Disclaimer... these characters belong to JKR
A.N. I'm so sorry I've been gone for so long! The muse ran off - I have a feeling she'll be back soon, though. I've also been really busy, so reworking my schedule was a bit tricky. Ah well. I'm back.
So I didn't want the summer to turn into the 40,000 word monstrosity of last summer, so it'll all be in letter form. Basically, the wizard version of a texting fic. I'm so sorry. Hopefully it works alright.
The leaving feast was raucous. Peter, giddy on the sugar from the vast array of puddings admitted that the Marauders had indeed put the Giant Squid in the Slytherin Common Room, after being interrogated by Camilla, and Sirius acted out the entire affair, using a slice of bread as the window and a baked potato to represent the Squid. It got a little messy once he added the pumpkin juice to his demonstration.
Lily forgot about talking to Sev and laughed with her friends. It was a warm, mellow evening, and the enchanted ceiling was a deep potent blue, speckled with a dusting of sugary stars. A fat yellow half-moon sat in the sky like a slice of lemon. She could smell the heavy ripe scent of roses floating through the soft air.
Ravenclaw won the House Cup, and Lily couldn't find it in herself to feel sad about that. It was too lovely an evening for that. She was sitting next to James, and caught his eyes, smiling. He smiled back, and after a beat, slid an arm round her shoulders. Lily froze for a second before laughing and tipping her head onto his shoulder.
Sirius continued in his dramatic recreation of the Squid-in-the-Common-Room, aided by an enthusiastic Peter who dutifully held up a slice of bread for Sirius to launch the potato through. Lily watched the two of them contentedly and watched how Anna was laughing so hard she was bent double in her seat, watched how Camilla gave Remus an extravagant kiss on the cheek when he finally jumped into the story, before laughing with a sound like pealing bells, watched how Marlene threw a biscuit at Sirius's head to get his attention, watched how Mary was smiling softly and joyfully, and Lily tilted her head so it rested more securely in the crook of James's shoulder.
"Hey James?" she whispered, half hoping he wouldn't hear her.
"Yeah?"
"I'm really glad we don't hate each other anymore"
James paused, and Lily held her breath.
"I never hated you, Lily"
"I think you did, a little bit. You hated that I hated you. That hadn't really happened to you, before me"
"That's true" James admitted, and Lily couldn't see his face, but she was pretty sure he was smiling.
"I know" she said, and fell silent.
"D'you remember when I asked you if I thought we could ever be friends?"
"Yes" Lily said. "I said no"
"I'm glad you changed your mind"
"I didn't mean to" Lily told him, realizing that it was true. She had never meant to like James Potter. She had meant to remain aloof to him throughout the rest of their time at Hogwarts, quietly despising him. It hadn't worked.
So Lily lifted her head, and kissed him quickly on the cheek, watching with delight as he flushed red.
Dear Lily,
I know you probably don't want to talk to me. But I want to be friends with you again. You owe me that.
Sev
Severus,
It was brave, what you did. I appreciate it. I respect you for that. I also don't owe you anything.
Lily
Dear Lily,
Hi! How's your summer so far? My mum, my sister Greta and I are going to America for a month. She's researching the history of Ilvermorny, the American school! I'm not sure if I'll be able to send many letters – long distance owling is terribly expensive. We're going to see a game of Quidditch our first week – some American teams. The players look delicious. Anyways, I hope you and your family are well! Say hi to everyone for me!
Xoxo
Camilla
Dear Cami,
Have a lovely time in America! Ilvermorny has such a fascinating history; I remember learning about it in History of Magic. The founder married a Muggle and he was the founder of one of the houses. It's been quiet so far – I haven't seen anyone yet. Marlene wants to go shopping in Muggle London though, so I promised to take her. Give Greta a hug for me!
Love,
Lily
Dear Lily,
Only one more year until freedom… How're you doing? Sirius is staying with me, and the Prewetts are visiting so the house is very full. I think Peter and Remus are coming in a few weeks to stay as well. You should come visit! It's weird not seeing you every day. I need someone to rescue me from my mum – she's been very protective ever since Carrow, but she likes you. You could charm her into releasing me. I hope you're having a good summer!
Lo
James
Dear James,
I know, isn't it strange? Who d'you think will get Head Girl and Boy? My money's on Remus, and maybe Lark. Are the Prewetts doing alright? It's coming up on the anniversary of their dad's death… poor things. I'd love to come visit, it's very boring here. My sister's boyfriend just proposed to her – they're getting married in the winter, I think. She's… not very friendly anymore. Not that she ever was.
Your mother's protective for a reason! You got cursed! Idiot. However, I will come rescue you. See you at some point.
You
Lily
Dear Lily,
Can I come see you? I'd just like to talk. I'm sorry – you don't owe me anything. I didn't mean it like that.
Sev
Sev,
Alright. The park, where we met. Tomorrow, one o'clock.
Lily
Dear Lily,
I'll come fetch you tomorrow so we can go shopping. It's dreadful, I never get a chance to wear any of my nice clothes at school. See you soon!
Marlene
Dear Lily,
Thank you for meeting me. Can I keep writing you?
Sev
Dear Sev,
I'm glad we talked. And yes, you can keep writing me.
Lily
Dear James,
Peter's staying with me and he's eaten all the biscuits. And he told my parents about the Squid.
Remus
Dear Remus,
You two are coming to stay with me in a week, yeah? Tell him we have many biscuits.
James
Dear James,
Remus accused me of eating all the biscuits. Can we come stay with you faster?
Peter
Dear Peter and Remus,
My mum says you can Floo over this afternoon, see you then!
James
Dear James,
I just wanted to say hi… I do miss you. Maybe we could have lunch in Diagon Alley some day? A new café just opened, it looks really nice. I hope you're having a lovely summer.
Lark
Dear Lark
Dear Lily,
D'you want to come over for lunch soon? Maybe Friday? My mum's been asking after you, she really liked you. Hope you're well.
James
Dear James,
Of course! That sounds great. I'll see you then, yeah? Say hi to the boys for me, and your mum.
Lily
Dear Lark,
That sounds good, I've missed you too. How did you do on your exams? I can't believe it's seventh year already… How about Sunday, for lunch?
James
Dear James,
It's good to hear from you. Saturday sounds wonderful, I'll meet you in the Leaky Caldron. I did pretty well – well enough that I'm not worried about NEWTs. It is weird. One more year and we'll be out in the world…
Best,
Lark
Dear Sev,
I can't see you on Friday, sorry. I'm going out for lunch with some friends. Maybe I'll see you Monday? Hope you're well.
Lily
Dear Lily,
America is wonderful! We had a tour of Ilvermorny and they employ the most delightful creatures as security guards. They're called Pukwudgies. They're terribly grumpy, but they did like the picture I took of them. It's enclosed within. It's just as big as Hogwarts, but instead of a hat, they have statues that pick what House a student should be in. All the statues are magical creatures chosen by the founders.
Greta's doing well, but she didn't come with us to Ilvermorny. I think it's too hard, to be surrounded by magic. My mum's had to travel disguised – she's quite a vocal Muggle-rights activist and the Death Eaters already attacked our house once. It's rather frightening.
Anyways, I've met an American boy. He's seventeen, about to go into his seventh year at Ilvermorny, and he's in Thunderbird House. Apparently it favours adventurers. His name is Ben and he likes my accent. I hope everyone's well!
Xoxo
Camilla
Dear Cami,
Everyone's well. America sounds amazing! The Pukwudgies look a bit like goblins, don't they? But I can't imagine a goblin would ever work for a wizard… The sorting ceremony sounds fascinating, but do the statues take your choices into account like the Hat does?
Oh, Anna asked me to ask you about wandlore in America. What sort of cores do they use?
I'm sorry to hear about Greta. My sister, Petunia is the same way but she's much…ruder about it. Did I tell you? Petunia's getting married in the winter. It's awfully close but she thinks she can do it.
Merlin, that's terrible about your mum. I hope you all stay safe.
Enjoy America, (and Ben).
Love,
Lily
Dear Lily,
I've been having a quiet summer. My dad's understandably worried about Voldemort so my mum's been placing all sorts of protective spells on our house to reassure him. But he doesn't want me to go back to Hogwarts. I'm sure my mum and I will be able to convince him otherwise, but it's a bit concerning.
Have you heard anything from Cami? Her trip to America sounds fun. In your last letter you mentioned you'd been talking to Snape. Please be careful, Lily. I don't want you to get hurt.
Hugs,
Mary
Dear Mary,
I hope your dad lets you come back – awful as it is to think about, Hogwarts really is the safest place to be. Even though there's been like, attacks and murders and stuff. I'm sure the teachers would come talk to him if he's really worried.
Cami's doing well – she's enjoying the local populace. I have been talking to Sev. I think he's changed, Mary. I think I can convince him that Voldemort is the wrong way.
Love,
Lily
Dear Lily,
I'm glad you came over, Remus and Peter have been at each other's throats. Something about biscuits. I suppose the risk of cohabitation is that proximity breeds contempt. Anyways, it was nice to see you. The Prewetts have left to go home, so I'm sure they'll see Rogers. Have you heard from her? It's been a tough time for her, it sounds like. Hope you're well.
Best,
James
Dear James,
It was lovely to see you all! I'm sure Peter and Remus will sort it out – Remus is sensible and Peter's sweet. I haven't heard from Anna… I'm a bit worried. She's been withdrawing more and more. Don't tell anyone, but she flunked most of her exams. I don't know what's happening. It's been, god, ten months since Artemis died? I miss her too. I didn't see her often, but you couldn't help loving her.
Anna went so dark after it happened. I hope she comes back. Mary says her dad doesn't want her going back to Hogwarts, after he heard about all the attacks and stuff. And Cami is in America! Everyone's so far apart. Merlin, I sound maudlin.
Sincerely,
Lily
Dear Lily,
Have you told anyone we're talking again? I know your friends don't like me.
Sev
Dear Sev,
I told Mary. And they don't like you for good reason – you were awful to most of them.
Lily
Dear Lily,
I'm sorry. You know I'm sorry. I don't want to lose you again.
Sev
Dear Sev,
These letters are getting ridiculous, honestly. I think my last one was about 20 words. But yes, I do know you're sorry. I'm glad, at least, that you're slowly coming round. Voldemort really isn't the way, Sev. How's it at home? Are your parents still fighting?
Lily
Dear Lily,
I know, I felt a little silly. I'm in a difficult situation, you know. Voldemort might not be great but I don't see a better option. They're always fighting.
Sev
Sev,
Your options are what you make of them. You won't be able to find a better one until you acknowledge that the one you're choosing now is wrong. I'm sorry.
Lily
Dear James,
How's your summer been since we left? Fabian's been practising Quidditch every chance he gets – he wants to be on the team this year. He's actually gotten pretty decent. I saw Anna Rogers the other day. She seems sad. She was always really sarcastic so it was weird. Mum's been having a tough time, and Fabian's been just sort of ignoring the whole situation. Molly and I are probably the only ones coping in a vaguely healthy manner. She's got the kids and I've been doing alright. I heard Camilla Lovegood went to America for her summer! Ilvermorny is really interesting; I read a book about it not long ago. The founder was one of Slytherin's descendants but she married a Muggle. Anyways, I hope you're all doing well.
Gideon
Dear Gideon,
We're doing fine. The house is pretty full and I suspect my dad's been sleeping at work some nights so he can get some quiet. We will have some spaces on the team next year… I guess we'll see what happens. Lily mentioned Anna wasn't doing so well. My mum says she's putting together a hamper of baked goods and books for her. That's terrible – I'm so sorry. My mum wants me to ask you to ask your mum if she wants to come for lunch.
Yeah, Cami's in America. Hopefully she doesn't cause any international incidents. I guess it just goes to show you – not all Slytherins are bad.
Have a good summer.
James
A.N. Thanks for reading! Again, apologies about the letter format. I just didn't want to over-write.
