Dear Richard,

I was profoundly pleased upon receiving your recent correspondence. Surely, your letter called to mind many fond memories of our days together at Hogwarts. It is good to remember our years as members of the proudest and most prestigious House of all, Slytherin House.

I am certainly in no way surprised to learn that your life has followed the sweet path to success. A magistrate is a profession which methinks fits you rather perfectly, always did you possess the ability both to listen and to reach the proper decision.

I myself am in a very profitable position, as well. Much pleasure do I reap from being a tax collector. Ye, both of us are blessed by Merlin to have been chosen for such glorious professions as these.

Now, dear friend, I believe the time has arrived for me to surprise you. I have continued my association with the Order of the Fang, Slytherin House's proudest and most elite organization. Long have I derived amusement from the fact that the other three Houses have their own Orders, all of which, not surprisingly, pale in comparison to the majesty of the Order of the Fang.

My being still with the Order is not the surprise, as this is something which one commits to for a lifetime, as you know. There is more to my story, my friend. Truth to tell, I have attained the rank of high master. This is something which brings me the utmost pleasure, a fact which I am thrilled to share with you, as well. Do you not recall our glory days, when we would prove our vast superiority over the other Houses in as many and sundry ways as possible, but most particularly by the playing of extremely well thought out and masterful pranks? I am so pleased to reveal to you that that tradition continues to this very day. As a matter of fact, my friend, we are currently contemplating our most spectacular prank of all.

Alas, I must depart, it doth appear that there is some unfortunate and rather foul business I must tend to immediately, one which involves a large collection of cash. I shall stay in touch, and do eagerly look forward to your doing the same.

Your devoted fellow Slytherin,

Edmund Pinkston