I miss my sister -- June 1998

I knew that I was five years younger than her, but Pansy and I always got along for the most part.  I was getting worried, though, because even though we only had a few days left at Hogwarts and then she would be going off living her life... she was ignoring me basically.  I found her outside in the courtyard and sat down next to her.  "Pansy, did I do something wrong?" I questioned bluntly, pushing hair behind my ears.  My sister used to french braid it for me, but since I had not seen her much the last month or so... I decided to let some of my mates cut it with magic.  It was short and I was sure I would get yelled at, but oh well.  It had started to bother me since it was not in its braid.

I was a bit startled when Linnea joined me, but that quickly went away when I saw that it had been my sister who spoke to me and not someone else.  I smiled gently at her.  "What makes you think you did anything wrong?" I questioned, even though I knew what she was getting at.  I had been distant but it was because I did not want to lie to her and we did not want people knowing about the pregnancy yet.

I looked at Pansy and shrugged.  "I mean... you're barely talking to me lately," I said to her quietly, picking at my robes.  "I just don't know if I did something to make you angry with me."

I shook my head at Linnea.  "Of course you haven't," I assured her.  "It's just with NEWTs and everything..."  I knew it was a lame excuse, but it was the best I could come up with for the moment.

I was not sure if I believed Pansy.  I sighed.  "I know it's a lot of schoolwork," I said to her slowly, "but you weren't this way with OWLs..."

I smiled at her the best that I could, adjusting myself to hide any possible baby bump.  "NEWTs are just more intense than OWLs, Linnea," I said to her evasively.  I looked at my little sister.  "Look, sis, you're still grand, okay?  I just... I have a lot on my mind."

I sighed. It was obvious that Pansy was lying to me and I hated that. "Pansy... will you please at least not lie to me?" I suggested quietly. "Clearly you can't be truthful... but that doesn't necessarily mean you have to lie."