Chapter 54 – Can you trust a Snake?

Tuesday 2nd August, Tiger Land, Mahoutokoro

Hermione was sat at one of the tables outside the dining hall with Mio and Li Mali having just had their first transfiguration lesson with Master Lin. Master Lin had mainly just outlined the material that they would be studying for the year and had set them an assignment that would involve independent study into elemental transfiguration as Master Lin had hinted heavily that parts of this may be involved in their NEWT exam this year.

She'd asked for twenty-four inches of writing regarding the core fundamental benefits for elemental magic and a short synopsis of the pros and cons of each element. Hermione had suggested to Harry that they go to the library and start looking for scrolls on the subject, which Harry had agreed to but told her that he wanted to get something to eat first and that they'd go to the library after that, as they could stop by on their way to their Care of Magical Creatures lesson after lunch.

Harry had just nipped to the toilet and Li and Mio said that they'd join them as they might help them to find their way around the library and said that they had a good relationship with Master Sato and that they might be able to talk the librarian into finding the scrolls for them.

"So I've got to ask how do these things work?" Hermione asked Mio and Li as she held the work reviewer and assignment scrolls out in her hands.

"Oh right, sorry Hermione I forgot I was meant to explain that to you." Mio apologized.

"Right this one is your assignment scroll. This is where you write your assignments and essays on. You'll see that like your library scroll it's got thirteen numbers on the wheel on the right. Those are related to the twelve subjects that you'll have written homework for as Quidditch, Dueling and Meditation don't really have any written homework it's more work that you physically show when you go back for your next lesson.

Anyway say you want to do your transfiguration homework. You can either write it on spare parchment and then copy it onto the assignment scroll." Mio explained as Li cut in.

"You'll see the little marks on the parchment indicating where the inches are so you know when you've written enough." Li added getting a look from Mio as if to say 'Do you want to explain it all?'.

"Anyway, once you've written on the assignment scroll you can wipe it or edit it as normal but if you want to save it because you've not finished or you want to come back to your place then like your library scrolls you just pull the scroll ends away from each other and it will save your place." Mio explained.

"It's pretty cool, because it means you can work on all your assignments on the same parchment without having to carry loads of parchment with you all the time." added Li.

"Wow that's amazing. At Hogwarts I was constantly carrying a bag full of books and parchment around with me because we didn't have anything this advanced." Hermione explained to the surprise of the other two. "What's the thirteenth number on the dial for?

"Ah that's for writing notes and it's really brilliant as you can title them who you want to go to and they will come up on that person's reviewer. Makes talking in class about something privately so much easier." Mio explained with a little smile.

"So what's this little button on the left scroll end for?" Hermione asked.

"Ah well that's for submitting your work. Once you've finished you can submit it at any time to the Master by pressing the button but make sure you always honest when you put the date you're submitting it on as you'll get squirted with ink by the scroll if you try and lie." Li said causing Hermione's face to light up.

"So if I finish an essay at ten o'clock at night I date it and hit that little button and it goes to the Master who set it?" Hermione checked.

"Yes as long as you've got it on the write subject number." Mio said, "You don't want to submit a Charms essay to History of Magic for example. The Masters and Sensei's love it because it means they don't have to have stacks of work everywhere and they don't need to wait in class for people to pass their work up."

"That's really clever. So what's this work reviewer scroll for then?" Hermione asked noticing that it had the same set up as the assignment scroll.

"Well with that it's the same set up as the assignment scroll except there isn't a submit button. Basically when the Master sets homework then the topic and what they want us to do appears on your reviewer. When you submit your assignment it will appear on here under the Master's comments and will save it. The Master's normally put your mark and any feedback on the essay about a week after you've submitted it." explained Li.

"The other cool thing about it is that you can review every piece of work you've ever submitted." Mio added while pulling her work reviewer out of her bag and moving around to Hermione's side of the bench.

Hermione and Mio looked at the page, which Mio explained was her Ancient Runes page as the numbers correspond with the subjects alphabetically so number one is Alchemy, two is Ancient Runes and so on.

Mio turned the dial on the left and the page moved up to her last assignment where she had got an 'Outstanding' as her mark along with some comments from the Master and Mio continued up the scroll past the work she'd done and the assignment text in a red ink and kept going as Hermione saw page after page of work and high scoring marks that illustrated that Mio clearly was a good student, which she could tell from her high ranks on her uniform.

"That's absolutely amazing so if you need to go back and check something you've submitted previously you can, rather than having to keep copies of it yourself. Brilliant truly brilliant." Hermione grinned at the two of them happy that she could review her previous work.

"Yeah there pretty cool I must admit. Makes cross referencing so much easier." Mio said, "Did you seriously have to make copies of work you've already submitted?" she added getting a nod from Hermione.

"Just make sure you don't lose your reviewer though or anyone can see your previous work and you get to keep it when you leave school as proof to future employers about a particular subject or element of that you want to show a more specific demonstration of your skills or knowledge to." Li explained.

They were interrupted just then by two owl's landing on their table one of which dropped a letter at Hermione's place and hooted happily, while the other tried to stay upright with the multiple letters it had tied to its leg.

"Lulu, you've made it. I was beginning to worry about you. Oh and you've got a letter for me. You're such a clever girl!" Hermione exclaimed giving her owl and affectionate stroking of her feathers as Lulu affectionately nipped Hermione's hand happy to see her master. "I see you managed to find a flying partner, hello Yogi!" she greeted to Harry's owl giving him an affectionate tickle through his feathers that caused him to hoot merrily at her.

"Harry's just gone to the toilet Yogi, but he'll be on the top floor if you want him as there is a window to the dorm." Hermione explained to the owl who hooted and nuzzled Lulu and then took off with a bundle of letters attached to its legs.

"Aww how cute was that." Li gushed at the owls.

"Lulu, this is Mio and this is Li." Hermione introduced while pointing out the girls, "Guy's this is Lulu." added Hermione introducing them.

"Hello Lulu pleased to meet you. We've got an owlery at the top of the pagoda over there if you're hungry and tired. So is Yogi your boyfriend?" asked Mio in a voice barely above a whisper to which the owl hooted happily and flapped its wings and hoped up and down on the spot.

"Awwww she's in love. So Yogi is Harry's owl then? Li asked as she stroked Lulu's feathers after she had hopped up onto Hermione's shoulder.

"Yes he's one of Harry's owl's." Hermione replied while trying to recognize the handwriting on the envelope of the parchment but failing to and noticing the red dashes around the edge of the envelope and a big read stamp that said 'Urgent International Business Post'. The sender of the letter had written 'Hermione Granger, Mahoutokoro' on the envelope.

"Ohhhhhhh, so your owl likes Harry's owl and his likes yours. Hmmmm shocker." commented Mio thoughtfully giving Hermione a knowing look.

"Well who would have thought that those two owls would have been drawn to each other. I've always wondered whether owl's can sense the emotions in the mail that they carry and I think this revelation is a big tick in the yes column." said Li watching for Hermione's reaction.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Hermione asked them while internally catching on to what they were getting at.

"Oh nothing just that you're crazy about that boy." Said Mio.

"Like Super Crazy!" added Li.

"I am not." Hermione retorted blushing furiously.

"Awww bless her she's in denial" Li said giggling.

"I... I... I've got a boyfriend you know you." Hermione stuttered defensively.

"We know you've told us already Hermione, but how can you explain that kiss the other night with Harry?" asked Mio.

"Yes it looked amazing and you both got completely lost in it. It was like watching two jigsaw puzzle pieces fitting together" added Li.

"Well... It was amazing." Hermione blushed with a little smirk, "There's a lot of complications going on at the moment and I need to figure some things out as I don't really know what to do so at the moment I'm doing nothing." she added

"Hmmmm I think a girls' night in is needed tonight as Hermione looks like she needs to vent." commented Mio.

"Definitely. How about we get our PJ's on tonight, get some food and drinks brought to us by the house elves and we'll go to your sitting room in your trunk so that the boys can't disturb us?" asked Li.

"That would be nice. Maybe a neutral person's opinion will be of help?" Hermione contemplated. "You'd have to promise not to tell anyone about what we talk about though, especially Harry!"

"Absolutely. Come on Hermione it's girl code you tell us the problem and we won't spill details to anyone." Li reassured her.

"Right ok. Tonight then." Hermione said as they heard Harry approaching and Hermione stuffed the letter in her bag as he rejoined them with his bag slung over his shoulder.

"That's better. I thought I was going to burst." Harry said before adding, "Shall we go then if we're going to get to the library before Care of Magical Creatures." as the girls nodded and stood up.

As they walked along Harry could see that Hermione's mind was somewhere else. He playfully bumped shoulders "You alright?" he asked her.

"What? Oh yes I'm fine. Just thinking about things" she responded distractedly.

"You sure you?" he checked again cautiously. He'd learned over the years with Hermione to apply the rule of two with her. He's ask her twice and if she still said she didn't want to talk or nothing was wrong then he'd drop it as her temper started flaring if it went past asking twice.

Seeing that she didn't really want to talk about it with him decided to drop it. They arrived at the library and Mio said that she would go with Hermione and find some scrolls for the assignment and Harry said he'd go with Li and she could give him a rundown of what was where so he knew where to get the Defence and Duelling scrolls. Harry and Li gave Hermione and Mio their library cards so that they could get a copy of the scrolls for their Transfiguration as well.


Hermione after Mio had shown her the scrolls that she thought would be good and they'd put them onto everyone's scroll viewers Mio said she'd go and track Li and Harry down and for Hermione to wait there so that she knew where to find her as they would need to get going in a minute.

She settled down in a chair next to a small table and reached into her bag she took the letter she had received out wondering still who it was from. She opened the letter and spread the letter out onto the table and started to read: -

Dear Hermione,

It's Pansy... I imagine that when you get this letter you'll be both surprised and maybe a little shocked. Who would have thought after all of these years that I'd be writing to you. I know we had a talk at the BBQ at the Badger's Nook about our time in school and I just wanted to state again about how I was towards you during our time together at school...

I was a Bitch! Yes, with a capital B maybe even more then capital, and I'm sorry and I know you said you'd forgive me but I thought I should apologize again in writing so you've actually got proof of it and not just a wine and vodka fogged memory of the event like I have.

How's Japan? I hope it's going ok and you're enjoying yourself. I'm sure a certain good looking wizard will be making your stay there a lot more enjoyable. You're so lucky to have him all to yourself this year.

Anyway I suppose you're probably wondering why I'm writing to you. 'Sigh' Here goes… Ok, so I was asked to come into my mum and dad's office today as they had fired their receptionist for the way that she messed up with a potential new wealthy client because they were wearing muggle attire and didn't have an appointment… Why she did that I don't know.

Anyway I digress… So I was walking down Diagon Alley this morning on the way to the office and decided to get a coffee. I was looking at some pastries to have with my coffee and saw a reflection in the glass of the cabinet of Ron and Lavender and it looked like they were holding hands.

So I turned around and saw that they weren't holding hands. So I thought it must have been my eyes playing tricks on me.

I went over to say hello and enquired why Ron wasn't seeing you and Harry off to Japan and he told me that he'd just left you and was grabbing a coffee before Quidditch practice. Lavender then pipes up saying that they were actually having an interview as Witch Weekly are doing an expose on Ron, but there was no quills or notepads or anything in front of her so it just raised my suspicions a bit.

So I left them in there and bumped into Neville and Hannah outside as they were going for Neville to get his boat to school. Anyway I know it sounds silly but I told them of what had happened and we all spied through the window at them to see if they did anything suspicious.

Well, Ron got up to leave shortly afterwards and they gave each other a kiss goodbye and…. I don't know it just looked a little long for a quick friendly kiss like the type you give Harry. ('huh, that's what you think' – Hermione thought to herself)

Anyway I just thought you should know and I am really not trying to ruin your time at school but I thought you'd want to know my suspicions as I think they might he might be up to something with Lavender behind your back.

I could be wrong and myself, Hannah and the rest of the girls will keep an eye out in case we see anything else suspicious before we go to Beauxbatons. I hope I am wrong in what I saw and I honestly can't say for sure whether I misread the situation or not.

I just wanted you to know as I thought you would want to and I decided I needed to get word to you as quickly as possible so I sent this through my families' business as they postal floo letters around the world to be collected by people's owls in their own countries.

Anyway I best go as I'm meant to be covering reception and this has taken me over an hour to write.

Please don't be mad at me and again I hope I'm wrong.

See you soon,

Pansy P

X

Hermione sat back in her chair not knowing what to think. She re-read the letter again as questions started exploding in her head and she started thinking about Ron's behavior over the summer.

He had told her that he wasn't going back with Mum and Dad to the Badger's Nook because he had to go straight to Salamander House and get his Quidditch things for practice. How did he have time to stop in Diagon Alley for a coffee and interview and why was it Lavender doing this interview…. Why not a more senior reporter?

She heard whispered voices approaching, which sounded like Harry and the others with the girls quietly laughing at something he had said. Quickly folding the letter up, she put it back in her bag and stood up to join the others.

"All sorted?" she asked them a bit woodenly.

"Good to go. Come on let's head off or we'll be late as the walk to Magical Creatures is up hill near the woods so we'll have to get a wriggle on" said Li as they all turned and started walking out of the library and into the Japanese sun.


Hermione meanwhile was only half listening to Mio and Li talking animatedly to Harry as her mind was still going through the contents of Pansy's letter and Ron's behavior. Why hadn't Hannah sent anything to her about this? Was she hoping that Hermione wouldn't find out if no one else told her?

As she thought about Hannah her mind started running away with her. The pretty blonde former Hufflepuff was more than nice enough to ensnare any guy she went after and she was as big a flirt as Tracey. Did she have designs on Harry as well? The other four did so it wasn't against the realm of possibility that the fifth one would be.

Hermione cursed herself for ever talking to them about Harry and telling them about how great he was and all the amazing things he'd done for her. She basically baited her own trap of misery by having four better looking girls having access and information to the boy that she liked and now there was a fifth shark in the water.

Then she remembered Pansy mentioning sending her letter through business mail, which was a lot quicker than normal owl post. Hopefully that would be why Hannah's letter hasn't arrived yet as she would have sent it through regular owl post and it had taken Lulu almost a week to get to Japan from England.

She was a bit frustrated thinking that by the time she received a letter from someone the news in it could be over a week old. 'I'll have to figure out a way to get letters sent quicker than a week.' she thought to herself.

Mio and Li lead them off the path and towards the tree line where they saw most of the students in their year already assembled in front of the very tall Master Rin Mao. He was a mountain of a man and Harry thought he'd probably do brilliantly at professional wrestling.

"Ah here come the last couple of students now. I think I can see a couple of Turtles coming although my eye sight isn't what it used to be. Miss Wong can you confirm they're our missing turtles now our guests and Tigers have arrived?" Master Rin asked shading his eyes from the sun and looking.

Stacey Wong turned her head and looked behind Harry and the others. "Yes Master Rin, It's Gwen and June."

"Excellent. Hurry up girls!" he shouted the last and waved at the girls to hurry and the girls, Gwen and June, ran the last hundred yards and joined the back of the group.

"Right then class. We've covered an awful lot of creatures over the years together. This year I've got some more dangerous creatures lined up for you starting with as you've all got a lot of experience with them now and the theory of how to handle them.

This lesson we're going to have a quick review of what you will be studying and then next week if you all bring something to swim in we will be learning and seeing Kappa's in their natural habitat." Master Rin explained clapping his hands together.

This news caused quite a stir amongst the group as Kappas were classed as a dangerous creature by the Japanese ministry and Harry and Hermione knew that they were in Britain also.

"Master Rin is that going to be safe?" asked a girl with her hand up in Dragon Clan.

"Absolutely Miss Seung. Perfectly safe. I know you Dragons aren't particularly fond of the water but you'll be alright I assure you. Besides there are only three of them so amongst us all we'd be able to overpower them." answered Master Rin.

Harry leaned in close to Hermione and muttered quietly "Do you get the feeling that it's not just Hagrid that doesn't appreciate how dangerous some animals are but all Magical Creatures Teachers?"

Hermione didn't react to Harry's comment at all and Harry thought she looked like she wasn't listening to Master Rin either. He put his hand on her wrist causing her to jump.

"Are you alright?" he asked concern etched onto his face as it really wasn't like Hermione to not pay attention in class, "You seemed to be somewhere else right now."

"Sorry, what did you say?" she asked distractedly.

"Hermione what's the matter? I know you.. I know when something is off" he asked turning more towards her so he could see her face a little better, but had difficulty as the hair on the left side of her head that as normally brushed behind her ear had fallen free so she had a curtain of hair blocking her face and Harry couldn't look at her properly.

"I think Pansy is trying to cause trouble between Ron and I." she whispered back.

"Why what's happened?" he asked trying to move subtly so that she couldn't hide from him.

"I got a letter from Pansy saying that she saw Ron and Lavender kissing in a coffee shop just after he'd left us at the airport. But that's rubbish because Ron said he was going to training after he left us and that he was going home to get his Quidditch robes and go to training and that's why he wasn't travelling back with Mum and Dad." Hermione replied.

With a growing feeling of dread in the pit of his stomach Harry really hoped that Ron wasn't cheating on Hermione. He wasn't sure what would happen to Ron and Hermione's friendship for one thing as Harry wasn't sure that was something that Hermione would forgive.

He didn't want to believe it as he didn't want to think that Ron could do that to Hermione and especially with Lavender of all people as Ron had said when he broke up with her that Lavender was a nightmare.

Harry felt a little bit like a hypocrite as hadn't his kiss with Hermione constituted as her technically cheating on Ron.

"I'm sure she didn't see what she thought she saw and it might not even have been Ron." Hermione said with conviction although not really convincing herself.

"Yeah... maybe.…." Harry started but stopped himself.

"Maybe what?" she asked.

"Well I'm not saying it's true or anything, what reason would Pansy have for stirring up trouble between you and Ron?" Harry asked quietly, "I mean, what would she gain from doing that? I thought you were trying to be friends with each other."

"You can't see her stirring up trouble...Really? After all that happened in the Tri-Wizard tournament you don't think Pansy is capable of doing something like this for whatever reason she's have to do it?" replied Hermione.

"Well, yes I admit that during the tournament she did that horrible interview about you with that Skeeter cow, but since then has she done anything to make you think that she's got it in for you?" Harry asked.

"You mean besides suggesting turning my best friend over to Voldemort!" Hermione answered back angrily as she felt her anger rising at the memory of the night of the battle when Pansy had suggesting turning Harry over.

"Hermione, I've accepted her apology for doing that and I think you should as well. She was scared and didn't know what was going to happen." Harry said to her before adding, "But it brings me back to the point what has she got to gain from lying to you?"

"Maybe she's got her eyes on Ron. You know maybe she wants to be Lady Slytherin or something and she's trying to end our relationship as she thinks I'd tell her to sod off." Hermione answered a little louder than intended as Master Rin looked their way to see if it was a question someone was asking before continuing when no one raised their hands.

"You reckon? Do you really think Pansy wants to marry Ron? Because that's not the impression I've got when I've spent time with her this summer." Harry said blushing trying to keep the skepticism out of his voice.

"It's a possibility!" Hermione persisted lacking conviction but still doggedly determined to not acknowledge that last comment he'd made as she didn't want to think about that right now, although she knew that Pansy didn't want to be with Ron at all. She just didn't want to admit the possibility of what she'd said actually being true.

"Hmmm well I don't think so but I think maybe give both of them the benefit of the doubt until we get to the bottom of this because if you start accusing one and they were innocent then it's not a good situation all round." Harry finished.

Hermione turned to look at him and opened her mouth to say something but she realized that he made a valid point. She was just about to comment about his point being valid when Master Rin called out "Do you have something you wish to add Mr. Potter or Miss Granger? You both seem to have a lot to say to each other about Hippogriffs." causing most of the class to turn around and look at them and the heat to rise in both their cheeks as they started blushing.

"Anything you'd like to add?" Master Rin called looking slightly annoyed that the two students had been chatting away while he was talking.

'Hippogriffs. I know about Hippogriffs' Harry thought to himself. "Sorry Master Rin, I was just saying to Hermione that the next time she rides one remember not to pull out any of its feathers because it won't thank her for it." Hermione's head snapped around looking at him.

"You've ridden a Hippogriff Miss Granger?" Master Rin asked.

"Yes Sir. It was called Buckbeak but Harry rode him twice" Hermione answered trying to take the focus off her and her flaming cheeks.

"Buckbeak…. Is that so Mr. Potter? Please do tell us the story of how that came to pass." Master Rin asked his annoyance forgot in his eagerness to hear the tale, which Harry recounted for the class about his first meeting with Buckbeak at Hogwarts.


After class the Clans had descended the hill towards the main school buildings and the giant pagoda for dinner. The temperature was starting to drop and Harry had eaten quite a bit and asked Hermione whether she wanted to get started on their Transfiguration assignment. To his great surprise Hermione had said that she was thinking of starting it tomorrow and was already booked up tonight as the Tiger girls wanted to have a girls' night in in her trunk and she'd already agreed to it.

She'd apologized profusely and Harry had assured her that he didn't mind as he had a few letters that had come today that he had to read and most likely reply to them as well. He told her to have a fun night and that he'd see her in the morning. Hermione had given him a quick hug and departed for the girl's dorm.

Harry walked into the boys' dorm to find Goro and Sapporo sat on their beds playing a game of wizard chess. On seeing him enter the room they both looked up and asked if Harry fancied a game next. Seeing how quickly they were taking their turns when he'd entered the room he reasoned that he would be out of his league against the two Japanese boys.

He'd thanked them for the invite but declined saying that he was knackered and that he had to read through some letters he'd got so he'd probably see them in the morning. The boys already immersed back into their game gave him half-hearted waves and wished him a good night.

Harry made his way into his trunk entered into his siting room and made his way into his wardrobe where he got changed out of his uniform and put on a pair of baggy tracksuit bottoms and a short sleeved t-shirt.

He made his way into his bedroom thinking about how much he loved his trunk, which was a tribute to all of the houses he was now head of as Elliott had created a wallpaper design for each of the houses he was head of incorporating in the houses colors and coats of arms into wallpaper and had decorated different rooms with them. For example, the bathroom was dedicated to Peverell as Harry had asked him to use limestone colored tiles and similar color woods broken up with bits of black like the box that the will and ring had been in

The cinema room was in the Black family colors, which was beneficial as the room needed to be dark anyway but Elliott had designed a wallpaper with the Black coat of arms ghosted onto the wall paper in a large eight-foot by eight-foot crest and the crest was also on the carpet of the room as well. He'd also had a gym made in a room through the cinema room and he had Elliott do the gym in a reverse of the Black family colours although one of the walls in gym was mirrors.

The sitting room in his trunk was decorated in honor to the Ravenclaw family and decked out in blue walls and hangings and the furniture was a bronze colored wood that gave a warm homely feel to the room and the family crest was ghosted onto the walls in a different shade of blue. His bedroom was decked out in the Potter family colors of red, white and silver.

He made his way to writing desk and opened up the concertina covering and pulled out the table section and put the letters down. He read through the first two letters which were from Bogrod and Furybreaker saying that they had good news and that they had managed to acquire the two pieces of land that he'd wanted them to get him and for a lot less than what they would have had to pay saving him more gold than they had expected.

They also said that they were working well with Hayley Sloop and she was very eager to do a good job and had recruited more people to her firm to keep up and manage up with the workload and had already got the builders in place for when the planning permission was approved by the ministry and the planning applications of which were going in next week along with a confidentiality contract that they would be taking in themselves with Hayley to the relevant departments as they had managed to secure with the required departments and amazingly had acquired a meeting with them and the minister.

They also recommended that he visit the Japan branch of Gringotts in Banzai Bazaar as they have a colleague there called Tengu who will be his liaison account manager while he's over there just in case he needs some financial advice or investment advice if he is wanting to expand his business interests into Asia.

This was good news for Harry as it meant that his plans were beginning to take shape although it was going to be a very long process of that he had no doubt. He had another letter from Sloop & Everard pretty much explaining the same as Bogrod and Furybreaker.

He picked up the final letter and recognized the writing as Susan, which was a surprise as they had only been in Japan two days and he didn't understand how she had gotten a letter there so quickly to him. Unlike the other letters the envelope seemed to be padded or something on the inside and as he cut the envelope over the folded parchment had the spine of the letter at the top of the envelope nearest the flap.

He pulled the letter out and smelled Susan's perfume straight away. He opened the letter and read: -

Dear Harry,

I woke up this morning and found that you had already left and then I found your note. Oh Harry last night together was everything I've ever dreamed of and you were absolutely wonderful! I've never felt so alive and wonderful and it was the most special thing that's ever happened to me and it made me fall for you even more than I ever thought possible.

I'm so annoyed with myself for falling asleep on your and also for not being awake to give you a last kiss goodbye before you went away and I can't believe that I don't get to kiss or touch you again until Christmas.

I hope you are settling into Japan and everything is going well and you're enjoying your classes. I hope this letter gets to you quickly. I had a word with my account manager at Gringotts and he said that I can send any letters I want overseas through Gringotts international business post, for a small fee of course.

You've made such an impression on me these last few weeks and I've really enjoyed our time together and getting close to each other. I feel like I can be myself around you now, instead of the constantly blushing girl who was only confident enough to love you from a far. I really care about you Harry and without wanting to freak you out I have to let you know that I'm falling in love with you and I never thought I'd be able to tell you that even if it is only through a letter. But I really do... It's giving me a strange feeling inside me that just expands every time I think about you.

I was thinking as you've made such an impression on me and left me with such amazing memories already that I'll never be able to forget you I wanted to return the favour so to speak. I got a bit silly and giddy with Hannah this afternoon and we decided we'd send you and Neville some presents.

I hope you like them and I've charmed the envelope so that you can't take them out until you've read this letter and they will come out in order but there is two of them. DO NOT SHOW THEM TO ANYONE ELSE PLEASE. The presents are for you and no one else to keep and I expect you to keep them safe and private.

I'd love for you to return the favor so that I've got something for my long lonely nights in Beauxbatons. I can't wait to see you and really miss you already and you've only been gone a day. Write back soon ok.

Love,

Your Suzie

XXX

Harry was shocked. Susan was falling in love with him. Was that the confusing emotion he was feeling inside him whenever he was with or thought about her? He knew he was in love with Hermione but was that what the feeling was when he thought of Susan.

Eager to find out what the presents in the envelope where he picked it up and reached his hand into the envelope and felt a smooth piece of card. He gripped it and pulled it out slowly to see the back of a magical photograph. He turned the photo over and his eyes bugged out. "Whoa!" he exclaimed as his eyebrows shot up as he took in every detail of the photograph.

The photo showed Susan's bedroom with the bed sheets all messed up just like he had left them over her when he'd left the morning he came to Japan. Susan was sat up on her knees in a pair of black stockings along with a suspender belt and a pair of black silk panties with the sides over her legs being connected by three pearls instead of material and a black silk bra that instead of material shoulder straps was made up of a string of pearls. She had a black silk choker around her neck and she had done her make up heavily so that her eyes really stood out.

Her gorgeous copper colored hair was down feathered around her shoulders and one of Susan's hands was rubbing her pussy through the silk panties and her other hand was running from squeezing one of her nipples through her bra before slowly running her hand up through the swell of her breasts onto her chest and teasing her neck as her hand worked its way across her jaw as her mouth opened and she sucked one of her fingers into her mouth and slowly sucked on her finger before taking her finger out of her mouth and opening her eyes looked straight at Harry and gave a little wink before laughing and blowing him a kiss.

Harry's cock was tenting in his track suit bottoms from looking at the incredibly sexy witch in the photograph. "Bloody hell she looks unbelievable." Harry said as he put the photo next to the letter on the desk and struggling to pull his eyes from the picture he reached for the envelope and put his hand inside it. As her reached the bottom of the envelope his fingertips brushed against something incredibly soft and very slightly damp. His fingers worked their way around the object and Harry slowly pulled it out of the envelope to find what he assumed was the very same panties that Susan had on in the photograph.

"Well... Fuck Me!" Harry exclaimed as he scooped up the letter, photo and panties and made his way to his bed.


Author's note - So this chapter is giving a little peek into some of Harry's plans and I was thinking of how I was going to get post back and forth between the characters not in Japan and Harry and Hermione and thought International Business Post would be quite a good idea.

I'm going to be jumping back and forth between England and Japan over the next couple of chapters and please try and keep in mind that I'll probably be spacing what's happening in England around two days max behind Japan for any correspondence sent via post. There will be a natural time delay in the things happening in England and then news of it reaching Japan but I hope it all flows properly and makes sense.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter and thanks again to Goldzar for helping me thrash out the ideas for this chapter and for doing my edits for me.