Renewed Beginnings

Catherine was doing a bit of explaining, and remembering, of her own. Having received an owl from Hagrid telling her that Harry, Ron, and Hermione would be joining them for their lunch the following day, she had decided to remain in her room this evening to send some owls she had been putting off.

Catherine smiled to herself as she thought of how her friends would react to the letters she was about to send them. This, in turn, led her to thoughts of each girl, as she still thought of them, and of their days at school.

Those had been the years before Voldemort's rise to power, and so the inter-house rivalries at Hogwarts were not as strong in those days. Still, even then, to see a group of girls comprised of members of each house bond as closely as they had was a rare occurrence. Catherine and Fianna Tiebout were the Gryffindors of the group, and it showed. They were the ones quick to temper, and to rush to the defense or aide of their friends. Isla Kennedy, the Ravenclaw, was the calm mind to their bold rashness. Erika Selwyn, the loyal Hufflepuff, always stood by her friends, no matter the amount of teasing she endured from her housemates. And Ashley Kennard, who, with her cunning Slytherin mind, was always ready when the need arose for a clever plan.

Though sorted into the houses best suited to them, none of the girls had ever felt that they really fit in, and so they had been drawn to each other. It had been rumored at one time that there had been a fifth Hogwarts founder, one who valued open minds and free thinking, and that a fifth house would be added. Nothing ever came of this however, and the rumors soon died out. Those who did remember often commented that perhaps Catherine and her friends would have been better suited in the house of this forgotten founder.

Through the years, since their graduation, they had remained close, though great distances now separated them. Fianna's family had been from Belgium, and had only moved for the duration of her schooling at Hogwarts. Upon her graduation, they had retuned to their homeland, and Fianna, of course, had chosen to go with them. She was now an accomplished Healer at the wizarding hospital near her home.

Isla had returned to her home in Warwickshire. Her clever Ravenclaw mind had served her well. She was now a well-published author, and had, in fact, written many books enjoyed by Muggle children as "fictions".

Ashley, meanwhile, had made her own mark in the world. Always a skilled artist, her Slytherin pride and ambition would not settle for simply making her mark in the wizarding world. Instead, she had set out for America, where she now lived a prosperous life as one of Maryland's top artists.

Only Catherine and Erika remained in close daily contact. As her graduation had drawn near, her parents had begun to talk of retiring and closing the bookshop. Unable to bear this thought, Catherine had offered to take over for them. Knowing of the plans her other friends had already made, she had asked Erika to help her with the running of the shop. True to her loyal and hard-working Hufflepuff nature, Erika had quickly agreed, and they had enjoyed a quiet, but successful business partnership ever since.

Catherine smiled again as she thought of all they had all shared over the years: the first dates, the broken hearts, the weddings of mutual friends, the loss of loved ones. They had shared so much, and yet, thinking of it now, it seemed like such a short time had passed. And, invariably, when they were all together, the first question they asked Catherine was "Have you heard from Hagrid?" Had her friends known what was in her heart all along, even before she, herself, did?

The owls she had borrowed to send the letters with hooted impatiently, drawing her mind back to the task at hand. Dipping her quill into the inkpot on the desk, she began. She would write one letter, then use a charm to copy it to the other three parchments with the correct name on each.

Dearest (Isla, Ashley, Erika, Fianna),

I do so hope that this letter finds you well. I know that it has been a while since my last letter, but, as you will see, there is a reason for that. I am sending this letter with what I hope you will see as good news.

I have been staying for the past few weeks at The Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade, near Hogwarts. I was invited for a visit by Hagrid. Imagine my surprise when he confessed to having feelings greater than those of friendship for me. The even bigger surprise came, however, when, upon hearing that, I realized that I felt the same for him!

After discussing things with him, I have decided to remain in Hogsmeade for a time, so that we may explore our feelings for one another, and see where they may lead us. I believe that his feelings for me are true and just, for I have never known Hagrid to be anything but honest with me.

What I would like is for you to come for a visit next weekend to get reacquainted with Hagrid. Then I would also be able to get your input on our relationship, which, as you know, I value so much, firsthand/

I'm afraid I must close now. The owls are waiting most impatiently. Please say you'll come next weekend!

All My Love,

Catherine

Finished, Catherine laid down her quill and looked over the letter. Satisfied, she laid it and the three other parchments side by side on the desk. Taking her wand in hand, she directed it at the parchments. "Replicatus!" After carefully checking them again, she tied each to the leg of an owl, and sent it on its way, a smile of anticipation on her face.