HAPPINESS AND I

Disclaimer: This is a non-profit tribute to the works of JK Rowling who created and, together with her publishers and licensees, owns the characters and settings elaborated herein.

A/N: Spoilers to OotP, not HBP-compatible. Thanks to all my reviewers and my previewers, Bellegeste and Cecelle. I am posting this on schedule, despite the probability that many readers will be too busy watching and discussing the movie to read fanfiction.

Dear Severus,

I think Ginny must have written to the entire world – well, the entire Weasley family, anyway – about our friendship, because I've received visits from every Weasley in England! First the twins, then Mr Weasley, then Mrs, and even Percy popped in today to 'counsel' me about it. I told him he'd made such a mess of his own personal life that he'd better not try to guide anyone else's. It wasn't very politic, as he seems to be rising higher and higher in the Ministry, but did he really think I was going to follow the example of someone who's still at odds with most of his family? (If Ginny hadn't written him, I'd have said all.)

The one Weasley I thought I'd hear from – at the top of his voice, most likely, and over a bad international Floo connection – hasn't been in touch. Neither has Harry. I can only hope their silence is from being too busy or exhausted to write. I suppose I should be glad not to have got Howlers from them, but in a way I'd have felt better about it. I could have just sent Howlers back, telling them that my friendships with other people were none of their business and after a few rounds of explosive mail, we'd all probably have got it out of our systems and they'd have accepted they can't tell me what to do. But I can't help feeling uneasy about it. There have been times when Ron hasn't talked to me for weeks at a time, even months, and usually Harry just stayed out of the crossfire.

Hermione

PS Tuesday week or Sunday fortnight for Giselle?

Professor Snape read the letter twice through, a cold weight in his chest. Had she really thought her friends' first fury so likely to dissipate in the repetition? Optimistic child! But he could not quarrel with her disposition to hope. Had she been less optimistic, she'd never have risked losing her old friendships for the sake of the uncertain new. For her sake, he should write her permission to choose the former, say he was willing to be given up. But that would be a lie.

Miss Granger,

I said at the outset that I believed simultaneous friendships with both myself and Potter to be incompatible and I mentally included the youngest male Weasley in that presumption. For your sake, I am willing to try to tolerate them if they will try to tolerate me. I cannot offer more and will own myself surprised if they find themselves ready to offer as much.

You may be facing a fork in the path here. In life, there are choices to be made. Walking down one path means ignoring the claims of the other. You are the best judge of which path will bring you happiness and I will abide by your decision with no reproaches or blame.

Snape

PS If you still wish it, Sunday will be a better evening for me.