Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognise. This is for fun only, please don't sue.
Chapter 1: Letters
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Dear Hermione
We're having a fabulous time here in Japan. So many wonderful places to visit and sights to see, that I swear that we're in overload. Your father is still trying to master the vending machines that are here. He has to look at the options of every machine we come across. The things you can get in the machines here can be very interesting. Very interesting, kiddo, will tell you all about them when we meet up - Dad.
The conference is going well so that means we will be here in Tokyo for another week. While we have been here at the conference we have met up with some old university chums, including my friend, Melina, who now lives in Kyoto. At the end of the conference we're going to head down to Kyoto on the train and spend a couple of days touring the sights and catching up with Melina's family.
Love,
Mother and, of course, Father
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Dear Mum and Dad,
It's great to hear that you are enjoying your trip to Japan. It seems that you are having a lovely time and are actually taking a break from the practice. Is Melina your university friend who you always talk about, wondering what happened to her? I hope that you get lots of photos and some informative books for me about the sights you visit. Please, if you get a chance, can you get some pictures of the Cherry Blossoms for me? One day I would like to see the Spring Festivals for myself. If you get a chance to see any Kendo equipment makers, please get their card and some photos of the type of work the artisan is producing. I know Grandpère would love some customised pieces and if you are going to commission work, you want to make sure it's worth the wait and expense of the process.
I have survived Valentine's Day and all the mushiness. I will be going to the Burrow for the Easter break so don't worry if you want to spend more time in Japan. Missing you heaps but I know it won't be long for the end of the summer term to arrive and I will be home. I have so much work to do before then, as there are exams to get through first. I'm studying hard, don't worry about that.
Lots of love,
Hermione
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Dear Hermione
We have made it home. It was a great trip and I'm so glad we went to the conference. We caught up with Melina and thanks to her help, were able to get a more in-depth understanding of the culture and places we visited. Yes, I got the photos and books you wanted.
Yes, Melina is my friend who disappeared off the face of the earth after graduation. We all thought she had lost her marbles when she talked about being contacted by a matchmaking service but little did we know she would take off to the other side of the world after graduation to meet the candidate with whom the service thought she would be compatible and then go on to marry him. She obviously loves her husband, Hiroto, and they are very compatible. To think that she just met the Nakōdo (Japanese professional matchmaker) who organised her marriage at the British Museum one wet Saturday afternoon during our 4th year at University. We got to meet the Nakōdo, Uchiha Sakura, who arranged her marriage and she is still organizing marriages today. Madam Sakura has a twinkle in her eye that so reminds me of your Headmaster, Professor Dumbledore.
Melina's husband, Hiroto, was able to take us to some artisan workshops that provide equipment for Kendoka and I have a folio of information for you at home, including photos of previously commissioned custom work, so you can review who meets your Grandpère's exacting standards. It won't be long until the summer and, of course, we are going to your grandparents' estate. We would like you not to be so alone while we are there, so please consider what we talked about at Christmas. Your grandparents won't mind as I have checked with Grandmaman and there are many activities to do around the estate on the farm or in the vineyard during the summer. Really Mémé is so happy that you are helping with his present and you know she doesn't want you to be lonely.
Don't you think that you might want to invite your friends for a visit so you are not on your own over the break? You do know that too much work, or in your case, too many books can make Jill a dull girl? You know you could invite your friends on a rota so that a different friend visits for a week during the holidays, or you could have a group out for a couple of weeks. There is always the barn with all the bunks in the loft.
Think about it, child; we do realise it must be hard for you to be the only one under 30 in a thirty mile radius for almost 9 weeks of the year. I know you get off the estate when you attend the university club dojo with your Grandpère but you need company with people of your own age, not a minimum of 8 years older than yourself. Of course your father and I will be doing our normal rota to cover the practice, so you can always come back to London for a week with one of us if you want to meet up with friends here in the UK. Think about it and let us know what you have organised. Good luck on the exams - we know you will do well as you will be giving 120%. Please don't worry yourself into a swivel before the exams; it won't help if you are sick.
Your father has started talking about summer projects so it won't be long before he writes with a list for your consideration. Mimi, I just have to get the project list manageable first before I write to you about planning our summer investigations - Dad
Much love,
Mother and Father