30th May, 1891 — Slytherin Girls' Dormitory

Gretchen had pulled the curtains around her four-poster bed decisively shut and obsessed over the words from the only letter her sister had not destroyed. She would not be going to the coming out ball - it wasn't as though it was hers anyway and there was a fair chance she would push Frida down the staircase - and instead she agonised over a response.

It had been a month as far as Mr Prewett was concerned with no response from her. What must he think?

I understand now. What did he understand? Had Frida written back, trying to put him off? I must tell you the answer is no suggested that even if Frida had tried to scupper things it had not been successful. He was, against all her expectations, more true that she had imagined.

Her heart fluttered - or else the nervous butterflies in her stomach did - and she pulled her quill from her bag, scribbling out three drafts of a response, crossing out lines, becoming more and more unsure of what to say until eventually she finished. Waiting till her dormmates were out at the ball Gretchen walked as quickly as was ladylike to the owlery - wrote another draft while she was there - then finally sent the letter.

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Freddie Prewett | Holly Scrimgeour

The following 2 users Like Gretchen Lestrange's post:2 users Like Gretchen Lestrange's post
   Angelica Selwyn, Freddie Prewett

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Bee is tremendous, isn't she?

30th May, 1891

Dear Mr. Prewett,

I hardly know where to begin. My sister contrived to keep your letters from me and I have only now seen your last, I don’t know why she did it or what she did with them but if you thought ill of me for not replying to your letters then I hope you can forgive me (I will not, I promise you, forgive her!)

I wish I could know what you said in your other letters but I would not presume to hope you remembered the words. I hope you will write to me again though. I shall be returning home tomorrow so your owl will need to find me in Hogsmeade, but at least I can be more sure your letters will not go astray.

Sincerely,

Miss Gretchen Lestrange

The following 1 user Likes Gretchen Lestrange's post:1 user Likes Gretchen Lestrange's post
   Freddie Prewett

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Bee is tremendous, isn't she?

30 May, 1891

Dear Miss Lestrange,

I didn't think it was in your character to ignore my letters, but after three I admit I'd begun to worry that you had no further intention to speak to me. Don't fret any longer. There is nothing for me to forgive. I must ask, though, should I be concerned about your sister? Is the type to spread rumors, or worse—inform your guardians of our correspondence? I only worry for you, of course. I don't want to see your reputation harmed because of letters you never read to begin with.

On that note I promise the letters I sent contained nothing that would allude to our activities, except perhaps one line that spoke of how I haven't been able to get you out of my mind.

Sincerely,
Mr. Prewett

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The following 1 user Likes Freddie Prewett's post:1 user Likes Freddie Prewett's post
   Elladora Black

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— set by mj <3 —

1st June, 1891

Dear Mr. Prewett,

Three? My sister only saved your last but I am heartened to hear how many times you tried - Frida was frightened enough when I confronted her than she didn't tell me how many there were so I doubt there will be any trouble from her. But enough of her. I certainly don't want either of us to waste anymore time thinking about my sister.

Would it be too forward of me to admit that I too haven't been able to stop thinking about our times together? I know they were brief but each time I feel more drawn to you and I have no explanation as to why. Perhaps you understand it better? I always thought men and women were supposed to be distant sort of creatures but I suspect I know even less about the world than I thought I did.

Have I said too much? I hardly know how to be with you, there's no one in my life that has ever been like you Mr Prewett, so I'm a little adrift.

Sincerely,

Gretchen Lestrange

PS: Your owl found me easily this time. Have you somehow trained him to avoid interception this time?

The following 2 users Like Gretchen Lestrange's post:2 users Like Gretchen Lestrange's post
   Angelica Selwyn, Reuben Crouch

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Bee is tremendous, isn't she?

30 May, 1891

Dear Miss Lestrange,

No more talk of her, then. At least it was your sister and not someone else.

I admit that I've never been so attracted to someone else. Not even in the physical sense necessarily, but certainly that way, too—but this attraction goes beyond the physical. When we're in the same room I can't help but move closer, like my feet know where they're meant to be before my mind has made up the decision. I remember at the apparition lesson I couldn't stop wondering where you'd gone, or whether or not the students who stepped up to the mark had seen you hiding in the back before they took their turn. I wanted to call for a pause, to walk around the room and see where you'd hidden. It drove me mad.

I'm sorry to say I think I understand it less than you do. I feel like I should understand it better, given my age and the greater freedom granted to my sex in situations such as these. What I do understand is my own desires, and I do so desire to see you soon. When can we meet again?

Sincerely,
Mr. Prewett

P.S. I gave my owl a very stern talking-to about the lady he was supposed to deliver my letter to and how he would know her by her radiant blonde hair and beautiful dark eyes.

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— set by mj <3 —

3rd June, 1891

Dear Mr. Prewett,

I hardly know what to say but you seem to have all the right words. I confess myself a little bit apprehensive - especially as I had not heard from you in so long, though I know now it was not your fault, but still it plagued my mind - as I thought you must know more of the world than I do.

Now I'm beginning to wonder if anyone really knows anything at all and simply speaking from the heart is the truest thing one can do. If only it were easier. When we're together it all feels a great deal easier.

I can ask my brother to escort me to Hogsmeade in the next week? Kris doesn't care enough to ask questions so we can be alone again...unless that is a terribly indecent thing to suggest? I find myself forgetting what I ought to be every time I think about you.

Sincerely,

Gretchen Lestrange

PS: You're a shameless flatterer. Perhaps you are a cad after all and I ought to have my brother intervene? (Please don't worry, he won't. He'd probably rather like you but not as much as I do.)

  

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Bee is tremendous, isn't she?

4 June, 1891

Dear Miss Lestrange,

I hope in time you will not feel as apprehensive. It is not in my character to leave a letter unsent for so long; hopefully these ones are a testament to that.

I think it should be an indecent thing to ask, but its seems you're incapable of offending my gentlemanly sensibilities. Will next Saturday work well? We can meet in Padmore Park.

Sincerely,
Mr. Prewett

P.S. A cad—I ought to take that as a compliment! How about this? I'll be your cad.

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— set by mj <3 —

4th June, 1891

Dear Mr. Prewett,

Next Saturday is perfect. I shall meet you there at noon.

I'm afraid this will have to be a brief epistle as my aunt is determined to take me shopping in London today but I didn't want to leave you without an answer. I know how awful waiting can be, after all.

Sincerely,

Gretchen Lestrange

PS: How could I say no?

  

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Bee is tremendous, isn't she?