Please Be Okay (Victoria)

Sun 4 August, 2024
6:15pm

Hey, I just wanted to let you know I'll be leaving for Hogwarts in a week. If you're planning to retrieve your things while I'm gone, my mother will let you in. Do you remember my address?



Mon 5 August, 2024
3:32pm

Victoria?



Mon 5 August, 2024
8:23pm

Are you okay? Call me.



Tue 6 August, 2024
12:46pm

Please pick up.



Tue 6 August, 2024
12:52pm

Are you out of the country?



Wed 7 August, 2024
1:14pm

You have 5 missed calls. 1 new message.

Hey, Victoria, sorry if I'm being a bother. If you're out of the country and don't have international data roaming, I understand. I'm just worried that it's something else, so...well, shoot me an email or something if you're on WiFi. Or call me back, if you can.

To: Victoria
From: Grayson (gehubuntu@gmail.com)
Subject: Re: I am so, so sorry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Date: Friday, 9 August 2024 7:32 GMT

Victoria,

I'm glad you're safe! I did get worried when you stopped answering my texts, but I'm relieved to know there's an explanation (though I am very sorry about your bag - if you need me to send you anything to replace the stuff you lost, just let me know). As long as you yourself are okay, I'm happy. Be careful out there, wherever you are!

It's good to hear you're not homeless and wandering the streets. My gratitude to Jackson Blake for hosting you indefinitely, though know that I am patiently waiting for your return with an open door should you ever need it. My number is (020) 1514 9422.

I'm leaving for Hogwarts in a couple days, and I would be lying if I said I were not nervous. I appreciate your confidence in my abilities, and hope I can absorb some of it myself before the students arrive. I have no idea what to expect from this year; I can only hope for the best. I am looking forward to seeing my new classroom though! I never imagined I would be a Hogwarts professor one day; it's all rather surreal.

I like to think of myself as one of the more hygienic members of my sex. If you think one man is bad, trying living in a dormitory full of them! I have many horror stories from my Hogwarts days that I would rather not remember. And, men can be completely oblivious at times. Trust me, I've felt your pain.

I miss you as well, and I hope you return safely. I'll be here waiting when you do.

All my best,

Grayson

To: Victoria
From: Grayson (gehubuntu@gmail.com)
Subject: Re: I am so, so sorry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Date: Monday, 12 August 2024 7:46 GMT

Hey, Victoria,

I am proud to claim the title, but it takes two for a strong friendship. I trust you to take care of yourself, and I trust your judgement when it comes to your own needs. I do understand your parents' concern for you though--you are their only daughter, after all.

Thank you for your encouragement. I certainly hope you're right, but should any problems arise, I will take your advice to heart. I've found if all else fails, the "fake it til you make it" method generally works for me.

That sounds like the perfect opportunity! Seize the chance while you still can. Men tend to mess up most organizational attempts without realizing it. If he continues not to notice, just remember you're doing it for you, not for him.

I'm glad you had fun at the fundraiser--you look lovely, by the way. The American school system sounds very interesting. It looks like you'll have a lot of work ahead of you if you plan to help fix some of those issues. From what I can tell, the biggest problem is corruption, which is harder to catch in a charter school because it's outside of government control, no? In any case, the long, complex history of racial segregation and other related issues will certainly be difficult to untangle. I wish you the best of luck--I was never one for politics.

At least you have something with which to occupy yourself for now; that sounds right up your alley. I'm glad you've finally found some legal work again--I know you've missed it.

I would love to see you again. Feel free to drop by any time! Until then, do take care--and if you ever need someone to vent to about ungrateful roommates, or anything else, I'm always here.

All my best,

Grayson

To: Victoria
From: Grayson (gehubuntu@gmail.com)
Subject: Re: Soooooooo?
Date: Wednesday, 4 September 9:38pm GMT

Hi, Victoria!

The first week has certainly been an adjustment, but I think I'm starting to get into the swing of things. Maybe. I will by the end of the month, anyway. I can only hope I come across more confident than I feel.

The younger students are darlings. I've been starting with the basics--the alphabet, the transfiguration equation, and Reparifarge--to prepare them for the more exciting stuff. They have a lot of energy and enthusiasm, which makes my job much easier. I've loved working with them so far, and I think (fingers crossed) they like me as well.

The older students are harder to impress. I've been trying to challenge them by jumping right in with vanishment and conjuration, but, though for the most part I get decent participation, they seem to lack the enthusiasm of my younger class. I started off on a bad note with one student in particular who refused to participate at all, but hopefully that is not representative of how the rest of the year will go. I'm trying to take your advice about not letting the students rule me, but it's easier said than done.

I'm glad to hear you're keeping busy with something rewarding! I think I do know Dia. Is her full name Dominique Greene? If so, she's in my younger class. She's very hardworking and determined from what I've seen so far. I'm sure Jackson can't be angry with you for spoiling his niece - that's what aunts and uncles are supposed to do, isn't it?

I really have no idea what to imagine from your description of this problem, but regardless, I am very proud of you for working it out! Don't worry about explaining if it's a breach of confidentiality. As long as you're happy, I'm happy.

You look stunning! And don't worry, I never suspected the two of you of being more than friends. I attended two Desi weddings while I was in India, and yes, you're completely right! Exhausting, but an incredible experience. Preethi Bhabhi did a wonderful job, but I think you deserve some credit for being able to pull it off so well. If any of my friends in India decide to get married, I will be sure to invite you along.

While I'm sorry that we will see each other less often, I'm happy that you've found a place to work. Perhaps now I'll have an excuse to visit America, if the political situation allows it. If and when you do find the time to return to the UK, would you like to collect any of your things from my house? I assume since you'll be living in the States indefinitely, you might want to make it feel like home.

If you plan to visit for Christmas, I would love see you then. As of yet, I have no plans for my winter break, so if you ever want to meet up, I'm sure it can be arranged.

I miss you too, and wish you all the best wherever you decide to settle.

Love,

Grayson

To: Victoria
From: Grayson (gehubuntu@gmail.com)
Subject: Re: #Official!
Date: Wednesday, 27 November 2024 8:34pm GMT

Hey, Victoria!

Congratulations! You've worked so hard, I'm glad to see that it paid off in such a big way! You deserve all of it and more. Your new email address is indeed very professional.

I'm happy somebody thinks I'm doing well. It's definitely getting easier as time goes on, and I've managed to develop something of a norm to which I can refer without feeling quite so lost as I did in the beginning. While said student still doesn't seem to like me, that's nothing I can't deal with so long as he's at least grudgingly cooperative, so I'd say things are going smoothly.

I'm sure nobody could mistake Mimosa Harrington for anyone else. Did I ever tell you about the gift basket she sent me from India on the first day of school? I hadn't realized I'd made such an impression on her, but apparently she thought I deserved it. As for Dominique, I think you may have the slightest beginnings of a problem when it comes to buying her presents, but I'm sure she appreciates them very much.

I can finally appreciate your reference to A Song of Ice and Fire. I read the entire series over the summer, and I quite enjoyed it, though I'm not sure I'm quite ready to approach the accompanying television show. I've heard good things, but I don't watch much television in general. Have you seen it? If so, would you recommend it to a doddering old librarian such as myself?

Speaking of being old, it seems most of my friends have already gotten married and started families of their own, but I can think of a few who may be taking their time before finally settling down. I will be sure to let you know if it ever happens. And yes, the dancing is intense--my feet hurt just thinking about it, and it's been several years since I last attended a Desi wedding.

Oh, yes, happy Thanksgiving! I suppose you're probably on an airplane at the moment, so for when you land and are able to read this, I hope you had a safe trip. I will send you your things in a week or so, whenever I have the chance.

Christmas it is. My break starts 18 December, and lasts until just after New Year's, so hopefully we'll have plenty of time to catch up then.

Nothing much is new at the moment. Things have settled down since the beginning of the school year, so I feel much more relaxed with my new position. The usual school drama is always abounding, but I tend to stay away from it all if possible.

That is an enormous cake, but I think the celebration was well-deserved. Congratulations once again on your victory, and best of luck on future endeavours!

I look forward to seeing you.

All my best,

Grayson