A.N.: Here it is, Chapter 7! Some fun twists and turns are going to happen in this chapter and the next. This chapter is a series of letters between the Trio. I know this has been done before, and I wanted to try my hand at it. Hope you like it! By the way, it should be easy to tell who wrote what. Italics: Hermione, Bold: Harry, ItalicBold: Ron.
Chapter 7: Golden Letters
July 15th, 1998
Dear Ron,
I'm so sorry that Harry and I haven't written you sooner. I'm sure that you've been worried about us, but to be honest, things couldn't be better! We found my parents rather quickly, considering they were literally five houses down from us. We've really enjoyed out time here. It's been really relaxing, and Harry's taken up surfing. It's a muggle activity where you ride, or 'surf' waves on the ocean, standing up on a board. It's hard to explain unless you've seen it, but Harry enjoys it. You know him, if he's not risking life or limb, it's not as fun as it could be.
I hope things are going well for you since we've been gone. How's George doing? I know he's going through a hard time right now. Are you working at WWW? How's the rest of the family? I'm sure your Mum isn't too happy about me and Harry, but I'm sure she'll get over it. Speaking of that, how's Ginny holding up? I've always considered her the sister I never had. She wasn't very happy with me when she found out about us. I hope she knows that I'm not going to give up on Harry just because she dated him before me for a month. She was glaring at me even at Fred's funeral. I just hope that she gets over it.
Just to let you know, Harry and I won't be returning home anytime soon. We've both decided that there's just too much going on there to really feel comfortable. You know how Harry hates all the attention he gets, and with the entire Boy-Who-Conquered thing, it would drive him insane. So, we're going to travel around the world and just enjoy not having Voldemort hanging over us.
I've never seen Harry this happy. It's like he's catching up on seventeen, nearly eighteen, years of not having fun. He and my Dad get along really well. Too well I think. My Dad took him golfing (don't ask, too hard to explain in a letter) a couple days after I restored their memories, and now it's a pain in the arse to get them to go a bloody day without going to the golf course.
Then there's my Mum. I can't believe how much she's gushing over Harry. It's like SHE'S the one dating him! You know I love Harry to death, but I swear, if my Mum didn't have my Dad, I'd have to beat her off with a stick. Yes, it's that bad. Every five seconds she's saying something about him, our relationship, or grandchildren. GRANDCHILDREN!! I'm eighteen!! We're not even engaged yet! Sometimes, she'll drag Harry off somewhere, and EVERY time he comes back red as a tomato. And he'll never tell me what they discuss. Ugh!
Anyway, I'm sorry we haven't sent you a letter earlier, but we've been a little preoccupied. I hope things are getting better back home. We'll try and stay in touch more. Write back soon,
Love from,
Hermione
P.S. Harry's attached a letter too. Don't know what he's said.
Ron,
How's it going, mate? I'll make this quick, because I'm sure you're already bleary-eyed from reading Hermione's letter. I'm sure she told you of our plans to travel around the world. I'm really looking forward to it. I've never been as happy as I am right now. I hope you understand that I don't mean anything against your family, but I just feel so much better away from everything.
By the way, I don't know how long we're going to be gone, so don't wait for me if you're going to be an Auror. I know we talked about going into training together, but the time I've been away has really given me a different perspective on life. I don't think I want to fight anymore. That, and I think it'll be good for you to be on your own for a while. I'm sure being the best friend of the Boy-Who-Lived wasn't easy. You'll always have my support Ron. Be the best you can be, you can do it, be it Keeper for the Cannons, an Auror, or at WWW. Don't wait for me, ok mate? Make a name for yourself on YOUR terms. Don't let them take you because you're my friend, because I know that you can earn it on your own merits. Ok, well, Hermione's badgering me to finish, hope to hear from you soon,
Harry
July 27th, 1998
Harry/Hermione,
Hey! It was great hearing from you guys! I'll admit, everyone was starting to worry about you, specially Mum, but now that everyone knows your ok, they say hi! Well, except Ginny. She says 'hey'. She's finally coming around about you guys I think. I just think she needs to realize that Harry isn't going to come to the Burrow riding a white horse and take her away. You'd be proud of me Hermione, I think you'd upgrade me to a mug instead of a teaspoon. I'm getting better at the entire girl thing.
Speaking of which, you will never guess who I ran into a couple weeks ago. Go ahead and guess who. I'll give you a clue. Girl... Ravenclaw... smart... gorgous... give up? No, not Luna, but Padma Patil! Yeah! The girl I took to the Ball in forth year. Well, I should say 'put up with me'. I never appolgizedapoligized said I was sorry to her for being such a lousy git then. So, when I ran into her at Diagon Alley, she was with Parv and Lav (oh by the way, she's okay after Greyback attacked her). They sat down with me at Fortescue's, and we talked. Parv and Lav left to go to Madame Malkin's for something, leaving me with Padma. It was weird at first, but after I said I was sorry to her for the Ball, she opened up. We talked for a while, and I asked her if it would be alright if I could make it up to her by taking her to dinner, and she said yes!
Anyway, we've seen each other a couple times, don't know where it'll go, but so far it's been fun. She's really smart like you Hermione, but she's really funny too. I guess she'd have to be with Parv as her sister. I really wish I didn't treat her so badly at the Ball, because I think we really get along well. Maybe I just needed to grow up before I was ready for her.
It sounds like you guys are having fun. Surfing? Never heard of it. But since you said it was a muggle thing, no wonder. Maybe Dad will know something about it. I am helping at WWW. So is Percy and Ginny. George is slowly coming around. The more he works at WWW, the better he's getting. Angelina is also a big reason for him feeling better.
It sounds like your Mum loves Harry already. I'm not surprised. Everyone who knows him can't help but like him. Bloody prat. Just kidding Harry! Everyone wishes you guys well, and we all hope to see sometime soon, maybe during the holidays. I hope things go well with your world tour, stay in touch!
Ron
P.S. I know I'm a couple days early, but I think by the time you get this it'll be near the 31st, so... Happy Birthday Harry!
August 13th, 1998
Dear Ron,
First off, congratulations and good luck with Padma. We're both hoping it works out for you two. I got to know Padma a little bit in Arithmancy and Ancient Runes. She's really nice, and very pretty. And yes, she does have a good sense of humor. I think if you would have given her a chance in forth year, you two probably would have been together throughout school. I think you two fit well together, personality wise. I definitely prefer Padma to Parvati. So don't bollix it up!
We're also both glad to hear that George is doing better. He was a mess when we left. Please give him our love. It's good to hear that Percy is fitting back in nicely. He seemed genuinely happy to be back in the family.
As for Ginny... I think she's part of the reason we're not coming back to be honest. She needs to get over Harry. She needs to find someone to fall in love with, and not some romanticized fantasy that she's been holding onto for years. I think with the separation, she'll be able to find a nice guy who will do for her what Harry does for me.
Anyway, I have two really big things to tell you about:
Number one: I'm going to be a big sister!! I can't believe it!! I've ALWAYS wanted to have a little brother or a little sister! I'm so happy! Harry's pretty excited too. My parents just found out a few days ago. My Mum hadn't been feeling all that well since we removed the memory charms. Dad said it started a couple days before that, so it wasn't anything we did. So my Mum went to the doctor, and found out she's having a baby! My parents aren't going to ask what the sex of the baby is, so it'll be a surprise when they come. The expected due date is mid-to-late February. So it looks like, if my little sibling is magical, they'll be a year behind Teddy!
Number two: Harry and I have big news of our own. No, I'm not having a baby... yet anyway. We're engaged! Harry asked me to marry him! Oh Ron, it was so romantic! It was the day we all found out that my Mum was pregnant, and we all went out to dinner to celebrate. Harry and I then went and walked on the beach under the full moon. We were the only two people there. What surprises me is that he didn't seem that nervous about it. We talked a lot, and then he started talking about us and our future. He wrote down an entire speech, so I'll write it down here word for word.
"Hermione, you mean the world to me. I love you more than life itself. I would do anything in my power to make you happy. I've thought a lot about us and our future recently. And today just re-enforced what I've been thinking about.
"That night in the tent, as we were laying together, I thought about what it would be like to kiss you, to marry you, and to have children with you. I never had those thoughts before. They gave me the courage to ask you to be my girlfriend. They gave me the strength to continue on, and to fight harder to make that dream a reality. I can't imagine my life without you, and tonight, I want to take one step closer to making my dream a reality.
"Hermione Jean Granger, will you do me the honor, and give me the pleasure, of becoming my wife?"
Okay, so now I'm crying again. Happy tears, Ron. I just spent ten minutes after writing that staring at the ring on my finger. Mum keeps teasing me that I can't stop rubbing it or looking at it. Dad said that Harry asked him for permission a while ago. Harry waited until what he said was, "The right moment."
I still can't believe it. I'm afraid that I'll wake up from this wonderful dream. If this is a dream, I never want to wake up! I don't know when we'll actually get married. We talked about it, and we want to travel the world first, so it may be quite a while. But I'm going to be Mrs. Harry Potter! So, I end a letter for the first time like this:
Love from,
The future Mrs. Hermione Jean Potter
P.S. Still have to work on becoming comfortable writing Potter instead of Granger. Just means I'll have to practice, practice, practice! Oh! I just realized that I'll have the same initials as Harry! Wow! HJP! Write us back soon!
August 28th, 1998
Harry/Hermione,
Congrats on both the baby and the engagment! Please give our best to your Mum and Dad. I'd love to see the look on Uncle Harry's face when little baby Granger pulls that messy black hair of Harry's for the first time! I think it'd be wonderful for Teddy to have someone he knows going to Hogwarts with him, that is if your little brother or sister is one of us. Even it they aren't, they will of course be an honorary Weasley!
School is starting back up again. Ginny is of course going back for her final year. McGonagall has offered to everyone in our year to return after last year. I decided to go back myself for a few classes, just the main ones. It'll be nice to have a 'normal' year, but it won't be the same without you guys. But I think its for the best really. Hermione, you were always WAY ahead of the two of us, and I think you two will learn more by yourselves than here.
Oh, and Harry? Mind if I steal that speech for when I propose to my girl? Not to say that it won't be Padma, but unlike you guys, I haven't been best friends with her for 7 years! Speaking of the lovely lady in my life, she's also going back this year, and she's made Head Girl! She says that she wouldn't be HG if you were coming back Hermione, so she says that she'll try her hardest to keep me in line. Hey, at least I'm smart enough to make friends with the two smartest witches in our year! I also have to tell you that I'm the Quidditch captain this year! Hopefully Ginny pulls herself together and plays Seeker again, we'll definitely need her without you there Harry.
People are still celebrating the downfall of You-Know-Who. Everyone's wondering where you two dissa disapared went off to. Because I'm a part of the "Golden Trio", that's what they're calling us now, I keep getting bugged about it. You know, I used to be jealous of all the attention Harry got growing up, now I think he was right in hating the attention. It's bloody annoying! Answering the same question 18 different times, and trying to say 'I don't know' a thousand different ways is hard! The first few interviews were fun, but now I just want to go and hide. I can't believe how ruddy jealous I was. I want to find a time turner and go back so I hex myself.
I'll be at school when I send my next letter. Things are pretty hectic around here, so I don't know if I'll be able to keep up with the letters. With a little luck, maybe you guys could make it here for Christmas, but if you can't, don't worry about it. Once again, congrats on the little Granger and the engagment.
Ron
November 21st, 1998
Ron,
Sorry we haven't written in a while. We've been out of touch with reality so to speak. Hermione is still visiting our 'elders', and I needed to take a quick trip to Sydney, so I figured I should let you know that everything is fine. Right now, we're learning all kinds of stuff from the Aboriginal tribes here in Australia. I won't bore you with the details, because I'm sure that next time when Hermione writes, she'll be the one telling you all about it.
Sorry to say, we won't be home for Christmas. We're spending it with Hermione's parents. They'll be leaving for England after the New Year. They want to be home for the birth of their child. We're going to stay her for at least 6 more months, but there's a good chance we'll be home for a couple weeks to be there when the little one is born. We have so much stuff we're doing, it's amazing. The narrow view of magic back home is absurd.
I've got to go, this letter is probably too long anyway for what I was supposed to do. Say hi to everyone, and give them our love. And yes, feel free to 'borrow' my speech. I spent the better part of a week perfecting that. Good luck with Padma,
Harry
December 15th, 1998
Harry/Hermione,
Glad to hear you guys are alright. I figured Hermione would be enjoying the learning part, but you too Harry? Wow. Hermione's a bad influence on you mate! Just kidding Hermione! I'm sure the next letter I get will be pages and pages of loads of stuff you guys have learned. Not quite sure if that's a good thing or not!
Things are going good here. Being here at Hogwarts just isn't the same without the two of you. Padma is helping a lot with that though. She does a good job of keeping my mind off of it a lot of the time, but there are times when I can't help but think about you two. I miss you guys. It's still difficult to be in the common room sometimes. The memories of me and Harry playing chess, while Hermione reads a book on the couch, are always fresh in my mind every time I'm there. Slowly, I feel I'm getting better. Quidditch is helping a lot. I'm working really hard as captain. It's about the only thing besides Padma that's keeping me sane.
Oh, and Harry, you have my deepest sympathies. Hermione must be quite a little nagger without me there! We were able to keep her under control most of the time. I say that because Padma is working me to death now. Though it is quite nice to be "rewarded" for studying! I know I've said it before, but she's the best thing to happen to me. She keeps me on track, and we don't get under each other's skin.
Everything worked out perfect I think. I look back on it now, and I don't think me and Hermione would have been as good as me and Padma. You two have always gotten on better than me and Hermione. I see that now. I tried to deny it for the longest time. I fancied Hermione since forth year, but I never acted on it until last year. I blew it, but as I said, I think everything worked out just fine. Padma and I work really well together. I guess it's just different than how Hermione was. She likes to tease me about things. I guess that's the big difference: the sense of humor is different, more compatable I think.
By the way, I knew Harry liked you too Hermione, for about as long as well. But because he was my best mate, he buried his feelings. I saw it. I saw it every time he looked at you. He didn't know what it was because of those bloody Dursley's. But I could tell, and I was jealous. It all came to a head sixth year. I was rubbing off on you Hermione, and there was all that friction between you two. With Malfoy, that bloody potions book, the prophecy, and Harry's lessons with Dumbledore, I tried taking advantage of the wedge between you two. It didn't hurt that Ginny was acting like a seeker to Harry's snitch all year. She didn't care about Dean. Sad part is, he knew it. I was so upset at him for 'using' Ginny, when really it was the other way around.
You might be wondering how I know this. I read her diary. Not on purpose mind you. But, I found a girl's diary underneath the couch in the common room with no name on it. So, being the nosy guy I am, I read it. When I started reading it, I realized it was Ginny's. I shouldn't have read it, but I needed to know how she felt about you Harry. It disturbed me to no end. She had everything planned out, from the beginning of our fifth year to your wedding, even names for children. It was like you had no say in it. It was just a fact that she was going to be Ginny Potter.
Don't get me wrong, she didn't try love potions or anything like that, she just had it set in her mind that you were going to be her boyfriend, her fiancée, her husband, father of her children. But now, she's slowly getting it that you're not hers. She's at least trying to date other guys. I'm trying to be a good brother and NOT interfere, because I don't want her dwelling on you, because she HAS to get over you. And if I interfere, she might not. It's hard, but it has to be this way.
Anyway, Padma's nagging me to get my Potions essay done. Hope you two have a Happy Christmas, a Happy New Year, and especially a Happy Anniversery! Yes, I remembered! It's been a year for you two! Congrats! Write back soon!
Ron
February 15th, 1999
Dear Ron,
Big news Ron! Right now, as I write this, I'm sitting in a room at St. Mungo's. Yes, we're back in England for the time being. We definitely want to come see you at Hogsmeade. If I remember correctly, there should be a trip this coming weekend. But if I'm mistaken, and it was this past weekend, we'll just sneak into Hogwarts and see you!
Now, the REALLY big news! Please welcome Helena Abigail Granger to the world! I have a little sister!! I'm so excited! Harry's really happy too! Helena is pronounced Hell-In-Uh. Harry was a prat and made some stupid joke about having her middle name be Handbasket. Twerp. My Dad thought it was funny though. Mum didn't. So that just shows that us female's are smarter and don't give into silly little play-on-word games. Ugh. Boys! Men! Whatever!
Getting back to my beautiful baby sister. She was born at 4:55 pm, February 14th, and was 40.6cm and 3.2kg. Harry is in love with her! My Dad and Harry keep hogging her! She already has them wrapped around her tiny little finger. I think my Mum has held her the least, and she's the one who delivered! Harry's definitely going to make a great dad one day. His face lights up whenever he's holding Helena, and he's had a grin on his face ever since he first held her. I think he's imagining that she's his little girl instead of what will be his sister-in-law.
Harry and I already agreed we're not having kids until our traveling is over, but I can see that our discussion has gone from the abstract to the tangible. At first it seemed that children were a part of some distant future. But now that he's held Helena, I can see the change already in him. He said to me, "I know", this morning when I was watching him with her. He knows we're not ready, but if there was any doubt he wanted children before, it was completely erased yesterday. And to be honest, I know we're not ready, but a small part of me wants it now too. If not for me, then for Harry. The way he grew up, I always wondered how he would handle little ones. I have no doubt he will be the complete opposite of the Dursley's. He'll probably spoil our kids, your kids, Helena, Teddy, and any your brothers/Ginny have, maybe even Luna's too.
Okay, enough about kids and my wonderful little sister. Since we hope to see you in a few days, I won't write pages and pages of what we've been doing. It's much better to tell you in person anyway, then we can show you what we've learned.
We've been with an Aboriginal group in New South Wales, near the Murray River. This particular group is well known throughout the Australian magical community because of their seemingly unique magic. They seem to have a wonderful grasp of earth magic, and some on water magic. Their earth magic is used solely for the purpose of growing crops and keeping plants and the soil healthy. Their water magic is used to irrigate their crops, and they have a rudimentary aqueduct system. While this may seem simplistic and easy, elemental magic is by far the hardest magic to learn, control, and master. Their magic somehow energizes the water in a way that makes crops grow better. The earth magic could lead to huge strides in Herbology and by extension, potion making. This is definitely something we want to talk to Neville about.
That is what Harry and I have been learning the past few months. It's been amazing! We still have about two months worth of learning and mastering, then we're planning on going to America. I've read that the Native Americans have an unorthodox way of human-to-animal transfiguration. Not much is known about it, so we're eager to study it, and hopefully master it.
Now about all the things you mentioned about the four of us; me, you, Harry and Ginny. It's all in the past Ron. I'm just glad to be where I'm at right now. I get the feeling so does Harry. We wouldn't change a thing with how things have turned out. I knew about Ginny's obsession with Harry, though I never thought she would use Michael and Dean like that. I guess part of that is my fault by telling her that she should at least try to date other guys. I didn't think she would only do it to try and grab Harry's attention. But I am glad to hear she's trying to move on.
It's all water under the bridge now Ron. Don't worry about it. We're all in a good place in our lives I think. I'm engaged, you and Padma seem to be going strong, and Ginny is moving on. I just want everyone to be happy.
Alright, I've rambled on enough. I've only gotten about 5 hours of sleep in two days, so I'm going to try and rest up. Maybe if I get lucky, Harry will let me use his lap for a pillow. I can't stand the chairs here! Ugh! Hope to see you soon!
Love from,
Hermione
A.N.: Hope you enjoyed it. By the way, any mistakes in Ron's letters are on purpose. I thought it'd be a fun idea to have mistakes in his letters. He doesn't strike me as the best of writers. I have some fun things planned for the last three chapters. Unexpected but good surprises coming ahead!