Dearest Hermione,
What a summer it's been! I've hardly talked to you or Ron at all. So much has happened upon leaving Hogwarts in June. Now, here it is, nearly the end of July. As you know, my seventeenth birthday is approaching, and I would like to know if you'd be interested in accompanying me to an exhibit in the centre of London. If you'd like to, please write a response as soon as possible and send it back with Hedwig. I'm not going to tell you, however, what the exhibit is of, I just hope it will be a wonderful surprise for you.
I've recently felt that I haven't shown any appreciation at all. You have gone through thick and thin with me, and Not once have I stopped to thank you for it. Yes, I acknowledged it in first year, but that's it. When you were petrified in second year, I blamed myself for the situation. I felt like you were so busy trying to get information for me, that I paid no attention whatsoever to your well-being. Hermione, I am sorry.
Also, Ginny and I have broken off. This happened after we arrived at King's Cross Station. I was not the one who ended it either. She told me, "Harry, I've noticed something about you. And I know for a fact that you are, indeed, jealous of Ron." Hermione, I had no idea what she was talking about. I didn't know what to say in response or anything. What was there to be jealous about? His wonderful family? His parents still living? How many people he has who love him? Yes, I was jealous about that. I was jealous of everyone who had that. But there was something specific about him that I couldn't put my finger on.
As the summer has gone, I have successfully completed all of my homework assignments along with keeping a job. I've been getting paid about 1 Galleon a day from my neighbor, Mrs. Figg, while cat-sitting for her when she's been out. Also, I do the lawn work for about six families on Privet Drive. It's quite tedious work, to tell you the truth. But in the midst of all of that, everything Ginny has said to me has been on the back burner. It didn't dawn on me until last night as I was getting ready for bed.
Hermione, I noticed what I was envious of Ron about. I want his relationship with you. You two have this connection, this bond. You two are a match made in heaven. Ginny must've noticed it on the train returning from Hogwarts. If you didn't catch me, I was staring at you the entire time. You just looked so -- Hermione. You were reading your book right next to the window, and you pushed a piece of your hair behind your ear and looked up at me. Hermione, that made my heart skip a beat. You were beaming. Your eyes glittered, and you smiled.
I know that confessing this to you may effect our relationship overall, but I felt I had to tell you. You simply amaze me. And Hermione, in the end, as a friend, I love you.
Now, I, Harry James Potter, have completed everything: facing the world's second most powerful wizard, broken every school rule possible, earned awards, participated in a TriWizard Tourement, and became a poet. Please let me know about the exhibit. If you are not able to attend, I'm sure we'll be able to see each other before school starts again on the first. You can use Hedwig to write back to me.
Until then, Harry