Mary!

Before you ask, my studies are going quite well thank you very much. Now, onto a much more serious matter...

You're never going to believe this! (At least, I sure couldn't...) Annie was asked out by the quidditch captain and she accepted!

Now, you're probably wondering why this pertains to you. I would be pleased to share with you! (Don't let anyone else except Lily and 'Lene see this!!)

Anyway, I have a lil problem with this whole thing! I think I might have a huge crush on Annie and when I say huge, I mean HUGE. This is a problem because I am not only best friends with Annie, but ever since I have noticed this crush I get super flustered.

Just the other day, we were in the common room with Albert and Hunter and we were having a pillow fight. She tripped and landed smack dab on top of me and my cheeks flushed! THEY FUCKING FLUSHED!!! (There's no time to reprimand me for swearing because I am in crisis mode! Besides, that would make you a hypocrite!) Annie didn't even seem to notice though because she got right up and hit Hunter with a pillow. Still, that was a close call.

This other girl is drop dead gorgeous, probably the prettiest in her year. She's very openly gay too, a total confident badass. I could never compete with that.

Let's be real, would you choose a confused mess or a confident badass? Obviously the latter.

In short, I'm scared, jealous, and confused. (Does this mean I am gay too?)

Your mess of a sister,
Jules xxx

Lily's eyes widened when Mary stuck the letter under her nose. As she read the letter, her eyes shone with worry for the younger Macdonald, but also with delight as she was finding her true self.

"How do I respond?" Mary asked with a small smile on her face.

"Well, make sure you express your support for her and offer a listening ear," Lily suggested.

Dear J,

I'm glad that your studies are going well! Say hi to McG for us!

Believe it or not, I actually do believe the fact that Annie was asked out by the quidditch captain. From what Annie told Lily over the summer, it seemed likely.

(I've only been able to show Lily the letter as Marlene was swamped with work, so you'll only get input from us.)

We have to set some ground rules:

1. Do not ruin Annie's relationship with the other girl!

Even though you are jealous, this is very important and I can't stress this enough! Ruining their relationship will just make matters worse.

2. Don't feel ashamed!

It's fine to fall in love (or have a crush on them) with your best friend! Take Lily and James for example, they were practically inseparable before they started dating —it was quite nauseating actually.

3. Be careful of who you tell!

Unfortunately, some people don't like people that like the same gender. I'm not sure why because it doesn't affect them in any way, but make sure you know who your allies are.

I support you completely and so does Lily! My love for you is unconditional!

I think that it would help if you talked to older girls at your school who are open about their sexualities. When Annie was first figuring things out, Lily and Marlene suggested this same thing.

Stay strong,
Mary xx

Julia received the letter at breakfast but made sure to open it alone in her dorm with her bed curtains drawn. Her hands shook while sliding the parchment out of the envelope. She wrote back immediately.

Mary,

Well, here's an update. It's slightly depressing from my point of view, but Annie seems happy and that's all that matters.

They've shared their first kiss as a couple and since I'm Annie's best friend, I had to endure a good thirty minutes of her gushing about her girlfriend. (I do not pretend that I didn't dig my nails into my palm.)

She's also been spending less time with me, which, I admit, is painful. I just now realize how much time I spent with her. I like hanging out with the guys, but it's just different.

Surprisingly, I don't feel ashamed at all. The girls I talked to (they were a mix of Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws) explained that they had a hard time accepting themselves, but I haven't had that same experience at all. I think it's because you are okay with the whole thing. So, I thank you for that.

I have a story that makes me flush red every time I recount it, but I would like to share it with someone!

Annie has always had a difficult time with Charms and she came to me to ask for help because it's well-known that I'm a Charms whiz. (Look at how humble your dear sister is being! *wink wink*) Now, it was her, her girlfriend, Hunter, Graham, and I in the library studying. When Annie asked me for help, Max (her girlfriend), interjected. I'm not fucking with you, I literally memorized what happened next.

"Why don't you ask me for help since I'm older?" Max asked her.

And Annie fucking responds with, "Because Jules has always helped with Charms. Why would I stop asking her for help?"

It may not seem like much, but it was a big moment for me. Just trust me on this one.

Much love,
Jules xx

P.S. McG says hi in return and questions why you must say hi if you know you're seeing each other for work.

Mary laughed slightly after reading the entire letter as it seemed that her sister had fallen for the "Potter Charm," but as she thought about it, Mary was not surprised. There had been several instances that Julia had blushed at the words of Annie, yet Mary had just assumed that's how her sister receives a compliment. Turns out, that's how her sister receives a compliment from a crush.

Marlene had been throwing herself into her work ever since Marcus had died, but she had had a minute to spare the moment she had read Julia's letter. She was beyond proud of her.

Dear Jules,

The following response has collective input from Marlene, Lily, and Mary!

We are all very sorry you had to sit through what I'm sure was a descriptive story of Annie's first kiss, but we're glad that you had your impulses under control! (Marlene would like to specifically add that not one out of the three of us would have made it through that without seeming pissed off.)

I am sure that Annie is trying her best to balance her time between her friends and her girlfriend, so just sit tight until she figures it out! It's always tough figuring out the balance between the two, and this also means she has to figure out if she wants to keep the two separate or not. Yet, it sounds like she's trying not to keep her friendships and her relationship separate.

Also, that story made all three of us howl with laughter at the expense of Annie's girlfriend AND we realized you never did tell us her name before now. Is Max nice?

Sending much love your way,

Mary, Marlene, and Lily xx

Julia was glad to receive another letter from her sister on the matter. Mary seemed to understand how disappointing it truly was to have a crush on someone that was already in a relationship. However, Julia was mostly on her own with figuring it out because her sister's replies were hard to come by because of how busy she was.

Yet, she appreciated what she got and didn't want to complain about it because at least she had someone to write to.

Dearest Sister (and friends),

It would seem that I have much more control over my impulses than the three of you combined. This could be concerning since you all are fighting in a war. (Don't try to shield me from this I know you're doing something sketchy with McG and Dumbles!)

Annie seems to be getting more distant with Max recently for whatever reason. This provides me with uncomfortable feelings. They are A) feeling bad for her because her relationship might not be working out and B) feeling good for myself because if they are falling apart then I might have a chance.

B is selfish of me (I know this!) but I can't help it. How else am I supposed to feel when I have such a huge crush on someone?

Max is extremely nice. She's nice to practically anyone and is only ever mean if you give her a reason to be.

I was thinking about telling Lincoln about my crush on Annie the other day because I'm pretty sure he suspects it anyways. He keeps looking at me oddly whenever Annie is around. Maybe this is just a coincidence?

Sending love and hugs,
J xx

Mary's post came quite quickly, with it the newest letter from Julia. She had grown to look forward to her sister's letters. Of course, Mary had before now, but as Julia got older it felt different.

Dear J,

I know that you're probably beating yourself up for feeling selfish, but as long as you continue to keep your impulses under control, I think it's alright to feel that way. Its almost—I think—normal to feel that way while having a crush.

Max sounds like a nice girl! Maybe you could try to make friends with her? (Only if you're feeling up to it though!)

Lincoln could have an intuition. He has been friends with both you and Annie for quite some time. It could be nice to tell someone other than me about your crush. I would do whatever feels best.

Love,
Mary xx

Looking up from the parchment filled with her sister's words, she heard Annie laugh with an expression of pure glee etched upon her face. Julia could feel her heartstrings tug, and everything just seemed so much smaller to her in the moment of an epiphany.

Julia never wanted Annie's beautiful hazel eyes—the ones that she had read like they were her favorite novel from day one—to show anything but happiness ever again. Annie meant more to Julia than she would ever be able to describe, more than she would ever be able to comprehend.

Julia Macdonald was in love with Annie Potter, and to her, that was perfectly fine. It felt as normal as the sun shining and the moonlight illuminating the night. It felt as persistent as the bees that buzzed in her ears during the warmer months.

But was Annie Potter in love with someone else?

...

Author's Note:

I impulsively updated even though I told myself I would wait a little longer, but oh well I love this chapter so much.

LET ME JUST TAKE A MOMENT TO SAY HOW FUCKING MUCH I LOVE ANNIE AND JULIA!!

This chapter is completely different than the one before it, but it's a nice change of pace for now.

And now the pining begins...

Lmao anyways thanks for reading
-teddy🦝