Letters

Ginny slipped into Lily's bedroom while Harry corralled the children to load them into the car. Cadbury sat forlorn on Lily's bed, propped up against her pillow. Ginny reached down and picked up the worn bunny, stroking the soft brown plush of one floppy ear. Even though she knew perfectly well why Lily had left the bunny in her bedroom, Ginny had a motive for coming up to fetch Cadbury. At some point, Lily might need his familiar comfort. It wasn't totally unprecedented in their family - Ginny could recall seeing the tiny green nose of George's stuffed dragon poking from the pocket of his trousers at school. And regardless of how eager Lily was to start school, they all experienced some measure of homesickness at some point.

'Ginny! Let's go! We're going to be late!' Harry yelled up the staircase.

'All right, I'm coming!' Ginny shouted back, tucking Cadbury into her bag, and running down the stairs. 'Relax, will you?' she said to Harry, who was standing at the bottom of the staircase. 'We're on time.'

Harry held his watch out at Ginny's eye level. 'We're late,' he informed her.

Ginny smiled, as she darted into the office and picked up a piece of parchment from the desk. 'We're not. I set your watch ahead twenty minutes.'

'You...' Harry gaped in astonishment at his wife.

Ginny slipped the parchment into her bag and walked past Harry. 'Come on. We're going to be late, then.' She glanced over her shoulder. 'Is the boot closed?'

'Not yet.'

Ginny smiled. 'Perfect...'

*****

31 August 2019

Dear Lily,

This is something of a tradition. Your dad did it for James and Al, and it's my turn to do it for you.

When James started school, your dad thought it would be a good idea to pass along some things he'd learned. We split it up like this, because, well, frankly, there are things your father can't tell you that I can.

First of all, finish school. I know there's a part of your dad that wishes he had. It might seem a long way off, but it'll be over before you know it.

It's all right to be homesick. And yes, you will be. Even though if you're anything like me, you won't want to admit it. There's no shame in admitting it, however. And there's no shame in admitting you need help with something. Something I wish I had learned a lot sooner.

Don't feel like you have to pigeonhole yourself into doing something because it's what your brothers do - find out what you want to do. Do what makes you happy. That's what your grandmum told me, right before I started my seventh year. It was good advice.

Make some friends outside the family. That might be a bit difficult, given how many of your cousins will be at school the same time as you. Your family will always be there when you need them, but sometimes, you need to be with other people.

Be yourself. Be Lily and don't feel like you have to live up to anyone's preconceived notions about you based on the fact you're related to James and Al.

Make your own decisions. Because, Lily, you will have to live with them. And, hopefully, your father and I have managed to help you understand it's the choices you make in life that ultimately determine who you are.

Your father and I will always love you, Lily. You're our daughter. Nothing will ever change that.

All my love,

Mum

*****

Lily pulled a slim, leather-bound book from a shelf and it fell open to a much-creased letter tucked into the pages. She carried it to the desk, tucked into a corner of the flat and gently removed it, smoothing the creases. She pulled a clean piece of parchment toward her and held a quill suspended over it for a moment, her fingers tightening slightly.

Tomorrow morning, she would put her eldest child on the train for school.

With a sigh, she slowly lowered the quill.

31 August 2046

Dear Elizabeth...