To: L. Malfoy.
From D. Malfoy.

Hogwarts School, 2nd September. 

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Dear Father,

Do you remember that boy who I met in Madam Malkins-the shy one who Mother scolded me for associating with because, as he didn’t know about the Hogwarts House system, she thought he was a mudblood- well that was Harry Potter! It seems he was brought up by muggles; he didn’t even know what a Seeker was and his quilling is atrocious- ink blots all over the place. Mother would stare if she saw it.

Anyway, despite all this, he’s in Slytherin! (I know, I couldn’t believe my ears either!) I think it might be because he doesn’t like muggles. He certainly doesn’t seem all that fond of his aunt and cousin- he hasn’t written to them and, if we talk about our families, he looks uncomfortable. Of course, if I were brought up by muggles, I’d be feeling pretty ashamed of it too.

As you suggested, I’ve been friendly to Harry. He’s really shy and doesn’t talk much. (From what I've heard, he spent his entire journey on the Hogwarts Express locked in the lavatories!) However, he seems bright enough- he’s memorised the entire potions text book! Severus took off a point for him for staying awake all night reading but he also awarded Harry five points for being a ‘potions prodigy’. (Harry blushed like a girl when Sev called him that! It was really funny). He kind of reminds me of poor Flossie sometimes.

Hogwarts is fine. I’m in Slytherin (no surprises there) and so are Greg, Vince, Theo and Pansy. There’s also a pureblood girl from Wales, Tracy Davis, and a half-blood, Daphne Greengrass. Blaise Zabini, the Italian boy, has also been sorted into Slytherin. He’s such a dick. He made a comment about you writing an article on hair potions for ‘Hair and Nails”!

Could you send me some “popping cauldron” chocolates? I’ve told Harry about them and he said he’s never tried them.

Please send my affectionate regards to Mother,

Your obedient son,

Draco Malfoy.

oOoOo

From: Daddy
To: Draco Malfoy

Malfoy Manor, 3rd September.

Dearest Draco,

Congratulations on being called to Slytherin House. I am very proud of you.

So, Harry Potter is in Slytherin? It is not wholly unsurprising, I grant you, but the House of the Snake does tend to accumulate the more powerful of wizards and, if the poor boy has been living amongst muggles, a certain level of practical intelligence is to be expected as hiding both his magical ability and obvious superiority would have been no small task.

I am very pleased that you have befriended Harry and I would urge you to continue to pay every arrear of civility and attention. Harry’s induction into Slytherin is certainly fortuitous as even the staunchest gentlemage could not criticise you for complying with the ancient rule of House Unity.

Although it is quite natural for you to feel the superiority of your blood, I would advise you to be cautious as to the attitude you display towards those whose lineage is less immaculate. Harry’s mother was muggleborn and, therefore, a slur against muggles might injure Harry’s feelings and make him less amenable to your overtures of friendship. The word ‘mudblood’ should definitely not continue to pass your lips.

I would also advise you to think on the treatment Flossie suffered at the hands of her previous owners. Find out more if you can but be discreet.

Thank Mr. Zabini for his compliment on my coiffure. I wonder what you said, My Draco, to occasion such a comment.

I have included the Chocolate Cauldrons; it's a large box so please spare at least one for your new best friend! I have also added a metal quill-tip for Harry: Mr Scrivenshaft has informed me that muggleborns often find these easier than the traditional quill-nib as they ape muggle ‘fountain pens’. (Do not get excited, Draco: these devices do not ‘fountain’ as such, they are merely hollow sticks which contain glass reservoirs of ink: the metal nip is attached to the reservoir and it writes much like a quill. These ‘fountain pens’ do not require as much delicacy and finesse and are, therefore, more suitable for muggles than quills.) Apparently, one simply slips the nib onto the end of the quill and then continues as one would with a normal quill.

Mummy sends her ‘affectionate regards’,

Love Daddy xxx

Postscript: it would be wisest to refer to Severus as 'Professor Snape' during term time.