AN: Due to popular request, I attempted to make this chapter longer, and I think it is, or somewhat at least. I'll keep trying...Just wondering, would you rather have shorter updates more quickly, or longer updates less frequently? Anyways, let me know if I messed up anything, or it's confusing, or it doesnt work, or whatever. I'm not thrilled with this chapter, so let me know...
Days Later... It should be noted, that this chapter is not what it was originally. The letter is the same, but what follows is not. I was so close to updating, I uploaded the chapter and everything. But, for some reason, it just bothered me- and I couldn't. So I waited and thought it over for a couple of days. And then, I realized that what I had written (that originally followed this letter) didn't have a place in the story yet. It would have been way too early for it. So, its going to find a place chapters and chapters from now. Anyways, I hope you like this chapter. Some of its ideas were spur of the moment, and weren't conceived until after my fingers typed them down. It happens a lot to me actually... I really do hope you like this chapter. I hope it's length satisifes you. I hope you don't hurl things at me for taking so long to update...
P.S. Edited as of 3/19/07, and again as of 5/20/07
September 2013: Edited/tweaked. See AN in Chapter One for details.
Raven,
I'll agree, this project does seem a tad silly. However, it could be worse. I mean, would you rather write a long research essay on what would surely be the dullest topic ever? I know I wouldn't. I enjoy school, but writing essays- not so much…I do them, and I try my hardest. I pretend like they don't bug the hell out of me…but they do. I pretend a lot actually…I pretend like I'm interested in boring classes (like History of Magic)…I pretend like I'm "normal" when I'm in the Muggle world…I pretend like certain people don't drive me crazy with anger. Although, I'm not so good at the last part; because there's this one person in particular, who I simply cannot pretend like I like. Do you know what I mean? How there are some people who just bug you so much that you can barely be in the same room as them? Let alone go through a conversation without making some comment you shouldn't?
I'm rambling again aren't I? I tend to do that a lot, I just get on one particular subject and I go on and on- until I get to the point where I'm repeating what I already said in almost the exact same words. Anyways, I guess I'll just answer your question and ask one of my own…Because, that is a good plan. (And yes, you're right, you were quite presumptuous on the matter, but I'll forgive you this once.)
YQ: What's your favorite type of magical sweet?
MA: Chocolate frogs. I can't help it, I love chocolate. I know that's all feminine and cliche, but it really does make you feel better… And a chocolate frog always satisfied me when my sweet tooth strikes. Plus, with chocolate frogs you get something in addition to the candy. Although, the problem with the collectible cards is that over time you can manage quite a collection and then you have evidence of exactly how many sweets you've eaten. Six years into my life in the magical world, I have a fair number of cards and a small concern over how much chocolate I've eaten. Although when you do the math, it's something like one card/frog per week...that's not too bad, is it?
MQ: Are you into music?
MA: I love love love music. I listen to it all the time, but I'm mostly into Muggle groups, just because that's what I know better. I listen to the Wizarding Wireless when my roommates play it, or when it's on in the Common Room, but I don't have my own. I might have to look into getting one because my Muggle radio won't work here, and I miss listening to music sometimes.
Wow, I just reread this letter…and I confessed a lot to some stranger I don't even really know. It's very unlike me. I mean, I don't think I've ever admitted something to someone else that I've barely admitted to myself, especially to someone I don't really know. But I suppose that just comes back to how much easier it is to write things down than speak them out loud.
Until next time.
Your Secret Pen Pal,
Emerald
-/\-/\-/\-/\-/\-/\-
It was only the third day of classes, and Lily was already counting down the days until Christmas Break. It wasn't that she didn't enjoy being at Hogwarts, she did- honestly. She loved spending time with her friends, and the magic, and the general unique atmosphere that the Hogwarts walls contained. She couldn't think of any place she'd rather be than Hogwarts.
However, this year wasn't off to the best start. For one thing, classes were definitely going to be harder this year. She already had a stack of homework so large it would crush anyone who it fell upon. But, honestly, that wasn't what was bothering Lily. No, what was bothering her was something entirely unrelated. She sighed at the thought. Ryan. He had broken her heart into tiny little shards. And she hadn't had time to pick them all up before she had to leave for Hogwarts.
She bit her lip as she stared at the ceiling above her bed, thinking about him and all that had happened between them. She had had boyfriends before, but things were different with him. And not just because he was a Muggle and had no clue that to her he was such, because she was a witch. She hadn't dared try to explain to him that she had lied when she said she attended a Catholic boarding school. She hadn't dared tell him that she was different, very different. He wouldn't have understood, and she had really liked him. She had hoped that they had a chance together. If only her hopes had come true.
Suddenly, an owl tapping at the window interrupted her thoughts. She sat up and made a face. With a sigh she got off the bed and walked over to the window. She opened the window and the owl flew past her face and perched on the top of her desk chair. She approached the owl gently, and took the letter from the bird's beak. She grabbed the owl a treat, and patted its head gently. It gave a hoot of happiness and flew off leaving through the still open window.
Lily walked over to her bed, and sat on the edge. She carefully opened the letter and began to read.
Lily,
I know that at the very moment I'm writing this you're almost certainly laying on your bed, staring at the ceiling and moping about Ryan. I, however, am hanging out on the grounds with the Marauders. Come join us! I know you don't like James, but he's not that bad. And he doesn't try to piss you off. He's just really really good at it without trying!. And you do like Remus, Sirius, and Peter- right? So, please get your butt out here and enjoy the pretty afternoon. You've been moping long enough! And I'm being outnumbered by male-ness. Save me! Please?
Your Damsel Friend in Distress,
Maddy
Lily laughed. This was so like Maddy. Exaggerating the situation. Begging for company. Pleading with Lily to screw what she was doing and have fun. While at times it could be frustrating, it was what Lily loved Maddy for. She had had various close friends throughout her life, and some of them had been good loyal friends. Most of them were Muggles, and she had lost touch with them when she started at Hogwarts. But Maddy, Maddy was the best friend that Lily had ever had. She was loyal, and funny, and easygoing, and she could be serious when necessary. But most of all, she made Lily let loose once in awhile and enjoy life; which admittedly, Lily sometimes forgot to do. Yes, Maddy was a great friend, even if she did drive Lily crazy sometimes.
Lily sat there for a moment, weighing her options. She knew she should really get out and do something, but she just wanted to sit and mope for a while...She looked out the window at the blue sky that was splattered here and there with fluffy white clouds. The sun shone brightly, and the temperature was perfect.
Eh, Screw this! Lily said to herself. And with barely another thought, Lily grabbed her wand and left to go find Maddy...
"Lily!" Maddy shrieked, jumping up from where had been sitting on Sirius' lap,
Maddy darted over to Lily, about eight or so meters away from the Marauders.
"I'm so glad you came. It was so weird being alone with them!" Maddy said in a whisper,
"Yeah," Lily said chuckling, "It looked like you were suffering alright."
Maddy tossed Lily a slight glare.
"Anyways," Lily said, "Why did you send me an owl? I mean, it's kind of odd, even for you. And how the hell did you get an owl? If you were going up to the Owlery, why didn't you just come to the Tower?"
"Remus' owl came to deliver him a message, and before it went to fly off I asked him if I could borrow it. And I sent you the owl because you needed to get your butt out of the dorm and be near people. You can't keep moping over your break up with Ryan."
Lily opened up her mouth to retort, but she was cut off by Sirius.
"Oy! Ladies! Come over here!" Sirius called, motioning them forward.
The pair laughed and exchanged a look that said they'd finish this later. Then they made their way over to the boys. Maddy returned to her seat on Sirius' lap, and after eying the group for a quick moment Lily sat on the ground next to Potter but several inches away.
"Hey Lily!" Potter cried joyfully with a huge grin on her face,
"Hi." Lily said, trying to sound kind.
His grin widened.
"Hi Lily," Remus said, and Peter nodded a greeting.
She smiled at the two.
"So, Lily, what have you been up to?" Potter asked,
Thinking about my jackass ex, Lily thought angrily.
"Homework." She replied tersely.
Remus gave her an odd look, and Maddy shook her head- recognizing the lie for what it was.
"Say, Lily- I was attempting that Potions homework, and it was pretty hard. Do you think you could help me with it later?" Remus asked hopefully,
"Sure. How about tonight? Meet in the common room?"
"Sounds great. Thanks."
"James, what's that look on your face for?" Peter asked,
Lily turned her head, and looked at him inquisitively. Sure enough, he did have an odd look on his face. Lily couldn't quite place what it was. But Sirius and Remus could tell, and Maddy had a feeling she knew. James was jealous of his friend, and understandably so. He liked Lily, and she could barely stand speaking to him or even sitting next to him. However, she was friendly enough with one of his best friends to automatically agree to help said friend with homework. All he wanted was for her to give him a chance. But she didn't seem capable of it, and James found himself wondering if his hopes for a future with her were simply unattainable.
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