It was a chilly November morning, the third Saturday of the month, a Hogsmeade day. Amanda briskly made her way to the common room that morning after receiving mail at breakfast.

She gave the fat lady the password and then looked around the common room and she spotted Hayden and Aly doing homework. She walked over to their table and held out the letter.

"Here," Amanda said briskly, walking into the common room. "It's for you."

"Me?" Aly asked, looking up from her work. "From who?"

"Just read it," Amanda snapped, sitting down in the chair across from her.

Aly looked at Hayden quickly, and then reluctantly opened the letter. She scanned it quickly, her expression going from confusion, to happiness, to anger, and then her expression became unreadable.

"Well?" Amanda snapped.

"It's...from Michael," Aly said, closing up the letter slowly.

"What did it say?"

"Well, he just said hi and everything..." Aly said, deliberating.

"Aly, stop beating around the bush. What does he say?"

Aly met Amanda's eyes reluctantly and then sighed. She opened up the letter and Hayden closed his Transfiguration book and leaned forward intently.

'"Dear Gem, it's Michael. How are you? I'm...ok, I guess. Depending on your definition of 'ok.' I really did expect my job at the Ministry to be more...exciting? Anyway, I hope sixth year's going ok for you; it wasn't exactly my cup of tea. Oh, Mandy, the reason why I sent this letter to you and not Aly was because there have been reports and sightings of her. By the way, Gem, what's going on with you? Have you lost your mind? I can't believe you're associating with..."' Aly trailed off quietly, looking around. She scanned the letter quickly and then lowered her voice.

'"That death eater's nephew, Adam! I know that you two were mates and all, but did you really have to go and see him? It's not in the Daily Prophet because that news has completely died out, but don't be surprised if you find a little box in the Prophet on Monday detailing your 'visit.' Unfortunately, all your little friends' names are listed, too. Some of my coworkers at the Ministry think that you and your mum are bonkers. I usually piss them off. Anyway, I sent it to Amanda so they'd think it's just something that I'd send to family. And it worked, thank you very much.

'Gem, do be careful this year because I've got a feeling things are taking a turn for the worse. Scrimgeour's being a nuisance. I'm sad to say that Fudge did a better job. Well, I've got to go and meet with some coworkers on some wizarding regulations not being followed in India. I truly wish you and all of your friends a good sixth year. Be smart, stay sharp, and don't go anywhere along. Best regards, Michael. P.S. I'm still not telling you what Gem means."'

Aly looked up at Amanda hesitantly, who was biting her lip angrily. "Well..."

"So, he wanted to check up on you," Amanda said, her voice hollow. "That's nice. That was a smart idea, pretending to send it to family."

Aly blinked.

"But now I'm involved. Which is...something I didn't want to get involved with, mind you! And I get no letters at all, which is perfectly fine with me!"

"Amanda," Hayden said quietly as Amanda looked away, "You went of your own free will. Don't glare at me like that," he snapped. "You know that you went of your own free will. Nobody forced you to go. Char asked you and you said yes. You could've stayed back at the Leaky Cauldron if you didn't want to go that bad. You can't go blaming Aly."

"Amanda, Michael did mention your name," Aly said softly. "He hasn't forgotten you. Remember, to pretend that he was sending it to me, he sent it to family? That's you. He still cares."

"Then why did the heading say 'Dear Gem?' Why not 'Dear Mandy?"' Amanda asked, glaring at her now. "He doesn't care."

"Of course he does," Aly said gently, rubbing her shoulder. "He has always cared."

"If he cares so much, why not write a letter? Or send something?! I haven't talked to him since July, and I have no idea if he's well or not..."

Amanda inhaled sharply, wiping away a stray tear.

"Amanda, are you jealous of Aly?"

Amanda glared at Hayden. "What do you mean by that?"

"I mean," Hayden said, shrinking under her stare, "Do you wish that he would send you letters and give you pet nicknames?"

"No," Amanda muttered. "I'd just like to hear from him is all. I was excited to hear from him, and then I find out he wanted to talk to you." She sounded bitter.

"Then you send him a letter," Aly said kindly. "If he cares, and I know he does," Aly grinned, "He'll send you a letter back."
Amanda stood up briskly, sniffing and resuming her usual disposition. "I'll do that, then. Thanks."

"Anytime," Hayden said gently.

Amanda started to walk away, and then she turned around. "I know why he calls you Gem."

"Why?"

"For your eyes."

Amanda smiled bleakly and then walked out of the common room.

Aly blinked, taken aback by this sudden revelation. It all made perfect sense. She found herself reeling back to first year.

"Actually, I'm thirteen. Which means that you are a lowly first year, while I am a third year." He stared her down. "You're really annoying."

"As are you," Aly replied defiantly, staring up into his blue eyes.

"Maybe I should give you a nickname?" he suggested, smirking. He stared at her eyes. Aly blinked, and then Michael smirked. "I've got it. Gem."

Why else would he call her Gem if all he did was look at her eyes?

It was perfectly reasonable.

To her surprise, Aly felt herself flush.

"So that's why!" Hayden exclaimed, breaking Aly's reverie.

Aly blinked at Hayden, slowly coming to reality. "Yes?"

"He called you Gem for your eyes," Hayden repeated triumphantly.

"H-haven't you known that all along?"

"Yes, but I'm just playing the fool," Hayden said brightly. He surveyed Aly. "Are you alright?"

"Yes," Aly managed. "Yes, I'm fine. I'm just...surprised."

"Not one person has ever noticed your eyes? Not even Char?"

"No," Aly said, surprising herself. "Not even Char. I mean, I noticed his, of course." How can you not? "But no one's ever really...commented on my eyes before."

"Well, that's odd," Hayden shrugged. He peered at her. "They're really pretty. They look like shiny emeralds."

"Are you just saying that?"

"No," Hayden shrugged. "I mean, I've noticed them, but I've never really noticed them til now."

"No."

Hayden grinned. "You're blushing."

"Am I?" Aly exclaimed.

"Yes indeed. You look like a little girl who has a crush on Jimmy down the street."

"Shut up," Aly said, flushing even more.

"No one's ever done that before, huh?"

"Never," Aly said, looking down at the wood grain.

"Ever?"

"Ever."