In the last chapter:

Pansy arrived at her old home, where she was allowed to pick up whatever she needed from her bedroom. As expected, she only took things of value.

Chapter Thirty-Six
So far, so good

‘If life hands you lemons, make lemonade.’

That’s a saying I have heard before, heard it from others but could not see the logic behind it back in my ‘old days.‘ Pretty understandable, considering my life involved the latest trends and looking overly spectacular.

When I think about it, I’m utterly amazed at my own growth. Yes, I do mean growth. Not on the physical part because that’s just inevitable. With all that has happened, I no longer worry on looking good enough to be envied. Such a very superficial way of leading life but that was just me. I can say that while I’m trying to shed my ‘old ways of thinking’ I have kept the one thing that has work and used to my advantage.

Being at the top required me to hold a composure, a superior stance on life and not tremble like a twig. Confidence is what they call it but I call it my weapon. Holding that belief helped me out when I went to take my things of worth from my old home; it had helped me keep a straight face when I met mother, when deep down, I was nervous enough to puke. It was the thing I had with me when I strolled through the halls in my last days in Hogwarts and when I, for the first time, ventured out of the Burrow without Molly and with a swollen stomach.

I’m happy to say of the things I took from home, have generated me enough money to open my own account at Gringotts Wizarding Bank. Not only do I have my own vault and key, but still have the two most expensive jewelry I own that I have yet to sell. Those, I’m saving in case of an emergency. The money I now have will help me live a decent life (not the kind I’m used to but I’m not going to complain) for a month or two after giving birth. From then on, I will have to find a job. Granted, I do miss living the luxurious lifestyle and it is a tad difficult getting used to the very, well, I don’t want to call it a cheap way of living.

Molly (who I have come to cherish deeply) still insists on paying my purchases when we’re out together, knowing I can do it myself. Occasionally, I will help with what I can, mostly paying for the groceries. I will help around the house but sticking only to the ‘simpler’ stuff (ex: washing the dishes) and not only because I’m pregnant but, well, frankly, I don’t know anything else. I realized that was the downside of being at the top: I did not know how to do anything. We had house-elf’s’ to do the housework.

It was in the second week of staying here that my extra lessons started.

It was only expected that they would be nothing like school and so they weren’t. That’s not to say that they were any better. The only benefits of being taught at home were that I could sit on the sofa and didn’t have to wear a uniform. Other than that, the lessons were tough. The woman, Mrs. Wood, came to the house everyday and even on the weekends, spending three hours with me doing solid work.

So today, Mrs. Wood was teaching me about potions in the kitchen. Oh, it doesn’t matter that today’s class was taking place in the kitchen but the fact that Mrs. Wood thought I needed to improve my potion making. I would have been okay about it were I a fourth year, even a fifth but I was already on my seventh. I will not be required to make potions in my near future… I think? It doesn’t matter. I still found it irritating that she needed to teach me about it.

It was as I writing down the ingredients that an owl flew through the window. As it fluttered in, I quickly took notice that it was a school owl, that or one from the post office because it was quite simple looking. Said simple animal landed right on my open book, dropping a letter on the parchment I was working.

Now the letter could have belonged to three possible people. It came from either Daphne, Jade or Ron. Each person I had written a letter earlier in my stay, the latter I just wrote to tell him how I was settling in his home. I came to learn that he was not much of a writer because I have not heard from him since. Daphne informed me of the going on’s in school, mostly gossip really. I was part of a rumor once again.. As for Jade, she was angry for not telling her of my predicament. I had to lie in my response.

“You may take your ten minute break now.” Woods told me, obviously seeing the letter upon my parchment. Nodding, I pushed aside my schoolwork and took the letter out from the envelope.

Pansy,

I’m sorry for not replying to your letter soon enough but better late than never, right? Truth be told… I never written a letter before, so, I don’t know if I’m doing this right but hey… at least I’m writing? I have to admit that it is easier than talking. This gives me a chance to think over before speaking. Yeah, something Hermione keeps reminding me I should work on.

Speaking of which, I’ve told them… separately, of course. Good thing I did. As you can imagine, both Harry and Hermione where absolutely stunned. Come to think about it, I don’t know whether I should have been insulted by the way they reacted. The baby news is enough but I believe there was something else. Yeah, reminds me of a letter I received from George when he found out about you… I don’t know. I’m starting to feel awkward telling you about this. Why?

Enough about me, but how are you doing? Last I read, you were settling yourself at home. Is mum mothering you now? I’m afraid, you being the first to bear her grandchildren, she’ll go overboard. Be prepared. Heh.

I’m sure you lessons have started, so how are they? Is the professor anyone from Hogwarts? What lessons are you taking? Have you gone to the doctor? Anything else?

Well, I guess that’s it for now.

- Ron

I refolded the letter as I stood up from my seat. I looked back up at the wall clock; seven minutes were still left of my break. One more hour of my lessons and I will have the whole day to myself…. and replying to that letter as well.

Next chapter: Letters