28 February, 1974
Well, Remus is speaking to me again, and we're working on being friends again. I have to admit, I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. He had walked away from me so suddenly before, I'm afraid he'll do it again. I'm trying to get past it, and Remus is trying to make up for it – help me forget. I guess it will just take time. Mum and dad sent me a wonderful present to celebrate my birthday, a new broom! I'll hardly get to use it here, I'm not on the Quidditch team like some of the boys, and the teams like to monopolize the pitch.
Lily gave me a new dress I've been eyeing for a while, and Remus gave me a new book about Werewolves with a secret smile. He's the only one who knows that I'm fascinated by then, and that I know he is one. We may not always be good at communicating, but we can keep each other's secrets.
Annicka Llewellyn
5 March, 1974
Things between Remus and I are getting better while things between Lily and Potter seem to be getting worse. I've been doing my best to keep them apart. I would really like to study in the common room again. I've been avoiding it because I can't concentrate when they're screaming at each other. I got a bit behind while I was worrying about Remus and I need to catch up before exam season.
Annicka Llewellyn
Annicka was rushing down the hall to meet Remus at the library, walking very fast when someone bumped into her, knocking her down. "Are you okay?" someone asked from behind her. She looked over her shoulder to see a Ravenclaw boy.
"I'm fine," she replied. The boy stepped around her and helped her pick up her books. "Thank you," she and he shared a small smile and went their separate ways. Over the next few weeks they would occasionally see each other in the hall way and say hello as they passed each other.
2 April, 1974
Exams are in just over a month and the professors have started piling on the homework. Every year they give us more and more, and every year I feel as though I'll go crazy. Thankfully we have another year before our O.W.L. year. My dad told me it's like exam time all year round from then on, and N.E.W.T. s are even worse. I can't wait.
Annicka Llewellyn
20 April, 1974
Margo in incorrigible, noticing that I keep saying hello to that Ravenclaw boy she took it upon herself to introduce us properly. It turns out he's her cousin. Patrick Claymore. So now I know his name, and we've been having actual conversations. He's nice, and funny, and I didn't really notice at first but he's quite handsome, tall, with honey blonde hair, and blue eyes. Remus hasn't met him yet, I think they would get along but somehow whenever I talk to Patrick Remus is not around. It's weird.
Annicka Llewellyn
5 May, 1974
I HATE EXAMS! If my brain turns to mush, or my head explodes I'm blaming the school.
Annicka Llewellyn
"Ann, put the book down!" Lily ordered grabbing at the book in Annicka's hands.
"No, Lil, come on I need to study," Ann objected.
"Tonight you are going to take a break and have some fun. The girls have snacks and music, and some other things up in our room," Lily informed her. "Exams are still a month away and if you don't mind we would like to see you before the professors completely burry us." Annicka thought about it for a moment gazing into Lily's face, then with a sigh she put away her book and followed Lily up to the dorm. After their night of girl-talk and laughter Lily's prediction came true. Annicka spent every spare moment of her day studying either alone or with Remus.
31 May, 1974
Exams next week and I'm really missing my friends so I think I'm going to take a break from studying this weekend and spend some time with them all, and honestly it might actually help with the exams. Plus Lily seems like she needs someone to talk to who understands how much one person can make you angry.
Annicka Llewellyn
9 June, 1974
Exams are over and we have just a couple weeks until we can go home again. The summer awaits, and I have a feeling that something wonderful is going to happen, not to mention that I want to see my parents again. Mum said dad had a couple of close calls this year. He takes too many risks with his life at work. I'm going to have to have a talk with him again.
Annicka Llewellyn
The train platform in Hogsmeade had a feeling of organized chaos as usual. Annicka got separated from her friends for a few moments and that's when Patrick found her. "Hey, Annicka," he greeted her.
"Hi," she replied with a smile.
"I want to see you this summer. Can I take you out to dinner?" Patrick asked with a gently confidence.
Annicka smiled brightly, "I'm available next Friday," she told him.
"I'll see you at 7," he stated and walked away as her friends approached.
"Are you coming?" Alice asked.
"Yeah," Annicka followed the girls onto the train, keeping quiet about Patrick.
30 June, 1974
I've just been on my first date, not that I let Patrick know that. I was so nervous, but it was really fun. Dinner was delicious and we had a great conversation, we really got to know each other better. He asked me out again. This is kind of strange, and exciting, and more than a little overwhelming.
Annicka Llewellyn
18 July, 1974
Patrick KISSED me! Our date had ended and he walked me to my door. I turned to tell him good-bye and he leaned in and kissed me. I don't know how to describe wheat I felt. I could almost fell his emotions, a little nervousness, and tenderness. The feel of his lips on mine was startling, but surprisingly nice. Kissing is strange, nice, but strange. I have no idea what will happen now, but it was good.
Annicka Llewellyn
1 August, 1974
Its official Patrick is my boyfriend. I wrote Lily today to tell her, I'm sure she'll tell the girls. Remus doesn't know yet, but I want to tell him in person. Honestly I'm avoiding it, how do you tell your male best friend that you have a boyfriend? I have no idea, and I don't want to try until I kind of know what to say.
Annicka Llewellyn
Platform 9 ¾ was a cacophony of activity, people shouting to each other, animals crying out, the train steaming a plume of smoke into the air giving everything a foggy look. Annicka pushed her way through the crowd until she found Patrick, they embraced and were about to speak when someone called out to Annicka. She turned to see Remus coming towards them. "Ann, who is this?" he asked noticing Patrick's arm around her waist.
"Remus, this is Patrick Claymore my boyfriend," she introduced them, trying to sound calmer than she was, "Patrick, my best friend Remus Lupin."
"Nice to meet you finally," Patrick held out his hand. Remus took it as Patrick continued, "Ann has told me a lot about you."
"Nice to meet you too," Remus replied gazing at Annicka with a steely look. Someone called out to Patrick; he kissed Annicka on the cheek and walked away sensing that she needed to talk to Remus alone. "How long has this been going on?" Remus demanded to know, his voice strangely flat.
"We started dating this summer," Annicka confessed.
"Why didn't you tell me?" she cringed at his tone.
"I didn't know," Ann squirmed a bit under his gaze. "This is new to me, and how many girls our age have boys for best friends? I guess I just didn't want things to be awkward between us."
Before Remus could say anything the Marauders joined them and Annicka left with a sigh. "What's her problem?" Peter asked. The boys all shrugged and boarded the train.