Dear Dad, from Ivy Tunstall

[Ivy Tunstall]

Dad,

I hope you are well. I've been all right my first few days at Hogwarts. Getting settled back into the school routine was a little difficult at first but I've managed now.
I shall be coming home at Christmas. At present I'm not sure if I'm coming at half-term, I'll think about that nearer the date.
I must go now because I have a lesson soon, but I will write again soon.

Take care,
Ivy.

[Ivy Tunstall]

Dear Ivy,

I am glad to hear that things are going well, and I hope that they continue to do so.
Back here at home things are fairly dull as they usually are when you are away. Mrs Gibbon has been in today to do the cleaning and dear old Miss Young has been so good to me while you have not been here.

Gilbert is looking slightly off colour - is there somewhere you can take him to get him checked over? I have to send him out whenever anyone comes into the house - I cannot begin to imagine what Mrs Gibbon might say! I do worry about him though, so please make sure you keep him healthy for me.

I do appreciate hearing from you. It will be good to see you again at Christmas, but I shall not be the one to press you from the school which is like your second home for half-term if you do not wish it.

I am sorry about your mother. We will sort this out Ivy, I promise. I am not capable of leaving you without it sorted. I refute it.

Enjoy yourself, and do not worry about the trifles of old men. All will be well.

Your loving father,
Thomas.

[Ivy Tunstall]

Dad,

I've been thinking of coming at half term with one of my friends. Would that be OK? I'm sure I've told you about her, it's Kiyla Johnson. Do you remember about her? She's a nice, quiet sort of girl, I'm sure you'll like her.

I'll try to find somewhere for Gilbert. I'm sure there'll be somewhere in Hogsmeade. (That's the wizarding village that's near Hogwarts, my school.)

I hope you enjoyed your visit to Diagon Alley. It was great to be able to take you round the place I'd been telling you about for so long.

Oh, just to tell you, I've made the Hufflepuff Quidditch team. That lovely broom you gave me is going to come in very handy!

I shall talk to you soon, because I think I must.

Take care,
Ivy.

[Ivy Tunstall]

Ivy,

I would be overjoyed to have your friend to stay. Tell her that she is most welcome. It will be lovely to see you again.

I did indeed enjoy my visit to Diagon Alley - it was a really good day. I hope you enjoyed it too, even though I was a bit of a burden.

Well done on making the Hufflepuff Quidditch Team; its a real achievement and I hope it goes well. Don't hurt yourself playing it, though!

Have you found out what was wrong with Gilbert yet? I presume it was one of the school owls you sent the letter with; very good-natured, but I have to say I prefer Gilbert.

Since you're coming at half term there will be ample time then for talking to you, so we won't say any more on that subject in our letters.

Your loving father,
Thomas

[Ivy Tunstall]

Dad,

Kiyla and I are coming down on the train tomorrow. I expect that we'll arrive at about half past four. The train is scheduled to arrive at quarter to four, but I suspect that it'll be delayed, and then we'll take a while walking, so I think that half four is probably a reasonable time to expect us. Don't worry if we're any later though, I don't want you fretting.

Also, don't worry about getting stuff ready for us more than you want to. Since we're arriving fairly early we'll have plenty of time.

It'll be great to see you again. I'm really looking forward to it.

I've got to dash now; I have a Quidditch practice. Don't worry about me, I'm sure I'll be fine. Kiyla's on the Quidditch team too.

Take care,
Ivy

[Ivy Tunstall]

Dad,

When we talked over half term, you knew I was going to write to my mother. Why did you not then tell me of the truth about my mother? I cannot understand - I did not think that you would keep anything that vital from me. Please explain - I really need to sort this out. How else can I go on?

Your loving daughter,
Ivy.