Chapter 3
While she didn't feel as though she was shaking, however the rhythmic discord created as the decanter clinked against her glass indicated otherwise. She didn't remember lifting it to her lips or that she drank the whole of its contents in a singular gulp; her eyes were still resting on the impeccably well written letters that could have only been penned by one person despite not having been signed. It hadn't needed to be. She'd have known her hand writing anywhere, even before she read the contents. How could she not have? She spent six years as a student in her classroom, received countless letters as a Prefect in her house and above all – had received small notes throughout her very long and arduous year while with Harry and Ron in a mirroring page. Ink written on one page would transfer to the holder of the page opposite.
And while she still recalled most of the letters and notes ever written to her; the letter lying before her was unlike any of the others. The contents were threatening to burn themselves into her mind's eye after only one reading.
A reading she couldn't help but to replicate as she gave into the alluring note, eyes already drinking in the elegant verbiage that tore through the scant wall protecting her heart. Because, her mind wanted to commit these precious words to her memory, and burn them into her soul; lest she be dreaming.
Hermione,
In truth, I had no intention of divulging what lies within this letter. You are a prior student and decades my junior; and recently engaged to Mr. Weasley. However, following recent events, I was inclined to inform you regarding the impetus of my behavior. You. The way your eyes capture the light and how your mood causes the pigment of your irises to lighten or darken; how your hair frames your face; or the way my name sounds as it falls from your lips – your very presence seems to be the antithesis of my willpower.
There are no words to describe the lush feel of your lips as they brushed against mine. Or that it has taken several years for me to acknowledge that the tension existing between us is mutual. Or that I should have found a way past my babbling incoherencies the other evening and told you what I should have years prior – I care for you, far more than I ever should. I daresay I could have fallen in love with you.
And for that I offer my profoundest apologies.
Because, while she didn't state she was in love with her; she did state that she could fall in love with her.
And that is all that mattered to Hermione – a chance at love.
A/N: It'll be another week before Bonding is updated, sorry. Hope you enjoyed!