She sat and thought about what she wanted to share about herself; she believed that it would be easier to talk about her personality, rather than her physical features. She didn't feel as if she was very attractive and didn't want to push him away quickly. He sounded positively dreamy, and here she was, staring in the mirror at her bushy hair and mousy appearance.

She sat down at her desk, contemplated, and began her letter.

Platinum Eyes,

I must confess your unwavering loyalty sounds quite appealing. I myself also offer similar qualities. I am very knowledgeable on a broad number of subjects and feel rather proud of my ability to carry on conversations about a variety of topics. I have a great love for knowledge. I do not care for the Daily Prophet, nor the lies in which they carry.

I must admit that I do not find myself to be an extremely attractive woman, mainly because I haven't felt, desire, from a man in a very, very long time.

I do long for love and affection from someone gentle, and compassionate, who can make me feel like I'm the only person in the room. I've never been treated that way before and I'm not sure if it is only something that happens in a book or if it is something that is possible.

This is an abrupt change of subject, however, a dear friend of mine pointed something out to me that I had not considered before now. I hate to bring this up, but you could be anyone! I will go ahead and admit that I am a muggle born, I don't see what it matters, but I hope that our correspondence will continue. I look forward to seeing your letters.

I know that times have changed since the fall of Lord Voldemort but that does not mean his supporters aren't still lingering looking for malicious ways to harm people of my status. I'm truly sorry for such a serious topic and if you no longer wish to speak with me, I will regretfully understand.

If you do wish to continue with correspondence, please write me back as quickly as you can, I will wait with great anticipation!

Amber Eyes

Hermione sent the letter off; she didn't feel that she would be receiving a response back, so she began her nightly routine. She sat at her desk and began going through papers, and now she had gotten knee deep in the newest threat to the wizarding community. After an hour or so she heard a soft pecking on her kitchen window. She looked up and was quite surprised to see a letter had returned to her so quickly. She made haste to the owl, took the letter, and gave it a treat.

She stared at the letter, fearful of its contents, what if he didn't want to speak with her anymore? What if this was his farewell letter? Could this be him telling her off for assuming? She gently pulled on the wax seal and pulled out the parchment.

Amber Eyes,

I must admit I was rather surprised at your response. I will address this now, to alleviate any doubt you may have; I was involved in things that I am extremely ashamed of at this point in my life. I have turned over a new leaf; I believe is the Muggle saying. I do not care if you are a Muggle born. I hope that helps heal any reservations you may have about my intentions.

To alleviate the doubt about your appearance, I believe that intelligence is far more beautiful than outward beauty. However, I am sure that you're simply radiant.

I do wish to get your advice on a matter that has come to my attention in the last week. I have greatly harmed a person from my past that has now come to play a large role in my life. I can tell that I have hurt them greatly and I am ashamed of my behavior.

One can tell with the way they speak to me that they do not care to be around my person. If someone had treated, you with hatred would you want an apology to begin a friendship? Or at the very least to one day get forgiveness?

You don't have to respond with your advice, but it would be greatly appreciated. I want to apologize to this person but am fearful of quite the scathing refusal to accept my apologies.

My next question for you is, what is your favorite past time? My favorite past time lately is spending time by the fireplace with a great book. I am currently reading Potion Discoveries of the 13th Century.

Please respond soon,

Platinum Eyes

Hermione read over the letter several times. He sounds like he wasn't on the side of the light. He says that he does not care that I am a muggle born, yet he didn't acknowledge his status either. So, she was going to assume that he was most likely a Pureblood. She didn't care either way, maybe she can figure out who he is though! That gave her a thrill of excitement.

She quickly went to her desk to pull a piece of parchment out and begin her next letter. He needed her advice after all!

Platinum Eyes,

First thank you, your acknowledgement that blood status doesn't determine a person's ability or worth is a breath of fresh air.

Second, you needed advice, I'm currently imagining someone who has greatly accosted me in my past, and if they were to apologize, I can't imagine myself being too harsh with this person. It also depends on the weight of stress the person is under when you attempt to apologize. Go ahead and try next time you see them and see what happens. At the very least you try and your guilt is relieved from your shoulders. Make sure to let me know what happens!

Third, I am more than elated that your favorite past time is the same as mine! My love of books goes beyond my love for any other thing on Earth. I go on an adventure nearly every day of my life and don't even have to leave the house. The smell of parchment gives me such a feeling of comfort that sometimes it is overwhelming.

I do read quite a bit of instructional books as well; I like to be well versed in my abilities. I must admit, my friends would respond with how boring I am to what I just said. I hope that isn't the case with you as well. Taking into consideration the topic of your current study, I don't believe you will feel the same as my friends. The topic sounds fascinating.

I think it's amazing that we already have one great thing in common! Now I'm curious to know more and more about you! With that said, my next question for you is; what is a major pet peeve? For me, it is people who have a self-inflated ego, who feel they are above others because of whatever reason they deem more important.

Kind Regards,

Amber Eyes

Hermione read over her letter once more to check for any errors. She was comfortable with her response, so she gave it to the awaiting owl and sent it on its merry way. She wondered if he would respond as quickly as he had earlier. She rather enjoyed this pen pal and his responses.

She decided to jump in the bath while she waited; the evening was nearly gone, and tomorrow was proving to become a very long day. She lay in the bath and contemplated this new threat. Those photos were quite dreadful to look upon. It was certainly a lingering hope that another Dark Lord in her lifetime would never rise. She wondered about all the "reformed" Death Eaters that had been contacted, would they need to be called in for interviews? Reformed what a joke, she seriously doubted that any of them were truly, reformed.

She continued to lay in the bath, attempting to de-stress, but after some time had passed, she realized that she wasn't going to be able to achieve a relaxing bath. She cleaned herself up and got out of the tub, then headed back to the living area to read a bit before bed. As she was just getting into her favorite novel, she heard a tapping on the window.

Shocked by yet another response, she smiled and ran quickly to let the owl enter her kitchen! The letter dropped onto the counter and she gave the owl a treat. It flew off this time and did not wait for her response.

Amber Eyes,

I dare say that writing letters may make me a bit bolder than I would be in person. With that said, I think I'm loving the idea of you more and more with the hopes that one day we will meet. Please don't stop writing me; I'm growing to love your responses! They are helping me more than you could possibly imagine at this point in my life.

I will most certainly let you know how things turn out as soon as I work up the nerve to apologize to this person. I'm afraid I was quite brash with them in their youth and young adulthood. I witnessed things I dare not speak of out of fear that I will have nightmares about it, even with a dreamless sleep potion. The reign of Voldemort was quite terrible regardless of whose side you chose to be on at the time of his return. I do not believe that they will forgive my transgressions. I will take your advice and make an attempt though.

My pet peeve, I dare say it's those that jump to assumptions and people who haven't any manners. I'm certain that I will strive to not behave in the way you dislike. If I have learned anything in the past twenty years, it's that no one holds anymore importance than another. We are all witches and wizards with unique abilities garnered by each individual person.

Now, it is my turn, as much as I am enjoying our letters tonight, I want you to think about this one and respond to me tomorrow. I want to meet you Amber Eyes, I want to know the real you, and I want you to know the real me too. I think we may be compatible on a greater level, than friendship, or being pen pals. Please continue to write me but consider meeting me. I long for a good conversation.

I will patiently await your response.

Platinum Eyes

She laid the letter down, astonished that he already wanted to meet her, she didn't know how she felt about this turn of events? Could she possibly be writing to someone that holds a chance at a lasting future? They do seem rather similar in a multitude of ways. She longs to be held or take comfort in a warm embrace. The idea of knowing she can lay her head on the chest of someone who deeply cares for her is something she can only dream of at this point in her life.

The real question is can she meet him alone? Should she make Ginny come with her and stalk him before approaching the man? What if he were truly dreadful? Could she be so vain as to run away if his looks were horrible? Honestly, at this point the idea of a man with a pulse is appealing.

She couldn't help but laugh at herself. She mentally made a checklist of requirements to date Hermione Granger and they are as follows; be a man, check, have a pulse, check. That is all! She rolled over on the bed she had fallen onto and was overcome with hysterical laughter.

Have a pulse! That's a good one.

Her laughter came to an end with a great feeling of consternation. She had to talk to Ginny!