Dear Richard:

Alas, it has once again been too long since my last correspondence to you, my good friend. Much has transpired since those unfortunate events were first recounted to you, and I would be sorely remiss were I to fail to enlighten you as to what has henceforth unfolded.

I am quite certain that you will recall that despair was my constant companion, leading me to wander down a dark road where the kind spirit of hope refused to show her face. Aimlessly I wandered down that road, constantly seeking an answer but finding naught. Forthsooth, so far down that road had I ventured that I even at one point came to cast the blame upon myself for the terrible tragedy which befell young Master Hallett, if you can imagine such a thing. Then finally, I was granted solace from my despair in a most unexpected way.

I received a parchment from a very prominent Ravenclaw witch by the name of Lady Edwina Katherine Darcy, perhaps you have heard the name? But I digress. Lady Edwina was writing with the sole purpose of informing me that the Orders of the Stripe, Mane and Talon respectively were attempting to seek harmony and union for the school and that as the current high master of the Order of the Fang, that my counsel was needed as well.

Verily did I leap at the opportunity to join together with the three other houses which I had once regarded as inferior to ours. Since that time I have come to recognize that they are indeed part of the whole. Four equal parts, without which there is no Hogwarts. Do you understand this, Richard? The four united as one - The Order of the Seal, as we came to call ourselves. Ye, even the mother of the unfortunate boy, Mary Hallett, is involved, and she has indeed proven to be quite the wit. There is also a Professor Auberon Boniface of Hogwarts representing Gryffindor, quite a noble and intelligent man. Lady Edwina herself is a most witty woman, as you may already know. All quite worthy for these purposes.

Sacred is our mission, for we have been entrusted with the solemn duty of ensuring that harmony exists within the hallowed structure of Hogwarts and that the balance shall never be disturbed or broken. For this very purpose, we instituted a treasure which ensures the future of Hogwarts for all time. I know you are quite curious about the details of this, dear friend, however these are things I shan't reveal at this time, perhaps not for many more years. Rest assured, there shall come a time when I shall gladly impart my full knowledge to you, my most trusted and loyal friend.

Do let me hear from you. Often do I wonder how you are faring in the castle by yourself, since the passing of your dear sainted mother. Perchance I shall visit with you soon. But for the moment, the Order of the Seal calls. I am certain you understand.

In Sincerest Friendship,

Edmund Pinkston