When lunch came around again Jen and Liz sat at the Gryffindor table, with Jen snuggling close to Neville, who kept blushing. Ron was scribbling a reply to a letter, momentarily forgetting his food – which Hermione was shocked to see – and Harry was talking to Seamus.
Just then, owls started swooping in and dropping letters in front of people. Liz had completely forgotten about the daily mail and was surprised to see a letter fall in front of her. She smiled, taking it and opening it as the owl flew away again.
Spark,
Hey! I'm guessing you got this with the daily mail? At least, I planned it to happen like that. I was busy this morning as well but I didn't want to wait until after classes.
That doesn't sound weird, does it?
Anyway, your friend sounds amusing. Why was she so determined to get you down to breakfast?
I really wish there was a way to find out who you were without breaking any of the rules that were put in place. I don't want to get a detention, but I'm pretty sure that I'd be able to cope even if you were in Slytherin.
Hey, wait, if we tell each other every house we're not in it doesn't count as telling which we are in does it? Either way, I've just accidentally eliminated one house for you. And if you're not in Slytherin either, then that's two houses down – yours, whatever it is, and Slytherin.
Well, I hope to talk to you again soon.
Cotton
Liz smiled and sighed dreamily, pulling out some spare parchment and a quill, quickly writing a reply to Cotton. She wouldn't send it until later because there was something she had to do in secret first, but he would hopefully get it that day.
Then she'd find out who he was.
"Not again!" Jen whined, looking up just in time to see Liz start scribbling furiously. Liz paused and looked up, smiling and shrugging innocently.
"There's something exciting about writing to someone you don't know." Harry said, smiling. Jen rolled her eyes and turned back to Neville.
"There really is," Liz nodded in agreement. "But I just wish I knew who it was at the same time!"
"Same! Even though there's an intoxicating mystery of who she is that draws me to keep writing back, I really want to find out who she is so we can talk face to face." Harry said. Liz stared at him in shock and blinked.
"Intoxicating Mystery?" she giggled. "I never thought you were the kind of guy to talk that way."
Harry blushed slightly and ducked his head, obviously embarrassed after realising what he had said. Liz felt heart rise to her cheeks and also turned away, a small smile appearing on her lips. He was a really nice guy and so easy to talk to! Maybe she should give it a try?
Suddenly remembering she had a half written letter in her hand, she turned back to it and continued writing, trying to push Harry from her mind and think only of Cotton.
Hey Cotton!
That's such a great idea! And no, I'm not in Slytherin. So now you must be in either Hufflepuff or Gryffindor. Oops! I guess you know what house I'm in now, right?
Anyway, I think I know how to find out who we are without breaking any of the rules.
Do you trust me?
If you do, drink this potion tomorrow morning before breakfast.
Spark
Folding the letter carefully and putting it in her pocket, Liz smiled. She was going to send Cotton the love potion as well as the letter. That way, he'd fall in love with her and she would know that whoever acted lovestruck around her at breakfast the next day was Cotton. Then she would just wait for the potion to wear off before going up to talk to him to tell him that she was Spark.
"Why are you smiling like that? I know that smile. It's never good." Jen said warily.
"Trust me, this time it's good." Liz laughed.
"Well, if you say so..." Jen trailed off and closed her eyes, leaning her head on Neville's shoulder and accidentally making him turn bright red.
*
As Liz was getting ready to slip into bed that night, an owl flew in the window and dropped a letter on her pillow before flying out again.
"Eep!" Liz exclaimed excitedly, grabbing the letter.
She had sent her letter and the love potion to Cotton as soon as she got back from her classes that day and was glad that she now had a response from him. Holding the letter tightly for a few moments, she closed her eyes and hoped Cotton had agreed. Then she opened her eyes and unfolded the letter, looking down to read what it said.
Spark,
I'm nervous to drink something when I don't know what it is, but I do trust you now that I know what house you're in. You must know what you're doing.
Oh, and I'm not in Hufflepuff.
Anyway, I agree to drink it tomorrow morning. Whatever it does, I hope I won't end up too embarrassed.
You don't feel like telling me what you're idea is, do you? Even if you did, I probably wouldn't even get your letter until after I've drunk the potion. Well, I'll live. I'm sure it's a good plan considering your house.
I should let you get some sleep, so I'll end this letter here.
Love, Cotton
Liz sat there staring at the letter. She doubted he had already drunk the potion, but why else would he say love at the end? Maybe he was just trying to be nice... but for goodness sake, why did he have to say it just after she started getting a crush on Harry?
"What's got the Owl Pal fanatic looking so depressed?" Jen asked, walking over to her own bed.
"Nothing." Liz shrugged innocently, putting the letter under her pillow and lying down.
"Liar." Jen accused immediately.
Liz sighed and frowned, biting her lip in thought. She wasn't sure what to tell Jen and what not to tell her. Jen had never been very fond of the Owl Pal system, so what would she say if Liz told her she thought she might have a crush on a guy she'd never even met?
"I don't know how to say this..." Liz murmured. "But I think I like my Owl Pal."
"No duh, you write to him like crazy. What, does he have a girlfriend or something?" Jen asked, turning on her side to look at Liz.
"No, I don't think so. But I think I also like someone else now too. And I don't know where to go with the guy I know or the guy I only write to. Do you get what I'm saying?" Liz asked. Jen was silent for a moment before she sighed.
"I guess, to be safe I'd go with the guy I know. I mean, what if you met up with your Owl Pal and thought he was ugly?" Jen asked. Liz giggled.
"I get you." she said. "Thanks."
"Are you going to tell me who you like?" Jen asked teasingly, grinning.
"You'll laugh at me!" Liz complained instantly, covering her face with her hands as she felt it go bright red.
"Oh come on, I'm dating Neville." Jen groaned.
"I suppose you have a point." Liz giggled. "Alright fine, I think I like Harry."
"That's so cute!" Jen squealed, sitting up and smiling over at her friend in excitement. "Definitely choose him over your Owl Pal!"
"I don't even know if he likes me back! I mean, what if he likes his Owl Pal more than me? He said it was a girl." Liz replied.
"Then you're going to just have to show him that you are way better than any other girl at this school." Jen said confidently.
"This coming from the girl who was nervous asking Neville out." Liz raised an eyebrow.
"Whatever." Jen rolled her eyes and laughed.
"Seriously though, Jen," Liz said, furrowing her eyebrows again. "What am I going to do if my Owl Pal likes me? I mean, how do I tell him-"
"Think about it tomorrow." Jen sighed, rolling onto her back and staring up at the roof. "First just see how things work out with Harry, okay?"
"Yeah, you've got a point." Liz agreed, smiling and closing her eyes, attempting to sleep.