A missive from Mr H. Potter to Miss H. Granger
20th September 2002
Sorry it's Harry, rather than Ginny – she's too busy making the most of the swimming pool and the hot weather over here. We were both glad to receive your letter, although I don't appreciate the tips about shopping, even though Ginny did. Despite what the Prophet reports, I don't have a hidden stash of millions of galleons and I'm not moonlighting as a muggle movie star either. Apparently there's been a film released that tells a story a lot like mine, and it's famous around the world! Who would have thought it, eh? Anyway, the Quidditch pitch was fantastic, but the museum was boring. What did you expect? I may be nearing my mid-twenties but I've hardly matured in my interests since I was thirteen. Hopefully everything is going well for you; I know you were having a hard time balancing your workload, but I'm sure it's better now. Ginny's asked me to make sure that you keep an eye on Ron, because he's been feeling a bit down in the dumps. I don't know what a world-famous poster boy has to complain about – perhaps he hasn't been getting enough fan mail?
Ginny's a bit disappointed that you ended it with Lewis, but she wasn't surprised. According to Ginny you're "too fussy for your own good" and, apparently, I wasn't supposed to put that in the letter! Personally, I'm glad that you finished with him, because he was an ignorant prat. I only wish that we could've been sheltering in some French chateau during the war, yet he had the ignorance to talk about how "stressful" it was. Honestly Hermione: you deserve better. I know you swore to Ginny that you wouldn't go out with anyone she suggested, but what about me? I know loads of guys who you'd have a really good time with; maybe you'd consider one of them? I know Seamus was asking after you during the wedding, so how about I set up a date? It'll have to be when I get back from America, because I want to see if it all goes smoothly! Hopefully he'll be better than Lewis, or Robert, or Theodore or….well you get the picture. Ginny says I'm heartless for bringing up all of your ex-boyfriends, but you've always told me to learn from my mistakes.
You'll never guess who we saw the other day: Draco Malfoy! Imagine my surprise when we were enjoying some Sangria and the little ferret slumped on the bar right next to me. He looked really rough, but I always knew he'd go off the rails. Ginny said that Lavender (who'd heard it from Pansy) had told her that Draco has an alcohol problem. You would never have guessed it from his semi-conscious mutterings and the large amount of vodka he ordered…Anyway; I should know how much you hate gossip. I'll see you when we get home again, can't believe that the holiday will be over in just three days! We both love you a lot, and are sorry that we weren't there to help you celebrate your birthday! Promise me you didn't spend it locked up inside reading? Live a little!
A missive from Mr D. Malfoy to Mr L. Malfoy
7th October 2002
Your last letter was positively disgusting. What sort of father calls his son those kinds of names? I'm sure the Daily Prophet would love to sink their teeth into a story like that but, of course, they won't even listen to me anymore after that slight mishap with Skeeter. To this day I will hold up my hand and say that I'm not interested in her like that, so why would I do what she said I did? Mother brought me up to have better taste. Oh Merlin, I miss her, father. Even though she appeared to despise the both of us, I believe that deep down she really did care. Why else would she send chocolate and secret Firewhiskey to school for me? Well after all of your hounding, if you must know, I've been in America for the past month or so, but I don't think it's any of your business. I'm a young man – handsome and rich – so why shouldn't I sleep with as many people as possible? You did at my age. Severus sent me a letter that was just as disparaging as your own. I don't understand why he believes he can lecture me in such a way – I'm no longer a student at Hogwarts. Thank Merlin. I wouldn't step foot back there if you paid me.
Speaking of payment. If you would be so kind, father, I would appreciate it if you could send me five thousand galleons with your owl. I am in dire need of the cash to pay a few...friends what I owe them. You understand how important it is to be a good sport, and these gentlemen have been asking for their money so…politely. I will, naturally, pay you back in due course. I'm not entirely sure when that will be, but hopefully I'll find some funds in the next decade or so. Finally, please don't ask me to come back to England again, father. I simply cannot stand the weather, and men just aren't treated properly over there, not like they are here anyway. You should pay me a visit sometime – I'm certain a bit of sunshine would cheer you up a bit. Although, perhaps it's best if you don't come; I could have swore I saw that ginger girl who you tried to kill a few years ago. Perhaps I had drunk a bit too much?
A missive from Professor S. Snape to Mr L. Malfoy
9th October 2002
Lucius, I write to you again with both regret and hope. I have been unable to find anything that could be of use to you, but I am confident that the witch I spoke about will. However, I am wary about the history that you both share. No, she is not one of your former conquests (hopefully) but she is, in fact, Miss Hermione Granger. You have been acquainted with her a couple of times I believe, most predominantly during the confab at the ministry with the prophecy, but I beg that you put all of your prejudices aside. She is more than capable of helping with the research – may I take a moment to point you in the direction of her fascinating research on, as she calls it, 'the Werewolf problem', and the cure for lycanthropy that she developed. She has accomplished something that I have only ever dreamed of doing, much as it pains me to admit it.
I wrote to Draco. I thought it would do some good, but I grew to regret it, for the response I received was terribly vulgar. Where on earth he learnt those things that he called me, I have no desire to know. Perhaps it is a little forward of me to say this, but I must also warn you that Draco is also begging for money. In his reply, he asked if he could borrow five thousand galleons! As his godfather, I would do a lot of things to protect him, but I simply don't have the funds. I fear that he will ask you for a similar amount. May I suggest you look into who he is indebted to, and perhaps try and solve the issue the good old-fashioned Malfoy way? I also propose that we should try to secure him some form of employment, something to distract his mind from all of his vices. There must be something he could do at the Ministry; they're always looking to hire and, despite his past transgressions, Draco is an exceedingly good wizard.
Do write back Lucius, and inform me as to whether or not I have your permission to solicit the help of Miss Granger. If you are in further need of convincing, I have managed to secure a copy of her curriculum vitae and two referees who both speak very highly of her. However, if you value our friendship as much as I am led to believe, my word of her prowess will be enough.
A missive from Mr R. Weasley to Miss H. Granger
9th October 2002
Happy birthday Hermione! Sorry it's a bit late, I've been busy – you know how it is! I hope you like the gift, Sleakeazy's gave it to me at the end of my last campaign for them – it's supposed to work really well, but I haven't tried it yet. To be honest, I'm not entirely sure what it does. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it.
I was just wondering if you'd seen anything of Luna. I bumped into her recently when I went up to Scotland to do some promotional work and, well, I just wondered if everything's alright. I wrote to her, but she doesn't seem to be responding to my letters.
Right, well, you're probably really busy right now, so I think I'll end my letter. It's quite long, really, isn't it? I only expected it to be a short one – I'm not the best at writing letters! Maybe we could meet up for a drink sometime? I was invited to go round and look at Ginny and Harry's holiday pictures, but who would volunteer to do something as boring as that? Anyway, see you later.
Author's Note: And here is the second group of letters! There are ten different groups, all already written, and so I'll be able to update them on a steady basis! Hopefully you'll enjoy this second chapter, as I think it moves on the story a bit – thanks for the reviews of the first one!