A/N: Thanks so much for your lovely reviews!!! Please, if you have any questions about the story, ideas, concerns, and want me to respond to your post, just tell me and I will e-mail/pm you ASAP. Your feedback is important to me; how else am I to know if my writing is improving:)

Hot Summer's over

Like a sweet dying note in the air

Its just not there

Summer's dying

The bright blooms are withering

The rich green leaves are all falling

So your hand lets go of mine

This June romance has been divine

But the changing times call to reason

And now you go back to treason

Go on, go back to her,

Your delicate waiting lover

How could I be such a fool?

You've used me now, I was your tool

So summer's over

And I find out that you've betrayed me

But when it's over

I was blind now I can see

This pain in time I know will dim

I leave you now to go back to him

'This Too Shall Pass (Fall)'

Flora Hyacinthus

Album "In Bloom", Music Box Records

Chapter 14: A Flower's Correspondence

It was… so obvious. Just look at the two of them. Peas in a pod. That girl was either very stupid, or very brilliant. And obviously, she was not the former. Who would believe that silly chit, that little nobody, could be… Flor?

It wasn't a cliché. That starlet really did have something – a vibrancy, a life. Even if she looked like a porcelain toy, she just emanated… warmth.

Not like that painted doll, Evans, whose blank moss eyes were devoid of anything remotely interesting. Whose pallor made her look like a ghost, whose carrot hair made her look orange, whose thinness made her look like a corpse.

It was hard to decide which of the two was more hated.

A smile curved up. Soon, that wouldn't be an issue anymore.

meowmeowmeowmeowmeowmeowmeowWOOFmeowmeowmeowmeowmeowmeowmeow

Dear Flora –

Ha! Had me fooled! Mock bows. My dear Flor, from your last letter, I would have never guessed you would have even been inside the castle, let alone be a student here at Hogwarts! How utterly amazing. That means that we've met before! And if my name were Sirius Black, that means we've snogged before!

I jest, I jest. Sirius has not snogged with every girl at Hogwarts – we all agree that there is little fun in snogging tiny first years – ouch, Sirius! What? It's true! Well, I'm sorry M- I mean, Remus, if I did fry your brain with that last mental image – I was just trying to illustrate a point – oh, I'm not going to bother with you tarts anymore. Yes, Peter! Tarts!

Oh. Sorry. I'm using one of those new dictator quills or whatnot – banned in the classroom, and we've just recopied a whole wing of the Library in notes today in Potions, my hands fell off – but you might already know that. Oh, my head is spinning! Anyways, the quill. Records everything you say, even if you're not dictating to the lett – would you lot stuff it? I'm trying to concentrate over here!!!

ANYWAYS: I am amazed. Here you are, hiding out, behind enemy lines!!! It must be terribly exciting for you – what a wonderful secret. I, myself, know the delectable pleasure of pretending to be unknown, when in reality, I and mine have much more to hide than people would ever guess! Er… Well, let's keep that little tidbit to each other for now.

I am aware, however, how hard this situation might be on your nerves – so don't forget to eat breakfast and practice goya in the morning – what? It's not goya? What is it them, gayo? Yoga? Are you sure, Remus? I dunno, it just sounds wrong… My friend Remus says its actually called 'yoga', but it's supposed to be relaxing, apparently. I think it's from Japan. Mm, Japan… Ramen… That stuff is good…

Oh, look at the time! Must toodle of to Minnie's class – maybe I'll see you there!

Miss Flora, the Marauders would be proud. Here's to you – and your Hogwartian alter ego!

Stag kisses (inside joke)

James Potter

Lily, sitting in her solitary chair on Friday in the Great Hall, felt her eyes swim, her throat sting and her chest tightened. A week ago, she would have crowed at the fact that the great James Potter was singing HER praises, the biggest geek in Gryffindor.

Now, nothing seemed to matter anymore.

Alice threw her vicious glares at every given opportunity.

Aisha could not even look at her. They had not talked to her in a week.

"Alright, Flor," said Miss Collins. "I know you're a sweet girl and all, but this time, you've got to pull your inner wrath and just – let that dog have it!" Her brown bob of air quivered as she fought an invisible man. "Just think of something angry!"

Miss Collins frowned as her star barely lifted her eyes from her notebook. For the last two weekends her client had been despondent and in a deep melancholy that seemed to go much deeper than just usual teenage angst.

With a toss of her head, the manager waved away the coming makeup artist. The discreet woman merely blinked and went back to her station, now familiar with the fragile temperament of the rich and famous.

Miss Collins simply stared at her, until Flor bit her lower lip. "This was a bad idea," she whispered harshly.

The brunette frowned. "What was?"

Flor leapt up, full of fire, the words erupting from her like blood gushing from a wound. "This! All of this! Fame – and – and double identities and secrets and lies and Flor – Flor this, Flor that, Flora Hyacinthus – god, what a name…"

As if a puppet whose strings had been cut, the girl sank back in her chair before burying her face in her hands. The makeup artist winced and hoped the girl wouldn't cry – her eye shadow would be done for if she did.

Miss Collins did not offer any commentary to the outburst.

"They hate me." Flor was back to her weary murmuring.

"Who hates you?"

The hapless makeup girl's worst fears had come true – a solitary tear rolled off Flor's flawless cheek.

"Aisha and – and Alice. Aisha won't talk to me or look at me and-and Alice, she says such mean things…"

Andrea Collins merely nodded, her eyes urging Flor to let it all out.

"She said – I – I wouldn't be missed if I never went back to Hogwarts, and that – that I was a horrible person and that I was a bad friend for not telling them… If – if I'd never done anything, then we'd still – I'd be free – I'd be – "

"Be what?" interjected Miss Collins coldly, suddenly angry. Angry at the world for being so harsh on people, especially teenage girls, for being a world full of hate and fear. Angry at fickle friends who would lash out on the innocent in their jealousy and bitterness. Angry at Lily for resenting Flor. Angry at Flor for stifling Lily, for sucking out all of the tiny girl's magnetism, for leaving Lily Evans with nothing at all. Angry with Lily and Flor for being so inconsistent and – and weak.

"Who would you be? Lily Evans, that redhead in Gryffindor who lurks around at the library? You mean, just another face in the crowd, hanging back as far less deserving people take the spotlight? No one, you mean."

Flor looked back at her, hurt flashing across her face. Andrea steeled herself – these next words would not be easy, but they certainly were necessary.

"Because that's what you are now. Who's Lily Evans? What's special about her? Even other bookworms and shy people do wonderful things – but you, you liked it. Lily wanted to be the victim."

Flor's cheeks tinted with red – from shame or rage, Andrea couldn't tell. But she didn't stop there.

"It made you feel good, to be no one when people were watching, to be good, clever but not outstanding, shy, recalcitrant and overlooked. So when Flor comes out, she's alive, she's there, and no one can deny her. You got off of it – don't lie to me," said the brunette quietly, when Flor opened her mouth. "We've been together for too long." Slowly, Flor fell still once more.

"So now, don't be surprised when your friends who thought you were sad and safe and pathetic and dependent on them turns out to be strong and beautiful, all on her own. Do you know usually why girls like your vivacious Alice and Aisha take girls like Lily under their wing? It makes them feel better about themselves."

Flor flew to her feet. "That's a lie!"

"Its not!" retorted Andrea. "You were their project, their pity friend, the designated foil, designed to make them shine. They didn't care."

"Stop it! You don't know them!"

"Then why would they be so mad? Do they own you? Do you owe them? No, they're mad because you're suddenly prettier, better, more alive than they are. And that's scary. If I was wrong… why would they shun you?"

Flor closed her eyes painfully.

"They don't deserve Flor… and neither do you."

Flor – no, Lily – took a step back. "What?"

Andrea stalked closer. "You are a star. A singer, an icon, an idol, whatever the hell you want to say. But you have people out there who depend on you – look around! Your music and videos and patronage puts food on their table.

"And the fans, Lily, the fans. We're heading for rough waters, you know that? With this – this dark lord rising. Its only going to get worse before it gets better. And these girls, these boys, these people, they depend on you.

"No, the fans don't own you. You work hard for their love, but love you they do – as fickle as this love can be, it's also unconditional. Just for your music, for your voice, for what you bring them, they love you. This love, as twisted and warped it is, it's raw and it's real. You're the one they listen to when they need comfort or hope when they have none. You're their refuge, and they deserve better than your faltering at the first sign of trouble!

"I'm sorry about your girls, I really am. But who need fair weather friends? If they won't support you when you need it the most, then don't you bother. Now, hold your head up high. You've nothing to be ashamed of. It was your secret to keep, understand? Your secret to share or not. You've worked long and hard to get here, so don't let anyone stand in your way. You owe yourself more. You owe that wilting thing Lily more of a life than this, and you owe Flor more loyalty. You got it?"

Lily took a step forward. For a wild moment, Andrea thought the girl would curse her, or hit her. But after a moment's hesitation, she rushed into her arms and burst into hot, bitter tears.

Andrea closed her eyes and her arms. "Its okay," she murmured. "It's going to be alright. You'll be fine, baby. You'll get through this."

IsayhelloyousaygoodbyehellogoodbyehellogoodbyeIdon'tknowwhyyousaygoodbye

Dear Ric,

It's Lily Evans, from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. We met last week, at the Lodge? Stonehenge was so much fun – and that, of course, was all thanks to you. You're definitively not what I expected (and I do mean that in a good way).

So how are you? I see you beat the Holiday Harpies last night – congratulations! I hope that your black eye has faded – after all, it wasn't your fault the Snitch flew down Beatrice Grendel's Quiddith robes. Next time that happens, though, try to duck her bat. Beaters aren't known for their gentleness.

Hogwarts right now is all-abuzz, because of the Christmas Break soon, though I think that some people might stay behind at the castle. Apparently, a famous star is a student here, though it's really not a surprise – a great majority of British witches and wizards went to Hogwarts. Did you?

I hope to hear from you soon, if you're not to busy with Quidditch practice. All the best of luck – try to avoid Beaters and lightning new time, all right?

Lots of love,

Lily

Stuck next to her signature was a delicate pressed periwinkle.

IsayhelloyousaygoodbyehellogoodbyehellogoodbyeIdon'tknowwhyyousaygoodbye

"I don't want to do Since U Been Gone today," murmured Lily from Andrea's lap in the break room. Lily had just been laying there, taking comfort from the one person who knew all of her and accepted her just as she was.

"Why, honey?" said Andrea, stroking Lily's hair.

"Because its not honest. They hurt me, Ms Collins, they really, really, did. And to say I can breathe when I really can't… That's lying to everyone, including me. I want to do Behind These Emerald Eyes."

"Alright, then," said Andrea with a tiny smile at her charge's new honesty.

Seems like just yesterday

You were a part of me

I used to stand so tall

I used to be so strong

Your arms around me tight

Everything, it felt so right

Unbreakable, like nothin' could go wrong

Now I can't breathe

No, I can't sleep

I'm barely hanging on

This particular shoot was unlike Flor's usual style, when the lead actor of the video was usually someone else, with intermitting scenes of Flor singing to the actor or actress; in "Irvine", for example, Flor had been singing to a depressed girl who had lost her boyfriend in a car crash when they had been driving home from a party.

But this time, Flor did not try to imply that what she was singing about did not concern her; the song hit too close to home.

Here I am, once again

I'm torn into pieces

Can't deny it, can't pretend

Just thought you were the one

Broken up, deep inside

But you won't get to see the tears I cry

Behind these emerald eyes

The Muggle video that went with the music was set in a private school, with pleated skirts as uniforms and crisp white shirts, similar to Hogwarts' under the billowy black robes.

Flor was a bookish looking beauty that had caught her best friend making out with her boyfriend in an empty classroom.

I told you everything

Opened up and let you in

You made me feel alright

For once in my life

Now all that's left of me

Is what I pretend to be

So together, but so broken up inside

'Cause I can't breathe

No, I can't sleep

I'm barely hangin' on

At one point of the storyline, Flor, this time in all her resplendecent beauty, dressed in a pure white ball gown, was sitting next to her former friend, on her bed, where the two of them had spent so much time, laughing and playing. Flor, eyes cold, breathed the stanzas inside her friends ears, reminding her of what she had just ruined.

Here I am, once again

I'm torn into pieces

Can't deny it, can't pretend

Just thought you were the one

Broken up, deep inside

But you won't get to see the tears I cry

Behind these emerald eyes

In the next shot, Flor was at school, this time her ball gown a raven black, sitting on a desk next to her exes, screaming the words in his ears as well. His tortured expression matched Flor's best friend's.

Swallow me then spit me out

For hating you, I blame myself

Seeing you it kills me now

No, I don't cry on the outside

Anymore...

Anymore…

Here I am, once again

I'm torn into pieces

Can't deny it, can't pretend

Just thought you were the one

Broken up, deep inside

But you won't get to see the tears I cry

Behind these emerald eyes

Here I am, once again

I'm torn into pieces

Can't deny it, can't pretend

Just thought you were the one

Broken up, deep inside

But you won't get to see the tears I cry

Behind these emerald eyes

In the end, the Flor from the video calmly took the promise ring her ex had given her, her best friend's friendship bracelet, and melted them in her fireplace before throwing the ruined mess at their feet the next day in class, before brushing past them – as if they didn't exist.

After the shoot, Lily went back to her suite, worn out. She curled up on the futon, and let the tears come.

It had been true, to some extent, everything Ms Collins had said. She was just as much responsible for this damn mess as Aisha and Alice were. She was now reaping what she had sown.

IsayhelloyousaygoodbyehellogoodbyehellogoodbyeIdon'tknowwhyyousaygoodbye

Lily wiped her nose and sat up, looking around blearily. She had fallen asleep.

Still drowsy, the tiny girl lurched to her feet and patted her face. Her glamour had faded, and she was sorely in need of her glasses, as well as a large glass of water.

Lily stumbled to the vanity, feeling the surface gingerly. It seemed to be covered in parchments and letters, threatening the to tumble to the floor. She found her glasses on top of a teetering tower of paper; curious, Lily lifted her glasses to her face, and flipped the light switch on.

And wished she hadn't.

They were papers all right; more specifically, letters. Fan mail to Flor. Only this time… they didn't seem to be exactly fans.

Some of the letters were from her non-magic audience, letter cutouts from magazines spelling out Flor's doom; others were vicious letters from parishioners, accusing Flor of corrupting their children with lust and the sinful music 'of the devil'. Some letters seemed to be obsessive, describing perverse fantasies that didn't seem to end well for Flor. Lily winced. Some were even accompanied with pictures and drawings.

But as horrifying as these were, they were nothing compared to the mail she had gotten from the Wizarding world.

These letters had been sent with things much worse than simple bloody art and bad language; some of those letters had been cursed.

They blamed Flor of

Some of those letters were from fearful parents who only wished for their children to stay away from Muggles, as the rising faction of the one they called "He-Who-Should-Not-Be-Named" did not seem to be very fond of Muggle culture.

Others… were from people whose ideology didn't differ much from You-Know-Who's; they charged her with corrupting their youth with inferior Muggle culture and music, for encouraging young witches and wizards to mingle and ape Muggle traditions and cultures. Their hate was without bounds, spewing their diatribes on paper of how Flor herself was better off dead, that a mudblood like her should be exterminated so she would not corrupt Hogwarts' youth…

Some seemed to be from Hogwarts students themselves – full of toxic promises that they would be the one to find her first, and then…

Lily's lips trembled. She hurriedly dropped the stack – she had no wish to know which one of her classmates harbored such sick, twisted fantasies about her alter ego. It would make going to school… harder than it already was.

Suddenly woozy, Lily put her hand down to stabilize herself – right on a jet-black envelope. Almost immediately, Lily recognized her mistake, but by then it was already too late. There was a bright flash of purple, and Lily knew no more.

Are you there?

Are you watching me?

As I lie here on this floor

Brianne laid there lost in the aching melody, feeling as if Flor was lying next to her, singing softly in her ears instead of earphones. Absently Brianne realized she could hear the television downstairs through the music, and turned it up louder.

They say you feel what I do

They say you're here every moment

Will you stay?

Stay 'till the darkness leaves

Stay here with me

I know you're busy, I know I'm just one

But you might be the only one who sees me

The only one to save me

It seemed practically inconsequential to go on. She remembered the first time she had seen the video for that song – Brianne had felt as if someone had copied and paste her life into it. Popular in school, good grades, happy family, loving boyfriend… until the accident.

Why is it so hard?

Why can't you just take me?

I don't have much to go

Before I fade completely

How dumb had it been? How many times had people drilled it into their heads: "Don't drink and drive don't get in a car with a drunk person don't don't don't…." One night, the first night ever after a party. They told themselves home was close, they wouldn't get busted, it'd be okay. But it hadn't been okay. It would never be okay.

Can you feel how cold I am?

Do you cry as I do?

Are you lonely up there all by yourself?

Like I have felt all my life

The only one to save mine

Brianne had lived with semi-serious injury. She had walked out of the hospital after three days. Brian would never walk out of anywhere again. She was here in her house, he was in a box. Brianne looked around her room. Her room was a box too.

How are you so strong?

What's it like to feel so free?

Your heart is really something

Your love, a complete mystery to me

She'd thought about it for a long, long time. There was nothing left for her to do. She's tried everything, but her despair continued to well up, to drag her down further into the dark abyss that was her mind. She was terrified of going any further – and it was time to stop. To make it all stop. To stop pretending she was fine, that she was healed, that she was over Brian and his death, that she was okay. She wasn't okay. She would never be okay.

Are you there watching me?

As I lie here on this floor

Do you cry, do you cry with me?

Cry with me tonight

The light glinted and danced over the shiny, genuflecting surface, throwing back light and muddled shapes. Soon, it wouldn't be so shiny. Brianne took in one more breath, and pressed it against her milky skin one more time. One last time.

Are you there?

Are you watching me?

A/N: Suicide reference! Brianne is an OC (other character) and is a muggle, yes. She will, or more like her actions, will become significant in the next chapter.

That said, as you will see next chapter, I DO NOT CONDONE SUICIDE. IF YOU ARE THINKING OF HURTING YOURSELF, DON'T!! THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO DEAL WITH YOUR PROBLEMS!!!

Talk to someone! Talk to a teacher, a friend, hell, talk TO ME. If you're feeling depressed and you want to talk to someone who's been there, PM me! I will listen! Hurting yourself is just not the answer. Every time you do, you're hurting the people around you too. Everyone would not be better off if you off yourself, okay?

I've been depressed. I've had friends who've been depressed, and who have hurt themselves. Please please please listen when I say, it really isn't the answer. Sorry to preach, but I swear, people, I really feel strongly about this. Take care of yourself! We love you! We don't want to see you sad or hurting!

Go to h t t p / w w w . a n g e l f i r e . c o m / o n 3 / t e e n s u i c i d e h e l p / to find some links with information (sorry about the spacing, FF was being bratty about the link; its the same, only without spaces) . Find the crisis hotline in your area. And like I said, pm me if you really need to talk. I'm always here.

On a higher, note, "Irvine" and "Behind These Hazel Eyes" (tweaked to say 'emerald' instead of 'hazel', but the rest is untouched) are both by the wonderful, magical Kelly Clarkson!!! Love her!!! And of course, HP is not mine – but if JK wanted to give it to me, you wouldn't hear me complain! And the reference to "Since U Been Gone" belongs to Kelly Clarkson as well. Lyrics at the beginning of the chapter are mine, please, no snagging. :)

And please don't forget to review and help me improve this story; it's only fair. You guys get a good story (hopefully, won't know until you review me!!!!), and I get your reviews! Equal exchange:)