Disclaimer: Well, since there is no letter from the Ministry of Magic, Harry Potter is still mine… xx

Author's Note: Thanks to the following because they are the first wonderful people who gave their reviews on my 2nd fanfic…

- amrawo: I don't know if I'll be happy because I almost made you cry. Because that means, my story is sort of effective…:D

- eckles: a big, big, huge, gigantic (and all the words at the thesaurus that has something to do with big) thank you for a wonderful review…

- hermionegarner: I'm still alive... let me finish my story first before you kill me, ok :D

- Mrs.MaryGrint479: thank you because you love it. I hope you'll also love this one!

- ginny-wannabee: our conversation is still going on here and on the other chapters! And thanks for the e-mail!

Chapter Two

Last Letter from Ron

"Good morning," Hermione greeted Mrs. Weasley and Ginny. They were in the kitchen.

"Good morning, Hermione," greeted Ginny, smiling then faded when she smelled something. "Mum, what's that? The smell fouls!"

"Don't worry," said Mrs. Weasley, also smiling. "It wouldn't affect the face of my grandchild."

"Where are the others?" asked Hermione as she helped Ginny in carrying the plates.

"Thank you. Well, Bill and Charlie have to go with Fred's and George's store. Then after that, they'll head their way to their office. Harry went with Dad in the Ministry of Magic."

The three of them ate happily then Hermione went off to her office.

She was also working at the Ministry of Magic with Harry and Ginny. The two were Aurors and just got tied last year. Hermione was working for the International Confederation of Wizards. Ginny now was in a maternity leave. (Hermione was surprised that those Muggle leaves were also applied in the Magical world.)

Hermione was looking for something at the hall of the Ministry of Magic when a tall guy with red- hair caught her attention. She could feel her own heartbeat. She followed him but maybe the guy noticed that someone was following him. The red- headed guy turned around and Hermione almost fainted. Ron!

The guy continued to walk when he found nothing. Then he entered at the office of Nymphadora Tonks. She was about to enter too when she heard her name was being called.

"Miss Granger?" said an irritating voice. Hermione turned around.

"Yes, it's you, Miss Hermione Granger. What are you doing here at level three? I suppose you should be on level five," said Zacharias Smith in an annoying voice.

"Well, yeah, I'm… supposed to be at level five but… but I'm looking for… for Mr. Harry Potter,"

Zacharias raised an eyebrow. "Looking for Mr. Potter?" he asked maliciously.

"Yes because his wife, Mrs. Ginevra Potter asked me to do a favor. I'm just passing a message," Then Hermione gave Zacharias a very disgusting look.

"Hey, Hermione! What are you doing here?" It was Harry. "Morning, Smith."

"Good morning, Potter. Miss Granger was looking for you. I think it is something about Mrs. Potter."

"Oh, really. What is it?" Then Harry looked at Hermione, who was giving him a get-that-Smith-out-of-here-right-now look. Zacharias was obviously waiting for Hermione's answer.

"I think I knew it. Something about that baby stuff. She told me a while ago but maybe my wife thought that I forgot it, right, Hermione?"

"Right," she said quickly.

"Thank you, Zacharias. I would be fine."

Smith went away.

"That Zacharias Smith really annoys me ever since I first saw him during our D.A. days. I bet, if Ron was here, he'll give him some—". Harry stopped talking but Hermione smiled at him. Ron is really Harry's best friend. Harry always accidentally mentioning Ron every time he reminisced about their Hogwarts days but every time Harry was doing it, Hermione was crying.

"He'll give that Smith a nice kick." Hermione continued what Harry was saying.

"I'm sorry," muttered Harry.

"It's okay. I think it's about time to move on."

Harry smiled again.

"So, I have to go now, Hermione. See you later."

When Harry went to the Wizengamot Administration Services office, Hermione looked back at Tonks' office. It can't be him.

As Hermione sat down at her swivel chair in her office, she opened her drawer and picked the envelope that was addressed to her.

To Hermione Granger

It was Ron's last letter for her. While opening it, she felt that she was being engulfed by the letter to the past.

FLASHBACK

It was in their seventh year when the tragic happened. It was the saddest Christmas for the whole Hogwarts. Harry, Hermione and Ginny went at the Great Hall. But instead of seeing the usual colorful Christmas decorations, it reminded them the Great Hall's design when Cedric Diggory died. It served as a mark of respect for Ron.

"The saddest Christmas indeed," started Dumbledore. "We just lost a truly brave man. First of all, I would like to raise a toast for Mr. Ronald Weasley." Then Dumbledore raised his goblet.

All of the students followed. As they raised their glasses, they said, "Ron Weasley." Ginny didn't lift her glass that long as she almost faint while crying. Harry comforted her. Everyone sat down and sobs could be heard from the Gryffindor Table.

"We've lost a great man, loyal friend, good son and a great wizard in the future. I know it is hard for all of us especially for his closest friends and those who experienced how good Ron is. Mr. Ronald Weasley is such an example of a true Gryffindor and the Gryffindor House should be proud of him."

Hermione, who was trying not to cry, looked down at her feet. Harry avoided to look at the Slytherin Table then saw Professor McGonagall crying and was comforted by Professor Sprout.

"A fearless man, that's how Ron should be remembered. He sacrificed his life for his friends and died for them." Dumbledore continued, "And I believe he's—"

"It is all my fault!" said Hermione loudly.

All of the students and teachers looked at her. Hagrid, who was just wiping his tears, looked confusing at Hermione. Even though Ginny was still crying, she was able to lift her head and gazed at Hermione. Harry was also shocked.

"I should be the one to be blamed!" Hermione shouted. "If it wasn't because of my being stubborn, Ron and Harry wouldn't be there! If I didn't tell them about Umbridge talking to Voldermort, Ron would still be here and celebrating Christmas with us!" Then everyone's surprise, Hermione stood up.

"And if it wasn't for my being Little Miss Perfect thinking, Ron wouldn't be dead! I'm so selfish! I was the one who should died, not Ron! I don't deserve to be here… it's all my fault!" Harry and Ginny stood up to comfort Hermione. Hermione was now crying hysterically.

"I'm sorry, Ginny. Blame me because it was me who lead his way to death." Ginny hugged her tight.

"No one is blaming you, Hermione, no one."

Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Miss Granger, if it wasn't of you, the Death Eaters wouldn't be arrested. If it wasn't because of you, Voldemort wouldn't be killed. Sometimes, someone should sacrifice. Remember, he said that in your first year days."

Harry and Hermione remembered Ron said that when they were playing Professor McGonagall's giant chess on their way to protect the Sorcerer's Stone.

Hermione just cried and didn't care on what Dumbledore was saying. There was another particular thing that was running from her mind and heart. And he left you without knowing that you love him so much.

"And Merry Christmas, well, you can now go to your respective House Towers except Mr. Potter, Miss Granger and Miss Weasley," said Dumbledore.

Professor McGonagall went closer to them when there was no one left in the Great Hall.

"Please follow me."

Harry, Ginny and Hermione found themselves at Dumbledore's office. Aside from them and Professor McGonagall, the other members of the Weasley family were also there with Dumbledore and Hagrid.

"I suppose you should have this," said Dumbledore as he lifted about ten envelopes. "Minerva, if you please." Then he handed the letters to Professor McGonagall.

"Ron gave these letters to me before I had my meeting with you, Miss Granger. He asked me a favor that he wanted me to deliver these letters at the Owlery without anyone knowing it. I don't know why I agreed to deliver these but I did.

"He told me that these letters are surprise gift from him. I was about to deliver it at the Owlery when Professor Snape called me and told me what happened."

"I suppose Ron knew that something will happen to him," said Dumbledore as Professor McGonagall distributed the letters to their owner.

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley received one. Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George, Ginny, Harry, Hermione and Hagrid also received a letter. Everyone just stared at it until Hermione got the courage to open the letter. Everyone was just observing her. She read the letter loudly.

Hermione,

Merry Christmas!

I thought this can be a nice gift. You know, writing to you even though I can tell it to you personally.

But there are things that you can't tell a person face-to-face, things that you can't explain how or why. That's why some are doing it in this form.

I just want ask you something. Can you go out with me on Valentine's Day? Hermione stopped for a moment. I know you'll think that why can't I just speak this to you personally. As I've said, there are things you can't say face-to-face. And maybe if you'll confront me about this, we'll have an argument. But how I also wish I could tell you that— Hermione stopped dead when she read the last three words. —I love you.

She dropped the letter and felt her tears were falling freely again to her cheeks. Ginny took the letter and continued to read it.

…that I love you. "Oh, Hermione!" Do you think I can say this to you when you're already in front of me? But I'm looking forward for me to say it personally. You just don't have any idea how I'm trying not to be obvious with my feelings for you.

I hope you wouldn't be mad at me or just ignore me. I also hope that you'll go out for a date with me at Valentine's. Again, Merry Christmas and I love you.

After Ginny read the letter, they just stared at Hermione. She was still crying. But it's too late! Why didn't you tell it to me!

Mrs. Weasley consoled her. "I knew it for ages, Hermione though Ron's not admitting it. It's okay, dear, it's okay. I believe he really loves you."

"No! He doesn't love me! If Ron meant it, he'll never leave me! Never!" yelled Hermione.

"Hermione, Ron is our both best friend. And I could feel that he didn't leave us. He's still here, in our hearts," said Harry consolingly who was standing next to Ginny.

Hermione just cried. Then everyone else opened their letters except for Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.

After everyone had read it, they were all filled with tears. Maybe if Ron was there, he would laugh out loud for seeing his twin brothers crying at the shoulders of Bill and Charlie, who were also crying. Mr. Weasley tapped Percy's shoulder then Percy hugged him, crying. Ginny and Harry consoled each other. Hagrid also cried with Professor McGonagall.

Mr. Weasley opened their letter. He, with his wife, read it quietly as everyone was looking at them including Hermione. As they were reading, Mrs. Weasley almost collapsed, fortunately, her two eldest were there to back Mr. Weasley up. They knew that Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were through in reading the letter and then Mr. Weasley read a part of their letter. "These are Ron's wish this Christmas.

"Please take care of Bill and Charlie. I know, they're old enough but I wanted them to find the girl who will always be there for them. Also Percy, support him on his ambitions.

"For Fred and George, also help them to find the right girl, if there's anyone who'd like, just kidding. They need your support for their store.

"To my little sister, Ginny, don't let her end up with just someone. If possible, let Harry and Ginny end up together. (Harry and Ginny exchanged looks and blushed.)

"Also my best friend, Harry, please accept him at our house. I'll convince him to live with us at the Burrows. I know, both of you were considering and treating him as your own child…" Mr. Weasley paused for a while and looked at Hermione who was also looking at him.

"… and lastly, please take care of Hermione. I know that I'm denying it for ages but I'll confess that I love her and don't you dare say it to her. I'm doing my part here for her to be your future daughter-in-law. I believe you'll accept her. Like Harry, you're also treating her as your own.

"I know Dad," said Mr. Weasley, who was already crying, "…would take care of my great big brothers, my best buddy and of the three most important women in my life…" Mr. Weasley couldn't continue reading the letter.

Everybody cried except Dumbledore but still, the sadness and grief was in his eyes and could be noticed in his voice as her comforted Professor McGonagall and Hagrid. The three most important women of Ron Weasley fainted.

"Mum! (Molly!) Ginny! Hermione!"

END OF FLASHBACK

"Hermione?" Hermione got back into her senses when she heard Neville Longbottom calling her name. She immediately wiped her tears.

"Better fix yourself. The meeting will start after two minutes."

"Thank you." She forced herself to smile. When Neville left her office, she re-read Ron's letter.

Why do you have to leave that early? We're supposed to have our date on Valentine's Day. She folded the letter carefully and returned it to her drawer then she fixed herself.

The said meeting would be about the leave of Ginny and the head will introduce her temporary replacement.

Hermione: Will I always cry here in this fanfic?

Ron: Am I really dead on this fanfic?

Harry: (thinking of Ginny) Me and Ginny! (smiling at himself)

Gryffinhauz: If you want to know the answer, tell them to review my story.

R/Hr: Please review her story!

GH88: (giggles) Thanks! (thinking) I always knew it would be the two of you!