Third Year – Summer
Ly,
How's your revision going? By the way, I think I'm allowed to come to the Easter party tomorrow! I was talking to Fred before – he's the only person, save for you, Hugo and Abigail, who knows about Scorpius and I – and he says it's perfectly fine for me to bring Scorpius to the party, too. Yay!
Abigail and Hugh have been going out for, what, a month now? Abigail was gossiping with me before about our boyfriends (it feels so good saying that word, especially since it's Scorpius who I'm with) and she said she hasn't kissed Hugo yet. Ew, way too much information. The thought of Hugo kissing anybody is enough to make me feel ill. Abigail's coming to the party too, by the way.
I'm happy for Abigail and Hugo but Eve seems really quite down lately. It's probably because Hugo and Abigail are sickly sweet to each other, it's disgusting. Well, I can hardly talk, and I suppose it's quite lovely watching Hugh and Abigail together, anyway.
What day is your first mock NEWT exam?
Love,
Lily
Ly,
The party's tonight, I'm so excited. Since we've all broken up for the holidays I'm staying at Shell Cottage to get ready later. James is here, as is Albus, and those two are cramped in Louis's room whilst I get to stay in the lovely large room that Dominique used to share with Victoire. Victoire left some of her old clothes here for her sister to have, and Dominique, who's home for the holiday, said I could wear any of them (they're all so beautiful!) but, as Albus thought it necessary to point out, Victoire's willowy and perfect with curves in all the right places whereas I'm petite and, well, petite. Dominique, upon noticing this, changed track and said I could wear some of her own clothes, since she's stick thin. She's taller than me, though, so that's a no-go. Oh, well; I have my own clothes anyway.
I'm not sure if Lucy's allowed to come tonight, which is a shame, and I bet you one thousand Galleons that she'll be kicking and screaming all the way to bed tonight, especially since Molly, who's the year above you lot, is going.
Lucy is only twelve, though, so I suppose her parents were right in not letting her come.
Nonetheless, we'll be heading out to the beach sometime around eight. According to Louis, who is, "of course", the expert on things like parties, that's fashionably late enough to make an entrance.
I wouldn't know; I'm only almost fourteen. Dominique wouldn't know, either, since she spends so much of her time studying.
Scorpius is arriving just before I am, so I do get to make an entrance, after all. Dominique now knows I'm going out with him, as does Louis. Both of them are nice enough not to make a scene.
I hope I look nice tonight, by the way. Dominique said she'd do my hair for me, and normally I'd put up a fuss since I don't really care about things like that, but both her and Victoire are brilliant with hair and make-up so I suppose I'll let her do something.
Love,
Lily
P.S. What time are you and Lorcan getting to the party?
Ly,
I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR.
Lily
Ly,
I've narrowed down my clothes into two options: a grey jumper that used to belong to James and which fits me quite well, and which looked quite nice when Dominique put a belt around it, or some delicate little lacy dress that Rose gave me for Christmas this year.
I don't know which to choose! Normally I'd opt for James's jumper, since that's comfy, but Scorpius is coming and I have to make a good impression!
Why is life so difficult?
Louis advised me not to try too hard, but then he said I should at least make some effort to look nice.
Help!
Love,
Lily
Ly,
I settled with the dress that Rose got me for Christmas. I think I look quite nice, for a change, especially because Dominique did some fancy thing with my hair so it's staying in place for once. Hurray, miracles will never cease.
See you in a few minutes, hopefully.
Love,
Lily
Ly,
Oh, my sweet Merlin. I'm writing this at the edge of the party, on some rocks. I don't know why I'm not with the others; I just felt like I had to get away from it all for a bit.
Scorpius, when he showed up, said I looked absolutely beautiful. Dominique beamed at this; I think she takes pride in the fact that it was her handiwork. I don't blame her; I could never have made myself look this good.
The beach was quite busy by the time we all arrived; James and Louis both immediately went to talk with Fred and Roxanne; I think the twins were overjoyed that they were seeing Louis again. Albus escaped to wait for Rose by the fire, who was going to be coming with Hugo and Abigail half an hour later and Dominique gave me an annoyingly knowing smile before going to sit next to Albus, leaving me and Scorpius alone.
That was quite awkward, I have to admit. It was all right after a few moments, though, when he gestured towards a small table to the side of the fire and asked if I wanted a drink. I accepted, so he gave me a Butterbeer. It was lovely and warm; I do love that stuff.
He motioned for me to begin walking with him towards the sea, which for once was quite calm, so I did.
And the first thing out of his mouth was, "I'm sorry for what happened a few weeks ago."
Now, let me just make this quite clear, Ly: everything between me and Scorpius has been fine since our trip to Hogsmeade, which went swimmingly. Well, aside from one little incident when a Hufflepuff boy called Mark accidentally burnt a large hole in Scorpius's trousers, but we'll let that slide for now. Apart from that, everything was fine between us! When I asked him what he meant, he said something about how it was the wrong moment to go out with me and we didn't know each other well enough to rush into anything, and I'm only thirteen and –
I took such great offence at this (almost fourteen does not imply I'm a child) and reminded him that he'd been going out with Rose when they were, like, twelve, so …
I took great pride in that argument, and I think it got to him because he shut up for a second to process it. See, I am smart, after all.
Then he flushed and said that that wasn't the point. I said it was, and that it didn't matter.
He looked at me oddly with those beautiful grey eyes of his and said that he didn't want me to feel like I had to rush into anything. Merlin, I tell you, it sounded like one of those Muggle romance novels that Rose always reads.
I said that he was stupid and that it was my choice whether I wanted to go out with him or not. I think at this point you and Lorcan had arrived and the party was beginning to go in full-swing. Behind Scorpius's head I could see you walk over to Rose – I hadn't noticed her arrive; she looked lovely with her bushy red hair in curls and her arm was around Abigail, who I could see, even from where I was standing, was blushing and laughing as Albus and Hugo joked together by the fire. For some strange reason, as Rose looked at you and then pointed towards the sea to where me and Scorpius were, I wished I was up there with you lot in the middle of the party instead of on the outskirts with Scorpius. Crazy, huh?
Rose and Abigail and the boys looked like they were having so much fun, but for some reason when you turned to look in the direction Rose was pointing I turned away. I stopped looking at you as soon as you tried to look at me. Sorry, by the way.
As I turned back to Scorpius, he was saying something which I presumably missed. Oops.
I asked him to repeat it. He grinned slightly, revealing perfect sets of white teeth, and – oh, that smile.
"I asked," he began, moving closer to me slightly, "whether I could kiss you."
!
Voldemort, what was I supposed to say to that? Of course I wanted to, but I completely didn't know how because I've never kissed anyone before! I know Rose has, but when she had her first kiss she didn't exactly let on much because she was too giggly when she told me. I could hardly ask James or Albus what to do because even Al would make fun, and Abigail was too far away.
As it turns out, I didn't have to say anything.
It wasn't too bad; a bit weird, though. I mean, his mouth was pressed against mine and I wasn't sure what to do. Just stand there?
I bet he thinks I'm a bad kisser.
Oh no, what if he does, Ly? What do I do?
So, after that beautifully perfect but embarrassing moment, I spluttered something and motioned towards the others.
"Rose – have to talk to Rosie," I managed, before turning on my heel and racing towards the fire. Then I changed track and headed towards a large rock on the side of the beach, which is where I am now. I left Scorpius by the sea; I completely forgot about that. I think he's okay though, because I saw him playing hide and seek with Lucy before. Lucy did manage to come in the end, and I'm glad for that.
I think I'll tell her first. Should I, or should I talk to Rosie about my first kiss, or Hugo? Oh dear, this is more stress than it's worth.
I think – I think I'll talk to you, you know. You'll know by the time you read this if I have or not, but … I'll let you know now that I'm coming to talk to you, even though you'll already know … does that make sense?
Whatever.
Lily
P.S. Part of me wants to kiss Scorpius again, but don't tell anyone, or I'll murder you while you sleep.
Ly,
I know that you already know what went on when I talked to you, but I wanted to write it all down again in case you've forgotten. Plus, there's no way I can fall asleep now if I don't clear my head, so here it is! Goodness, Shell Cottage is so quiet at night.
Anyway, after I left that rock I walked back towards the fire, which James and Roxanne were now doing some sort of tribal dance around. It was funny, but I couldn't see you anywhere. I noticed that Dominique was hovering near the edge of the fire, clearly torn between laughing and telling James and Roxanne off for being dangerous near a fire, and I asked her whether she'd seen you.
"I think he went inside," she said, her pretty eyes searching mine and her blonde hair everywhere. She still looked gorgeous, even though her hair was a mess. I noticed that her lipstick was smudged, too.
Hmmm. Remind me to ask Hugh tomorrow if he remembers seeing Dominique with anyone.
Anyway, I went inside Shell Cottage and immediately the noise died down behind me. There were packs of people outside, but for some reason the noise completely vanished as soon as I took no more than a few steps into the kitchen.
Probably Auntie Fleur's idea, I think.
Molly Weasley was in the kitchen already with a Ravenclaw boy in her year, and she smiled warmly at me before I escaped into the hallway.
I think I found you in Louis's bedroom. It made sense that you'd be in there, I suppose, because now that I think about it you've probably hung out there sometimes when you and your brother visit Louis with James.
You were lying on his bed, with a faded book above you in your hands, and I almost didn't want to say anything to disturb you. I realized that I hardly knew you out of these letters; I realized that you were James's best friend and if I say anything to you he might find out …
As soon I considered retreating, you looked at me sideways and raised your eyebrows. I froze.
"Hi," you said, still holding the book in the air. "Party too fun-filled?"
In that moment I was sure you'd seen Scorpius kiss me. I glared at you, tossing my hair out of my face and folding my arms across my chest.
"I have no idea what you mean," I said loftily, doing my best impression of Rose when she's taking the moral high ground. I should so become an actress when I'm older.
I think you knew what I was doing, because you smirked slightly, sat up and swung around to face me.
"So," you said casually, "what happened?"
Lysander, you're a lovely person, you know. You're a brilliant listener, but for whatever reason I was reluctant to talk to you.
You got rid of that soon, of course, by moving down Louis's bed and nodding for me to join you. I did. There was an uncomfortable silence. Hurray.
"I didn't know Louis read books," I noticed the book on your lap properly for the first time, and stared at you in confusion. You snickered, and pointed silently to the title on the cover – An Expert's Guide to Getting Women – and I suddenly understood that the only books Louis would read, bless him, would be ones that weren't exactly … intellectual.
I said this, and you laughed.
"What about Scorpius?" you then said lightly, and I couldn't tell whether you were mocking me or not. "What books does he read?"
I stared blankly at you. How could I have answered that, Ly? I don't know?
"Um –" I stumbled. "That's not why I came to find you, actually."
You looked at me with interest, cocking your head to one side.
Before I could let you say anything, I just let it all out. All of it.
I think I mentioned everything, but if there's anything in these letters that I didn't tell you in person, then I'm sorry.
I talked about how Scorpius had taken me off guard and that although I'm madly in love with him, I feel guilty about kissing him when he used to go out with Rose. I know it sounds crazy, Ly, but she's my cousin and one of my closest ones at that. Plus, I don't want James to find out that Scorpius kissed me; remember what he was like in my first-year Christmas when he saw Scorpius kissing Rose? If you tell him, by the way, you're a dead man. Plus I mentioned about how I suspected Dominique had been with someone, and doesn't she have a boyfriend in Beauxbatons? She's not the type to string boys along; that's your brother's job.
Not to mention the fact that this had been my first kiss and it wasn't really … how I expected it to be, you know? There weren't any fireworks like there are in Rosie's books, but Scorpius and I are meant for each other! How does that work?
For the record, I didn't cry when I finished ranting about all of this. There was smoke in my eye from the fire outside below Louis's window.
What was it you said, though, after I'd finished? I can hardly remember.
Oh, yes.
"Well," you said, after a moment's silence, "I always thought Scorpius was a tosser."
That made me giggle. It still does, even as I write this now. You are very funny, Lysander, and I did know you were joking.
Thank you for looking after me in that small, messy room that Louis lives in. It was nice having you there, and it was comforting when you put your arm around me and held me as my eyes watered from the, um, smoke. It was like you were James or Ted or someone; like a big brother.
Thank you.
You did make me feel better, and I don't really know why I let you hang around with James and his crew so much; you should hang out with me instead! Hugh and Abigail would love you, you'd be best friends.
Well, we'd be best friends, wouldn't we? Are we? I know you've said once or twice that I'm the person you're closest to, but does that make us best friends, or is that position referred to people you know more in person, like James or the twins?
Oh, well. You're one of my best friends, anyway, and that'll never change.
I should probably go to sleep now, because I feel really tired and Dominique's already fallen asleep, so I should do the same.
Night, Ly,
Lily
Ly,
Easter holidays are boring.
Lily
Ly,
How come you won't reply to any of my letters?
I wrote to Hugo the other day and even he replied, and he's been too busy hanging out with Abigail and Rose lately to bother talking to me.
Lily
Ly,
I've just realized: after kissing Scorpius, I've finally beaten Hugo at something! Yay!
He says he still hasn't kissed Abigail; he says he's waiting for the right moment.
I think even though I wasn't all too sure about the kiss Scorpius gave me, it was the right moment for us. I think we'll be together forever, you know.
He kissed me the other day, again. It was nice. I kind of knew what to do this time, because I had a lengthy chat with Victoire about it.
Lily
Ly,
End-of-year exams are in a month. Hugh's not as stressed as normal, which is good. It's probably Abigail's influence. Since the party, though, they've been together so much and I feel really left out. I don't know what to do.
Lily
Ly,
I suppose you're busy revising for your NEWT mocks. When do they start?
Lily
Ly,
Talk to me; I'm lonely.
Lily
Ly,
Hugh and Abigail don't see that they're leaving me out; when I tried talking to them they said I was being silly.
Whatever. I'll give them silly.
Lily
Ly,
I've spent the last week with Caroline and Eve, avoiding Hugh and Abigail. They might think that something's up, but I'm not sure.
Lily
Ly,
Caroline and Eve are really good friends to me. Remember that boy Hugo's friend's with called David/"Jarvis"? I think he fancies Caroline. She's too sensible for an idiot like him, though.
Lily
Ly,
I quite miss talking to you. How are your exams going?
Lily
Lysander,
We had our first end-of-year exam today; it was History of Magic and it went absolutely appallingly. At least I didn't fall asleep in the middle of it, though, like David/Jarvis did. He left out the entire second section!
Ridiculous.
Lily
Lysander,
This week's been such a drag. My exams are different times to Scorpius's so we don't see each other as often as I'd like, but I still hang out with him sometimes by the lake. I saw you there on Tuesday, sitting by the old oak tree where I met you in my first-year.
Things have kind of changed since then.
How are your NEWT mocks going?
Lily
Lysander,
There's a rumour going around that a fifth-year boy set fire to a stack of exam papers in his Transfiguration practical. Apparently it was an accident, but David/Jarvis swears that it wasn't. Like he would know; he was in the common room at the time, plus he's a third-year.
Lily
Lysander,
Hugo's kissed Abigail. Abigail told me as we were walking to our Potions exam; according to her, it was really sweet.
Gross.
Lily
P.S. I suppose that kissing somebody can be sweet; at least it is with Scorpius. It's just gross that she's kissed Hugo.
Lysander
It's almost the summer holidays! Victoire's really pregnant; she's the size of a house. Well, she probably isn't, but that's how I imagine her to be after Teddy wrote to me this morning.
Lily
Lysander,
The end-of-years went okay. DADA was all right but I don't think Transfiguration went all too well. Oh, dear.
Lily
Lysander,
How did your NEWT mocks go? I know you've finished them because Fred and Roxanne planned an end-of-exams party in the common room. I didn't go; I hung out with Lucy Weasley instead.
Lily
Lysander,
I hope you have a nice summer holiday, even if you haven't replied to any of my letters since Easter.
Lily
Lysander,
James wants you to come round next Saturday.
Lily
Lysander,
Scorpius came over for lunch today; it was really nice. James was civil towards him, for once, which might have even been Al's influence, since he's friends with Scorpius.
Maybe James has grown up.
Lily
Lysander,
I take back what I said about James growing up. Since next year will be his last, he's determined to make his mark on the school. I'm not entirely sure what that entails, but I didn't particularly want to ask.
Lily
P.S. I forgot – it will be your last year, too, won't it? Seems strange, really, but it's probably because I've got so used to having you there.
Lysander,
Victoire's had her baby. I wasn't right there when she was being born, but I was waiting in the hospital with the rest of the family. When Teddy brought the baby out, everyone squealed and simpered and said it looked beautiful. It looked a potato to me.
Ted and Victoire called their baby Isabelle Nymphadora Lupin. It's not too bad a name; Isabelle sounds pretty. It's a girl, in case you didn't figure it out.
I thought Dominique or Louis would be named the godparents, but it was James! I suppose James is Teddy's closest family member; they're brothers, after all, and technically James is an adult since his seventeenth birthday was last October.
James looked a bit taken aback, but I think he's overjoyed to be named the godfather. Dominique and Louis don't mind; they said themselves they'd be too busy studying and "chasing babes" respectively to look after a baby. I don't think this offended Victoire; her emotions have probably calmed down now she's not pregnant anymore.
I haven't seen her yet, but I still picture her as being fat. I can't remember what she was like slim anymore.
Love,
Lily
P.S. I've learnt to accept that Hugo and Abigail are together and that they're still my friends even if they are always in each other's company. Albus helped with that, surprisingly. He said that that was how he felt when Rose was going out with Scorpius.
Abigail's coming to my house for a sleepover next week. It should be fun!
Lysander,
Please reply to me. I've been stuck in the house this whole week, counting down the days until Abigail comes for a sleepover. I love my family, but even you'd get sick of living with two brothers constantly.
Teddy hasn't written in ages, I think he's too busy with the baby to write a letter to me. Nor has Victoire.
Maybe I'll go and see them.
Love,
Lily
Lysander,
James got me into trouble today for no reason.
Love,
Lily
Lysander,
Well, technically I was trying to sneak out of the house to visit Teddy. I'm now apparently grounded. Huh. Abigail's still coming tomorrow for the sleepover, which is good, but I can't see Scorpius at all!
Life's so unfair. I hate James.
Love,
Lily
Lysander,
I'll have to be quick because Abigail's almost here.
Okay, so James is saying that you're replying to his letters. Why on earth aren't you replying to mine? Have I done something?
Al just read this over my shoulder and then hurried away. Voldemort, privacy's a crime around here.
Lily
Lysander,
I think Al had a word with James. James came into my bedroom in the middle of the sleepover with Abigail and sat down on my bed! He is so rude.
Abigail didn't seem to mind, though. She even blushed! Goodness, girls are so strange around my brother.
Anyway, James said that I should just leave you alone. Huh. What does he know?
James also says that you're going through a tough time and that I should give you space.
I'm your friend, too! I don't see what's wrong with me writing to you, and I don't see why you can't talk to me and tell me what's up!
James said that was the problem. I really don't understand him; mind, I really don't understand anyone anymore.
Abigail says she likes kissing Hugo. Ewwww.
We tried to devise a plan that enables me to see Scorpius, since I'm grounded. Abigail suggests that maybe he could come here, and I thought he could next Monday but James says that you're staying over that day.
You're saying over here? Are you mad?
On Tuesday we're going into London to get all our school stuff; that's probably the reason why you're staying over, so you can go with James. Please don't let him coerce you into causing mayhem, you're much too nice to get involved with James's pranks.
Why don't you ever write to me anymore?
Lily
Lysander,
TEDDY AND VICTOIRE ARE COMING WITH US TO LONDON!
I think Isabelle's coming too.
Lily
Lysander,
See you later.
Lily
Lysander,
You haven't said one word to me at all since you arrived. I get that you're James's best friend and that he told me to leave you alone, but it's a bit rude. You are coming with us to Diagon Alley tomorrow, aren't you?
Love,
Lily
Lysander,
Why does everyone know what's going on but me?
Lily
Lysander,
Will you kindly shut up, I'm trying to read. I can't hear a thing over the racket you and James are making.
Lily
Lysander,
Albus has even escaped to my room, that's how bad it is. His bedroom's next to James's and mine's down the hall, so if Al's finding your noise so unmanageable it says a lot. Please shut up.
Lily
Lysander,
SHUT UP! I AM TRYING TO READ. AL'S TRYING TO REVISE.
HAVE SOME CONSIDERATION.
Lily
Lysander,
Why are you even staying over? You've been ignoring me since you arrived, you're making the worst noise ever with James, and to top it all off you've stolen the movie I wanted to watch. Yes, I know you're both seventeen so you can duplicate the movie with a flick of your wand, but that's beside the point.
Lily
Lysander,
You seem to have changed.
Lily
Lysander,
I'm so glad Albus is hanging out with me; otherwise, I might just KILL SOMEBODY.
Lily
Lysander,
If I'm glad Albus is hanging out with me it says a lot about this dire situation.
Lily
Lysander,
IT IS TWO AM IN THE MORNING, SHUT UP!
Lily
Lysander,
What are you saying about me?
Albus passed James's room on the way to the bathroom and he heard my name mentioned.
If you're going to talk about me behind my back, then fine, I'll do the same.
Lily
Lysander,
Sorry about last night. I was extremely tired and you two weren't helping matters.
Lily
P.S. I might run into you in Diagon Alley. Teddy and Victoire are Apparating there but I'm going to get my robes with Victoire while Teddy takes Albus shopping for books, and I don't know what you and James are doing but I suppose I'll see you sometime.
Lysander,
HUGO'S COMING TO DIAGON ALLEY TOO!
Which also means Rose is, which in turn means that I won't have to see Albus all day. I love him, but he's a bit much sometimes.
I have something funny to tell you. I probably shouldn't laugh, but …
When I was with Victoire and Hugo, walking to Madam Malkin's to get new robes, we saw Lucy standing outside the apothecary with her older sister, Molly, who's just left. Lucy was crying, and when we went to comfort her Molly told Victoire that a Ravenclaw boy had told Lucy that if you say the name Voldemort three times at night then he Apparates behind you and kills you. Lucy was frightened, naturally, but Hugo and I found it dreadfully funny and we had to escape into Madam Malkin's so Lucy, Molly and Victoire didn't notice that we were laughing. I think Victoire knew, though. She gave us a stern look when she re-joined us but I could swear that her mouth was twitching.
After we'd got our robes, Hugo wanted to go up to Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes to replenish his supply of Decoy Detonators, so we headed up the High Street towards Uncle George's shop. I hoped Fred and Roxanne would be in there, since their family owns it and lives above the shop, but they weren't. Maybe I just didn't see them; it was packed. I do think Victoire, as lovely as she is, wasn't too comfortable with the idea of hanging out in a joke shop for hours on end, so she made her excuses and left, promising that Teddy would be along in a minute to take her place.
I assume Victoire went to hang out with Rose and Albus in the bookshop or something. Maybe she went to see James instead, I don't know.
Anyway, Teddy turned up a few seconds later and the three of us had a lot of fun trying out new products for Uncle George. There were a few girls in my year who were looking at me with jealousy; I suppose it's a good thing that Uncle George is so famous, it means we get free stuff. The only problem is that Teddy brought Isabelle in a pram, and the shop was loud enough already without a wailing baby to add to the noise.
Uncle George says that Fred and Roxanne have been developing a new product but he wouldn't tell us what it was, only that it was in the prototype stage and was currently highly dangerous.
I'll bet it's highly dangerous, if the twins are creating it.
At that point I really couldn't be bothered with it all anymore; Teddy and Hugo were excitedly talking to Uncle George about all the new joke shop products and Isabelle was positively screaming so I made my excuses and left. To be honest, I don't think they even noticed.
Joke shops are more James's thing, I realised, as I walked down Diagon Alley. I just really wanted to immerse myself in Potions, for comfort, so I trudged towards the bookshop.
As expected, Rose and Al were still in there, though they were debating angrily with each other whether there was any need for ten extra Charms books or whether nine would do. I kid you not, Lysander, that is no word of a lie. Victoire was standing between them, looking half-amused, half-exasperated, and she waved at me as I walked in. I smiled, and headed towards the Potions section.
I really felt like some peace and quiet, to tell you the truth, so imagine my surprise when you turned out to be sitting in the corner, immersed in a heavy textbook.
'Where's James?' I asked, startling you so much you jumped and dropped the book onto the floor, creasing one of the pages. Oops.
As soon as you saw me you flushed. Ha, you can't ignore me now.
'Where's Hugo?' you asked back. Oh, two can play at that game.
I explained that I'd left him in WWW because it was too noisy. You explained that you'd left James in there for the exact same reason.
I didn't see James in there, maybe he'd left just before I came in.
'Oh,' I said, sitting down beside you. I appreciate that you know what happened already, since you were there, but right now James and Dad are yelling at each other downstairs about James's career aspirations so it's a lot simpler just to write this all out to you.
'Lily –' you began, and I really have no idea what you were going to say because I cut you off. Whatever. It was for a worthy cause.
'Why have you been ignoring me?'
I certainly hoped I sounded angry, because I was quite furious when I thought about it. I mean, you're one of the people I'm closest to and it's quite a rude thing to do, ignoring somebody. I told you this and you blushed.
At least you had the decency to apologise, though.
'Also,' I continued, rather getting into my stride now, 'James said I should leave you alone because you're going through some difficult stuff.'
'He's right,' you said.
Oh.
'So I should leave you alone, then?' I demanded angrily, strongly considering getting right up off that floor and leaving you.
'No,' you replied, but you weren't looking at me.
As dramatic as it sounds, I really did feel my blood boil with rage.
'Scamander, either you want me to leave you alone or you don't, but I'd much prefer it if you told me yourself.'
I felt quite proud of myself for that. Normally, when I'm angry I tend to mess up what I'm saying which makes me look like an idiot (often to James's delight, mind).
You sighed a heavy sigh, your sandy-blonde hair falling over your eyes. I do like your hair, it looks like it'd be fun to play with. Teehee. 'Lily, look, everything's a bit up in the air at the moment and yes, it'd be best if you left me alone, but truth be told I don't want you to.'
I set my jaw.
'What about what I want?' I demanded, and you turned pale. 'Lysander, I tell you everything; you should at least have the decency to do the same.'
You looked at me, right in my eyes, and I could swear you opened your mouth to tell me what it is that was so desperately bad.
'Sorry,' you settled with, and I felt extremely disappointed. 'I'll tell you one day, I promise.'
I snorted.
'It's true!' you said in outrage, and I looked up at you. 'I really will, and I'm sorry for not replying to any of your letters this summer, either. I just can't help –'
'Just can't help what?' I raised an eyebrow, ready for the excuses to come flooding in.
You settled with a 'Nothing' and I clapped my hands together. Seriously, Lysander, if you can't even speak to me, it says a lot about our friendship.
'Right,' I said, getting up off the floor, 'well, I have to go. See you.'
And I left. Just like that.
Ho ho, I hope I created an air of mystery.
I left Al and Rosie arguing over their books with Victoire, decided not to go back to Hugo, Teddy and Isabelle and instead considered finding James. I couldn't find him, though; he wasn't in any of the music stores at all. Please, if he's up to something, let me know.
Lily
Lily,
I'm sorry.
Lysander
Lysander,
Sorry for what, exactly, may I ask?
Lily
Lily,
For ignoring your letters. It was not at all intentional, things just got out of hand.
Lysander
Lysander,
What do you mean, 'got out of hand'? What got out of hand?
Lily
Lily,
Nothing.
Lysander
Lysander,
For heaven's sake. I hate it when people don't tell me things. I'm supposed to be your friend; trust me.
Lily
Lily,
I can't tell you, you'll hate me for it.
Lysander
Lysander,
Try me.
Lily
Lily,
School starts next Monday. Have you packed everything?
Lysander
Ly,
Please, I know what you're trying to do. You're trying to divert attention away from yourself in order to focus it on this coming weekend in which we'll be getting the Hogwarts Express. I may not be Rose, but I'm also certainly not stupid.
But yes, I've packed.
Lily
Lily,
Oh, good.
Two days to go!
Lysander
Lysander,
At least you're excited. It's your last year, so undoubtedly Fred and Roxanne are going to view this as their last chance to cause mayhem. Oh, dear.
Lily
Lily,
Yeah, probably. You're in fourth-year now, right?
Lysander
Ly,
I will be in a few days, yes.
Lily
Lily,
I was just wondering because it is fifth-years who get made Prefects, isn't it?
Lysander
Ly,
Yeah, I know that Hugo's expecting a badge next year. Should be interesting to see whether he gets one.
Speaking of, I almost forgot – DID YOU GET MADE HEAD BOY?
Lily
Lily,
Unfortunately not. A boy in my year called Nickolas Donaldson got appointed Head Boy. He's a bit of a prat; I don't know why on earth – well, I'm sure you can imagine my feelings on the matter.
Lily, would you like to sit with us on the Hogwarts Express? It should be a laugh, the Weasley twins usually bring along a few games of Exploding Snap or the like. Hugo can come too, if he wants. It'd just be good to see you.
Lysander
Lysander,
I'm sorry you didn't make Head Boy.
I'm sorry Ly, but I said I'd meet Scorpius! I haven't seen him much over the holiday at all, so I'll probably be hanging out with the Slytherins. Lucy might be there, yay!
And if Abigail's there, too – it's a bit of a stretch, I will admit, imagining three year groups sitting together, but you never know – Hugo probably will be, so I'm afraid I mightn't see you at all. Which is a shame, but you never know, I might.
I expect that didn't make the least bit of sense.
Lily
Lily,
It's okay, I suppose I've allowed too much trouble to go ahead with James and the twins, or Louis and my brother, to become Head Boy. I'm still a Prefect, though, which is some compensation.
It made some sense. A lot more sense than your first few letters, in which you excitedly rambling about going to Hogwarts.
Lysander
Ly,
Yeah, it's not all bad.
Oh, ha, ha.
Lily
P.S. See you on the platform!
