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I want to say that I'm sorry for the last chapter. Even to me it was disappointing but I was desperate to post. Next time I'll just wait until I've got something worth posting. Hope you're having a sweel week so far. I've got exams all week. Fun!
I don't own Harry Potter and I have no interesting way of saying it today.
Chapter Eleven: Letters Over Christmas
Dear Ginny,
I hope you're doing well at Hogwarts. It must be so empty with most of us gone for the holidays. It's empty at my house as well. It seems like it at least. My sister decided to stay away at University for the holiday. She doesn't like me anymore, I'm afraid. Ever since I was eleven and got my Hogwarts letter she's never truly forgiven me. For being a witch, that is. I'm a muggle-born. But I presume, if you're anything like me (which I don't know if you are) that you'll be using the peace and quiet to think clearly. I have trouble often with James and Sirius always around to think clearly. It's most times a relief to be away for a couple weeks, but never longer than that. I don't think Sirius could stand that, and forget about James. I'm glad though that you've ultimately found a devoted friend in Remus. He won't ever let you down. I spend time with him studying and talking about things that won't fully be comprehended by the former two. He's brilliant. They're all talented of course, but Remus just really knows what he's doing, all of the time.
I know you don't wish to be spending your Christmas answering my questions and if you don't want to, surely you don't have to. But I did not overlook the magical removal of some information regarding the last few chapters here and there. I didn't remove the enchantments; I figure it was done for a purpose and I respect that, especially with consideration for the information it details. So I will keep my questions simple.
I conjecture that you did not know James and me personally, granted we died before or just around your own birth. But I wonder if you knew Sirius and Remus and anyone else from school. A History of Magic says there was a group called the Order of the Phoenix, and that we were a part of it. What was that like? Harry was only one when we died…who took care of him? It only says Muggle relations, so it must be someone in my own family, as James is a pureblood. What did he look like? Was he brave? Kind? Egotistical? Don't think I assume only the best for my son; his father is the most egotistical man I've ever met.
Also, Alice Prewett is a great friend. She's brilliant and someone I trust. Confiding in her is unnecessary but befriending her would give her a very warm Christmas holiday. She's still at Hogwarts too. I do hope you're having a nice relaxing break.
Love,
Lily
Dear Ginny,
First and foremost I want to warn you. Bellatrix Lestrange was at King's Cross Station lurking around for no good reason. It's true she was recently married but she has no kids at Hogwarts, only cousins, who don't like her very much at all. I know what you're going to say to me: warn Regulus and Sirius. She doesn't even know I exist there's no reason to worry over me, I'm with Dumbledore. But she does know about you, I'm sure. There are a few students at our school that correspond with her and your supposed knowledge of the Death Eater roster has without a doubt been spread. Please be careful. I know you'd rather be alone but please, be in the sight of someone, a teacher, a Gryffindor, someone that has a chance of defense. Protect yourself, if not for you than for me, and Lily and James.
When we all get back, we'll begin looking for the Horcrux in Hogwarts. We might even be able to stop the second war from happening if we get them all before Harry is born. They did it in a year; we can do it in four, especially with as much knowledge as we have with you. We have so many resources.
Sincerely,
Remus
Dear Lily,
The serenity in the castle is refreshing but at the same time, I feel anxious to get things done. And I feel as though without everyone here, I can't really begin doing anything. It is quiet. I'm not used to it. My family was really big. I had six older brothers and my house was always full with people coming and going at Christmastime. It's a change that makes me slightly uncomfortable but Alice's company and talking to Professor McGonagall every now and then keeps me occupied. Dumbledore isn't around even though I wish I could talk to him. Harry used to be so frustrated when Dumbledore would just disappear. Now I know how he feels.
On a rather important note, I am happy to answer all of your questions. I plan to be nothing but absolutely honest with you, of what I know. However, I'm going to warn you, as I will Remus, that what we write here can be intercepted. You should be very cautious in the wording of your questions. If they make sense to no one at all but the two of us, than that's fine. But it's very dangerous to write openly in times like these. And of course, there is a lot more for us to discuss. There's more than just what was written in the history book. Things that happened later.
Harry was as kind as you. Looked precisely like James; not a detail difference but for his green eyes. I thought James was Harry when I came here. He was gifted really. He was always determined to do his best and always stood up for his friends. He was amazingly brave – he fought for what he believed in. He was an average student but a great wizard. Magic came naturally to him. He loved Defense and hated Divination. He and my brother had to make dream diaries for the class and they just made up a bunch of rubbish to get by. He was a brilliant flyer too. James will be glad to learn that Harry became the Gryffindor Seeker in his first year, the youngest Hogwarts Quidditch player in a century. At times, he had a temper and other times he would become very quiet. He was not one to share his feelings very often but he had a lot to confide. There was always so much surrounding his life that I'm sure he felt very alone in his endeavors to live up to what people expected of him. He was brought up in your sister's home. You're right, she doesn't truly ever forgive you and I'm sorry. Harry grew up in the cupboard beneath her stairwell, wearing her own son's hand-me-downs. She and her husband told him for years that his parents had died in a car accident. They tried concealing the truth in the hope that he would not be a wizard. But of course, you and I know things don't work that way. He found his way to Hogwarts to find the truth about his parents and about his own fame. I grew up learning about him. In my little girl eyes he was a celebrity. I could hardly talk to him for years out of fright and admiration. But he was just a baby when everything happened. I knew more about him than he did.
I knew Remus and Sirius. Sirius has a very long story, but he quickly became a family friend. He was an incredible wizard, funny, but somewhat more humble when I knew him. In my second year, Remus was Professor Lupin to me. He was our Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor for that year. By the end of the year though, Snape had told a few parents he was what he was and he resigned. Remus too became a family friend. I can't imagine the Burrow in the last few years without either of them. I'd met Alice and Frank but for a very brief moment and it was a sad one to say the least. Snape was my Potions master for four years and was so for many years before that. In my fifth year he became our Defense professor and he was gone by the next year. But don't you worry about him Lily. He isn't now, but he becomes better than you think of him now.
Best,
Ginny
Dear Ginny,
Harry sounds wonderful. It seems like fiction to me now but it's just the perfect combination of James and me that I can hardly think of not believing you. Are you ever going to tell Sirius his long story? I guess I'm just curious myself. And Remus was your Defense teacher? That's wonderful. No doubt the best year of your Defense learning. It makes sense though. Dumbledore is the only one who's given him the benefit of the doubt. It's hard for wizards and witches to see past the full moon. And how many Defense Instructors did you have? We've had a different one every year. Did you too?
What do you mean about Snape? Did he really expose Remus? He's a bastard, Ginny. And him, a Defense instructor? Hardly, but I can imagine him as a Potions teacher. He'd just teach Dark Magic if he got the chance. I wouldn't trust him if I were you.
Love,
Lily
Dear Regulus,
Just forewarning: if you hadn't noticed before, your older cousin Lestrange was on the platform when we got off the train. I don't know what she was doing there but guard yourself carefully. Share this with your brother and James and possibly fortify Potter Manor, just in case.
Best,
Remus
Dear James,
How are you? You were very quiet when we left King's Cross Station. I hope you're not over thinking everything that's happened. Because really, nothing has happened yet. We can change it. That's why Ginny is here. We need to trust her. It's not just about us you know. It's about You-Know-Who and getting rid of him once and for all.
I've been writing to Ginny too. She says we have to be careful about what we write because owls can be intercepted. She told me that she had more to tell me. I wonder how much she told you because you seem much more shocked than I am. But don't tell me. I'm sure Ginny will when we get back to school.
Petunia decided not to come home for Christmas. She quite hates me now, I think. But at least Regulus and Sirius are together. How is Regulus doing? Has Sirius gotten along well with him? And what do your parents think of him? I'm glad that you agreed to let him stay with you. I think in the end Sirius will be grateful to have his brother back.
Tell your parents I wish them a Merry Christmas. I love you.
Lily
Dear Remus,
Thank you for your warning. But don't you ever write a letter like that to me again. I burned it. That letter has way too much information to be stolen! Owls can be intercepted just as thoughts can and it's much easier to kill an owl and read its letter than perform undetectable Legilimency. You must guard what you write. We will get down to everything when you all come back.
Importantly though, how's your break been so far?
Sincerely,
Ginny
Dear Ginny,
Sorry about that last letter. I didn't even realize. My break has been pleasant enough. I've been thinking a lot about everything…you know. I'm sure you've been doing the same. I'm having trouble looking for a job for after school. I'm afraid Dumbledore's generosity will only go so far as Hogwarts. Not many people want someone with my affliction as an employee. My parents won't be able to support me forever I'm afraid. But I'll be able to go with you wherever it is you go after school. Help you look for things. Happy Christmas Ginny.
Remus
Dear Regulus,
How is Hogwarts during the holidays? Quite empty I expect. Well I hope you have a nice Christmas. I've attached a few galleons as an early present for you, sweetheart.
Love,
Mum
Dear Ginny,
My mum sent me a letter. She wrote it as though I was still staying at Hogwarts. But unless Garbor (our owl) knew I was at Potter Manor, she sent it here. She knows I'm here and she's trying to persuade me to come back home with a few Christmas galleons. It really is rather ridiculous. Should I write back to her?
How's your break going? Sirius, I think, has finally accepted me. He's been great. Being with him now reminds me of how much I missed him. Thank you for helping me get this far. I miss you. See you soon though ok?
Love,
Regulus
Dear Lily,
Break going well? Hope so. I was actually wondering, you know, from a girl's point of view, what Ginny might like for Christmas. She's got no family and she's not expecting any presents and I want to surprise her. I thought maybe a necklace or something but it seems so trivial in comparison to everything else. Maybe a Sneakoscope? I really, and obviously, need your help.
Best,
Remus
Dear Remus,
A Sneakoscope is actually a good idea. But you're right a necklace isn't something she needs right now. I've talked to my parents about her situation (they hardly know anything about magic anyways) and they've agreed to buy some things for her. Clothes and such. Maybe you can get her something she needs now like quills and a cauldron. I don't think sentiments are what she is looking for. I think whatever you get her she'll be happy with. Don't worry too much over it.
Lily
Dear Lily,
Regulus and Remus are getting along great. My parents like him as well. I do believe that I've been told a great deal more than you have. But the rest will wait, like you said. I'm sorry about your sister, I know how much that hurts. Hopefully though, Ginny's wrong and she does change. Just one more thing we can hope for I guess. I love you.
James
Dear James,
I don't mean to be a bother, and you might be very busy and preoccupied but your last letter was rather short in comparison to the ones you wrote me over the summer break. Maybe it's nothing. My anxiousness is probably just stemming from Ginny's lack of response. She's using the school owls and they're terrible. Not all of them are the brightest. I feel bad for her. She has no one this Christmas – we all left to go home. Anyways, Happy Christmas. I love you.
Lily
Dear Lily,
I don't mean to write short. I'm just trying to get everything properly inside my head. Apologize to your parents for me. I promise next time I see them I will be myself. Happy Christmas Lily. I hope you like your gift.
Love you,
James
Dear Lily,
Snape is a bastard. But not all bastards have completely intolerable dispositions. He became Headmaster the next year, after he was our Defense instructor. Our new instructor did only teach Dark Magic, and believe me, there's a far difference. He hasn't yet, but he changes. One day it is him Harry will unknowingly depend on. His presence makes a world of difference in the outcome of the war. He's not a good person over all. In fact, if it weren't for just a few things, he'd be completely terrible. He treated Harry like garbage through all of his life, regardless of his importance and it's naturally because of his hatred for James. Ultimately, his loyalty changes. I don't trust him now, but one day I will.
I did have a different teacher every year. In Harry's first year he had Professor Quirrel. He was possessed by Voldemort. My first year, Harry's second, we had Professor Lockhart. Arse. That's all there really is to say, he was a complete arse. Then Remus, and then Professor Alastor Moody. We called him Mad-Eye at home but he was actually a broken free prisoner of Azkaban taking poly-juice potion fueled by a kidnapped Alastor Moody. Then, the worst of the bunch, even worse than having Snape for Potions for five years…a hundred years…was Professor Dolores Umbridge. I'd rather whittle my own eyes out of their sockets with a rusty spoon before being her student again. We didn't do any magic in her class. Only theory. It was terrible for the fifth years – they had OWLs and weren't allowed to practice for their practicals. She was sent by the Ministry. Then Snape. Then Amycus Carrow. He's a Death Eater.
A curse was cast on the position a long time ago. I don't think that until we've won it will ever be settled.
Anyways, Happy Christmas Lily. Spend it with your family, as much of your family that's willing at least. They won't be there forever.
Best,
Ginny
Dear Regulus,
Don't reply to her. It's unnecessary. The more distance you keep between you and your family the better. I know it's hard but I promise you will be better off. I'm glad you're getting along with Sirius. I believe it will make a big difference in your happiness. What do you think the reaction will be when you get back to school? By now, everyone knows you didn't stay at Hogwarts. Do you think being in the Slytherin Common Room is going to be harder? I hope it isn't. And have you given your brother the pin I gave you for him? Christmas is tomorrow and I'll be passing them out. Anyways, enjoy your Christmas. These owls are such a pain; it gives me headache to even use them. We only have a few days until break is over anyways. I'll see you then ok?
Always,
Ginny
Dear James,
How's Christmas been? Mine's been alright, nothing to really brag about. Are Regulus and Sirius getting along? Have they destroyed your house yet? I'll be surprised if they haven't. Just wanted to say hello.
Peter
So that's that. It's a new format for this chapter, getting a little bit into the minds of each of them. I tried to keep the correspondence to those who would actually communicate with one another. it wouldn't make sense for Sirius to be writing letters at all. Do you really see him writing a letter over his Christmas break? Maybe an "I hope you die" letter to his parents, but even still. He's just too lazy during his break. Review and alert and alert and review.