Letters (Finley)

Dear Finley,

How is your summer going so far? Mine's been very quiet. Mostly, I just read or go out to the woods near my house to study the plants or work in my garden at home with my grandmother. She's also been teaching trying to teach me how to knit, but I don't think it's going very well. The fox I know had kits in the spring. They're young, but they're already starting to look like adults. I took picture to send to you, but Nana told me I had to wait for Da to get home to charm it still since your family are Muggles, so it's not nearly as cute as when they're rolling around and play fighting.



Da's mostly been at work in the Ministry, but he's promised to take me to Diagon Alley to look at the books soon. Maybe we'll see you there? Lucy says hello!

Your Friend,

Naomi


(And Lucy!)

Dear Finley,

It's ok that you haven't written! I know owls can be touchy sometimes. Yours is very polite though. He's sitting very nicely on my desk while I write. I'll have to go see if Da keeps any owl treats in the house.

I think the only reason I haven't read as many books as you is because of the gardening and knitting. I've been having a real problem with my snap dragons. They keep getting into fights with my tiger lilies and not even the ivy can sort them out. I may have to separate them soon or they'll tear each other's leaves off. The knitting is going... worse than the gardening actually. I just can't get the hang of it and it's really quite frustrating.

I wonder why your dad won't let you use his camera? Well, it's ok if you can't take any pictures, you can describe things to me later, back at school. Maybe I'll be able to draw some of the things from your descriptions!

I remember Madison. She had a rather... forceful personality, didn't she? She didn't do anything, did she? She didn't make you uncomfortable or anything? I wouldn't put it past her.

Finley, do you know who it was that



Sorry, my quill snapped. Who was it that said that? Because she's wrong. Your voice isn't funny, it's just a part of who you are. And there's nothing wrong with having a stutter. You're great just how you are, and besides, you might not even have it when you get older. Plenty of people grow out of them. And if you never do, it won't be a big deal, because you will still be kind and smart and amazing and if people can't see that, then they don't deserve to be your friend.

I will!

Your friend,
Naomi

PS- Do you know anything about Seers? It's
I'm trying to find
The subject interests

Never mind.

Finley,

I don't know if there's a way to tell if owls are getting hurt, although I guess if he went back to your house more than once, he wasn't getting treated too badly. Owls are pretty smart and he wouldn't go back if he was getting hurt.

I'll draw them and send the picture along soon! I put a line of marigolds in the middle, so now the snapdragons are happy and the tiger lilies are basking beneath the sun flowers instead of picking fights.

Do you normally take a lot of pictures with your dad's camera? I don't think I've heard you mention it before. I'd like to see some of the pictures you've taken before sometime! And when how you break your wand?

I guess if you say so. I don't know her all that well, so I can't really pass judgement I suppose. She just always struck me as kind of bossy. I am glad she helped you out, though so I guess she can't be that bad. And all people are confusing.

The drawing is really pretty Finley! I Stuck it to my wall right away. It looks really nice. I didn't know you could draw.

Sometimes people speak without thinking, so I guess it could be something like that. Still, it was quite rude. Did she even apologize? It was rude of the other people to stare as well. I think you can grow out of your stutter eventually. We'll just have to wait and see.

Your best friend,

Naomi

PS- It's nothing really. I just heard that Seers could get visions in their dreams or sometimes when they're awake and I was curious is all. I wanted to know if maybe there was a way to control it or maybe even stop it? I don't want to trouble you though.

Finley,

Of course I'm right, I'm always right. Even about owls! (But maybe talking to an expert would be a good idea too.)

Flowers aren't normally this tricky, but they can be a little vain sometimes. Vegetables are easier; they're the sturdy, dependable type. Also a lot less susceptible to magic. Most of my flowers seem like Muggle plants, but they take their names a bit literally. A Herbology teacher would be great, although I did enjoy some independent study time. And it all counted for points!

That's understandable. Interesting trees are good subjects. And I love the picture you sent! The tree looks like it has a shocked face. It went up next to the drawing and I have lots of empty spaces on my walls that you're helping me fill. (I still love the picture, by the way, even if it was just a doodle.)

I could try to get to know Madison, but she's so... confident. I don't think I'd know how to talk to her. Especially because she's one of the popular kids. She's always with other people and I don't know how to approach her. Do you know her? You could introduce me. Maybe.

It sounds like a slip of the tongue, although I don't think that makes it much better. She sounds young, she might just not know how to handle things like that and I'm glad she apologized. But it was still rude.

Best,

Naomi

PS- Thanks. Maybe I'll do some more research on my own.

No, it's a personal project.

Finley,

Everything suits me, I'm fabulous. But I know what you're talking about and I suppooooooose I'll try to stop. (I'd prefer it if you're honest with me anyway. If you can't tell your best friend the truth, who can you tell?) I'm glad Speedy's feeling better. He seems much happier now.

Don't tell anybody, but I snuck into the greenhouses sometimes to see the plants. Just the non-lethal ones and I was super careful, but it was still probably breaking the rules. It was worth it though, because I got to spend time with plants while learning about them!

No, Da doesn't mind. He lets me decorate my room however I like and we Stick things on with magic so there's no holes in the wall. Maybe when you get older, you can put things on the wall that way and your parents won't mind. Aren't there any Muggle things that you could use that wouldn't leave holes?

It sounds like Madison likes you! She certainly has been talking to you a lot for someone you don't know very well.

I'll see you soon!

Yours,

Naomi

PS- I'll show you on the train.