June 14th

Hermione –

I'm sorry you have to read this. It means I've died unexpectedly. Harry is going to be grieving, and probably a lot of the burden of that grief will fall on you. He regards you as a sister, and cares for you just that much. (Minus the putting worms in your hair part, of course.)

Since you are, in effect, Harry's sister, and I am responsible for Harry, I feel justified in leaving you some money – about 50,000 Galleons, if Remus is correct. Since you are the only person in my will without a current Gringotts account, my vault, number 711, is now yours. Use it well, not that I'm worried about you.

I also feel justified in offering you some advice. Feel free to follow or ignore it as you like. First, about handling those two loutish boys you insist on hanging around with. From experience, I can tell you that the best way to get boys to do anything is not to nag them, as satisfying as that may be. No, to get boys to do something, you need to make it rewarding. More about suitable rewards later.

Next, as to your relations with the one of those loutish boys I'm not the godfather of. Hermione, Ron is desperately in love with you. He just hasn't realized it yet. Please, don't rush him. He's turning into an excellent young man, but the process needs to be natural, not forced. One of these days, you're going to turn around and discover he's grown up overnight.

Note, I'm not saying he will stop being rude, crude, and disgusting. I think that's a trait common to most of the male population of the world, including yours truly. What I am saying is that he's a wonderful boy, he will make a wonderful man, and that's why I have left four percent of my Gringotts vault in trust for you, to be yours on the day you marry Ronald Bilius Weasley.

This is not a bribe or anything like it. If you don't marry Ron, or he doesn't marry you, the money goes to charity, not the Malfoys. It's just that I know life takes money, and the beginning of married life can often be smoothed by having a little extra money around. Think of it as a wedding present from me, since I won't be there (in body, at least).

With this in mind, I'm sure you can think of rewards Ron might like in return for doing his own homework. With Harry, you'll have to be a little more creative. Maybe you'd let him give you flying lessons. He told me once he wished you flew a little better.

Hermione, you really are the brightest witch I've ever met. With your brains, Ron's strategy skills, and Harry's all-around courage, the Darkness-and-Doom Gang doesn't stand a chance. Once they're out of the way, not even the sky's your limit. Just remember, your friends are the most valuable thing you'll ever have. Even more valuable than books.

Best of luck with everything,

Sirius