Stalker! Letters from a Bighead

Chapter 8: Lily

Written by: le manchot du destin

Disclaimer: I know it must be shocking, but I haven't suddenly morphed into JKR, so I still don't own these characters…

…………………………………...…......................Lily Marie Evans...…..................……….....……………………….

To: James Potter

From: Lily Evans

Date: August 14, 1977

Dear James,

Hello James. I'm turning over a new leaf here, and attempting to write an entire letter to you without criticizing, yelling at, insulting, or abusing you in any way. Even if you deserve it. I'm thinking of it as a type of intellectual challenge, I suppose, and it's helping.

Well, happy birthday to you! I hope it went well, although, knowing your mother, I don't see how it wouldn't. I've sent along a piece of chocolate cake from a bakery near my house, and providing it doesn't get squished, pecked at, or dropped from a great height, I'm sure you'll agree that it is absolutely delectable.

Okay, here's something to test my resolve in not criticizing you in this letter...you claim that your actions say you like me? Idon't want to talk about the pranks you've pulled that hurt people. Myself included. Like the time in second year when you told Mel that we were engaged, and she refused to talk to me for a month. I know you thought it was funny, but I didn't have my best friend for a month there, and that hurt. There, I replied with facts, not making assumptions about your character or anything. So don't accuse me of breaking my vow (the one in the beginning of this letter).

Do I think I could ever like you like that? Um.

You think I twist your words? I didn't say that I'd "forsake friendships, love, families, life, for an education." I just pointed out that education is a huge road towards your future. It affects your job, your salary, your lifestyle, everything that's going to happen later on in life. I need a good education for a good job, so that I can have the lifestyle I want for the future. Does that make any sense to you?

You want me to name girls who are pretty and smart? Mel is, for one. Alice is. Katie Diggory. Amy Bones. Natalie Whisp. I'll stop there, but there are plenty more. And more still who don't go to Hogwarts. Not to mention all the pretty, smart muggle girls there are. Honestly, James, why you like me at all when there are so many other girls who have the qualities you profess to like in me…

Wow. Alright then, I suppose I was wrong. Good luck out there, though, when you do become an auror and fight you-know—fight Voldermort. I suppose you'll need it.

And just for the record, I beat your overall OWL scores. By about three points, it's true, but I did beat you.

Severus Snape didn't kill Remus's family. He didn't tell his father to do it, either. None of the Slytherins you torture did any of it. It isn't right to blame someone for the things their parents have done, or to punish them for being raised in a certain way.

It's going to be a "fend for yourself or die situation"? I'm sorry to hear that; I'm sure it'll be a terrible time. But that time isn't here yet. For now, I can still hope that you'll find some compassion for people without caring about their house, or their skills, etc. Even if it's not going to happen.

Humph. You try living with red hair and freckles for 17 years. See how "brilliant," "beautiful," and "striking," you feel.

Listen once because I won't say it again.

I. Do. Not. Like. Remus. Lupin.

Anyway, I don't think Remus combs his hair, either.

Yes, I'm usually short with you because I don't like the way you act. I thought that was fairly obvious. Oh, and James? I don't grovel. Not for you, not for anyone. Clearly, I shouldn't apologize to you anymore, not if it makes you think that I'm "groveling."

Yes, August 17 is rather soon, isn't it? But there it is, I suppose. Only three days left. As for Sirius and Mel…Well, Mel told me (and if you repeat this I will never speak to you again) that she thought he was rather cute. I mean, yes, after that, she did tell me that she hated every cell in his body, and that she was sure a bludger must have knocked all the neurons from his brain. But she also said she thought he was cute. So chew on that for a bit.

And just so that you know, I laughed at your "Sirius/serious" joke. Just for a moment before I caught myself, but I did laugh.

Okay, you asked me to tell you what I meant when I said that you seem like two different people. So here goes. (And yes, I'm about to break the vow from the top of the letter. I may end up insulting you here, but let me just say that what I'm about to write is what you seem like in school.) In school, you goof off and don't pay attention in class. You make fun of the teachers, sometimes right in front of their face, and pull of pranks every chance you get. Some of the pranks hurt people, but you pull them anyway. You discriminate against people because of the house they're in. In school, you're not the kind of person I'd want to be friends with.

So, this summer, you started to write letters to me. You still manage to drive me up the wall every chance you get, but suddenly, you're different. You seem to think more, and have reasons for what you say. You're more—open-minded, and when I don't agree with you, you try to explain your point of view, instead of just telling me I'm wrong (as you've done on several occasions at school). You seen mature, and some of the things you've said in your letters, well, I just can't imagine you ever saying them.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that it seems like you've changed, and more than I thought you could, stiff-necked as you are (and no, that's not an insult). And I'm not sure whether or not to take the change at face value.

It's a deal then. We're friends. Let's just hope it lasts more than the first few minutes after we meet. (And don't assume that Mel and Sirius will "start snogging." The very thought makes her sick at the moment; that's what she told me, anyhow.)

Your friend,

Lily

P.S. I've included a picture of Petunia's wedding dress for your mother. Hideous, yeah?

P.P.S. I'd appreciate it if you'd give me your address so Mel and I can floo over in 3 days, as well.

……………………....................Sick of looking at Putrid Green Wedding Gowns.................……………………