𝐇𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 - 𝐑𝐚𝐲 𝐱 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 - 𝐑𝐞-𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞

Chapter Eleven

Y/n's Pov

I'm currently seated in the Great Hall for dinner with Draco. It's been three days since I sent the letter to Norman and I had received a letter back yesterday. Two more days til Christmas, and two more days until I have to tell Weasley and Potter what I found out.

Otus returns with another letter, so I excuse myself from the table, using the excuse 'family business' and find somewhere private to read it so I don't have Draco peering over my shoulder. Once I am out in the empty hallway I open it and start reading.

Dear Y/n,

Hey, how are you? I know I ask you that a lot but I just want to make sure you're doing well. I know you've been struggling with your Astronomy homework recently so I would like to know if you've had any difficulties with it. If you have, please tell me so I can help you. Also I have a question to ask you. Have Ron and Harry asked you or told you anything about a stone or Nicholas Flamel? If so, then remind me to scold those two later. They're just talking about nonsense so don't worry about it if they have.

-Your favorite bestie, Snowflake.

A huge smile breaks out on my face as I read his letter. He is just so sweet, even from a long distance. I head down to the Slytherin dorms to get a piece of parchment to write back to him. Otus flies onto my shoulder as I walk to the dorms, which is surprising.

When I reach the dorm I get a piece of parchment and start writing.

Dear Norman,

I'm doing fine, how are you? I haven't been struggling with any work recently, but thank you for your offer. Weasley and Potter actually approached me a few days ago because they caught me "spying" on them. Honestly, they are sooo confusing, I don't know how you aren't losing any brain cells being around them. I know I lost like a hundred from just one conversation. That is what you muggles call it right? Brain cells? I hope it is, I'm still getting used to what you taught me. Anyway, you don't have to worry about me spilling this secret. My lips are sealed. (Also, I'm not buying this classic "blame it on their stupidity" lie, I've seen and used it plenty of times.) Anyways, can't wait to see you again!

- Your Buttercup

I read over the letter one more time to make sure everything is perfect. When I'm reading over the letter again I feel Otus bite my ear.

"Ow! What was that for?!" Otus gets on my desk and tries to open the drawer where I store the treats for Lily, my pet owl that came from Mothers side of the family.

"Ohh, you want a treat?" Otus nods (did Norman teach him that??) so I open up the drawer. I give him a couple of treats and he munches on them happily while I read over the letter once more. It should be fine now. I hope so.

I tie the letter to Otus' leg, adding some treats for Norman to give Otus when he returns the letter. I take Otus out of the dorms and upstairs into the hallway where there is a window for him to fly out of. Once we reach the window he quickly flies off. I lean on the window sill, wondering why Norman asked such a question out of nowhere. Before I can think more, Pansy, who seems like she was just looking for me, calls out my name.

"Y/n! There you are! I was looking for you." She grins as she walks up next to me.

"Pansy? Why were you looking for me?"

"You left breakfast after you received a letter so I wanted to make sure you were ok."

"Oh, yeah I am. Thanks for asking."

"Are you sure? You've been acting off recently."

"Yeah, I'm sure." I answer with a confident smile, a smile that I have never shown before. A smile that only showed up when they appeared in my life.

Time skip

Christmas break was finally almost over. I had told Potter and Weasley everything that I was told and about what Snape told me with the library. I am currently on my way to the library's restricted section, as I had gotten Snape's permission.

I lightly graze my hand against the spines of the books only to not find anything. I sigh before I remember the huge book I had checked out earlier during the holidays.

When I reach the Great Hall Potter and Weasley are sitting where we agreed to meet, at the Gryffindor table with nobody else around. Once I finally reach them I drop the book in front of them causing a loud thud to echo around the Hall. They both flinch and look up at me

"Here. A book on everything you need to know."

"How are we supposed to find anything in this book??" Weasley questions.

"I'll make it simple for you." I flip open the book to the page about The Philosopher's Stone.

"The Philosopher's Stone? How is that going to help us?" Potter asks.

"Honestly, don't you two read? 'The Philosopher's Stone is a legendary substance with astonishing powers. It will turn any metal into pure gold and produce the Elixir of Life, which will make the person who drinks it immortal.' Honestly, have either of you read a book at all during your time here at Hogwarts? I'd be surprised if you did."

"Hey! We have read! I think..." Potter mutters. I just sigh at them and they look at the book again.

"Well, thank you for this information L/n. It's helpful." Potter thanks me with a grateful smile and I nod at him, once again blushing because I'm still not used to compliments.

"Once you have gotten all the information you need please give the book back to me so I can return it to the library." I remind them before walking off to the interrupted study session in the restricted section.

Meanwhile

Ray's Pov

I was preparing my stuff to go back to Hogwarts when I hear Phil shout;

"Otus is back!" Norman sprints past my room into the living room. Strange, well not actually that strange considering what's been going on recently. It's probably another letter from L/n. Oh yeah, I have to talk to mom about a few things later today. I look out my door as I hear Norman walking past, letter in hand. He has a smile on his face as he's reading the letter. I turn back to packing my stuff up and making sure I have all the books I need.

While I'm packing my stuff up mom enters my room. She closes the door behind her and sits on the side of my bed.

"Hi Ray, you said you needed to talk to me about something?"

"Yes, I need to talk to you about something."

"Well, what is it?"

"It's about Norman's little 'pen pal'."

"What about them? I thought we went over this already."

"Well it's just about who it is."

"Who is it then?" I take a deep breath, trying to prepare myself. Should I do this? Yes, I should.

"Y/n L/n. Y/n L/n is his pen pal." Mom looks at me in slight shock.

"The girl Emma was trying to befriend?"

"Yes, that's the girl."

Back at Hogwarts

Y/n's Pov

I'm studying in the restricted section of the library, skimming through the pages of a book when;

"Ah- ACHOO!" Huh, that was strange. Maybe I'm getting a cold, or it's just all this dust in the restricted section. Ugh, I should probably get out of here before I start sneezing more and then get in trouble for being 'too loud'.

Back at Gracefield

Ray's Pov

"Y/n L/n. As in the girl who Emma said wouldn't be her friend?"

"That's the one."

"But then why- wha- huh?" Mom mumbles, confusion visible on her features.

"Yeah...it's confusing." I shrug as I start to pack my clothes for Hogwarts.

"I'm sure she's a good person at heart."

Yeah, sure she is.