Harry Potter : Next Generation

Chapter 12 Albus

Alyssa and I had decided to keep studying together. Well, I studied and she helped me study. It really didn't help her out much. Sometimes I wondered why she even wanted to help, though I was definitely grateful for it. I sent Mum a letter telling her I wasn't faking anymore. I hadn't really wanted to, but it was a well known fact (at least among us Potter children, ask Lil, she'll tell you it's true) that Mum wouldn't stop nagging until you personally sent a letter with what you were doing to fix the problem. Don't ask me why. You'd think that would be more of Aunt Hermione's thing but I guess it wasn't really necessary for her since Rose and Hugo were always such great students. Of course, the entire first half of her reply insisted that I keep studying hard and whatnot so that my potions grade would continue to improve. The second half, however, was filled with questions about Alyssa. Literally all I had said in my letter to her was that I was getting tutored by a girl named Alyssa. That's it! I didn't imply anything, didn't say whether I fancied her, didn't even say who she was. I guess Mum was just really perceptive about this kind of thing? My original letter was:

Dear Mum,

I know that you were quite worried about my potions grade so I just wanted to let you know that I'm working hard to fix it. I'm being tutored by Alyssa and plan to keep doing so until my grade improves. James and Lily are doing well. I don't hear from them much though since we are all busy. I mostly see them at quidditch and James is too focused on bossing everyone around for me to ask him how his personal life is going. He and Alice are getting on well, but no change in relationship status yet. Just thought you'd like to know. I'm sure Lily will write you immediately of any change. Speaking of Lily, I haven't heard of any boyfriend's for her yet, but it's only November. Don't worry. James and I will take care of her, and Rosie too. Can't wait to see you and Dad during winter hols.

Love,
Al

Yes I wrote love, she is my mum and I figure she at least deserves that and I know that sometimes she gets lonely when we're not around. Anyways, she replied:

Dear Al,

I'm glad you wrote. I was getting worried. Good job being proactive and getting your grades up. Keep studying. Fifth year is one of the hard ones. Hermione constantly told me you can never be too prepared for your OWLS. Tell James he had better be studying for his NEWTS because your dad doesn't care if they're related or not. If James fails your dad won't let him into the Auror training program. You should keep that in mind too. And also, your dad says the fact that he didn't take his NEWTS isn't an excuse. Thanks for taking care of Lily and Rose, it keeps your Aunt Hermione and I from worrying (and your dad and Uncle Ron too, even if they won't admit it)

So who's this girl Alyssa tutoring you? What house is she in? Not that it makes a difference, but it would be good to know. Does she have any siblings? Is she nice? What year is she? Where did you meet? Do you fancy her? Is she coming round for Christmas this year? Can we meet her? These are the kinds of things your journalist Mum needs to know (Albus Severus you'd better not be comparing me to Rita Skeeter right now!) and don't worry. I won't tell anyone.

Lots of love,
Mum

I sent back:

Dear Mum,

You answered more quickly than I'd expected. Alyssa is just a friend. She's one of Rosie's roommates so she's a Ravenclaw fifth year. We met on the train. She's very nice and has been helping me with potions because she's the top of the class. If you must know, she has one sibling, a Slytherin first year, but he seems nice too.

Love,
Al
P.S. I'm ignoring your other questions.

It was nearing the end of November and Alyssa was still tutoring me. I was definitely improving at potions, but I still needed help. And wanted it. I really liked Alyssa. Not necessarily in a dating way, but we were definitely friends. Okay, I fancied her a little, but I wasn't going to tell my Mum that, or anyone else for that matter. Scorp would tease me to no end, especially as he had now had his fill of Genevieve (after only a few songs really) and was on to the next girl. Caroline, I think her name was, a Hufflepuff sixth year. Apparently he was going up a year now. I'd be rolling my eyes at this point. I couldn't tell Rose since she would definitely tell Alyssa and I didn't want to mess it up this time. I was perfectly aware that Rose thought I'd been flirting with too many girls last year. I will admit, there were a lot, but let's be honest, I'm the son of Harry Potter (not in a cocky way) so it's easy for me to find girls to flirt with. There had never been any reason for me not to and it was fourth year so it wasn't as if I had been looking for a serious relationship. I really fancied Alyssa though, and my usual ways weren't going to work on her. I had secretly learned from Lily (sometimes I use extendable ears from Uncle George on her conversations) that you have to give relationships time. I was really trying to do that. I mean, I was getting really impatient but I was definitely trying. The wait had been worth it so far though.