Dear Richard:

Sadly must I confess my lack of correspondence in a timely manner and sincerely vow to make amends. It appears that woeful circumstances have set us down a crooked path, hence I am reminded of the timeless value of a good friend such as yourself and ye, glad am I that we are once again in touch.

Proudly I relate that the pranks of Slytherin House have been marvelous, beyond compare, the envy of every other House. This is a fact which you yourself should be well acquainted with, being an alumni of this esteemed House yourself. You will doubtless recall my hinting of a spectacular, stupendous prank in my last correspondence. Much planning has gone into it, and the entire Order planned it with great attention to detail.

Hence, our amazing prank unfolds. Perchance you have heard of the new sweet from the New World called chocolate? Never has there been such a marvelous, delectable taste, so intoxicating, so easy to succumb to its unique charm. Surely you must try it if you have the chance, you will find it an epicurean delight which has no equal (though I fear you may be loathe to do so after hearing this tale).

Walter Hallett, an ordinary lad from Hufflepuff House, no one especially noteworthy, caught the attention of the Order of the Fang mainly because of his dalliance with a girl from a House not his own, thus becoming the prime target for our prank. Hence, a scheme was deviced to introduce the young lad to the lure of chocolate. Not simple candies these, but rather chocolates carefully laced with the Draught of Living Death, our being of the mind that it would be amusing to cause the boy to sleep for a week or two. I, being a proud alumni of Slytherin as well as somewhat of an expert on these matters, was contacted to procure some of the ingredients and happily agreed.

So easily did the unfortunate boy take the lure, greedily craving more and more of the chocolate candies we provided to him. Perhaps we used a bit too much wormwood, for nervousness, stupor, convulsions and death came to claim this innocent child, or more likely, it was simply his greed alone which henceforth forever blackened his world and caused him to join the sleeping souls which have gone before him. Alas, poor Walter Hallett is no more.

Hence we must now seek to free ourselves from future blame. The Order of the Fang shall not tarnish its name upon one so foolish, the passing of this churl is clearly not our fault. One such as yourself is greatly skilled in matters of camouflage, thus I seek your counsel in this matter.

And yet there remains that tiny flicker of doubt that tells me perhaps we could have done something to prevent this tragedy, perchance we should take a look and work toward a more perfect union with those of the more inferior Houses. Why unbidden do these thoughts cloud my mind?

I await your response and thus remain your most faithful servant,

Edmund Pinkston