Hopeful Letters pv Willow Byrne Finished

Breakfast was always Nellie's favorite. While the Hufflepuff was far from being a morning person, there were few foods as good as breakfast foods. However, it was also her least chatty meal of the day. By now her friends had figured out to save their gossip and shennanigans for lunchtime. While the girl wasn't mean at breakfast, her energy level simply was not there until after breakfast at the absolute earliest. So when Willow approached, she'd find Nellie sitting beside her friends, but quiet as she ate her eggs and toast.

Willow's familiar voice pulled her attention towards her and she smiled. If she'd been sleepy, however, the Ravenclaw's words gave her energy. "It did?" The excitement in her voice briefly pulled the attention of her friends who were not used to this from her this early, but they were ignored in favor of her Ravenclaw friend for the moment. Before the suggestion of returning to the library came, Nellie was already clearing her place and standing. "Absolutely! I have an hour or so before my first class. She wrote back! This is a good sign, isn't it?"

It took her a moment to clean up, but once she had, she grabbed her friend's hand, if she allowed it, and tugged her towards the library. Hand in hand or not, Nellie would move at a fast pace, so long as Willow went with her.

@Willow Bryne

Hand in hand with Nellie, Willow hurried to the library, heart pounding with nerves and excitement as they grew ever closer to the time the letter would open, and Aisling's answer would be revealed. Her stomach was writhing, and she found herself glad that she hadn't eaten much breakfast. This could honestly change a lot about her life- and Willow didn't do well in stressful situations. Thankfully, she had a friend to keep her grounded. Willow pushed open the library door, and walked inside, the door swinging behind her.

"This is it," She whispered when they were seated at a table in the library, the letter waiting innocently on the table, her name inked on the envelope taunting her. With a glance at Nellie, she picked up the letter with slightly trembling hands and broke the seal, slipping out the crisply folded letter. She angled it so that they could both read the message simultaneously and unfolded it, wisps of red hair falling in front of her eyes.

Willow,
I was surprised to receive your letter- though I suppose I shouldn't be, considering your affiliations for writing and feelings. It's something I have, however begrudgingly, admired about you- and I don't say that lightly. And I must say, I am impressed with your nerve; your letter was probably the bravest thing I have ever seen you do. Let me say then, that I appreciate you reaching out to me. I know that I am not the older sister you perhaps wanted when you were younger, and I will not lie and say I regret the way I am- but maybe the time is ripe for two sisters to acknowledge our differences and move forward. I hope you won't hesitate to send me more letters in the future- and I may just make the time to visit with you more often.
But no promises.
-Aisling

Willow's heart pounded, and she felt the delight rise in her throat. It sounded so real, so very like sister, and yet also like she was changed. She felt like she had done something important, something to be proud of- and she hadn't done it alone. She looked over at Nellie and smiled.

"Thank you," And that was all Willow needed to say.

@Nellie Lam

The library was quiet. Not the kind of quiet it was normally, with a dozen students quietly whispering to each other. It was just after breakfast. Most kids were still eating or getting ready for their first class, so the library was nearly empty. There would be no complaints from the girls, however. This wasn't the kind of thing you really wanted a dozen witnesses too. In fact, Nellie felt a bit honored to be included.

When the Ravenclaw whispered "This is it," Nellie laid a gentle hand on her back in support and encouragement, if she'd allow it. Either way, the Hufflepuff would lean over to read the letter that was angled for her to read along. Willow had been spot on about her older sister. There was a very matter of fact tone to the writings of the woman, but Nellie could spot the warmth within the word, or at least the potential for warmth. This was the best outcome Willow could have hoped for, she imagined.

When she looked up from reading, a big smile lit her features. "You're welcome! I'm so happy for you!" If the girl allowed it, Nellie offered a brief congratulatory hug. Stepping back, whether the girl had accepted it or not, she continued. "And I'll be here when you're ready to tackle the rest of your siblings too. At this point, though, I think we're friends. If you want to be."

"We did it!" Willow smiled- a real smile, one that showed her teeth and spread out across her face, dimpling her cheeks and stretching her freckles that were lighter in the winter. She rarely smiled like that; the Ravenclaw usually confined herself to nervous smiles and gently curved lips. But this day was a good day and one that deserved a good smile. After a quick hug from Nellie, Willow twisted a strand of red hair between her fingers.

"I think we're friends too," She responded to the other girl, feeling, if possible, even better. Who knew that such a thing could have ended up so well? An innocent visit to the owlery had resulted in so much more than the Irish lass could ever have imagined, and she glanced at the still- open letter from her sister. It was perfect. Priceless.

"And I would love for you to help out when I want to reach my other siblings- but for now," She let her eyes drink in the sights of the almost empty library. Willow had never been good at making friends. But perhaps times were changing, and she was willing to go with the flow and see how she could grow in the coming years. "For now, this is enough."

Thread End