Welcome to Tales of The Brightest Witch: Chamber of Secrets!

For those that have read TKC, you already know how it's my least favorite book. But hey, maybe Hermione's eyes may help change my mind.

I need to figure out if Hermione hears anything around her during the time she is petrified. Otherwise, that is gonna be a VERY short book. She's petrified for two months according to Google.

Anyways, on with the fic!

Chapter 24: Letters

Book 2: Summer 1992

Dear Harry,

I hope this letter finds you well! How are you holding up with the Dursleys? I've been worried about you ever since we left King's Cross. I can't imagine they've suddenly become kind and loving, but hopefully you've managed to find a bit of peace in all their awfulness. Have you heard from Ron yet?

Have you heard any news about Hogwarts? I keep thinking about what next year might bring. Surely it can't be as eventful as this past year (at least I hope not!), but I still feel like there's so much to look forward to. I miss school already, if you can believe that, and I miss you and Ron even more. I hope you're both managing to stay out of trouble—well, as much as you're able to, anyway.

Please write back when you can! I'd love to hear all about what you've been up to and how things are going.

Take care of yourself, Harry. And remember, you've got friends who care about you more than anything.

Hermione

I had mailed off a letter to Harry. I didn't have an owl, so I had to look up his relatives address in the phone directory book. I hoped that they wouldn't mind.

Summer had been positively boring. It felt like the days stretched on endlessly, with little to fill them. My parents were always at work, and that meant I was stuck at the Pendleton home since the Cornwalls had gone to vacation in the United States. Mama and Papa didn't trust me to stay home alone yet, saying I needed to wait until I was thirteen. I found it ridiculous. I knew ten year olds who were allowed to stay home by themselves, so why couldn't I? I was responsible, and I'd proven it countless times. After all, I was practically a second year at Hogwarts!

"Please, Mama," I had begged one morning over breakfast. "I've dealt with really tough challenges at school. I think I can handle a quiet house."

Mama shook her head, her expression firm but kind. "It's not about whether you're capable, sweetheart. We just feel better knowing someone's looking out for you."

"But Mrs. Pendleton isn't looking out for me!" I protested, gripping my spoon in frustration. "She just sits in her chair all day knitting scarves and watching those ridiculous quiz shows. I've read everything in her bookcase, and she hardly lets me go outside."

Papa chuckled from behind his newspaper. "I'll admit, that does sound boring," he said, peeking over the pages. "But she's kind enough to take you in, and that counts for something."

I groaned and slumped back in my chair. "It's not fair. I feel like I'm wasting my summer."

"You'll thank us one day," Mama said with a knowing smile. "And besides, Spain is coming up soon! That will be something to look forward to."

She was right about Spain, at least. I couldn't deny that I was excited. We were set to visit incredible places like the Alhambra and the Sagrada Família. I'd already started reading up on Spanish culture and history. One night, I couldn't help but share what I'd learned.

"Mama, did you know the Alhambra was originally a fortress built in 889 AD?" I asked as we cleared the dinner table.

"Really?" she said, raising an eyebrow. "That's fascinating, Jeanie. You'll have to tell us all about it while we're there."

"I plan to," I said proudly. "I've got a whole list of facts to share."

Papa chuckled. "Let's make sure we don't rush through anything, or Mimi will quiz us on the way back."

We all laughed, but despite the promise of Spain, I couldn't shake the disappointment from earlier in the summer. Before leaving the train, Ron had invited me to his home for the summer and I'd been thrilled at the idea of visiting it. I could imagine the warmth, the chaos, and the laughter of the Weasley household. But when I'd asked Mama and Papa, the answer had been a firm no.

"We don't know Ron or his family," Papa had explained gently. "Maybe another summer, when we've had a chance to meet them properly."

"And we already have Spain planned," Mama added. "We want you to experience that with us."

I understood their reasoning, but it didn't make it hurt any less. I could only imagine the fun we could get into. And if Harry was there too, it would make it even grander.

One particularly dull Saturday morning in my room, I was half-heartedly flipping through a book when the unmistakable sound of an owl's hoot startled me. I looked up to see Errol, the Weasleys' ancient and rather clumsy owl, fluttering toward the window. He crashed into the glass, making me wince, but I quickly opened it to let him in.

"Errol!" I exclaimed, scooping him up gently. "What are you doing here?"

The poor bird looked exhausted, his feathers ruffled and his eyes half-closed. He held a letter in his beak, which I carefully removed before setting him down on the table with a small bowl of water.

The letter was scrawled in Ron's familiar handwriting. I smiled as I read:

Dear Hermione,

I can't believe you are making me write during the summer holiday. I had vowed as soon as I finished my last exam that I wouldn't pick up a quill until the start of term. But I guess since I made an exception for Harry, I should do you the same kindness. You better not critique this like you do all my other work.

What to say, what to say...hmmmm. Well, things at The Burrow are fine. Fred and George have their friends over this week. Lee Jordan, Alicia Spinnet, and Angelina Johnson. They have been driving Mum and Percy mental with all their noises and pranks. I'm sure she would send them off if she didn't like them so much.

Ginny has been driving me mental about Harry since the day we left the bloody station. She's always asking questions about him, like I'm a textbook on all things that are Harry Potter. One day it got so bad, I almost taped her mouth shut. Mum caught me though.

Bill is supposed to be coming by later today (well, the day I'm writing this. I'm not sure where you live, so I'm not sure when you will get this. I can't wait to see him and tell him about what happened. We haven't told Mum yet. She would lose her mind and probably keep me out of school if she knew what really happened.

Well, I don't know what else to talk about. How is your summer going? Did you ask if your parents would let you come for a while? There is a lot to do here, I promise you won't be bored. And if Harry gets to come too, then it will be even better.

Let me know.

Ron

I folded the letter carefully, holding it to my chest for a moment. A lump formed in my throat, and I stared out of my window, watching the faint breeze sway the trees. The Burrow sounded like everything my summer wasn't—full of life, chaos, and laughter. Instead, I was stuck at Mrs. Pendleton's stuffy house that inexplicably smelled like cats. It wasn't fair.

Still, I was grateful for the letter. Knowing Ron had taken the time to write made me feel closer to him, even if I wasn't physically with him.

I grabbed a pen and a piece of my stationary and wrote back.

Dear Ron,

I'm glad you wrote to me. I didn't think about how I would write either one of you until I got home and realized that I didn't have an owl. I'm glad you did indeed write to me, although I don't feel the need to treat writing to me like it's a chore. If you don't want to write to me, then don't. I'll just see you on the train.

Summer has been positively boring. My parents are always at work, which means that I'm always at the neighbor's house until one of them gets home. They don't want to leave me at home by myself until I'm 13. It's just so stupid. I know 10 year olds that get to stay home by themselves, why can't I? My neighbor is boring and her house smells like cats even though she doesn't have any.

My parents say that I can't come. One reason is that they don't know you nor your family. Another is because we are supposed to be going to Spain to see the sights. I'm actually looking forward to it. They have such a beautiful culture there, I can't wait to learn everything about it.

Don't be mean to your sister, Ronald. She's just curious like the rest of the wizarding world. Is she starting Hogwarts this year? What is she like?

I haven't heard from Harry, which is strange, because he does have Hedwig. I have enclosed a letter for him for you to pass along if you don't mind.

Write me back. That is, if your hand can bear it.

Hermione.

I wrote another quick letter to Harry and stuffed both of them into an envelope. Harry had not returned my previous letter, so I figured maybe if Ron sent it via owl, he would get it.

I went and got Errol a cracker for his troubles. I gave him the cracker, which he happily nibbled on. I then gave letter, and he took off. I turned as he disappeared over the horizon, wishing I could fly with him.

Later on that night, I got another peck at my window as Mama was doing my hair. I ran over to the window and took the letter from his beak.

"Mama, we may need to get an owl perch, yeah?" I asked as I unrolled the letter.

"Maybe," she said with a chuckle. I say back down between her legs and read as she brushed my hair.

"A letter from Ron," I exclaimed, smoothing out the parchment. "He finally wrote back. Took him long enough."

I was exaggerating. It had only been this morning since his first letter.

Mama chuckled softly. "Ah, boys. Always a bit slow when it comes to correspondence, aren't they? What does he have to say?"

I cleared my throat, pretending to read in a posh voice.

"Dear Hermione,

I never said writing to you is like a chore. You said that on your own.'"

She laughed, her fingers pausing for a moment in my hair. "Well, at least he's honest. Go on."

""Yeah, your summer does indeed sound boring. And maybe your neighbor has cats that you don't know about. Have you tried talking to your parents about staying home by yourself? You could always say that since you are turning 13 in two months, you should be allowed to. I know how you feel though. Mum won't even leave the twins alone, and they're 14. But, that's probably for the best. They would more than likely blow the place up or something.""

I looked up at Mama as I finished. "See? Even he thinks I'm old enough to stay home by myself."

Mama raised an eyebrow, her brush stilling. "And do you agree with him? That you're old enough?"

I hesitated. "Well… yes, I do. I mean, I know I'm responsible, and I wouldn't do anything silly. I'd just read or practice spells—or tidy up!"

Mama hummed thoughtfully. "Hmm, tidy up, you say? That's quite the pitch. But you know it's not about whether we think you're responsible—it's about making sure you're safe."

"I know," I sighed. "But Mrs. Pendleton's house smells like cats, and she doesn't even have any cats! It's dreadful. And all she does is knit and watch game shows. I'm so bored, Mama."

Mama laughed again, her voice warm. "You do have a flair for the dramatic, don't you, my dear? But I understand. Maybe next summer, when you're a bit older."

"By then, I'll practically be an adult!" I exclaimed, though a small smile crept onto my face. I knew Mama was just being her usual cautious self. It was hard to argue with that, even if it was frustrating.

She gently tugged a particularly stubborn knot free and added, "So, what else did Ron write?"

""I get it about your parents not wanting you to come here because they don't know us. I wouldn't want to send my daughter to a stranger's house either. And I hope you actually HAVE FUN during your visit and not study everything the whole bloody time. DO SOMETHING!

My sister's alright. For a girl, that is. I feel like she is all of us rolled up into one. She's funny like me, smart like Percy, mischievous like the twins, loves animals like Charlie, and brave like Bill. She's also very cheeky. She says exactly what's on her mind. I think you would really like her.""

I paused to giggle at what Ron had written about Ginny pestering him about Harry. "His little sister sounds a bit like me when I was her age. Always asking questions."

"Cheeky, curious girls tend to grow into wonderful women," Mama said, a smile tugging at her lips. "Maybe you'll get to meet her one day."

"I'd like that," I said, feeling a bit wistful. "Ron said I'd like her."

""I haven't heard from Harry either. I'll send your letter along. I had forgotten all about him having Hedwig, so now I'm starting to think something may be up.

Anyways, write me back. And if you hear from Harry before I do, let me know.

Ron""

As I got to the end of the letter, I frowned slightly. "Ron hasn't heard from Harry either. That worries me."

Mama's hands stilled again, this time resting lightly on my shoulders. "Do you think something's wrong, love?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. He's with the Dursleys, so it's possible they're not letting him write. But it still feels… odd."

"Write him a letter, Hermione. Maybe he just needs to know someone's thinking of him," she suggested, giving my shoulders a reassuring squeeze.

I nodded, feeling a bit better. "I'll do that tonight."

As Mama resumed brushing my hair, I folded Ron's letter and set it aside. Despite the frustration of not being able to visit the Burrow, I felt lighter. Ron's letter was exactly what I needed to lift my spirits, even if it also reminded me of what I was missing.

I couldn't wait to hear from Harry. And when I did, I'd make sure to tell him just how much I missed him too.