Dear Mum and Dad,
I've been struggling with how to start this letter for the past few weeks, and still all I've been able to come up with is this: If you're reading this letter, it means I'm dead. It's such a tired cliché, but unfortunately in this case, it's true.
It's the summer right now in between my fourth and fifth year at Hogwarts, and I'm here at home. I can hear you both moving around downstairs, discussing your days and the latest techniques in dentistry. They're comforting sounds, but strange ones. I'm used to different sounds now: the chatter of students in the common room, the gentle swoosh of brooms flying outside my window, and the shouts from the Quidditch field. Those are my normal sounds now, and although I love them, it makes me a little sad that this place that was once home, now seems a little further away.
There is darkness coming. I've known it for a few years now, but this last school year has just made it all the more real to me. I know I never talk to you about it: I tell you about my school work, about Harry, about my marks, about the new things I've learned, but never about this. I'm sorry I've never talked to you about this. I didn't want it to touch you, and I didn't want to worry you anymore then I know you already do, every time I leave for school.
I've never believed in fate or destiny. You know me - things happen because you make choices and have free will, not because they were preordained in a book or at the bottom of a cup. But when I look back on the past couple of years, I have to wonder: was I destined to meet him, to be his friend? Why was I so drawn to him, despite my better sense? I've searched my head and my heart, and there is no answer. But it happened, and even if I could, I wouldn't change it for anything.
There's a change in me now, and it's more then just what happened this past year. Things have changed inside me, my feelings, my awareness of my life. I don't have it all sorted out yet, although believe me, I've tried! But I feel as if I am looking at things differently now, I'm looking at him differently now. I think I've known for a while that he's the most important person in my life, but I didn't realize until just recently how important he is. I have to be there for him, he needs me, and I think he's going to need me even more for what lies ahead. It's my choice, mum and dad, please, never doubt that, and never blame him for anything that happens to me. I couldn't stand it if you did.
I don't pretend to have the gift of sight, if there even is such a thing, but I do know that when the dark days come, I'm going to be right in the thick of it. I know it sounds strange, maybe even a little twisted, but I want to be there. Not just for him, to be at his side and help him in anyway that I can, but for both of you too. For you, for the Weasleys, and for everyone good in the world that the darkness would destroy if it could. I have to be there, no matter the outcome, and I hope you can understand that.
Whatever happens, I want to thank you. Thank you for being my mum and dad, for supporting me in all I do, even if you don't understand it, and for always loving me.
I love you both always.
Your daughter, Hermione
I've been struggling with how to start this letter for the past few weeks, and still all I've been able to come up with is this: If you're reading this letter, it means I'm dead. It's such a tired cliché, but unfortunately in this case, it's true.
It's the summer right now in between my fourth and fifth year at Hogwarts, and I'm here at home. I can hear you both moving around downstairs, discussing your days and the latest techniques in dentistry. They're comforting sounds, but strange ones. I'm used to different sounds now: the chatter of students in the common room, the gentle swoosh of brooms flying outside my window, and the shouts from the Quidditch field. Those are my normal sounds now, and although I love them, it makes me a little sad that this place that was once home, now seems a little further away.
There is darkness coming. I've known it for a few years now, but this last school year has just made it all the more real to me. I know I never talk to you about it: I tell you about my school work, about Harry, about my marks, about the new things I've learned, but never about this. I'm sorry I've never talked to you about this. I didn't want it to touch you, and I didn't want to worry you anymore then I know you already do, every time I leave for school.
I've never believed in fate or destiny. You know me - things happen because you make choices and have free will, not because they were preordained in a book or at the bottom of a cup. But when I look back on the past couple of years, I have to wonder: was I destined to meet him, to be his friend? Why was I so drawn to him, despite my better sense? I've searched my head and my heart, and there is no answer. But it happened, and even if I could, I wouldn't change it for anything.
There's a change in me now, and it's more then just what happened this past year. Things have changed inside me, my feelings, my awareness of my life. I don't have it all sorted out yet, although believe me, I've tried! But I feel as if I am looking at things differently now, I'm looking at him differently now. I think I've known for a while that he's the most important person in my life, but I didn't realize until just recently how important he is. I have to be there for him, he needs me, and I think he's going to need me even more for what lies ahead. It's my choice, mum and dad, please, never doubt that, and never blame him for anything that happens to me. I couldn't stand it if you did.
I don't pretend to have the gift of sight, if there even is such a thing, but I do know that when the dark days come, I'm going to be right in the thick of it. I know it sounds strange, maybe even a little twisted, but I want to be there. Not just for him, to be at his side and help him in anyway that I can, but for both of you too. For you, for the Weasleys, and for everyone good in the world that the darkness would destroy if it could. I have to be there, no matter the outcome, and I hope you can understand that.
Whatever happens, I want to thank you. Thank you for being my mum and dad, for supporting me in all I do, even if you don't understand it, and for always loving me.
I love you both always.
Your daughter, Hermione
