A/N: Happy birthday to me, to my friend Dan, and Edgar Allen Poe this 19th of January! Thank you all for the wonderful reviews and birthday wishes! To celebrate, here is your update! Oh, and some of you my recognize American wizarding Congresswoman Kate Leland from "Battle of Wills." For those who don't, she is based on a real person, with much affection and admiration, from my time working on Capitol Hill.
Announcement/Schmooze: Voting is now open in the 2005 OWL Awards at owl dot tauri dot org! Please register and vote! My stories "Harry Potter and the Battle of Wills," "Duel," "Dumbledore's Men," "Legilimens," and "Offensive Magic" are all in the running in various categories! Mum's stories "Tea & Sympathy" and "Blanket" are also up!
Chapter Three: Letters From The Front Lines
Dear Viktor,
I'm sorry to have bad news in my first letter. I have spoken to Professor Dumbledore, and other people who know what's going on, and they say it is much too dangerous for me to travel to Bulgaria. I am very sorry. I was looking forward to visiting you very much, and I hope soon this will all be over, and that we'll see each other again.
I do miss you. The Ministry here hasn't said a word about Voldemort—they're denying that he is back. I can't believe it. They are such fools! They're actually saying that Dumbledore is senile and that Harry can't be trusted—that Harry is crazy! The Daily Prophet is saying horrible things about Harry. Dumbledore was right that to deny it is an insult to Cedric's memory. How many more innocent people have to die before they will admit the truth?
Sorry to be so angry. Everyone who knows the truth is afraid. I am spending the summer in a place Dumbledore thinks is safer than home for me. The Weasleys are here, but Harry isn't yet. I can't say much, you understand.
How are you? Is Quidditch season starting soon? Good luck with it. Ron and his brothers were talking about the World Cup the other day, and I was thinking about you. That was the first time I saw you, but even then I could see that you loved to fly. I didn't understand it, though, until you explained it at the Yule Ball.
I hope you can write back to me soon. If you send the owl to Hogwarts, they will know where to find me.
Best,
Hermione.
Dear Hermione,
I had feared you would not be able to come after what happened this year, and I understand. I will miss you this summer very much, but it is better that you are safe. I too hope this will soon be over.
There are questions here about Voldemort, but our Ministry is listening to what the British Ministry says, that he is not back. They too fear to say his name. I always did, but I saw that you were not afraid, and I thought that I should not be. It was hard at first, but now I can say it, and it does not hurt me. It seems very silly now to be afraid of a name.
We have started practicing for the Quidditch season, and the training goes well. I have told my team companions that Voldemort is returned. I think some of them do believe me, but the others are not sure. They believe what the Ministries in your country and mine have said about Dumbledore and Harry. I have sent for the Daily Prophet and read what they say. They are terrible lies about Harry. He is not mad and he is not seeking fame. I am thinking I should tell the newspapers here that, because I saw Harry much at Hogwarts. Perhaps they will listen.
You are right to be angry. I was very angry when Minister Fudge called Cedric's death an accident. It is a terrible lie and an insult, as you say. My mother and father believe Dumbledore, and we are telling everyone that we can. They ask me to give you their good wishes.
I have received my final marks from Durmstrang, and it is now finished, so I may sign a full contract with the national Quidditch team. I am happy for that. I am happy when I am flying now more than before. I am feeling that I can fly away from all these troubles. There has been no news of Karkaroff. I did not like him ever, and I was very angry when we learned he was a Death Eater, but I do not know that I should wish him dead. Those who know Voldemort is returned say that Karkaroff will be killed for giving up names.
I pray that you, Harry, and all your families are safe. If there is anything I am able to do that will help, tell me, and I will do it. Please write back to me. I worry for the safety of all in England.
With best wishes,
Viktor.
Dear Viktor,
You won't believe what's happened! Someone sent two Dementors after Harry. They nearly got him and his cousin! Harry is very good at the Patronus Charm and was able to stop them, but now the Ministry is trying to expel him for using magic underage! He got here yesterday (I can't tell you where, but it is our safe house), and he's very angry at us all. Ron and I feel awful, but we couldn't tell him anything in letters about what was going on; it wasn't safe! But I'm trying to be understanding; he's very upset. His hearing at the Ministry is coming up soon. He can't be expelled for defending himself, we're sure of that, but it's still awful.
I asked some people here if they thought it would help if you talked to the papers in Bulgaria. They said yes. Anything that you can say to your Ministry and your public would help, but be careful: our Ministry is printing worse lies about Harry and Dumbledore every day. They may try to lie about you. I don't want you to get hurt, so please be very careful.
Congratulations on signing with your team! It was in the papers here. I wish we could see you play again, but I doubt it will be possible this year. Ron says that Bulgaria's first match is against Italy next week. I don't know if this letter will reach you in time, but good luck from all of us. (The boys say not to get your nose broken again.)
Write back soon.
Sincerely,
Hermione.
Dear Hermione
I received your letter the day before the match, and thank you for your good luck. We won by 85 points. You may tell the boys that I did not break my nose this time. I broke my collar bone, but it is healed well.
I spoke to a man at our Ministry, and he says he has learned from your Ministry that Harry was not expelled? I hope this is true; please tell me when you write again.
I am speaking to reporters of the Triwizard Tournament and Cedric's death tomorrow. I will tell them all I know, that Dumbledore is telling the truth, and Harry is not mad or seeking glory. I will tell them what I know of him from the Tournament, that he did not enter himself and did not want to compete. I will tell them that the British Ministry is lying about Harry and Dumbledore, and warn that they may lie against me also. My father tells me that Britain's Ludo Bagman was believed when he came before the Ministry after the last war. He says that the British believe much from Quidditch players. I hope you are not offended, but I hope that this is true. If it is, then perhaps they will believe me.
How soon are you to return to Hogwarts? This year is your Ordinary Level Examinations, yes? I have no doubt you will do very well. You are the most intelligent person I have ever met. I hope this year will be happier for you than the last, and that you are safe at Hogwarts.
With good wishes,
Viktor.
Mum,
This article from Bulgaria just hit the papers here in Romania; I've had it translated. Looks like you and the old crowd have a formidable ally over there in Bulgaria! The Romanian Magical Council is in uproar. They're talking of sending someone from their Embassy to speak to Dumbledore!
Love,
Charlie
National Quidditch Seeker Krum Warns He Who Must Not Be Named Is Back!
Bulgaria's athletic pride, Viktor Krum, 18, has urged the wizarding public to heed the warnings of British warlock Albus Dumbledore that He Who Must Not Be Named, one of the most powerful dark sorcerers in wizarding history, has returned.
Krum spent his final school year with Durmstrang classmates as a guest at Dumbledore's school, Hogwarts in Britain, along with students from French Beauxbatons Academy for the Triwizard Tournament. The Tournament had troubles as soon as it began, when an unexpected fourth champion was named, 14-year-old Harry Potter, the famous Boy Who Lived, who is credited with the demise of the same Dark Lord.
The British Ministry has denied Dumbledore's reports of He Who Must Not Be Named's return, attributing the claim to senility, and alleges that Harry Potter, who claims to have witnessed the return, is either insane or seeking further public attention. Viktor Krum, in a press conference with every wizarding newspaper in Bulgaria, made a heated condemnation of the denials.
"I spent much time with Harry Potter in the tournament. He was forced to enter by a servant of Lord V, and I have no doubts whatsoever from what I saw of him that he was entered against his will. He is a good, honest boy who did not seek public attention and does not enjoy it. He faced Lord V with great courage and saw our fellow champion, Cedric Diggory of Hogwarts, murdered before his eyes. Cedric too was a kind and good person, and the British Ministry and newspapers insult his memory by claiming that his death was an accident."
The British Ministry has refused all requests for comment or response by Bulgaria's news reporters, which adds to speculation among Bulgarians that there is indeed something being hidden. Krum ended his conference with an impassioned plea to his countrymen:
"We must stand against the evil that Lord V represents. Headmaster Dumbledore said in memory of Cedric Diggory, we are strong as we are united. Speak out to the people of wizarding Britain, warn them not to turn their backs to the truth. I was a guest at Hogwarts in the spirit of international magical cooperation, and I speak to you now in the hope of keeping that spirit alive."
Dear Viktor,
I don't know what to say except thank you so very, very much for what you told the reporters in Bulgaria! We haven't been able to get a copy of your papers here, but when we do, we're going to hang them on the wall! Ron's brother, Charlie Weasley, is still working in Romania (you remember him, he brought the dragons for the First Task), and he sent a translated copy from one of their newspapers. Many of us cried when we read it. I must admit that I did. It has been so hard being here with the Ministry denying everything and the Daily Prophet mocking Dumbledore and Harry, that the feeling of reading what you said for us was truly wonderful. Thank you!
Harry did get off, but it was close. They changed the time and the location of the hearing to try and stop him from being able to defend himself. Dumbledore came, thank goodness, and convinced them he was telling the truth about the Dementors. He's still very moody and upset about everything; I suppose we can't blame him, even if he has such a temper these days!
Ron and I have been made Gryffindor prefects. His mother got him a new broomstick as a present for it. (Honestly, I was surprised that it wasn't Harry, and I think Harry was a little disappointed, but then again, Harry has enough to worry about. But don't tell anyone I told you that.) We will have a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher again this year. No one knows who yet, but we're hoping this will be the first one who doesn't try to kill Harry. I guess that's not very funny, but it's not a joke either: he's been attacked by one every year! (Well, third year, it wasn't on purpose, but you see what I mean.)
By the time you get this, you will probably have already played the match against Ireland. Best of luck. (Your team could have your revenge if you beat them this year, but PLEASE do not tell any of the Weasleys I said that! They all still love Ireland's team.)
Write back soon, and thank you again.
Gratefully,
Hermione.
Owl of the Outback
Australia's best source of wizarding news…
The Triwizard Tragedy: What Is The British Ministry Hiding?
A passionate and angry statement to international press by former Triwizard hopeful and international Quidditch star Viktor Krum has added fuel to the fire of questions worldwide about the British Ministry for Magic's shaky explanation of the tragic events that ended the rebirth of the Triwizard Tournament.
The Tournament was plagued with unexplained problems from the beginning with the shocking entry of 14-year-old Harry Potter, also known as the Boy Who Lived. Famed for his role in the death of Lord YKW in 1981, young Potter's unexpected (and according to multiple sources, unwilling) inclusion in the extremely dangerous tournament was a frightening event on the heels of a Death Eater attack and the Dark Mark's appearance at the Quidditch World Cup in which Viktor Krum played.
The Ministry has vehemently denied the claims of Harry Potter and Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, one of the wizarding world's most acclaimed sorcerers, that Lord YKW has returned, blaming everything from Dumbledore's alleged senility to Potter's alleged pathological desire for public acclaim (the latter according to British tabloid columnist Rita Skeeter). However, a more disturbing response from the Ministry has begun after Viktor Krum's statements to the Bulgarian press in August:
The Bulgarian Magical Embassy to Britain has been forcibly closed.
Bulgaria's ambassadors have been deported.
All Bulgarian newspapers and any other foreign papers that carry Krum's statements have been banned from the entire United Kingdom, from both commercial and private parties.
The British Wizarding Wireless Network has been threatened with loss of its license if any broadcasts are made of news events which repeat Dumbledore's claims, or any events in which Viktor Krum may speak live, such as pre and post-Quidditch game interviews.
The Triwizard Tournament's progress remained dogged by the disappearance of Ministry official Bartemius Crouch, unexplained injuries to Krum and Beauxbatons champion Fleur Delacour, and culminated in the tragic death of Hogwarts's other champion, 17-year-old Cedric Diggory. Harry Potter, who reportedly witnessed the murder, arrived at the end of the Tournament clinging to Diggory's body and the Triwizard Cup, which was discovered to be a portkey that transported the winners somewhere outside of Hogwarts. Potter is reported to have suffered multiple injuries that night, and was attacked yet again by Azkaban Prison escapee Bartemius Crouch, Jr., who had been masquerading the entire year as Defense Professor Alastor Moody.
Viktor Krum, whose public statements even at major Quidditch games have been limited until now, has become an increasingly strong and compelling voice demanding answers from the United Kingdom, invoking the spirit of international magical co-operation which the Ministry claims to value, and the name and memory of his late competitor.
The San Francisco Siren
Bringing magical news to California since 1849…
International Quidditch Star Warns of Cover-Up of You Know Who's Return!
Following a decisive win against the United States Quidditch team, Bulgarian Seeker Viktor Krum met with American and Canadian officials in public to discuss the alleged return to power of the dark wizard who set off the most violent magical war in over a century. Although the officials—all of whom had been ticket-carrying spectators at today's match—voiced some skepticism going into the meeting, Krum surprised fans and press alike with an well-spoken and very alarming statement of his case.
"I'm a huge fan of his," said wizarding Senator Gill Shelton, "but I'm a little leery of talking national defense and foreign relations with an athlete. I didn't expect him to know what he was talking about."
Congresswoman Kate Leland, chairwitch of the House Magical Defense Committee, told the Siren, "Lots of celebrities who want to weigh in on issues that aren't their business try to claim they're experts. But Viktor Krum came to us as a witness. I think everyone was thrown by what he had to say, and that it merits some serious consideration."
Krum spoke in detail to the group about his experiences at Hogwarts during the beleaguered Triwizard Tournament, including his interactions with fellow champion Harry Potter, and the tragic end of the Third Task. He was especially vocal in his defense of Harry Potter, who has been reported by some British papers as a spoiled attention-seeker and even mentally unstable.
"He is none of those things. I came to admire him very much for how strongly he faced everything during the Tournament and afterward. He was brave and cares very much for others, even people he has never met. He avoided public attention; he did not seek it, and he is certainly not mad."
Multiple members of the international wizarding community are already calling for explanations from the wizarding U.K.'s increasingly-tight control of internal and external communications. Foreign wizards report of owls being intercepted and mail confiscated, which would be a violation of the International Magical Rights Treaty if proven true, and several embassies have been closed and their ambassadors deported with little or no explanation, except that all countries with whom relations have been cut off are those who have openly accepted as true the claims of You Know Who's return.
Viktor,
Thank you for the bracelet. I didn't know you knew when my birthday was! I saw your birthday announced in the paper; I'm sorry I didn't know sooner, but happy 19th birthday, and I've sent your present with this letter. I hope you like it. The singing stones are beautiful; they remind me of the merpeople. My dormitory-mates and I sat listening to it for hours, and it even knows not to sing during classes, but then it turns different colors.
We're about three weeks into our fifth year, and things are very, well, "interesting," for lack of a better description. Our new Defense professor is from the Ministry, Professor Umbridge. Her approach is a bit different from what we're used to, but I expect we'll adjust. She gave a very interesting talk at the Welcome Feast, about how progress for progress's sake must be discouraged, and that the Ministry will be pruning practices that should be prohibited. It gave us all some very important things to think about, don't you agree?
Harry is struggling a little in Defense, but I don't think it's his skills at magic that are the problem. He's been speaking out of turn, you know, and saying things that the Professor does not want discussed in the classroom—we've all told him to watch what he says, but you know how he is.
I'm afraid I haven't been able to find out how the rest of your Quidditch season is going; there seems to be a problem with getting certain newspapers here that report it, and the Wizarding Wireless Network is not broadcasting the international games anymore. What a shame. But my friends Fred and George Weasley still have the pre-season schedule, so if nothing as changed, then you should be playing Norway next week. Good luck from all of us.
Best,
Hermione.
Dear Hermione,
There appears to have been a problem in the mail delivery; it looked as if your letter and package had been opened. Perhaps someone misread the address.
I am glad that you liked your bracelet, and thank you for the book. I have read on the principles of physics in broomstick flight before, but this new book has some very good information. My team's Chasers and Beaters have asked to borrow it. We are thinking the principles will be useful to develop some new drills. I fear we lost the match with Norway, and the match with Japan has been moved to next month.
Your new Defense professor does seem quite interesting. Perhaps it would be wise of Harry to learn when are the best times to speak. I am right that she is Dolores Umbridge, Undersecretary to Cornelius Fudge? That is a very prestigious person to teach at a school. The Ministry must think it is very important. I agree that her speech to you was very interesting. Perhaps I will talk to some friends about it.
I am thinking that some of our letters to each other may be lost in the future if the mail becomes unreliable. I will continue to write to you, and hope you will to me, and perhaps some of our letters will get through. Please give my best wishes to Harry and all your friends.
Very truly yours,
Viktor
Dear Viktor,
There do seem to be some problems with mail delivery lately; your letter to me was opened too. I'll also keep writing to you and hope for the best. Harry's owl, Hedwig—you may have seen her, she's a very pretty snowy owl—was attacked recently while delivering a letter. She's all right, but we were worried.
Ron has been made Keeper of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. He's very nervous about the first match, but he seems to have very good skill. He only needs a little confidence, we tell him. He and Harry say to tell you good luck against Japan, and Ron has heard that you have been short-listed for the European Quodpot Team for the tournament against the United States. Will you take the position if they offer it?
There are many things I am worried about, but not much else that we can talk in letters about these days. I hope you and your family are well, and that everything will stay well if we lose contact. I will be thinking of you.
Affectionately,
Hermione
Dear Hermione,
It seemed to take your letter much time to reach me. That is very strange. I am glad that Harry's owl was not badly hurt. You may tell Ron that I did not take the European Quodpot Team position; it would require me to miss a large part of next year's season with Bulgaria, which I do not wish to do. I am hearing that Ireland's Aidan Lynch will be next to be offered the Seeker position, and that he will accept. I remember that Ron supports Ireland, so I am thinking he will be happy to hear that. Please thank him and Harry for their good wishes at the games. We won the matches with Japan and New Zealand, and there is a match in two weeks against Brazil before we are released for the holidays. The season will resume in January.
I am wishing good luck to Ron and Harry with their Quidditch season. There is a mid-season interview for our team soon, and I will be discussing many things with the reporters. (You may tell Ron that I am not longer nervous for Quidditch, but still I am nervous before interviews.)
If this letter takes long to reach you, I wish you and your family a happy Christmas.
Yours,
Viktor
Dear Hermione,
I am remembering that you said you would continue to write, so I fear that either my last letter did not reach you, or your response has not yet reached me. I hope all is well with you.
Viktor.
Dear Hermione,
I have sent this letter to the home of the Weasleys rather than to Hogwarts in the hope of reaching you. I am reading of the Ministry's education reforms and what Professor Umbridge means to do as Hogwarts High Inquisitor. Those are interesting actions they are taking.
We won the match against Brazil, and my interviews went well. I have also written letters to the newspapers in South America, and they are eager to publish them.
I hope that you are able to write back soon.
Viktor.
Dear Viktor,
I haven't received any letters from you in quite awhile, but I doubt it's because you haven't been writing. We are on holidays now from Hogwarts (thank heavens), and I hope this letter will get to you. Things are awful here. I still had better not say too much, but I suspect you know more about what's going on here than we do about what's going on in the rest of the world.
Professor Umbridge is conducting "inspections" of all the teachers, so there are lots of things they can't talk to us about either. To make matters worse, Harry and the Weasley twins got into a fight with Draco Malfoy after the first Quidditch match, and she banned all three of them from the team. Poor Ron is having a terrible time with practices without them, and Harry practically lives in detention—and I have to say, I do NOT like what is going on in those detentions.
Ron's father was attacked by a giant snake right before the holidays started and was nearly killed. He will be all right, but he's still in the hospital. This is truly turning into an utterly rotten year. Harry is constantly losing his temper, all our parents are worried sick, everyone at school is wondering who or what is going to be banned by the "High Inquisitor" next. And on top of it all—well, you know what the worst of it is.
I wish I knew what was happening. We all do. I hope you and your family are all right, since the wireless and the newspapers don't report so much as foreign Quidditch scores anymore. Happy Christmas to all of you, and may the New Year be better than the last one. (We all hope.) I'm giving you the address of my parents' house in Muggle London. Because I'm a witch, they can receive owls. Maybe your letters will reach me more easily there. Mum and Dad will keep them for me until they can be sure I will get them.
Take care.
Best,
Hermione.
Dear Hermione,
It was a great relief to get your letter from Christmas. The news from Britain and Hogwarts is very worrisome, and there is trouble here too, I am thinking. Our Minister for Magic, as you may have heard, ordered increased efforts for Defense, but he has unexpectedly been killed. They say it was an accident, but many are thinking not. The new Minister is of the British Ministry's mind, it seems. I have met him yesterday, and he told me that I should not speak to the reporters about anything except Quidditch.
I am sending this letter to your parents' address. I hope that it will reach you.
Many good wishes,
Viktor.
Dear Hermione,
It has been some months now since I have heard from you, and I am worried. I know that you will write if you are able, and I am hoping that it is only your letters are failing to reach me, not that you are not able to write. If you receive this, even if you do not think your letter will get through, please try anyway, so that perhaps I might hear that you are well.
Viktor.
Dear Hermione,
The situation outside Britain grows worse. Austria had also believed the danger, but their Council of Wizards has suddenly changed their minds. There is talk of murders of Councilors' families, but their communications also are stopping, and no certain word can reach us.
Our Minister spoke to me again yesterday, and is saying that if I do not stop making "inflammatory statements," he may have me banned from the Quidditch Team. The team says they do not think he will dare; the public outrage would be great. But it is troubling. I am not afraid, and my father and mother say that they wish me to continue speaking the truth.
I still have not received any letters from you since Christmas. I hope that you are hearing from me.
Viktor.
Dear Viktor,
I gave this letter to some friends who have left Hogwarts, and they say they will try very hard to get it to you. I haven't had a letter from you in months, and I'm sure it's because the mail here is being intercepted. They're not even pretending now—they call it "inspections and approvals."
Harry gave an interview to Rita Skeeter about Voldemort's return, describing what happened at the cemetery last year. It was hard for him, but we know someone who could get it published in The Quibbler magazine. It's a rather dodgy one, but at least it's not under the Ministry's control. It sold out, and hundreds of people were writing to Harry before Umbridge stopped his mail altogether. I would send you a copy of the article, but I don't want to draw attention to a large package.
One bit of good news is that Gryffindor won the Quidditch Cup—and Ron saved many goals. We were very happy. We have O.W.L.s coming up now, and are counting the days until this year is over. I will keep writing and hope some of my letters reach you.
Hermione.
The Daily Prophet
HE WHO MUST NOT BE NAMED RETURNS!
In a brief statement on Friday night, Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge confirmed that He Who Must Not Be Named has returned to this country and is active once more…
Dear Viktor,
I just got an enormous stack of letters from you. Looks like the mail is open again. I've sent you a copy of the Daily Prophet; Fudge has finally admitted Voldemort's back. Can't give much detail, but suffice it to say that Harry and I, along with Ron and some other friends, were at the Ministry when Voldemort showed up. We stopped him from getting what he wanted, but something terrible happened: Harry's godfather, the only real family he has, was killed. We're all heartbroken, Harry most of all. This on top of everything else in the past two years!
We just got home for the start of the summer holidays. I guess the war is well and truly started now. Two Ministry witches have been murdered—Madam Bones and Emmeline Vance. The Dementors have all left Azkaban—it turns out that it was Umbridge who sent them after Harry last summer! I can't believe how much time the Ministry wasted with their pitiful denials.
Please write to me at the Weasleys' and tell me how you are. I know from your letters you were all right, but I was very worried during the year.
Best,
Hermione
Dear Hermione,
I am very glad to hear from you again. I have not received any past letters from you. I am guessing they were destroyed; the mail is still very slow. I am very sorry to hear of Harry's godfather; they are saying in the papers here that it was Sirius Black, and that he was innocent? That is terrible.
Our Quidditch team has been disbanded. We are very sad, but I am trying not to be very angry, for I see from what you and your friends have gone through that I remain very fortunate. And we will continue to practice as friends and hope to play again some day.
Has news of Karkaroff reached you? He is dead; his body was found in Siberia. The Dark Mark was above the house where he was living. Alexiev wrote to tell me of it; he is working in the Russian Embassy. Sven and Katya came to visit me after they heard the news; it is strange, the memories from hearing of Karkaroff again. We talked much of the Triwizard Tournament, Cedric, and Harry. They are also very sad for his godfather; he has suffered much these two years.
Katya is working in France, and Sven is here in Bulgaria working for the Ministry. He is worried about some of the people in control here. They behave suspiciously, he says. He wishes to know if there is a way he can send information to you and Headmaster Dumbledore about them.
Please write back and tell me how we are able to do this.
Sincerely,
Viktor.
Dear Viktor,
Someone will be calling on you in Bulgaria very soon to talk to you and Sven about ways we can all work together against Voldemort. I don't know who, but they will have something with them to prove to you that they were sent by me (and Professor Dumbledore.) Obviously, we cannot talk about it too much in letters, but thank you again for everything you're doing with us.
Harry is the new Gryffindor Quidditch captain, and Professor Snape is now teaching Defense. We have a new Potions Professor called Horace Slughorn. He is a little nicer than Snape, but…it's hard to explain, but he's very odd. At least this year our Defense Professor won't try to kill anyone; Snape has had plenty of time if he wanted to off anybody (and if he was going to, it would have been Harry.)
I saw your picture from the Charity Ball in Greece. Was that Katya you were with? You looked very nice.
Best,
Hermione.
Dear Hermione,
Sven and I met with your friend from Britain, and we are now working with them for Dumbledore's "old crowd." We are very happy to be doing all we can; Voldemort is the enemy of everyone. As Sven has feared, there is serious trouble in our Ministry; the sympathizers of Voldemort are advancing high into our government. I do not want you to worry, but Sven says I should tell to you that I have been receiving threats. I will be very careful, but I will not stop speaking against Voldemort. Even though I am not playing Quidditch now, many people will listen to me.
That was not Katya in the picture; that was Irina Poliakoff, Sven's elder sister. She does somewhat resemble Katya (Katya declares that this is proof that I am secretly in love with her, which is ridiculous because she is my cousin!) I hope you are not hurt or offended. I will always remember you and wish to remain friends, but it may be many months or years before we see each other again. If you wish to go out with boys in Britain, of course I will not be offended.
Please write me back soon.
Sincerely,
Viktor.
Dear Viktor,
Of course I'm not offended or hurt. You're right that we should be able to see other people; it wouldn't be fair for me to try to stop you, and I am glad we can remain friends. I am a little worried for you; the Death Eaters might try to use an attack on you to frighten people. I know you have been told this, but please be very careful.
There are some strange things happening here—not that strange is not normal at Hogwarts. Harry has been using an old Potions textbook that was the property of someone who called himself "the Half-Blood Prince," and he's making the best marks ever in Potions. But there are some other things written in that book, spells and such, that I'm not so sure of. And Katie Bell, one of Gryffindor's Chasers, was very badly cursed yesterday by an enchanted necklace in Hogsmeade that someone wanted her to deliver to Dumbledore; it nearly killed her.
Did I tell you that Fleur is engaged to Ron's oldest brother, Bill Weasley? She was staying at their house with us for part of the summer and was very nice. Their wedding is set for the early summer. I hope you and Irina had a lovely time at the Ball and always wish you the best. She is a lucky girl.
Best,
Hermione
PS—We'll always have Paris.
Dear Hermione,
I did not understand your postscript; we have never been to Paris. By the time this letter reaches you, it may be close to Christmas; I hope your holidays go well.
Things here have not improved; Irina and I had a pleasant time at the Ball, but she and Sven have agreed that she will go to the United States. He is not saying exactly, but I am thinking he has even more threats than I do. I fear he is being demanded to join the supporters of Voldemort within our Ministry, and that he or his sister will be harmed if he refuses.
I have received a letter from Fleur to tell me of her engagement (am I right in thinking it was Bill Weasley that came to support Harry in the Third Task with Mrs. Weasley?) She says I will receive an invitation, so I hope I will see you there next summer.
Sincerely,
Viktor.
The Daily Prophet
Sports Section P. 1
Quidditch World Shaken By Brutal Murder of Superstar Seeker's Parents!
Horrific news met famed Quidditch Seeker Viktor Krum, 20, on his return home to Bulgaria after participating in a training camp for underprivileged young wizards and witches in Poland. The bodies of Dimitri and Elsa Krum were found in their home two hours before their son was expected to arrive; investigators first on the scene report that the couple had been tortured in a variety of ways, including the Cruciatus Curse. Multiple witnesses reported the Dark Mark was seen above the house.
Viktor Krum has been a prominent and outspoken opponent of He Who Must Not Be Named, and one of the few public figures who actively endorsed the statements by Harry Potter in the immediate aftermath of the Triwizard Tournament that the dreaded dark wizard had returned. There is little doubt in Bulgaria or the rest of the wizarding world that the cruel murder of Krum's parents was an act of retaliation by You Know Who's supporters.
Krum is a graduate of Durmstrang Institute, whose former Headmaster Igor Karkaroff was also found dead this year with the Dark Mark above his home. No statements have been made yet by the acclaimed athlete of whether this tragic event will lead him to change or soften his advocacy of open war against You Know Who's forces.
Dear Viktor,
What can any of us possibly say to show you how deeply we all feel for you now? I am so terribly sorry. Your mother and father were very kind, good people, and it was clear that they loved you very much and were very proud of you. I can't imagine what you're feeling now, and I wish I could be there to tell you in person.
Headmaster Dumbledore, Harry, Ron, and all of us want you to know that you are in our thoughts, and that if there is anything we can do, anything at all, please do not hesitate to ask. You have done so much for our side. If you would like to come here to Britain to keep working against Voldemort, the old crowd would be glad to have you.
Again, I am so very sorry. Please tell me if there is any way that I can help.
Love,
Hermione.
PS—The Headmaster, Harry and Ron, and some of the others have written letters for you, and I am enclosing them all.
Dear Hermione,
I thank you all for your very kind condolences. I do not deny that the past weeks have been very hard, but I am doing well enough. Katya and Marcel came to stay with me, and there were many very kind letters.
Your words about my mother and father were very kind, and I was glad to read them. They told me last year that they were proud of me for speaking about Voldemort when your Ministry denied him, and I believe they still thought I was doing right. I spoke before in Cedric's name, that his death may have justice, and now I will speak for my parents.
I will consider your suggestion for me to come to England, but for now, I will remain in Bulgaria. I do not wish to be seen as afraid.
Thank you for everything you have done,
Viktor.
PS—I have enclosed notes for all in the old crowd who wrote to me, to thank them personally.
The Daily Prophet
Headline Section
Krum After Parents' Murder: I Will Not Surrender To Him!
After ten weeks of private mourning in the wake of his parents' brutal murder, international Quidditch star Viktor Krum has resumed his public defiance of He Who Must Not Be Named with more zeal than ever.
"After Lord V's return, I spoke in the name of his victim, my fellow Triwizard champion, Cedric Diggory. Now I speak in the name of my mother and father, and I will continue to speak against him with my last breath. We who believe in freedom for all wizards and witches must not let V make us afraid; we must stand our ground in the name of those who have been murdered, and in the name of those who still live."
Multiple wizarding governments working in opposition to He Who Must Not Be Named have applauded Krum's courageous words. Madame Olympe Maxime, Headmistress of Beauxbatons Academy of Magic and Special Advisor to the French Magical Parliament, has called Krum "a shining beacon of bravery and strength in these dark days, whose light may reassure all those who are afraid."
It cannot be denied that if the followers of You Know Who were hoping to quell or frighten Krum into silence with the murder of his family, they have grossly underestimated his resolve.
Dear Viktor,
We listened to your speech on the wireless in the Gryffindor common room last night; we're all very proud of you. You've really heartened a lot of people with how strong you're being. You've probably heard about the Dementor attacks here. It's awful. We need all the courage we can hear these days.
On the other hand, Gryffindor won the Quidditch Cup. Harry was out again (year-long detentions with Snape; it's a long story), but the celebration got a bit out of hand, and now he's going out with Ginny Weasley. Ron is not quite sure how to react. I did have a date this year, back at Christmastime, to a party thrown by Professor Slughorn with another boy at Gryffindor. I doubt I had as good a time as you and Irina—actually, I rather hate him now. He's a berk.
Only two more months until Fleur's wedding to Bill. Honestly, Ginny and Mrs. Weasley aren't exactly overjoyed; Fleur seems to rub them the wrong way (I have a feeling her Veela blood has something to do with it.) But Bill is happy, and that's what's important.
Write me back if you get the chance between press conferences. Harry says you should be the "chosen one," (have you read those ridiculous articles?) he says you are much better at making people feel confident than he is.
Best,
Hermione.
CATASTROPHE AT HOGWARTS! HEADMASTER DUMBLEDORE MURDERED!
The international wizarding committee has been shaken to its core by the murder of one of its most acclaimed sorcerers and upstanding members! Albus Dumbledore, Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, and Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, was reportedly killed by a member of his own teaching staff who is also suspected of granting Death Eaters entry to the school itself.
Early reports are that Death Eaters entered the school and began attacking students and teachers in an effort to engage as many of the staff as possible while the Dark Mark was conjured above the Astronomy Tower. Dumbledore's body was found in the wake of the attack, and a witness reported that Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor Severus Snape, known to be a former Death Eater but vouched for by Dumbledore himself, was seen casting the Killing Curse upon the Headmaster before fleeing the school with the Death Eaters.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced within twenty-four hours, and acting Headmistress Minerva McGonagall has announced that the student body will be returned home to their families immediately afterward, prior to closure of the school.
This tragedy cannot be called anything but a crushing blow to those members of the international wizarding community who are fighting against the forces of He Who Must Not Be Named. Dumbledore was considered one of the dark wizard's foremost and strongest opponents in this and the previous war.
An unconfirmed report states that Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, was with Dumbledore outside the school prior to the attack.
Dear Viktor,
I'm sure you've heard about Headmaster Dumbledore. The old crowd is more worried than ever, I can tell you. Bill was attacked by a werewolf that night and badly scarred, but he didn't contract Lycanthropy, thank heavens. Fortunately, Fleur is sticking by him, and that seems to have warmed things up with the rest of the Weasleys considerably. The wedding is still on for mid-July.
Please keep speaking out. We need your voice more than ever now that Dumbledore is gone. I should tell you that I never told Harry what you said about how Dumbledore could have done more to keep him out of the Triwizard Tournament. I thought about telling him several times this year, but he was always so worried about so much already…and I really don't think I should tell him now. He's sad enough as it is.
After the wedding, I may be out of touch for awhile. Now that school is closed, we're going to be working on lots of things with the old crowd, and some of it may involve traveling where we can't send owls. I'll let you know that we're safe whenever I can, and please keep writing to me. I will pick up your letters and write back whenever I come home.
I hope to see you soon, and whatever happens next, I will be thinking of you and hoping you're all right.
Best,
Hermione.
PS—Ron's asked me to be his escort at the wedding. Fleur says to tell you that you are welcome to bring a date.
The Daily Prophet
P. 1
Death Eater Fears Increasing Abroad; Nations Tighten Security, Suspicions Grow
France and China have joined the growing number of nations closing their borders to foreigners as fears of government and community infiltration by Death Eaters are growing. Foreigners who have arrived within the past two years are considered particularly suspect, and deportation proceedings are accelerating in wizarding governments throughout the world.
Riots have been reported in Mexico and the United States, targeting European visitors in particular out of fear of a possible Death Eater foothold in the New World. Brazil and Argentina have given all foreign wizards forty-eight hours to leave or risk arrest and indefinite detainment.
Dear Hermione,
I am not certain if this letter will reach you before my response reaches Fleur, but I wished also to tell you: I am not able to come to the wedding. There is great trouble here; Sven has gone missing. I am telling Irina to stay in America and not come here; there are signs of struggle at his home, and I fear Irina would also be attacked. She has agreed to stay away from Europe, and I will join our Ministry wizards to search for him. Alexiev also is coming from Russia to help.
There is always hope, I know, but we are all very afraid. I wish to speak to the reporters of Sven, but I fear that if he is alive, he may be harmed or killed if he is mentioned by me. Our Aurors have advised me to wait for the time being, while they continue the search.
The Bulgarian wizarding government is barely working; many are dead or have left the country, and those left are many Voldemort supporters. There is great violence against Muggles breaking out, and we have tried to warn their government, but someone is Obliviating all those we speak to. Dementors have been reported in the northern part of the country.
Please give my best wishes for health and happiness to Fleur and Bill. (Please also tell Ron that he is most fortunate in his escort.) I will also write to you as often as I am able, and pray daily for the safety of all our friends. I am very glad for Fleur and Bill to be able to bring some joy to these times. The package attached is my wedding present to them, if you will deliver it for me.
Yours always,
Viktor.
PS—I think I must explain you a little more. There is no time for me to train, but because so many of our Aurors have been killed, I have chosen to join with them. They will take all they can trust, such as me and Alexiev. I am thinking you know that there is great danger in this, but I am also thinking that you too are facing great danger where you are going. It may be long before we hear from each other again.
If we should not hear from each other again, I wish to tell you that my friendship and love remain yours, for the joy we shared in those days at Hogwarts and the kindness you always showed to me and my friends. Those first days in the winter and the Yule Ball are the best of my memories, and in the dark times since, your letters have always been a comfort.
I send my strongest prayers for your happiness and safety in the coming days, my dearest, lovely friend, and the deepest hope that we will one day meet again.
To be continued…
Coming Soon: More than three years after he last set foot in the British Isles, Viktor Krum returns to join the Order of the Phoenix in the increasingly-desperate fight against Lord Voldemort. But frightening and unhappy news awaits him in Chapter Four: From The Ashes!
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