9 Dec 2021, 01:31
Wish You Were Here
Lizzy had awakened from yet another restless night. She had been having not nightmares exactly, but close enough. Many people whom she had met had told her that homesickness was common, but would fade and eventually disappear as the year went by. They had lied. Her homesickness had faded, the charm of Hogwarts had swept her away and given her little to think about besides.
It had never gone away though. Most nights she would wake up terrified from a dream that she could not remember. All she knew was that it related to her horrible homesick feeling. Lizzy suspected that the dreams would never go away, not for a long, long time anyways.
She was going home over the holidays with Simon, but would it be soon enough? Every particle of her being told her it would not be soon enough, that she had to go home before then, but it was impossible. There was no way that she would be allowed to leave the school before the designated time, so she had decided on the next best thing. Lizzy would write a letter to her brother, telling him about her experiences here at Hogwarts.
Lizzy read over her letter once more before sealing and sending it with one of the school owls. She watched as it flew away into the distance, and eventually out of sight altogether. She hoped that he would write back soon.
It had never gone away though. Most nights she would wake up terrified from a dream that she could not remember. All she knew was that it related to her horrible homesick feeling. Lizzy suspected that the dreams would never go away, not for a long, long time anyways.
She was going home over the holidays with Simon, but would it be soon enough? Every particle of her being told her it would not be soon enough, that she had to go home before then, but it was impossible. There was no way that she would be allowed to leave the school before the designated time, so she had decided on the next best thing. Lizzy would write a letter to her brother, telling him about her experiences here at Hogwarts.
Ben Solace
November 28
London, England
Dear Ben,
I, well, I don't really know how to start this letter. I can't begin to tell you how much I've missed you. Hogwarts has been everything I had hoped it would be and more! The only thing that I can fault it with is that you are not here with me. After sticking by your side like glue for the last ten years, I've found that it's harder than anything I have ever done before to leave you behind. I will be coming home for the holidays with Simon, from the book club. You met him once or twice when you tagged along to the meetings.
Coming off that topic, I thought I'd sum up what has happened so far. I got a detention. Yes, you read that right, a detention. This boy got on my nerves and we duelled it out in the Great Hall, which is forbidden. I snuck into Hogsmeade, many first years do it. It's absolutely amazing, all the little shops. You would love it there. I accidentally cut my hair with a magical pair of scissors. I'm still getting over that. I signed up to be in a band and before that, a talent show. On top of that, I've met so many nice people here. Most everyone has made me feel like I belong here.
Like I said, that was only a brief overview of my time here. I'll go more in depth about it when I come home for the holidays. Until then, I will continue on missing you.
Love your sister,
Lizzy Solace
Lizzy read over her letter once more before sealing and sending it with one of the school owls. She watched as it flew away into the distance, and eventually out of sight altogether. She hoped that he would write back soon.
Reducio
Mentioning: @Simon Kincaid and @Cody Stevenson
11 Dec 2021, 03:44
Wish You Were Here
Dear Lizzy,Lizzy Solace
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
YOU GOT DETENTION!? Come on, you remember I told you to behave when you weren't around my amazingly good influence? Just kidding. I doubt that you would provoke a fight.
It sounds, from what I have read, like you have had an amazing time at Hogwarts so far. I do wish I could be there with you, but I suppose we will have to make the best of the distance. Hogsmeade does sound right up my alley, but one important question: How did you manage to sneak in? That seems difficult even for you and I. Remember that one time we snuck into the library after hours because you had just finished a book, and were convinced that you would die if you didn't get the sequel immediately?
It sounds like Hogwarts has made you more confident as well. Signing up for a band and a talent show? Who are you and what have you done with my little sister? I can only hope that when you come home for the holidays I can still recognize you. From what you said about your hair though... You have got to send me a picture, or whatever you magic people do.
I miss you as well. If only there was an in between, where the two of us could continue to be brother and sister, and not be so many miles apart. Just know that you will always be my little girl, no matter where you are.
With love,
Ben Solace
15 Dec 2021, 00:48
Wish You Were Here
Folding the letter from Ben back up into the familiar creases, Lizzy smiled sadly. Had the letter helped, or only made things worse? She had certainly liked being able to communicate with him, reading the letter was almost like him being here beside her. Almost, but not quite. Never would paper and ink replace the real person.
Be that as it may, it didn't mean Lizzy would quit writing to him. The feeling of talking to him, even if from miles apart, comforted her. Slipping the letter back into her pocket, Lizzy began a new letter for him. One that would hopefully start a series of letters between the two siblings.
Carefully sealing the letter up in an envelope, Lizzy attached it to an owl's leg with a piece of string, taking care not to harm the owl while doing so. She smiled as it flew away. Her only regret was: Why had she thought that Ben wouldn't make fun of her? It was his brotherly duty to make fun of her. Knowing all this magic, and yet not being able to recall an owl to remove a picture was really ironic.
Be that as it may, it didn't mean Lizzy would quit writing to him. The feeling of talking to him, even if from miles apart, comforted her. Slipping the letter back into her pocket, Lizzy began a new letter for him. One that would hopefully start a series of letters between the two siblings.
Dear Ben,Ben Solace
London, England
What amazingly good influence? Are you somehow forgetting the time you tricked me into running near a whole colony of biting spiders. That scared the living daylights out of me, and you were just laughing your head off the whole time.
Yes, I remember that. And I stand by what I said. I most likely would have died if I hadn't gotten the sequel immediately. To answer your question, there is a fake permission form you can buy, that allows entry into Hogsmeade. It is really quite ingenious. The only problem with that is, others can get their hands on it. This means that I could potentially run into someone I know there, someone who could turn me in easily. I'm as careful as I can be though.
I don't know about the whole confidence thing. I suppose I will always see myself as the quiet girl sitting alone in the corner, but perhaps this experience has changed me in such minor ways that I haven't noticed them yet. If I send you a picture, you've got to lay off. That's my final offer.
I look forward to hearing from you again. Hopefully this will start a series of letters between us. A way for us to communicate, no matter how many miles we are apart. Speaking of which, do you think I should buy an owl or a cat from the Magical Menagerie?
Love,
Lizzy Solace
P.S. Here's the picture you requested. Yes, it moves!
Reducio
Carefully sealing the letter up in an envelope, Lizzy attached it to an owl's leg with a piece of string, taking care not to harm the owl while doing so. She smiled as it flew away. Her only regret was: Why had she thought that Ben wouldn't make fun of her? It was his brotherly duty to make fun of her. Knowing all this magic, and yet not being able to recall an owl to remove a picture was really ironic.