never say never [anna]

[Deleted]

dear anna,

Someone's special!!! Congrats on being chosen as the Triwizard Champion, and thanks for doing it so that neither of my sisters get into trouble. I know that's not why you did it, but I'm going to pretend so that our friendship can continue and I won't get mad at you for disappointing them. Anyways, I just wanted to say congrats again! I'll be around to watch the Tournament if Quidditch doesn't conflict. Have a nice day!

dustin

@annelise

[Deleted]

Dustin,

Didn't you already know that I'm special? That shouldn't have come as such a surprise. And ... sure. I did it just so that your sisters won't get into trouble. That's the only reason I put my name in the Goblet. Yeah.

You're going to come?! Wow, now I feel all sorts of pressure to do a good job. I don't know if I can handle this ... just kidding. I'm excited to see you there. Thanks for writing; your support really means a lot to me. 

Good luck with your games! You're doing great.

            ~Anna
@dustin

[Deleted]

dear anna,

Of course you've always been special, it's just now that everyone gets to see it. And I appreciate your sacrifice, I really do. Now I just have to keep them from being horribly jealous of you...

Yup, will definitely be there. And not just to see this one Slytherin girl... Of course my support means a lot, I'm the best! If this had happened when I was at school, it would be you congratulating me. Just in case you didn't realize that already.

Thanks! I'm hoping for another undefeated season, but we'll see.

dustin

@annelise

[Deleted]

Dustin,

Good luck with that. They have a lot to be jealous of right now ...

Well I hope you won't be too busy with her to say hi! If I'm allowed to talk to people after, that is ... I'm really interested to see how this whole thing works. And to find out what the first task actually is! I'm not going to lie, the wait is killing me. Haha, if this had happened while you were in school, I wouldn't have been old enough to put my name in and I definitely would have been rooting for you. Just in case there was any question of that.

~Anna
@dustin

[Deleted]

Dustin,

Good luck with that. They have a lot to be jealous of right now ...

Well I hope you won't be too busy with her to say hi! If I'm allowed to talk to people after, that is ... I'm really interested to see how this whole thing works. And to find out what the first task actually is! I'm not going to lie, the wait is killing me. Haha, if this had happened while you were in school, I wouldn't have been old enough to put my name in and I definitely would have been rooting for you. Just in case there was any question of that.

            ~Anna

@dustin

[Deleted]

dear anna,

Eh, you know them. They'll get over it eventually. And if they don't, I'll find a way to make them get over it. You shouldn't have to worry about anything other than doing your best in the Tournament, and people being jealous isn't really going to help that.

I'm interested in seeing what the First Task is, too, and to see if they give you a hint about the second test. I'm not good at riddles, otherwise I would offer to help you solve it. I'm sure you can find someone, though.

dustin

@annelise

[Deleted]

Dustin,

Yeah, so I was really just kidding about the jealousy. Really, being champion sounds awesome, but it's a lot of stress. Don't get me wrong, I'm still glad I was chosen, there's just not much to be jealous of. And I am focused on the tournament. I feel like almost all my extra time is focused on preparing in some way. Hopefully it will be enough. It would be so embarrassing if I went down on the first task ...

Whatever it is, I hope the Second Task doesn't have to be a surprise too. Preparing for a mystery is really hard and I don't want to go into all the tasks feeling like I don't know what I'm doing. Still, I guess it will work out. Haha, don't worry about not being able to help me with a riddle. I have lots of friends offering to help me with things so I'm sure I'll be able to find someone who can help me.

I'm sure it will all work out though ... somehow.

            ~Anna
@dustin

[Deleted]

dear anna,

I’d imagine that’s true. I can understand being stressed. I actually don’t think I would have even tried to be champion last year, with trying to play Quidditch and study at the same time. But yeah, stress is no good. I wish I had helpful tips to offer, but mostly my way of alleviating stress was not doing any of my homework until the last minute, and I don’t think you’d be a fan of that idea. And hey, it’s just the first task – there’s three of them so that even if you mess one up, you can still come out on top.

You see, that’s another reason you’re a better Champion than I’d be. I’m pretty sure I have like, three friends total. You’re one of them, in case you’d care to know.

Everything’s going to be fine. I say it’s going to be fine, and I never lie.

dustin

@annelise

[Deleted]

Dustin,

So I can't help but ask: how does doing homework at the last minute alleviate stress? Doesn't it just make it worse when you actually do have to do it? Or is that just the reaction that weak people have? Actually, thanks for putting that into perspective. I hadn't really thought about the fact that I do have two other tasks to help me make up ground in. I mean, I would love to win, I'm just trying to not get my hopes up too high. I'm nervous that everyone thinks I'm better than I am and I won't be able to measure up, to tell the truth.

Well, even if you only have three friends, I'm glad that I'm one of them. And everyone else is missing out because you're great!

Thanks Dustin. I'll do my best to remember that and believe it.

            ~Anna
@dustin

[Deleted]

dear anna,

I wasn’t stressed because I didn’t think about doing homework until I had to do it. I wasn’t thinking about it while I was on the pitch or anything, just when I needed to do it, if that makes sense. Don’t think about it as making up ground! It’s so much easier to go into a competition if you believe you’re only competing against yourself. For the second task, don’t think about Emile or Elias. Just think about doing better than you did on the first task. I know it sounds cliché, but it really does help, especially if you feel like there are too many people counting on you to succeed. And if you do better on the second task than the first task, you’ll make up ground!

I’ve found that a lot of people just want me for my fame, which kind of sucks. I hope that doesn’t happen to you, because it’s honestly the worst feeling in the world to know that someone only wants you for what you can do for them.

Kick ass, sweetheart.

dustin

@annelise

[Deleted]

Dustin,

Well I guess when you put it like that, waiting until the last minute to do homework makes sense and sounds like it could work. I probably won't be trying it though. I feel like if I start putting off anything, the next thing I know I'll be drowning in things to do. (Which is not really my goal for my last year) Thanks for the advice. I hadn't really thought about just competing against myself, but I like that. Do my best and then just try to do better for the next task, got it! You, my friend, have officially given me a new personal strategy for this tournament. I have a feelings it's going to help me be less stressed too, so thanks.

What? But you're so amazing! I'm sorry Dustin but anyone that can't see how amazing you are doesn't deserve to be your friend. But ... how can you tell whether they really want to be your friend or if they just want the fame? I'm a little nervous this might happen this year and want to be prepared ...

I'll do my best!

            ~Anna
@dustin

[Deleted]

dear anna,

Eh, you know how to swim. I don’t think you’ll drown. But you do what you want to do – what do I know, anyways? I’m just a Quidditch player whose only passing N.E.W.T. grade was in Transfiguration. (That was a hyperbole – I promised I passed the other ones. I just did the best at Transfiguration.) I’m glad that I was helpful, personal strategy wise, but if it doesn’t work out…it was totally your idea, right?

Honey, I’m amazing and I know it. Most people don’t exactly like people who are so assured in their skills, because it makes them feel insecure or something like that. You can’t really tell whether they want the fame or the friend, but a good way to test them – yeah, it kind of sucks that you have to test your friends – is to ask them to do something with you that you know they don’t want to do. A real friend will tell you they don’t want to do it, but someone who wants you for your fame will be afraid to say no to you and do it anyways.

Your best is all anyone can ask for, Anna.

dustin

@annelise

[Deleted]

Dustin,

Well I'm glad you have so much confidence in my swimming abilities. I guess I'm just going to need to see what happens with school. I mean, I am focusing on the tournament more than school so if I get too far behind I'll just figure something out. But I'll do my best not to worry about it, how does that sound? And that was all my idea! Didn't you know I'm a genius? And it'll work out. Even if I don't win the tournament, I'll do my best and that's what counts.

Well I guess if I start wondering whether or not someone is my friend, I'll have to test that out on them. Is it pathetic that I really hope people are themselves with me and that they're not just interested in fame? I mean, I might not even win and if I don't, what's the point of trying to be my friend for the fame. I won't have any. I guess that idea just really bothers me, even though I know I should just forget about it.

Thanks Dustin. You're the best.

            ~Anna
@dustin

[Deleted]

dear anna,

That sounds like a deal to me. I can’t tell you to stop focusing on the tournament or anything, since I do want you to do well, but in the long run, I guess you have to think about what matters more to you. For me, that was Quidditch, since I knew it was going to be my career and all, but maybe for you, it’ll be something else. Like I said, your best is all we can ask of you.

It’s not bad to hope that – wanting someone who likes you for you is kind of a universal thing. Honestly, sometimes you might be better off not knowing. I know I kind of said the opposite before, but if you really like someone, then it might be for the better that you now know if they like you for the fame. Ignorance is bliss, right? And Anna, take it as a compliment that people might be befriending you for fame you might not even get – it just means that they believe in your ability to win more than they believe in your competitors’ abilities.

I wouldn’t say that I’m the best, but I’m pretty damn close.

dustin

@annelise

[Deleted]

Dustin,

I think I'm just going to do my best with both. My cousin Fred suggested that I could ask for extensions with school-work, so I might try that ... and if that doesn't work than I'll just have to find a way to make it work. Honestly, both the tournament and school are important to me, so I really hope it doesn't come down to choosing one. 

Dustin, you make me laugh. Just wanted to make sure you know that. I'm glad that someone somewhere believes in my abilities even though they don't know me. Haha. Really I just enjoy making friends. I think I'll leave the important confiding-in-people stuff to the people I trust, but other than that making friends is a good thing, right?

And you may not say you're the best, but I already did and I'm standing by that. Thanks again!

            ~Anna
@dustin