"Did you even comb your hair today?"

Elsie held back a groan and an eye roll, the latter tending to freak her mother out. "Yes, I did."

"You didn't do a very good job dear. It looks as of you've just crawled out of bed. And it's not just your hair, did you sleep in that dress last night? The wrinkles..." Elsie's mother chided.

"It's a fashion statement," Elsie said flatly. Elsie's mother, Miranda, had decided that she hadn't seen much of her daughter lately as she'd like to. Only 20 minuets ago had she called Elsie to inform her that they were going out for lunch.

"It's not a fashion statement, it's improper." The older woman corrected.

"Well, blindness goes hand in hand with improper. I can't even see my fashion statement." Elsie said nonchalantly.

Miranda quieted, stunned. Elsie felt the mood drop and she regretted her words. Her mother was sensitive to Elsie's blindness. The woman had never gotten used to the idea that her precious baby couldn't see. It was just her motherly instinct.

"Don't say things like that," Miranda sniffed. Elsie was sure that she was fighting off tears.

With a sigh Elsie said, "sorry mom."

"Don't apologize," Miranda shook her head, whipping her damp eyes. She took a moment to compose herself. After what seemed like a century of awkward silence she spoke again. "So, what have you been up to sweetheart?"

"Well James..." Elsie stopped. She'd been up to magic, and that wasn't something she could talk to her mother about. James had told her that technically even she shouldn't know about magic, she was a muggle with no link into the magical world. If the ministry found out that she knew anything they'd both be in trouble. Friendship or even roommates wasn't a strong enough link to justify her knowledge, even with a possibility of Muggle Mergence coming soon.

"James what?" Miranda pushed. "Anything happen between you two?"

"What? No." Elsie shook her head. Secretly she wished that something had happened, but that was an idea for another time.

"Well, then what?"

"We... Just hung out. Nothing really interesting."

"Poo," her mother commented with a pout. This time Elsie couldn't help but to roll her eyes. The joys of having a mother.

XXX

Dear James,

Are you coming to Al's game today? It's an important one, we have to support him! He's making history James, it's amazing! Please come, if not for him, for quidditch. You can even bring Elsie if you want, she'll love the excitement.

Love Lily

James shook his head and crumpled up the letter before throwing it in the trash. He had better things to do than watch a quidditch match. He had to practice. His dad had finally agreed to let him take the test again, and he only had a week left to prepare.

James looked into the bathroom mirror. He found it easier to transfigure himself when he was able to see what he was doing. He stared himself down, all he had to do was focus. He'd preformed this one spell thousands of times now, all he had to do was focus.

He took a deep breath to clear his mind, but it didn't seem to work. He kept thinking about the match. About Al and how happy he was right now. Albus was a reserve player for Puddlemere, he wouldn't even be playing right now if the starting player wasn't a drunk.

James took another deep breath. His mind jumped to his parents faces when Al had told them that he'd jumped up from reserve. Their proud looks were something James just couldn't erase from his memory.

Another deep breath. Al was a 2nd generation quidditch player, following in the footsteps of their mother. She loved giving him tips too. Every time they were together they were always taking about quidditch, always.

James took another breath. Albus was making history. He was one of the youngest professional quidditch players out there. And he'd even been called up from the reserve team without a tryout. If he continues down this path he'll for sure be down in the history books.

Another breath and it seemed as if James had no control over his own mind. He kept remembering things he didn't want to remember. He recalled what his father has said a few days ago. About his finding another career, to stop trying to be an Auror.

James suddenly felt dizzy and this knocked him out of his thoughts. Staring at himself in the mirror he noticed his red rimmed eyes and that his chest was moving rapidly. It dawned on his that he was hyperventilating. His eyes widened as he moved backwards. What should he do? How do you calm your self down? James's back slammed into the wall with so much force that the air was knocked from his lungs. Gasping, he sunk to the ground. He sat there slowly regaining his breath for a long time. Even after he began to breath normally he didn't move. Even after he no longer felt dizzy he didn't move. He just sat there and cried. What else could he do?

XXX

Elsie stood at the bus stop alone. She proud. She stood a bit taller, her head a bit higher than normal. She had just won a long battle against her mother and couldn't help but to smile. After months of arguing and protesting Elsie had finally won the right to take herself home. Instead of her mother insisting and pushing Elsie into her car to drive her home, Elsie had convinced the older woman to let her ride the bus home, alone. She was proud of herself, but more importantly, she was proud of her mother. The woman had let her take public transportation. Maybe she was getting closer on the idea that Elsie wasn't a helpless little girl, that she could take care of herself.

Elsie heard the bus pull up and she moved to get on. Riding the bus wasn't a new thing for Elsie, the bus was how she got around town. It was much cheaper than a taxi, which was the main reason Elsie took the bus. She needed to save money, she didn't make a whole lot. Settling into a seat near the front, Elsie heard a high pitched sound coming from her bag. She gave an exasperated sigh and began digging through the large bag she carried around. After discovering that her lotion has spilled everywhere, Elsie finally found the source of the noise. Clicking a button she held the phone up to her ear.

"Mom, really? I'm fine." She said harshly into the phone.

"Um, sorry but this isn't your mom..."

Elsie nearly slapped herself. Her mother may be the only person that really calls her on her cell phone, but she wasn't the only person to have her number.

"Oh, sorry. Who is this?" Elsie fumbled over her words slightly.

"It's Hellen, I just called to see how you are."

Elsie sat up straighter. Why would Hellen even call? How did she even get her number? "Erm, I'm fine."

"Oh that's great!" Great? What the hell? "Listen, I want you to come by. I think we should talk again. I really want to go over some more things."

"Um, I'm fine. I've figured everything out." Elsie said, she was trying to decline the offer nicely.

"Oh that's an even better reason for you to come by! You won't even have to pay, I promise."

"Oh no I-"

"I insist, are you busy now? Come now. I'll see you here." And with that she hung up.

Elsie was confused. Was that even the same Hellen that she'd meet before? That Hellen seemed much more cheerful. Less, harsh. It peaked her interest, she wanted to go. She wanted to she if there was another side of this Hellen. Elsie knew she may regret this later, but she just had to go. She was too curious of a person.

"Call home," Elsie said into her phone. She had a home phone, it was something her mother had had when she'd been a kid and something she'd wanted Elsie to have for some odd reason. She hoped James would have enough sense to pick it up. It rang and rang and rang until finally it went to the machine. Elsie rolled her eyes, cursing James. She knew he was home, so she started talking knowing that he would be able to hear her through the machine. "James, I'm going to be late. I'm going to see Hellen, and I dunno, but she sounded a bit weird. I just wanted to tell you just incase. I'll see you later."

Hanging up, Elsie then leaned forward hoping someone was sitting close to her. "Hey, I need to ask you a question about the stops."

XXX

James sit sat on the bathroom floor. Off in another room he heard the phone ring. It was Elsie's so he paid it no mind, that was, until he heard her voice.

He let her voice wash over him, and he felt relaxed. Her voice soothed him. He hadn't realized how much he liked her voice, how nice it was. It reminded him of how water rippled, it started off small, but it grew larger, more confident, until it finally faded off.

He wished she was here, and was disappointed when she said that she wouldn't be back for a while. He needed someone to talk to and he only wanted to talk her. Closing his eyes, James began to doze. Things will be better after a nap.

AN: I almost didn't get this out in time, and it is a bit late. But hey, it's still Sunday. I've been so busy this week, and I got sick and then I didn't feel like writing. Phew!

Everything's about to happen, and that's all I'll say. Anyway please please please review! I really want some. Even if you only say one word I'm fine with that. Let me know what you think, predictions, questions? Anything. Until next week ~ thebluenotebook