letters from home [open]

[GREGORY STEPHEN LINELY]

when you're away from home for a string of consecutive months, going on six years, you start to miss your family very dearly. gregory linely was one of those people who missed his parents, especially because he was a muggleborn in hogwarts. there was no study that proved that muggleborns missed family while they were at the school, but if there was ever one done, greg would want in on it. and he would say yes - he missed his parents. it wasn't a lie; he just didn't want to admit it when he was in front of the other students. but while he read his parents' letters, his emotions got the better of him.

as he gripped the newest letter from home in his hands, he started to cry. you're a sixth year, he thought, tightening the grip on the letter in front of him. and you're a guy. don't guys hate crying? someone's going to catch you. and then what are you going to say? that you're allergic to the owls? here's a clue: wipe the tears away and just be proud you're even here to begin with. the hufflepuff took his own advice wisely, letting go of the letter with his right hand; wiping the tears off of his face with the sleeve of his sweatshirt. you have a letter to read. why don't you read it?

with that, the hufflepuff began reading that letter - the most recent one from his parents. his eyes scanned the paper carefully, making a note of what they were saying and other things that were there in front of him. there were encouraging words; ones that stemmed from the last letter. they found out that he did well on his herbology test and wanted to offer congratulations. there were words of wisdom that they gave to him. and there were also a few different variations of 'i love you' at the end of the letter. greg got it. his parents were obviously worried about him and were hoping that he would come home soon... even though it would be a few more weeks before he could.

the sixth year folded up the note and stared out the window of the tower. he could see the blue sky and the sun shining down, but his world sort of felt cloudy. maybe he didn't mind if anyone saw him crying now.