Professor Hawthorne

[Michelle Beckett]

Dearest Professor Hawthorne,

I don't think you're supposed to write to teachers, but I have before - not you of course, my head of house, I asked her to let me be a Prefect but I was sort of joking because I'd be a terrible Prefect and Lily's lovely - and I thought that it'd be a nice thing to do, really. Because I'm really very grateful to you for letting me stay at your apartment that night, and really very grateful to you for being a nice person. And so I wanted to wish you a very Merry Christmas. I hope that you get nice presents, and that you're with the people you love the most, because that's what Christmas is about, everyone says so.

Unless you don't celebrate Christmas? It just occurred to me that you might not. Sorry. I hope you have lovely holidays, though, it must be nice to get away from all of us, I know we probably drive you all mad. Have mega holidays, though. Like, really mega. And I won't ever tell anyone about the summer, sir, I promise. I know adults think that we can't keep secrets and you're scared I'll tell a best friend or something but I don't have a best friend so it's fine, you're safe. You risked quite a lot, and it was really brave, and I think you're a really nice man.

Have lovely holidays, anyway, and a Merry Christmas.

Lots of love,
Michelle Beckett
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ooc. i hope this is okay i'm stuck on my own for an hour while everyone is out at an aunt's i don't like and i'm trying desperately to amuse myself oop

[Peter Hawthorne]

Dear Miss Beckett,

As flattered as I am that you took the time to write when you're most definitely not obligated to, I don't think it's appropriate to do so in the context of our relationship. Despite the events that transpired over the summer, I'm still your teacher and you shouldn't regard me any differently than you did last term. That being said, I do appreciate the gratitude and wish you all the best for the remainder of Christmas and the following days as well. I sincerely hope that things are going well at your household.

Give your parents ? family my kindest regards - though considering the circumstances, they might ask why you're corresponding with one of your Professors during the break. I have faith in you to be clever enough to get out of anything, though. Please try not to get into trouble over the rest of your holidays. I worry

Professor Hawthorne

[Michelle Beckett]

Dearest Professor,

Forgive me for this, sir, but I'm simply afraid that I cannot regard you anything but differently than I did before the summer. I can pretend that I regard you anything but differently, but I cannot actually do it. We're silly things, aren't we, human beings, and I really can't very much control the way I feel, and I used to not listen in your class and try to wind you up (sorry) and now I can't, because you embarrass me terribly because I know you must think awfully of me for being so drunk and dressed like a tart and wearing those shoes and I always want to talk to you and let you know that it's quite alright, I shan't tell a soul that I slept in your apartment. I just can't treat you as I used to. That happens, when you sleep in someone's bed. It's not a very business-like relationship anymore, is it?

But, as I've said before, I shall certainly pretend that I feel no differently towards you than I did before. (Although I've started listening in your classes, I don't know if you've noticed?) I just wanted to let you know where I stood on all of these things, but if you feel the same way towards me as you did before then well done! You're a very good Professor.

Gosh, sir, I would if I could, but I can't. Daddy's in prison, I think, last I heard, and I haven't seen Mum in ages. I'll tell my foster-parents, though? I thought you'd know I had foster-parents. All the teachers knew in primary school. I'm sort of glad none of you know, then, because the ones in primary school always seemed to think I was going to be stupid or a problem child or something of the sort. I rather was a problem child, but it's rude to jump to conclusions. I promise, promise, promise I won't get in trouble. I'm an angel, really. You just caught me on a bad night. Cross my heart and hope to die.

Lots of love,
Shelly Beckett