Blame It On Me [Paul Lahote x OC]

Chapter 13: Letters and Memories.

Days went by as you somberly sat on the ledge of your window. A horrible storm's been brewing since that day at the La Push Indian Reservation. The storm reminded you so much of the storm during the war at Hogwarts, how the shield around the school was disintegrated by Voldemort, how as you stood side by side with Ginny you thought Neville had perished running across the bridge, how Harry kissed Ginny instead of you for good luck. If you weren't facing imminent death you would've drowned in your own sorrow and tears.

Images of your dead friends begin to flash in front of your eyes, making you wince as you remember seeing Lavender on the ground, a bloody wound on her neck. The most horrifying part was when Fred shielded you from an explosion outside the Room of Requirement; you survived with heavy injuries, but he didn't. You tried so hard to bring him back to life, Harry had to pry him out of your clutches to hide the body from more harm's way. A knock comes from your room's door and you snap out of the horrible memories, looking at it.

»Come in.«
Susan enters and brings you your clean and folded clothes, smiling at you. But she saw the distress on your face, walking towards you. »Memories, honey?«
You nod, »will they ever leave?«
»In time. Loss is only cured by time, but the emptiness remains.«
»Yeah...« She runs her hand through your hair, gives you a tight hug, and leaves you alone in the room once more. You always preferred the silence.

»Oh, by the way.« Your mom says as she opens the door once more. You notice a bright smile on her face to which you frown slightly. »You got a letter today from Hermione. I left it in the kitchen with some breakfast, cause I have to run to City Hall. Interview.«

»Good luck, mum.« Smiling widely with two thumbs up she runs out of the house. You watch her drive out onto the street, then go to the kitchen.

The letter is long and detailed, just like you remember Hermione was always like. She never missed anything, always an insufferable know-it-all as Snape called her. More memories come back to you as you read everything she has to tell you about her life with Ron and the remaining Weasleys, about her job at the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, still trying to give house-elves rights. You wish Dobby would've been here to see all of her accomplishments. At the end of the letter there's an invitation enclosed to attend Harry and Ginny's wedding. You opened the intricately designed cream-coloured parchment, the embroidery around the letters a deep, magenta red. The names were in gold, the invitation was simple. And it made your heart crumble a little.

You were happy for Harry and Ginny, but you weren't happy with the way it had all unravelled. Though the thought that you've been pining over Harry for almost 6 years now makes you laugh bitterly.

»Guess it's time.«
Moving on from Harry was hard and it will always be hard, but perhaps you have a new chance here. Though you don't have the same feelings for Paul, it might change in time. You feel more for Seth, but this imprinting seems to cause a lot of unwanted trouble and tension between Paul and Seth. The wedding's date is set on April 1st, which is also Fred's birthday. A true day for a true trickster.

»Hey, mum.« You say into your microphone as Susan answers, »what is it, honey? I'm a little busy.«

»I'm going to a wedding on April 1st.«
»Whose wedding? That's in two weeks! Where?«
»Harry and Ginny's. Yes, I know. London, of course.«

There's a short pause before she agrees and hangs up. Looking out the window you smile, hoping for new beginnings.