Letters from Home |Rasin|

[Deleted]

Dear Son,

Forgive me for not writing sooner, my son. I did not wish to burden you with any troubles during your last year of schooling, much less when you are now dealing with an engagement. And how do you like my future daughter? If you do not wish to marry, I could discuss it with your father. It will be more important to marry Laila first, which is not looking hopeful at the moment, I'm afraid. I also fear that an unforeseen gap has been created in the relationship between your sister and I. If it would not trouble you very much, I would appreciate you writing her a letter to see if she will reveal to your her true emotions, for we no longer speak.

I thank God that this school year will soon be coming to a close. The harrowing events had me worried, but I was assured by your father that you took good care of your younger siblings. I don't believe I shall be truly pleased until I am able to hold each of you in my arms once again. Do you still wish to have a celebration at home? I would understand not wanting it. However, I cannot help but imagine that it would bring joy to the household and we could invite some of your classmates. We could all do with more joyful events. Your newest brother is eager to meet his protective older brother. I love you,

Mother.

Rasin Sigdag Stensrud

[Rasin Sigdag Stensrud]

Dear mother,

It is more than a pleasure to hear our new sibling made it to the world. Congratulations to both you and father, I hope you're doing well. Please take it easy and give yourself some time to recover, mother. Does our dear little brother have a name already? I cannot wait till I get to meet him, could you ask father to take a photograph so I can show Leif, Lin and Alva how he looks like. They're curious as well.

Please do not think your writing is a burden. I love hearing for you and father, knowing that you are doing well helps me relax.

I understand that my marriage has to wait until Laila has found a suitable partner. However, sadly I cannot promise that Laila will answer me, we have never been particularly close. I will pray that your relationship with her gets better again some day.

Actually I am kind of glad Genevieve and I are not rushed into a marriage yet. It gives us the time to really get to know each other. We have talked about our future recently. It seems we have our agreements and disagreements. One thing is for certain, we are probably going to live just outside of Hogsmeade in a big land house with a garden. Seeing it is only two hours by horse from father's and your house, it seems to be the perfect place. Both Genevieve and I love small villages.

Despite that I will be sad that I will not return to Hogwarts again, I cannot wait to come home. A celebration is not needed, I do not have many friends to invite anyways. Perhaps we could do a small thing with our family however. At the start of this year I had been nervous and uncertain if I could graduate. However thanks to the help of Lucien my grades improved. I think he and Genevieve are my only friends but I am grateful to have met him. Before him I had none and he has been so kind and helpful.

I love you and miss you,

Rasin

[Deleted]

Dear One,

Your father and I have decided to name your brother Viggo Bjørn Stensrud. Do you think he shall like his name? I do hope it is something that he will be able to grow into well and not too burdensome of a name. I am enclosing a photograph. The flash frightened Viggo. Henrietta managed to help me calm him after a short while. She took the photo in your father's stead. Do you recall Henrietta Boustle? She has been with me for a great length of time now. I do very much enjoy her company. We shall have to find a way to thank her for her unending kindness shown towards our family.

It isn't just about finding a suitable partner for Laila anymore though, darling. Quite a mess has become of that business with Tobias Devlin. I am not sure what to do, but I know it is not safe to have that many around our family. But how to convey this to your father and sister has escaped me. Truthfully, I have thought of nothing regarding the matter until recent days. Having Viggo home has greatly brightened my spirits.

I am glad that the two of you are finding common ground with one another. There will be many more disagreements to come in your future years together. To save yourself trouble, always remember to be patient with her. It seems to have helped your father. The thought of a house of your own is nice, though I believe that will be years in the future. You must first establish a career for yourself and have a stable income. Your first years of marriage would be best spent here, at our home. It will give the two of you time to catch your breaths and free up time for Genevieve when she has your first child. Being left at home to attend a newborn without any support is a struggle I would wish upon no daughter-in-law of mine.

Then we shall have a small celebration among the family. Genevieve will be invited as well, for she is family already. If you wish, you may invite this friend of yours. It seems the two of you get along well. But do not forget to pay attention to your future bride. Friendships are fleeting, my son, but marriage is forever. I am proud for all that you have become. May God grant us both more years together. You are always in my thoughts,

Mother.

[Rasin Sigdag Stensrud]

My dear mother,

The name is simply beautiful. It is both powerful as pure. Father and you never failed to pick great names for your children. We are all still very glad with what we have gotten. Thank you so much for the photograph. I hope my dear baby brother was not scared for too long. He is simply a little angel, Viggo really looks like you, mother. I cannot wait to hold him in my arms and meet him properly. I will proudly show the picture to Leif, Linnea and Alva as well. Perhaps I should visit uncle’s store if he has not come for a maternity visit already.

It makes me glad you enjoy Miss. Boustle’s company. I remember her as a kind soul when she still was a student of my house. It is such a shame that some children cannot do their N.E.W.T.S. simply because their parents cannot afford it. She works as a room maid at the Three Broomsticks now. Or so has my roommate told me. If there is anything I can do to help you, please inform me. Once my exams are over I have more than enough time to come up with a way to thank Miss. Boustle for her care.

I do not feel that it is my place to ask about what happened with Mr. Devlin and Laila. So I will not and just assume you did the right thing. Still I wonder why it could have become a mess. Mr. Devlin seemed to be a good man for as far as I have gotten to know him.

Perhaps you say it is not safe to have many people around our family. However I think the opposite is true. In these times we should strengthen the bounds with our allies. Mr. Devlin could be a powerful ally, he works at the hitwizard office after all. Unless you mean that you do not trust him of course. You have always been better at reading people than I have.

Thank you for your tips, mother. Luckily it is a Hufflepuff skill to be patient. Which I am with this engagement. Seeing we have to wait for Laila which might take another two years to get going. Of course I do not plan to move out immediately. First I want to get a proper job so I can support my wife and upcoming children. I would not want to rush things. It would be a blessing if we fall in love before our wedding day, just like father and you did. However I do not think there is such a spark yet. Neither from her side nor mine. But what is not can still happen so I do not lose hope yet.

Actually I have considered taking the position of Professor Muggle Studies once I graduate. With it I can both stay close to home and Genevieve and do my task as member of the Queen’s Guard. However father fears that showing our views on bounds between muggles and wizardkind is very dangerous these days. Still I think I did not became a member for a fancy title alone. There must be something we can do other than kneel down before the wrath of the blood purists. It is not fair to give them what they want this easily. That is not the world I want my little brother to grow up in. We should not have to live in fear.

Perhaps it is an idea to invite the Bordeaux family as well. I wonder if you have even met Mr. Bordeaux. Lucien is also a very dear friend of Genevieve and our fellow prefect. It is always lovely to have a common friend (OOC: he felt really awkward writing this). However I do not think this friendship will fade. In fact the de Godrin family has a great influence through whole France. This friendship will also help us in political ways. I do know I should show me at my best during the party. I will pay extra attention to be kind towards Genevieve’s family members to leave a good impression.

Even so you will still remain the number one woman in my world. I am grateful for all you did for me. Enjoy the quietness with father and Viggo for the four of us will return home soon,

Rasin

[Deleted]

My dear boy,

Your father and I are immensely pleased that you all have no complaints about your names. However, if you did, I'm afraid none of you would willingly speak out about it. You all possess respect and love for your parents, and for that I shall be always grateful for I was blessed with wonderful children. He does resemble me more than your father, doesn't he? I thought so as well when I first saw him. Still, he will be just as handsome as his two older brothers. That day will be far off for us though. You will be a father before he reaches such an age, I'm sure. And please tell them that I love them very much when you show them the photo. I do not want Alva to think Viggo has distracted me from her. Yes, do visit your uncle. I am concerned about him. He has not been by our home in a very long while.

Oh, yes, Henrietta has a beautiful soul. I should want her as my own daughter if she did not have a family of her own already. She has told me of her employment in Hogsmeade. I have considered asking your father if we could not hire her to work full-time with us, or pay her enough so that she will not need to work at that place. A young girl her age should not be working there. You study to your heart's content, but not too much. Take a break to Hogsmeade at times and stop by to see her, if you will. Speak with her so that she will not be so alone, without people her age around her.

It is not so much a matter of trust, as I trust Mr. Devlin very much. But there are matters which I cannot speak of. I trust that you understand this well. Tobias Devlin is a good man, but the threat he poses to my family is too great. Do not concern yourself with this. As you've said, you have studying to do and I'm sure you are spending what little time you can with friends before the school year ends. I am glad you are patient and thinking rationally about this marriage already. It will certainly be no easy matter to secure financially stability right out of Hogwarts, but I have faith that you will manage.

Fear is not a bad feeling, Rasin. It is defeat and hopelessness that we should be concerned with. We may fear blood purists or any who wish us harm, but as long as we do not accept defeat or give in to the feeling of hopelessness, they have not won. We do not have to fight them openly, exposing ourselves to harm, but can fight them in our hearts. I do agree with your father, that now is not the time to accept such a teaching position. You do not wish to be idle, but you must. If not for your own safety, then that of your siblings. Let the Ministry defeat this threat.

I'm afraid I have not met Mr. Bordeaux yet, though I would like to contact him soon. He has managed to raise a daughter by himself - a feat unto itself. Genevieve is also a friend of this Lucien de Godrin? I remember this young man, fleetingly. He is without parents, is he not? And the youngest son of his family. I did not know you were interested in politics. We've no need of such friendships. There are things said of the de Godrin family that I am not pleased to hear. It would seem more prudent to avoid them. Regardless of those matters, our family does not need such a reaching influence. It only brings more harm than good to have such things. Please hug your siblings tightly in my stead,

Mother.

[Rasin Sigdag Stensrud]

My beloved mother,

Viggo will surely be a beautiful and handsome young man when he gets older. Truly, do you even believe father and you can bring forward ugly children? Such a weird thought that my children will have an uncle who is only a few years older. However I am pretty sure they will love playing with uncle Viggo.

About my own uncle, he worries me as well. I am pretty sure that seeing his new nephew and you reminds him of what he has to miss in life. Please be kind to him, Uncle Lodrik will not show his hurt but I know he will be. Still I respect him for choosing not to remarry. Every two weeks I visit his tea ship, I wished I could come more often. Talking to him really helps. I cannot wait to travel to China with him. Genevieve might come with us, I hope a journey like that will help us become closer.

Mother I strongly advise you not to steal other people’s children. Henrietta loves her younger sisters and would not want to lose them over any wealth. The Three Broomsticks is not that bad, I think. It is pretty cozy and save. A lot of students visit it. My roommate especially, remarkably when only Miss. Boustle works. I fear he might fancy her, a kind girl like her should have no business with an intimidating Malfoy. Perhaps I should visit her, to make sure she is okay.

It pains me to hear about Mr. Devlin’s condition. He seemed like the kind of person who could make Laila happy. Above that, save her from her impossible personality. I have rarely seen her smile or opening up. That man just managed to do that. Say if, those threats you speak off would disappear. Would Mr. Devlin then get father’s and your blessing to marry my sister? I am sorry for continuing about this. I might let it rest until my exams are over.

Fight them in our hearts? How is that going to help the families they will kill? How is that going to bring Misarelle her rest? There must at least be something we can do. Father and I are supposed to do something now. We swore an oath when we joined the Queen’s Guard. It is more than just a fancy title, we are supposed to protect and work on the bounds between muggles and wizards. If we allow this to happen, then what kind of guard are we?

I can assure you that Lucien is not what you think he is. He is not like others from his family. If you will not accept our friendship because of rumours you heard, then I wonder if I am allowed to have friends at all. I trust Lucien just as much as I trust you.

Rasin.

P.S. I changed my mind, I would love my roommates to come as well. I never would have thought this would happen but, we are forming some kind of friendship. These young men are: Garreth Audric de Montmorency, Gideon Frost and Sander Alois Malfoy. Please be patient with them.

[Deleted]

Rasin,

Today, our darling Viggo smiled at the picture of you and your siblings. I take it as a sign that he is already smitten with you all. When you've all returned home, we shall need to take a new one. And don't remind me that I am old enough to be a grandmother in the same sentence when speaking of my newborn, please, son. I know very well my late age in regards to having another child and have heard so from your sister already. Hopefully it will not be too very strange for Viggo to have nieces and nephews so close to him in age. Thinking of it, I can only see them regarding each other as cousins do, and not like an Uncle and nephew or niece.

I know Lodrik well. Must you ask that I be kind to him? Surely you don't believe I am unkind. Do not take that to heart. I am only teasing you. It is much harder to do so through a letter, however. I do disagree with you about your Uncle choosing not to remarry. It would have been the better choice, to move on, which is what your Aunt Eilina would have wanted for him. I did try my best to console him during that period of his life, but I do not believe that is something one can ever move on from when there was such a strong love. Now what is this talk of China? I have heard nothing of it. 

It would not be stealing if she wished it as well, would it? But I will not do so. I know that Henrietta cares deeply for her parents and sisters. That is what I enjoy about her most. I do admit that at times she reminds me of a younger version of myself, before I met your father. Even if it is a safe place as you say, it is still a pub. How will she marry into a good family when the mother will only see her as the girl that worked in a pub? I worry for her future. Malfoy? I can only assume that this roommate is Sander Malfoy, the one you wish to invite over for a celebration. He should be a kind and gentle boy if Hetti likes him, though I do not know if his family would approve of the relationship. 

That is a question I cannot answer unless the situation presents itself, Rasin. Mr. Devlin would make for a wonderful son-in-law, yet I do not know if Laila's heart will change with time. Tobias might even change his mind. They are both still young, just as you and Genevieve are. Even if it were to be allowed, I do not believe Laila to be fit for marriage at this time. Oh, Rasin, I know that you feel the need to do something. Remember that the Queen is also a squib. She could be in harm's way at some point. You would be doing the right thing by keeping yourself from harm in order to protect her when the day comes that she is threatened.

Rasin Sigdag Stensrud, I never said that you could not be friends with this boy because of his family. I only meant for you to understand that our family does not need political relations and that you needn't make friends to gain that. If you do, is that truly friendship? Though I do not know how you can say that you trust this boy you've known for only a few years at school more than the mother who gave you life. I feel as if I will one day be told I'm not needed by you. That makes me sad. 

Which one will cause the most trouble? Now that you are inviting your roommates as well, perhaps we should have a separate family gathering. I am not sure Alva and Linnea should be around all those older boys. And you might not like to have your father and I there to watch over your shoulder. You tell me what you want. This is your celebration.

A. Stensrud