Arrives Early Sunday Afternoon
Hey Harry,
As I sit down to write this I find that I have absolutely no idea what to say. I'd ask what on Earth possessed you to read those letters - when I specifically told you not to - except for the fact you might suddenly change your mind. To be honest, I was terrified that you'd read them and dreading the response I'd get because the last thing I wanted was to ruin our friendship. Not that I'm not thrilled at the prospect of getting to know you better - it seems that between You-Know-Who, Hagrid's pets, and just school itself there doesn't seem to have been any time to really get to know your best friends very well at all.
Of course, just from your last letter alone I've got a hundred questions to ask, most of which you probably can't answer. Can I assume the "something odd" that happened was that your mail wasn't being delivered for some reason? Ron thought it might have been his owl's fault - it really is an old bird that's on its last leg - I had been using it when it delivered mail here because of how impersonally Imogen behaves and the fact I knew you'd be somewhere in between my place and his.
I'd ask how anything could intercept an owl but that would probably be close to the top of the "I can't talk about that" list, so instead I'll try to be as vague in my questions about those sensitive topics as possible. From the consequences of 'whatever it is that's going on' getting out before you're ready, I can understand why you'd want to keep things a secret, at least for now. I can only hope to be filled in once you're able to.
I'm very glad about the change in your situation; I was really starting to worry. The silence coming from your end made me think all sorts of horrible things might've been happening there. I can only hope it wasn't the case. If it was though, I've heard those who go through it are prone to not want to talk about it, but should you ever decide you do want to talk, know that I'm always here for you.
Can I assume whatever legal troubles you have at the moment are about the family situation you've always disliked and your desire to make the new situation permanent, and not about what happened before the end of term? If not, should I get legal counsel as well and how would I go about doing that?
You mentioned a grandfather's bailiff. The use of that rather archaic title, and where you are now, would suggest this was for your father's side. I'm glad you've got someone who's able to help you, especially one who may be able to tell you more about your family. It's just not right you know so little about how they died and nothing at all about how they lived. I do hope he's able to shed some light on the subject for you.
It was sweet for the Weasleys to have a party for you, and for Bill to let you have his old room. Ron always mentions his oldest brothers in such legendary terms it's hard to believe they're real. So what was he like? Did he say what Egypt's like? What does he do there? Does he know any interesting Egyptian magic? How does it compare to ours? It sounds like such an amazing opportunity to learn what another culture is like. I do hope you took advantage of it, but I suppose hoping for that is like hoping you've been studying. -smile-
As for me, I actually have been studying. Professor McGonagall was incredibly busy with finding all of this year's new students - I had no idea how much work was involved - but she managed to find the time to send me a few mental exercises and depictions of wand movements she said would make the transfiguration work easier this year. I've actually been able to study up a bit too. A copy of the Standard Book of Spells, Grade 2 showed up on the same day as McGonagall's letter. She didn't say anything in her letter about sending it so I think it may have come from Professor Flitwick.
Before that, I was pretty much stuck at home and not really able to do anything. Now that I'm no longer enrolled at my old school I'm not allowed to check out books there anymore, which is a shame since it's only about two blocks away and had a nice summer check-out program. They wanted to make an exception since I was such a good student but Mrs. Bidwell said she had to say no. And with the public library being so far away-
Let's just say it left me a lot time to revise my notes from last year and read up a bit on History of Magic. It's such a shame the teacher is such a bore when the subject is so interesting. I must say though I've found that besides the basic facts and dates, a great deal of what Bagshot includes seems to be unsubstantiated third- and fourth-hand accounts which makes everything seem far too much like myth than actual history, and she doesn't seem to believe in using any form of citation at all. Something tells me the scholastic heights of the wizarding world is rather thin and lacking the intellectual rigor of their muggle counterpart.
When it comes to my home life, I may just have to wait to tell you about that until things are less emotionally charged. My mother and I have been at odds and I'm rather upset at my father at the moment. Besides that, there's frightfully little to tell, I think. My parents are both dentists, I've lived in the same house and have gone to the same school before entering Hogwarts. My dad's even had the same car since the 70s.
All that said; I'm rather wary about asking about your life lest it bring up some issues you'd be uncomfortable dealing with. I did mean what I said before though, I'm here for you if you want to talk, and if you don't want me to repeat anything, I won't. I want to get to know you because you're my friend, not just because I happen to like you as well, and that means accepting you, warts and all.
Love always, Hermione
Arrives Very Late Sunday Evening/Early Monday Morning
Hey Hermione,
I know exactly what you mean about not knowing what to say. Even after I got going I had to figure out what I could say and what I couldn't. I'm glad you understand. I promise to let you know what's going on as soon as I can.
It was actually you telling me I should bin them that got me to read those letters in the first place. It was such an unHermione-like thing to say I simply had to read them. I can only imagine what it was like to say all that and then be left waiting for a response which never came. It must've been awful. How could you think I'd say no though? You're my best friend. I can't think of anything better than to get to know you, and if the big grin I have right now is anything to go by then I'd have to say I like you too.
And thanks for mentioning Hagrid's pets. That reminds me to send him a response to his letter; I'll send it along with this one, though that'll mean you'll have to use Imogen to send your reply. I thought it might've just been me she didn't like. Maybe if you start using her more often she'd lighten up a bit?
Anyway, in his letter Hagrid mentioned he had gotten me something for my birthday only it had escaped before he could send it, so I wanted to let him know that I appreciate the thought more than having any animal he could find. Besides Hedwig, who's more like family, I'm not sure I'm much of a pet person. The Dursleys certainly wouldn't have approved and likely would've taken it to the pound. Now that I'm away from there I wouldn't want to impose on the Weasleys any more than I already am. The way things turned out, Bill and the goblins not only turned up with my school things but my entire bedroom set as well, so I guess I can no longer claim to travel light. They even stole Aunt Petunia's washing machine!
.....
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