Hermione felt the ripe, Parisian air pass through her quarters with little haste. Her parents took her to France almost immediately after the Hogwarts train arrived back at Kings Cross Station, and frankly, Hermione never looked back. After being locked in numbed silenced, watching as her two best friends ran to the Chamber of Secrets without her guidance, she began to think freedom was a thin concept. Now, as she reads a lighthearted book on her bed in the early hours of the morning, she hoped the minutes wouldn't run past her. Ever since the mandrakes flew her out of the curse, her sleeping schedule has been practically nonexistent.

A light, delicate tapping was heard from her window. A tapping familiar enough to wake Hermione from her tranquil trance. Jumping out of her covers, she quickly undid the window and Errol dropping onto the red carpeting. Hermione rolled her eyes at the exhausted owl before propping him onto a pillow and next to a bowl of cool water and nuts.

She knew Ron was in Egypt for the Summer and was grateful that he is still keeping in touch even from across the seas. There were three letters in total and Hermione realized one of them must be from Ginny while another might simply be a letter from Harry after Errol stopped at his place first. After untying the letters and returning to her thick covers, she excitedly began to read:

Dear Hermione-

I hope your Summer is going quite well! You would not believe how wonderful Egypt is! I feel as if you would prosper in the wizarding world here, buying every book and tourist guide you could find. We first visited the Pyramids- an evolutionary pinnacle in wizarding history, as Percy likes to say- and it is even more stunning than Professor Binns could ever mention, with such grand height that even Ron was too scared to race Fred and George to the top! Of course, when they did, Mum was absolutely furious. She didn't punish them much, but whatever she said, kept them grounded for longer than we expected of them.

We spent a few days wondering the muggle world as well, and it is just so foreign and inviting! It is much like Kings Cross in many ways, but also not in many other ways. Does that make sense? I am afraid what we found the most extraordinary about that part of Egypt you might find normal so I won't bore you with the details.

I am so happy I get to write you as I almost missed the opportunity. The twins and I noticed Ron locking himself away without telling us why, so we hid behind the door until he came out. Mum was worried he was ill with a rotting stomach, and she was even more worried when he was sneaking in inks and pens with him as well. No way would he be doing his homework so studiously! After realizing he was writing a letter to you, I begged him to wait until I finished one as well or I would have to wait forever! Unfortunately, he isn't waiting long so I really do hope you're enjoying France and hope to hear every detail about your trip soon!

Love, Ginny

P.S How is Harry doing? I feel like I haven't thanked him enough for saving me last year. Don't tell Ron, though.

Hermione was relieved to see that Ginny was enjoying her time away from Hogwarts. Ever since she found out what had happened last term, she began to fret and worry over her as if she was her own sister. Beyond that, Egypt? France was only a few hours trip from her home, but Egypt! She was filled with envy and bubbling questions that she would have to write out immediately!

Either way, she is just glad she has become close enough to Ginny for her to force some patience into Ron just so she could write.

Hermione opened another letter and laid the note onto her lap.

Hermione-

How is France? I hope you don't run from the eclairs and pastries there as much as you do flying. The French are the kings of sweets!

Egypt has been great so far! Even Percy's annoying history lessons can't get in the way of Pyramids, gods and goddesses and even the muggles! Although, the other day when mum and dad forced us into the Library of Alexandria, I couldn't help but think how perfect a home for you this would be. Apparently, the library has every recorded book ever written and no one knows how it's collection keeps growing. According to Percy, muggles believe it to have burnt down for good when in reality, a powerful witch reconstructed all that was lost and granted it even more power, but kept it hidden in order to avoid persecution.

Isn't that bloody crazy? I bet you would behead Mcgonagall and Dumbledore just for one night there.

Either way, having to share a room with Fred and George is starting to really put a damper on my nights. It is scorching hot here, and it doesn't help when they-

Actually, I'll leave the details out since I wish to preserve my dignity. Luckily though, mum hasn't been as ticked off lately. I thinks she might be enjoying it the most here. The other day, Fred and George flew to the top of a pyramid and while normally they would have been grounded, they merely got yelled at! For whatever reason, ever since then they have kept their jokes and misbehaviors at a whole new low. Honestly, it has left us even more on edge.

This trip is possibly the best thing to ever happen to us. It was even reported in the Daily Prophet! Can you believe that?

Unfortunately, I've had to lock myself away in order to write to you and Harry and I must finish these letters fast since Ginny and the twins have caught a whiff of what I am doing. Then again, Fred bribed me with peaceful nights to wait as long as needs until I send Errol off. I bet he is asking Lee to send more of those-

Well, you get what I mean.

Hope all is well,

Ron

Hermione was stunned. She reread the first paragraph over and over, convinced that she is holding a truth that would change every understanding historians have had since that time. And yet, she could not utter a single word of it. Being a witch really does have its tasks. One thing is for sure, Ron is right when he says she would sacrifice anything to step foot into that library.

Hermione was quite happy for Ron and Ginny and prayed that Fred and George wouldn't push their limits with anyone there. She began to thirst for the Egyptian grounds with every passing line and made sure to enjoy the French even more, so as to rival their stories. Getting up to retrieve her own stationary, she remembered that there was one more letter. Opening it, she wondered why she barely noticed it as it had a fresh, distinct scent that the other two lacked and was even thicker than Ron and Ginny's. She knew immediately that it was not from Harry.

Unmasking the letter and inhaling the sweet scent, she read:

Dear Hermione,

I bet you weren't expecting a letter from me, but since we have won the lottery, it only seems right that you should experience the equivalent. Many would die for an opportunity such as this, but I am betting that your scowling and eye rolling is ruining the moment.

Never mind that, though. I guess the winner makes the final call. To be quite frank, Ron was hogging Errol and it was such an unforgivable task. Since the poor owl could only do so much, it was quite unfair of Ron to do so. Since I am sure you will open this letter first since it is addressed from the handsomest of the Weasleys and is of the fanciest wrapping, please treat Errol to a few days of your time filled with rest and treats. I doubt any of my dimwitted siblings will remind you to do so. He is a fragile, but grateful owl.

I am sure my brother and sister will divulge to you the splendidness that is Egypt! But, that will not keep me from bragging about it even more. Especially since they will probably only keep it brief and centered to the point.

Egypt is everything that home isn't, with its grandeur and vitality that rivals any Quidditch World Cup. It is a place marked with knowledge and power that stems from an anguished history and marvelous progression. And yet, Percy still finds ways to dull the hitched gold of the pyramids and the expandable lengths of the Nile river.

We also learned about the muggle myths about the Library of Alexandria and might I say, I wish I was there to behold the look of horror that everyone knows you would show when hearing about the truth.

To only know of destruction and not reconstruction is perhaps, a tragedy in itself.

Besides that, there is so much to see here! If only you were here instead of Paris to enjoy the scenes with us! Sweet Cairo would give Diagon Alley a run for their money, with its joke shop exhibiting a unique authenticity and the bookstore selling more than you could possibly imagine. Probably because the Library of Alexandria is so closely linked to the wizards and witches here.

I'm not sure if Ron will tell you the full story but in case he didn't, I shall compensate on his behalf.

Although the fire set upon the library may be read as an accident by muggles, it was in fact set with vengeful purpose. An unknown witch named Hermione was secretly bewitching the library to inhale every piece of knowledge that stepped foot into the city until it became one of the greatest centers for learning. Not until long, did the witch begin to devote her life to teaching magical students in a secret part of the library, using the books as ground knowledge. She grew fond of every student that was put under her wing and cared for them tremendously while also advancing the library's magical capabilities. All of this, right under the muggle's nose!

However, an angry ex-lover grew to despise the unknown witch's school and passions to the point of insanity. It can be said that envy and insecurity paved the way for anger and hatred to consume his body. He felt he was wronged, punished even, for only loving and caring for her. He wanted nothing but respect and love from the brightest witch of the age. In truth, he suffocated her talents and berated her power, merely out of spite for his inability to reach her scopes and instead, acted on his anger rather than pushed for his own improvement.

And so, when an army marched onto the bubbling, unscathed wizarding community living in the midst of oblivious muggles, he saw his chance and flicked a cursed match her way.

Upon seeing her life burn before her, the witch could only feel both confusion and shock. Why would someone do this to something so harmless, yet so beautiful? The man, unable to see tears fall from her eyes, threw himself into the fire, hoping to be rid of his anguish and the sense of failure that followed him at every step.

The witch's students quickly put out the fire and soothed her back into reality. After that day, she devoted the rest of her time to rebuilding the library behind the muggles eyes with the help of her students and fellow wizards. Eventually, it reached its prior state of power and eventually, it surpassed the expectations of every witch and wizard. When the unknown witch finally passed away, it became realized that the library had a mind of its own, with a never ending thirst for knowledge that rivals even your own's.

Hermione, I hope this story gives you hope in life and soothes you to sleep. Also, I hope you realize soon enough that none of what I just wrote is true and that I merely was having fun creating a story. In truth, the only known fact about the witch was that she reconstructed the library after it burned down out of sympathy and endearment for the muggles. She never even slapped a spell onto the old building before the fire! ;)

I hope my storytelling lulls you a peaceful day, either way.

Aside from Egypt, I am sure you have your own wonders to tell about France and its people! Have you discovered the wizarding community there? If not, then my lips are sealed and hope you solve this brain teaser yourself. Mainly because, I have never been there myself and know as little as you do.

I like to believe that you're enjoying your summer and not fretting over boring tasks such as potions and charms, but I we know you all too well. You will be starting third year soon and I am curious to know what classes you have opted to take. I doubt it is as little as Ron's schedule or as careless as ours were. In fact, I am willing to bet you have found a way to take every class Hogwarts offers, even that meaningless course "Muggle's Studies," that I doubt would help you much. (Meaningless only for people like you who already are quite familiar with the muggle world).

Since I am sure you will weigh yourself down with a heavy workload, I beg you to think twice before doing so. One or two less classes would not tarnish your future or the way Hogwarts views you as a witch. Nevertheless, feel free to lean on someone's shoulder when it becomes too much, or to grow silly on occasion when the books are hardening your moods. In fact, learn to not always turn in work on time or to not always do an assignment with absolute perfection.

That last suggestion might be too much of a stretch for you.

Anyways, I have some splendid news! George and I have had a decent amount of time on our hands since we've stepped away from the mischievous business for the time-being. We learned to use that time to design small inventions that would bore the average wizard, but entrance the average muggle. One of these creations was a mini, perfume scent. We got the idea when mums favorite perfume broke and the lobby smelt like biscuits and kittens for the rest of the week (honestly, I thought that was her natural smell). I thought it would be nice to spray it onto the letter as an experiment to test how long it would last. It would also give you a good excuse to write back. Please let me know what you smell, if you smell anything.

George and I have kept our "annoying tactics" out of the family's path s as of lately. Everyone believes it is because of mum's lecture but that is only partially true. To tell you the truth, George and I flew to the top of largest pyramid, and out of excitement we paraded across the desert with joyous laughter and arrogant smiles. It wasn't until we headed back that the heat began to hurt our heads and melt our palms and we realized how much we regretted our decision. From then on, we decided not to challenge the Egyptian heat.

Honestly, I think the main reason I am spending so long on this letter is to annoy Ron. Since we have been on our best behavior, Egypt has gotten a bit ordinary. However, I am curious to know how you are holding up. Ginny says she made a full recovery, but many of us notice how she doesn't sleep until the last possible minute. I am sure France is giving you the break that you deserve but I hope you are not sneaking around at midnight and hugging strangers getting a full nights rest and enjoying the change of pace.

Well, it looks like Ron's fuse is about to light so I shall end it here. Then again, he is probably just glad that we won't be sneaking fire popping dung beetles in his pants for the next few nights.

You can calm us, but you cannot control us.

Best of wishes,

Fred Weasley.

P.S

Enclosed is a small pamphlet from the library. It's a meaningless souvenir to us, but I figured you might get a kick out of it!

Hermione read the letter twice to make sure she understood it correctly. For one, why was it so formal? It did not sound as if Fred Weasley had written it. Perhaps he is suffering heat stroke?

Fred's letter was surprisingly the most thoughtful and intriguing of the three. It was nothing at all from what she expected. Then again, she wasn't even expecting a letter from him in the first place! While it is true that her and Fred have been getting more comfortable with each other ever since that night, she was still surprised. She remembered the trip back to Kings Cross after school ended and how he stopped by to toss her a lone butterbeer. Ron had thought Fred missed his target and attempted to yank the bottle from her hands. Harry seemed to be oblivious to what she was hugging closely until she let him take a sip.

"Just a souvenir I thought you might enjoy," Fred had said, winking at the taken aback girl.

Now, she would give anything to taste a butterbeer straight from Hogwarts. Is that where he got them from? Suddenly, the joy and peace she felt while relaxing in the French sun was starting to wane as the nostalgia for the warm, Gryffindor fire and Hagrid's large hut overcame her. She wondered if any of her other friends felt the same.

Shaking her homesickness away, she reread Fred's letter for a third time. She couldn't help but wonder what the crossed out lines read and if the Tale of Alexandria is true or not. Fred says it isn't, but for some reason, she doubts his words. From the top to the bottom of the letter, Hermione had a rare smile plastered on her face. Part of her was ashamed that she was happiest with his correspondence compared to Ron's and Ginny's. It is only natural for her best friend's brother to give such thoughtful advice, right? Even if it was so formal? She wasn't sure. It felt nice to have someone look after her though, especially since her own friends often fail to do so. Now that she thought about it, she should probably get some souvenirs for the lot.

Speaking of souvenirs, Hermione pulled out a thin booklet enclosed in the envelope. For such a "meaningless" gift, Hermione was astounded. It had a moving photo of a feminine silhouette waving her wand at a series of flying books that caught fire and disappeared from the page. Inside the pamphlet, it was titled "The Tale of Alexandria." Hermione read the familiar words and realized that her gut was right and that Fred's story was true after all. She skimmed that section, realizing that she preferred Fred's storytelling over the official one. The booklet unfolded into a giant paper that covered half of her bed. Hermione gasped once she realized what she was looking at. It was an enchanted map of the Library of Alexandria expanding from the entrance to the back most passages. She traced thin lines over the bookcases sheltering histories of lost knowledge. She ran her fingers over the flying books running across the map into imaginary hands. How anybody could view this as "meaningless" is beyond her.

Hermione giddily explored the map for as long as she could before realizing that Errol had exhausted all the nuts and was still hungry for more. Sighing, she folded the map into its original rectangular shape and left to retrieve some dried fruits she was saving for Hedwig. After Errol threw his beak into the bowl, Hermione returned to the perfumed letter.

She realized how powerful the scent was and for some reason it excited her. It smelled like freshly cut grass bathed in morning dew with a hint of spices that she knew must be indigenous to Egypt. It took all the strength she could muster to step away from the envelope and to return to Fred's letter.

Finally, she set it aside and grabbed her own stationary set. She figured she ought to send Errol with her responses in a few days, but she had enough time to respond right now.

Dear Ginny,

I am so glad you wrote me! Sometimes, I don't understand what Ron is thinking, especially since his letters are a little over sparse notes. But never mind that! Egypt sounds fantastic! I have always wanted to visit and explore the tombs of the Pharaohs and to learn even more about Cleopatra! I remembered learning about the Pyramids in muggle school and how many historians are not totally sure how they were built so magnificently, but now that I think about it, magic seems like such an obvious explanation! For me, at least. I doubt this logic would run by historians so easily.

As for muggle Egypt, I am sure it is very different from muggle London in many ways so I doubt I would get bored much. Besides, viewing the muggle world through a wizard perspective is such a fascinating experience! It is the reason why I will be taking "Muggle Studies," this year.

As for Ron, Fred and George, I am just glad that Ron refrained from participating in such an act. If it was dangerous enough to shake Fred and George, then I can't imagine how Ron would have reacted!

Currently, I am in Paris with my parents and it is just riveting! I am learning to improve my French and we even when up really high on the Eiffel tower- well, as high as my stomach would allow me. I am afraid I understand Ron's fear in that sense.

The food here is quite pleasing, but part of me misses the food from Hogwarts even more. That may be because my father forbids too many sweets, though. As for Harry, he is doing quite well! He wrote to me the other day and so far, nothing too terrible has happened to him.

I hope you are sleeping well and getting on with your days easily, you know. Since Summer has started I have grown to be more relaxed about what happened last year and I hope you are forgiving yourself too.

Anyways, I can't wait until I see you and Ron once we both return from our long trips, but until then, have fun!

Love,

Hermione

Hermione folded the letter into a white envelope and wrote 'Ginny' in elegant cursive.

Dear Ron,

I cannot believe you are locking yourself away from your family! All for a letter? Frankly, I am quite disappointed that you spend more time on a sparse note than you do on your homework. You may be in Egypt, but that does not mean homework is nonexistent.

Aside from that, I am grateful that you are still writing to me even across the seas. I am also grateful that you chose not to race to the top of the Pyramids with Fred and George. Frankly, I would like to see you alive and well at the start of next term.

Also, the Library of Alexandria! Really? There is no way that is true! If only you were here, you would see me jumping up and down at the earliest hour of the day! Every muggle alive knows for a fact the library has been burnt into ashes, but I guess everything we know has yet to be disproven! I am truly astonished!

As for France, what can I say? France is France. Frankly, I don't think any of my wonderments can match those that you have seen in Egypt. We visited the Eiffel tower but my stomach forbade me going too high. In that sense, I quite understand why you refused to race with Fred and George. The food here, too, is quite tasty but just as you said, my father is keeping me from indulging in too many sweets so I am not all too familiar with French chocolates and the like.

I am already starting to miss you, Harry and Hogwarts so much. We visited a museum and all I could think about was how the paintings would look if only they moved! Whenever I climb the stairs, my stomach always jumps expecting them to move. Just the other day, I saw a painter offering to paint pictures of friends and family and I almost called yours and Harry's name!

But anyways, I hope Errol is not under too much pressure. The poor thing passed out the minute I opened my window and is now feasting as if there is no tomorrow!

I will make sure to pick something to your liking while I am here, as well as to Harry's, so make sure to come back in one piece!

Love,

Hermione

P.S

I don't think Lee is the one sending the fire popping dung beetles to Fred. But, that really isn't any of my business, now is it?

Hermione smiled at her masterpiece before popping it into another envelope.

Hermione hesitated when starting the next one. Where should she begin?

Fred,

If I wanted to feel the equivalent of winning the lottery, I would be the one stepping foot in that library instead of you. I cannot put into words how SHOCKED I am to hear about the Library of Alexandria! I have been taught over and over how the library was burnt down along with so many books that historians often question how different time would have progressed if they were spared! And for it to not only still exist behind the muggle's eyes but to be prospering farther than any witch's intent is beyond me ! I have always wanted to visit Egypt because its origins date back to the beginnings of humanity, but now I have even more pushing me there!

And yet, I cannot say anything, but to Harry and my fellow witches and wizards. This new responsibility as a witch can have its downside's, I suppose. I don't think I will ever get over this shock as it is quite literally, tearing my soul in half!

The "meaningless" pamphlet you sent me had my heart pumping the entire time I looked at it! It is as if someone turned back time and rewrote history but forgot to let half the world know about it! Frankly, this is the best thing to have happened to me all of Summer and I doubt anything could beat it! My favorite part about the pamphlet is the so-called fairytale you have concocted only for it to be true! I can't help but wonder what was the point in even telling it as a lie if the truth was going to be revealed in your very own gift!

Either way, this is such a marvelous gift that I don't even know what to do with it! I am afraid that the minute I hide it away, I will suddenly forget it in France! Or if I pack it in my suitcase, it will get ruined and all I will have left are shards of parchment to write notes on.

You know , you write about Egypt as if you were a scholar taking notes for a soon-to-be published textbook.

"Egypt is everything that home isn't, with its grandeur and vitality that rivals any Quidditch World Cup. It is a place marked with knowledge and power that stems from an anguished history and marvelous progression."

It is almost poetic, really. Are you sure you don't secretly enjoy Percy's lectures? At least in Paris I am not in the position to have my sights ruined. Of course, an exception would be when my dad keeps me from buying sweets. Times like those, I truly do miss the Great Hall and its splendid desserts!

Then again, Paris has it's own perks. The other day, my parents and I went up the Eiffel tower, and although I couldn't stand to go too high, it was truly fascinating! How you and George flew to the top of the Great Pyramids with little hesitation is beyond me. In speaking of that, are you sure the heat is the only reason why you and George have refrained from pulling any more tricks? It feels like such a minuscule excuse for the likes of you.

I was looking at my schedule the other day, and I am afraid your warning came a little late. When selecting our courses, I remember being intrigued by every single class. Coming from a muggle family, it was all too much to refuse, really! So... I guess even Muggle Studies will have to come through eventually. However, I do appreciate your advice. I suppose overworking myself is already to be expected of me, and perhaps I should learn how to relax more this year. I guess I'll have to pay attention more to your jokes then if I ever plan on going "silly." However, that does not mean I will be turning in assignments late or untidy!

Lately, I have been adjusting to life quite well. I know I was a bit odd after I was unpetrified, and I really do appreciate yours and everyone else's support. I am also worried for Ginny, so I made sure to leave a reassuring note in my letter to her.

As for the smell of the envelope, it is absolutely delightful! It is powerful enough to reach me even from my drawers. I smell grass with dew and some Egyptian spices, I presume? How did you guys create it, especially since magic isn't allowed outside of school?

Since you were kind enough to include a small gift so soon I thought I might do the same. Unfortunately, since it is a muggle contraption there is no grand history tied to it. Although, I personally do not think you deserve it especially since poor Ronald has to deal with your antics every night. Fire popping dung beetles? Unbelievable.

One last thing. Am I crazy or did your letter not sound like you at all? Are you feeling well? I never expected such formality from you. Your letter was very kind and h as made my day, but it was far from casualty. I hope the heat isn't getting to you too much since Hogwarts will need its star Beater safe and sound. I guess you really did want to annoy Ron into being patient.

Thanks to your very true story, I promise to have a peaceful day and I hope your trip is full of more adventures for you to tell!

Love,

Hermione

P.S

I'll have you know that I know exactly where to go in regards to the wizarding community. I may be a muggle-born, but I am a clever one.

Hermione folded the letter into a thick envelope and set the three letters aside. She was pleased with her response (albeit she felt some of it to be repetitive from her other responses) and was excited to hear back from everyone. She hasn't yet bought something to include in the letter, but she knew exactly what to get him.

She grabbed the map again and began to explore the entirety of the library until her mom knocked on her door for breakfast.