Disclaimer: Everything you recognise belongs to J. K. Rowling.
Chapter 1.
The Letters of James Potter and Louisa Reece, Summer 1977.
July 25th.
Dear Team,
This is just a gentle reminder to practice over the Summer. Perhaps if we'd all practiced last Summer, we would have won that deciding match against Ravenclaw.
I'm sure, by the time September comes, I'll be able to tell who's been practicing, and I may have to make alterations to the team-sheet based on that.
Enjoy your Summer.
Your Captain,
James Potter.
July 27th.
James Potter, you turd!
You pompous, arrogant idiot.
I'm writing this because the rest of the team are probably too scared that you'll throw them off the team. That was possibly the least gentle reminder I've ever received, you tactless fool. And hilarious, too. You just don't have it in you to be intimidating (you know I have a chronic inability to take short men seriously).
Anyway, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but in between a) re-doing the Colour Charms on my clothes, b) reading 'The Lord of the Rings' (again!) and c) avoiding my father, I just don't have time to do any practicing.
Oh, who am I kidding? You know full well that I'd practice Quidditch even if I lost the use of all of my limbs. We all would, which is why there was absolutely no use in reminding us. Although I tell you, it'll be much easier once I turn seventeen. Dad isn't exactly always willing to perform the Security Spells for me, so I'm not practicing anywhere near as much as I'd like.
How's your Summer going, anyway? What's Sirius' flat like? Have you destroyed it yet?
GET PRACTICING, MR. CAPTAIN!
Love,
Lou.
July 30th.
Dear Lou,
Was the note really that bad? I was trying to be encouraging. I was trying to be a good Captain. Do you think the others will be offended?
And will you please stop calling me short? I'm of average height, it's not my fault you're freakishly elongated.
As for how you're spending your Summer - a) here's an idea, buy new clothes, skinflint, b) why are you so obsessed with Muggle books? More importantly, why do you insist on foisting your obsession on me? and c) is the dad situation bad? Sirius and I are spending the end of the Summer at my house, so if you want you can come and join us when we get there in a couple of weeks.
Sirius' flat is brilliant. We've worked out how to use his one kitchen appliance, and Sirius fluttered his eye-lashes at a girl who works in the shop around the corner, so of course she believed that we are eighteen, so we're living on toast and beer, which is amazing. We're like real teenagers now.
I'd better go, I think I just heard something explode.
Love,
James.
August 2nd.
James,
I'm on a train, I'm going to stay with Lily. So, in answer to your question, yes, the dad situation was bad. But I've removed myself from it. Thanks for your offer of accommodation, but I'm going to stay with Lily for the Summer. (Hooray! No more awkward silences or arguments!) I swear, if you send me pathetic, drivelly letters, asking me to spy on her in the bathroom, I will never write to you again.
As for the letter, yes, it was bad. I know Marlene was the only Captain I ever had before you, but I can't think how anyone would be better, and she never wrote condescending notes to her team, filled with pomposity and thinly-veiled threats. But we'll say no more about it. I think the team will forgive you.
I like Charming my clothes. It's more fun.
As for the Muggle books, they are amazing, so shut up. Muggles don't have magic, so they have to invent cool stuff for themselves, like electricity and brilliant novels. It's not an obsession, it's an appreciation. And don't start complaining about the fact I bought you 'Wuthering Heights' for last Christmas. I thought you'd find it appropriate, but since you didn't read it, obviously you didn't. Idiot.
Please, please, don't live on just toast and beer for any longer. If you get any paler or thinner, you'll basically be a ghost, and that's no fun for anyone. Go out, buy some fruit. Apples or something. They don't need preparation (DON'T put them in the toaster!) and they might just stop you from disappearing. We can't have our esteemed Captain and star Chaser floating off his broom, can we?
You'd better be preparing something brilliant for my birthday. At least a witty card?
Love,
Lou.
August 4th.
Dear Lou,
As if I'd ask you to spy on her in the bathroom! Honestly! You might say hello to her for me, though? And say nice things about how beautiful I think she is, and how mature and sensible and lovely you think I am?
I'm sorry about the dad situation. Sorry for both of you…I know you don't want to hear this but you've both been through a lot this past year, and it can't be easy for either of you.
How exactly could 'Wuthering Heights' be appropriate? I flicked through it, and I don't think I am either an intense, passionate, obsessive ruffian in love with my foster sister, nor am I a wild, wilful, haughty woman. And I clearly don't live in Yorkshire. And I'm certainly not living in the 18th century. Is there something I missed?
We bought apples. I feel more solid already.
As for your birthday, you know perfectly well that I don't do wit. So you'll have bland and generic, like everybody else gets.
Love,
James.
August 6th.
James!
Disaster has struck!
I got to Lily's, and I was so happy to be there with friendly people (apart from her sister, of course), that I got Lily to set up Muggle-Repelling Charms, etc, and went to practice. Couldn't use a Bludger, obviously - even with the spells, it'd be much too dangerous in such a crowded Muggle area. So I used a cricket ball.
And, er, well…I was a bit over-enthusiastic. I managed to break my bat.
I'm pretty much devastated. I'll go and buy a new one at some point, but I probably won't be able to get to London for at least another week, which is a bit of a tragedy. I'll still practice flying, though, I just can't practice Beating. You'd better not throw me off the team!
As for 'Wuthering Heights'….it's about how you don't have to be perfect to be loved (but how at least being nice gives you more of a chance of being happy in love). I thought it was a good way of telling you to stop being an idiot, but to give you a bit of false hope regarding the Lily situation. Remus understood. He laughed as soon as he knew what I'd got you. Be more like Remus! Then I won't feel so stupid.
Your sad, bat-less friend,
Louisa.
August 9th.
Lou,
I know I promised bland and generic, but, in the interests of my Quidditch team, here's a gift you should actually appreciate.
Be sad and bat-less no more!
Love,
James.
August 12th.
Dear, dear James,
You are incredible. Forget all the times I've ever called you short and scrawny and speccy. I LOVE you!
Are you serious? Is this really for me?
It's a better make than I'd ever be able to afford.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Even Lily says you must have some good in you.
Love,
Lou.
August 15th.
Dear Lou,
Of course it's for you! And I had to get you a good one, didn't I? It's got extra Strengthening Spells on it.
How on Earth did you manage to break your old one? I tell you, even with Frank gone, if you're so good you're splitting bats, I won't have to worry about the Beating aspect of the team.
Did Lily really say that? Do you think she might like me? Do you think I stand a chance? Will you tell her I love her?
And your bat may have been destroyed, but my life has been destroyed now.
Sirius and I came back to mine a couple of days ago. The day we got here, a letter arrived. For me. I didn't see it at first, it was in a pile, underneath your declaration of love. A letter from Hogwarts.
The letter. You know. The "Dear James, you're Head Boy, Good luck, from Dumbles" letter.
Why am I Head Boy? I'm not even a Prefect! I'm not even responsible!
Sirius says Dumbledore's finally cracked, and when we get back to school, he'll be dancing around with his pants on his head.
I'm still in shock.
Help?!
Love,
James.
August 19th.
Wow, James!
Head Boy? That's brilliant.
I know you were never a Prefect, but you're a natural leader, and you are responsible, in every situation apart from when Lily's involved. And guess what? She's Head Girl!
Dumbledore is clearly far from the pants-on-head stage. She's the only person you're stupid around, and you're the only person she can't stand to be around, so he's making you spend loads of time together. It's not going to destroy your life - or hers, either - it's going to make you grow up so much. It's genius.
As is my bat. I love it. I'm not sure how I broke the old one, but I did have it for a couple of years, so it would have weakened over that time. And however good I am, I can't be everywhere at once. We need a good replacement for Frank, so you'd better be ready to help me train someone up.
I'm not telling Lily anything that you tell me to tell her. You can embarrass yourself in front of her as much as you want when you see her, but I'm not getting involved.
Oh, and I'm afraid I can't make our annual pre-school shopping trip this year. Lily's sister's getting married, and for some reason, I've been invited and I'd feel mean refusing to go….Petunia's an idiot, but Mr. and Mrs. Evans have been brilliant to me. At least I don't have to be a bridesmaid - you should see the awful dress Lily has to wear. Muggle bridesmaid dresses have a magic all of their own - even Lily looks like a pudding. So I'm getting all my books and everything by mail order.
Anyway, I probably won't write again. This place is pretty hectic and I'm helping with the wedding preparations (Lily and I are in much demand because we can do stuff by magic, making it way quicker and easier - supposedly). So I suppose this is goodbye until September 1st.
Cheer up, James. I bet you'll be a brilliant Head Boy. And just think - Quidditch Captain AND Head Boy! That's some serious prestige.
Love,
Lou.
August 23rd.
Lou,
Your last letter is yet further reason why I go to Sirius for good times and stupidity, and to you for Quidditch and common sense.
Thanks. My panic levels have gone down to about 9 out of 10 now.
Don't worry about finding a Beater. Between your genius and that idiot Bagman's international success (and, admittedly, genius), Beating's about as cool as it can be. We'll have tons of hopefuls - one of them will be good, surely?
I hope you have fun at the wedding, although it's a bit outrageous that you can't make the shopping. Diagon Alley won't be the same without you. There'll be more ice cream and less time spent in bookshops.
I wish you'd tell Lily that I'd love her even if she looked like ten puddings.
See you very soon!
Love,
James.