Peter.

[Elspeth Brookes]

Elspeth Brookes was just returning from the owlery. She had written a short letter to Emily, but then it had occurred to her that Emily might not like it if Peter was ignored outright by the young girl. Peter was Emily's fiancé, after all. She had thought, at first, to walk to the Great Hall, or the kitchens, to grab something to eat, but instead she found herself walking through the deserted corridor on the sixth floor. Usually it was crowded, with students pushing and shoving to get to class, but the combination of lunchtime and the exams seemed to have emptied the castle. She stopped her idle musings with difficulty, and swung round, beginning to pace. I need a place to think. I need a place to think. I need a place to think! As she swung around again, she saw the faint outline of a door in the wall. Curiously, she stepped forward. She had walked this corridor many times before, and there had never been a door before. Shrugging away her misgivings, she pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The Room (for she now recognised it as the Room of Requirement) was lushly decorated with plump cushions and bright hangings. There was a quill and ink, along with parchment for writing. Elspeth walked hesitantly inside, and sank into one of the armchairs beside the crackling fire.

Dear Emily,

I am having a wonderful time at Hogwarts. I used to mope around a lot, but since I visited you in the holidays I can barely stop myself grinning. I can't wait until I visit again - there are only a few days to go! I just have to get through my exams! I hope you are having a wonderful time,

Love, Elspeth.

PS. How's Peter?

She nodded decisively, folding the completed letter. That would do. The Room seemed to calm her jagged nerves, which she knew were from her worry about seeing Peter again, and the exams. Shaking her head slightly at her foolishness, she stood and left the Room, making sure to close the door behind her.