definitely this time (e.p. fanfic)

Chapter 1

Year 1944

Edmund stared at Raina's letter, as emotions he had repressed for the past 2 years bubbled to the surface. He could never hate her, but he was still angry, hurt and frustrated. He now knows what she felt the last time. Was this revenge? Was this her way of levelling the playing field? Did she want him to hurt as much as she did? Just so he would treasure her? It seemed far-fetched.

'Edmund?'

He shook himself, as Lucy looked at him, concerned.

'Yes, sorry.' He mumbled, as he carefully put the letter in his coat pocket.

'Are you okay?' Lucy asked.

'Lu, I'm not sure. I didn't really expect this.' He admitted. Lucy gave him a sad smile and placed a hand on his shoulder.

'Look, what happened with Raina, as much as it hurts, know that she probably has a good reason. I'm really sad too, maybe even a bit angry. But there's always two sides to a story.' She explained as Edmund nodded.

'If she sent this letter, does that mean she's here? In Cambridge?' Edmund asked, his voice a mixture of hope and slight anger. Lucy mulled it over.

'I think it's possible, but there could be another explanation.' Lucy admitted. 'Do you want to see her?'

Edmund looked down at his pocket, which had the letter. He sighed.

'I just want to know what happened. I need closure.' He said, softly. Lucy nodded.

'Maybe you will see her again. Now that I think about it, it's possible she's here.' Lucy said, sincerely. 'Don't lose hope, Ed. I know how much she means to you.'

'I don't know if I feel that way anymore.'

Lucy looked at him, pointedly.

'You do. Right now, you feel hurt and frustrated and that's covering up how you really feel about her.' Lucy maintained.

'Probably. Come on, we should get back. I'm guessing Pete isn't coming then.' Edmund grumbled.

'He is busy with his studies. He'll come next week then. He said so.' Lucy piped up. Edmund just gave her a tight-lipped smile.

'Yes. Next week.' He breathed. 'Come on, we should get back. Aunt Alberta and Uncle Harold will have our heads if we don't. Ugh, how long do we have to live with them? I can't deal with Mullet Mouth Eustace anymore.' He said, annoyed as Lucy nodded, understandingly.

'Hopefully not much longer. Once Susan comes back from the States, and Peter's done with his studies we can all go back home.' Lucy reassured him.

'Hopefully.'

********

Raina settled into her dorm room at Cambridge University. She had an option to live with her Aunt Debra who lived close by, but Raina decided to adjust to dorm life first, and on the weekends, visit. Just as she set up her room, she plopped herself on her bed, and stared at the ceiling as she took it all in.

She saw Edmund after more than 2 years.

Her heart was beating a million miles an hour. So many emotions ran through her mind. She came to realise she didn't just like him, she wasn't just attracted to him, it was something more than that. But she didn't know how to confront that.

For the first time, in over two years, Raina decided to use her powers.

She closed her eyes and tried to telepathically connect with Edmund. She opened her eyes and found them pulsing violet in the mirror. She reached out to him mentally.