Dear Al

[Lily Potter]

It's weird without you at home in the summer. How's it all going? 

I met your friend the other day - Sebastian? Is there anything going on with you two - more than just being friends, I mean - or is he just weird? (If there is something, I think he's emotionally cheating on you with James, just saying.)

Lots of love,

Lily

[Albus Potter]

Lily,

It's pretty weird not seeing you pretty much every day, too, so I guess we're both getting used to it. Rose seems to enjoy Seth's company a lot, and I tend to scarper when they're around—sometimes I stay, though, because they're hilarious; Seth's so into Rosie, and you know Rose, brilliant at both winding people up and being teased lightly—but it's pretty good. You should come over some time soon, for dinner or something. Molly's going to help me decorate my room—because apparently, I am not as astounding at it as she'd like, and let's be honest, Molly is a much safer person to let decorate my room than Dom—so hopefully it looks more like a person lives there and less like a generic flat by the time you can come around.

Seb? Oh, Merlin. No, he's just weird. I'm assuming he said we're eloping or shagging or some claptrap, but I promise we're not. He just wishes. He has a vivid imagination, and uncontrollable libido, in case you didn't notice. I mean, I let him cuddle me sometimes because he gets so sulky if we don't demonstrate our affection for him enough, but no, it's all in his head.

Yes, he's requested I send him James in a maid's outfit to his bedroom as a birthday present; I'm really tempted to just buy the costume and bring James along and tell him it's a DIY kind of deal, but I'm kind of concerned he'll actually manage to get the costume on James.

Love you too,

Al

[Lily Potter]

Al,

That's nice that Rose is happy, though. And I would hope he's into her, they are going out, after all. I feel a bit sorry for them though - they don't have anywhere they can go without running into either you or James. Can I actually come over? That would be cool. Can I help decorate your room too?

Well, I sort of assumed that, but I thought I'd check. He actually just said you were in love with him. If you're ever eloping with anyone, though, you have to tell me. Hey, theoretical question, if you were going to elope, who would you elope with?

He said something about that to me too. That's weird and I don't want to think about it. Have you told Jamie?

Love

Lily

[Albus Potter]

Lily,

Yeah, it is. It's really nice to see her like this, what with O'Malley and all. Ttrue, but it's still hilarious. Well, they could go to her family house, but I feel like Hugo and Uncle Ron are even worse prospects. Anyway, I make myself scarce when requested. And yeah, of course you can come over! Why not? You and Molly can be on the decoration squad. I think we should just stick to us three out of relatives, though, because otherwise the whole family will be arguing about my curtains.

Smart move, really; with this family, it always helps to clarify. "just said you were in love with him" - Lily, just? That's worse than eloping. Marriage doesn't necessarily require feelings. I think it ought to, though. I suppose he's right; I love the git sometimes, but don't tell him that if you talk to him again. He'd never let it go. I promise to tell you if I ever plan to elope, deal. Wow, Lils, I'm not actually sure. I've only ever really liked one person in that way, I guess - seriously, that is. I don't go around taking girls out if I don't care about them at all. But seriously? Only one girl, and eloping isn't the sort of thing I'd ever imagined doing with her. I guess I'd only elope if she wanted to or I didn't want to deal with a huge fuss, but I doubt it. Can you imagine everyone's reactions? What about you; theoretically, who would you elope with? If you say one of those blokes from The Fifth Horseman, you'll have to imagine me wrinkling my nose at you.

I'm sorry about him. I don't know why we let him out in public some days. Ive mentioned it to him once before, but I don't think he was listening. I'll bring it up again next time I see him.

Love,

Al

[Lily Potter]

Al,

Well, I like Seth. And didn't she break up with her other boyfriend like two years ago or something? What even happened that was that bad? Do they actually ask you to leave though? That's a bit rude, you live there.

I might write to Molly and then we can both come over at the same time!

Well, he also told me he slept with Molly when they were thirteen, so anything's possible. I take it
you're not in love with him then? In love being different from just loving him. Who's the person you liked like that? I won't tell anyone, I promise. Is she nice? But don't elope just yet, you're only eighteen.

I wouldn't elope with anyone, theoretical or otherwise. I'm not getting married, I'm going to be an old cat lady. Only with dogs as well. And maybe I'll adopt some children. I don't even know the names of the guys from The Fifth Horseman, Al.

It was fine, he was funny. I'm totally writing to Jamie and telling him though. I bet he gets all shocked and embarrassed.

Love

Lily

[Albus Potter]

Lily,

I like Seth too. He's a nice guy, which is a nice change. Yeah, it has been a while since they broke up - it really doesn't feel like it's been that long, though. I'm biased, though; I saw Rose every day after the break up, and it doesn't feel like it's been over for that long because I'm pretty sure they hadn't let go of each other right from the break up. Feelings don't just fade away overnight, after all. As to what happened - well, let's just say they both made some mistakes. Some bigger than others. And nah, not always - but it's not hard to tell when's a good time to leave them alone. I stay other times, though, and they're pretty cute to hang out with.

Sounds like a plan to me; just let me know whatever you and Moll decide.

Yes, he was ridiculously proud of that. I tend to inwardly refer to that year as the year of my perpetual eye-rolling and the year of his insufferable smugness. What on earth were you on about that the loss of his virginity came up? And yes, I am most certainly not in love with him, though I appreciate your distinction because I do love the loser. I don't think I should tell you, Lil, because I think you know her, so I wouldn't want to affect your view of her or anything, but yeah, she's nice. Kind of. Not to everyone, but she's nice to me. I think she's just a bit lonely, really. She can be very sweet if you let her. Don't worry, Lily, I'm not going to go elope right now; who would I even elope with? I literally just finished school and I don't even know what to do with my life (don't tel Mum and Dad); there's no way in hell I could imagine myself married.

Lily the Loony Cat Lady. Got a bit of a ring to it, I guess. You could live with Lorcan and have a house full of cats and dogs and be old cat ladies together. And maybe kids, though you might want to make sure they have no animal allergies or anything. Thank Merlin, because I really wasn't going to be able to recognise them if you wrote them.

That is something that Seb has always been, yeah. He was pretty proud to have met you, actually. Wrote about it in a letter to me. Yeah, write to Jamie, and tell me how he reacts; I reckon you're right, poor lad.

Love,

Al

[Lily Potter]

Al,

No, I suppose they don't just fade away. Though I wouldn't really know I'm glad she's happy now though! And isn't that pretty much how most break ups go?

I haven't written to her yet, I got distracted by writing letters to other people. I will though.

They were thirteen, though, Al! That's horrible! And I don't even know - I think we could have been talking about the weather, and it would still have come back to his private life, so.

Wait, I know her? Am I friends with her? And you still like her? You're not getting away with not giving me a name, Albus Severus.

I think that's pretty normal not to have your entire life sorted the moment you finish school, though, isn't it? Just because Mum and Dad walked straight into their dream jobs doesn't mean everyone does. I've got no idea what I'm going to do either, but I suppose I've got another couple of years to think of something.

That sounds like a great idea, I'll suggest it to Lorcan. We'll just drink tea all day. Although according to Seb, he's also sleeping with Lorcan, so Lorcan might not want to be a cat lady. What did Seb say? I didn't think he'd remember, to be honest - he didn't know you had a sister before he bumped into me. By the way, are you going to his and Chloe's party?

Love,

Lily