Han

[alt_susan]

I couldn't do this last year...I couldn't find the words, but it's been a year and now I think I can.

I want to say something about my friend Hannah Abbott, something to help people remember.

Han was so much more than a tragedy, so much more than how she died.

But it still hits me every time something important happens, that we're all moving forward through life, getting older and Hannah won't.

She could be quiet and shy in big groups, so I'm not sure how many people outside our House really got to know her well. But she was so much more than the soft-spoken girl in the back of the class, though she was often that too.

When I think about Hannah, what I remember the most about her is that she was happy. That might sound simple and obvious, but anyone who's been unhappy for any length of time knows different. Hannah was one of the most cheerful, positive people I've ever met. And it's not as if she had the easiest life all the time either--she just had a natural talent for seeing the bright side of things.

She was really close to her family and especially her sister; she'd always talk about how much she was looking forward to showing Chessie everything about Hogwarts. I hate that she never got to.

When it was just us in the dorm, she absolutely loved to laugh and be silly; I don't think anyone who just knew her from lessons would believe the craziness she could get up to, and half the jokes wouldn't be funny to anyone who wasn't there. The other thing about her that I think would surprise people is that she absolutely loved loud music. Of course, she was a huge fan of The Weird Sisters--she'd have been well chuffed that they played the Yule Ball--but she also listened to some really wild stuff like Playing Quidditch With Hags, even though her dad didn't really approve.

And even though she was shy sometimes, she was really nice--a good friend and a good listener. We didn't really start talking as much until the end of first year, but once we did it was like we always had. She had a way of getting everyone together, and she always did her best to help everyone get along. She just had this way of talking people around until they realised that whatever they were fighting about wasn't such a big deal after all.

She worked really hard at her revising, but she always made time for fun. She loved Herbology, and when we were talking about our future careers last year, she said she'd like to learn about how Herbology is used in Healing. She cared a lot about living things in general, and hated to see them hurt.

She wasn't perfect or anything; I wanted to make sure and say that. She was a complete neat freak, and the constant cheerfulness could get annoying. She sometimes panicked and did things without really thinking them through. I used to wish she would stick up for herself more outside of our House.

But she was really, truly a good person, and I miss her a lot. They took the extra bed out of our room, because there are so many first years this year. In some ways, it's easier not to have that reminder. But I don't always want it to be easier.

Comments

Private Message to Sue

[alt_zacharias]

I thought we weren't going to go all soppy.

Re: Private Message to Sue

[alt_susan]

I'm a girl. We're allowed, yeah?

Re: Private Message to Sue

[alt_zacharias]

Now, see, you had to go and remind me that you're a girl. One of the good things about you is that you're more like a chum than a girl.

I guess I just wish you'd've made up your mind so a bloke can know what's going to hit next.

Hey, did you see Ced come back from that thing he had tonight? He looked dead well determined. I'm going to ask him what he found out. Want to come?

Re: Private Message to Sue

[alt_susan]

What, I can't be a chum and a girl?

Is that not allowed or something?

Sure, I'll go with you--do you think he'll really tell us anything though? You know how he can be about that stuff--if it's even remotely bending the rules of the Tournament.

Re: Private Message to Sue

[alt_zacharias]

Chums are less complicated.

And if you ask me, Ced could use a little rule-bending. It's not like the other Champions are playing fair. Don't tell me Krum's not getting all sorts of help from that Karkaroff bloke. And Delacour? Please, I don't think she'd've even got her name in the Goblet without that Froggy Froissart's help.

Yeah, let's go see if we can get Fleet and Bobolis to convince Cedric that getting help is just evening up the playing field, at this point.

Re: Private Message to Sue

[alt_susan]

I can give you a chum-ly punch on the arm if that'll help!


And point taken--I like that Ced's such an honourable bloke all round, but he could stand to relax a little bit.

Private message to Susan Bones

[alt_sinistra]

That's a beautifully shared remembrance, Miss Bones.

Are you and your dormmates doing all right?

I missed checking in with everyone before supper, but I'm still off in New London. I'd be glad to stop in on my way back if it'd be helpful for anyone.

Re: Private message to Susan Bones

[alt_susan]

Thanks, Professor Siz; it's good to hear it from you.

I think we're alright here, I mean, as much as we're going to be. The ceremony was good--it sort of gave us a way to get it all out.

How was New London?

Re: Private message to Susan Bones

[alt_sinistra]

As much as we're going to be, quite. Also on the ceremony helping.

New London was largely pleasant - I go in for YPL business most weeks, but I've been taking the chance to have supper with friends (and tea with my mother, today, too.) That's always good, but this week particularly so.

Do let me know if Miss Zimmerman has trouble settling? She was doing much better when I left, but one does worry.

Private Message to Susan Bones

[alt_pansy]

It's lovely, Sue.

I think she would have liked reading it very much.

And I wish I'd gotten a chance to know her better.

Re: Private Message to Susan Bones

[alt_susan]

Thanks for understanding, Pansy. I wish neither of us had to, but it's good to be able to talk about them a little bit.

I still send her private messages sometimes--it makes me feel better for some weird reason--and imagine what she'd say back.

[alt_eloise]

Well said.

You're not the only one who knew her, you know

[alt_susan]

Thanks, El.

It was really hard to write, but I'm glad I did.