Trying | Hogwarts OC student

chapter 29

The days dragged on after Alistair's heated confrontation with Snape. Despite the turmoil and whispers among his housemates, he found solace in the thought of Lila. Every letter exchanged with her was a brief respite from the oppressive atmosphere at Hogwarts.

One afternoon, while sitting alone in the Slytherin common room, Nimbus returned with a letter tied to his leg. Alistair quickly untied it, recognizing Lila's neat handwriting. He opened it eagerly, hoping for some good news. However, as he read, his heart sank.

Dear Alistair,

I hope you're holding up okay. I need to tell you something important. My family has decided to move to America for a while. It's sudden, and I didn't get much say in it. This means we won't be able to meet as often, or maybe not at all for some time.

I'm really sorry, Alistair. You mean so much to me, and this is the last thing I wanted. Please don't forget about me. I'll write as often as I can, and I hope you'll do the same.

Stay strong, and remember I'm always thinking of you.

Yours always,

Lila

Alistair's hands shook as he finished reading the letter. The words blurred as tears filled his eyes. Lila was his anchor, the one thing that kept him grounded. The thought of not seeing her for an extended period was unbearable.

He crumpled the letter in his fist, anger and sadness mixing in a tumultuous storm within him. The common room felt suffocating, the walls closing in on him. He needed air, needed to escape.

Without thinking, Alistair stormed out of the common room, ignoring the curious glances from his housemates. He found himself outside, the cold winter air biting at his skin. He didn't care. He just kept walking, his mind a whirlwind of emotions.

Eventually, he found himself at the edge of the Forbidden Forest, a place he had often gone to think and be alone. He sat down on a fallen log, his breath coming in ragged gasps. The reality of Lila leaving hit him like a physical blow, and he buried his face in his hands.

Minutes passed, maybe hours. Time seemed to lose meaning. When he finally looked up, the sky had darkened, stars twinkling faintly above. The forest was quiet, a stark contrast to the chaos in his heart.

Drawing a deep breath, Alistair pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill. He needed to respond, to let Lila know how much she meant to him, even if she was far away.

Dear Lila,

I don't know what to say. I'm devastated to hear that you're moving to America. You've been my rock, the one person I could rely on. The thought of not seeing you for a long time is... unbearable.

But I understand. Life throws these challenges at us, and we have to face them. I'll miss you more than words can say, but I promise I won't forget you. Please write to me as often as you can. I'll do the same.

Stay safe, and take care of yourself. I'll be here, waiting for the day we can see each other again.

Yours always,

Alistair

He sealed the letter and watched as Nimbus took off into the night sky. The weight of uncertainty pressed heavily on his shoulders, but he clung to the hope that their bond would remain strong despite the distance.

As he made his way back to the castle, Alistair resolved to stay focused, to channel his frustration into something productive. Snape, the whispers, the isolation—all of it seemed trivial compared to the pain of losing Lila. But he would endure, for her sake and for his own.