Dearest Beatrice,

Upon you and your husbands recent induction into the Order of the Stripe, I have decided to succomb to my most basic instinct and become a towne gossip and write thee and share in your recent good news.

How happy I am that you have finally become apart of our secret little club. Now, at last, we may speak freely amongst one another as fellow members of the stripe. I see that your husband, Arthur has already taken to discussing with my Reginald. Or so they claim. But, I saw them heading straight for the pubs in Hogsmeade to 'Discuss Orderly matters'. And they think themselves so genteel, these men. As if they could hide what they are truly heading into a pub for from women as clever as us. I do laugh.

The Hogwarts year has begun, and your daughter, Mellorina will undoubtedly cause us to be made proud of her when the sorting hat places her in the noble house of Hufflepuff as it had done so many years ago to her mother and father. I have already warned my Walter that he is to keep a watchful eye over Mellorina and see to it that none draw jinxes or wickedness upon her during this, her first year. With your Mellorina and my Walter, Hufflepuff is assured a delightful and prosperous year.

I bid thee my best,

Mary Hallett