Falling Slowly (A Hogwarts Lovestory) - Fred Weasley Fanfiction

04 | A Letter Home

Right after Transfiguration, Professor McGonagall called me to her desk to inform me there was a big red pillarbox in Hogsmeade, the little village near to Hogwarts, that was connected to the british Royal Mail and could therefore be used for contacting muggle relatives.
So I was one step closer to my plan on contacting my brother Ben with a letter. The letter was already written, carefully closed and hidden in my diary.

The first problem, where to get the letter into the Muggle Mail, was now solved. The second one was giving me more to think.
As my dad back in Bristol was only my foster dad, he wasn't supposed to know I was a witch. Which meant, that he was, unlike the other students parents or legal guardians, not allowed to sign the little piece of parchment paper, that would allow me to visit Hogsmeade.
Therefore I found myself in a misery. I had the letter, knew the place to put it but I couldn't reach it without telling anyone about it.
I asked McGonagall if she would throw the letter in for me, but she just smiled compassionately at me and made me leave the classroom.
I was afraid today would be about finding someone else I could trust.

I decided not to ask Angelina or Alicia, although they were my closest friends at Hogwarts. I considered asking them at first, but right before their trip to Hogsmeade began and I was about to hand the letter over to them, their escort, consisting of the Weasley twins, arrived.
We did become friends though during the last weeks and I enjoyed their company when we gathered together in front of the fireplace in the evenings after class. But yet I didn't trust them fully, particularly not Fred, not to start making fun of me again. That's why I changed my mind about the letter. Since I never wrote Ben in the last years, this one could wait another day or two.

"Oh Honey, it's such a shame that you lost your parents permission to Hogsmeade trips! We will definitely miss you there today. Can we get you anything? A butterbeer? Candy from Honeydukes?", Angelina asked when she saw me.
"Wait, what? Julie isn't coming with us today?", George replied, and I could've sworn he sounded a little bit disappointed.
"No, I'm sorry guys. I'm going to stay here and watch out for the first and second graders not to set our common room on fire or something like that.", I ironically answered. "No, seriously, have fun for me. And I'd like some special chocolate if you find something new at Honeydukes. But don't break your legs for me. See you later!"
I waved my friends goodbye and even threw a smile in the twins direction.
As I made my way back to the castle I overheard Fred's voice asking "Why doesn't she ask her parents to send her a new permission? Doesn't that seem a little odd to you?"
"Who knows", Alicias fading voice defended me, "her parents are muggles, maybe they're afraid of owls..."
Then the castle's heavy front door closed behind me.

The dark water of the Great Lake south of the Hogwarts castle wasn't moving. The weather was calm and windless, so the clouds were reflected in the smooth surface.
It looked like they were moving in the dark water and I enjoyed watching this spectacle for a while.

I had brought my Ukulele and pulled out my diary from my bag. Since everybody else seemed to be in Hogsmeade this wonderful afternoon and first and second grade students weren't allowed alone out here yet, I had the whole shore for myself.
I started pulling the strings softly and played a little melody that came to my mind when I was writing the letter to Ben. I looked at the envelope and kept on playing the Ukulele, remembering the words I had written down for him.
I wasn't even sure if Ben woud read my letter to him after all. The way I knew him, he'd be still pissed at me. And who could blame him? I abandoned him and left him alone with our foster father and no one else to talk to.
I closed my eyes and thought about the words I used in the letter home, hoping Ben wouldn't get suspicious about the lies I had to tell.

Dear Ben,
There seemed to be something between us when I visited you this summer and I've wanted to talk to you about it ever since. I can imagine how angry you must be. How hurt. I left you alone with our foster dad. I left you alone in this meaningless life we both lived not long ago. And I can't say often enough how sorry I feel for that.
But I also know that me apologizing over and over again can't make up for it, not even a little bit. So I want to try making it up to you another way this time.
It's the third year that we're apart and I never wrote you a letter. I can imagine how disappointed you must be. Rules are rather strict here at boarding school, they make it kind of hard to stay in touch with your family. But that shouldn't have kept me from trying.
My teachers got me the Bristol Post last week, I guess they noticed I was feeling a little homesick from time to time.
I read the article about you and I can't express how proud of you I am. Benjamin Daniels, the youngest pianist ever to get a real gig at the Second Chance at the age of only 17!
I know it's always been your dream to stand on that stage one day, ever since we first discovered that little café when we were little. Rick always had a good ear for music, he always selected the most talented and promising young musicians to play in his café. I wish I had been there to watch you play. Maybe we can make this happen if I come visiting you over christmas? I'm really looking forward to be there on Christmas Eve.
Oh, and I'm bringing the Ukulele that Rick got me a few years ago! I bet you're still a better player than me, there's hardly enough time for practicing here. But I will give my best to impress you on Christmas. Your opinion still matters the most to me.
I promise, you will hear from me again. Soon.
Love, Julie

My eyes felt a little wet as I stopped playing.
Suddenly, I heard someone clear out his throat right behind me and I spun around.
It was Oliver Wood, who gently smiled at me.
"May I sit?", he asked. I nodded.
"You are very talented, Julie. Didn't know you had it in you to be such a good musician."
My heart was still pounding loudly in my ears. I didn't like people to watch me singing my heart out, especially if I didn't know I wasn't alone.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Did I frighten you? I thought you noticed I was standing behind you all the time. Do you want me to leave?", he asked insecurely.
I finally found my words back.
"No, it's fine, Oliver. I just didn't notice you, that's all." I rapidly stowed my diary and the letter back in my bag.
"What are you doing out here, anyway? Aren't you supposed to visit Hogsmeade with your friends?"
He sat down next to me. "I decided not to go. I planned to work on new Quidditch strategies instead. But then I got distracted by you playing your song." He smiled kindly at me.
"Oh, I don't want to be responsible for you not coming after your Quidditch captain duties", I replied.
He laughed. "It's fine, Julie. You did enough for us last time. Fred told me what you took on you. He seemed rather impressed, I can say."
Fred Weasley? Impressed? By me? Before I could end my thoughts, Oliver continued.
"And so was I. And now I find out that you are kind of an artist, too."
He smiled again. It was a pure, honest smile. A smile you could trust, a smile that wasn't hiding any mischievous thoughts. He still looked me in the eyes. Wait, was he flirting with me? He was two years older than me, which was why we didn't come to talk much until this day.
I decided to smile back.
"Thank you so much, Oliver, your words really mean much to me."
He seemed happy to hear that.
"Do you plan on going to Hogsmeade later this day? Maybe", he blushed a little, "we could go together and get a butterbeer?"
Oh, damn. That guy truly was cute. I felt sorry I had to reject his offer.
"I would love to, believe me", I slowly answered and I noticed the disappointment on his face right away. "But I can't. It's not that I don't want to, but I don't have my... parents permission to go there."
He immediately noticed the false tone in my voice and I think he understood.
"You don't have to tell me, Julie, it's fine. Everybody deserves their privacy."
I was relieved.
"Well, I am going alone then. Can I get you anything?"
He suddenly felt like the right person to trust. I opened my bag and pulled out the letter.
"No, but would you please do me a favor? If you don't mind, could you throw this in the red pillarbox down at the village? McGonagall said it's located right next to the Hog's Head." I carefully handed over the envelope.
"It would be a pleasure, Julie."
"Thank you so much, you're my hero of the day. And please, can you keep this to yourself?"
I didn't even need his promise, I somehow knew he wouldn't tell anyone.
"You have my word. Guess I see you around dinner then?"
I nodded and waved as a goodbye. Then another idea came up to my mind.
"Oliver?", I called after him and he turned around. "I would enjoy doing this some other time again. Talking to you, I mean. It was nice."
He laughed. "Bloody hell, are you cute. How about a walk together? Tomorrow evening, after the Quidditch training?"

I agreed to meet him at the field at eight. Then he left and I collected my things, went back to the castle and couldn't stop smiling.
Angelina and Alicia would flip if I told them I just had agreed to a date with Oliver Wood.

Honey, now that I've found my way
And I miss you more than I can say
Won't you promise to
Say a prayer for me
Honey, now that the morning's come
We're both still out on the run
Won't you let me know
If you feel free
- First Aid Kit