Sweet Pea,
Have I done something I am yet unaware of that has upset you? I had hoped that, after our previously successful correspondence, we could keep this up! Pen pals, Remus would say. Care to enlighten me on my previous naughty actions?
Since you haven't asked, I have been doing wonderfully. And, since you so carefully avoid looking me in the eye, I assume you don't already know that I have grown another millimetre. Sirius says it's just my hair, but I beg to differ.
Lily flower, I lay awake at night wondering what you pray for. You are yet to tell me, just as you are yet to reply to my previous letter.
Please don't keep me waiting. I am so eager to commence this writing thing we have going on.
(Impatient) James.
Lily Evans.
I cannot express the depth of my disappointment when you, once again, did not return my letter.
Are you avoiding me in the common room, now? I did invite you to that quidditch party just two days ago, but you failed to show. I was so disappointed, but I had a lovely time. As beautiful and enrapturing as you are, Lily, I simply cannot put the rest of my life on hold for you.
That sounded rather harsh, so you'll have to forgive me for speaking the truth so brashly. But then, you have never been one for sugar-coating, either.
Do you like sweets, Lily? Sugar coated? Chocolate coated? Caramel? If you tell me now, I can put some actual thought into your Valentine's Day gift, and not buy you something corny and ridiculous at the last minute.
I suppose I should ask, do you want to be my Valentine? I know what your answer is going to be!
James (the Seer)
Evans.
In two nights time it is the full moon. I am, as always, excited at the prospect of a midnight run. One day, we could go together.
You're clever enough to become animagi, but not rebellious enough. You're kind, but too mean to be able to be called nice. You're apathetic to my situation, but you are still compassionate. You're full of contradictions.
Said contradictions keep me up at night; it's rather quite tragic. Sirius thinks that I'm a fool, and that love isn't real, but I don't believe him. I may not be religious but I do believe in a bigger force than us. Whether that's a God, or Mother Nature, or karma, or love… well, that's up for debate.
What are your thoughts, Lily? You always seem ready for a quick-witted fight. Surely you have some opinions?
Cleverly ignoring your blatant deny of being my Valentine,
James.
As planned, Lily replied on the night of the full moon. After she'd finished her homework, of course.
Potter,
No, I will not be your Valentine.
No, I do not believe in a higher force than us.
No, I do not like sweets – I prefer savouries.
No, I am not avoiding you in the common room.
No, I do not think you have grown another millimetre.
No, you haven't done anything to upset me.
No, I do not pray at night.
For the record, you did not impress me with your self-control. I knew you would wait a week – it was simply your reasoning behind it I was unsure about, and my train of thought is far too complicated to explain.
Since you are so self-absorbed in your own life that you haven't asked about mine, I will tell you that my hair has grown yet another two millimetres. No, I do not have any secret hair tips. Just good genetics.
Christmas is nearly upon us, as I'm sure you don't need reminding. Please don't be extravagant this year.
A very worried Lily.