A/N. So yeah. None of this is mine, except for perhaps the plot, and a few new characters of my own later. La la la….hope you all like!
Chapter One :: So Many Letters
"Hey Hermione! Let's play Wizard's Chess…"
"Oh, come on, you don't want to do that! You want to eat some chocolate frogs with me!"
"No you don't…"
Hermione suddenly awoke with a start. What a strange dream. If only I could remember who those two people were…they seemed so familiar. Hermione looked at the clock on her nightstand. It was three in the morning. She had been having odd dreams for several nights in a row now. They were keeping her awake and she didn't really remember who were in them, she only remembered what happened. In her first dream a few nights ago, she was going down one of the halls at Hogwarts when she couldn't decide to go with one person to the Gryffindor common room, or to go with another person to the Library. In the second, two people were both asking Hermione for her help on homework, one in Potions, the other in Charms. Maybe I'm doing too much homework before bed…Professor McGonagall did ask for only one scroll on "Why You Should Not Transfigure Animals Without Research," and I've already done four… but then again, I always do this much homework before bed, why would it be bothering me now?
After a few minutes of pondering, Hermione decided that she probably wasn't doing enough homework, and so that's why she is dreaming oddly. She fell back to sleep with no problem.
The next morning, Hermione didn't remember the dream from last night, but she did remember that next week is Harry's birthday. Gosh, what could I get him? Maybe I'll ask Ron, perhaps we could do something special for Harry together…
She decided to owl Ron, since she knew that he never receives regular muggle mail. Even though she didn't have an owl, she was lucky enough to find an Owl Post Office not too far from her house last year.
Dear Ron,
Hello! How's your summer been? Well, as I am sure (and I hope) you know, next week is Harry's birthday! I thought perhaps the both of us could do something special for Harry this year. I don't really know the wizard world very well, and I thought maybe you could think of something. Have any ideas? Write back as soon as you can!
Love, Hermione
As she started to walk off to the local owlery, she began to think about how much she misses her two best friends. She hadn't talked to them since they departed from the Hogwarts Express. She wasn't offended that they weren't writing to her, boys will be boys, but she was especially worried because she knew that Voldemort has risen, and his number one target is Harry. She has been trying to keep up with everything through the Daily Prophet, but she would feel better if she heard straight from Harry or Ron. Well, Hermione thought, by me writing to Ron, he's got to write back to me.
The owlery was just like the one in Hogsmeade except it was a little bigger and had a few more owls. Although there were times when Hermione wished she had an owl, she was still very happy with Crookshanks. He was always good for company. At the owlery, it was very busy. Everyone was trying to owl letters all at the same time. The old man working there seemed incredibly overwhelmed. Hermione decided she would just wait for the crowd to die down, seeing that she was in no hurry. As she was looking at all the owls, she noticed how many were gone. Usually there are hundreds of different owls on perches, all different shapes and sizes (depending on where they need to go) but today, at least half of the owls were gone, and only little owls were left. Hermione looked over at the crowd again, and noticed the worried looks that all of the people had on their faces. One woman almost seemed to be in tears.
"Why is everyone so distressed?" she asked the nearest man.
"Didn't you hear? You-know-who and the Death Eaters have started to murder innocent people again. I'm trying to write to my family in the country, I do hope they are okay."
"I didn't hear about anything in the Daily Prophet…" she said. Hermione hadn't read her newspaper yet; she was too busy writing Ron.
"It was just in the paper this morning! Three different families were attacked last night! All of the fathers work in the Ministry of Magic." He replied.
Hermione's heart skipped a beat.
"Do you know which families were attacked?" she asked franticly.
"No, I'm sorry, the paper didn't say who they were."
Hermione didn't know what to think. Mr. Weasley was known for fully opposing the Dark Side…what if He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named decided to attack the Weasleys? Trying not to think of the worst, she quickly scribbled a note to Harry.
Harry,
Have you heard anything about the recent killings You-know-who has done? A man I talked to said there were three families, all of which the father worked in the Ministry of Magic. Please reply as quickly as you can.
Love, Hermione
After waiting only a few minutes more, she was able to get two owls, one for each of her letters, for a total of fifteen sickles and twelve knuts. She made sure that the owl that was carrying Harry's letter was extra speedy. As she was walking home, she couldn't stop thinking of the worst. She started running; she desperately wanted to read the Daily Prophet. What if the Weasleys were hurt, or worse, dead? No, they are fine…they have to be…
When Hermione walked into her house, she heard a quite flapping of wings in the other room. As she started to walk over, a beautiful snowy owl flew over to her and dropped a letter into her hands.
"Hello Hedwig," she said.
Knowing exactly whom it is from, Hermione quickly opened the letter. But the handwriting wasn't that of Harry, it was Ron's. What in the world? She thought.
Dear Hermione,
I knew exactly what you were going to think when you read the Daily Prophet this morning, so I decided I would write you immediately. My family and I are fine. My dad had heard warnings that You-know-who might attack from different members of the Ministry earlier yesterday and rushed home immediately to protect the family. The families who were killed had fathers who had heavily insulted a few of the Death Eaters, and so they decided to get revenge. Dad is smart enough to keep his mouth shut when he needs to, so we were very fortunate. I was going to ask you to stay with us for the rest of the summer but it wouldn't be safe. Why am I using Hedwig you ask? Well, Harry is over right now and Hedwig looked like she wanted something to do. (Pig is asleep—finally) Dumbledore secured the house so that He-who-must-not-be-named wouldn't know Harry is here. The problem is, with all of this trouble going on with the ministry and You-know-who, Dumbledore's efforts aren't really going to do Harry any good. Dumbledore knows this and is planning something as we speak. Well, hope to talk to you soon!
Ron
Hermione was so relieved when she knew they were okay. She felt like a huge backpack of bricks had just been taken off her back. She went and got some water and a few owl treats for Hedwig, and then began to write her reply.
Dear Ron (and Harry),
I'm so glad you are OK. You were correct in thinking that I immediately worried about you and your family. I understand that I can't stay for the summer, and it's alright, I know it's for the best. I hope to talk to you soon!
Love, Hermione
PS: We will have to go shopping in Diagon Alley together. I really want to catch up with you guys.
Hermione sealed the letter and then was about to give it to Hedwig, but she looked at Hermione, and gave her the hint that she wasn't ready to go just yet. Hermione smiled and gently rubbed Hedwig on the neck. She couldn't stop thinking about the families that were killed last night. Why does this have to happen? Those poor innocent people. I wish I could do something to help.
Instantaneously as she thought this, an owl came flying in through the window. She didn't recognize this owl. It was a good-sized, tan barn owl. It dropped a letter onto the table Hedwig was sitting on and flew right back out the window and out of sight. Curious as to who was writing her, she opened the letter. It was from none other than the infamous Professor Dumbledore. I've never received a personal letter from Dumbledore; I wonder what the occasion is. Hermione chuckled when she saw the heading of the letter:
From the desk of Albus Dumbledore
She laughed because it seemed so informal to be coming from such an important man.
Dear Miss Granger,
I am writing to you in deep urgency. As you may have found out, Harry is currently staying with the Weasleys, and is being protected by a spell I have cast. As I'm sure you also know, there were several murders last night involving men of the Ministry of Magic and their families. I am worried for the safety of not only of Harry, but also of Ron and his brothers and sister. I am writing to you to ask for your help. (Wow, Dumbledore is asking for MY help… she thought) I would like to know if Harry, Ron, Fred, George and Ginny could possibly stay at your house for the remainder of the summer. I completely understand how much I am imposing upon you and your family, but this is very important. Harry and the Weasleys could be in great danger if they stay in the same spot for a much longer. Professor Flitwick and I are planning on having a very trustworthy secret keeper hold the secret that the Weasley children and Harry are with you. Everything will be safe. I am willing to provide funding if your parents need help paying for food and supplies for everyone (the twins especially). If your family agrees, Professor Flitwick and myself will apparate to your house so we can put plan in order. Please reply as soon as possible.
Professor Dumbledore
Hermione couldn't believe
it. She didn't realize that the problem
was as big as it now was. She immediately called her mother and father at
work. She explained everything. Being the muggles that they were, Hermione
knew that they would need extra explanation for some things, but luckily, they
understood the urgency and agreed whole-heartedly. The Grangers lived in a fairly large and new house, and so
housing everyone would be no trouble.
She immediately wrote Professor Dumbledore back.
Dear Professor Dumbledore,
My family and I would be honored to help you protect Harry and the Weasleys. My parents see no trouble in housing and taking care of them, and you will not need to worry about funding us in any way. Please come whenever is best for you so you can protect the house.
Hermione
"Hedwig, would you be able to do an extra journey for me?"
Hedwig looked at Hermione and gave her a reassuring look that told Hermione that everything would be safe in her talons.
"Hedwig, I need you to deliver this to Dumbledore as fast as you can. Since you will be staying with me for the rest of the summer, I will make sure to give you extra treats if you do this well."
Hedwig looked honored and proud as Hermione tied the letter to Hedwig's leg.
"Oh I almost forgot! Make sure to give this to Ron and Harry too. I think I'll add
that they are staying with me."
She threw away her old letter to Ron and Harry and quickly wrote a new one.
Dear Ron, Harry, and Weasley Family;
I am happy to say that Dumbledore just owled me, and you will be staying at my house for the rest of the summer. Dumbledore will be in contact with you and I'm sure he will give you all the details that you will need to know. Talk to you soon!
Love, Hermione
"Thank you, Hedwig. You are a wonderful owl."
Hedwig looked at her almost to say, "Yeah, I know."
Hermione watched as Hedwig quickly took a last drink of water and flew out the window. What would I do without Hedwig? Just then, Crookshanks came down the hall and stretched.
"Where have you been, Crookshanks? You've missed all the excitement!"
Crookshanks just looked at her and seemed to say, "I was happily sleeping, thank you very much."
A/N: Well, tell me what you think—R/R! and I know this was an incredibly boring chapter…but I have more chapters posted…and they do get much better!