Chapter 11: Luna
My dear Luna,
I am so sorry I put this burden on you. No one was meant to find out, especially not as early as you did. Thank you for being there for me, though. I'll admit, I needed someone to know my secret. I'm glad it was you. I knew you weren't going to judge me or look at me differently because of my illness. We might not always see eye to eye, but I am so glad that you can see beyond the realm of logic and possibilities. Your vision is something I never thought to appreciate until now. Thank you for always being yourself, Luna.
I hope you read your letter before he reads his. I suppose I should tell you now that I've always known who it was. Knowing you, you've probably already figured that part out for yourself, though. It's Fred. It's always been Fred. I hope you understand why I couldn't say anything before now.
Luna, I don't know what I'm going to do without you. You've been my crutch for over a year now. The afterlife won't be so bright without you, I'm sure. But that's okay. You better take another hundred years before you join me there. I want you to be happy for as long as possible. Speaking of which… Luna, you need to tell George how you feel. I know you never actually told me of your feeling for him, but I could always tell. And Luna, I really do think he feels the same for you. Don't make the same mistake I did. Don't wait too long to say anything. Grab him now. I know it's rare condition, but I don't want you to suffer the same fate as myself. George is a good man and I know you'll be good for each other. He will love you unconditionally and he won't ever let you go without a fight. That's what love is.
Can you please make sure that Fred reads his letter with George by his side? George never knew my secret but I can almost guarantee he had his suspicions about my feeling for Fred. I don't want either of them to be alone when they read their letters. They aren't meant to be separated from each other and that's exactly why I had to stop that wall from crushing Fred in the war. They need one another.
Now, I want you to promise me that you'll always remind everyone that there's more to life. Remind them that death is not the end – it's a new beginning. I've left you my copy of the Quibbler – the edition where Harry gave his interview right under Umbridge's nose. It's my favorite magazine, Luna. I appreciate what you and your father did for us that day.
I love you. Thank you so much for being a sister to me. I will never forget you or the things you've done for me. You are the single most beautiful person I have ever met and don't you ever forget that.
Love from,
Hermione
P.S. There's a Pensive in my bedside cabinet in my new hospital room. When Fred reads his letter, he will need it to view a few memories of mine, which are my gift to him. Please make sure he knows where to find the Pensive. Thank you.
Luna wiped her eyes and leaned into George who was sitting on the armrest of her chair in the waiting room. He hadn't left her side at all that morning and Luna couldn't help but think that perhaps Hermione was right; she needed to tell George how she felt. But now was not the time. Now, she had to make sure that Fred and George went in that room to say goodbye, together. She also had to make sure that those who weren't present got their letters.
Luna would miss her friend, but she knew that this was not the end. A part of her hoped that some miracle would happen and Hermione would be saved, but she knew that was unlikely. She was finding it difficult to believe in the impossible at the moment.
"Fred," said Luna gently. "George, my letter from Hermione says that you two are to read your letters together. She said she doesn't want you two to be alone." The twins exchanged a knowing look and nodded as they stood to enter the room as Ginny walked out.
Luna couldn't help but wonder what Hermione had written them.