Hello peeps and it's time for a new chapter. Got to include Mei a lot more in this one too, so let me know what you think!
Thanks to Sappho82 for the beta read!
Enjoy! Reviews are very appreciated :3
-Nova
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Yuzu woke up on Saturday morning to a strange knocking sound. She got up when the sound persistently continued and saw a tawny owl behind the bedroom window. After opening the window and taking the letter from the owl, it flew off without waiting for a reward.
I probably missed breakfast again if he came all the way up here, sorry mister owl…
She had developed a habit to glance at Mei's bed to see if she was still there. This morning was not unlike most of the others, and the Head Girl had already gotten up and left. Anxiety made her stomach turn, she felt like a failure for not being able to connect with Mei the way she originally planned to. She turned the letter around and saw it was also from her mother.
I need to do something about this. I can't ignore mama forever. She's probably worried, sending another letter like this…
The blonde found a new sense of determination. She rummaged through her bag to find the other letter, already tattered from being carried around for almost a week. She opened the first one and read through it; nothing unexpected, her mother was asking how her studies were going and she wanted to hear all about the new friends she had made. Her mother was not the most traditional parental figure one might have. Most of the times it felt like talking to a friend, rather than a parent. Yuzu used to feel like there was nothing she couldn't talk to her mother about, but the recent events were certainly not something she would feel comfortable discussing with her.
She finished reading the letter which mentioned Mei briefly, but since her mother had no way of knowing if they'd even be in the same house, her mother had merely asked if she had talked with her yet and what kind of a person she was. The next letter was not much different to the first, just a friendly reminder to keep her dear mother in the loop of things. Her mother had also thought of more questions for Mei regarding the Christmas holiday. The fact that Mei's father barely knew anything about her own daughter became much clearer to Yuzu.
Yuzu picked up a piece of empty parchment and started to write a short reply.
Hi mama,
Glad to hear things are going great at work and at home! Things here at Hogwarts have been really hectic lately, sorry that I haven't found the time to reply your letters. After some slight panic at the train station, well… You know me and how I get sometimes when I'm nervous… I found the right train just in time, was a bit of a hassle but I can tell you all about it later. First person I met in the train was quite rude, apparently there's something called 'prefects' which I guess are a bit what Ilvermorny had with our Student Council. I found some cool people though, Harumin and Matsuri. Harumin is the same age me and Matsuri a couple years younger, they were really nice to me and let me sit with them and told me everything I needed to know. And guess what? They both play Quidditch too! They don't have cheering squads here but I just made my own private one ;) I'm actually on my way to see a practice match after I get this letter business done!
I got into the Gryffindor house, remind me to tell you all about the sorting too when we meet at Christmas. Oh boy, that was not quite the entrance I had in mind… But Harumin is in Gryffindor too, so I guess it worked out really well. Matsuri is in Slytherin but they're like neighbors or something with Harumin so they spent the whole summer together and are really close. I actually think there's a bit more than friendship there but they both might be too stubborn to admit it. Drama! My favorite kind. It's really fun to watch them quarreling like a real couple. Harumin has been really nice and shown me around, the whole castle is a huge maze and I get lost all the time if Harumin is not there with me.
I met Mei too, she actually got appointed the 'Head Girl' (Equivalent of a Student Council President, I think…) and there's also a 'Head Boy' but he's a Ravenclaw.
At this point, Yuzu stopped to think how much she would tell her mother about Mei. But like the Head Girl had pointed out, she barely knew anything about her, so she decided to just leave the details out for now.
Mei is really beautiful! She's a bit reserved and mostly too busy to talk with me.
Yuzu stared at the sentences she had just written down. Something about the way she just described her new stepsister didn't feel right. Of course, she would have to leave out the details of the sudden kiss she had received but she tried to think of a better way to rephrase how it came out. She decided to cross the last part out.
Mei has been really busy with her new duties as the Head Girl, so we haven't had a chance to have a longer talk yet. She works really hard and seems like everyone really admires her. She's really beautiful too! But I promise I'll ask about the things for Christmas when I get a moment with her soon.
Sorry again for the delay and now I really need to run if I want to catch the game! It's Gryffindor versus Slytherin so I get to see both of my friends play. I'm really excited! I already saw some of Harumin's moves and she plays like a pro. Can't wait to see how good Matsuri is.
Love you and miss you!
Yuzu
She felt lighter to get things off her chest. She was sure the letter would satisfy her mom until she could get a chance to talk to Mei a bit more.
She carefully folded the letter and found an empty envelope to stuff it in. A quick glance at the clock however indicated that she had spent most of her morning with the letters. If she wanted to look decent and get the letter sent she would have to hurry up.
Hoping the shared bathroom would be empty, she grabbed her make-up kit and some hair products before heading out to get herself ready. Most of her house mates seemed to have left already, the corridor of the dormitory was peacefully quiet. The bathroom was empty, and Yuzu felt her mood improve when she got to her usual 'getting ready' rituals.
After finishing her preparations, she returned to the bedroom. She changed her clothes and remembered to take the scarf she had gotten from Harumin the day before. The letter she had written earlier was on the nightstand, she grabbed it and stuffed it in her pocket. She hoped she would run into someone friendly on her way since she was not sure if she could find the Owlery on her own. If not, she'd take care of it later in the afternoon. As she approached the staircase to the common room, she noticed from the balcony that Mei was sitting alone on the couch by the fireplace, focused on studying.
Maybe she'll help me find the Owlery if I ask nicely? Naw, she probably won't. It can't hurt to ask, though? I can do this… just get this over with and I can check another thing off the list of things to do.
She ascended the stairs to the common room floor, gathered her courage and approached the quiet girl.
She's so focused she doesn't even notice I'm here. She has that loose strand of hair in front of her face again...
Yuzu carefully cleared her throat a bit and tried to make her presence clearer. Mei lifted her gaze from the book. Yuzu was slightly mesmerized for a moment, almost forgot what she wanted to ask.
"Uh—I know you must be busy with your studies, but could I ask you for a small favor?" Yuzu tried to muster the sweetest smile she could to appeal to Mei. For a fleeting moment, Yuzu was sure she saw the girl eyeing the scarf she was holding in her hand before she closed her eyes and sighed. "Please?"
"What do you need?" Mei asked and put the book down.
Yuzu felt positively hopeful of her prospects of getting Mei to help her out. She rummaged through her pockets. "I have this letter I need to send but I'm not sure I remember where the Owlery was again. I would be forever grateful if you could maybe take me there?"
Yuzu couldn't believe her luck when Mei stood up and gathered her things. "I need to take these back to our room, can you wait for a while?"
"So that's a yes?" Yuzu wanted to confirm.
"Yes," Mei said and walked past the beaming blonde.
Ohmygod, ohmygod. She actually agreed to go with me… I get to spend at least a few minutes with her…
…Phew, that was easy…
And why am I acting like I'm one of her fangirls? Need to get it together before she comes back. Breathe, Yuzu.
Breathe…
OK, here she comes… Wait… Why is she wearing her winter cloak too?
"Uh, I thought you could go to the Owlery without having to go outside? And it's not that cold outside either." Yuzu tried to carefully inquire what was the point of wearing so much clothing.
"It gets cold if you have to sit watching Quidditch for hours." Mei answered as if the matter should have been obvious.
"So, you're coming to watch the game too?" Yuzu's eyes lit up.
"I have to, as the Head Girl and this being an unofficial match, there needs to be someone there to supervise." Mei sighed and looked as if she'd rather stay indoors and study.
"Right, of course. But thank you for helping with my letter, mother will be pleased to hear from me. So, lead the way!" Yuzu felt excited and gestured Mei to go ahead. She followed the Head Girl through the common room and out to the corridors of the castle.
"So, it's for your mother? The letter, I mean." Mei sounded so genuinely interested it threw Yuzu off.
"W-what? Yeah, it is. She already sent me a second one this morning when I didn't reply to the first. But I read them this morning and she didn't sound too worried, so it's all good." Yuzu bit her lip when she realized she had been babbling on a bit too much. They kept walking further away from the Main Hall and Yuzu was surprised to see the usual busy corridors so empty.
"Oh? Why didn't you read it earlier?" Mei asked.
"I… Well…" Yuzu swallowed. She had a chance to bring up the subject and ask the questions she wanted to know, but she was scared Mei would feel backed into a corner and leave. "You really want to know?"
"I wouldn't have asked if I didn't."
Yuzu chuckled when she noticed Mei was being serious. "Heh, I guess you're right. Well, honestly. I was worried she would want to know everything about you. And I felt like I let her down because I haven't really tried hard enough to get to know you more. So, when I received the second letter, I knew I had to open the first one. I know I haven't gotten anywhere with you… I mean… I really think you would like mama, she's really just a nice person and not nearly as annoying as you probably think I am."
"Whoa, slow down a bit," Mei said almost sarcastically. "Let's see if I got this right. You haven't read the letters from your mother because you felt guilty for not getting to know me?"
"Well… yes," Yuzu said, her heartbeat getting faster.
Am I really having an actual conversation with her. How did this happen?
"You do realize this is not your fault, right?" Mei slowed down and was about to head towards an archway leading to another corridor when she noticed Yuzu was not following her but kept walking ahead. A small touch on the shoulder got the blonde to flinch and turn to face Mei with an alarmed look on her face. "I didn't mean to scare you… I get it if you think I'm a bit, let's say, unpredictable, though. The Owlery is this way."
Great, now she thinks I'm scared of her…
"I was just lost in my thoughts." Yuzu tried to explain. Mei had stopped and was frowning at the blonde slightly. "I know this is not my fault, but I still feel like I could've tried harder."
"I appreciate the space you've been giving me lately, I thought it was because I asked you to leave me alone." Mei said and started walking again.
Appreciate the space? While I've been driving myself crazy thinking about… No. I should have tried harder. How am I supposed to ask her to come home for Christmas if I just keep giving her more space?
Yuzu kept following Mei further down the empty corridors. They passed a few familiar classrooms on their way and an occasional painting, most of the people in the paintings seemed to be elsewhere occupied as well. The silence was getting on Yuzu's nerves and she tried to think of a way to phrase her thoughts.
I have so many questions I want to ask. Why are you always alone? Why do you study so hard? Why do you push people away? Aagh… Can't really start with anything like that, can I? We barely know each other.
"Mei?" Yuzu asked carefully.
"Yes?"
"Why did you kiss me?" Yuzu blushed heavily and was about to enter another endless rant inside her head.
THAT'S WHAT I DECIDED TO ASK OUT OF THE BLUE? What's wrong with me…
Mei hummed quietly to herself and a barely noticeable smile appeared in the corner of her mouth.
She's laughing at me?! What's so funny about all this?!
"I was wondering when you would confront me about that. I'm sorry, but I don't have an answer. It felt like an efficient way to get you to shut up," Mei said with a disturbingly calm tone.
"So, you just suddenly kiss anyone you don't want to listen to anymore?" Yuzu was astounded.
"No, can't say that I do. But you kept talking and I didn't really know what else to do," Mei said and kept avoiding eye contact.
"You wanted to prove a point, then?" Yuzu asked and kept staring at the other girl in disbelief.
"I guess you could say that. Now, could we pick up the pace a bit, I don't want to be late." Mei said and walked a bit faster.
"We still have plenty of time. But you can't just keep running away from this, you are part of the family now and I know my mama, she will not give up on this. And I don't want to give up on this, either." Yuzu trailed behind Mei's heels.
"I can see you will not drop this. I haven't been in touch with my father for a long time, so I'm sorry if this comes as a surprise, but I don't intend to stay in touch with him."
"Who asked you to stay in touch with him? I want to get to know you," Yuzu said, staying persistent.
"You do? Why?" Mei glanced at the blonde.
"Why? Because we're family, like it or not. And I think you're lonelier than you care to admit." Yuzu was sure she had pushed too hard this time but the other girl seemed unaffected.
"I like to be alone. There's more important things in life than family or friends," Mei said.
"No, there's nothing more important than family and friends! Seriously, Mei, nobody likes to be alone, not really. I don't know what is going on between you and your dad, but I will not just give up on this because you make lame excuses." Yuzu was getting riled up about the subject.
"I have my reasons, my own ambitions that drive me. To me, those ambitions are worth more than anything. You can't just walk in, knowing nothing about me, and say that you know what's best for me." Mei kept insisting on her point of view but still showed no signs of hesitating or being affected by Yuzu's continued efforts of getting under her skin.
"Fine. I'll prove it to you, though. I'll prove that having friends is not the worst thing that could happen to you. You can still pursue whatever your goals are for life, you just don't have to do it alone."
"You—Why do you care if I have friends or not?" Mei was starting to get agitated.
Finally, a reaction I can work with. Not the one I wanted but… I guess this is progress…
"Someone has to." Yuzu took a deep breath. "I was excited when I heard I have a stepsister. So, like I said, I will not give up pestering you about this. You can either continue to ignore me and I'll make sure to be a real pain in your ass until you give up or you could try to get along with me."
"You haven't been paying attention to the things I said earlier. I don't have a problem with getting to know each other a bit better. You were the one who brought up the subject of the first night we met." Mei said quietly and Yuzu knew she had to listen closely to what the other girl was saying, she was sure it was something she wouldn't be willing to repeat if asked.
Yuzu took a quick rewind of the whole situation in her head. "Oh? So, you already—Oh… Were you waiting for me, back in the common room?"
"And if I was?" A barely detectable shade of pink rose to the Head Girl's cheeks.
"You were?" Yuzu was surprised.
She was! Whaaa… OK, now be cool… Don't screw this up.
"I was. I knew you were going to see the game and you were still sleeping when I got back from breakfast, so I decided to wait." Mei inhaled sharply before continuing. "I knew both of your friends are playing today and you might want someone to keep you company… I mean… Someone might have not been me; I understand I haven't been—"
"I'd love to go to see the game with you!" Yuzu squealed and cut off the other girl's nervous rambling.
"I never asked you to see the game with me," Mei said defensively.
"But you were going to!" Yuzu teased.
"Uhm… Maybe. I hadn't decided on it yet." The tone of Mei's voice was getting softer compared to their earlier arguments. "Well, we're almost at the Owlery. Did you pay any attention to the route we took from the Gryffindor tower?"
"Haven't got the faintest clue where we are, to be honest. But I think I saw the classroom for Charms on our way, right?" Yuzu looked around the surroundings, but they had reached an area of the castle she was sure she hadn't visited before.
"You're hopeless." Mei sighed. "But yes, we did pass Charms a while ago. There was actually something I wanted to ask, now that you mentioned it."
"You want to ask me something? Shoot." Yuzu looked curiously at the girl and was positively sure she saw a faint blush on her cheeks this time.
"Are any of the rumors true?"
Ah, shit, so she heard something. Why does she want to know, though? Should I just play it dumb and pretend I don't know what she's talking about. Yeah… maybe that'll work.
"What rumors?" Yuzu held her breath while waiting for the answer.
"Are you dating Harumi? Or the girl from Slytherin, Matsuri, right?"
"Why do you want to know?" Yuzu asked, although she knew perfectly well she wouldn't get a decent answer.
"Isn't that what friends would discuss?" Mei was obviously getting uncomfortable.
Yuzu found an opening to tease her a bit further. "So, we're friends now?"
"Ah… Forget I asked anything, it's none of my business." Mei turned her gaze away.
"You're a bit hopeless too, you know. At least when it comes down to interacting with people." Yuzu was smiling and loving the reactions she got out of the usually so calm and collected Head Girl. "But to answer another question you didn't ask me, yes. I could be your friend. And no, I'm not dating either of them."
"We're here." Mei stopped in front of a spiral staircase. "I'll show you the school owls you can use."
Very convenient… Should I also note that she obviously just changed the subject?
"Thanks, for this and waiting for me, that was really nice of you." Yuzu flashed the girl a big smile.
Mei said nothing on their way up. When they reached the landing on the top floor Yuzu could feel the cool breeze coming through the windows. Suddenly she felt like there was something else she wanted to write in her letter.
"Hey, uh, Mei? You wouldn't happen to have a quill or something I can write with?" Yuzu asked.
"I do, but it's just a regular muggle pen I use to make notes," Mei said while reaching for her pockets under the cloak. She held out the pen to Yuzu. "Here."
"Great, thanks." Yuzu smiled and opened the letter. She placed the letter against the wall and added a small note on the bottom.
Just found Mei waiting for me before the game and can't wait to tell you more about her! She helped me to find—
"Are you writing something about me?" Mei asked, trying to peek over Yuzu's shoulder.
"Maybe, is there something you'd like to say to her?" Yuzu turned to look at Mei.
"Just that I'm looking forward to meeting her in the future." Mei said, still looking like she was way out of her comfort zone.
"Okay, I'll tell her." Yuzu grinned and decided not to tease the girl about it.
—the Owlery. She also says hi and is looking forward to meeting you at Christmas!
"That's not what I said…" Mei said, clearly reading the note behind her back.
"You can tell her yourself at Christmas," Yuzu said and stuffed the letter back inside the envelope. "Here, your pen."
Mei had a glazed look on her face before taking the pen from Yuzu.
"You're really not going to give up on the whole Christmas family thing, are you?" Mei asked.
"Nope. You're coming home with me. I don't care what it takes."
Mei was frowning in a strange way that Yuzu was not entirely sure what it meant. She suddenly raised her arm a bit and a dark owl swooped down from the rafters.
"This is Anthoniko, he's a lot faster than the school owls. You can borrow him if you'd like to," Mei said, petting the gorgeous dark owl resting on her arm.
Yuzu noticed her mouth was gaping from all of the strangeness of the past few moments. "Uhm… So, you'd let me use your owl?" Mei nodded and Yuzu took a step closer to pet Anthoniko. He seemed to be pleased with the attention and hooted excitedly. "Well, aren't you just the cutest thing! Would you like to take this letter back to my mama? You would, wouldn't you?"
Anthoniko took the letter Yuzu was holding out to him and flew out of the window. Yuzu kept looking after him until he disappeared from view and turned to see Mei who was staring at her with same frown she had on before. Mei suddenly closed the distance, cupped both sides of Yuzu's head with her hands and drew her into another kiss.
Yuzu whimpered slightly but wrapped her hands around the taller girl. The whole kiss felt different from the one before, it was hastier and Mei seemed to be nervous. Just when Yuzu was getting more relaxed, Mei drew herself away.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that." Mei said and wriggled out of Yuzu's arms.
"W-wait… What—" Yuzu was confused.
"The game will start soon, let's go." Mei reached the top of the stairs with a few decisive steps and didn't stop to wait for the blonde to follow.
I CAN'T EVEN…
"SERIOUSLY?!" Yuzu yelled after the girl who had already disappeared to the staircase. The owls on the rafters started to make loud noises and the blonde muttered apologies to the owls while running after Mei. "Mei, wait up! I'm so not done with you yet!"