Chapter 7

A/N- WOW! So many reviews... thank you! You are all awesome! When I first started writing this story, I didn't think that anyone would read it. I read many first-class fics on this site and a few others, and I didn't think that my writing skills could compare to some of those other authors out there. Gosh, I feel so appreciated! YOU GUYS ROCK! Thank you a BILLION times over! --gives out more e-hugs—

Now, on with the story.

One week later, Hermione composed the most vital letter she would ever have to write in her entire life. All the girls who had thrown themselves over Harry when Cho ended their relationship had slowly stopped, just as predicted; they had fallen for some of the other eligible bachelors of Hogwarts. The same third year that had embraced Harry in the middle of breakfast was apparently now falling for Draco. He was furious after she had ran up to him, kissed him on the cheek, smiled and ran away again. He was the joke of the entire school, especially with his fellow Slytherins. No one showed any small signs of sympathy except for Pansy, who wasn't exactly sympathetic, just more protective of Draco. Anyone who wasn't blind could see she was falling for him bad.

Hermione thought her letter was suitable, now it was just up to Ron to deliver it by owl. Hermione re-read the letter to herself in her head...

Dearest Harry,
I know writing anonymous love letters is so very third year, but I must tell you how I feel. I've loved you since fifth year and my love for you grows greater with every minute of every day.

When you were dating Cho, my heart broke. It was like it was pounded by a large, jagged rock, pierced by a portion of broken glass, or chewed up by a troll and spat out again, or maybe a combination of all three. After a while, I learned that you were happy with Cho, it was evident in every smile you gave her. My heart slowly, but surely, healed completely. I thought I was safe from my heart being broken again, until Cho didn't feel the same about you, and ran to Roger Davies, breaking your heart with her selfish games. Seeing you in distress had once again torn up my heart savagely.

I saw the sadness in your eyes, even days after you had broken up. You tried to conceal it with laughter, but your smiles deceived you. Your eyes did not light up like they used to, the happiness you felt was gone. Gradually, your heart recovered, much like mine did, and your smiles returned.

A very good friend once told me to never deny what I feel. Harry, I hope you know that if I had not written this letter, I would be denying what I felt. I would be denying myself of the chance to empty my conscience; I would be denying any chance I could have with you. Please don't just discard this letter the second you get close to a fireplace. Really think about it, for me and what I think we could have together.

If you would like to know who I am, give your reply to Ginny Weasley, she's one of my good friends and she'll know what to do with it. Please take this letter seriously.

I love you.

P.S- Don't attack Ginny with questions. She will not crack; she has given me her word.

Hermione could not think of any way to make this letter better, so she got up and went to the Gryffindor common room to ask Ginny to copy the letter. This way, Harry wouldn't recognize her handwriting. She walked up to the portrait of the Fat Lady and said the password, 'Piscis Austrinus', meaning the Southern Fish, a constellation. The portrait swung open and Hermione scrambled through the entrance. Harry was nowhere to be seen, but she found Ginny on the sofa, talking to Seamus Finnigan. Hermione noticed that they were sitting awfully close to each other, and assumed that Seamus was asking Ginny to the Ball. Hermione smiled, happy for her friend, and saw Ron with his eyebrows furrowed over a piece of parchment in a chair by the fire, holding his wand and making odd swishy movements with it. Hermione didn't want to bother Ginny, so she decided to talk to Ron first. She said down in the lounge chair opposite and Ron was still staring at the parchment, gripping his wand so tightly it looked like it would break. "Hey Hermione, done the letter yet?" he asked, without looking up.

"Yep, I have. I think it's alright. All I need now is for Ginny to copy it for me, but she looks too busy with Seamus right now." Ron suddenly dropped his wand like it had suddenly burned white-hot and whipped around to face Seamus and Ginny, who were now hugging each other on the sofa, "Oi! Seamus! If you hurt my sister, I'll personally pound you into the dirt and then set a Skrewt on you!" Seamus' eyes went wide and Hermione figured Ginny had just whispered something along the lines of, "Don't worry, he's always like this. He's never actually done it, it's the twins you've gotta watch out for," because Seamus' eyes went even wider than wide. Hermione laughed and imagined him unknowingly eat a Ton-Tongue Toffee to find his tongue grow at an alarming rate, finally turning into grotesque slobber-covered thing that trailed along behind Seamus as he walked.

"Hey, Gin, can you come here for a second, I need to talk to about something. It's urgent," Hermione said. Ginny nodded and walked over to where Ron, who looked smug about the threat he had just given to Seamus, and Hermione sat.

"Here," Hermione said as she placed the letter in Ginny hands, "I need you to copy it over for me tonight so it's ready to send. Ron, I need you to go up to the owlery as soon as Ginny's done and send the letter to Harry," they both nodded, "Gin, I told Harry to give his reply, if there is going to be one, to you. You can read about it in the letter. Ugh! I owe you guys so much for helping me, I don't know how I'll be able to repay you, but-"

Hermione was cut off by Ron, who said "You won't have to repay us, don't worry about it," Ginny nodded in agreement, "You do so much for us already, 'Mione. No need for payment," and Hermione hugged them, "Thanks, you guys, you're true mates. Now, I need to study for a Charms test tomorrow, as do you Ron, so I better be off. But remember, whatever you do, make sure no one sees that letter. Oh and Ginny, destroy the original copy,"

The three hugged again, and Hermione exited the common room for her own dormitory. It was now 7:30. In about 12 hours, Harry would be reading her letter and Hermione would be nervously watching his face for any signals that could tell her whether she would receive an answer or not that night. She hoped her plan went smoothly...

Hope. That's all she had left now.

A/N- Hello! Thanks for coming this far in the story... I know this chapter is a little on the shorter side, as are most of my chapters, but I want to keep reviewing faster, and this is the only way to do it. Otherwise I would be up until 5 in the morning, like I was when I wrote chap 6. Well... thanks for reading. Tell me what you think of the letter! Well, hope you enjoyed... and now, REVIEW!!!