The Magic of Love

Lily’s letter was not ideal when it arrived that evening, it was filled with a warning from her sister about how much trouble Sirius Black was and to not talk to him, Vi could already imagine she had confronted Sirius about it, and now her parents were concerned about it too. Leading to Vi having to make the choice to keep in contact with Sirius Black but secretly.

Indeed, when his next letter arrived, he mentioned Lily’s warning and he understood if she didn’t want to speak to him now. Which she quickly wrote back that she did want to keep writing, and whilst Vi was unsure of what caused this hatred between the two, Vi wanted to make her own mind up on whether he was trustworthy or not. But now, she had no one to vent her frustrations too, she wanted to keep this between her and Lily, but she couldn’t speak to Lily and didn’t want to drop her family issues on Sirius. It was so annoying, she lay on her bed, staring up at the ceiling as Jet flew in, landing in his usual spot, hooting softly. Jet seemingly noticed her lack of reaction and he flew over to land next to her.

“Hiya Jet, did you have a safe flight?” She asked softly, he hooted happily in reply, before nibbling her ear. Vi giggled and sat up. “Okay, Okay. You have a letter for me, and I have your usual treats set out, so enjoy.” She smiled. Jet hoot happily and went over to the bowl of water and food she set up for him, she lay back down to read through Sirius’ letter.

She found herself smiling as she always did, but her sister’s and parents opinions about keeping away from him, tugged her expression back into a frown. She didn’t even realise she was crying, Jet hooted softly and landed next to her again.

“Sorry Jet… I feel so stupid… my family all believe that Sirius is bad news… bhut I bet Lily never got to chance to know what he is like. He is so nice to me. Writes to me so often…” Vi frowned. “And I am scared they will force me to stop being his friend.” Jet fluffed up his feathers as he sat with her as she tried to get her tears under control. Sniffing softly, Vi wiped the tears away. “I should write a reply.” She sat up and moved to her desk, he pen hesitated against the page, with a sigh, he was friend… she decided it was time to open up about her worries. Vi was silent as she wrote, before handing the letter to Jet, who nudged her with his head once before flying off. Vi moved to the window and sighed as she watched him fly off.

~*~*~*~

“Another letter from Little Evans?” James smirked as the black owl returned to his master’s side.

“You’re just jealous I have an amazing Pen Pal.” Sirius smiled, thanking the letter and  opened it. But his smile faded as he was reading.

“Is something wrong?” Remus asked.

“Seems like Evans and her parents were pushing Vi to stop speaking to me.” Sirius frowned.

“But she didn’t.” James said with a small frown of his own. “And I heard their older sister fell out with them after Evans got her Hogwarts Letter. So, she must be feeling pretty alone.”

“Yes… How do I even cheer her up?” Sirius scowled., He opened his draw and pulled out all the letters sent by Violet.

“You actually kept all her letters?” James found himself grinned; Sirius blushed lightly.

“She wanted to be my friend before I met you, so she is, technically my first friend… and friends help cheer each other up… right?” Sirius look at them. James moved and joined Sirius on his bed.

“Yep they do, so think little Evans wrote her likes in past letters?”

“Yeah, that’s what I need to find.” Sirius nodded.

“Then, let me help.” James offered with a smile. “We can help cheer her up too.” Sirius looked at him and smiled.

“Thanks.” He was glad to have good friends.

The group set a few hours going over each letter in detail. Remus had started taking notes on things she mentioned liking.

“Hang on she mentions she likes collecting things… why don’t we sent her Chocolate frog cards?” Remus said. “And when we are back for the holidays we can send her actual chocolate frogs?”

“That could work… I need to check my collection; I have plenty of doubles.” Sirius hurried to check his case.

“Let me double check mine too. We can make her a small collection to help get her started!” James grinned.

“You guys are too energetic for the evening.” Remus sighed softly, but he still helped the other two looking through the collections, preparing a box to pack up the next collection they would be making.

The following morning, James and Sirius were still discussing how to get some chocolate frogs to send off with the cards.

“I am thinking I could just ask my parents, write a letter explaining and they should be happy to help.” James told him. “But it may take a day or two.”

“It gives us time to make sure it packaged nicely.” Sirius nodded in agreement. Remus shook his head fondly.

“I think just knowing the lengths you are going through to cheer her up will help her feel better,” Remus said.

“Yeah, but I want to show it. Words can lie… I don’t want her thinking I am doing this just to get back at you know.” Sirius sighed. “Friendship is so complicated.”

“Only when you over think it.” James wrapped around his shoulder. “Its pretty simple in practice.”

“What are you guys scheming now?” Severus scowled at the four boys.

“We don’t have time to speak to you Snape.” Sirius turned his back on the Slytherin student to continue speaking to James. Surprising both Severus and Lily, who began to wonder why they weren’t continuing their streak of tormenting her friend.

~*~*~*~

“That’s the letter to my parents sent, have you written back?” James asked Sirius who was scowling at a piece of parchment over dinner.

“I don’t know what to write…” He admitted. “She told me her concerns and I am not great at feelings.”

“Well, you are both in tricky situations with your families, why not open up about it, show that you understand on an emotional level?” James asked. “That seems like the best way around it.”

“But it may also seem like he is comparing his situation to hers, which could make it worse.” Remus told them both, Sirius groaned, resting his head on the table.

“What are you four up too?” Lily scowled at the boys.

“A friend has been having family issues, and we are unsure how to write a sensitive response to re-assure him it will be fine.” James stated, lying easily as he looked at Lily Evans. “We just don’t want to make matters worse for him.”

“Oh… well, good luck.” She walked away confused.

“Him?” Sirius scowled.

“Oh hush, if she found out who you’re writing to it will definitely make matters worse.” James told him, Sirius sighed, that was true.

By the time the other four were asleep, before Sirius actually put quill to parchment. He silently penned a reply, the only witness being Jet, who remained at his side as he wrote.

Vi,

It must have taken a lot to open up to me about this, I am sorry speaking to me has put you in a situation. I know what being at odds with family is like, but I never got on with my family so I have no idea how much it must hurt to be so close only to be against each other. I am setting up a gift that will help cheer you up, but I am not sure how long it will be. If anything, I will definitely have it sorted by Christmas. I hope to give it to you on that day.

Hold on Vi, you are strong and I am sure you and Lily will make up.

Sirius.