AN1: The next few chapters are going to be shorter, as they are a series of letters. I thought about putting all of the letters in one chapter but decided against it because I want to be able to date them and such and idk it just seemed cleaner to keep them separated
Miss Hermione Granger,
While I understand and respect your reservations, I do feel the benefits of this adoption would far outweigh any negative opinions the news might garner, for both of us. That being said, I would be more than happy to postpone notifying the Ministry until you have settled back into the daily routine of lessons; even with recent changes in policy and staff, I doubt their ability to withhold such a controversial announcement from The Daily Prophet. The gossipmongers at that publication would no doubt be alerted before the ink had dried on the scroll, and I would prefer to shield you from the almost assured backlash for as long as possible. This year promises to be difficult enough without half of Wizarding Britain thinking they have the right to pass judgement upon you for such a private decision as this.
As for your request to Apprentice with Severus Snape, I will admit I find myself surprised. Even with his status as a war spy and supposed hero now made public, I would not have thought you would want to spend a further three years under the direct tutelage of a man who, from the reports my daughters have given me, spent the better part of your previous six years at Hogwarts belittling and persecuting you as often as possible. I find that as a mother in my own right, and possibly your mother sometime soon, I worry about the impact further contact with such a tormentor would have on your emotional state of mind, especially as the next year promises to be hard enough on its own without the stigma of a pre-Apprenticeship with a still very much disliked man hanging over you as well.
However, you seem like a very strong-willed young woman, and I am sure you have your own reasons and resolves regarding the matter. If you would oblige a worrying old biddy by explaining your motivations in further depth, I would greatly appreciate it. I do apologize if that seems overbearing - I am not trying to overstep my bounds; I am simply hoping to protect you from further hardship, especially after all you have already endured and everything the next year promises to bring.
Sincerely,
Madame Penelope Greengrass
AN2: As always, please R&R! I know a lot of you have asked about Draco and when he'll be coming into the picture - this is where I announce that we won't be seeing him until school starts up again, because I'm taking thee first few chapters as time to set up Hermione's characterization and interactions with people around her without being distracted by our resident sad ferret. So, you've gotta wait a bit longer. Sorry guys! *ducks away from rotten vegetables*