Bonjour! I come bearing the next chapter. Enjoy!
--Chapter 25 - Letters and Notes--
Dear Mum and Dad,
Thank you for getting back to me quickly. Ricky and I've been stressing over the Ball and finals for the past month. We were relieved when we found out you were going to be able to help out at the Ball. I've triple checked with Harry, and he says that it would be alright if Ian came along with you. Ron and Hermione are going to bring Natalie after all.
What was with the "love life" comment in your last letter? As far as I know I'm not "involved" with someone. Have you been listening to Maddie? Or Charlie? He asked pretty much the same thing in hislast letter as well. Sheesh. Why can't I get some privacy?
Have you spoken with Missy's parents recently? From her last letter, Missy seems to have recovered well enough (if a bit bored), but I'm still concerned. I do think it was a good idea to keep her home after the whole incident, but she's not made of glass. Could you remind her parents of that?
How've I been? Busy, very busy. As I said earlier, Ricky and I are in the midst of planning the Ball and studying for finals. Unfortunately there is the added "bonus" of chasing down misbehaved students.
Recently a sixth year had the bright idea of filling an entire bathroom with some of Fred and George's fireworks (the new kind that leaves a trail of multi-coloured goop in its trail). He was a good foot taller then me, and twice as wide. Ricky ended up giving him a detention when he wouldn't listen to me (the "little girlie"). I gave him a second when he protested the first and reported him to Harry. Perhaps he'll listen better to the headmaster.
I need to go. Ronnie's next to me, poking me in the arm, saying that I'm needed in the North Wing. My guess is that it's something to do with the Farewell Ball.
All My Love,
Enna
"You've got to be joking! We're how much over our budget?"
"Eighty-five galleons," Ricky half coughed.
"I can still hear you. What in the world possessed your aunt to spend this much on decorations?" I picked up something fluffy and blue. "I don't even know what this is!" I shook the ball of fluff in my boyfriend's face.
"Enna," he began, placing his hands on my shoulders, "You didn't let me finish my original thought. Aunt Lorelei promised to pay for any extra expenses, alright? Take a deep breath and relax." I sighed and rested my head on his chest. "Everything's running smoothly for the Ball and exams will be over in a few days."
"Really?" I asked hopefully. Ricky chuckled.
"Of course. We've just got to finish exams, finish organizing the Ball, make invitations, decorate the Great Hall, and keep everyone in line til' we graduate. That's not too bad, is it? "
"Ha ha."
Dearest Enna (Future Hogwarts Graduate),
You're being a bit touchy, don't you think? I was joking after all. Are you venting extra stress on me? Is that it?
I remember seventh year exams clearly. The longest week of my life. Including the week when I was stuck in a cave with an ill Swedish dragon (sneezing and fire breath is not a good combination). I'm sure you'll do fine of course. You got all Os on your O.W.L.s after all. Chin up, love.
Do you remember that "pretty blue dragon" you made a pet of three years ago when you visited me? You'll be happy to know that she just became a mother. Sapphire has three young ones, all silver in color at the moment, but their scales will darken. After you graduate come and visit. I promise you can name them.
Til the Farewell Ball,
Charlie
(Dragon Keeper Extrordinare)
"Time's up! Put your quills down," Prof. Martin barked. I sighed and placed my quill on my desk. One more exam down (Thank Merlin it was politics. I was so sick of studying that topic). "You are excused to the library, but be silent as mice. There are other students still studying and taking exams."
I groaned and stood up slowly. Two exams left and counting. The N.E.W.T.s were named correctly. They are Nastily Exhausting. Who ever came up with them deserves to be hung upside down by his ankles and given nothing to eat but pâté and nasty wine.
I followed my pale, somber looking classmates through the halls. We slowly made our way to the library. We sat amongst the other seventh years, blankly staring into space. I honestly didn't have a thought in my mind.
Something poked my arm. I glanced down. A small folded piece of parchment was sitting next to my elbow. Sitting across the table was Ricky, motioning for me to open it.
Whatcha doing?
I quickly scribbled a note back.
Trying to recover from my politics exam.
That bad?
That bad.
Yuck. I'm glad I didn't take that class.
You would be.
Did you hear from your parents?
Yes, they said they could chaperone along with your parents. Charlie promised to come as well.
Good to hear. Harry said in the past years some of the teachers weren't too helpful. Plus Ackerman and Byrd will probably want to dance themselves.
You know, I've been asked by both my parents and Charlie whether or not I'm "involved" with someone. Odd don't you think?
I couldn't imagine why they'd ask.
Me neither. Unless Maddie's been talking with Ginny whose been talking with my mum.
Could be.
I wonder why . . .
Why what?
Why does everyone seems to be so interested in my love life? It's not like I'm getting married or anything.
Yeah. Look, I gotta to get going. I, uh, I forgot I've not studied for Potions. See you later.
Ricky studied for Potions. I know that for a fact! I was sitting with him half the time after all. Why did he leave like--oh, wait. . . "marriage." Did that freak him out? I was joking about that. Ricky knows me well enough to know when I'm joking though.
But what if he took it the wrong way. A joke about marriage, but a hint towards a more "committed" relationship? Maybe I myself am reading too much into what I didn't write.
But why did he just leave?
Enna,
THANK YOU! Your parents just left from their visit. Mum and Dad promised to take me out tomorrow and do some shopping. Helena's coming of course, and we might be meetingJosh and his family out there as well.
Would you like me to get you something while I'm out? I know you're probably sick of getting books by now . . . How about one of those pretty roses from WWW? I was looking through their new catalog and they had some very pretty ones. How about a dark purple one? Those were my favorite.
Ian's getting big! Helena was fascinated by him (mum said it was because she finally got to meet someone smaller then she was). En, he's got the darkest hair I've seen! And his eyes are turning a bright shade of amber (which looks a bit strange when mixed with his current light blue).
Tonks says your busy so you don't have to reply.
Love,
Missy
I touched the velvet petals of the indigo rose I'd gotten in the mail. Maddie was initially excited when I received the rose, but was disappointed to find out it was from Missy as a Thank You. I kept it on my desk during my Transfiguration exam as a good luck charm.
I was currently hiding out in a secluded hallway, near the stairs to the North Wing, avoiding work. I was exhausted. I probably have gotten eight hours of sleep total in the past five days. A few times I found myself fighting the urge to cry. I hated being so tired.
"Hi--" I screamed. "Enna? It's me." William touched my shoulder gently.
"Will? Oh Merlin, I'm sorry." I rubbed my forehead. "I'm just not myself today."
"Is something the matter?"
I frowned for a moment and tried to think. Without warning I burst into tears. "Yes," I sobbed. "I've gotten practically no sleep since Sunday, I still have my Potions exam, I've got to finish planning the Ball, make sure every little detail is taken care of, send out invitations, make sure kids stay in line, and I don't think Ricky loves me!"
"En," William pulled me into a hug. "It's okay. You're doing fine with everything. As always, you'll surpass the rest of our class with your test scores."
"The--"
"Harry said that you and Ricky were the best team he's seen yet for the Farewell Ball. "
"But--"
"Don't be ridiculous, En. Why wouldn't he?"
"I don't know!"
"See, you have no reason--"
"But I'm not a guy. Therefore there could be something wrong with me that I would never realize because I'm a girl."
"There is absolutely nothing wrong with you. En, go get some rest, everything will look better when you've gotten some sleep."
"I have work to do though."
"I'll cover for you alright? Zarah I'm sure will help me. Harry will understand. I'm going to send Ricky up to check on you sometime soon to make sure you're not working. So go to your dorm, put on your pjs, read a book, and get some sleep."
"I-"
"Go!"
With a sigh I started upstairs. I turned around hoping that he'd left so I could sneak off, but he was still standing there, arms crossed, a stubborn expression on his face. I stuck my tongue out at him and went up to my room. Without changing out of my robes, I flopped down on my bed. I was asleep within minutes.
When I woke up, it was dark out . . . and there was a note stuck to my forehead. I pulled it off, wincing when the tape pulled at my skin.
Go to the library
Ask the librarian for "A History of Doxies"
Turn to page 3,185
I frowned and glanced at the clock. I'd missed dinner. It wouldn't matter too much if I followed the note. I quickly brushed my hair and put on a bit of lip gloss before heading out the door.
"Hiya, Enna." Sirius jogged up to me and put an arm around my shoulders. "Where have you been?"
"Asleep," I yawned. "But I'm heading to the library. Where are you going?"
"Gryffindor common room. See you later." Sirius went off ahead of me and turned down a left hallway.
When I got to the library, Mlle Louise was writing in a thick lodge book. She looked up as I approached.
"Um, I'm looking for A History of Doxies?" She smiled at me and handed me a thick book that was sitting on the desk.
"Enjoy, hon," she said cheerfully and winked.
"Thanks." I smiled uncertainly at her. After dropping the book on a table, I flipped through the pages until I reached page number 3,185. There was a small piece of folded parchment in the crevice between the pages.
Go upstairs once more
To the Ravenclaw common room entrance
Check behind the elf statue's ear
Amused I went up to the Ravenclaw's hall. Another note was waiting for me.
The stars are bright tonight
Go to the Great Hall
Give Dobby the password ("mustard yellow socks" - Don't ask)
"Selene Lupin! Have you come to give the password to Dobby?" the elf asked me in a loud whisper.
I nodded and whispered (equally loudly), "Mustard yellow socks."
You've followed the notes, done well
Don't worry you're almost through
Go find Will, he's waiting outside
"How long have you been here?"
"I'd say about forty minutes. Why?" he replied, a wide-eyed innocent look on his face. I sighed.
"No reason."
I'm sure you're ready to finish by now
I would be too, but just one more thing
Go backto your dorm, check the roses
What did he do? Lead me away from my room just to ruin my roses? That would be a bit odd . . .Rose petels all over the floor in my room, water dripping down my desk like blood . . . Perhaps I should reconsider this whole "dating" thing.
When I got to my room, the roses were still in their vase. A small piece of parchment was attached to the orange one with a white ribbon.
Don't you just love going in circles?
As long as you swear not to injure me
Go to the supply closet on the third floor
"Ricky?" I peered into the dark closet. "What on earth are you trying to do? Ambush me?"
"Not exactly," his muffled voice came from the darkness.
"You sure? 'Cause I would give you credit for creativity."
Light flooded the closet. The entire room was filled with decorations for the Ball, and oddly enough there were piles of cards lining the wall. Next to me, sitting on a box, was one of the cards. I picked it up. The card was made out of heavy paper and was decorated with the Ball theme's colors. The school motto and crest were embossed near the top. I read what was written in curly script.
"Invitations?"
"All the ones we need." Ricky appeared at my left. He was holding a quill. "All you have to do is sign the one you're holding and they'll be finished."
"They're done?"
"Not only that, but all the decorations are finished, and the menus and table settings are completed. Zarah did those since I was pretty clueless on that. She said you could look everything over if you felt like it, but she did a good job. The only thing left to do really is decorate the Great Hall."
"Seriously?"
"Seriously."
"But . . . Why did you do all of this? You hate this sort of stuff."
"Will told me you were on the verge of a breakdown, which I had noticed actually. But thank Merlin he got you to get some rest, you look much better now." Ricky wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed me. "Plus, I love you, En. I hated seeing you upset."
Oh my gosh! Did he just? He did!
"I love you, too, Ricky," I told him softly. He smiled at me and pulled me in close, once more, to kiss me.
You are hereby invited to the Annual Farewell Ball for Hogwart's Graduating Class
June the Eighth
RSVP date, May the Thirtieth
Signed,
Fredrick Weasley and Selene M. Lupin
Head Boy and Head Girl
Gryffindor House
Cute, no? Yeah, I'm a romantic. Bit pathetic at times, but all in all, I enjoy it.
Now, a note for my dear readers. Before I post the next TWD chapter, I have a Danny Phantom oneshot to write (for a contest). I will put it up ASAP and get to work on the next TWD chapter. I don't know when that will be because I'm going away this week. I'll try and let you all know via livejournal, okay?
Thanks,
Anne