided not to risk it and break any more rules until the match was over. I guess Madlyn is alright as well. Haven't really talked since she's too busy with her prefect duties and her big 'friend'. I believe that you will be coming in touch with her more often than I do.

I learnt about your draft onto Macaws from Icarus. That is awesome! Congrats for making it as a pro. Now there is another reason to support Macaws. Department for control and regulation of dangerous creatures, huh? I wonder what else you have encountered apart from that dragon. I'm happy that you and Dederick are doing well, you deserve it. I hope you keep that way. How is like living in Australia? I have no idea about the wagga wagga werewolf. Is that you building already a reputation there or just another well-known werewolf of the area? Spiders sound great to me. Time to remember the good, old times. I'll sure drop by one day. I promise.

Egypt is such a mystifying place. I visited over 10 monuments scenes along with the great pyramids. Great perplexed architecure. It was like labyrinth inside, we almost lost my younger brother Perseus but thankfully some muggle guides found him. I cruised Nile river with my family and met other wzard families as well. They have great culture and in their bazzars you can find almost everything. I bought also a book of protective and healing spells practised by the ancients but I can't still cast them. I also rode a camel. Not the most comfortable thing to do and I believe it didn't like me as it was whipping its tail on me and was spitting all the time. I've seen no mummies but my brothers had the 'bright' idea to lock me inside a sarcophagus. I don't think I ever had claustrophobia, now I have.

I should be going as well at the hospital wing. I was hit by a bludger today and it is still sore, I should better check it out. Don't worry, I'll give Madlyn some of the scales since she liked dragons as well. Thank you for them and next time I'll be expecting the hairs of a nundu.

Minoas

P.S. I got you a gift as well. I hope you like it.

After finishing his letter, he pulled the drawer of his bedside table and got out of it an amber amulet of the Egyptian god Anubis. Sure he was the god of afterlife and mummyfication but it was the closest resemblance to a wolf and werewolf although the head of the god was actually that of a jackal. Amulets and jewels were the most widespread gifts in Egypt and since he knew that Briar wasn't really a fan of jewelery, this amulet depicting the canine god was much more like her. He wrapped the amber amulet in another piece of parchment and wrapped it along with his letter tightly. Glauce was preparing to take a flight again and she was taking care of her grey plumage. When Minoas made sure that both the amulet and his letter were securely tied on the owl's leg, Glauce flapped her wings and soared out of the open window. Minoas decided it was time to actually visit the hospital wing before the party that it was going to occur later that evening in Gryffindor's common room.

 

[Briar Rowan-Cullen]

It wasn't until tuesday that Briar returned to work. she had organised her shifts so that she got the week ends off with Dederick and due to the time differences she had volunteered to work saturdays and then have mondays off. that was the way it was and it suited everyone. She got in early on tuesday morning expecting a pile of paperwork on her desk about the dragon. thankfully it seemed that the previous day had been a slow one and someone else had taken care of it. she smiled that the paper was not there but in its place was a letter. she smiled causing the person she shared her office with had just walked in and cast her a questioning look. she took her seat. "A letter from my brother" she said in explanation. before opening it. out fell a small amber amulet she curned it over in her hands looking at the picture of a man with a canine head on it she smiled and rummaged in her roll for a roll of string and tied it around her neck. as she read the letter. she smiled. knowing that by now he would be in class. As soon as her lunch break arrived she took a parchment and headed to the canteen. getting herself a plateful of the days special she took a seat at a slightly quiet table and started writing.

Dear Min
Thank you for the amulet. you didn't need to get me anything. though it is very appreciated. I will keep an eye out for nundu hair is hard to get not many of them in new zealand, ant their hair is a class A non-tradable item. but i will try my best
don't be jealous. there is a lot of things about the school I miss. mainly the people my family. you need to make the most of it. I did touch the dragon though not for long as its wasn't in the happiest of moods, and the dragons aren't my area of expertise. I had to laugh when you said you were like me with the ball. its more like the need to win is more important than the need to play with the rest of the team. I know that feeling well. though the professional team is better because everyone is just as passionate for the team as each other.
I know what you mean about banning the fun stuff. the forrest and cliff jumping m two favorate things to do in the grounds are technically out of bounds though I still did them. How I made it head girl and didn't get expelled in third year I will never know. I am glad you met aspen and she is okay. I was a little concerned for her. I did offer her to move onto my land but i think she likes the caste and the students. finally found somewhere she can be happy, even if she hasn't got a tribe. Talking about the forest that does sound familiar. I wouldn't be surprised if you said that he was following acromantular too. though I hope this time you were smart enough not to fall into a pit. Madlyn has a big friend? what is he like. she mentioned meeting someone who was part giant over the last christmas break though I didn't think they were at hogwarts.
How are your animagus classes going? any hints as to what animal you will be? Wagga is good though Dee prefers london hence why I work saturdays and have monday off. the community here isn't that keen on werewolves but thats half the fun. give them time and they will see my side. in the mean time i am enjoying the challenge.
Egypt sounds good. Maybe one day i will go to visit. you're brothers managed to lock you in a sarcophagus? that must have been terrifying (I had to ask my co worker what one was) I am glad you managed to get out. I couldn't do with my brother trapped or i would have to come and get you out myself.
I hope that the nurses managed to get you all fixed up. playing with bludgers are always fun the risk of injury makes them better.
anyway My lunch break is just about over. I just have time to find one of the owls before I have to get back to looking work. boring paperwork. no dragons on rampage so far this week.
Rowan

Briar then headed up to the department calling into the departments owl room and picked her favourite the one that made deliveries the fastest as minoas's little owl was long gone.

 

[Briar Rowan-Cullen]

Briar had bee thinking about her brother since she ran into him in Brightstone village. he had seemed pretty out of it and she was worried about him. she had seen that look a few times in herself at various times, she had seen it in madlyns eyes after Jackson had died. She hadn't wanted to talk about it in the village when they had been there as it was so good to meet both of her siblings she didn't want to deaden the tone instead she wrote to him one afternoon when he was off.

Min
Are you okay? I heard about your dad both through the ministry. I just wanted to know how you are coping. If there is anything I can do then you should let me know. I am volunteering to helping the course from the ministry, however as i am only in the department of the control and regulation of dangerous creatures I only really look into the welfare of the winged horses, but I am trying to keep an eye or ear out for anything, though so far nothing. If there is anything else I can do or get you just let me know
Briar

she sealed the letter in tight envelope and put it in her bag. the next morning as soon a she got to work she gave it to the owl she trusted most thinking that she may need to get her own one.

 

[Minoas Stratis]

Minoas had found a cozy corner at the till of a window on the fourth floor to read the book he had borrowed from the library. The rays of the afternoon sun that were filtered through window's glass were bringing that kind of warmth that was commanding your eyelids to shut. However, the book that he was currently leaning on his lap was so interesting that the gryffindor hadn't succumbed to lethargy. Actually, that book had helped him found something to dedicate his free time either than looking for hours at walls and ceilings. The experiences that were included in those pages of the most skillful animagus of the last decades had inspired him and prevented him from quitting his own training. Judging from their statements he had still a long road to walk until he was going to transform into his animagus form but at least now he was willing to insist.

A knock on the glassy window made him shift his attention from the book and look outside. An unknown owl was requesting to enter inside and Minoas pulled the handle to let it in. The owl landed on the till in front of him and extended its leg that had a letter wrapped on it. Minoas put aside his book, excitement building in his eyes as he hoped that the letter was including news about his father. He grimaced when he recognized Briar's handwriting and he was ready to shove the piece of parchment in his pocket without reading it. The owl however, stood there still, glaring at him with its big, yellow eyes as if it was waiting for him to read it first before leaving.
"Or...I could read it." he murmured and glared at the owl as well as he unfolded once more the parchment.
Thankfully, Briar hadn't filled the parchment with empty words of sympathy and consolation. Instead she was offering her support in a more practical way and that was exactly what the young gryffindor needed.
He reached for his backpack that was lying on the floor and took out of it his quill, a blank parchment and a bottle of ink. He used the hard cover of his book as a surface to compose his reply.

Briar,

I'm alright though I've been better. Thanks for your interest.
I'm trying to fill my day with as many activities as possible. It doesn't do me good to think of it over and over again. I've been doing that the first week here and I thought I was going to get insane.
I decided to keep on with my animagus training and do something productive. Thank Zeus, this is taking a lot of my spare time.

This is the best idea I've heard in a long time Briar. If you could do that for me, I'll be grateful to you. My mother, my grandparents, uncles and aunts seem to be keeping me in the dark. I don't want you to be solely focused on that and jeopardize your career but any little something you might be able to learn, it would be nice and welcomed. Thank you for that. I hope you're doing fine.

Minoas

He rolled his letter and enwrapped it on the stubborn owl's leg.
"Off you go." he opened again the window and the owl flew outside. Briar's letter had just raised his spirits a little bit more. He had someone he could really trust and had volunteered to become his little 'spy' in the Ministry.
Suddenly, the book in his hands had lost its value and his mind wandered at the bottom of his trunk where it was forgotten the scroll case that his father had entrusted him before he was taken. If he wanted clues of what was going on he couldn't just cross his arms and wait for news from Briar. He had a clue right inside his trunk and he could take advantage of it.

 

[Briar Rowan-Cullen]

the flutter of wings alerted Briar to the arrival of the owl she looked and saw it settle on the perch on the side of the office. she got up and took the parchment reading the letter before slipping it into a pocket. she wrote a quick note and sent it back to him.

Min.
Sure I will keep an eye and ear out for anything. I hope animagus training is going well, like I said before if you turn into a tabby cat I may have to disown you (I am joking). keeping busy is a good plan I know whenever things I didn't like happened I ran away and lived in the mountains. it was a good way for me to take my mind off things. I don't recommend it but anything to keep you busy will be good.
don't do anything I wouldn't do
Briar

she sent. the last line was her attempt to sound responsible though she was sure that Minoas knew her well enough that it was not a real responsible thing to say as she was up for anything especially when a friend was in trouble, and anything was not a responsible thing, working for the ministry hadn't changed that about her, it was more incase anyone else saw the letter as she was writing it or if he lost it at school, she didn't want it to look like she was telling him to get into trouble. She gave the letter to an owl as she left work that evening.

---

over the next few days she kept an ear out for anything, she even faced the food in the canteen ant had found a table where she could hear the aurors talking. finally about a week later she overheard them talking about some announcement. she ate her mass-produced lunch and tried to listen to it. that night she left work and headed to the owl emporium and purchased a new zealand falcon, even if she did disagree with people owning animals. Deciding she had better find something of her own to use instead of using the ministry owls. she wrote the letter on a picnic in a small park in obsidian before sending it to Minoas.

Min
I overheard some aurors talking today in the cafeteria. something to do with a new dark group in new zealand, sort of like the death eaters but different. they are called statori or something. I will keep an ear out for anything I can, and if you want me to do anything else just let me know
wolfsbane
also I have only just get the falcon and supposedly the species is a little aggressive, he is okay with me but you may want to be careful with him, and do you have any ideas for a name?

she finished the letter before attaching it to the birds leg. and watched it fly away before calling into a shop to purchase some food and taking it back home to london looking forward to spending the evening/afternoon with Dederick.

 

[Briar Rowan-Cullen]

It had been three days now since she had found out. on the first day she had left work early as she was so distracted and confused about it she had not been able to concentrate. Briar had made sure things were right at home that evening before she told dederick. she knew he hadnt been happy about it and had been just a surprised as she had but she was at least gladd that recently he had been going through a good phase. his visits to the hospital were going well, he had a job, so st least he hadnt gone into a downward spiral.
on the second day after work she had apparated to Madlyns house and told her before spending the evening there. talking things through with her and Iris the closest she had to a mum. today was her brothers turn. she couldn't see him as he was at school but today after work she was sitting at the kitchen table at her home in wagga wagga, where just a month ago he and his friend were anjoying a week holiday with her, a blank peice of paper stairing up at her. beside her was a bin with three or four pieces of parchment scrweed up in it. she took a sip of some water before picking up the quill and strting again.

To min.
it was great seeing you over the holiday. you should com over again next time if you want a break from those brothers of yours. I hope that the information you got at the festabvle is starting to make sence. to me it still means nothing. How are htings going at school, it must be around quidditch season soon. what team are you playing?
god. I don't know how to say what I need to. I guess I had better just say it even though it is terrable. here goes nothing. I'm pregnant.you know I threw up at the festavle and was sick after. we just put it to eating something dodgy there apparently it wasn't. I don't know much more about it than that. I don't know what to do about it yet. i am still getting used to it myself. but i thought you should know first hand right away little brother.
Briar

it wasn't perfect but it was good enough. she rolled the letter up and gave it to her falcon Aeselon. hopefully he was fast enough to get to Hogwarts with the morning post the next day. she took him outside and watched him leave.

Out of Character:

say this was sent about mid January, before quidditch.

 

[Minoas Stratis]

If his roommates were going to enter the dormitory, they were going to have an unpleasant surprise. The circular room was a total mess. Apparently the entire content of Minoas' trunk had started taking over most of the empty area of the room. Parchments, quills and ink bottles were everywhere on the floor along with a couple piles of textbooks ready to collapse on the floor as well. Minoas himself was sitting on his bed with crossed legs surrounded by a few hovering textbooks that he had enchanted, opened to specific pages. He was studying about his animagi training so several charts of human skeletical and muscular structure were also hovering somewhere around him or were leaned to his bed's feet.

With both hands supporting his temples, he was having a hard time understanding all the information he was presented. Then a noise from the shut window came just in time before his brain was going to explode. He turned around and saw Aeselon, Briar's Australian falcon that he had helped her name him after his falcon animagus ancestor. Aeselon was scratching stubbornly with its talons the window's glass to get the human's attention. Glad that he was going to have news from her and that he had an excuse for a so much needed break, he abandoned the nest of books he had turned his bed and headed for the window. On his way, he shoved aside a long, papyrus scroll that was hanging from the chandelier and was reaching down to the floor. Minoas opened the window and the falcon darted inside to land on his bed's foot, toppling a few of the books leaned on it. He remembered from last time that Aeselon was somewhat ill-tempered so he approached the falcon carefully with smooth moves. He unwrapped the roll of parchment from its foot and found his place back to the centre of his bed to read it.

He was expecting news from the ministry about his father but he received other good news. Excitement now on his face, he searched for a parchment to reply. He found a blank one under his bed and when he picked up a quill and an ink bottle, he started scribbling down enthusiastically.

I'll just skip first to the main topic of this letter that made me really happy (aparently even happier than you). Why you say it's terrible. This is awesome! Congratulations! I knew there was something wrong with you throwing up at the festival. You looked exhausted but now this is a good explanation. Is it a boy or a girl? I can be the godfather if you like. Keep me informed if anything new comes up. I'm so happy for you!

I should thank you again for having us at your place and of course, thank you for escorting us to the festival. It was a great experience and I was glad I shared it with you. On that note, I'm in the same page with you in this. I'm still trying to make some sense out of the information we got but little luck. I'm getting somewhere though. There are some unbelievable rumours running around Hogwarts that I need to investigate. I'll fill you in when I have news.

You're right. Quidditch is on the air and guess what. The people that form the teams hold a grudge against Gryffindor and Slytherin because the teams this time are SlytherDor and HuffleClaw. Oh yes, it is going to get nasty. Personally, I don't think this is going to work. We'll see as tommorow we have the first combined practice.

Hope your pregnancy goes well and you won't do anything stupid. My greetings to Dederick.

Looking forward to read from you again.

Minoas

He didn't really read through it a second time as Aeselon expressed his impatience by flapping his wings intensively. "Alright, alright. I'm almost done." he said, the smile that the news gave him still on his face. He rolled his letter and wrapped it around the falcon's right foot. "You're good to go Aeselon." he tried to pat him but the falcon darted outside the open window to soar away in the horizon. Minoas went to close it and stood there for a few moments, watching the falcon disappearing towards the mountains. Next, Minoas had an even harder time concentrating. Finally, some good news. Some much needed news.

 

[Briar Rowan-Cullen]

it didnt seem to take long for her falcon to return with a reply. by lunch time the next day (which was a weekend) the bird same and settled next to her taking a peck at her food. she didnt mind there was always more and she was more interested in what he was carrying. she took the parchment and unrolled it. she skimmed through the letter. why was everyone so exited. only Dee was the one who understood her concerns. it wasn't exactly that she didn't want a kid (though she didn't). she was more scared of what the kid may be. although she was comfortable with what she was she would hate to inadvertently pass it on to a baby.
another thing she saw was the mention of rumours she hoped that RHI wasn't still being circulated. and if it was she hope that her other contacts at the school had not been mentioned.
she finished her lunch and headed inside brringing a quill and ink and parchment outside where she would write a reply.

dear brother.
its good to see someone is exited. you, madlyn and Iris are the only ones so far. oh and also lilith the girl who worked it out. I have no idea if it is a boy or girl. I only found out i was pregnant three days ago or so. why is it terrible? well i'm hardly even twenty how on earth do i look after a kid? and what if its like me? what kind of mother would i be if they are cursed the same way me and dee are. sure i am okay with it for myself but i sure as spring don't want to curse anyone else the same way.
you are welcome to stay any time you want.you know that. you friend too. as for the festival I had been thinking about going and it was fun for the most part. Rumours? is that magazine still going anything i need to know of in there?
gryffindor and slytherin playing together. watch your back especially if it's the slytherin with playing beater. though i reckon they are the best teams so if you actually work together you will almost have it in the bag.
Don't worry about me when have i ever done anything stupid. (okay maybe a few lot of things). Dederick says hello back
hope training goes well. don't do anything i wouldn't.
Briar

she then rolled up the parchment and waited for Aeselon to come back from his hunt and sleep. a few hours later she gave it to him and watched as he flew off towards her brothers school.

 

[Minoas Stratis]

Carefree weekends of laziness and relaxation had long gone for Minoas. It wasn't a change that he was experiencing on his own. You could distinguish fifth years among the crowd of students just by black circles under their eyes and the uneasiness like a mask on their faces. If OWLs demanded so much time for revision, he didn't want to begin and think how it would be to study for NEWTs. Usually, he used to spend his Saturday monring by the Qudditch Pitch, engaging into friendly matches with other Quidditch enthusiasts. Instead now he had rushed to find a good spot in the library and spend the rest of his day there with books and notes. No sneaking around this time, searching about the Scitorari or mysterious scroll cases. Even if he wanted, the library was so crammed with people doing their assignments or meeting in study groups that it would be impossible to move around withour rising any suspicion.

Furthermore, he needed to keep up with the current material he was having in classes and the revision of OWLs, so his attention was all focused there. Absorbed in his notes, he didn't realize how quickly daytime had greeted evening until the candles around him lit on their own magically. He let a yawn and tried to read carefully this time the same line, trying to make some sense out of it. Flapping of wings announced the arrival of a feathery visit.
"Aeselon!" he welcomed Briar's falcon who had brought what looked like another letter from her. Minoas hesitated to take the letter from the falcon as he had finally came up with the answer he was searching for a question. Aeselon responded with a loud screech to this and pecked with its sharp beak the letter wrapped on its leg. Several 'shhh' and intense glares were shot towards him for disturbing their peace. Minoas casted an awkward, apologetic look and then glared at Aeselon as he unwrapped the letter.

He started reading through it. A frown while reading Briar's lines made Aeselon stoop and examine what Minoas' was reading and had made him react like this. Then suddenly, Minoas paused reading the letter and stood up. "Don't you screech again or I'll cast silencio on you." he threatened the falcon while pointing a finger at it.
"Be right back." he said reluctantly, hoping that Aeselon wasn't going to disrupt the whole library. Minoas returned after a while with a book about werewolves. He skipped through its pages until he found something and read carefully through it. Then he finished reading Briar's letter, took parchments, a quill and some ink and started conducting his own.

It's reasonable for you to be afraid. I child is not a piece of cake. It requires a lot of responsibility and care (especially if it is like my brothers). Motherhood it's not something you are used to but I'm sure you will excel. There's no reason to fear about lycanthropy passed to the baby as well. According to a book I found, werewolf couples have given birth to non-werewolf babies so you can dismiss your concerns. And don't you think you won't be a good mother just because you weren't brought up by your biological mother. You are nothing like it.

On a completely different note, practises between us and Slytherins is going better than expected. At least none of us has ended up to the hospital wing hexed or with broken bones from bludgers. There's actually a Slytherin girl, a fellow fifth year, who's pretty good although she's not actually a chaser. Cross fingers everything is going to be alright at the match.

Unfortunately that piece of crap still rises and shines. There were some serious accusations as well as some vague references to werewolf students. There must be more than one around because the quotation referred to more than one but thankfully no names were revealed this time. I'm not sure if that will stay like this until the next issue. There was also a peculiar article about my father's case I meant to share with you. I need your advice on this. Apparently Professor Kingsley is said to be a new recruited Scitorari and has to do something with my father's abduction. I don't know if I must believe this accusation, we both know what this publication really offers but there's fire where's smoke. Should I go and talk to Professor Kingsley about it or just stay low and find another way to learn what I want? I would like to know your opinion.

Other than that I'm writing to you from the library. OWLs seem to need my full attention. Looking forward to finish these exams.

Drop me a line when you have news with your opinion of course about the matter I aforementioned.

Take care,
Minoas

For a moment he thought if he should include in his letter the clipping of the book that would dismiss her worries but he decided not to infuriate the librarian. Aeselon was also staring him with those piercing, yellow eyes in an intimidating way so Minoas just folded and wrapped it on its leg. Aeselon didn't waste any time and soared to exit the library from an open window. He turned back to his notes, thinking of what he should do with Professor Kingsley. He casted away the thought and managed to concentrate on the events of goblin war.

 

[Briar Rowan-Cullen]

Briar had just gotten to work when she saw Aeselon sitting on her desk. she gave him some treats and he flew to a perch to sleep. she read the letter twice before she had an urgent call out. there was a problem with a hippogryf that had gone on rampage. even though she was in werewolf support if there was something big or everyone else was busy she would have to help in the field. that she was happy about. and it was the field work that stopped her telling people at work she was pregnant. usually pregnant people got purely desk jobs, something she really didn't want. she read the note and apparated to the location of the rampage. it took most of the morning to get things under control and then it was time for her to head back to work and let the obliviator squad come on to sort out muggles who had seen it. she arrived back at the office and taking a late lunch break she headed to the canteen and wrote a reply.

Dear minoas.
I hope you are right. the only document i hear of this happening the werewolf was the man. according to some people the kid is always a wolf if the mother is one. but that is old documentation and i dont know how true it is, to me it sounds like it was written in the dark ages . It isnt just never knewmy mother it is just i dont know how well i will look after a child. I don't know the first thing about children. I don't want to be pregnant. i don't want to have a child. neither me or Dederick are the most stable people in the first place, add a child and sleep deprivation i think something will crack.
I would like to see the two teams working together. shame spectators cant come and watch them. when the games done you will have to let me know how it went. usually gryffindor and slytherin have the best players but they may not
Rhi is such a bit of junk. usually i would say don't believe anything on there. however as it is about your dad I would say. there is no harm in asking her. but maybe not outright, just in case its true. I hope they don't print the names of the werewolves. they deserve to be able to stay anonymous if they want.
Good luck in your OWLS and make sure you pass them. otherwise you may have to follow in my shoes and have one on one classes with Styx, well at least it wasn't Blaze. though remember all study and no fun makes minoas a dull boy
have fun
Briar

when she was done she headed up to her office and woke Aeselon up. he glared at her grumpily but knew better than to be too grumpy. as briar had long since shown that she was the alpha. once the letter was secure she opened the office window and let him fly briefly watching him before getting back to work writing up the mornings events.