Foal,

Is it alright that I call you Foal? It sounds so much more appealing that Horse! Things are really tough and I'm finding it difficult to carry on. I know Stag needs me, and truth is, I need him, and although my subconscious is telling me to give it up – my heart is reassuring me that I never will. I don't know what to do. Please let me know if you've heard from Jack (Russell), he's been gone for so long now that I'm starting to worry. I thought he would at least have written to us to let us know he was safe. I'm worried about him; we are supposed to be in this together.

Hold on, I'm hearing noises. If this never gets to you then know that I died doing what I love – that is the one thing that I am most sure of.

Hermione read over the note over and over again, feeling the crispness of the parchment between her fingers – just like she would do back at Hogwarts, writing essays and such like, all of that felt so far away now, almost a dream.

She felt two soft hands grip her hips and travel upwards towards her waist, pulling her in tightly. Ron wrapped his arms strongly around her, as she relaxed into his muscular body. She leant her head back against his, folding the parchment over in her fingers and slipping it into her back pocket.

Maybe she wouldn't send that letter to Ginny after all.