"So how did practice go today?" I asked, glancing over my shoulder at Ginny. She sat at my kitchen table looking completely exhausted. Her head was lazily supported by her hand. Although she took the time to change out of her Quidditch robes, her face was still smudged with dirt and grass stains. Her hair was still wet from the less-than-perfect weather conditions she was playing in.

"It was brutal. Coach was really pushing us through maneuvers today. She even had us try a couple new plays. She insists we need to be on the 'top of our game'" She mocked her coach's determined tone. "'Have to pull out all the stops.' She acts like we're headed to the world cup or something. I mean, our next game is versus the Chudley Cannons. Our team has never lost to them… hardly anyone has."

Ginny had been playing Quidditch for the Holyhead Harpies for a little over a year, much to the disappointment of her brother, Ron, who still adamantly supported the Chudley Cannons. It seemed to put her in great physical condition… when she wasn't spent from practice.

"Well, she better lay off you a little, or you won't have any energy left for the game," I smiled.

I turned from the kitchen counter and set a heaping plate of spaghetti and meatballs in front of her and at the seat opposite her and sat down. She seemed to perk up immediately at the sight of piping hot food. She denied her furious hunger and the urge to savagely attack the food only out of manners. She refused to act like the hungry beasts her brothers were.

"She could push us 'til we drop and we'd still win. We could beat the Cannons in our sleep." She chuckled. "I'm kind of glad that Ron won't be there. It's embarrassing to have him sitting in the stands supporting the opposite team."

"Speaking of Ron, have you heard from him and Harry yet?" I asked tentatively.

She let out a long sigh. "Yeah, I just got a letter from Harry today. They're doing alright. Things seem to be going better than expected. They hope to be back in just a week or two."

"That's great!" I replied.

We sat in silence for a moment, enjoying our dinner. It felt so good to have Ginny over. It'd been too long since we hung out, just the two of us. It felt like just the thing I needed. Not to mention it was the perfect distraction she needed from her lonely nights without Harry.

We were both startled from our thoughts by a gentle tap on the window. I barely heard it over the sound of the rain cascading down the fire escape. The violent rain sprayed into my kitchen as I opened the window. The owl looked slightly disgruntled as it alighted on my counter and fluffed it wet feathers. I smiled bashfully, though I don't know why, when I saw the purple writing. I untied the letter from the owl's leg and gave him an extra owl treat before it returned to the angry skies. I stuffed the letter into my back pocket and returned to the table.

"Aren't you going to read it?" Ginny asked.

"Later," I said.

"Oh my God!" Ginny gasped. "I know that look! You're seeing someone!"

"No!" I said.

"Yes, yes you are! Who?"

"No one, I swear."

Ginny eyed me suspiciously. "Well, you're smitten. That one thing is certain. But if you don't want to tell me…" She waited expectantly in hope of a response, but just chuckled after a moment when I didn't answer.

It was true that I was always more excited to get a letter from 'Anon' than I should be and I felt more sure than ever that it was a man, but I still had no idea who it might be. I was hoping this letter might tell me.

"So how's everything working out for that young werewolf?"

I was grateful to Ginny for changing the subject. "It all seems to be working out. Professor McGonagall agreed to give the arrangement a try. I'm actually helping to clean up the shrieking shack in the evenings. Well, the inside at least. The outside must still look foreboding to keep students and villagers at bay."

She merely nodded. "So… have you given any thoughts to your birthday? It is just a few days away."

"Well, I was supposed to go visit my parents, but I told them I already have plans. I honestly just want to…"

She cut me off. "Good. Because George, Fred, and I have decided to take you to the Leaky Cauldron."

I sighed.

"You're not getting out of it now. So you might as well enjoy it." She smiled at me in a way that suggested she understood. She seemed to know, without me saying, that I was dying to stay in, but desperately needed to get out. Ginny always had a way of seeing through me when others didn't.

Dinner was followed by bowls filled with incredibly too much ice cream, loads of giggles, and funny anecdotes from our days at Hogwarts. The hands of the clock flew by without our knowledge and upon finally glancing at it we decided our night had to end.

As soon as the door closed, my hand flew to the letter in my pocket.

Sept. 12, 2000

Dear Hermione,

There is nothing to forgive on your part either. If I had been in your shoes, I assure you that I would have been a lot less kind.

Congratulations on your proposal! I glad that Ol' Randy gave it another look. His letter back to me had nothing but good things to say about your superb work and dedication – it hasn't gone unnoticed.

About knowing who I am… I'm actually a little nervous about revealing that. I really feel that our friendship has grown through our correspondence and I'm rather afraid of losing that. You too have been an amazing friend and I've enjoyed learning so much more about you. I apologize for not revealing myself yet. I just need a little more time to decide the best way to do it. I hope you understand.

Your Anonymous Friend

I let out a long sigh and smiled. I still didn't know who he was, but I did understand what he was saying. It's been rather nice having an anonymous friend, but I think it'd be so much more incredible to have another true friend. A friend that I could visit – a friend to laugh and cry with. Things felt so one-sided. He knew so much about me. I wanted to learn more about him.

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