A Day of Letters

Hermione had headed home shortly after her conversation with Snape. She settled into her couch with the book she was currently reading. He Flew Like A Madman (the biography of the "Dangerous" Dai Llewellyn) was an interesting way to keep her mind busy, but also a good way to distract her from what she was working on at the Ministry. As much as she loved to research, and even though her desire to help cure the Longbottoms was great, she made sure to take time each day for herself so she didn't overload.

Laying the book on her coffee table, Hermione went into her kitchen and began to prepare herself a cup of tea. Just as she was taking the boiling water off the stove (she found it relaxing to do some things without magic), there was a tapping at her window. She opened in to let in a small, brown post-owl. It dropped a letter on her kitchen table and was gone in a matter of seconds. Hermione closed the window after it, and returned to making her tea. When it was ready she sat down at the table and picked up the letter.

Her name and address were on the front of the envelope, but she didn't recognize the handwriting, nor did she recognize the seal of black wax on the back. She scanned the envelope with her wand for even though Voldemort was gone, there were plenty of Dark wizards still roaming. When she found there was nothing suspicious she opened it and pulled out the parchment from inside. It was a letter, and while the handwriting was not familiar, by the end she knew who had sent it.

Miss Granger, or Hermione, if I may,

I just wanted to tell you that today was interesting, and hopefully we will be able to repeat the experience in the near future.

If my offer holds any interest to you, perhaps I can persuade you to meet me again for lunch, at half past noon in the front lobby. I thought we might try a nice bistro I know that's in the area.

The ball is in your court now, and I'll see you if I see you. However, please consider that I will be very pleased to hold a conversation with you again.

Sincerely,

DM

Hermione had no idea what to make of the letter. It made her very happy, on one hand, to think that Draco wanted to meet with her again. However, even after talking to Harry and Professor Snape, she still had a few doubts in the back of her mind about his trustworthiness.

She pushed her feeling aside for the moment, figuring that she would decide tomorrow if she wanted to join him for lunch. Finishing her tea, she cast a quick cleansing charm on the cup and put it back in the cupboard next to her refrigerator. She went back into her living room and picked up her book, folding over the top of the page she was on to save her place for the next night.

Lazily she walked to her bedroom, and changed into her pajamas. Snuggling into her comforter and pillows, Hermione was asleep in minutes. That night she dreamt of dragons with blond hair.

After Hermione had gone home, Ron had made his own goodbyes, leaving Harry, Remus, and Snape to themselves in quiet comfort. He had decided it would be better tonight to Floo to his apartment, even though he always ended up covered in soot. Dinner had been relaxing and he didn't want to take a chance splinching himself.

Ron tumbled out of his fireplace, getting soot all over his recently cleaned carpet. Contrary to popular belief, he was able to clean for himself, but as he was never home long enough to invite anyone over, it was a moot point. After discarding his outer robes, he headed to the kitchen to grab a Butterbeer. He then settled himself in to play a game of wizard's chess against himself.

He had just made his first move when he noticed an owl tapping on his window. He opened the window and a black Eagle owl flew in, dropping a letter on his coffee table. The owl hooted in a sad way, and was out the window before Ron could process what was going on. Everyone in the wizarding world knew what it meant to have a Ministry Eagle owl deliver to your home. He looked at the envelope on the table, his heart filling with dread. Who had it been? Please not Mum, not Dad, not… He cut off this line of thinking, hoping against all hope that the letter was for a different reason.

He opened the letter with trepidation, and began to read.

Dear Mr. Weasley,

We regret to inform you of the death of your brother, Percy Weasley. The rest of your family has been notified as well. Please accept our condolences.

We cannot disclose the cause of your brother's death; however, your father may be able to give you more information on this matter.

Sincerely,

Amelia Bones

Deputy Minister

Ministry of Magic

Ron sat with the letter in his hands, not knowing what to think. Percy was not his favorite family member, but still family. In Ron's sixth year at Hogwarts war had been openly declared on Voldemort. Soon after Fudge had been displaced as Minister of Magic, and Percy had come around a little bit. He was still angry with his family from previous years, but because the threat of Voldemort was becoming worse and worse he had decided to return home. After the war was over Percy had become less of a prat and had gone back to his boring self. In Ron's eyes this was not enough. Percy had never apologized to the family for his actions, and Ron had not forgiven him for that.

That fact was eating him up inside right now. He had not forgiven Percy, and now he would never be able to.

He set the letter on his table once more, and went to his fireplace. Taking the Floo powder in hand, he called home. He wondered if they had gotten the letter yet, as Ron's apartment was much closer to the Ministry.

Arthur was the first to notice Ron's head in the fireplace at the Burrow. "Ron! Did you…"

"Yeah dad, I heard. What happened? Can you tell me?" Suddenly, more than anything else Ron felt the need to know what had caused his brother's demise. Perhaps if his death had not been painful it wouldn't hurt as much.

"He…" Arthur faltered. "He was found in Diagon Alley. Witnesses claimed that he just appeared in the middle of the way, and that no one else was with him. He…" Again Arthur paused, his emotion taking over. "He was killed by Avada Kedavra, but there was evidence… evidence that he had been tortured before his death. He had two initials cut into his chest when they found him. B L. We can only assume it was Bellatrix Lestrange." Arthur couldn't say anymore.

Both men were openly crying now, but were trying very hard to maintain their composure. Ron was the first to break the silence.

"I… I never got the chance to forgive him, dad. I never told him that I loved him no matter what decisions he had made. That he had always been our family, and that mattered more than anything. He never knew." Ron trailed off, afraid that his speech would falter if continued to speak.

Arthur nodded to Ron. "It's ok, Ron. He'll know. Whether he's passed on or waiting to, he'll know. I have to go and try to discuss arrangements with your mother. We're trying to get the funeral ready by Sunday. Obviously your friends deserve to know, but don't mention the initials we saw, we can't be entirely sure just yet that it was Bellatrix. I'll talk to you soon." And with that his father was gone, and Ron pulled his head back into his lonely apartment.

The only thing he could think to do was notify his friends. He sat down to begin writing immediately.

Harry, Remus, Hermione, and Snape received their letters at the same time the next morning.

Percy is dead. They found him in Diagon Alley last night. Funeral is on Sunday. They said he was tortured before they killed him with the killing curse. Dad said not to say anything about it, so you can't say anything, but they think it was Bellatrix Lestrange.

Snape got his during breakfast, and turned to Albus with blank eyes. Dumbledore nodded to him with a sad stare.

Harry and Remus had just awoken and read their letters together. They were both saddened, but Harry was furious at the thought of Bellatrix Lestrange wreaking more havoc on the world.

Hermione received hers just before she got into her office. She took the letter and opened it in her office. She cried.

Ron went to the Burrow, and left Percy's room only once the whole time.

A/N: Ok, I know, I know, I killed Percy. I needed a way to get some things started, and Percy was the best way, unfortunately. It'll get better, I promise. Also, I would have made it longer, but I really wanted to end it on a somber note. Thank you to Amster, Katerina, and Molly for being my first reviewers! Molly, if you're reading this, I'd love to do what you asked. Why don't you send me an email with what you'd like to be, as it were.