Letters To A Friend

[Saveli Pendleton]

letters for Alexei and Saveli

 

[Alexei Mihaylov]

Hello Saveli!
I am sorry for not writing sooner. After we met on your holidays to Russia I became suddenly very busy, and have not had time. I hope you do not think this is not a reflection on how much I enjoyed meeting you and your friend Viviana, who was also very nice. I admit that maybe I am also a little shy about my English writing, which is not so good.
Koldovstoretz is looking beautiful in the snow. I have sent you a picture with this letter. It must be strange for you to celebrate Christmas in the sunshine! One day, if my family does not move, I hope to visit New Zealand for a Christmas to experience it for myself. Does Hogwarts have a ball? We do, but I am not taking anyone, as I have two left feet (I think that is the saying).
Anyway, it would be lovely to hear from you soon. My owl is called Изольда, which in English is Izolda, and she is very affectionate, so you might have to throw her out of the window to get her to leave; but don't worry, she is used to this. If I do not hear from you beforehand then I wish you the very best of luck in your exams.
Всего хорошего!
Alexei

 

[Saveli Pendleton]

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алексей,

i asked Viv about how to write your name. Your alphabet it too hard. I had a lot of fun meeting you, even if at first I wasn't keen on hanging out with someone neither of us know. Call me old fashioned but I was always told not to talk to strangers. I guess you aren't really a stranger anymore. The town is beautiful. I took a half arsed photo of the grounds with my weird magic camera. Uh it's not very good. Viv said I should be in the photo but I don't like pictures.

So yeah. There is a ball but... I decided Uhm not to go. The guy who asked me only wanted to go with me for other reasons - that's what Gabe said. You remember me talking about him right? He's in the same house as me. Anyways you should go anyways. Have fun being unable to dance. I hope your exams go well. I fed your owl some treats. I think she likes me.

-Sav

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[Alexei Mihaylov]

Saveli,
I am touched by your learning my name in Russian! It is difficult, yes, but pleasing to the eye, I think. You write very well - Viviana is an excellent teacher, perhaps?
My parents have always said the same, which is funny to me, as I am already taller than most people. But our parents like to worry for us, yes? I am pleased you enjoyed meeting me as much as I you. The picture is lovely and makes me want to visit some day even more.
I remember Gabriel. I think it is a shame he has made you not want to go. I do not know the reasons he tells you, but if I am guessing correctly, then I would say you might ignore him, because it sounds to me as if he is, no offence, talking out of his a**. I hope you decide to go anyway and have lots of fun.
Oh no! You will not get rid of Izolda now! Please do not feed her treats in future as I do need her back at some point to send mail to my family.
Всего хорошего
Alexei

 

[Saveli Pendleton]

Alexei,

It wasn't anything honestly. I also learned Viv and my names. I don't think I'll be trying anything more though - I've barely got the English they use around here mastered if I'm honest. I'm glad you like the picture. I've always wanted to do muggle photography. I have an old 8mm camera, but honestly I'm not sure if it will work on school grounds. Because like, it's sort of technology. Oh well!

As far as that I don't know. It was because of the belly button ring. Remember how Viviana and I got them done? Or said we were going to. He told me it made me look easy. It just... hurt my feelings you know? And with everything going on with Monty (long story) I didn't want to tell him at first. When I did he basically said the same thing you did...

I feel like my sigh in this letter is audible. Anyways sorry you've got Vivi's Owl right now. I think her name is Scuzzle - Scuzzie - something like that. I didn't head your warning, so I'll care for Izolda till the next letter. Though she may get fat. Maybe I'll steal her. Ha.

-Saveli

PS, what do the symbols at the bottom mean?




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[Alexei Mihaylov]

Saveli,
After receiving your last letter I decided to show my friend, Ivan, the picture you sent me. He is very much enthused by photography, and tells me you have a natural gift and should think about pursuing it. My limited knowledge also agrees. He seems to think it is possible to have a Muggle camera magically enchanted so that it can be used in school. Perhaps you should try this?
I am sorry that Gabriel has hurt your feelings. I remember how excited you were to tell me about your piercing. Maybe it is not my place - no, it is surely not my place - but could he be jealous of you going to the ball with someone else? I do not know this boy, so please forgive me if I am jumping to false conclusions. Please go to the ball! I am denied the pleasure of attending myself, so it is the least you could do for me to enjoy it for both of us.
Ah, I should have been clearer that I was not making fun. Scuzzie is a very nice owl, but Viviana will be missing her, and I am missing Izolda. Please hold her out of a window and let go - she will stop coming back and fly away eventually. It is not mean, and she will still love you just as much the next time she sees you.
My English is not very good in this letter I am afraid, but if I rewrite it once more it might not reach you in time to change your mind about the ball.
Всего хорошего means best wishes in Russian.
Alexei

 

[Saveli Pendleton]

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Alexei,

I really appreciate that. For the most part I don't think a lot of my friends understand it - Viviana's cousin wants me to always take photos of her though. If you don't read the eye rooll in my letter you won't get what it's an issue. I prefer nature than pretty faces when it comes to taking photos. Though sometimes I like to snap surprise photos of my foster dad when he eats - he makes the strangest faces sometimes.

He's just being a arse. Gabe's just I don't know why he'd be jealous... I mean a friend of mine at the school made it seem like maybe he had feelings for me but, I don't know. We've been friends for so long, since i was a wee lass before I had magic abilities even. Maybe I will go though, but I don't have the courage to tell my previous date I'm going again. I guess it'll be a surprise. I'm sure Viviana has a dress I can steal - well borrow.

Anyways I've sent Izolda back. Took me probably half an hour to get her out the window I'm sure - but I promised her you'd give her treats. Don't make a liar out of me, Alexei.

Bxcero Bcero xopowro
Saveli

PS - your English is amazing. Stop selling yourself short.

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Saveli wrapped up her letter to Alexei adn patted the owl a few more times before quite literally dropping her out of the window. The petite Slytherin then sat down on the ground, and looked at the previous letters. It seemed that everyone who knew or barely knew Gabriel seemed to think the same thing - that he was jealous. The blonde worried that maybe he did have feelings for her, and perhaps she and he should talk, but she wasn't sure how to even approach the subject. Saveli just wanted to be close to him again, and hold on once more to that bit of the past she loved so much. However, she thought, maybe it was time to let go.

 

[Gabriel Fletcher]

It seemed that each of Gabriel's attempts to cement his friendship with Saveli only served to drive the wedge harder between them. He had never been particularly good at making friends - and wasn't it Saveli's understanding of this that had brought them together in the first place? The dark haired boy sighed, reminiscing by his common room fire place over the times they'd shared together as kids. Things had been so much simpler then. Of course, Gabriel had Lydia, now, who had responded well to his affections and agreed to go to the dance with him, but he still missed his childhood buddy.

According to Viv, Saveli had been spending a lot of time in the Owlery lately, and Gabriel decided it was time to find out why. He trekked up to the north tower and nudged open the door, which had been left ajar; and, as expected, there was Saveli, bent over a letter whilst a very needy owl rubbed itself all over her arm. Gabriel advanced, the softness of his soles and the hooting and flapping from the rafters above enough for him to remain undetected as he wandered closer. On the table behind her sat a small pile of letters, strewn, quite conveniently, so that portions of the prose could be read without disturbing them. Gabriel did just this, and soon a frown cut his brow. Jealous? Talking out of his a**? Who exactly was this jerk with whom Saveli was so eager to correspond? When she stood to release the owl from the window, Gabriel stood back, appearing as though he had merely just entered. Then, as she turned to sit, he advanced again, smiling sadly. "Hey," he said."Sav, I... I owe you an apology." He'd used this line before - on Alana. But this time, he meant it. Sort of. The Slytherin lowered himself to the ground in front of Saveli, tucking his legs in. "Will you hear me out?"

 

[Saveli Pendleton]

Saveli was in her own little world and didn't hear Gabriel enter. Instead she was surprised into jumping at the sound of Gabriel's voice. The blonde looked up and watched him approach and sit down. She thought of what Alana said, and her eyes refused to meet his as she did so. At first the owlry was filled with sounds of letters wrinkling in the wind and owls preening their wings for their next flight. The blonde thought for a solid minute before she spoke. "I'm not going to the ball with Felix. You're right. I got rid of the ring to." In a way the Slytherin hoped to make Gabriel feel guilty, but expressing her feelings felt rather good. After all perhaps if her tears expressed how she was hurt, Gabriel would understand what was happening in her head. So as a tear rolled down her cheek she didn't bother to wipe at it.

 

[Gabriel Fletcher]

Gabriel had got what he'd wanted. Saveli had removed her piercing, and she wasn't going to the ball with Felix. So why wasn't he happy? Her tears only filled him with a crippling sense of doubt over his actions. Though she did not openly express to him so, it was clear by Alexei's letters that she had at least been entertaining the notion that Gabriel might have, in actual fact, been a jealous jerk. And whilst he loathed the idea of his best friend dancing with Felix Warrick, he could not allow her to think him a bad friend; he did, after all, only want Saveli's happiness. It was simply unfortunate that he had to go to such desperate means to get her to see that only he would ever be able to make her happy. He knew her better than he knew himself. "Saveli, if you insist on these choices then I must make a confession," he said softly, dropping his gaze. "I was afraid for you when I saw your piercing. You're very, very beautiful girl; but there's more to you than looks." Gabriel met Saveli's eyes sincerely. "You've been my best friend since we were five. You're brave, and intelligent, and kind. Don't even try to deny it! The point is, that piercing... it attracted the wrong type. Guys that want to kiss you before knowing your favourite colour... they're only in it for one thing. And I'd hate myself if I didn't try to keep you from getting hurt. That's all. I'm sorry - I went about it in the wrong way." Gabriel looked down again regretfully.

 

[Saveli Pendleton]

Aaveli eyes Gabriel, searching for a lie in the way he spoke to her. Searching for anything that would tell her he was a jerk, and jealous, but his words were kind and tone sincere. If Gabriel was indeed lying he had her fooled. The blonde shifted where she was so she could be beside her comrade, and laced her hands in his. Sniffing she sighed. "I need you Gabe, I don't want to lose our friendship, ever. You're one of the most important people in my life and I couldn't imagine not having you by my side. I love you." Saveli meant as family, as she had told him before. She did love Gabe, but she wasn't in love with him and only hope that her emotions and words were easily understood.

 

[Gabriel Fletcher]

Gabriel repositioned himself to allow Saveli to lean on him comfortably, weaving his fingers between hers. Her shoulder was warm against his chest, her hair fragrant beneath his nose. He wrapped his free arm around her and held her firmly, burying a kiss into the top of her head. "I love you, too," he whispered, closing his eyes. It was one of those beautifully rare moments worth savouring a while. Just him and Saveli - and about a hundred owls. No Felix. No Finn. No stepfather. After a minute, Gabriel asked, "Do you ever think about us?" It was a terrible thing to ask, given that he was becoming very much involved with Lydia; but if this was his last chance to make sure Saveli would never love him romantically, how could he not take it? "I know you see me as a friend," he added, before Saveli could interject. "But... I'd be mad not to try. You're the only girl who's ever really understood me. Loved me for who I am, faults and all. You make me believe I can be a better person than my father. Besides, a world without you would be a terrible one. I care about you so much..."

 

[Saveli Pendleton]

saveli was so comfortable in the arms of her friend. She breathed a sigh of relief knowing she was able to open up to him, able to forgive and move on regardless of their differences. Perhaps their similarities out numbered what separates them. As Gabriel spoke Saveli moved slightly from Gabriel, and then completely, facing him with a look that mixed with confusion and perhaps fear. She wasn't sure how she felt about the question, it made her stomach churn uncomfortably. Finally Saveli sighed. "Gabe I... Maybe when I was younger I really looked up to you and you were always there for me but... I don't know I just... It's so hard to talk about this." Saveli looked down into her lap. She cared a lot for Gabriel, he was one of few people she cared about hurting, so perhaps it was best of she left the question open. Dishonest of course, but feeling sparing as well. "I don't know." She responded again.

 

[Gabriel Fletcher]

Saveli's reply came to Gabriel like a blow to the stomach. He wasn't good enough for her. His face bent with pain he could not hide, despite his best efforts. "Sorry," he mumbled, getting to his feet and turning around to hide the fact he was so distraught. "I shouldn't have brought it up. I know how you feel. I know I'm not-" Gabriel caught himself from admitting his feelings just in time. He shook his head, turning back to face her. "I'll always be your friend. I'm sorry, Sav. I'd better go."

 

[Saveli Pendleton]

saveli watched him move and she too got to her feet. She didn't want things to be sour and his face hurt her. Saveli moved to his side and grabbed his hand. "Listen I'm sorry it's not the answer you're looking for... Promise me something though... Promise you'll save me one dance at the ball? Who knows maybe it'll be like a Christmas miracle." She smiled as if to insist it was a bit of a joke, but her request of him was honest. "If you can't I understand but, I don't know it was a stupid request." She retracted her hand and kicked at something on the floor.

 

[Gabriel Fletcher]

Gabriel shook his head. Either Saveli loved him or she didn't - he wasn't in the mood to play games. At least he knew where he stood, now. Knew to give Lydia his everything. "I'm sorry, Sav. I'll be with Lydia." He couldn't very well dance with Saveli whilst Lydia was there, at any rate. "Really, though; don't fret it. You're my best friend. That won't change." Gabriel smiled softly. Then, as an afterthought, he stepped forward and gave Saveli a hug before withdrawing. "Sorry I hurt your feelings." And then he was gone.

 

[Saveli Pendleton]

Saveli couldn't help but feel that by telling him she didn't know, he'd still taken it as hard as ever. The blonde couldn't help the way that she felt though. Her consolation prize was turned down, and while relieved that Gabriel wasn't going to be dancing with her, there was pain and jealousy in the girl's heart as well. It seemed that ever since Gabriel got together with that Lydia girl she'd been closer and closer to losing a part of her from a past life she desperately wanted to hold onto. Saveli cared for Gabriel, maybe not as anything more than a friend, but it didn't mean it didn't hurt to think of him, getting closer to someone and abandoning her. Everyone abandoned her eventually.

After Gabriel left, Saveli stood in the owlry for a moment. She wasn't sure what to do to make herself feel better, but she didn't feel like writing to Alexei anymore. Or anyone. She sighed and gathered her things, lamenting that she relied so heavily on one person to hold her to a life she'd never have again. Saveli should have been happy though. Monty was an involved father - but he wasn't her birth father. Perhaps, Saveli thought, she just needed someone to talk to. Who better to understand than Prudence? Someone who had lost their family as well. The blonde sighed, perhaps it was her best bet - and with that in mind, she departed the olwry, letters in hand.

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