I had a bad day at work, so you get this a day early because I have no other way to vent right now. Enjoy!
March the Thirtieth
Dearest Hermione,
I know things are looking bleak in regards to your education and where you may be going from here, with your headmaster in toil and your teachers all stressed. I could practically feel the anxiety radiating from your letter, and you don't know how badly I wanted to be there for you to relieve you of some of that worry. To do something to see the smile on your face that matches the picture I hold so dear. I do hope Ron has overcome his illness, you mentioned in your last letter that he was ill and in the hospital. I've been paying attention to the climate in England, and I find it troublesome. If you still feel like the world is closing in on you, know that Carlisle and Esme have opened our home to you for the summer. The rain and clouds might not be the ideal summer destination, but it would be a vast improvement on the country-wide feeling of depression and doom that I am reading about.
I am nearing the end of my first year in community college, and it has come time for me to start thinking about where I wish to go to school once I have completed my courses next year. I am debating studying either international law or business, but I have no desire to stick around this area. I am blessed to have good enough grades and test scores to have a wide range of options should I choose to leave the area, perhaps even the country. Have you decided if you are going to go to college after you are done with at your school? Are there any schools that you have in mind? Perhaps I may look into studying somewhere in England, and bring a bit of a bright spot to the murky days there. I certainly know that being near you would bring a bright spot to my murky days of late. Young adults tend to dream about taking the next step in their life with their best friend by their side. If I must travel across the ocean to do so, it doesn't seem like that big of a sacrifice.
We are wrapping up our current book, and I think we should consider choosing another one. I find a kinship in this activity that, for some reason, I find more intimate and connecting than the mere exchange of letters. This time I will allow you to make the suggestion. Emmett has not been too thrilled with my alarm going off at quarter to five so I can be ready to read when you are reading, but I do not care. Carlisle told me he would be quite disappointed if I replaced all of Emmett's pants with skirts, but he said it with a smirk. I guess I'll have to settle with annoying him with my early-morning behavior, but I haven't given up on the big-and-tall women's section quite yet.
Speaking of annoying siblings, Alice is begging me to allow her to send you a computer. She is fan of getting things done instantaneously. But there is something about writing a letter, or perhaps getting one more so, that provides a thrill of excitement with every stroke of the pen or tear of the envelope. Computers may provide a quicker form of communication, but they lack personality or formality. I do believe I get more out of a single hand written correspondence than I would hours of instant messaging in front of a cold, headache-inducing screen. The pixie-sized pain in my neck be damned.
I do not wish to burden you with any more concerns, but the current state of affairs both in your country and, from what you describe, at your school has made me nervous. I want your assurances that you will be cautious. If I were to find a single fault with you, and it would be difficult to do so, it would be that you put your concerns of your friends and loved ones over yourself. This is not to be considered a bad thing, but you should not do it to the detriment of yourself. Please, I implore you, take care of yourself, and I hope this letter finds you in good spirits and better health.
Yours,
Jasper
XXXXXX
July 2
Jasper,
I'm sorry I am going to have to keep this brief. Headmaster Dumbledore is dead. I fear my school is no longer safe enough for me to attend. My parents made the sudden and wholly unexpected decision to move to Australia, but I have made the decision not to move with them. Harry needs me right now. There are things we need to find, things that may help end our suffering and the suffering of so many in this country. We're not quite sure where they are, and we're not quite sure how we're going to find them, but it's something we must do. We're going to be traveling around the country quite a bit to do this, so I've had to come up with an alternate way for you to write me. From now on, you can send your letters to my aunt, Arabella Figg at the following address:
Arabella Figg
6 Wisteria Walk
Little Whinging
Surrey
For my safety, please don't place my name on the outside of the envelope. She'll know who it is for and how to get it to me. It may take me some more time to reply, but know that I will. And I shall continue reading. Our next book is enclosed. I do so love The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and have been wanting to read Wicked for some time. Let's start the day after we're done with our current Book Club selection.
Take care. Love from Hermione
XXXXXXX
July the Nineteenth
Hermione,
What the hell is going on over there? You told me your school situation was less than ideal, not downright dangerous. If you need a place to be safe, tell me when and where to meet you. I'll bring you and all your friends to safety. Believe me when I say that I shall not rest until I am assured you are completely safe, even if I must come over there and hunt you down myself.
Jasper
XXXXXXXXX
July the Twenty-second
Hermione,
I know I have not waited for a response, but I have become fearful for you. I read about a bridge collapse and some horrendous murders over there, and I cannot shake the feeling that somehow you are connected to this whole mess. I wish you would feel comfortable enough with me to tell me the truth so I can help you. Please, write back as soon as you are able.
Jasper
XXXXXXXXX
July the Twenty-ninth
Hermione,
I implore you, please write. Just anything so I know you're okay. I know you said it would take longer, but I fear for your safety. If you do not forgive me for sending so many letters, that's okay. Just a final note to know you're alive. Please.
Jasper
XXXXXXX
"Where is he?" Esme asked as Emmett, Rosalie, Edward, and Alice all came in from their recent hunt.
"Camping out by the mailbox," Rosalie replied darkly. "Like he does every day. And it won't be there. It hasn't been for nearly a month. And as soon as he's made sure of that fact it'll be back up to his room to write another letter that won't get answered."
"He's just worried, Rose," Carlisle said, concern thick in his voice.
"We're all worried," Esme added. "Are you sure you can't see anything, Alice?"
"I've been trying," she replied, frustration evident in her voice. "I've been doing everything, taking myself away from everyone, trying to focus on her friends, anything, but I can't pick up anyone. It's like she doesn't exist."
"She does," Edward assured them. "He's replayed their meeting in his head dozens of times. At least twice a day."
"Do you think we should go looking for her?" Esme asked.
"Where would we start? If I could get a single clue from her letters, I would be there. If we went, all we could do is confront her aunt, and if Hermione is that concerned over her safety there's a good chance that even her aunt doesn't know exactly where she is. And I have no desire to go and scare some poor woman for information she doesn't have."
"There's got to be some way..."
"Oh, thank God," Alice breathed. A second later Jasper rushed in the front door. He dropped the rest of the mail on the table as he rushed past, up the stairs, and into his room, an envelope clutched tightly in his hand.
August 20th
Dear Jasper,
I really apologize for worrying you. Right now we're waiting for someone to get us some information before we make a plan and move, so I have time to write. Unfortunately I did not get the time to read on two recent days, so I'll be two chapters behind you. I have some free time today, so I'll try to catch up. But I promise I won't read ahead.
I wish I could tell you more about my situation, but it'll be bad for both of us if this letter winds up in the wrong hands. But I will ask you to stay put, and in return I'll let you know as much as I possibly can. I don't think I would ever be able to live with myself if you came to some harm trying to help me. I'm not worth it, Jasper. Right now you could be more help to me if you continue to write to me, and tell me good things that are going on, so I remember there is some good in the world. Tell me about those mountains you're so fond of, or those cliffs where you can overlook the ocean. When, or perhaps if, this whole thing is over and I am still around I promise I will come visit your family, and I expect a first-class tour of the sights you all are raving about.
I promised the truth of the matter, or at least the truth I can release to you, and here it is: there is a crime underground that is becoming more and more prolific each day. They are winning their war on this country, and so they don't feel the need to hide the same way they used to, but they are still quite skilled at avoiding detection and justice. My family had once offended them, and because I stood up against them while in school I have put myself on their hit list, and I fear my family is there as well. Which is why I have to hide. The leader of this group killed Harry's family when he was young, and tried to kill Harry himself as a baby, but Harry survived. The leader is hell-bent on finishing the job, which is why Harry is in hiding. Ron came with for support, and because he fears it won't be long before his family is targeted. We are searching for some information we need to take him down, but unless we get all of the evidence together at the same time, there's no point in us showing ourselves because we'll be dead before we can find the rest.
For now I am safe. I'm flying under their radar, and at the moment they have much bigger concerns than a few young teenagers who are eluding them. But I don't know how long this distraction will keep them, and I'd prefer not to press my luck. As soon as we get our information we're going to have to start putting our plans into action. The more we get done before they turn their full attention to us, the better chance we have of survival.
You begged something of me, and I must beg something of you. I beg that you don't come and try to find me. Continuing to write to you puts both you and Aunt Figg in danger, and I couldn't stand to see either of you hurt. I'd actually prefer if you get a post box somewhere, so I can stop putting your address on things. I would never forgive myself if you or anyone in your family became targets because of me. And if you don't wish me to write anymore because of the danger, I completely understand. Just say the word, and that'll be the last you hear of me.
Please, take care and send me happy thoughts.
Love,
Hermione
Jasper read the letter three times, hands trembling in fear and anger. He knew his family would be feeling his emotions, and probably more worried about him than they had in the past week, but to hell with them. Hermione was in danger. Very real, very near, breathing down her neck as she was out doing something that seemed to have a likelihood of killing her. His mind was racing, probably too quickly for Edward to figure out. He wanted to go over there, to see her and make sure that she was okay, but he didn't want to disrespect her wishes. Which is also why he didn't want to get a PO box. Let the bastards come. He'll rip the lowly humans apart, if they caught him on a good day he might even let Edward and Emmett have one or two, depending on the number that came for them. Unsuspecting humans walking into a house filled with vampires. Hermione's problems would be over in a jiffy.
"Oh, my God!" Esme gasped from somewhere downstairs, but he barely registered it. If it was something he needed to deal with they would call for him.
But they didn't call. Seconds later a very cautious Edward and Carlisle were knocking on his door.
"Enter," he growled, folding the paper so they couldn't see.
They came in, Edward holding a laptop and looking very apprehensive.
"You need to see this," his bronze haired brother whispered, turning the computer towards him. It was a blurb off a news website from London. It was about a house that had mysteriously burned down from suspected arson. His stomach dropped as he read the address.
"Isn't that the address you had been writing to before her parents moved?"
He looked from Edward to Carlisle. "I've got to go," he hissed, emptying his bookbag onto his bed and starting to shove a couple pairs of spare clothes into it.
"If you really want to go, we won't stop you, but I'm betting she asked you to stay," Carlisle said kindly.
Jasper paused. "Someone is trying to kill her. She shouldn't be there alone."
"We have watched you transform into a completely different person since you came back from Paris," he continued. "Someone we barely recognize. Not that it's a bad thing, but you live for those letters. If this girl said jump, you'd leap the nearest hemlock tree. What do you think this means?"
"I think this means you're wasting my time talking when I should be on my way to the airport."
"It means she's your mate," Edward said matter-of-factly.
He stopped, staring at his brother.
"Come on, you had to have seen this. I think you've known since Paris. You cut short your vacation so you could be there when her letter came. You've been practically living by the mailbox since she sent you that letter saying she was going into hiding."
"So what if she is? Isn't that more reason for me to go over there and rip the heads off the ones who are trying to kill her?"
"She asked you to stay. She thinks it would be safer for both of you."
"Who better to protect her than me?"
"She asked you to stay," Edward repeated. "Begged, even. Are you going to disrespect her wishes by running over there? Do you think she's going to be happy to see you after she told you she wanted you to stay?"
Jasper just stared at him, jaw clenched.
"She had to have a reason to ask you to stay here," Carlisle said gently. "Hold out just a while longer. If you graduate with your class and are still concerned about her, then we'll all go over and help you find her."
"Nine months?" he blanched. "You expect me to sit there and hope she's okay for nine months?"
"Christmas," he bargained.
"Thanksgiving," Jasper countered.
"Agreed. We'll re-evaluate the situation on Thanksgiving."
Jasper nodded one more time, then sat at his desk, facing away from them, their signal to leave. He waited for the door to close before pulling out a clean sheet of paper and a pen.
August Twenty-seventh
Dearest Hermione...