Welcome to TB, an all levels Harry Potter roleplay with no word count. Our purpose is to go through the books with one exception: the addition of original characters and what changes that makes.
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Post by OLIVIA MULCIBER on Dec 9, 2023 5:11:58 GMT -5
Sometime in November
Dear Augustus,
I still have not received your reply to my last letter. You cannot possibly be that busy with schoolwork!
All is well with me. Mother has once again confined me to my room for borrowing her wand, so I find it just a little dull. I did get the owl I wanted, he has been keeping me company. His name is Ascalaphus. He seemed to be getting bored, though, so I am sending him out to deliver you this letter. Is he not the prettiest pygmy owl you have ever seen?
How are your studies? Have you found any secret passages? Did you locate the Come and Go Room? Have you joined the duelling club yet?
Also, have you spoken to our cousin? I mean the French one (was it Julien or Julian?), the one Father told you to avoid? Only, we have now learned that he was also sorted into Slytherin, so I figured it is difficult for you to avoid him. Or are you being the obedient little heir? Surely, you have at least observed him. Is he a respectable pureblood or just a foreign weirdo? Are his grades good? Has he made friends with any notable names?
Post by JULIAN MULCIBER on Dec 9, 2023 9:18:18 GMT -5
Hello cousin,
Your desperation for a response is rather unbecoming of a Mulciber.
A shame your parents seem to believe that a desire for self-improvement through practical learning with magic is a punishable offence - no wonder Marcellus was a blight on the family name. Tell me, do they also teach you to be a good little witch and keep in line? Typical for a family of such weak-willed wizards.
Merlin, you couldn't have picked a worse name for an owl if you tried - although likely a fitting name for an idiot - since he couldn't seem to tell the difference between your brother and I. And no, I do not believe your brother has done anything of value in his stay here, much less joining the duelling club. Augustus doesn't appear to have the talent to duel a Diricrawl, let alone another student. I'm looking at him from across the common room and he seems to be having far too much trouble unstopping his inkwell... I doubt he will amount to much, so if there is any hope for your family at all you better be the talented one.
If you must know, your brother has not spoken to me, so rest assured Marcellus' warning is being adhered to. Now be that good little witch your parents seem to want you to be and do the same.
With restricted affection,
Julian
P.S. Although I could have passed your letter onto Augustus, I don't think I will waste the effort. If your gremlin of an owl flies back my way, expect it to come back featherless.
OLIVIA MULCIBER [OOC: Julian is highly offended at the foreign weirdo line, and felt absolutely called out with the notable friends which may explain his hostility haha]
Post by OLIVIA MULCIBER on Dec 9, 2023 10:58:24 GMT -5
Sweet cousin,
Having read your cordial letter, I am utterly perplexed as to why Father would have forbidden my brother to interact with you. There seems to be no reason whatsoever to avoid your company. I can see now that lashing out with scarcely any provocation and threatening animal cruelty is certainly becoming of a Mulciber.
While my parents are indeed strict when it comes to me experimenting with magic, I find it odd that you would go so far as to call them 'weak-willed wizards', and even accuse my father of being a 'blight on the family name'. Since I doubt that you have ever met either of my parents, it must be Marcus' words you wrote down as your own. Has he banned you from interacting with Augustus as well? Are you being a good little wizard and keeping in line? I suspect avoiding contact is not a difficult task for someone with the social grace of a Ghoul.
As I am not the heir of my family, and not even a boy, I believe Augustus constitutes our only hope. Keeping in mind that you are the only hope of the other Mulciber branch, it seems the entire tree is doomed.
Still, I am grateful for some of the answers you have provided. My brother is far too busy with his new friends to write back regularly. Since you are probably not burdened by friendships, perhaps you could answer some additional questions. Have you explored the castle? Did you find any hidden rooms, or passages leading out of the school grounds? Are there truly half-breeds studying at Hogwarts - vampires, werewolves and such?
Lukewarm regards, Olivia
P.S. My owl is young, the previous delivery was his first. He should bring this letter to the Great Hall. If you feel inclined to deprive him of his feathers with witnesses present, do remember that it could lead to all sorts of trouble for you. As for his name, you are of course entitled to have an opinion - even if it is incorrect. If I had tried to pick a 'worse' moniker, I would have named him Julian.
P.P.S. Augustus was warned not to communicate with you, but no such restriction has been issued to me. That will only happen when I start attending Hogwarts, or when/if our correspondence is discovered.
Post by JULIAN MULCIBER on Dec 9, 2023 19:01:06 GMT -5
Unwelcome recipient,
Those are big words for someone not yet at school. I am actually impressed your parents seem to have educated you in a literary sense, at least they have some intellect.
What can I say? I call it as I see it - and from what I have heard, your parents are of that ilk. Despite your feeble attempt to insult me, I hardly feel as though mimicking my own taunts has as much impact. As implied, however, yes my father did offer caution when interacting with Marcellus' children - though as he also has decided to withdraw other fatherly duties I don't care much for cautions. In fact, it seems curious to me as to why exactly our families are so threatened by each other.
That is offensive to Ghouls. At least they are free to throw objects at people they don't like.
If that boy is your only hope, I pity any progeny. As for my tree - I would worry about yours first.
Does it hurt to know your own brother is choosing to snub your letters, such that you are now stuck conversing with me? Don't think I don't recall you writing that he had ignored your initial letter. As for friends it is amusing to me that you believe my lack thereof is a concern.
Yes, I have explored much of the castle after curfew as it is the only time I have found solitude. As I have not wasted my time playing detective, no. However, a rather excited student did mention a hidden passageway behind the portrait of Elizabeth Burke in the dungeons to me, perhaps in an attempt to build rapport - it did not work. The password to access this passageway is: Slytherins are Supreme. A bit on the nose, don't you think? Do with that what you will.
As for half-breeds: unfortunately yes. I am told that they exist here, though I have not had the foul displeasure of meeting one.
Insincerely, Julian
P.S. Your owl is a rat with wings. He flew right back to me, despite my obvious displeasure. People now believe he is mine. I assume your brother has not met this owl? Otherwise our continued exchanges will certainly draw attention. Do not presume to insult my name again, else I will take it as a slight against the person who gave it to me.
Post by OLIVIA MULCIBER on Dec 14, 2023 13:29:39 GMT -5
Grumpy relative,
Why, it seems you have inadvertently complimented me. My parents have indeed made sure I received proper classical education, which happened to include some polysyllabic words. Augustus was taught by the same tutors, although he is not as academically intelligent as I. You must have received some private education as well.
What you have heard of my parents certainly came from Marcus. Grandfather and Grandmother have never indicated any disappointment about my father, and always rejoice when we visit. Your family alone seems to despise us, a sentiment we apparently reciprocate.
Why should you not throw objects at people you dislike? Perhaps that would be a liberating activity.
As for my brother's unwillingness to write letters to me, my mother assures me it is merely 'a stage'. Something to do with him preferring the company of boys his own age, which is 'new and exciting'. It does not hurt but it does irk me. You also have a younger sister - I suppose you do have the time to write to her often?
If indeed there is such a passageway and you were given the correct password, the person who shared it with you might be worth keeping around. Or do you avoid all people, no matter how useful they might be? Not the best attitude for the heir of a prominent pureblood family.
Nonetheless, I appreciate you sharing this piece of information with me. Since the current Headmistress is a Muggleborn, it is surprising that the password has not been changed... though perhaps it was allowed to remain because it is so blatantly incorrect. Ravenclaw is just as good as Slytherin, after all.
Disrespectfully, Olivia
P.S. I suspect you are the only one repulsed by my owl. He is an objectively attractive bird. I bet the people who believe he is yours are also complimenting his appearance. And no, Augustus has not met my owl yet. If he does reply to my letter, he will use a school owl and I will send it back with my response. I am quite certain that when he comes home for holidays and sees Ascalaphus, he will not realise it is the same bird that has been flying to you. If he does, I will be impressed. As for the remark about your name, rest assured that I did not mean to insult anyone other than yourself.
Post by JULIAN MULCIBER on Dec 16, 2023 21:11:36 GMT -5
Young cousin,
I respect the idea that you have been educated - our generation is going to require such tutelage if we are to do better than our forefathers, and achieve greater. I was taught within-family, and not exposed to tainted ideology or opinion from foreign sources.
Naturally. My father may be many things - but a liar is not one of them. What he has indicated about your own parents is damning to their reputation and I am inclined to believe him. Hopefully you prove not to be cut from the same cloth... The Mulciber name has been, and forever will be, affiliated with strong Pureblood lineage and pride in our pursuit of supremacy - I am only optimistic that you will take up that charge too.
Unwillingness or incompetence. Your mother is being too generous in calling his current state a "stage": it is more like he has outgrown his younger sibling - or has not yet recognized her capabilities. Let me assure you, your enthusiasm to trade slights with me is a refreshing change of pace - most others don't have the fortitude. As for your query about my sister - I check in minimally. She knows to contact me should she so require.
I have not bothered to fact-check the excited students' ramblings - but I assure you, he was not worth keeping around: A person who is so willing to spill secrets for the slight potentiality that I would befriend them is weak. They would shatter beneath the slightest pressure. You should learn to surround yourself with actual loyalty, and not give yours for the smallest prize.
Your appreciation is noted. I suppose the Headmistress of a prominent school has far more important things to concern her... Although haven't you heard? They are tainting the noble House of Salazar Slytherin with dirty blooded individuals these days - one being a dormmate of mine - so the password no longer has the connotation of Pure-blooded students being superior. Salazar would turn in his grave. Although I have just started here myself, it would seem to me that Slytherin has the better root. Our founder clearly had the right mindset when creating his House. Rowena was far too accepting for my tastes.
Post by OLIVIA MULCIBER on Mar 9, 2024 14:51:36 GMT -5
Late April
Dearest cousin,
Apologies for such a tardy reply! Father had to spend some months in Greece for work, and he decided that the whole family should accompany him. I could not risk having Ascalaphus make such a long trip. However, I have not forgotten our lovely correspondence. Let us pick up where we left off.
I would not presume to call your father a liar, but neither would I condemn my own parents as such. It seems this brothers' feud is still a sore point. Although I have tried to question Father about it in my innocent childish curiosity, he gave me no facts - aside from reiterating that Marcus is no longer family to him. Nonetheless, it does not sever their blood ties. Perhaps they do not get along because they are too much alike in their negative qualities. Whatever the case, I shall endeavour to make my parents and my grandparents proud.
Your sister is lucky to have such a reliable older brother. I can only hope that Augustus will also display similar qualities when he gets older. However, his lack of response could as well be caused by aversion to writing, rather than an inferior sibling connection. He did grace me with a few letters while I was in Greece - Hogwarts school owls can just manage the trip.
He also confirmed your statement about the Muggleborn infestation of Slytherin. I confess, I did not want to believe your words at first. Do not worry - I made it sound like a casual inquiry into the blood purity of all houses. When I read the excerpt from his letter to our parents, they were both quite agitated. For a few weeks it seemed that I might be shipped off to Durmstrang, although the idea of such a vast distance bothered my mother. She came up with a theory - it was the faulty Sorting Scarf created by the current Headmistress that allowed dirty blood to flow into Salazar's house. Now that the Sorting Hat has been recovered, such an error should not occur again. I would like to believe that she is correct; sharing a dormitory with a Muggle spawn seems outrageous. How do you bear it?
Post by JULIAN MULCIBER on Mar 20, 2024 19:30:07 GMT -5
Well, well, well, look who wrote back.
Although it brought me the faintest joy to not have to see your flying rat ruin my appetite for the past few months - I had suspected that perhaps your father had finally discovered our letters. He has not, it seems, sniffed out the duplicity happening right under his nose. Quite slow, is he?
Indeed my father is not a liar - I have never known him to be such, despite harbouring secrets... There are many things I know he keeps from me - and many things left unsaid. It is likely for my own protection, or that I am simply not old enough to hear them. Nevertheless, we do not exchange many words at this point in time, lest the situation demand it. And it rarely demands it.
Your loyalty to your family is admirable. If only all Pureblood families had such fealty.
An aversion to writing? Is he a illiterate? I have not seen his exam results but now I assume his aversion to writing scored him T's. He is fortunate to have a sister, then, that is at least formidable in her words, if not her presence. I look forward to your arrival at Hogwarts next term - I can only assume you will be sorted into the correct House, and will thus be a familiar face within the common room.
Yes - the Mudblood infestation. I do not blame you for not wanting to believe it. I profess that I had the same repulsion after reading and understanding Salazar Slytherins motivations for his House. I may not have attended here long, but I know a grave error when I see one. It is wrong, and we are forced to share the same space as dirty-blooded individuals - so much so that I am required to sleep by them. No wonder I am not sleeping soundly at night. Hm. I am hopeful that the House can return to its former glory then - if it was indeed the Sorting Scarf the thing should be burned.
Post by OLIVIA MULCIBER on Apr 3, 2024 13:20:32 GMT -5
Antagonistic correspondent,
Although I understand your eagerness to assume flaws in my father's observation skills, I must disagree. He is not slow, and neither is my mother. They are, however, busy adults who trust their sweet, innocent daughter and do not check her mail without a good reason - which I am careful never to give them. Does Marcus infringe on your privacy?
It saddens me to learn that you do not stay in touch with your father during the school year. Our two families may be separated from each other due to some feud, but a rift within a single family unit is something else entirely. If I were to keep disparaging your father, this would be a good time to note how he seems incapable of maintaining close bonds even with his own blood.
I can assure you that Augustus is not illiterate. His vocabulary may not be as rich and formal as mine, but he can spell and use proper grammar. He simply gains no enjoyment from expressing himself in writing, as his interests lie elsewhere. As for his exams - he passed them last term, so I am certain he will not fail now, either. Though I admit, it would amuse me to no end if he had to repeat a year.
The Sorting Hat is more than likely to place me in Slytherin - you should soon start seeing my face in the common room. Not that we would be able to interact without my brother or his friends taking note. While Augustus is not belligerent, he might see it as his duty to report this to Father - unless I discover a way to buy his silence.
Do be careful not to get head lice from your dormmate. I hear Muggles struggle with those, as well as a plethora of other parasites.
Post by JULIAN MULCIBER on Apr 4, 2024 22:15:32 GMT -5
Olivia,
Sweet, innocent daughter? That is laughable - and if your parents are indeed as observant and intelligent as you seem to think - they surely will see through your facade of the perfect, conforming child. Perhaps not today... but that day will come. Fortunately, my father does not infringe often on my privacy and neither do I violate his own. I may not be or act the way he desires, and I may pursue interests and connections of my own - but he is far too busy to bother with overlooking everything I do.
I wouldn't let it sadden you. We only do not find it necessary to share formalities. Why waste breath or time discussing our day-to-day lives? Our family is connected by blood - and as you understand that is a strong bond. Despite rarely speaking, I know my father would cross continents if I so required. I am his heir, after all, and if my father protects anything - it is his family. So do not think that our absence of discourse equates to an incompetence on his part.
Perhaps, though I will maintain the stance that your brother grasps only the basics of literacy until he proves otherwise. If he were able to pass his exams, surely they are not that difficult. Admittedly, a Mulciber failing exams would be rather embarrassing for anyone of our namesake. I look forward to the Sorting Ceremony then, and for brief passings. While I will continue to outwardly display my disapproval of your brother breathing the same air as me, this correspondence has proven enlightening to my extended family. If I discover a method of interaction between us that promises secrecy, I shall extend word to you. If you do not respond, I will understand.
