Dear Em,

I know I haven't written in a while. I'm really sorry about that, darling. I've been so slack about writing any letters at all. But you know any letter I'd write would go to you first, Em.

Everything here has been alright. I've been missing you a lot. It's so hard to get on knowing you're gone and that my parents are gone. And I mean, I know I've got to be a "big girl" and deal with it. And I'm doing my best.

I met someone that reminded me of you, only differently. I hope that makes sense. Of course, I'm writing to you and I know that you've got some genetic make-up that allows you to completely understand what I say even when it's a bit wonky sounding.

The girl I met is called Meg. She's a whore. I didn't know whores worked in Hogsmeade but I guess they do. I always thought of it as this picturesque town where everyone was perfect and charming and magic and leprechauns leaped through the streets handing out gold (which wouldn't evaporate 'cos if it did that'd be cheap) and I don't know what else. But I met Meg and she's got your independence.

Meg has a boy called Liam who is three years old. She was fourteen when she had him. He's the son of her former boss, a wizard whose name she wouldn't divulge. They kicked her out onto the street with the baby. Her childhood's pretty awful too. She was beaten by her father and thrown out at twelve. A few of her many siblings have managed to get actual jobs. She doesn't have any idea of how to go about getting a job that isn't being a whore or a nanny. That's what she was when she got pregnant with Liam, a nanny.

She told me her story was typical of those who worked with her. She's got a sister named Louise who does the same thing. Louise and Meg work every other night so one of them is home with Liam. It's such a strange feeling to be writing about their arrangement as if it were a normal one. But it isn't, no matter what Meg thinks.

Meg's got thick blonde hair that ends at her waist. It's a dirty shade of blonde, not crystal-white like yours was. Her eyes are cold, calculating even. She's not a warm person, except when she talks of her baby called Liam. Even when she told me a horrible story about a little girl called Nathalie her voice did not waiver. She shows no emotion, Em, and it's scary. She dulls her voice, her eyes stare down at the table. It's so strange, Em. I can't believe people actually have to live like that.

Her dearest wish, Em, is to be a kept woman. She wants a man who'll take care of Liam, Louise, and herself. Did I mention that Louise is thirteen? She works with Meg.

James is a saint. I told him about Meg and guess what he did for Valentine's Day?

Okay. I'm going to back up a bit. Bear with me, darling Em, as I wander down Memory Lane. It shouldn't be a far walk, though, since Valentine's Day was but a fortnight ago.

James had promised to take me out. It was supposed to be a proper date, since we haven't really had one ever. It was a bit difficult to find the right time to go on a date, though we've been dating since October. Can you believe it, Em? Me monogamous for (wait, November, December, January, February) nearly four months? I'm in shock. Haha. No, I'm just joking. It's been lovely.

But I digress, my dearest Em de la Em. James told me it was a surprise. I wasn't allowed to know a thing about it. Not even Pip and Caro knew. It was THAT big of a surprise.

We, the eight of us, had dinner in Pippa's new flat. It was lovely, with candles floating above the table. Eight red candles, each one lighting a specific setting. There were white roses upon the table, with gold place settings. The tablecloth was white and lacy. It was absolutely beautiful, Em.

We sat and laughed and talked for ages. It was nearly eleven before we decided to sneak back to the castle. Rather Remus, Pippa, Peter, and Peter's date (I don't recall her name. That's probably awful, isn't it? Oh well. I didn't like her much anyways) headed back to the castle. Sirius and Caro went off on their own private trip.

James walked me down the street, towards the café where I took Meg when I met her. We went inside and there was a single lily on the table in a crystal vase. On the table was a tiny velvety box. And I swear to you, Em, it didn't hit me. Not one bit.

We sat down and talked for a little bit. I can't even begin to remember what we talked about but it wasn't about the box. We talked about lots of things and all of a sudden, he got down on one knee.

I stared at him but didn't speak. And then, slowly, he looked up at me…

And I looked down at him…

And saw…

That he was tying his bloody shoe!

How's that for a mood-wrecker? I must admit, I burst out laughing when I saw that. He looked at me and grinned. Then, slowly, he stood up and told me he'd "be back in a moment, Nut."

I sat there, watching him walk into the kitchen and thinking he was crazy. It was such a strange feeling, being in the dark so completely. I gazed around at the little café and I looked at the pictures on the walls. There were girls in old-fashioned looking robes that waved at me and giggled. One of them pointed in the direction of the kitchen door so I turned that way again.

James walked in with his arm around a girl and my heart literally sunk. I was just sitting there, my mouth wide open. For a minute I thought it was one of his girlfriends from the summer and I was just sitting there agape.

He and the girl walked over and smiled at me.

"'Ello Lily," the girl said shyly.

"Er… hello…" I managed to get out, scratching my head.

"He's your boyfriend, yeah?"

"Er… I think so…"

"You're lucky to have him."

"I uh… know…"

"You don't know who I am?"

"I'm sorry. I haven't got the slightest idea." I shook my head.

The girl smiled delightedly. "I'm so glad! It's me, Meg!"

I stared at her, my mouth agape again. It did that a LOT that night.

"You… you… you're Meg?"

"Of course! I'm Meg! I'm the corner girl you met yesterday."

I didn't say anything.

"This change is all thanks to you. James told me how much you wanted to help me but that it wasn't charity. He convinced me to talk to Professor Dumbledore."

James nodded. "Meg met with Dumbledore who helped her clean up a bit. Liam and Louise are back at Hogwarts right now."

"He told me that he's goin' to find me a position in a shop somewhere in Diagon Alley. He told me I shouldn't be livin' here after all this. Louise is goin' to stay at Hogwarts, studyin' till the end of the year and then she'll come home to me." Meg opened her arms to me. "And I owe it all to you, Miss Snoop."

I hugged her, still in shock. Meg's dirty blonde hair had been cut short and curled, making her look so angelic. Her eyes weren't cold anymore; they had a glimmer of light and hope. They were still calculating but not like they used to be. She had a pretty blue cloak on, tied tightly at the neck. With a small squeeze of my hand, she walked away from me and into the night.

James looked at me with his eyes shining.

"You're amazing," I said, falling into his arms. "I wanted to help her but I didn't know how."

"I was worried you'd be upset with me for doing this. I knew you wanted to help," he whispered into my hair.

"Ooh no, I'm quite pleased." I looked at him with happy eyes. "I'm so happy I could burst."

"Well can I add to it, then?" He winked at me, "Please no bursting."

I nodded as I watched him get down upon one knee again, this time clutching the velvety box in his hand.

"Lily Catharine Evans, will you marry me?"