AN: Greetings and a very happy 2001 to you
all! Many thanks for your letters of
encouragement, especially to Jaclyn, who reminded me to dust off my notes and
get writing…
Before
I kick off, I wanted to address a few concerns. First, given my production schedule at work, I am not going to be
able to spin off the chapters as quickly as I was able for "Heir
Unapparent." I beg your patience,
as there will be considerable lag time between chapters…
Second,
I want to put forth a note from a reviewer re: Chinese mythology. The spellings
I used for the elemental characters were not for "turtle" or
"dragon" in general, but for specific mythological creatures, like
the Loch Ness Monster. The Enchanted World of Magical Beasts and the
Mythical Creatures website, www.members.dencity.com/MythicalCreatures
cite these names as pi-hsi for the tortoise element and lung for the dragon
element. Perhaps these are different
from those you know; as is often the case in mythology, there are various
spellings for one entity (i.e. Wodin/Odin, or Zeus/Jupiter, etc.) The
"flying unicorn" is based on the Ki-Lin, which, according to
the above-mentioned sources, appears to herald the birth of a great person and
is a symbol of benevolence and good will. As you've probably guessed, these creatures are based on Chinese
mythology, but I have taken artistic liberties to fulfill the story. I took my cue from Ms. Rowling, who adapted
the basilisk in Chamber of Secrets; the "actual" creature in
many mythology books is described as being part chicken and only twelve inches
long (BTW, I agree with Ms. Rowling 100% on this one; Salazar Slytherin and a
little snaky chicken just aren't as dreadful!) I wanted to clarify this, as we'll be seeing our elemental pals again in
this story. And there you have it.
Speaking
of artistic liberties, I have decided to take a sizeable one. I know Ms. Rowling has recently expressed
her concept of Professor McGonagall as a woman about seventy-ish. Considering the lifespan of a wizard
(Dumbledore is approaching his two-hundredth birthday, and HE's still going
strong!) I see Minerva as a gal in her prime. Snape may be a few years younger, but I am going forward with the
assumption that this is not a big deal in terms of wizard life spans and the
nature of kindred spirits. In other words, I don't see Minerva as the dignified
Dame Maggie Smith but as the vibrant raven-haired woman Starling has depicted
(for her excellent artwork, go to www.geocities.com/harrypotterfans.
They are also an excellent resource for all things Potter.)
Well,
if you've waded through all the above and are still with me, here we go!
THE
HEIRESS 1: A Young Woman of Letters
April
30
Dear
Mum and Dad,
Thank
you so much for your care package; they just don't have Callard & Bowser's
Treacle Toffee or Barratt's Dib Dabs here in Kyoto… (The Lama found this an
unusual gift when he learned you were both dentists!) He laughs so often; it is good medicine for me. I don't think I've ever met someone who
laughs as much as he does. It has
helped me with my homesickness, but not enough. I miss you so much. Please, when you speak next with Professor Dumbledore, try to talk him
into letting me come home soon.
Please
don't be worried, though. I am feeling
much better; the Professor was right to send me to this place to get over the
problems I had in March. I've learned a great deal about the wizarding
communities here, and, perhaps more important, about meditation. Going inside to find answers - I know it
sounds like pop psychology, but it's based on some really old traditions. I hope you've enjoyed the books I sent you;
the one on Zen Wizardry is especially wonderful.
I've
enclosed a few of my sumi-e paintings. As you can see, I've gotten a bit better with my bamboo leaves, but my
stalks still look like disjointed vertebrae. Well, please write soon and send more candy! I love you, Hermione
May
5
Dear
Draco,
Thank
you for your kind letter. I feel as you
do; it's odd to be sharing thoughts with someone you have never considered a
friend. But after all you did for me, I
cannot help but owe you my deepest gratitude. And yes, you have earned my trust. You asked if I think of you. Well, yes, I do. It surprises me
how often. I truly hope that your scar
does not cause you too much pain. As we
received our wounds from the same horrible knife, I sometimes wonder if yours
hurts when mine does. Sometimes it
feels as if my entire heart is on fire. The Lama tells me that surges of power cause magical scars to ache. I've seen this before with Harry, so I
wasn't surprised. But that's small
comfort; I never pitied Harry as deeply as I do now. You mentioned in your last letter that you feel uncomfortable
talking to Harry. Please, Draco, for
your own good, talk to him. He'll
listen, I promise… Best, Hermione
June
6
My
Dearest Hermione,
Let
me begin by saying how deeply we have missed you here at Hogwarts. The school year ended rather sedately, given
the trials of March. I am pleased to
give you this highlight: Hogwarts was victorious in the first Diggory/Krum
Memorial Quidditch Tournament. I'm sure
both Cedric and Viktor are proud of the new bonds being forged among the
International Wizarding Academies, even more so as Quidditch has become its
forum. I am well aware that you wanted
to attend, but I am in firm agreement with the Lama Li that you are still
recovering from your grievous injury. No less emotional than physical, my dear Hermione. Do not underestimate the power of the
emotions; I know the Lama is instructing you well in these matters. Heed his words. They may very possibly save your life in the days ahead.
The
Lama has provided me with glowing reports of your progress; knowing your
aptitude for scholarly excellence I am not surprised, albeit I am deeply proud
of you. He has informed me of your
desire to return to Hogwarts next year; while I feel you could greatly benefit
from another year of his teachings, I am sensitive to your need to be
home. Perhaps it is as well. Your life, after all, is here and I am not
the only one who is sorely missing you. I suspect you have had a number of letters from your friends here. We will all look forward to welcoming you
home, my dear.
I
have arranged for Bill Weasley and Remus Lupin to escort you directly to
Hogwarts at the end of August. They
have been hard at work in your part of the world and will be returning to meet
with us at this time. I know you have
been longing for the annual "end-of-summer" reunion at the Burrow
but, times being what they are, I know you will understand that you are to
travel directly to us. Further, I would
like you to spend some time here before the student body arrives. The faculty and I have been hard at work to
develop a curriculum for you that will build upon your learnings with the
Lama. This will be added to your
regular studies of course, but I have no doubt that your supple mind will adapt
itself well to the rigorous study.
I
look forward to seeing you at summer's end. Until then, I remain your most devoted
Albus
Dumbledore
June
7
Dear
Harry,
Thanks
for the news… I just knew you guys would win! Sounds like you scraped yourself up a bit; you've got to be more
careful when you do that Wronski Feint!! Bet you thought I didn't know how to spell that, did you! So there! Viktor did teach me a thing or two about the sport. I'm glad the teams decided to honor him as
well as Cedric. He was just as brave
and every bit as big-hearted.
Now
I understand why you always felt so awful about Cedric. If only I had… Well, that's the worst part
of it, isn't it? What could we
have done? His family has been so
lovely, but that only makes me feel that much worse. I know we all have to keep going. We have a terrible job ahead of us, Harry. In my heart, I know what it is. I am so frightened I'm not strong enough…
Thank you for understanding. I've tried
to talk about it with others but somehow, well, you are the only one who really
understands, aren't you?
I
had a shock today - guess what happened? I actually overheard two climacophora (indigenous snakes!) I couldn't
make out the entire conversation, but most of it was, well, of a romantic
nature… I guess it was a matter of time before this ability blossomed. Suffice
it to say that I shall put it to good use, as you have, and not misuse it as HE
has… I told the Lama about it and he was delighted - one of the snakes was an
albino and he said that is a sign of good fortune. At this point, I'll take all the good luck I can get…
Harry,
I know you've been suspicious of Draco in the past, and with good reason. But he's changed. I can see it in his letters. Please try to put the past behind and be kind to him. If he's really going to set his foot on a
different path, he needs our help. More
than ever, we must depend upon and trust each other. It's the only way now. Love,
Hermione
June
7
Dearest
Ron,
I
am so very proud of you - I knew you would win the Tournament! Your letter was full of praise for your
teammates, but I know for a fact (I have it on authority) that it was your
strategic leadership and daring at the goalposts that saved the day. I wish I could have been there to
congratulate you in person… You know what I mean…
I've
just had a letter from Professor Dumbledore. He won't let me join you at The Burrow. I guess we expected that, and I can't tell you how disappointed I
am. But, well, in light of the fact
that he is letting me return for next year, I must stifle my frustration. After all, he and the Lama have been
debating this issue for the past two months. I know the Lama feels I should remain here, but my whole life is half a
globe away. I can't hide here forever,
no matter how lovely it is. I couldn't
stand to be away from Hogwarts, from you, any longer…
Thank
you, Ron, for agreeing to visit my parents when you arrive in London. They really like your Mum and Dad, and will
be pleased to see you all. Please give
them my love. And keep a big part of it
for yourself, too… Love, Your Hermione
August
25
Dearest
Ron,
I
just wanted to send you a quick note - I'll be back at Hogwarts at the end of
the week. Bill and Professor Lupin have
agreed to bring me with them, as I cannot apparate yet (if you and Harry
already know how I'll beat you with your broomstick!!) I can't wait to see you
- I have so many hugs and kisses I've been saving for you… I love you, Hermione
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