𝐇𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 - 𝐑𝐚𝐲 𝐱 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 - 𝐑𝐞-𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞

Chapter Ten

Ray's Pov

I'm sitting in the lounge room reading a book. Norman is sitting by the window looking out every now and then while also reading his book. Maybe he's waiting for a reply. He sent a letter not too long ago, but why would he be so anxious about waiting for a response?

Otus soon comes back with a letter tied around his leg. Norman's face immediately lights up in a wide grin at the sight of his owl. He swiftly opens the window and Otus lands on the back of Norman's seat. He quickly unties the letter and opens it. As he reads it, his face turns into his signature soft smile. He quickly gets up, leaving the letter on his seat. I glance around to make sure no one is watching and pick up the letter.

I finish reading the letter... and it's quite surprising... never expected L/n and Norman to write letters to each other. I read the letter over and over again, to make sure that I'm seeing what I'm seeing is real, and... yep. The letter is legit. Honestly, they've only been friends for a few weeks and now they are suddenly best friends? I put the letter back down and head over to Mom.

"Hey mom?" I call out.

"Yes sweetheart?"

"I've got something to talk about. You got a minute?"

"Of course dear, what is it?"

"So, Norman got this new 'pen-pal' and he's acting like it's from a girlfriend." I explain, not wanting to reveal that it's L/n just yet.

"What if he's just excited that they've replied to him?"

"Mom, when was the last time Norman acted like that? Hm?"

"When Emma kissed him on the chee- oh wait. I get it now."

"Yeah, that's what I mean."

"Well, maybe he's just excited because the friendship might've been a hard one to obtain?" She wouldn't be wrong in that sense. Becoming friends with L/n has to be some sort of achievement in itself

Norman then walks by with a smile on his face, talking to Phil as they get ready to go outside as mom had asked him to buy some groceries and Phil wanted to join him. He still looks like he is smiling more than usual. I agree with mom, they probably aren't dating.

Three Days Later

I had just owled Harry and Ron about the Philosopher's stone and they managed to get the information from... Snape?! Of all people... They said that they would specify what information they gathered once we're back at Hogwarts. That's understandable, but Snape?

"Hey Emma, Norman! Get your butts down here!!" I hear their footsteps thud against the wooden stairs as they run down to get to me.

"What's up Ray?"

"Harry and Ron just owled back. But, look at this." I instruct, handing the letter to them. As they read over the letter, their eyes widen in disbelief.

"Wha-! Snape?! But how?! I thought we were supposed to keep it from him?!" Emma exclaims. Mom and the others went outside for a bit so I don't bother with shutting Emma up this time.

"They must've had someone ask Snape in an inconspicuous way." I explain to her.

"That may be the case, but who?" Norman queries. We all go silent while thinking.

"Y/N!" Norman suddenly shouts out in a moment of realization.

"Wai- wha- who?!" Emma stutters, still processing what Norman had just said.

"It makes sense! Doesn't it?" He beams at us. "Y/n is close to Snape. Malfoy is also close to Snape but... he wouldn't do anything for Ron and Harry... even if they were on their deathbeds." Norman explains.

"Yeah, but what isn't explained is how they got her to help! I mean, isn't she also close with Malfoy?"

"But she isn't like him." Norman argues.

"And how do you know that? Hm?" I question sarcastically while crossing my arms.

"Because I'm friends with her."

"Oh really? Then how about you owl her and ask her?" I scoff, not watching what I say until I say it. "Crap." Emma just looks at us confused.

"Ray.... did you read it?" Norman asks. Honestly, I don't want to answer because he looks so mad right now... and it's kind of scaring me.

"...Well, would you look at the time! I gotta go cook dinner! Bye!" I shout, running towards the opposite direction of the kitchen.

"RAY! GET BACK HERE AND ANSWER ME!" Norman starts sprinting after me.

10 minutes later...

I am now currently holding an ice pack on my head, on my bed, with Emma and Norman in front of me, wanting answers.

"So, Ray. Are you finally going to answer me?" Norman asks in a demanding tone.

"Yeah, I did read the letter. But can you blame me? It was partially your fault, you know? You're the one who left it out in the open."

"Because I thought that I could trust you to not read it."

"Ok, that was my bad. But you know that curiosity killed the cat, right?"

"What's this about you and L/n being pen-pals Norman?" Emma asks, tilting her head to the side.

"I wouldn't say pen pals... more like friends who keep in touch."

"Kind of the same thing." I point out and shrug my shoulders at him. Norman sighs.

"Look, is it bad that I send a letter to my friend over the holidays when I haven't seen her for a while? I just want to make sure she's doing ok."

"Seemed a little bit more if you ask me." I mutter but they hear me.

"No one asked you though, Ray." Norman hisses, clearly annoyed with me.

"Damn, take a chill pill! Geez! And you guys say that I'm the one with anger issues." Don snorts, fanning the air to 'clear the tension' as he enters the room.

"GET OUT DON!" The three of us yell in unison. He just sits down on the chair at my desk, crossing his legs over one another and smirking.

"Nope. I won't leave until I know everything about what you guys are talking about. And don't leave out any details. Or just give me the short version that also explains everything." He demands with a sly smile. I try to think of something that could get him out so we could talk again in private... aha! I got it!

"Uhh, hey Don, Mom is coming home soon right?"

"Yeah she is, why?"

"Did you remember to do the laundry like Mom asked you to?" I question, knowing he didn't.

"Noooo, I didn't." Suddenly, Mom's voice booms through the house.

"WHO FORGOT TO DO THE LAUNDRY?! WHOSE JOB WAS IT THIS WEEK?!"

"It was Don's turn this WEEK!" Thoma yells from the lounge room.

"What?! No it wasn't!"

"Don stop lying! The chart says it's your turn to do the laundry!" Anna shouts back from the kitchen. Don grumbles and walks out the room. When he reaches the door he turns back to us;

"You better tell me everything later." He then walks out the door. When he leaves, we sigh in relief. Emma then turns to Norman and says;

"We should probably go downstairs and help Mom. After dinner you are going to explain everything to us."

"Haven't I already explained everything?"

"No." Me and Emma say in unison.

"Really? I feel like it's explained well enough." Emma and I just shake our heads in disappointment at him.

He better explain it.