CHAPTER TWO
THE LETTERES
Hermione slowly awoke and turned her eyes to the cage where Hedwig was sitting on top of. "Good morning Hedwig," She cooed as she slowly leaned upward allowing her body to rest on her right side.
Hedwig cooed back and flapped her wings and she flew the few feet to rest comfortably on Hermione's bed next to the girl. She leaned her head to allow Hermione to run her hand lightly down her head and onto her back. She cooed her pleasure.
"I'm glad that Harry thought of me for you to visit for the summer, Hedwig, I need the company." Hermione softly said as she repeated her pat. Her head was still hurting her but she didn't want to take a pain killer again, because that would mean she would be asleep. She didn't want to sleep a day away. She had much to do that day, like read all her letters. She had noticed the pile of letters on the table that was closets to Hedwig and couldn't wait to start reading.
Hedwig lifted her head and looked at her deeply in her eyes and Hermione knew that Harry's owl was telling her to take it easy and not to rush things. She sighed deeply and grabbed the bell that her mother had left for her. She ranged it a few times, wincing in pain. She hated feeling like this, but she knew that if she allowed her body the rest it craved than sooner she would fell better.
The door opened and Anne stuck her head. "Time for breakfast dear, than another pain killer." She carried in the tray that was landed with oatmeal and toast. She set it before Hermione and watched as her daughter eat everything slowly. She took out the pain killer and handed it over to her daughter and watched as Hermione swallowed it with the glass of orange juice.
Anne watched as Hermione snuggled back down into her bed and closed her eyes and waited until her daughter was back in her drug induced sleep. She lifted the tray and Hedwig flew and rested on her shoulder. She walked from Hermione's bedroom leaving the window and the door open for which ever way Hedwig decided to reenter the bedroom.
TWO DAYS PASS
Two days have passed and Hermione now could get herself out of bed and tend to her needs. Not as well as she normally could, no she was still shaky on her knees. But she could at least take showers and baths without her mother having to guide her into the bathroom or help remove her clothes. She relieved to see that she was healing just find and that nothing more serious had happened to her.
She was sitting with her legs outstretched on her couch which was next to her open window. The summer's sun and heat was warming her bedroom and she was grateful that she had decided to turn on the fan that she had brought a few years previous. She had the stack of letters beside her and she reached over and picked up Ron's. She wanted to read his letter first, because truly he was the only one who had vocally said that he would write.
She slowly started to read:
Dear 'Mione,
I'm sitting here in my room with my doors closed staring out the window. All that is flashing though my mind right now is watching you fall hopelessly onto the platform and having Neville fall heavily on top of you almost crushing the back of your head. I was so worried that I would soon see a pool of blood around you head and you would be dead. What would I do without my 'Mione? What would I do without Hermione starting fights with me. (Yes you do,)
"I do not." Hermione's eyes flashed. She looked down at the next line and than laughed suddenly.
(Yes you do, and I have the last word on this one.) What would I do without Hermione by my side when Harry goes off on his wanting to handle his problems alone, (when he forgets that he's not alone that he has us and others who want to be by his side to help him?). What would I do if I couldn't look forward to having Hermione coming to the burrow at the end of the summer before school begins once more. What would I do without ... (I won't continue along these lines, because I know that they are downers and depressing.)
I know that you, 'Mione, are safe in your bed resting as the doctors have ordered. I know that you Hermione will be fine in a week or two and will come to the burrow at the end of the summer. Perhaps I can get you do my chores for me. (Like how you pretty much do my homework).
My mind now goes to when I first met you back in first year. Remember Hermione? Who showed up at the door of Harry and mine compartment looking for Neville's toad. You were just a wild curly hair girl, and you annoyed the hell out of me when you opened your mouth and started proving the first out of many times how much smarter you were than I. I knew than that you would never be my friend.
That was why I said those things to Harry Halloween, 'Mione, I was jealous that you were so much smarter than I, and I was hurt deep within that I could never even began to dream that I could make friends with you. I didn't hate you, I realized what I had done the moment you brushed past me and I knew that you were upset by your shoulders. But I was a eleven year old boy and I couldn't handle being forward and offer my friendship, so I behaved horribly towards you. When I learned that you had been in the john ... sorry girls' bathroom crying for the rest of the day, my heart fell and I knew that I had to go find you and tell you how sorry and total mental I truly was. I wasn't going to confess to you that I wanted to be friends with you, no I just wanted you to realize that I did have a heart after all.
But on the way back to the common room when the troll was loose and I remembered that you were in the bathroom quite unaware of the troll, I knew that I had to warn you because I didn't want anything to happen to you. When Harry and I got the girls; bathroom and saw the troll go in; I knew if you died or got hurt it would have been my fault. So I pushed Harry into the bathroom and my heart dropped when I saw you hiding underneath the sink trying to hide yourself from the giant troll. Your face was so terrified and I knew that I or Harry had to save you from the troll. Harry beat me to the push, he allowed the troll to pick him up and swing him around. Hermione, given the choice I would have allowed the troll to grab me instead of Harry, I would have died if it meant saving you.
Tears came to Hermione's eyes as she read those words. She put the letter down on her lap and she covered her eyes with her hands as giant sobs wracked her body. She cried for twenty minutes until no tears were left and she pulled her hands away and she grabbed the Kleenex that she had left on the floor next to the couch. She quickly blew her nose and grabbed some clean Kleenexes and wiped her eyes. She picked up the letter and read.
I finally became un jealous of your smarts when you willing helped me take down the troll and save Harry. But I still knew that you would never want to be my friend. One you were so much smarter than I, and I had hurt you. I was surprised that you took the blame of the troll situation onto your shoulders, I wanted to speak up, but I was scared of Professor's McGonagall, and Snape. I allowed you to take the blame and the disappointed looks for me.
"Oh Ron," Hermione shook her head as she spoke softly.
When you came to me and asked to become my friend, I was so overwhelmed that I said the first thing that came to my mind. 'Are you mental?' I saw the hurt look on your face so I suddenly smiled and held out my hand for you to take it. We were friends from that point on. Who knew that a life long friendship could take place in a girls' bathroom with a troll on the floor beside us. Can't fight fate I guess. I just wish now that I just allowed fate to take over the first time I saw you in the compartment. Than I wouldn't have wasted all my time and worries about you not being my friend.
You do like me don't you Hermione? Even through I'm dumb as a brick?
"You aren't dumb Ron, you have smarts that I don't process." Hermione whispered. She knew she had to write Ron back write away. But she felt her hand shake and knew that she wouldn't be to hold a pen or a quill for at least another day or two. She looked over at Hedwig's cage and saw the owl sitting on top of the cage eying her. She knew what she could do. She smiled softly to herself and went back to finishing up the letter.
When you were petrified my joy went straight out of my life. If you had died ... (no I won't go there). I would sneak Harry's invisible cloak from his trunk and sneak down and sit by your side. All night at times just willing you to get better on your own. I talked to you, I told you all that I have stated all ready in this letter. I also told you that I was sorry that I didn't go to the library with you, if I had than I would have been petrified instead of you.
When Malfoy called you 'Mudblood' I wanted to kill him instead of cursing him with slugs. I was so ashamed that my curse filled me and I ended up with the stomach full of slugs. One that you knew that I couldn't protect you, and two you had to see me at my worse barfing up the slugs.
I wanted to jump out of the bed that Sirius had me in and rush to protect you when we all thought that Sirius truly was the murder of the Potters, when I saw you come in the room I knew that you would be killed. But I was so terrified for my self and that stupid rat, that I couldn't even try to get up on my bloody broken leg. I am sorry Hermione that I once more didn't protect you. At least Harry is always there when I fail. Thank God for Harry Potter.
When we got out of the sheirking shack and Professor Lupin transformed into a werewolf and you tried to reason with him, I saw him turn his red crazed eyes on you and I wanted to move and protect you. But once more I was horrible afraid, but than Professor Snape jumped in front you and Harry and protected you. I can't believe I'm saying this, but, Thank God for Snape. If he wasn't there that night than surely you would have been killed.
I should have protected you at the Ministry. If I had my way than I would have made you stay back at Hogwarts, where it was safe. But I knew that you would have fault and I would have backed down, so I didn't even brother. I wish I had. If I had than no one would have been able to hurt you. Than that bastard Dolohov wouldn't have been able to curse you with the curse that went to your chest and almost killed you.
I am writing this letter to say that I'm sorry that I couldn't be the protector that you deserve, 'Mione. But I do promise the moment I next see Draco Malfroy, I'll make him pay for what he did to you.
Ron
Hermione blinked. Oh Ron, you short changed yourself. It is I who am lucky that you decided to become my friend. You are the perfect protector for me. Remember the chess game, I was going to move and you shouted at me not too. You took the killing hit to save me. You have saved my life countless times after that.
I wish I could see your face than I can make you believe me when I tell you that you are my hero. A letter won't do. No, I have to wait till I'm eye to eye with you. Hermione sighed as she set Ron's letter carefully on the floor next to the box of Kleenex. She next picked up Harry's.
Dear 'Mione
I hope this letter finds you home and resting. I have a feeling that you probably won't be able to read this for a day or two. You probably know by now that I sent Hedwig to your house with a letter to your parents asking if you could keep her this summer. Uncle Vernon is one of his tempers where he said that he would kill Hedwig if I allowed her out of her cage even once this summer. You were the first person to come to mind to protect Hedwig, if you couldn't do it than I would have sent her to the Burrow.
Speaking of the Burrow, I know that Ron probably has started his letter to you. I pretty much have a feeling I know what his letter will be. His blaming himself for not being able to protect himself. Well Hermione I'm here to say that somehow and soon you have to get together with Ron and convince him that the weight of your life doesn't rest solely on his shoulders. (Hmmmm doesn't this advice sound familer? You and Ron keep reminding and are going to keep reminding me this years go by.) But I know that you know what you have to do – I don't need to know what is said or done – I'll see the end result when I get to see you both at the end of the summer.
I know you are wondering how I'm doing – not great. I still miss Sirius terribly. Like Ron, I too blame myself for his death. If I hadn't rushed heedlessly to the Ministry than he wouldn't have had to come and recuse us and than Bellatrix wouldn't have had the chance to send him behind the veil. He would still be well and safe at Grimmauld Place. Miserable, but alive. If I hadn't rushed to the Ministry than you guys wouldn't have had to come. Than you, 'Mione wouldn't have been almost killed by Dolohov. That was my fault. Solely my fault. I should have allowed Snape to get the Order members and had them sort everything out. They wouldn't have gone to the Ministry. They would have found Sirius safe and that would have been the end of that.
I'm sorry 'Mione. I'm not the hero or protector that you need in your life. The mistake will never happen again. I will not put your life in danger again. So help me if I do.
Harry
Hermione sighed as she looked up from Harry's letter. She knew that she couldn't put what she wanted in a letter to Harry either. No he had to see her eyes to see into her soul to make him realize that she didn't blame him for anything. That she would be by his side through the worse that life could throw at him. She put his letter on top of Ron's. She reached for the next letter which happened to be Ginny's.
Dear 'Mione
I'm going to officially kill Draco Malfoy with my own two hands. I'm not even going to use magic against him. What he did to you and Neville was so cruel that the bastard doesn't deserve a quick death. He deserves to feel pain and fear for what he did to you.
I know I'm taking a hard line against him, this isn't usually me. But when I saw you fall onto your back and hit your head on the plat form, not having enough time to protect your head or your back, my blood ran cold and I saw red. I'm still seeing red.
Ginny
Oh Ginny, forgive please for my shake. I don't allow hatred to enter your heart. Hermione closed her eyes and said a long prayer for her three friends. For Ron to forgive himself, for Harry to find himself some ease from all the death that he had witnessed the passed two years and for Ginny to rid the hate that had enter her soul.
An hour passed and Hermione reached for the next letter on her pile and found it to be Neville's.
Dear Hermione,
I'm so sorry for being behind you. If I wasn't than Draco wouldn't have pushed me into you causing you to crash onto the plat form and hurt yourself. Draco would have just pushed me and than I would be the one and only one to be hurt by him.
Neville
Hermione sighed as she realized that all four of the letters blamed themselves, she just hopped the rest of the letters wouldn't continue along those lines. She placed Neville's letter on top of Ginny's and picked up another letter. The letter was from Mr and Mrs. Wesley.
Hermione Dear,
I hope as you are reading this letter you are feeling better. We are sure that you aren't reading this for a few days. At least I hope you aren't trying to read it with your head aching and your eyes swimming, dear. (If you are wait until Molly gets you back at the burrow. (Now Arthur I just care about her like my own daughter is all.) (I know Molly, I know.))
Hermione smiled at this side note. She knew that the magic quill was writing on it's own free will at this time. She was surprised that Mrs. Wesley had allowed the lines to be kept in the letter, but not really. She knew that Mrs. Wesley wanted her to know how much she cared for her.
We want you to rest and take care of yourself this summer, obey your parents and not to worry them too much. We will see you at the appointed time dear.
Mr and Mrs. Wesley.
Hermione went for her next letter and found it was from Professor McGonagall. She smiled as she realized her favorite teacher, mentor and friend had written her also. She wasn't surprised that Professor McGonagall had learned about her accident so fast, with so many witches and wizards that were at platform nine and three quarters that afternoon, one of them had sent word to Hogwarts.
Ms. Granger,
My heart dropped when the owl arrived with the message on what had accord on plat form nine and three quarters. I wished that I had been there so I could have helped you. If I was there than Draco Malfoy wouldn't have been able to hurt you or Neville. I have off ically taken a hundred points from Slytherin. That means that they are no longer in the running for the house cup next year.
I have also sent a formal letter to the Malfoy manor demanding a apology from Draco, which will take place on the first night after the sorting. Plus Draco will no longer be able to come near a hundred feet of you again. I have also informed Snape that Draco will be doing detention every night next year.
I just wanted you to know that direct action is being taken place. Get well and enjoy the rest of your summer.
Professor Minerva McGonagall
Hermione sighed deeply as she re read McGonagall's letter. She had read between the line and knew that McGonagall was blaming herself. Even though this happened off Hogwarts grounds and away from Gryffindor. She put the letter with the rest and reached for Dumbldore's letter. She just hoped her head master didn't blame himself for this.
Ms. Granger,
I am quite sure that Professor McGonagall had told you the action that will be taken out against Draco Malfoy so I won't write about that. Instead I'm going to write on a happy note. I'm sure by the time you get to my humble little letter you have read, Ron, Harry, Ginny, Neville and Minerva's letters all blaming themselves and very angry. Yes even Minerva blames herself for what has happened to you. She is the head of your house and feels like a mother hen towards you even when school ends. She feels that way with all her Gryffindor's. No matter how old they get. That's why I made her the head of the house, she out of all the other heads have the most maternal heart. If you mention I wrote you this too her, Hermione, than I will deny it.
Hermione had always known that Professor McGonagall had a maternal heart from when she first arrived at the Granger's door step the summer before her first year at Hogwarts with her letter. Once she learned about the houses and which house McGonagall was head on, Hermione privately prayed and wished that she would end up a Gryffindor. She was glad the sorting hat had read her inner desire.
It is curious Hermione, by all rights you should have been sorted into Ravenclaw ... but yet you were sorted in Gryffindor. (Interesting isn't it my dear') I'm going to tell you what I told Harry at the end of his second year. The sorting hat sorts you into the house that is your inner desire. (I had a feeling that you would end up a Gryffindor when your name first passed my ears, I'm glad that I was right).
Hermione couldn't keep the grin off her face. She didn't even have to fake a blush. If Dumbledore had been in front of her, she still wouldn't have blushed.
I hope that you will rest and follow your doctor and parents orders until you are back on your feet. No cheating my dear. If they say no studying than no studying. You are still way ahead of everyone ... including most of the professor's here.
Professor Albus Dumbledore.
Hermione picked up the next letter and found only a few sentence on it.
Ms. Granger,
Your request is being full filled as we speak. I should have some answers when you return.
Professor Snape.
Hermione looked up and stared at her wall and nodded firmly. Her lips went into a stiff straight line.
Ms. Granger,
If you need any assistance please call up on me.
Mad Eyed Moody
Ms. Granger,
You comforted me and saved me when I most needed it. If you need the favor return please don't hesitant.
Professor Lupin.
Ms. Granger,
Count on me to guide you back to Hogwarts at the end of the summer. You, Mr. Potter and Mr. Wesley won't be out of my sight for one moment.
Tonks.
The rest of the letters from the professor's of Hogwarts and the Order were along these lines. Hermione sighed deeply as she got up and picked up the pile of letters and walked over to her night table and tucked them away in her top draw. She climbed into bed and snuggled down and tried to sleep peaceful. But she knew that it would be a long time before her restless thoughts and worried heart would settle down.
END CHAPTER TWO
Author's Note: The reason for this chapter was to lay out the details of everyone concerned in Hermione's life. I know Ron would never write a letter like that, but the letter and Ron's deep depressing feelings will play a major part in this story. The Hogwarts Professors' and the Order will also be playing a major part in Hermione's safety and her quest in finding out her true mother.
Also what is Snape doing for Hermione? Find out in a later chapter.
