cara

[Leo Robins]

Cara, 

I haven't seen you in weeks. This is ridiculous. How are you, how's the job going, how's the family?

Stop by Honeydukes when you're in town, yeah? We need to organize a Gryffindors of 2021 reunion or something.

Leo

[Cara Finnigan]

Leo,

I haven't seen you in weeks because I am a terrible person who is bad at keeping in touc.! Also work's been awful and hectic - I've barely seen another person in days.

Maybe I should get cats. David might let me borrow one of his for a trial period.

The family's all right as far as I can tell. I got ice cream with Brig last week, and she was chatty as usual, though now that I think of it, I should have taken advantage of knowing a Honeydukes employee and dragged her to Hogsmeade, right?

Gryffindors 2021 would probably be loud and noisy and messy - though it'd probably do wonders for sales. And of course it'd be loads of fun as well. I think we should do it! How's work and all for you? Done anything fun lately?

Sincerely,
Cara

[Leo Robins]

Cara,

You will hear no arguments from me there. But also, take a sick day or something! I'll bring over chocolate to cheer you up from work -- Honeydukes' finest. Promise.

You don't need cats, you need a girlfriend. So do I, come to think of it.

Right, next time you're in Hogsmeade with one of your ten bazillion siblings, you gotta bring them to Honeydukes. I always welcome familiar faces, you know that.

Exactly my point. We all need to catch up and get wasted. It'll feel just like the good old days of winning Quidditch cups and partying hard in the Common Room. Work's been fine, for the most part. Pretty slow, but not too bad. I'm sure business will boom once the school year starts again. I haven't done much other than work and hang out with my siblings lately, though Kieran and I have plans to go to a muggle club soon. It's a recipe for trouble, but sometimes you just need to get drunk surrounded by horrifyingly loud music, you know what I mean?

What are you up to these days? Met any nice girls lately?

--Leo

[Cara Finnigan]

Leo

I should take a sick day, shouldn't I? I've just got this terrible guilty feeling that there'll be some sort of horrible Potions emergency, and I won't be there, and then I will feel bad about it forever. But, Merlin, Honeydukes' finest sounds awfully tempting. You wouldn't consider owling me some samples, hm?

A girlfriend would be better than a cat. But then, cats are a lot easier to take care of. Just bring them cat food and treats and they love you forever. Merlin's pants, I think David's rubbing off on me. We should both definitely go looking for girlfriends.

Siobhan, Pat and Meghan are visiting soon, and I'll bet they'd all love to get some chocolates! You wouldn't consider some discounts for a few familiar faces who are living off of a poor Apothecary Assistant's salary, would you?

Oh, those Quidditch parties. I used to have to go since Brigid played, but after she graduated, I always ended up on the edges trying not to have my eardrums blown out when everybody started drunk-singing the school song. Ah, work sounds about the same as me, then - things tend to pick up when all the students need supplies for school, though I guess business wouldn't really start for you until the first Hogsmeade trip, right?

A Muggle club? Stay out of trouble, and try not to Obliviate anyone. Or to end up with anyone underage. Honestly, that's my biggest worry about big clubs like that - How can you tell anything about anyone with all that noise and all those people?

And now I sound like someone's crotchety grandmother. Never mind everything I just said, have fun, get very drunk and dance to a lot of terrible music. That was better, wasn't it?

I wouldn't call her a nice girl Nobody I ought be dating, let's just say. You?

Cara

[Leo Robins]

You definitely should. Trust me, potions emergencies are infinitely less important than the best, most delicious chocolates money can buy. Take my word for it. (I'd need a better bribe to owl you some samples, though. Higher chance of getting caught, you know.)

Please promise me we'll both have girlfriends by the end of this year. I can't fathom the thought of dying with only cats for company, Cara. I just can't.

Depends on how pretty the faces are, to be honest. But maybe for the sake of Gryffindor pride, I'd let you have a little something extra if you actually stopped by. Maybe.

Are you kidding? Drunkenly singing horribly off-key reinditions of Hoggy-Warty Hogwarts was the highlight of my school career! Yeah, I'm waiting for the first Hogsmeade trip -- although, there's always those students who get impatient and come through the secret passageway. Definitely my favorites of the lot.

Haha, well, I like to think I can tell the difference between jailbait and not. But we'll see. All bets are off when Gryffindors get drunk, as I'm sure you remember. Much better, yes, I'll be sure to take your advice of getting totally smashed and my eardrums blown off, thanks!

Cara. Are you doing something scandalous? I must have taught you well. I'm afraid I, on the other hand, don't have any juicy stories yet. I've been busy with my siblings and work all summer, so far. Maybe things will pick by the time school starts, though.

Leo

[Cara Finnigan]

I really, really should. In fact, I'm going to ask for a day off right now. I promise I'll come see you first thing during my day of delinquency, how's that?

I'd love to promise you that, but the idea of you despairing to the end of your days about only having cats as company is too funny, to be honest.

Well, one of the faces is awfully pretty, the others are my much younger siblings and I'll kill you if you flirt with them (I'm looking very angrily at this letter right now. Very angrily). That said, I will cheerfully take anything extra you've got would be appreciated (any of those Firewhisky truffles lying about maybe? I've heard great things...)

Yes, please take the advice that involves being irresponsible and getting injured, you big silly Gryffindor, you.

Not something so much as someoneI don't want to put it all in writing, it makes it sound twice as pathetic and stupid. It's hardly scandalous though, just badly thought out, I guess. How about I tell you when you come see me on my day of delinquency - and I'm sure we can make sure you have a few good stories by the end, too?

Cara

[Leo Robins]

That's all I ever ask of my friends, Cara. What are your most favorite chocolates, again? I'll save two whole packages for you in thanks.

Excuse you. Just for that, I'm going to hook up with the prettiest girl in the club. I'll need something to remind me I'm still alive.

You're lucky I respect the code of not flirting with your friends' sisters, you know that? Has your angry face gotten any more intimidating since I saw you last? I'd imagine not. Ah, yes, the firewhiskey truffles have been a huge hit. Will save some for you and your lot whenever you choose to drop by! Be careful, though, one time, this poor girl tried a sample and nearly threw up. I hope you don't have any lightweights in your group.

Irresponsible and injured is how I spend most of my happiest days, you know that. Don't pretend you don't know how to have a good time getting drunk, either. It's in the Gryffindor blood.

If it makes you feel better, I won't laugh! I've had my fair share of badly thought-out romances in my time, too. Remember that one Hufflepuff girl I dated who would just never shut up? I promise you won't sound stupid, but yes, I will make sure to have some juicy stories to trade you when we finally see each other in person. Though, don't blame me if the stories are all about Kieran getting action instead of me.

—Leo

[Cara Finnigan]

Leo,

Hahaha, this is why it is good to have a chocolatier as a friend! Actually could you see if you could put a few boxes of the Pepper Imps aside? Pat loves them and never finds "enough" apparently.

Oh, go right ahead! Be sure to ask if she's got any pretty friends interested in women. I really want to comment on the fact that you think hooking up is necessary to life (?) but I honestly think it speaks for itself.

I will work in my angry face, it will be the angriest face you have ever seen. Do not flirt with my siblings. Ah, if the truffles are that strong, I may sneak by on my own some time to get a box! There's no telling what Pat will try, and I don't want to get him sick.

I'll admit to the irresponsible part, but the injured part is not true. I am the world's funniest drunk, it is known.

I do remember her. What was her name? Isn't it funny, she talked so much and I don't remember her introducing herself even once. That does make feel better, though! Please continue making bad romantic choice so I feel better about mine, please. Oooh, I want to hear about Kieran, too. We should spend at least an hour making fun of him when we meet.

Cara

[Leo Robins]

Cara, 

I'm hurt, is that all you like me for? Was our time together in Gryffindor nothing but an excuse to cozy up to a chocolatier?? (Fine, fine, I'll save some Pepper Imps; nobody likes those things, anyway. Except Pat, I guess. Which is weird, because they're awful.)

With my luck, she'll be the one interested in women. And no, but making out with a hot girl is infinitely preferable to dying alone with cats. Life is the opposite of death, and all that. You know what I'm talking about.

Relax, no need for your happy angry face, I have younger siblings, too, you know. But yes, actually, the truffles might help you during work if you're having a particularly dreary day! Just pop on over and sneak some out, it'll really take the edge off Potions salesmanship. 

You might be right, but damn if all the times we spent in the Hospital Wing with our various stupid friends wasn't great fun. We drove Pomfrey so crazy, it was amazing. Speaking of, we should get drunk together sometime. Actually, we should always get drunk.

God if I know; in my head I just refer to her as Blah-Blah. Which is mean, I know, but I can't help it! Yes, I'm sure I will make plenty of bad romantic choices in the future to make you feel better about years. There's almost no question about it. At least making fun of Kieran will soothe my ego.

Leo

[Cara Finnigan]

Leo,

Yes, you caught me. All I ever wanted you for was to have a chocolatier as a friend, even before you were a chocolatier or actually knew what a chocolatier was this is sarcasm. (I don't like Pepper Imps much either, but our Pat's one of a kind in many ways, and we love him. Thanks for saving the Imps anyway).

I think you mean with my luck - or at least lucky for me, I guess. And I have no idea what you mean? The analogy life is to death as snogging is to cat ownership makes no sense to me. I guess it's clear why you weren't a Ravenclaw?

Oh, gosh, are you going to laugh if I say I forgot for a second? It's just Siobhan's fifteen all of a sudden. That's when I first started noticing girls, and the idea of anyone looking at her that way makes me want to kill them, no questions asked. I expect you have a much healthier attitude to Cass dating, I don't know why I felt the need to confess all that to you. I feel like I need a truffle or two right now (send me one, send me one!).

Poor Madam Pomfrey. I understand her so much better now. I have never been more exhausted than during August last year. I swear at least fifty parents came in for Healing potions after a Third Year with a new broom went a little wild in the middle of the Leaky. We really should get drunk some time, I really miss the sweet pounding headache during the morning after (joking! We really, really should).

Yes, please do, my ego could use the boost. Though making fun of Kieran would work just as well, honestly, if you'd rather keep some shreds of dignity.

See you soon,
Cara

[Leo Robins]

[whoops it's been ages i'm sorry! please forgive leo for his lateness!]

---

Cara,

Really? You were being sarcastic?? I could hardly tell. Also excuse you, I totally knew what a chocolatier was by age...fifteen. Probably. (He could eat our whole supply, I'm sure no one would mind. Even the boss hates those things.)

Yes, yes, one man's bad luck is another woman's fortune...I think I'm getting my idioms mixed up. Clearly, I was not a Ravenclaw. How'd you guess? It wasn't all those times we spent in the Gryffindor common room, was it?

Nah, I like to forget I have younger siblings, too. Don't tell them I said that. Yes, I have a tremendously healthy attitude to Cassie dating. You should ask James Potter about it. All right, I've sent you some truffles along with this letter, but I don't think that's going to stop any boys or girls from looking at Siobhan the wrong way, sorry! They're delicious, but they're not that magical.

Jesus, kids these days are so out of control. We weren't that bad, were we? Of course, considering we're planning on getting smashed together, maybe we were. 

Ah, making fun of the Ravenclaws - reminds me of the good old days when we crushed them at Quidditch. That is definitely what we should do.

See you,
Leo

[Cara Finnigan]

(ooc: oh heavens I'm so sorry!! please forgive Cara and me for being awful correspondents)

Leo,

Oh, hush, sarcasm is hard in letters. I didn't want you to get confused. Did you really know? That's better than me honestly, I had no idea the employees at Honeydukes had proper titles until you started work there! (Oh, don't let Pat know that! He'll take you up on it and give himself indigestion.)

I was gonna say I don't think that's any phrase I've ever heard before, but good on you for figuring it out yourself. Yes, those many, long years of memories gave you away, Leo. This is also sarcasm.

Oh, really? Good for you for being a mature older sibling, or is that only because Cass is so mature herself? I can't really imagine she'd let you pick on anyone she dated honestly. Though, now that you mention it, I don't really know any of the Potter/Weasley brood very well. Was James nice? I certainly hope so, for Cassie's sake.

The truffles were delicious (I say were because you reminding me how pretty Siobhan's getting and how many sticky fingered little upstarts are probably going to eye her at school made me so upset that I ate them all.)

Ah, getting smashed and making fun of Ravenclaws for being losers. I think I'd prefer if the kids today were worse behaved than us, that description makes us sound like proper hooligans.

Cara

[Leo Robins]

[no worries, leo's just as bad haha!]

Cara,

Have you met my siblings? I don't get confused by sarcasm anymore, sad to say. I do miss the days of being two years old and not yet having to deal with Cassie. Well, you know how I was about chocolate. Though, shh, technically we don't have official titles, we just assign them to ourselves to make the job seem even cooler than it already is. (My lips are sealed.)

I do apologize for not having the mental capacity of one of those eagles up in their ivory tower. I was a little busy actually having fun in my school years, as you are aware. Thank you for clarifying, it's greatly appreciated. Not.

Thanks, I do try. I'm definitely not as bad as some older brothers, let's be honest. Cass is, well, I wouldn't say mature, but I trust her enough to handle herself. Even if some guy broke her heart, I'd sooner watch her beat him up than she'd let me do it for her, you know. I can't say I know them all too well myself, just what I've heard from Cassie and the times I talked to James while they were dating. And she's always going on about Albus; not sure what that's about. She and James are broken up, now, though, so I can't be bothered to care about him anymore. Granted, I should maybe look into how that ended...

I'm glad you liked them; they're some of our best. Hey, if you need a carefully-placed hex on any such 'sticky-fingered little upstart', give me a name and a face and I'll nail 'em with one when they come by Honeydukes. Pays to have friends in high places, doesn't it?

I'd be careful what you wish for, Cara. If Cassie ends up in prison as a result of being worse-behaved than we are, I'm blaming you entirely. Nobody's a hooligan quite like Gryffindors are, though.

Leo

[Cara Finnigan]

Leo,

I wish I could be that confident about sarcasm - I'm still not sure if half the things Siobhan says are sarcastic or not. You know, I don't think I'd give up our bunch of siblings for anything! Having just Tommy and Brigid around meant I was always getting stuck in the middle of things that weren't my fault - the younger ones being around means that I have people to blame now instead, hahaha. You've already got the coolest job in Wizarding Britain, I doubt you need a fancy title to make it cooler.

Oh yes, loads of fun. Am I supposed to consider the toad incident fun, too, or was that just collateral damage?

Ah, come on. Have you met the rest of the kids in Cass' year? Compared to most of them she's practically Albus Dumbledore himself. Do you honestly not know whether or not she's dating James Potter or Albus Potter? Bad older brother, shame on you.

Mm, I'd better come visit you soon and pick up another box. Oh don't you worry, I expect there'll be a bit of a line of people ready to hex anyone eyeing Siobhan (but I'm sure you'll be a very effective fourth, if I'm remembering your Defense marks correctly).

You're right, I take it back! There's no way your little sister would end up in prison before you. Of course there's no hooligan like a Gryffindor, it's practically our House motto.

Cara

[Leo Robins]

Cara,

I'll trade you my siblings for a day, we'll see how well you get on with their brand of sarcasm, yeah? Though, I agree, I am quite happy with the siblings we've got. Admittedly, yours seem far crazier than mine by virtue of being bigger, but Cassie and Jason come with their own...unique set of issues, so I think it all works out in the end. Thank you, thank you, that's high praise coming from a girl who sells frog intestines for a living.

We don't talk about that incident. We took a pledge, Cara. I mean, a drunk one, but still a pledge!

I have met enough of the kids in Cassie's year that I would rather not meet any more. I ran into Sebastian Nott the other day, actually. It was quite an unpleasant experience. Look, I can't be bothered to keep track of those damn Potter-Weasleys, okay, they all sort of blur together! Anyway, I think Cassie would prefer I not know the specifics than have me overly interested, to be honest.

You definitely should, yes. And feel free to give me a call if numbers one through three don't work out for the Siobhan defense squad! My defense marks were great, thank you for remembering, definitely enough to deal with some Hogwarts kid, trust me. 

Exactly! Wait a second...

Leo