I'm very sorry about the delay. It was a combination of real life and working out the details for the subplot, which is introduced in this chapter. Don't worry; I'm back to regularly scheduled updates. Chapter Eight will be out at the beginning of the week.
Oh, yes. And my secret is out. As many of you have commented,so-called "in the next chapter" previews never actually take place in the next chapter; they are simply an end to the current chapter.
Chapter Seven
Potter,
Rumour has it you were caught in Hogsmeade on Saturday night, completely sloshed. I thought we had decided to set a better example for the rest of the students?
Strangely disappointed,
Lily Evans
Evans,
I was not caught in Hogsmeade on Saturday night, drunk or sober. Who said I was?
Yours truly,
Jas. Potter
Potter,
Some seventh-year Slytherins. As the Head Girl, I have to investigate.
Trying to follow her duty,
Lily Evans
Evans,
Slytherins? You're believing Slytherins? You know they're out to get me. Besides, how could they have seen me in Hogsmeade if they weren't there themselves, which would be against the rules. I hope you took points. As the Head Girl, it is your duty to ensure the rules are followed, as you're so fond of pointing out to me. Said rules should be followed especially by the Slytherins.
Sincerely yours,
Jas. Potter
Potter,
I will ignore you obvious bias towards the Slytherins this time, though you really ought to learn some tolerance, in view of more pressing matters.
But really, how hard is it to answer a simple question? Were you or were you not drunk on Saturday?
Wanting a straight answer,
Lily Evans
Evans,
Didn't you just finish confessing to me that you were drinking on Friday?
Faithfully yours,
Jas. Potter
Potter,
I thought we agreed that was a mistake that we weren't going to bring up again.
Willing to admit to a mistake if you are,
Lily Evans
Evans,
We've certainly decided and agreed upon a lot of things that I don't recall.
Snippily yours,
Jas. Potter
Potter,
What's that supposed to mean?
Genuinely confused,
Lily Evans
Evans,
Just that you keep using that phrase. Look over your letters; they're filled with "I thought we agreed" or "Hadn't we decided". Shouldn't I have some idea of these agreements?
Yours truly,
Jas. Potter
Potter,
Is something wrong? You don't sound like yourself.
More concerned that I ought to be,
Lily Evans
Evans,
What do you mean?
And look who's not answering the question at hand now.
Yours sincerely,
Jas. Potter
Potter,
For one thing, you haven't been going on about the colour of my eyes, or the light of my hair, or any other of those asinine comments you always feel the need to make when you see me. There haven't been any attempts at horrid poetry, and I can't remember the last time you tried to coerce me into going on a date with you. In fact, you've been almost decent, acting like a civilized being instead of annoying git you usually are. Are you sick? Have you seen Madam Pomfrey? Despite the fact that you're trying to pick a fight with me, that is. This isn't Black, pretending to be Potter, is it?
Suspiciously yours,
Lily Evans
Evans,
No, this isn't Sirius. It's James. Have you ever tried to read his handwriting? Trust me, it's easy to tell the difference between us.
Best regards,
The Real James Potter
PS – The light of your hair? I know I've said some pretty 'asinine' things over the years, to quote you quoting me, but your hair doesn't have light. Except for that time Sirius thought it would be a good idea to set it on fire, I mean. Sorry about that one. He got it into his head that your looks would be improved upon if your hair really was on fire instead of just having hair the colour of flame, and sometimes once he gets these ideas he… well, it's very hard to distract him from an idea once he decides something is Brilliant.
Potter,
Your handwriting isn't any better.
And apology accepted. Though you didn't need to apologize in the first place. As you said, that one was Black, not you, and I know even you can't be responsible for every single thing he does.
Lily Evans
Evans,
You haven't seen Sirius' handwriting. Besides, you told me no more Quick Quotes, so what do you expect?
Yours truly,
Jas. Potter
Potter,
You're avoiding the question again. Can't we have this conversation in person? These notes are getting to be ridiculous. I don't have all day to wait for an owl, after all.
Slightly exasperated,
Lily Evans
Evans,
If you want this conversation to be in person, why wouldn't you just come out and say it instead of sending a note re: the same?
Yours sincerely,
Jas. Potter
Potter,
I would if I could find you. Where are you hiding away at?
Quite exasperated,
Lily Evans
Evans,
I'm not avoiding you.
Faithfully yours,
Jas. Potter
Potter,
You're avoiding me? Why?
Extremely exasperated,
Lily Evans
Evans,
Can't you read? I said I wasn't avoiding you.
Yours faithfully,
Jas. Potter
Potter,
I never mentioned anything about avoiding until you brought it up. And people don't deny avoiding someone unless they actually are. Is this about Saturday? Because, honestly, it was just some Slytherins who were stupid enough to get caught in Hogsmeade and decided that they should take you down with them. I shouldn't have brought it up in the first place.
Wishing we could speak in person,
Lily Evans
Evans,
There were a number of things that you shouldn't have brought up on Saturday at all.
Faithfully yours,
Jas. Potter
Potter,
What's that supposed to mean?
Lily Evans
Evans,
Absolutely nothing. Not to change the topic or anything, has Dumbledore asked you to meet with him? Any idea what it's about?
Yours truly,
Jas. Potter
Potter,
He didn't say anything, but… Have you read the paper?
Lily
Evans,
The paper?
Regards,
Jas. Potter
Potter,
Today's Prophet. You have seen it, haven't you?
Lily
Evans,
Of course. I just wasn't sure if that was the paper you were referring to and not, say, Sirius' Treaty on the Uses and Misuses of Invisibility Cloaks, Dungbombs, Enchanted Quills and other Items as Prohibited by Filch.
Yours,
Jas. Potter
Potter,
Sirius' treaty on what? Please tell me you're kidding. Please tell me that isn't what all the four years are passing around and giggling over.
On second thought, don't tell me. I don't want to know. Even if it's breaking the rules, I don't think I want to know. No, I was referring to today's Prophet.
Wishing I hadn't said anything,
Lily Evans
Evans,
Don't worry; Sirius didn't break any of the rules. For once. He merely wrote about breaking the rules. The actual existence of such a document as the Treaty is well within the Hogwarts rules, he informs me. And will continue to be so until Filch or one of the other teachers learn of its existence and forbid it.
Truly yours,
Jas. Potter
Potter,
I asked you not to tell me. But never mind that. What did you think of the article in the Prophet?
Lily
Evans,
It's unbelievable, of course.
Yours truly,
Jas. Potter
Potter,
You're right. Except, well, it almost is believable. I don't know. I guess I just wish I found it unbelievable.
Lily
Evans,
We'll talk about the matter further during the meeting with Dumbledore.
Sincerely your
Jas. Potter
In the next chapter:
From the Desk of Jas. Potter
To Do:
Read the Prophet and figure out exactly what I've decided is so shocking and unbelievable so that the next time I'm around Evans, she doesn't realize I'm talking like a Fwooper.