Disclaimer: You know already. This story is inspired (sort of) by the movie "The City of Glass".

To flamers: I don't take kindly to flames so back off, if you know what's good for you.

Note: This story is dedicate to my Grandmother, who passed away on 22-1-2005

Thank you all so much for your reviews!

Shortie522: My grandmother was a nice woman, I liked her a lot.

Firekitty500: Krum is coming back into the picture the next chapter.

J.E.A.R.K.Potter: Sorry but Harry won't be home so early.

Sakura-sweeti: Read this chapter

Masked Phantom: I have read your latest chapter, update soon, okay? I want to see what happen when Sandra meets Sherlock. By the way, do you know that SH22 is back on Kids Central?

Sky-Cloud: You mean "She Will Be Loved" by Maroon 5? Hey, that song is great!

Chapter 20: Letters Part 1

Oliver flipped to the next page and thick stacks of letters fell out from the diary. "Whoa! What's this?"

Ron picked the letters up and read parts of it. "They are letters from Harry and…." he looked at some of them carefully. "….photocopied letters from Hermione. I think Hermione duplicated her letters before she sent them to Harry."

The gang looked at the stack of letters and counted them. There were only 8 of them in total.

"Let's read them." said Ginny.

Ron nodded and took the first letter dated "27th February, 2003" He read:

My dearest Hermione,

This is my first day in Italy. The first thing my colleagues and I do when we arrive is report to the Italy's Auror Headquarters. At there, we are given orders to help the muggle-borns to win this civil war before we are being sent to the muggle-borns wizarding army camp.

The Italian muggle-borns soldiers looked extremely exhausted and dirty. Some of them are walking around with bandages. I heard from my boss that the wizarding Italy has this war for months.

The captain of the Italians is someone named Vittorio Staiola, he speaks English with a heavy Italian accent. He's delighted to have us here and says that with our help, the Italian purebloods will surrender in no time. We are being divided and sent to 5 different teams. I belong to the 3rd team.

We have to share our tents with other Italian soldiers, so that we could get a chance to know each other. I share my tent with a soldier named Fabrizo. He is a rather nice boy (he's only 16). The only problem with him that he doesn't speak English. I have to communicate with him with Italian. (Yes, I speak Italian). We get along quite well. He tells me that the kids over here don't get to study witchcraft because Italian school of witchcraft and wizardry is close due to this war. Poor kids.

He says that he wishes the war to end as soon as possible, so that he could return home to his family and reunite with his girlfriend. He asks me whether I have a girlfriend and I say yes. Not mentioning your name, I tell him that you are the most beautiful person I have ever come across.

How are you? I hope that you won't be so lonely while I'm away. Go and find Ginny and Neville if you are too bored. I miss you, Darling, I miss you so much. I do hope that Viktor Krum won't come for you while I'm gone.

Be patient, my dear. I'll be back as soon as this war is over.

Yours lovingly,

Harry

P.S: By the way, isn't Ron's birthday coming? Can you please buy a broomstick service kit for him on my behalf? Just tell the owner to charge the money on my bank account.

The next letter (which was photocopied in black and white) was by Hermione:

My dear Harry,

Oh I'm so glad, a letter from you in Italy!

I read in the newspaper that 20 Aurors have been sent to Italy to help the muggle-borns, and your name is in the list. I do a bit of research about how this war got started, it seems like the pure-bloods don't like the muggle-borns simply because their blood is not as pure as theirs. In my opinion, the muggle-borns should win this war. Do your best, Harry, I'm supporting you.

Looks like your Italian friend is a nice chap. I'm flattered that you said that I'm the most beautiful person you ever come across.

I'm fine over here, Harry. But I'm a little lonely. The bed looked so big without you. I miss falling asleep in your arms every night.

I did look for Neville and Ginny like you said, but I couldn't look for them every time. So sometimes when I'm alone, I will take out all the books about you and read them. Reading about your achievements that the books have listed warms my heart, because they tell me how brave and capable you are. I even went to the muggle library in London to borrow books by J.K Rowling so that I could read about our adventures back in Hogwarts (She does write them in a very accurate way).

Remember the rose that you gave me during Valentine's Day? Well, I have been feeding it with aspirin every day. It still looks like it was bought yesterday.

Viktor hasn't come and look for me. Maybe because he wants to wait for a while before he comes. I promise you, Harry. I will never, ever go back to his side no matter what he does. I belong to you and I always will be.

I got to go, Harry. Ron is holding his birthday party at The Burrow this evening. I bought him the broomstick service kit like you asked and I myself bought him a brand new organiser, for him to keep track of his Quidditch practices and matches.

I'll be waiting for you to come back.

Love,

Hermione
1-3-2003

My dearest Hermione,

The Italians are good fighters. I know that because we just fought against the Italian purebloods a few hours ago. And I got a cut on the forearm from that.

You see, we were sleeping peacefully in our tents when a siren rang. We got up and dressed, and I ran out with Fabrizo. You should see the place outside the tent, Hermione, it's full of soldiers and Aurors, all standing in one line. An Italian soldier was still ringing the siren.

"Attention, follow wizards," said Staiola in Italian. "We are now going to fight against the purebloods again. Either we die or we win in this battle, understand?"

"Yes Sir!" said the soldiers.

"Now go!" said Staiola.

One by one, we marched towards battle, with Staiola leading us. We walked for a few minutes until we sighted a huge amount of wizards marching towards us.

"The Italian purebloods!" cried Staiola. "1st and 4th team, go to the right, 3rd and 5th team, go to the left, the 2nd team stays with me!"

I went to left with a few soldiers to deal with the enemy and they charged towards us immediately. We took out our wands and before we could do anything, the enemy have shot their first spell at us.

With a loud roar, we charged and we started fighting. A wizard shot me with a Stupefy curse but he missed. I ducked kicked him directly on the ankles. He fell and I pinned him down with my arm (just like the time when I wanted to put the shaving cream on you). I poked my wand on his throat.

"Surrender." I said in Italian.

"Never." he hissed.

"Fine, you asked for it." I said. "Avada…."

And POW, someone hit the back of my head from behind! In pain, I fell off from my enemy and turned around to see another Italian.

"It's two against one, Sir." said the Italian in English.

"Think, Harry, think!" I thought frantically. And an idea came.

"Oh yeah? Look behind you." I said.

The two wizards looked behind them and quickly, I drew out my pistol (yeah, Hermione, they taught us to use pistols in the training).

BANG

BANG

There, I shot them from behind. I know it's sneaky, but I have no choice.

I got up and ran to fight with another wizard.

The battle field was chaotic, our side was either using pistols or wands. The purebloods just use their wands (I think they don't trust muggle inventions). You could hear screams of terror and pain everywhere. The fight went on. So far, I have defeated 5 wizards without a scratch. I was shooting spells at a wizard who reminds me strongly of Malfoy. He's good at avoiding them and soon, he managed to push me off my feet and to the ground. I cried out in pain as he pushed roughly on my shoulders to prevent me from getting up.

"Surrender?" asked the wizard in English.

"No!" I managed to say.

The wizard pushed harder, I felt that he was going to break my collarbone. "No?" he asked, he stared at me menacingly. Really, Hermione, he looks like Malfoy. I wonder if Malfoy have another relative that we don't know about.

"No, I'm not going to admit defeat to you, Malfoy!" I shouted (don't ask me, I don't know why I said that) and with all my might, I lifted my leg and kicked him on his stomach with my shin.

The wizard fell off me and as quick as lightning, I grabbed my wand and pointed it directly at his chest.

"Surrender and I will let you go." I said and he made himself scarce.

Oh well, I guessed I had to let him go.

I must be crazy to stand in the middle of the battlefield like an idiot, because before I know what happened, someone shot a spell at me from behind and it hit me on the forearm. Turning around, I held my gun and shot at the wizard who attacked me. He died instantly and immediately, someone jumped onto me, as if he was taking over his follow mate's job.

We fell down and I had my back on the ground. The wizard poked his wand on my neck, saying: "Avada…."

"I can't die, I want to live with Hermione, I can't leave her behind." I thought and suddenly, a surge of strength came to me and with a swift move, I raised my uninjured arm and punched him as hard as I could manage. He got off of me and when I raised my wand, someone yelled, "Stupefy!"

Suddenly, I felt dizzy and my weak knees hit the ground. Someone had just hit me with a Stunning Spell.

I heard a distant yell of "Avada Kedavra" before everything went black.

I thought I died back then, Hermione. But no, when I opened my eyes, I found that I was in the muggle-born soldiers' hospital tent. It's huge. Healers were running around, trying to heal the wounded. Soldiers were either on the beds or walking around with bandages or clutches.

"Potter, you all right?" asked a voice and I turned to see Fabrizo sitting beside me, with a bandage around his hand.

"Um…. I guess so." I said slowly. "How do I get here?"

"You were being hit by a Stunning Spell and I saved you."

"So you are the one who said the Killing Curse." I said.

Fabrizo nodded. I got up when pain shot through my forearm. "Ah!"

"Whoa, careful." said Fabrizo. "The Healers can't do much, because the healing potions are running out. The amount is enough for not letting the wound to get infected."

I looked a bandage was wrapped around my wound. Oh well, at least it will heal, just that it will take a longer time.

That's what happened to me at Italy. Don't worry about me, Darling. I will be all right. How's Ron's birthday party? Does he like my gift?

I wish I could kiss you when I read that you won't leave me no matter what Krum did. You know what? You are the one who keeps me going in the battlefield. Thinking of you makes me strong.

I got to get to bed now, the Healer is threatening to take away the letter if I don't rest.

I love you.

Yours lovingly,

Harry
5-3-2003

My dear Harry,

Oh my goddess, you are injured! I hope it will be a speedy recovery for you. The warfront seems to be very dangerous, and I can't do anything. I wish I could just fly to your side and help you.

Ron's birthday party is quite fun. All the Weasleys attended his birthday party. Katie and Oliver Wood were invited too. His birthday cake was rectangular and orange (his favourite colour), with 23 candles on it and the words "Happy Birthday Little Ronnie" (I think it was the Weasley twins who wrote that) on it. Ron didn't even mind, he just laughed when he saw the words.

The funny part came when Ron was going to blow his candles. The candles just wouldn't go out! Ron was like "What the bloody hell?" when his candles just continued to lit. You should see the expression on his face, it's hilarious. Then Fred and George started laughing like crazy. It was then we realized that the twins had out trick candles on the cake.

"No wonder you want to help out on the decorations of the cake!" said Mrs Weasley.

"Sorry, Mum, we can't help ourselves." said Fred when he managed to control himself.

"Now change the candles." Mrs Weasley ordered.

The twins obeyed and changed the candles. Ron blow at them again and they went out like any normal candles. Lavender even gave him a kiss as we clapped and he blushed!

Ron got tons of presents, for example, he received an orange cap from Lavender, a box of magical treats from his Mum, a brand new quill from Percy, a box of magical tricks from Fred and George (they said that all the tricks were not-for-sale items), Wood and Katie gave him a brand new broom. Ginny and Neville gave him a watch (I think he broke his during his last match).

I gave him our gifts and he adored the broomstick kit. He liked my organiser too. He was disappointed you couldn't come for the party. He asked me why you couldn't make it. I told him that you were away and he exclaimed, "What? Why didn't he tell me? Wait…. oh yeah, the Daily Prophet wrote about it…."

Harry, is there anybody besides me, Neville and Ginny knows that you are going for war?

Beside Ron, there was another person who was terribly disappointed that you weren't around. No, not Mrs Weasley, it was Fred's daughter Jemima.

I saw her looking around during the party, then she tugged Fred's arm, asking, "Where's Harry? Daddy? I thought he was Uncle Ron's best friend, why isn't he here?"

"No idea, why isn't he here, Hermione?" asked Fred.

"He's away." I said simply.

"Oh." said Fred and Jemima looked as if she was going to cry. Then she glared at me, Harry. I don't know why, she just glared at me as if I had done something wrong.

"Jemima, stop glaring at Hermione." said Angelina and gave me an apologetic look.

Jemima pouted.

"It's all right, Angelina, she's just a child." I said.

Harry, if you have any idea why Jemima is acting like that, please tell me.

I got to go now, rest well, Harry. I will pray every day for your safety.

Love,

Hermione
10-3-2003

My dearest Hermione,

Everything is fine here in Italy. Nothing major happened yet. My wound is getting better.

I'm glad that Ron like my gift. It will come in handy when he wants to polish his new broom.

I only told you, Neville and Ginny about me going away. I don't want to tell so many people about it.

As for Jemima…. um, well, she is quite fond of me, you see. She doesn't like it very much when a woman gets near me. But don't worry, she's just a kid.

I wish that you are here too… no, you can't be here, it's too dangerous here. I rather have you stayed in England, where you are safe.

Oops, there goes the siren again. I will send this letter to you and go for battle. I will write again later when I come back.

Yours lovingly,

Harry
16-3-2003

Ron was about to read the next letter when Oliver cried, "Stop!"

"What?"

"What's the date of the next letter?"

"24th of March, 2003."

"The entry's date is 23rd of March. So I think I should read this first." said Oliver.

"Okay." said Ron and he put down the letter.

"23rd of March?" asked Neville.

"Yeah, why?" asked Oliver.

Neville thought for a while before he said," Nothing."

Oliver cleared his throat and started to read.