Dead at 23
Dear Harry,
I'm so
glad to finally be able to reply to your letters. I was in Egypt with a guy I had met while teaching in
America. His name is Stephen. He is one of the nicest men I have ever
met. We're going out tonight. He's taking me to a star show. I have to go now. I promise to write again soon.
Love from,
Hermione
Dear Harry,
Here I
am again. Egypt was fascinating. The ancient Egyptian wizards really were
evil. You should hear some of the
things they did to their rivals. It's a
good thing you and Malfoy never learned some of those curses. Stephen and I are going out again
tonight. We're just going out to
dinner, though. I really miss you. Are you still teaching at Hogwarts? I have to go get ready now. I'll write again soon. Just be patient.
Love
from,
Hermione
Dear Harry,
Stephen
proposed to me! I said yes, of
course. What did you expect me to
say? Anyway, I hope this isn't too much
of a shock to you, but I believe that Stephen really is Mr. Perfect. We're getting married in July. It would be great if you could come. I have to go, Stephen's home. We're not married yet, just living
together. Tell Ron not to get any sick
ideas!
Love
from,
Hermione
Dear Harry,
Married
life is wonderful! Stephen is the
best! We're currently living in Madrid,
Spain. Were you at the wedding? I didn't see you, but then again there were
so many people I can't remember who was there and who wasn't! I have a cake in the oven and I think it's
burning! Have to go, I'll write again
soon.
Love
from,
Hermione
Harry-
You have
to help me. I made a terrible
mistake. Stephen is not Mr.
Perfect. Far from it. He has been abusing me. Harry, you have to come and save me! He's home, I have to go!
Love
from,
Hermione
Harry-
I am
writing from the hospital. Why didn't
you come and help me? After I finished
my last letter, Stephen beat me nearly to death and threw me out of the house. I was lying on the sidewalk, bloody, in pain
and barely conscious. I only got to the
hospital because Seamus Finnigan was walking down the street and saw me. I went unconscious soon after and that's all
I remember. Oh shit, Stephen's here. I can hear him asking where my room is. His footsteps are getting closer. Harry, I have to go now. I love you and am sorry I ever left you.
Love,
Hermione
Dear Hermione,
I did come. Seamus sent me an owl as soon as he realized
it was you. We both took you to the
hospital. I'm sorry I didn't come
sooner. I'm still teaching at
Hogwarts. Only now I teach
Transfiguration. McGonagall is the new
headmistress. Dumbledore finally
retired. I miss you, too. I feel really guilty that you're in the
hospital. I should have came after you
right after you told me Stephen was abusing you. I feel terrible and hope you can forgive me. Hermione, I never had the strength to say
this before so I will now. I love you
as much as you love me, if not more.
Your last letter gave me the strength to confess it. Don't feel bad about leaving; it's my fault
for letting you go. I have to go now.
Love
forever,
Harry
He sighed and placed the letter
among everything else that had been dedicated to her memory. He looked on sadly as they lowered her
coffin into the ground. He began to cry
as it all set in. Hermione Granger, his
only true love, Head Girl and top of her class at Hogwarts, future Minister of
Magic, was dead at 23.
The End
Dedication: To all the victims of physical, mental,
emotional, spousal, and whatever other kinds you can think of [it really is sad
that there are so many], abuse.
