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Post by Lyle O'Callaghan on Nov 16, 2015 16:16:19 GMT -8
The following posts contain a series of letters written back and fourth between Ryder O'Callaghan and his older brother, Lyle O'Callaghan. Keep in mind that my characters know nothing more than I do, which only includes the vague teasers, so they will be relaying information that each discovers individually.
On the morning of December 11th, while sitting at the Gryffindor table for breakfast, an ashen-colored owl dropped in with the post. It appeared no different than any other, save the slight crests over its eyes and the slim tuft of feathers missing upon its back. Every student knows what their own owl looks like, and perhaps those of their family. Ryder recognized the small creature instantly. Raphael. He belonged to Lyle. Of course, when the pale envelop dropped in front of him, the brunette wasn't surprised. It was even sealed with Lyle's typical royal blue ink. A smile adorned his face as he tore open the paper, sending the owl on its way. The paper inside had been folded numerous times to fit it inside, and was lined with precise, neat brush strokes.
R –
I hope you get this letter before you pack your trunk. (That sounded harsh, didn’t it?) I know that we talked about you coming home for holiday, but some things have sprung up. I’m pretty sure you’ll understand by the time I’m finished writing.
First, our father will be out of town for the entire month of December. He might even be gone for January, he just hasn’t told me yet. Before you jump to conclusions, as usual, I should probably talk to you about what’s been going on here. I don’t know what’s happening, but something big is coming. Everybody is talking about it. Or, well, not really talking. More like fidgeting and tiptoeing and other silly little things. As such, I’ve been spending practically twice as much time in the office and in the field. Everyone is in a tizzy, it’s ridiculous. Maybe there are more raids, I have no idea. Either way, even if you came home, I wouldn’t be able to just pop in and keep you company. I’m really sorry; it’s just that things are getting hectic. I can only imagine it getting worse for both of us, especially if someone gets wind of something huge. It seems the entire industry is waiting for something to happen, sitting on eggshells. What they're waiting for it a mystery to me, although, Father is really out of the country on some quest for some fabled creature that I am pretty sure does not exist.
I wish I could tell you more, but honestly, they don’t trust me as much as they used to. Ever since the first guy I worked under got taken in, I’m pretty sure they’ve been keeping a closer eye on me. I’m not allowed to really tell you anything confidential, just keep your eyes peeled. Because I know that you definitely read the Prophet on a daily basis, right? And that you keep every article I’ve ever written in a shoe box underneath the couch in the tree house. (Hah, you know I’m kidding!) There are loads of rumors spreading around out here; I can only imagine what they’re like where you are.
I’ll try to keep you posted on anything. I’ll write as often as you reply, if you want, or maybe every day if that makes up for it. That, and I’ll make sure your gifts get wrapped and sent through the post so they’ll reach you on time. Just because we won’t be home doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy Christmas, now does it? I’m sure I’ll get Father in on writing, you know how awful he is at replying to anything though, so don’t get your hopes up too high. Maybe I’ll just end up writing a card and forging his signature like I used to, or maybe I’ll be able to escape this reporter prison for a trip to Hogsmeade to meet up with you. It all just really depends.
Oh! A couple more things. One: please, please, Ryder, try to stay out of trouble. I know it’s pretty much your life blood, but I really don’t want to get a bunch of warnings about your new set of detentions or how you caused a lot of property damage or killed the giant squid. Don’t do anything too stupidly dangerous. It’d really make me feel better about not bringing you home. Maybe if you focus on your studies instead of your pranks, that’ll help? Two: if Araelia is around for the holidays, maybe you should stick around her. She’s a good person. Smart, too. Maybe some of her intelligence can rub off on you and I won’t have to spend all of December worrying that you’re going to get yourself killed. Not that I think you will, but some one has to look out for you. That’s all, I’ll write to you again soon. Hope to hear back from you, too.
Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!
– L
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Post by Ryder O'Callaghan on Nov 16, 2015 16:16:22 GMT -8
It was quite late on December 15th and Lyle was sitting at the desk in his bedroom, the window opened. A chilly breeze had just rolled across his arms as he was trying to work on a new article, frantically searching for the correct words. His head was on his arms and he was close to falling asleep, when something nipped at his ear. Copernicus. Why Ryder had named the poor owl that, he would never know. He must have picked it up in a book or something; maybe it was even on a television show. Still, the brick red bird continued to nudge and pick at the man until he took the note, hastily scrawled and splotchy in Ryder’s usual hand.
L –
Merlin, you even write your letters like a reporter. (Don’t have a tizzy, I’m joking. But honestly – you’re so formal. I’m your brother, not your employer.) Well, whatever you buy me had better be good, since I won’t be there for you to see my lovely face when I open it. It’s going to be odd to be here instead of home for the holiday, but I’ll survive. You ought to write to da for me, tell him to have fun or whatever else you like to write. I’m also sending a Christmas card, if you would send that. I’ll try to keep this letter short, so I don’t bore you or take away from your extremely important duties. (Hah!)
I’ll tell you what; I get what you’re saying about people being on edge. By now, I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors. The Williams girls went missing – snatched out right from under everyone’s noses. Everyone has gone mad. It’s ridiculous. If I went missing, no one would even open their mouth about it! Still, I see why everyone is panicking. It isn’t every day that the children of the most powerful bloke around go missing. I’m sure your work is just absolutely thrilled, with all the “investigating” you’re all supposedly doing. (Also, if you need word from an insider, I could help. Even though I wasn’t in either of their houses and I’m not a girl. Alright, fine, never mind.) Nobody really knows what happened, but everyone is cracking down harder than before. I’m sure the Guard is really enjoying themselves, knowing two girls were taken and no one even noticed.
It’s kind of worrying, to be honest.
Everyone knows something is going on.
If two girls got kidnapped, what else could possibly go wrong? What if they come back? What if something has happened to them? I know that you always tried to tell me that Hogwarts was the safest place in the world, but now I’m not so sure. I’ll take your advice. I’ll stay here. Still, that doesn’t mean it sounds great. I haven’t even gone from my bed to the common room without my wand, but what good does that do in the end? If someone was intelligent and strategic enough to smuggle two girls out, what good does the ability of a sixteen year old do? I know that you’ll tell me to calm down and think things through, that it will all work out. I’m trying. Honestly, I am. It’s just hard not to let your imagination carry you away. I have yet to acquire your years of wisdom, almighty older brother.
Oh – and by the way, I got a couple of detention recently, so forget about the idea of me minding my behavior. (And I mine as well serve them now instead of when everyone gets back and it interferes with practice.) I’ll tell you the details the next time I see you, you wouldn’t believe me if I wrote it down. Also, I dyed your favorite person’s younger sister’s hair green. It was only temporary, but she deserved it. I guess your advice about only doing something “you would do” is a little lost on me, eh? (Don’t worry, we didn’t do anything dangerous, it’s alright. Stop trying to frantically write down a lecture.)
I guess I lied about a short letter.
Now stop lecturing me!
– R
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Post by Lyle O'Callaghan on Nov 16, 2015 16:17:27 GMT -8
It was late December 17th when Lyle O'Callaghan realized he hadn't written a reply to his brother. That was strange. Normally the turnaround was precise, instant. Maybe it was all the strange things that were going on, all the interference to his schedule. It was what he had signed up for when he took the position, but he hadn't quite been expecting something like this. A kidnapping. It seemed like all of the top reporters had been moved to take over the media side to the investigation, and everyone else was left to pick up the slack for other articles. He was in the latter category. He was even working on an article as he set the quill in action, his drowsiness leeching into some of the words as they trailed off or ended with ink spots.
[/font] R –
I can't stop lecturing you.
You're my kid brother.
I'm writing this while it's rather late, so sorry if it gets difficult to read. (Not like your handwriting is any better.) This new quill is pretty good at picking up on how I am feeling. It's kind of a nuisance, really. It doesn't understand me as well as I had hoped it would. (If you were looking for a hint as to what you could get me for Christmas, I have to say, I was kind of proud of that one.) Either way, I'll try to keep this as logical and legible as I can.
One: I'm sorry, but please don't tell anybody anything that you may or may not know. I'm not saying you know anything about the girls, but everyone here is in a tizzy. This is what they've been waiting for. Something really horrible to happen. The article doesn't run until tomorrow morning. (I know you won't get this letter until post arrives in the morning, but just a warning.) There was a bit of delay while it got through the editing process they've got in place, which if you ask me, is extremely counter-productive. Regardless, don't sit there blabbering about a thing. I don't want you to get in trouble, even if you go to the school. I've been told that the Guard is taking care of it and that nobody should worry, but I know that's publisher speak to get people off their back. We'll see how quickly they manage to locate them. I don't doubt they'll find them.
Two: if you try to investigate, I will personally see to it that I burn the broomstick Father bought you last Christmas. That is a promise. Being nosy is dangerous. And could be very bad. If things get too uncomfortable, I can try to have you pulled out, but I don't think I can since automatically everyone just became a suspect. Plus, I'm not your legal guardian. If you do anything stupid, I'm not trying to cover it up with Da. That's your own problem. You're sixteen, you're a big boy and I won't fight your battles.
Just try to stay upbeat. That shouldn't be a problem, should it? I don't think you've ever had issues with that. I know things probably sound a little scary, but it'll smooth over. Even if nobody wants to walk about what's happening openly, I can assure you that they're doing something about it. You just have yourself all worked up over nothing. You're safe. I'm sure. Just keep writing if you want to, I don't mind. This will all blow over. There's nothing the O'Callaghan's can't handle, right? Being separated for an extra month isn't quite so rough. Maybe next Hogsmeade day, I can pop down and we can go get something to eat. I'll talk to you about it some other time.
Just take a deep breath.
Everything is under control.
– L[/blockquote][/blockquote] |
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Post by Ryder O'Callaghan on Nov 16, 2015 16:17:50 GMT -8
December 19th, a little over a day since he got the last letter, was when he decided to write a return one. He couldn't help it. Something was going on. The only person he could think to ask was his brother, but what could he even say? Not only was Lyle his brother, he was surely held to some sort of privacy code. It was all so uncomfortable. He had accidentally snapped at one of his few friends who had remained. He just wanted to be alone to write. Things just kept getting more and more unnerving, even if Ryder didn't want to openly admit it.
L –
I hope you're having fun. I guess I am, things could be much, much worse. If you or Da get any letters about detention, don't worry about it, there's nothing out of the norm. There was a small altercation. You'd be pretty proud of my wandwork, I'd say. (And sorry, I'm having a hard time pretending like I'm your darling, angel little brother. As much as you'd enjoy that. You'd probably dance, wouldn't you, haha?)
Alright, I lied. Things are getting really odd around here and I want to ask you some questions. Something is going on. I don't just mean the missing girls. What can you tell me? Did they find them? No one here will say anything, but you can tell something is wrong. I keep hearing rumors about a unicorn or a death or something. I mean, I hope they're just some awful joke, but still. Can you keep me posted with what you know? I won't freak out, I swear.
And I haven't been trying to snoop, but it's hard to miss.
Supposedly, there was some sort of creepy cryptic message on the walls of one of the corridor. Something about a slaughter. No idea what it means, but everyone's all worked up. (I had to pull a you and help comfort a little second year girl who wanted her mum. You really would have been proud.) They keep talking about a dead unicorn, but nobody was really there. At least, I don't think so. Maybe someone was out when they shouldn't have been and they just won't admit it. I think the Guard has been trying to keep it on the hush, so people don't panic. Right. Like that'll help when we're all gossiping about a dead animal. Someone told me the professors know what's going on, they're just not telling us. That's not something you can just hide, right?
Whatever, like I said, it's just a bunch of rumors. We're in the safest place possible, you said. Nothing could go wrong. Even if the Williams girls went missing, that doesn't mean the school's falling to hell. If it was, you'd tell me, wouldn't you? You're my brother. Of course you would.
Anyways, that's all I wanted to say, I needed to talk to someone.
– R
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