The Letter

Part Four

Summary: Hermione receives a letter that can change everything.

Warnings: mentions of suicide and off-screen gay relationship (Snarry), Ginny and Molly bashing. The story is mostly canon compliant, but disregards epilogue (obviously).

Disclaimer: the Harry Potter universe has been created by J. K. Rowling and does not belong to me. No money is being made from writing and publishing this story. No copyright infringement was intended.

A/N: Please, note that English is not my native language and I have no beta. If you find any mistakes, feel free to tell me about them. I have nothing against constructive criticism, but no flames, please!

Huge Thanks to all those who has reviewed, faved or put this story on their alert list!

"Mr. Weasley, I am afraid that we cannot help you." Clerk behind the desk was at least eight years younger than Ron.

"Why, Mr..." The older wizard looked at the name tag on the clerk's chest, and added. "Wilson?"

"This is just a piece of parchment. Silly girl has overheard some gossip and reported to her godmother. Why do we have to deal with some weird figments of imagination?"

"Maybe because that silly girl (who by the way is my niece and goddaughter) has tried to commit suicide and is being treated at St. Mungo's Hospital right now!" Ron was trying to control his temper, but the task was really difficult.

"So what? There is no case to investigate. They have not sent anything yet." The young man sounded bored.

"But they will, I assure you. And your department will have to investigate this case. You might not have noticed, but I was trying to help you. This letter might be a clue... A very important clue... But if everyone in this department is like you, Mr. Wilson, I can't help wondering how your people have managed to solve all those cases Daily Prophet has written about. I'll have to speak to the Head Auror and Minister Kingsley about this. Good day to you, Mr. Wilson!"

Ron was fuming. What a dunderhead! And the Ministry was full of them! Granted, not all people who worked there were lazy or stupid. There were nice people too, like Hanna Abbot, Terry Boot, Augusta Williamson and many, many others. Hermione was working there too. She worked in Law department. Who would have thought that her S.P.E.W. project could be successful? But it was! Ron admired his wife's achievements, but he was under no circumstances jealous of them.

Ron himself had tried to become an Auror, but had to quit the training program because of George. George needed help with the WWW. At first Ron did not like the shop. He had dreamt about adventures, dangerous missions and catching criminals. The shop would be boring! And there the youngest Weasley-brother had been mistaken. George's ideas were more often crazy and dangerous, than they weren't. Ron's life was full of adventures, because of them. Not to mention the shoplifters he had to catch from time to time.

The red-headed man smiled when he remembered all those little criminals. They have learned really quickly that Ron was honest and never made empty threats. That made him a really dangerous person to deal with. That Wilson-clerk will learn this too. Both, Head Auror and Minister of Magic, were Ron's friends. He would speak to them really soon.

Meanwhile in St. Mungo's Hospital

Hermione was busy reading and analyzing all those charts, diagrams and figures, Healer Norrington had given her. It made no sense, no matter what approach she chose. Lily's body was not supposed to reject magic. But it did. It was frustrating.

"Have you got any results?" Norrington's sudden appearance had not distracted Hermione from her notes.

"No, I have not. It does not make any sense, unless..." The witch trailed off.

"Unless what, Miss Granger...?" That deep, slightly hoarse voice of her former professor made the young woman jump from the chair she had been sitting on.

"Professor Snape, I'm glad to see you." No matter what, the witch still felt a bit uncomfortable in his presence.

"I wish that circumstances of our meeting were different, but I'm glad to see you too." Snape smiled. It was really weird sight, but after Harry Potter's victory the Wizarding World had learned that Severus Snape was not as emotionless as everyone could imagine. He was still as sarcastic and short-tempered as before, but also became somewhat more human.

"This note has been found in Lily Potter's room, under her pillow." Snape gave Hermione a piece of parchment.

Goodbye everyone,

I hope your life would be better without me.

"It's Lily's handwriting." Hermione whispered. And then it hit her. Everything was real. She had almost lost her goddaughter! She was crying again...

A/N 2: Review, please!