It's been a few weeks now since schools finished for the year. I haven't done much besides hanging around the house. Danny is still working a lot at the ministry, with You Know Who and his followers causing mayhem the ministry has everyone working double time. The more he worked the more I worried. He isn't an auror thank goodness, but with people as dangerous as You Know Who. I can't help but worry for my uncle, he is all I have left. With nights like tonight it was all I could think about. That and how much I'm missing the boys. A part of me regrets dumping Sirius, but I couldn't just stand there while he bullied someone else. It wasn't right.
Tap tap tap
I ignore the sound. What ever it was, I don't care. It
Tap tap tap
Seriously, what is making that noise?
Hoot
I instantly roll out of my bed, landing on the cold floor. Well that hurt. Hopefully Danny didn't wake up. "Damn birds, I'm trying to sleep" I mumble as I make my way over to the window. Even though it was dark outside, I knew whose owl it was. The owl hooted again, waiting for me to take the parchment. "Alright, alright" As I take the letter, I use my free hand to pat it.
He hooted happily. "Don't be too loud, my uncle is still asleep" I whisper to the bird. Unfolding the parchment I began to read the letter.
Hey Elsie
Its been a while since we have spoken. I miss you, well we all miss you but I understood why you did what you did. What we did, it wasn't right. I know that and I think Sirius does too. After that day he hasn't been himself. You probably don't want to hear it but he is sorry. I know I'm sorry for how I acted. I hope one day we can all be happy and together again. Maybe we could hangout at Diagon Alley? We could talk things out in person that way. Again, we are really sorry about what happened last year. I know its a short apology and Sirius hasn't written in it. He refuses to leave his room. I hope to see you soon.
-James
I quickly grabbed some parchment and ink. Was I ready to to come back? I don't know. What I do know for sure is that I miss them.
James,
I'll admit I miss you but I don't know if I'm ready to come back. After what happened I don't feel comfortable with the idea of seeing Sirius so soon. I'm sorry. I hope you understand.
- Elsie
P.S I'll see you at school
I added that last part after some thinking. I may not be ready to see Sirius but maybe I could slowly start hanging out with the others again. James does seem sorry. I guess he and Lily have that in common.
**********
Diagon Ally was crowded today. Full of bright colours and cheery faces. It was almost like Hogwarts. It wouldn't be long until I start my sixth year anyway and I guess that's the main reason for being here today. To get my books and finally a new uniform. I've started to grow out of my old one. "Come on Elsie!" My uncle grabs my wrist dragging me into a store. It was full of dusty books and small candles. He walks past the towers of books and up to the counter. An old man stood there staring at the window. His glasses seemed a little dusty and his robes had many stains. "Another student I suppose?" He looks at me with a bored expression. "You don't sound pleased" He grabs a book from a random pile on the counter. "This what you looking for?" My uncle looks down at the list and up at the book. "Yes it is!" He happily hands over the money and takes the book. As we were walking out two young girls walked in. "Could we have two copies of the monster book of monsters?" The old man groans."I just calmed them down!" As we walked away from the door I smiled. I remember getting that book in my third year. I think the owner was struggling to keep them contained at the time. All I remember is lots and lots of ruined books about, Danny was not pleased. "Where to next?" I ask as we made or way through the crowd. "Should we get you some new robes or have you changed your mind?"
"The old ones are getting a bit small.." But I do like my robes. They have been with me since third year. "Lets go then!" We passed many young people carrying stacks of books preparing for the new year. They look so small and cute. Its hard to believe that I was once a first year. This place brings back so many memories. "Hey Elsie!" Emerging from the crowd of witches and wizards was a fiery red haired friend of mine. She had a bag that was almost overflowing with new books. "Looks like we aren't the only ones shopping" Danny smiles. "Seems so" Lily walks over to us. A large smile on her face. "I missed you!" I ran up to her, a smile forming on my face."I missed you too!" I gave her a tight hug. "Can't breathe!" She joked, but I did let her go. "So are you shopping for school stuff too?" She asks. "Yeah, we are heading off to get new robes at the moment"
"Why don't we go together? I'm sure your uncle wont mind" She looks up to my uncle. He smiled and nodded. "I don't mind at all" So there it was our little group of three walking to our destination. "So how has your summer been?" I ask her." Its been good haven't done much, have you had a good summer?" I nod my head." Yeah its been alright" It wasn't long before we had made it to the store. It was full of fancy materials and probably expensive furniture. I feel a little under dressed now with my jeans and baggy sweater. "Anyone here?" Danny calls out. There were muffled noises coming from the other room. "Maybe they are busy?" Lily suggests." Hello?" I walk up to the counter. A woman quickly emerged from the other room. "Sorry deary, I hadn't realised someone was here" The woman had her ginger hair in a tight bun and wore a plain dress with an apron. "You two girls here for uniforms?" We nod. "Right this way then!" Lily and I follow her into a smaller room. Three mirrors stood up along the back wall and many random materials crowded the tables. Once we had told the woman what our sizes were she zipped off. Soon coming back with two pairs of uniforms. "Now if they don't fit I can always fix it up" With that we tried them on. The sweater was a little big but I didn't mind and everything else seemed fine.
Lily looked much older in her uniform. Her tie was neat and her white shirt was tucked into her skirt. "You know one more year and you might be head girl" She laughed at my comment. "I'm being serious, you're the most talented and kindest witch I know" She blushed a deep red. You really think so?" She asked. "Yes, yes I do" Once her uniform was set I had to get mine fitted. My white shirt was left untucked and my new skirt reached above my knees. "You look a lot older now" Lily commented. I hadn't even thought of it. I did look older. My hair had gotten darker, my face was less round and somehow I had gotten taller too. "Well you girls better hurry if you want ice cream" With that said we finished getting our uniforms quickly and left the store.
We walked past the Quidditch store. A fancy new broom sat behind the window and a small group of children gathered around it. Two taller teenagers stood in that group admiring the broom. One had messy hair whilst the others was much longer. James wore a nicely fit red sweater while his friend wore a dark buttoned shirt. Lily seemed to notice me staring and tugged my arm a bit. Bringing my attention back to our main focus. "If you two want ice cream you better hurry!" At that we both hurried up. It wasn't long before I forgot all about the two marauders. "So what flavour would you like?" Danny asked us. "Cookie dough!" He then looks over to Lily. "Chocolate" Once we got our ice creams we sat outside and ate it happily. Cookie dough was my favourite flavour, though chocolate and vanilla is good too but I could eat cookie dough everyday.
"Lily? Elsie?" A tall light haired boy approached us. He had a smile on his face as he stood in front of our table." Its been a while Remus!" Lily gives him a quick hug." Hey Remus" I wave." So what brings you two here?" He asks." School shopping" We say in sync." Seems like we are here for the same reasons" He smiles. I have to admit, I missed the boys over the summer holidays." Having a good summer?" I asked him." Yeah its been quite good" We had spent some time talking with Remus. Before we knew it Lily and I had to go home. I was looking forward to the new school year. I hope its a good one.
