Heather Foster

[Justin Finch-Fletchley]

125 Kensington Road
LONDON
W14 5JS
10th February 1999

Miss Heather Foster
Heath Cottage
Trewey Hill
Zennor
CORNWALL
TR26 3KB

Dear Heather,

It would seem that we are once more confined to communication via the written word. I rather wish I could make the words leap off the page at you to convey my intentions in writing this letter, but that's well beyond the bounds of my capabilities and, besides, it would be wholly strange to make myself jealous of my own words because they're closer to you in three-dimensional space than I am. So instead I enclose a picture for you - the sort where we stroll about and yawn and pull the most awful faces. (Such people have always had an uncomfortable reminiscence to the clones they're working towards in the Muggle world for me - don't be fooled! It is I who scribes these words to you; the picture had nothing to do with it!) Anyway, much as I may try to give elaborate reasons for the picture's inclusion, I in fact merely wish to draw your attention to the charming man on the left. His name is Jeremy Wrangler, and he's one of the most successful and experienced defence barristers to be found throughout Europe. I'm actually an 'apprentice' to him now - meaning the fruition of much negotiation since I first contacted him over the summer. He's teaching me the tricks of the trade, so to speak, and he's simply fantastic! I must admit I was dubious as to whether this was the route I wanted to take, but those quibbles are quite definitely alleviated now! Hopefully you'll have the opportunity to meet him someday; for the meantime, you have my assurance that he's as pleasant as he (usually) seems in the picture and as brilliant a mind as one could possibly hope to meet.

Anyway, aside from that, I'm obliged (at least Paul, who just ambled into the room, assessed my current occupation and chose to divulge all sorts of advice, earthly wisdom informs me I am) to enquire how your Christmas was. Whether you've been blessed with pleasant holidays, or something like that (I think his motives are rather different than mine). I think I already established with Jordan Cortes at the New Year's Bash that I shouldn't be so grumpy about mine, but they would have been brighter had they included you. I still think it awful that we missed each other out on our schedules - so I think we should promise each other to spend next Christmas together, come what may. One thing I do have to be glad about is that you were not party to the scenes at the New Year's Bash. On that score, there's absolutely nothing to worry about on my part, by the way. Thankfully most people escaped relatively unscathed, except of course for poor Harry. It will take me a long time to come to terms with that: he was such a decent fellow, even after I misjudged him entirely in my second year.

I hardly know where to pick up after such a sombre tone has crept into my letter, so I suppose I must lay down pen and paper now and set this on its way to you. Rest assured that I remain

Affectionately yours,
Justin.

P.S. Vorace likes carrots, and will be much more favourably inclined toward you if you offer him one.
P.P.S. I do apologise for the earlier crossings out in my letter. Paul took it upon himself to censor sentences such as he considered 'crazy', 'ill-advised' or 'simply disastrous'.

[Heather Foster]

Dear Justin,

I’m terribly sorry for the lateness in this letter. I’ve haven’t had the time to just sit down and do something for myself. It’s been exactly like it always has been since I was a child. One night at my mothers, and the next at my fathers, then on Christmas I would have early Breakfast at my fathers, and late dinner at my mothers. Then you put working on top of it all, there is no time in my schedule to have just alone Heather time. Well, don’t you all look so dashing and cheerful in that picture? Did your father know this Mr. Wrangler to give you his number? He is married right? He looks to be somewhere in his fifties, I’m guessing 53 maybe, though I’m not too good at guessing ages. Dad always says you can tell someone’s age by just talking to them, so maybe if I do meet him, I’ll know for sure. I’m really glad that you’re finding something you want to do in life. I remember you telling me you wanted to do something that involved the law by either working in the Ministry of Magic or becoming an independent lawyer. Soon, you might be having a full time job, living out on your own.

Holidays were the same as usual. Like I mentioned in the beginning of this letter, I spent it both at my mothers and fathers houses. There was some good news from one of my older siblings. Erica is five months pregnant with her husband John. Wait….that means I’m going to be an aunt. Am I too young to be an aunt? I’m only 18, but she’s in her late twenties so maybe it is possible. I agree with you on the whole being together for next Christmas. We could go and cut a tree, decorate it, and just sit in front of the fire talking. Now you’re making me all excited for next year. I was so worried when I heard about the New Years Bash being attacked! You might have gotten hurt again like last year and fallen back into your old grouchy way of life. To see this letter makes me happy that nothing horrible has happened to you again.

Valentines Day is coming up soon. I get the morning shift at the bank that day, which leaves the evening open. I’m going to have to end this letter short though Justin. Its nearly one in the morning and I have to get up around six.

Love,
Heather

P.S. I miss talking to you…..We need to make time in our schedules to have just Justin and Heather time
P.P.S. I kind of guessed that Paul might have crossed out some sentences in your letter.