Email from Jo Trilby (hobo@wizmail.co.uk) to Lois Trilby (lhtrilby@yahoo.com)
Lois, you shouldn't have; I know the dollar is really weak against the Galleon right now. Still, thank you and Phil, I appreciate it. It's not like the internship paid that well to begin with and now that the inventory of what was taken or destroyed at the museum is done, there's nothing coming in. And my savings were pretty depleted to start with. London is expensive. The draft will cover rent and bills for a month, two if I'm careful and can find some odd jobs. It helps that I live and do so much of my shopping in Muggle London. Yeah, and magic helps too. No need to buy lightbulbs or laundry detergent.
I know you think I should come home and work with Esther at the Institute, but I really want to stay. I like it here, and I've made a lot of friends, and I don't know but I can't run away just because things are getting bad. I mean, I know it's not a joke or a game, Joshua died after all. And I still can't believe it was just a month ago; it feels like yesterday and like years ago all at the same time. I don't know, but my boss, well by ex-boss and his family are right in the middle of it, and Dolohov too. And it's not right, and I can't just run away and be safe when everyone here's boarding up their windows and talking about rationing. It's bizarre. They get this tired look and just do it like it's normal. I mean, we were taught about the Voldmort wars in school. But it's not the same as seeing how people who lived through it behave when another one's coming. November was *nothing* like what it is now.
Everyone's gone into lockdown, and Diagon Alley has extra Auror (police) presence all the time now. There were idiots running around making trouble and pretending to be Death Eaters and harassing the Muggleborn and anyone who was wearing Muggle clothing. Don't worry, no one's bothered me. They all hear my accent and assume I'm just a crazy American and not a crazy American Muggleborn. But Fortescue, the ice cream guy with the fabulous blackberry raspberry fudge triple ripple? He and his whole family disappeared one day. Their shop is boarded up, though, so it looks like they ran. A few other businesses have closed with no warning either, and people are going about their business walking fast and with their heads down. It's pretty depressing, really. And then, in Muggle London no one cares or knows.
I've been looking for work, but it's hard with everyone so unsettled. No one wants to hire in case things go really bad really fast, and strangers aren't entirely welcome any more. I'll take a job in Muggle London if I have to, though. I've got my papers and my visa is good for both. And Amaranth is thinking of moving in on the first, which would help although we'll just both be out of work together. Her super has disappeared, and the landlord won't do anything about problems they're having with the roof, or send over someone to take care of the plumbing charms. This apartment's a bit small for two, but I might be able to push some wizard space into the little room behind the kitchen to give it some storage space. It'll be culture shock for her to deal with so many Muggles every day, but I think she'll be alright. And she can always apparate from inside the apartment if she doesn't want to deal. I've also looked into a few wards for the place, so don't worry. We'll be safe.
Anyway, that's were I'm at right now. I'll keep you updated. Tell Phil I love and miss him. You too, you know.
Jo