Hermione Jane Granger

First of all, the celebrations here have been stomach-turning. I mean, I'm all right with the usual things but this was just horrible. Narcissa Malfoy swanned in as though she was the mistress of Buckingham Palace, which I suppose she is, and Harry was in a horrible mood, so he didn't pay any attention to me, and everyone was in such a good mood that they paid attention to me, which can sometimes be nice of course, but it's not nice when you've just come from somewhere and had a wand and been a real wizard, and they all are saying how clever you are because you know how to read.

Only, then I was sitting around in Harry's room because mine adjoins his when we're at Buckingham only mine's still a cupboard, and he left out this letter from you, Sirius, right where I could see it, you must have sent it very early, but I closed it up and hid it, and showed Harry when he came back in the room where I'd hidden it - it's under the desk stuck with Spellotape - and he sort of smiled and didn't say anything. Honestly I think he's sorry about Sirius, and I can't tell him he's not dead, only I wish I could. I mean I think that he would be all right if I did, I don't think he'd tell anybody. But I know that we could run into someone Legilimising Harry and then he'd really be in trouble if he knew anything.

Anyway, in the letter I guess I shouldn't really say what you said, but it was really sweet, Mr Black. And I think he's really taking your word, I mean he's been sticking to Mr Rabastan like nothing else, and can you tell me a little bit about what Snape looks like so I know? I mean now that I have my wand maybe I can help if something happens.

I suppose one thing that I almost didn't think to say is, I'm sure professor McGonagall knows this, but do you all have any idea how scary the Lord Protector has got? I think that must be at least half of the reason why Harry's in such a horrible mood, is because his Father is so strange now. I don't know what it is, I mean, he must have done something. But his face is all strange and sunken, and his skin is awfully white, and his voice is higher than it used to be, and he always had a widow's peak but it's really bad now, and he just looks strange now, not even really human.

Anyhow he mostly leaves me alone though, which is just like last summer, which is good. I've got my cupboard and Harry's nice as usual, so that's all all right. But that's what's happened here.