A/N - well here's one of my famous letter fics. Hope you like it. Each chapter will be a different person writing, (you'll understand what I mean if you read on).
"What is it?" Harry curiously asked, while taking the blue envelope from the man in shabby robes, standing in front of him.
"It's a letter Harry," Remus Lupin replied, staring directly at the handwriting on the front as he handed it to the sixteen year old.
"Er…who is it from? I don't recognize the writing," Harry asked as he looked closely at the messy writing written on the front of the letter he was now holding, trying to figure out whom it was from.
When he got no answer from the tired man he was speaking to, he looked up into the grey eyes of Remus to find sadness and what looked like remorse.
"Professor?" Harry quietly asked, wanting to know how something as simple as a letter could be so sad.
"I'm not your Professor now, Harry, you don't have to call me that anymore. My friends call me Remus. Or even Moony, if you will," he said, a sad smile playing on his face.
"Sorry," Harry said, as he looked back down at the letter one more time. Something about it felt comforting to him, even if he didn't feel anything of the sort lately or even know who the letter was from.
Voices carried through from the kitchen, which was directly down the hall from the room where Harry and Remus were standing in, alone. It was a turning point in Harry's life, this summer day, for it was his sixteen birthday. And though he was not at all happy about having to endure so many of his loved ones pass away for him, he was grateful to be alive, and grateful that his remaining friends had actually taken the time to throw him a surprise party regardless of how he had been acting the past couple months.
"Well…Sirius actually had that letter in his possession for many years…sixteen to be exact…and…well...the other day I was going through some of the stuff that he…left me," Remus paused, as if to remember his friend before continuing his story to Harry, "and well, I found this. When we wrote it, we had made a deal to give it to you on your sixteenth birthday, Harry."
"Who's we?" Harry asked, wondering if his suspicions were right and if he was holding something very special in his hands right now.
"Your parents, Sirius, and myself," Remus said to Harry who was now looking at the letter in disbelief as if afraid of what it contained, "we all decided one day to write you a big letter from all four of us…this was when you were still in your mother's stomach… yes, we were kind of random back then. But anyways, that's why it says i The best baby in the world /i on the front of it…your parents hadn't decided on a name yet. But simply, we all took turns writing to you, knowing that you would read this on your sixteenth birthday. And know that none of us ever got to see what the others wrote, so it's personally yours, Harry. I hope when you read it, you realize just how much you were loved before you were even born. I know you may not think it happy at all Harry, but have a Happy Birthday anyways, you deserve it. I'm forever sorry for not spending as much time with you as I should of throughout the first sixteen years of your life, but believe me when I say that I tried." Remus Lupin finished before he pulled Harry into a one armed hug and then exited the room leaving Harry alone with his newfound treasure.
Harry held the blue envelope out in front of him and surveyed every inch of it as if delaying the time to when he would open it. Now that he looked more closely at it, he could tell that it did look a little old and faded. But he didn't care; in fact it made him like it even more, for this was a way of connecting to some of the people that he would never get a chance to speak to. Reaching his arm out in front of him, Harry quietly closed the door and locked it, just in case things got emotional. He knew now that the writing on the front of the envelope had to be his father's, and he stared as if entranced by the way the words looped up and slanted slightly to the right. With a shaking hand, Harry took a deep breath, flipped the envelope over and unfolded the top, revealing what looked to be many folded papers stapled together and stuffed inside.
His letter.
He pulled it out, set the now empty envelope on the table he was standing near, then walked to the middle of the room and sat down on the floor. Unfolding the slightly wrinkled papers, Harry briefly glanced down at the first page of writing that was written unmistakably in his Godfather's familiar messy scribble.
i Dear Future Marauder,
Ha. I get to be the first person to ever write to you. And I'm making James go last in this letter, just because it will annoy him like no other. You'll understand the importance of annoying your friends one day, I'm sure, (well if you're any son of Prongs, you will). Which brings me to my infamous introduction because you probably are wondering who this crazy person is that's writing to you. Well…(and at this point you can imagine me clearing my throat for dramatic effect)…I am the most noble and refined, not to mention well mannered…ha! Just kidding…I couldn't even finish that sentence without laughing. Your parents are giving me the weirdest looks right now, but that's nothing new…they probably think I'm filling up my part of the letter by telling you embarrassing things about them, or teaching you swears or something, (but that's for later).
So where was I? Oh right, my introduction. If you haven't noticed already, I sometimes like to draw things out a tad too long. I mean you should already know who I am by now, so I'll save you the hassle of guessing, (or flipping to the back to see), who I am. I'm Sirius. Just Sirius. Your one and only Godfather! How cool is that? Now I know what you're thinking…that this guy is pretty cool, right? Well you are absolutely right! No questions asked, I will be the most coolest person you will ever meet in your life. That's right I said it. Just don't tell your dad I said that, or he might have a fit, (for you see, he thinks that he is the coolest person…but he's not). So now that I've given you a pretty good impression of your father figure…hehehe… let's move on. I just want you to know that I can be the person you can always come to. No matter what. And especially if you have a problem with your mom or dad, because I know how to deal with them, (and you might get some candy out of it…). But let no one know under any circumstances that I tried to bribe you with candy. Ok? So lesson number one, come to your uncle Padfoot, (call me Padfoot by the way…I'll explain later.), and I will let you stay up late, tell you embarrassing things about your dad, give you candy, (but remember what we said about the candy), and even teach you some of those swear words if you so desire! Got it? Good.
Just to tell you, ever since I found out about you, I've been praying that you won't end up with your father's hair. Oh God, that would not be good. We don't need more messy haired Potter's running around in this world. Let's just hope you take more after your mother, shall we? We shall.
So hopefully you are sixteen now, have had your sweet sixteen birthday, and that you have been brought up well. And by well, I mean marauder style, and nothing else. James will of course have taught you to fly by now, and I wouldn't be surprised if you become a professional Quiddich player. I'm sorry but your dear father is obsessed. But in a good way because if he's obsessed, then I am too! But he's the best chaser I've ever seen. What position do you play? Seeker? Chaser? Ah whatever it is, I'm sure you're the best at it in the school, eh? And writing about Quiddich got me thinking about flying, which now brings me to something else that's very cool. I am one day going to have a flying motorbike. Isn't that so awesome? Remus doesn't think it will ever happen, but mark my words kid, it will. And I'll let you be the first to ride it. I promise. And a promise from me is never broken.
I am sincerely hoping that you go to Hogwarts and that you are in Gryffindor. Please tell me you're in Gryff. (otherwise we will need to have a long talk about some things)! Oh and for a heads up… here is lesson two… if McGonagall is still teaching there, (you'll recognize her as the strict one right away), know that she is just a big softy on the inside and likes to be called 'mom'. But enough about school, who wants to talk about school? Only uncool people, that's who. I'm getting all these looks from my so called friends who want their turn to write to you…I'm sure you know which looks I'm talking about.
So I'll wrap this up, I guess. But yes, I really am looking forward to all of the great things we can do together, (once you get past the diaper, and throwing up stage of course, no offence!). Like pranking for example…or ooh! I'll teach you Sirius Black's secrets to winning over any girl. And believe me they work. And when you take your dog for a walk to the park, I will be there right alongside with you. Hahaha this is fun thinking about actually, I can't wait for you to come!
Ok, so now to move on to the more serious side of the letter…even though letters don't really have sides…. wait! Ah nevermind, who cares about sides anyways? But yes, your parents, Moony (Remus), and I all work together in a very dangerous but ironically fulfilling job. I wouldn't change what I do, and am even willing to die for it. But I can't tell you what it is we do just yet, but in good time, you will know. Heck you'll probably be a part of it. (Like how I said Heck instead of swearing? You mother would be proud…maybe it is possible to teach an old dog new tricks!). So you're probably wondering why I am telling you this when I am sworn to secrecy about it anyways, but it is just in case I'm not…well…around for your whole life. Lily told us to give you ten points of advice in this letter, so I am going to do just that, and you can't forget anything I tell you just in case I'm not always around to remind you.
If any of us marauders ever give you permission to do something, go ahead and do it! But never under any circumstances tell your mother.
Just to warn you…us guys do not get "that time of the month" thing and, therefore, cannot use it as an excuse when trying to get out of detention…or out of a date…or out of a potions class…the list goes on, mate, but it's good to know, right?
Choose your friends wisely, and always be there for them. Always. Fighting isn't worth your time. Die for them if need be, for they should complete you. And don't be afraid to embarrass them occasionally (cougheveryminutecough) or hug them! Guys like hugs.
For future reference, do not ever try to line up all of the suits of armour at Hogwarts and claim that you are starting a battle for middle earth, (you'll understand this if you ever come across some muggle book that Remus made me read once). Hey, it was actually a good book and I was just trying to relive the experience, honestly! There was absolutely no need for the detentions. None.
Live everyday the best you can. Have the most fun. Try new things and be random! Everyone will like you that much better.
Enemies are ok, but don't have more then you can count on one hand.
Do not ever mess up your hair, even more then I'm sure it already is, whilst standing on the ground to make it look like you have just gotten off of your broom. I mean it. Girls do not like it. I repeat… do not.
If ever you need to talk to someone, come to me first. I can solve anything you throw at me! And if I can't, then go to Remus. He's a good listener.
Ask about the map and you shall see. But again, do not tell your mother.
I'm always here for you no matter what. That's not really advice, but it's the truth, (hey, girls like an honest man!).
And that's about it, little child who I don't know the name to. You're going to have a cool last name though…that will earn you respect, (not that you'll need it). But anyways my little wee Potter, if you don't remember anything that I have told you through this letter, remember this; follow in the footsteps of your father and I and let our mischief live on forever.
Much love,
Sirius, but what did I tell you to call me? That's right. Padfoot. /i
Harry wiped his eyes as he looked away from the words he had just read. He sincerely missed his Godfather, and as he thought about all of the things that they never got a chance to do together, and of the 'advice' that Sirius had just given him, he felt a sudden feeling that Sirius was alive once more, communicating through his words. As Harry looked around the room that used to be Sirius', he made a silent pact to never let Padfoot die.
After mentally telling himself that he had to keep himself together for his parents' words which were coming next, Harry wiped his eyes once more, flipped the page, and saw for the first time in his life, his mother's handwriting.