My Dear Mr. Lestrange *Alexandru*

[Charlotte Rinaldi Lestrange]

Dear Mr. Lestrange,

Allow me to begin this letter by saying how lovely it was to have you as our guest the other night. I was so very grateful to see you at our home, and I know that it must have taken valuable time out of your busy schedule to call on us. I don't presume to believe that you merely visited for my benefit, but it meant so much to me in either case.

Now that pleasantries are over, please know that I am deeply sorry for my actions at the start of dinner. I cannot express the regret that I feel over excusing myself and missing any precious time with you. I know that is a bold statement, but you must be used to that from me by now. I am not skilled in hiding how I feel, and you must also know by now that I regard you very highly. If it were not for that fact, I would not be writing to you now.

I would like to explain why I left that evening, as I am sure you figured out that I did not actually have a headache. Please know that it was not your doing whatsoever. I appreciated your attention and sympathy with regards to my missing sister. But you see, my brother and I have a somewhat contentious relationship. He had said some highly displeasing things to me only moments before, and I knew that I would not be able to hide my hurt feelings. I regret that I may have caused you to feel that it was your fault that I left, and I wish to make it clear that it was not your doing. There is no need to go into detail about what my brother said, suffice it to say that I am no longer speaking to him. I hope this does not cause you to feel enmity towards him. I would never want my own opinion to discolour yours. 

I pray that we might be able to meet again soon, though I would have to discuss the matter with my father. Thank you for your understanding, sir.

Cordially,

Miss Charlotte Rinaldi

Alexandru Lestrange

[Alexandru Lestrange]

Dear Miss Rinaldi,

First of all, my apologies for the tactless words I spoke at said dinner. My mind was restless without expressing my condolences for your sister as I feel it deeply. Of course it was not my intention to stir raw emotions and I beg for forgiveness for my imprudence.
It was an honour to be invited to dine with your family and I would readily attend any repetition of it, if you would have me, also to try and redeem myself after this blunder.

I hope, for your sake, that your brother's words do not weigh too heavily on your kind heart and that you may soon find it within yourself to speak to him once more, for what would we do without our family.

Concerning your expression of regret about shortening our precious time, may I be so bold as to invite you to the upcoming Masquerade Ball held by the Zephyrus family on June 1st? It would bring me great pleasure to be allowed to see you on the dance floor by my side.

Looking forwards to a reunion,
A. Lestrange

[Charlotte Rinaldi Lestrange]

Dear Mr. Lestrange,

You do not have to apologize for what you said, it came from a place of concern and caring. You do not have to regret being thoughtful, it meant the world to me. And we would love to have you in our home again as well. I only hope that I will not be forced to leave the room again because of my impudent brother.

Thank you for your advice about forgiving him, I am sure you are right. If I am being honest with you as well as myself, I was not entirely innocent in the conversation. He just has a way of saying more hurtful things than he intends to. I am sure it will pass, as it always has.

Your invitation to the ball is most welcome, good sir. I would love to attend with you. My father has already given me permission to attend, so perhaps we should meet there. My gown will be hard to miss, it is a bold shade of red. I hope it will be pleasing to you.

Cordially Yours,

Charlotte Rinaldi

[Charlotte Rinaldi Lestrange]

Dear Mister Lestrange,

I hope that this letter finds you well and in good health. How is your time abroad? I never know if my letters will reach you soon or if the poor owl will get lost on the way. It has been a few weeks since I last wrote, and I wanted to send you a note to say hello.

I wish I had something interesting to write, but alas, no news on the Rinaldi front. I have been spending time with my needlework this summer, and even dabbled in painting. Usually we go on holiday somewhere as a family over the summer, but Mother has still not been in good spirits since Melanie's disappearance. I hope you do not mind me being frank about the subject, only it is impossible to be so with anyone in my family without upsetting everyone. I miss her terribly. Not a day goes by that I don't ache for my sister. I only wish that we could know where she went so that we could have her, or have closure.

Forgive me for writing about such gloom, but I trust your discretion and your friendship. Please do not hesitate to ask for advice if ever you should need it. Although you are the more logical out of the two of us, so I anticipate needing your advice far more often than you need mine. I mean that with the highest respect.

Again, I hope you are well. Thank you for taking the time to read my ramblings. I wish you safe travels. And hope to see you again soon.

Sincerely,

Charlotte Rinaldi

[Alexandru Lestrange]

Dear Miss Rinaldi,

My journey is going well and I expect to return home not long hence, successfull.
Indeed it must be a long and exhausting way for the owls to take for they have to rest for a long time before they are once again able to take flight. However they don't seem to enjoy the climate here for it is very hot and dry and they seem eager to leave again.

Please do not trouble yourself with the concern that the content of your letter might be unwelcome to me. It is only too understandable which grief a loss like this must cause. I wish I could help in retrieving your sister but I fear I cannot when your most able father and brother have so far been unsuccessful. All I can do therefore, most of all from this distance, is being the recipient of your expressions of sorrow and not unwillingly so.

However business calls me away now and I must close this letter. I will start the journey back to England as soon as this business is settled satisfactory.

Hoping to see you soon,
Alexandru Lestrange

[Charlotte Rinaldi Lestrange]

Mister Lestrange,

I am glad to hear that your trip has been successful. I must admit a pang of jealousy of your foreign travels. All the sights you must see! One day I would love to get out of my own element and see the world, I only need to convince my father that I will not be stolen by some sort of native tribe once I get to where I am going. Convincing the head of the auror department that his daughter is safe in a far away country. Do you think luck would be on my side?

Thank you for your support with regards to the topic of my sister. It means the world to me, though I am not surprised by it. You have always been very kind and supportive of me, even on the first day that we met, and I thank you for that.

My brother asked for a private audience with me earlier this week and apologized for his rude manner on the night of our dinner. Without going into too many details about the actual argument, everything has been settled and I am very happy. He may be stubborn and a bit on the grumpy side, but he is my brother and I love him. What is the relationship like with your siblings? I do not mean to pry, I only ask because I wish to be as supportive for you, dear friend, as you have been for me.

I suppose that is all that must be said for today. Do continue to take care of yourself and have safe travels.

Sincerely,

Charlotte Rinaldi