Chapter Fourteen
Dear Remus,
How are you? Are you and the boys having fun at the Potters? Perhaps I’m writing a bit soon seeing as it is only two days into the Christmas holiday, but I had to restrain myself from writing yesterday. All things considered, I’ve done quite well.
It’s nice to be back
The weather is
I was just writing
The real reason I’m writing this letter is to ask how you’re doing. I know it’s difficult to spend holidays without family and I know a moon is coming up. I just wanted to make sure your Marauders are treating you right. I’m sorry if this sounds a bit forward, it’s just that
I’m really messing this letter up aren’t I? Usually I’m so good with words and they just flow out of me, but you somehow change that. Either my mind starts spitting out poems, or I can’t string two words together. I guess today is the latter. Again, sorry.
On another note, Iris and I made apple pie yesterday and took Indy on a snow walk. Afterwards, we had a snowball fight in the front yard. Tomorrow we're going to see the lights Muggles hang around the gardens. Do you have anything fun planned?
I hope you’re having a good start to the holidays!
Happy Christmas,
Lyla
Lyla,
Thanks for your letter. The boys and I are doing well, and creating tons of long overdue mischief. I’m honestly surprised Mrs. Potter hasn’t cracked and lost her temper. But truly, we’re having fun together and we’re being perfectly gentlemanly towards each other (if by gentlemanly you mean hosting a full on prank war which I’m winning by the way).
I appreciate your concern, and there’s really no reason for you to apologize. Looking after each other is what friends are for. It is difficult without Mum, but the boys are providing many distractions.
Yesterday we, too, had a snowball fight, only ours lasted three hours, and Sirius got hypothermia. You’re right to say we’re all too stubborn and competitive!
Mrs. Potter is planning a big meal for Christmas dinner and James is inviting Lily over. I’ll be sure to bring a bag to throw up in when the gooey eyed looks across the table become too much.
Sirius won’t say it out loud, but I know he’s wondering how Regulus is doing, so I’ll ask for the both of us. Is he having a good holiday so far? Are he and your sister still, you know, going gooey eyed?
Best wishes for the rest of your holiday!
Remus
Remus,
I’m glad you’re having fun this holiday! Send Mrs. Potter my best wishes and all of my patience.
Regulus is doing horrible. And by that I mean he is horrible.
That’s a terrible thing to say, I’m sorry. He’s struggling. Iris and him fought and…his home is terrible. How do you help a person who doesn’t want to be helped?
As much as I love the holiday, I can’t wait for the semester to start both to see you and to try to fix things with Regulus.
I hope you enjoy the rest of your day.
Happy Christmas Eve!
Lyla
P.S. Any tips on pranks? (It’s getting a little boring around here)
Lyla,
Happy Christmas! I hope your day was good! This morning James woke me up with a pillow to the head and started a full on pillow war. Sirius won. We opened presents and had breakfast together. Dinner with Lily was fun (it’s nice having a sane person around), and I think James almost wet himself when he saw how pretty she looked.
Nevertheless, he and the rest of the Marauders have kept me very busy. I only managed to write this letter after faking a nosebleed after another long snowball fight.
Sirius tried writing Regulus yesterday to no success. He used a whole roll of parchment before he gave up and locked himself in his room. James, Peter, and I have no siblings and therefore no good advice to give. Do you have any?
As for helping people who don’t want to be helped, the best thing I find to do is to just be kind. Their world is horrible enough as it is, there’s no need to add to it.
I’m excited for the next semester at Hogwarts, and my last. Are you ready to go back?
Hoping you’re doing well,
Remus
P.S. A good prank to start off with is switching things in containers like salt and sugar, glue and shampoo.
Remus,
I didn’t expect to miss you this much. I want to talk to you face to face so badly. Do you ever just want to take everyone you love and put them in a place that is safe?
Being kind is hard. I don’t think I’m good at it. I’m too angry. Too afraid. But I’ll try. I want to be kind.
As for the Black Brothers, I think they need to change perspectives. Everyone here on earth is just doing the best with what they were given. I don’t think that’s any reason to hate someone, especially not someone you truly love. Does that make sense?
I switched the water in the faucet with slime. It was a smashing success, not to mention hilarious. You’re a genius.
Love,
Lyla
Brains,
It’s like everything you say makes sense to me. You seem to understand me, and my perspective, really well.
I’m going to say something, and I want you to really pay attention, okay? You are kind. Lyla Zemen is kind. You accepted me when most others would do the exact opposite. You love so completely, so wholly that nothing can ever come between it. It’s powerful. It’s good.
Everyone messes up. I mean look at us: a werewolf, a disowned heir, a misunderstood, bullied sister, a boy who’s trying so hard but can’t seem to get it right…and you. You manage to love us all. Even Regulus. You wouldn’t have offered to be in his corner, and he wouldn't have taken care of you when you were sick if some part of you didn’t love each other.
I miss you so much too. I’ve become used to your presence. Break will be over soon. Then we can start Operation Get Regulus and Iris Together.
Love,
Remus
RJ,
I don’t think this letter will get to you before break is over but I’m sending it anyway.
Thank you. I needed to hear what you wrote. Also, can you read minds? Somehow you always know when I’m near.
Not to dim the mood even more, but lately I’ve been a little on edge. I’ve never quite believed in divination or anything of the sort, but I can’t shake the feeling that something big, and quite possibly bad, is going to happen this semester.
I hope you’ve rested enough during break! There'll be plenty of excitement, especially with our Operation GRIT (genius idea by the way but I figured it could use an acronym).
See you soon,
Lyla
Lyla,
There is no point in writing this letter. You’ll never see it. We’re both on the same train headed to the same school as I write this. I guess I just have to gather my courage to see you first.
I can’t read minds. I know you're near because I know your heartbeat. I can hear it now, faintly, a couple compartments away. I’ll use GRIT as an excuse to come over.
I love you,
RJ
P.S. Will you stay by me forever?