love letters to the fallen [open]

[Deleted]

dear stranger,

Hi. I know that since it's close to Valentine's Day, you were probably hoping that this was a love letter, but...it isn't. Sorry - I'm not good at writing love letters, especially not to people I don't know. I can compliment your eyes if you want? I'm sure whatever color they are, they're beautiful. But anyways, apparently I only know how to make friends via anonymous letters, so if you're looking for a friend while waiting for a different kind of letter...feel free to respond.

love,
me

[Deleted]

Dear Strange Person (@jamie),

I can say I was rather shocked to receive this letter considering that I wasn't expecting any mail at all.

Your offer of friendship is intriguing. You only make friends anonymously? I wonder who you are or what you're like that you can't make friends face to face?

I'll take you up on your offer. For now. Because it's anonymous.

I have a secret: Valentine's Day is nearing and I'm excited. I also want to find someone who cares about me enough to invest in a relationship but I like hearing about others romantic triumphs as well.

What's Valentine's Day going to look like for you?

Sincerely,

Equally As Strange Apparently

[Deleted]

dear stranger,

It’s not that I can’t make friends face to face…It’s just that I prefer to do so without any ugly impressions sitting on top of the relationship. No matter how hard we try to the contrary, we always seem to make assumptions about one another…and I think anonymity lets me make friends with people who I might not otherwise consider, and who may not consider me.

I take it this means you’re not interested in playing any sort of twenty questions to figure out who the other is?

Right now, Valentine’s Day is just going to look like any other day. My romantic interest had some obligations that kept him from continuing our relationship, so I’m spending another Valentine’s Day single (since my previous relationship started after February). You?

love,
me

@lionaanna

[Deleted]

Dear Face to Face (@jamie ),

Your words are intriguing too. Of course we make assumptions. Letters aren't going to stop that. In my last letter I made an assumption about you that you so gracefully denied. I'm sure my assumption made you assume something about me too. What assumptions do you have about me?

Twenty questions? Sure. But I don't think you'll guess correctly. There isn't any one person in this world who knows me completely. If you ask me simple things, like, say, my initials or my house or my family you'd guess correctly without having to think. More complex questions? You'd be shocked to know it's me.

So you previously had a 'him'? Must not have been a good him if those obligations kept this him from being with you. These are the things I loathe about relationships. Losing.

I'm single. Happy that way sometimes. Hate it's that way others. I'll probably study instead.

Sincerely,

(Not Ugly) Impression 

[Deleted]

dear stranger,

At least then you’re making an assumption based one something less physical. You’re not making an assumption because I’m blonde, or brunette, or redhead, or what have you. As for my assumptions about you…You’re an extremely eloquent writer, so you’re either a pureblood or you just enjoy writing. Either way, I don’t care.

Well, if there’s not a person who knows you completely, I suppose I should ask if you even want another person to know you by a part of you. I don’t mind not asking any questions at all, and just picking up what I pick up from our conversation (though I must admit, I’m not the most observant of people).

I previously had a him, yes. I had a her before that who also had to end the relationship due to similar circumstances, so it wasn’t as heartbreaking as it could have been. I don’t mind losing in a relationship, because before I lost I gained a lot.

Let’s be alone together. Write me instead of your beau?

love,
me

@lionaanna

[Deleted]

Dear What's So Wrong With Physical (@jamie),

So which are you? Blonde, Brunette, Redhead, a combination, or do you experiment with color? It doesn't matter but I'm curious. I'll gladly take your comment regarding my writing as a compliment. Your guess of me being a pureblood? Well I won't confirm or deny. It's too easy a question. And you don't currently care. I don't currently care either. I'm more interested in the you nobody knows. Though I guess catching up with everyone else that knows you wouldn't be an issue.

I have more assumptions to share just from your writing. The way you wrote the hair colors makes me assume you are a woman. Your hand writing is nice enough but I couldn't assume just from that. You may have a lot of friends because you don't care about blood. My original assumption was definitely incorrect. Am I correct now?

People know me in pieces. If you'd like to know a piece of me feel free. Ask what you will. I'll answer if it isn't too easy. I'll ask too. I'm very observant so don't make it too easy for me. Don't lie either though you don't strike me as that sort of person.

Hims and hers. I'm trying to figure out if that has narrowed down the list of people you could be. Either way it seems both that him and her weren't worth it.

To not sound accusatory any further, I will say that I abhor the concept of waste. Wasted time anyway. To give so much of yourself to someone only to have them leave. I don't particularly care to have my time wasted when I do decide to share myself. I'd rather not lose time with someone who won't stay over someone who will.

Your last line was rather romantic. Are you certain you aren't good at writing love letters to strangers?


Sincerely,

Eloquence

[Deleted]

dear stranger,

I’m blonde, which is part of the reason I resent physical stereotypes. I like to think that I’m not a total ditz. I wouldn’t mind dyeing my hair some color or other, but even if I did, I wouldn’t be able to tell you. You know, you being a pureblood doesn’t really confirm much. You’re assuming that I know the blood purity of everyone at this school, which I don’t. I only know mine, and that of some of my Muggleborn friends, since it’s made them rather afraid for their lives lately. I’m afraid that finding the me nobody knows might require a bit of digging on both of our parts. I tend to be a bit of an open book, so finding the words that nobody’s read yet will be a challenge.

Your assumption that I’m a woman is correct, and I would assume the same of you, given the… je ne sais quoi in your words. I think whether or not I have a lot of friends is dependent on your definition of a lot. If you clarify that I can give you a more solid answer.

Alright, let’s start with something simple. A favorite. Favorite color is too boring, as is favorite food…Do you like music? What’s your favorite song? Mine is a Muggle song, so if I’m going to continue my assumption that you’re a pureblood, you’ve probably not heard it. (It is, however, where I got the last line of my previous letter – sorry to disappoint you with my lack of poetical skills.)

That’s assuming (there's that word again!) that I was public with both of my relationships, wasn’t it? Even if you have a list of polysexual people, I could very well not be on it. They were both worth it. I think you’re thinking that the object of love is for it to last forever. I don’t need forever love – just for now is enough for me.

If you abhor wasted time, then why are you writing me these letters? I could be wasting your time, too, and then you wouldn’t even know who to be angry at.

I’m certain – I’m just good at knowing when to borrow words.

Also, I have to say that your method of addressing and signing these letters is rather amusing. I’m sorry that mine aren’t as clever.

love,
me

@lionaanna

[Deleted]

Dear Borrower (@jamie ),

Hmm. I'd honestly forgotten that stereotype existed. All of the blonde women around me are intelligent and exemplary and wouldn't allow anyone to define them any other way. Me being a pureblood may not say much also because there are quite a few purebloods around. I won't assume that you know every pureblood because you don't care about blood purity it seems. I'm sure it's not the first question you ask those you decided to befriend. It wasn't the first line of your first letter either. This is supposed to be a love letter but I guess we can't ignore the darkness of our times.

Would you like me to help you find you? I like finding what makes people tick. What makes them mad. What makes them smile. What makes them blush. It's good information.

You are correct, I am a woman as well. I'm not sure what my je ne sais quoi is but I'll assume it's a good je ne sais quoi. A lot is more than three from multiple walks of life.

I guess you've already pegged me as a pureblood so I will go with it. My father plays muggle guitar so I may not know your favorite song but that doesn't mean that I don't know muggle music. I assume music does transcend magical boundaries though. Tell me your favorite song anyway. I might put in the effort to look it up and I can make an assumption of you based on that. I like classical music because I grew up on it. I'm especially fond of Chopin. Call it the romantic in me.

Your words are true so no it doesn't narrow it down. Did you keep them both a secret? Was it a personal choice or the circumstances that kept it that way if so? Maybe needing that commitment is also the romantic in me. If it's not meant to be, I don't want it. But it being meant to be doesn't mean it's meant to be forever. I understand that too. I know things will end sometimes. I know that some people are only meant to be in your life temporarily. It's complicated, it's life. I always imagine though that when you love someone once, it is forever. You will return to that love, the time that you loved them, at some point or another.

Is that you admitting you're wasting my time? This could be my last letter then. Then what could I do with the copious amounts of time it takes to read your letter and write you back? Woe is me.

Borrowing words requires knowing that those words were good to begin with. You may have some talent.

And all this time I thought my genius wasn't being appreciated. Grazie

Sincerely,

Amusing and Amused

[Deleted]

dear stranger,

Well, I’m glad that you’ve forgotten that stereotype, but I know quite a few people who haven’t. Maybe if I want to find you I should just find someone surrounded by a bunch of badass blondes? It would be an unorthodox way to discover your identity, sure, but I’m all about thinking outside of the box. I don’t particularly care for blood purity, no, because, as you have already guessed, I’m not a pureblood. I keep forgetting that this was supposed to be a love letter – you see, I wrote the word ‘love’ in it but I never really expected for someone to pick it up, nor for someone to be seeking love if they found it – at least not my love.

How can I resist an offer like that? I’m sure it’ll be much harder for you to help me find me over letter, though, especially because you won’t ever get to see my reactions to reading what you write (unless, of course, you’ve already discovered my identity and are keeping mum). I have the feeling that you’re the sort of person who likes a challenge, though, so maybe that isn’t a problem.

The very definition of je ne sais quoi is that you don’t know what it is. I would, however, hazard to say that it is a good one. If you’re going by that definition, then yes, I do have a lot of friends.

Yeah, the song I spoke of is not one that sounds good with just a guitar, sadly. It’s all about the mood of the thing, if you get that. The song is called Alone Together, by Fallout Boy. I’m quite a fan of theirs, mostly because their songs played on the radio a lot when I was young. I don’t know how on earth you’re going to look it up while inside Hogwarts, but again, you seem like you like challenges, so saying that is just encouraging you, isn’t it? I know a little bit of Chopin – one of my lots of friends plays the piano. He’s also going to teach me how to play the violin sometime.

Neither were a secret, but the latter relationship was fairly short-lived, so not that many people knew about it. There are a lot of things in my life I’d prefer to keep secret, but who I love is not one of them. I don’t think I’d be much good at a secret romance unless you’re offering. If it makes you feel any better, I was certain that both of my relationships were meant to be, until they weren’t. Do you think there’s a reason we love the people that we do?

I’ll admit to no such thing. The first letter didn’t take much time to read, but they have grown considerably longer since, so with every passing exchange you invest more of your time in each individual letter and the endeavor as a whole. Will there be a point where you’ll refuse to stop because you already put so much into it?

I have talent, but not for words.

De nada? (I don’t know Italian. Or Spanish. Or French, for that matter.)

love,
me

@lionaanna

[Deleted]

Dear Definitely Not A Stereotype (@jamie ),

I worded that oddly. What I meant to say is that I'm shocked that people still believe in that stereotype. It's unfortunate how childish some people can be. That would be an interesting position to find me in, right? Solely surrounded by blondes. If it removes any negative assumptions, I wasn't raised by blood purists nor am I one myself. If I was, I would have never responded to your letter. (Again with the assumptions.) Isn't it of popular opinion that 'you don't find love, love finds you'. I do try to live by that. Searching for it distracts from what's in front of you.

I don't know if it would be too difficult but I must admit that I am curious about your reactions to my letters. They must be a sight to see if you've mentioned their importance. Have you laughed? Smiled? Dare I imagine you blushing? Challenges usually prove to be fun, so yes I do love a good challenge. Did you pick that up from my writings? The way you've presented my attempts to uncover your inner workings sounds like a challenge. The more I write the more I want to partake in this challenge. For your benefit of course. Everyone should know themselves. Getting to know you will just be... the icing on the cake? I can't say I've figured out your identity yet but the process has been delightful.

You flatter me, though I led you to that compliment. If you have a lot of friends, I'm rather curious as to what made you send that first letter. Though I know you can never have too many friends. Are you close with all of your friends or do they fall more along the category of acquaintances? Can you tell them anything? Do they tell you everything?

Fallout Boy? What an odd name. It may be difficult but I'll find a way. I'll specifically try to find that song and get back to you with my honest thoughts on 'the mood of the thing'. Your friend is going to teach you to play violin? It is a lovely instrument. Would you say that it is the instrument that best fits your personality? Taking into consideration the sound, the difficulty in playing said instrument, and maybe even its popularity.

And if I was...? Offering I mean. It was hard to read because you crossed it out but I saw it. What if I did offer you romance? How would you wish to be courted? What would you want to hear? Where would you want to go on our first date? What do you like in love? What are you like in love?

My questions are loaded but I did say you could ask what you wanted. I'm not afraid to do the same.

As for loving who we love, I think there is a reason for most things. Love is one of those things that we don't have complete control over so I think some of that reasoning is beyond our reach. Even with our magical abilities. Love is also an effort so sometimes the reasoning is because we choose to love. There goes my romantic heart again.

I can't keep the reader waiting, now can I? You're assuming it takes me long to write these letters. I've heard excitement makes things move faster. I don't have much experience with that though. I do, however, know when to bow out. I don't think that time has come just yet. Do you?

Then tell me what your talents are.

You're definitely more observant than you think.

Sincerely,

I Can Keep A Secret

[Deleted]

dear stranger,

People will believe anything, if it makes them feel superior. Why do you think there are people who still run around claiming that Muggleborns are beneath them, even though our Minister of Magic is a Muggbleborn? People like to feel good about themselves without doing any work, and if believing blondes are dumb makes them, as a non-blonde, feel smarter without any effort, they’ll do it. (Obviously, my issue in this case is not with hair color, but rather with the more important parts of identity.) I’ve heard that assumption about love before, and I can firmly say that it is true – I didn’t enter either of my previous relationships with the intent of falling in love, and yet I did.

If I revealed how I reacted, how would I know you weren’t looking for someone smiling, laughing, blushing, et cetera in the Great Hall the day after you send a letter? Now that I’m committed to staying anonymous, I’m not going to do things by halves. Anything that could reveal my identity is a no-no. And I’m sure that you’re doing it entirely for my benefit, no? I agreed that everyone should know themselves, but does everyone get a letter-writing fairy godmother to help them on that journey?

I am of the opinion that you can never have too many friends. Everyone brings something new, you know? A lot of my friends are from the same Hogwarts house (though not my house, incidentally enough). And yes, I do have a lot of friends that are more acquaintances, but I’m not sure where I ought to draw that line, or how many friends I’d be left with if I did. My best friends, the ones I can tell anything to, are my family. I just don’t know if they tell me everything in return.

I won’t debate that it’s an odd name, but most Muggle band names are. They have to be memorable, you know, so that if you hear their songs on the radio you’ll want to go home and look them up, you know? As for the violin, I don’t know if it fits me best, but it’s an instrument that a dear friend of mine played – er, plays. I’ve been struggling with how to connect with her, and it seemed like music was a good way to begin.

Normally when people cross things out they weren’t intended to be read, you know. If you did offer romance…I would be intrigued. The idea of falling in love via letters seems straight out of a romance novel. But I also wonder if you’d love a false version of me, just through these letters. It’s easier for me to say what I’m thinking when I’m alone and can write it down and cross it out if I make a mistake. Face-to-face conversation is much harder. I like love just for the thrill of it. The way someone’s smile can give me butterflies and the way the world can stop when they say my name. I suppose that’s what I’m like in love, too. A romantic, like you.

I don’t know if it takes long to read or write, but I did say it takes longer. And I know it took me longer to write these last few paragraphs than it did to jot down that first, simple message. If I thought you should bow out, why would I keep writing you? If you ever stopped responding, I would just keep pestering you with more letters.

Telling you my talents would make things too easy.

love,
me

@lionaanna

[Deleted]

Dear Crossing Things Out (@jamie ),

Oddly enough, there are some who believe that our Minister isn't a muggleborn, but someone who may have had squib heritage somewhere down the line. Anything to rationalize I guess? When you're good, you're good and I have respect for our Minister and the position she's in. I know that feeling though.. Ignorance exists in many forms. Just writing you though I am shocked that anyone would try to put you into a box. You're bright. And interesting. I am sad to say that I wasn't that way with previous relationships. I used to search for it with no results. I know much better now though. If I wasn't certain of it before, I am definitely certain that love will find me when I least expect it. Sooner or later.

I think you might be interested to know that I've already tried that. Looking around the Great Hall to see who's blonde and who's gotten mail, who's smiling, who's really into their letters. I haven't exactly pinpointed who you might be, but I may have already seen you smile. Or blush. Or laugh. etc etc. I'd like to but it seems your mission to remain a mystery is working. Though that may not be completely in your control because there are a good number of students who get mail. And as you pointed out in your first letter, other people may be getting love letters. It is still February though Valentine's Day hasn't arrived yet. It's an ordeal through the entire month. What's solidified you staying anonymous? Do you have any clue yet who I am? I'd be surprised, I haven't really given anything away. Yes, entirely for your benefit we'll explore you. As I said, me learning your too is just a bonus. Fairy Godmother? As in the Fae? Oh you wound me. I've heard the Fae are a particularly dangerous set of magical creatures as well as not being very smart. But they've also been described as very beautiful. So you've either called me dangerous, said I'm lacking in intelligence, or you've called me beautiful. Which is it?

You have a lot of friends from a different Hogwarts house than your own... Hmm. I have guesses (well there are only four to choose from) but all of my guesses are based on assumptions. And house stereotypes too of course. Hmm maybe I'm getting warmer? I think that was important information so I'll keep that in mind. Friends are nice, yes. I am the same as you, closest with my family. I have many acquaintances as well. Do you wish to be closer to any of your friends? What's keeping you from doing so?

That makes sense in some fashion, although I'm not entirely sure what a radio is (I never took Muggle Studies) but using context clues I can assume that it is something you use to listen to music? My father has a record player. His tastes in music are a little different from mine but there are a few band names and song names I've picked up and enjoyed. Tell me more of the music you like. Even the bands with stranger names. What do you listen to that cheers you up or makes you smile? What songs make you feel what?

If you don't want me to read it, don't write it. Or cover it better. I like your unfiltered thoughts best though. I hope you write everything that comes to mind. About everything. Or write about whatever you wish to write about. If I were to fall in love with you via your words on parchment, would it really be a false version of you or just another piece of you? It can't be false if your words have been honest. Maybe you're more playful on paper. Maybe you're more honest on paper. Maybe paper just makes you more composed? I agree that face to face is more difficult but I believe people are more honest when they can write down their thoughts. People are able to express more on paper. Words are beautiful and when you have time to think and compose your words into complete thoughts you can express more. Make love encompassing. Make anger fiery. Make sadness drowning. I know it all sounds a little cliche, but it's true.

Plus... it would not remain just letters for long.

A true romantic, like me. I want to be consumed by love. Random thoughts just popped into my head. Well, not random per se. I'll save them. But yes, the thrill of love can consume. Your romantic is subtle and light. I think of sunshine with the way you describe it. It's warm.

Would you pester me so you'd continue to have someone to write or do you enjoy my attentions? How many letters would you write until you'd stop trying?

Tell me something less obvious then. Tell me something new.

My curiosity runs wilder with each letter.

Sincerely,

Likes To Intrigue

[Deleted]

dear stranger,

I think that’s just preposterous. Have they never heard of Occam’s Razor? (If you’ve never heard of it, it’s a postulate in philosophy that states that the simplest explanation is most often the true one. To me, it’s much simpler to believe that magic spontaneously arises in some people – especially considering that wizards had to start somewhere. This reminds me of quote. Notice that I’m borrowing words again? Anyways, the quote: “We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.” I think that’s kind of how I feel about bigotry in general. I think I should hope that you find love sooner rather than later, for your sake, but considering the fact that you intrigue me, I’d loathe to wish you to find love before I at least had the chance to meet you.

I hope that your mission wasn’t all that successful. The idea of you having seen me without knowing that it was me you saw is an interesting one, though. I wish I was more observant, but I tend to get absorbed with the people in front of me more than the people around me, if that makes sense. I’m also receiving letters from more than one person, since some of my family is outside of Hogwarts’s walls and I’d like to keep in touch with them. My wanting to be anonymous was solidified by how much I enjoy these conversations – I’d hate to muck it up with too many other assumptions, when we seem to be making many just based on the words on the page. Fairy godmother is a Muggle thing. They don’t have magic, so in some stories, they add magic in as a way of solving all their problems – and a fairy is the one who wields it. They’re quite a bit different in Muggle culture than in reality, though I wouldn’t mind you extrapolating that I had called you beautiful from what I’ve said.

Do you care to share any of those guesses? I can neither confirm nor deny, but I’d like to know what you’re thinking. I would like to be closer with some of my friends, but it’s…complicated. Most of them are well-connected people as well, so it’s not like they’re lacking for attention or anything of the sort. I’ve never really had one person that fits the conventional image of a ‘best friend’, except one of my siblings. I’m also constantly worrying about being a burden to people, so it can be hard to open up, since I don’t want them to worry about me or pity me or anything. It’s hard to feel like you’re really close to someone until you’ve seen them at their lowest low, you know? And obviously, my family have been there when I hit rock bottom, so I don’t need to worry about being vulnerable around them.

A radio is similar to a record player, except for that you don’t have to own the song in order to be able to listen to it. The music I like is a bit of an eclectic mix, if I do say so myself. Have you ever heard of the band Bleachers? I only really know one of their songs, I Wanna Get Better, but that song never fails to cheer my up when I’m having a bad day. I’m also a fan of A Tribe Called Red. They’re an American band that mixes electronic music with traditional Native American music, and the result is this crazy awesome music that sounds like it should be the background to every action scene in a movie, ever. It’s pump up music, but not in an insane way. I can go over sad songs later, just because I feel like this is already a lot of information for someone unfamiliar with Muggle music. It’s kind of sad that it’s not easy to listen to music at Hogwarts, since electronics don’t work.

Your point is noted. I guess it wouldn’t be a false version of myself, per se, but the person you meet would be different from the person you were expecting, which is kind of a shame, especially if you’re expecting a lot. I don’t care if what you say is cliché, because it’s still beautiful.

I’ll make a deal with you: We write letters until the end of the school year, in May. About anything, and everything. If we reveal who the other is, fine, but we’re not allowed to meet each other in person until after I graduate (and perhaps you, too, if you’re a seventh year). And then we can decide if we like the real version of the person as much as we like the letter version.

I do love sunshine.

Am I allowed to say both? I do enjoy having someone to write to, but I have other people for that. I suppose it’s the latter, then, though. I would probably keep writing until I graduated, after which point we’d have a much lower chance of ever getting to see each other, at least without effort on our parts.

Something new? I’m making invitations to a party right now. That’s new.

Curiosity killed the cat, you know. I can only hope that you’re not a Gryffindor, because I much prefer you alive.

love,
me

@lionaanna

[Deleted]

Dear The You I'm Learning (@jamie),

And suddenly just like that my assumptions have changed. Are you in Ravenclaw? You're definitely intelligent enough to be, borrowed words and all. Before now, no, I'd never heard of Occam's Razor, but the truth it presents is not foreign to me. Where do you find the time to study philosophy? I guess if I'm right and you are in Ravenclaw, you always find time to research what intrigues you. If not then I really am curious where you picked up that bit of knowledge. Did you research it? Is that you admitting you want me to find love in you? Would you be pleased to know that there's a grin on me face while I write this? I'm usually not so transparent but I'll make an exception for today.

I can't know if my mission was successful or not because you won't tell me. It's a little tragic but I can still write you. I don't want to imagine what you'd look like though. I'd much rather be able to picture you or actually see you reading my letters and reacting. Your resolve to remain hidden has only strengthened my wish to figure out who you are. I'm the girl who likes challenges, remember? So I'll continue to scan the Great Hall when mail arrives to see if I can guess correctly. Though I think I still don't want you to figure out who I am just yet. Hmm. If you decide to try and look for me too, I'll make sure my search isn't too obvious so you won't guess it's me. I might even get up and talk with my acquaintances so it'll give me a reason to walk around and search. I think my curiosity as well as the fact that the you in these letters plague my thoughts so much that I wouldn't have time to make assumptions once I know it's you in front of me. I could mesh the two, the you on these pages and the you in front of me then, and I could go from there and learn the whole of you.

Some of your family is outside of Hogwarts walls? Do you have a big family? Are you close with every member of your family? I didn't know that muggles had stories based off of the reality of our creatures. Maybe they'd like actual fairies then because they are so beautiful. And you flatter me once again.

Just based on what you have written I would have guessed that your friends are either Gryffindor or Slytherin because well connected people usually come from both of those houses, well connected for two different reasons of course. I think I will settle on Gryffindor though because Slytherins usually stick with their own and you've already stated that you are of a different house than most of your friends. That would leave you with being either a Ravenclaw, as I guess above, or a Hufflepuff? Am I close? I know you won't confirm or deny but I do wish you'd give me something. Part of the thrill of the challenge is defeating it.

I would like to think you could be vulnerable with me, after all, anonymity can help with being able to vent to someone or share secrets without judgement. So if you wish to, write it all down and send it to me. Whenever you would like. I will read and there will be no judgement from me. Just honest advice. If you ask for it. Or you may get it anyway. Unless you do tell me you just really don't want it. I'm good at giving advice.

I haven't heard of them or any of the artists you have mentioned but your excitement makes me want to hear them. I'll have to figure out some way to be able to listen to them. I'm starting to collect a list of things that I'll have to listen to. Or maybe you could show me. It is rather unfortunate that I don't have a way to listen to them.

I do let my mind wander, quite often actually if I'm being honest, but you should know that I would do my best to combine who you are writing me with who you are that I don't know. All you can ask of me is my best and I will give that to you. I don't think I will have a problem with that honestly. I'm not going to force any expectations on you, that would be rude when I hope you'll do the same for me.

How you have reduced me to childish pouting! Must I wait until the end of the school year? I am a seventh year as well so we will both be graduating but I have to wait until after graduation? If I must then I would like to continue to receive one letter per day. Even if it is one line. Talk to me. Think of me.

You may be sunshine..

I am very glad that you do enjoy my letters. And my words. And the words that I have not written yet. If we keep writing, our chances of meeting go up, still with effort on both ends. Though my effort seems to wish that this meeting could happen earlier. I might complain until we do meet. Can you handle that?

Are the party invitations to your party? Am I invited? Is it new because you're never held a party before or have you never made invitations before?

This letter may be a bit shorter than the others. Embarrassingly enough, I found myself up late last night rereading through our letter under wand light. Both to go over the clues I've obtained and just to relive your words. I'm exhausted today and haven't had the chance to take a Pepper-Up Potion if the nurse will allow it. It think my exhaustion has made me more open as well. I usually don't reveal my thoughts like I think I may have. I haven't reread through the letter either so if it is confusing in anyway tell me in your next letter. I might be shocked by what I wrote.

I won't confirm or deny your Gryffindor comment. Trying to stay hidden, remember? But I am very much alive with this quill in my hand.

Sincerely,

Both

[Deleted]

dear stranger,

Funny how assumptions do that, isn’t it? As you so eloquently said at the end of your letter, I won’t confirm or deny your comment, for the same reason. Staying hidden and all, that is. I don’t study philosophy, per se, but where I grew up, I met a lot of different people, with a lot of different professions. They were all willing to entertain a child for a minute or two with a bit of information for her to ruminate on, and when I could, I found out more. It’s much easier to do that in the Muggle world, with computers and all of that. I’m not sure if I want you to find love in me…But I am quite pleased to know that you’re grinning. I like to make people happy.

Would it make you feel better if I wrote out my reactions to your letters, like you just did for me? Because I can’t seem to stop smiling as I write this, and I’m not entirely sure why, considering that there are bits of it that nag at my mind, and probably ought to make me grown with concentration. But I’m not frowning – I’m as light as a feather. I’m afraid that if we both look for each other, it’ll be much too easy for us to find what we week, so I’m content to let you play the role of the chaser. I’ve never been chased before. Perhaps even after graduation, I’ll let you chase me, in a more literal sense this time. I notice that we both seem to have an obsession with knowing the whole of someone, instead of just their parts. Is that a bad thing, to you think? Will we ever be satisfied with just parts of each other?

That is an awful lot of information to be giving out, I’ll have you know. But yes, I have two older siblings outside of Hogwarts. I’d like to say that I’m close with all of my siblings, but to be frank, I don’t know how true that is. I’m closest with my two sisters, and then my younger brother. I also have some cousins that I’m working on getting to know, though I’ve only really had success in talking to one at length – she’s the other person with whom I’m exchanging letters at the moment. Don’t think too hard about what family I belong to, please. I like to be mysterious, and I’m afraid I’ve shown you a little too much about myself to be shrouded in mystery for much longer.

You’re not a difficult person to flatter.

A non-zero number of those assumptions is the truth, though which and how many I dare not say. You’re already too close to cracking the mystery! And it would be horribly unfair for you to be aware of my identity but not for the opposite to be true.

Part of the thing I wish to be vulnerable about is something that will very easily allow you to discover not only who I am, but also who my family is, and I’m not entirely sure that’s a good thing. Thank you for the offer, but for now, it’s a no. Perhaps I’ll tell you the other things that are not related to that sensitive piece of information, but I’d rather not give you false hope where that is concerned.

If you go to the Room of Requirement, the room may be able to help you. I know it’s created a record player for me before, and in November I attended a party that was held in the room, and there was music, so there must be a way for you to play music there. I’m sure it would play the songs you requested. Am I the only one contributing to the list of things you must listen to, or is there some other mysterious letter-writer in your life? Don’t worry if there is, I won’t be jealous.

The only expectation I have of you is that you’re brilliant, and oddly, I think that you will be able to live up to it no matter who you are. People are brilliant in many different ways, after all, and even if you’re brilliant in a different way than I expect, you will fulfill my expectations.

I can’t think of anything that would make me want to reveal myself earlier. Can you? Of course I will agree to write you a letter a day. Perhaps I can even be persuaded to write you twice a day, or even, dare I suggest, thrice. I will gladly talk to you, and I am rather embarrassed to admit how often I think of you already. It’s only been a week since I sent my first letter, and yet, here I am, smitten with the person on the other end.

I have previously eluded to having younger siblings; I think if I can handle their complaints, I can handle yours, as well. Be careful, though, because if you ever do stop complaining, I may think that you’ve lost interest, and that wouldn’t do.

The invitations are not for my party, no. They’re not even for a party, really – celebration would be a more accurate word. It’s for my sister. I have both had a party and created invitations for one before, but I’ve never experienced this kind of celebration, let alone planned one, so it’s rather daunting…But also extremely exciting!

You’ll be pleased to know that this letter is actually longer than your others. I will not embarrass myself by saying how I know this, but rest assured that you’re not the only one who has stayed up late poring over these letters. I wasn’t at all confused by what you had to say, so fear not! There’s nothing to be shocked at.

Alas, I thought I might get you to slip. I am glad that you continue to remain alive. I, too, am living, in case it was ever a concern of yours that I was a ghost. I hope you’re well.

love,
me

@lionaanna