Summer Letters

Chapter II Thursday, July 11, 1996

10 July

Dear Harry

I don't know what to say about your letter, except thank you for clearing that up. And yes, my birthday is on the 30th. Grandmother will be taking me to Diagon Alley later this week for my wand instead of in August.

your friend
Neville

Harry also received a thicker envelope from Ginny and an equally thick one from Ron.

10 July

Harry! you wonderful friend! Why couldn't you be my brother instead of Ron? Or, failing that, why couldn't Ron act more like you? He's really being a pain in the a--- about Neville. Please be a good friend/honourary big brother and calm him down? Please?

Please return the photos when we see each other. Colin would be proud to make duplicates. I have a lot more, if you want to see them. I have to return them to Colin in September.

your friend and sister
Ginny

Harry smiled and set the photos aside for the moment. The note from Ron was thick because it had an envelope from Hermione in it as well.

Harry

First of all, thanks for arranging Ginny's broom and brooms for the team. Does this mean your ban hasn't been lifted?

Second of all, WHY THE BLOODY HELL DID YOU INVITE NEVILLE??? He's been the worst of all the people writing to Ginny. That bloody owl of his is here damn near every day.

Ron

Harry shook his head, and opened Hermione's letter. This proved to have yet another envelope inside, which said, DO NOT OPEN UNTIL AFTER YOU READ THE LETTER.

Harry shrugged and followed orders. Even putting aside the fact that Harry was basically a very trustworthy boy, ban on underage magic or not, Harry didn't put much past Hermione's ingenuity.

8 July

Dear Harry:

It is time for me to make a confession. I really like Ron. From what Ginny has said, this probably doesn't come as a complete surprise to you.

"That's for sure," Harry mumbled. "Almost as much as he likes you."

The problem is, how do I get Ron to acknowledge that he likes me, assuming he does? Again, Ginny assures me he does. If, and only if, you think he does like me, you may look in the envelope. Inside are six Muggle photos.

We are at the beach right now. I intend to send Ron copies of the first two no matter what, unless you tell me Ron doesn't like me, or if you have a really excellent argument why I should not. What do you think of the other four? Should I send any or all to him? I want Ron to know that I really like him, but not think of me as 'a scarlet woman' or worse. Would those other photos make him think I'm cheap? You, I know I can trust. Ron's reactions are sometimes unpredictable. Equally as bad would be what would happen if his brothers or mother came across most of them.

I probably shouldn't be sending these to you, either. However, even though I really like Ron, you, Harry, are my best friend and you will tell me the truth, about Ron and about myself. No matter what happens, you can never let Ron know about these photos, or allow anyone else to see them. It would be best, in fact, if you gave them back to me in August, but I won't insist because I trust you that much.

As much as I care for Ron, at least until Voldemort is defeated helping you is my number one priority. None of us can have a life until he is defeated. You have suffered too much as it is, and if there is anything I can do to lift your spirits or help you, you only have to ask. The photos are there to do that, otherwise I would just describe them to you.

I know you are mourning Sirius still, and I'm sure you're still wondering about the prophecy. I hope I have pleasantly distracted you.

your friend and sister
Hermione

"Two sisters?" Harry said with a smile. The very idea made him feel good. He opened up the small envelope, and his jaw dropped.

All six were on Hermione at various beaches. The first photo was of Hermione in a small halter top and tight shorts. The second was of her in a very teeny string bikini. "Wow!" Harry then thought, 'My God! Hermione has got great legs!'

The third was the same as the second, but without the bikini top. The fourth and fifth were of Hermione totally nude, the sixth her nude from the back.

Harry stared for several minutes, then put them back in the envelope, which he put in his first year charms text at the very bottom of his trunk.

To his shame, Harry had to spend an extra few minutes in the bathroom that morning. He would write back that night.

11 July

Dear Neville

Good luck with your wand. I'm sure having one that matches you perfectly will help with your class work

Harry

Harry also went through the 20 wizarding photos Ginny had sent along. They were a wide-ranging assortment, and Harry decided once again that while Colin was often a pest, he was an extremely talented one. He noted a few, which featured his friends, that he would have to ask Colin to reproduce.

Then he realized what he wanted even more, and he wrote a letter to Ginny.

Then he rewrote it, and ended up redrafting it three more times. Finally, he said, "Screw it. If I can't be honest with Ginny and Hermione, then I should be ashamed of my self. I screwed things up with Cho. I won't screw things up again if I can help it."

11 July

Dear Ginny

I'll try having a word with Ron, but we both know how likely that is to have a calming effect. Having received a letter from Hermione, I think we can safely predict that if Ron has one sensible brain cell, or anything resembling normal hormones, he will soon be occupied with thoughts other than those for you and Neville.

Since we are being so up-front about each other, could you please find out if Colin has any photos with Luna in them? I tried writing around the request, and realized if I took that approach I would mess things up with her like I messed things up with Cho. So, I'm available to help you with Ron (and Neville, if necessary). Please help me with Luna, assuming she's interested.

your brotherly friend
(emphasis on the friend, though)
Harry

Harry used his copy quill to write Ron next.

11 July

Ron

First, my ban has been lifted.

Second, what's the matter with Neville? I know, you'd prefer that Ginny not date at all, and if she did, that she date me. Well, what would you say if I took Ginny to the Astronomy Tower and she came back looking like Lavender does when she and Seamus make a visit? You'd hate anybody dating Ginny. Neville will be more concerned about making Ginny happy than just fooling around, and more respectful of her in general, than anyone I know. If they decide to date, I for one will support them, just as, if Neville ever really hurts her, I'll probably be ahead of you in taking Neville down.

Maybe you'd worry less about Ginny if you proved yourself a Gryffindor and told Hermione how you feel about her. I like Ginny, and if I wasn't interested in dating someone else, I'd ask her or Hermione in a minute, because they are both beautiful, intelligent, wonderful witches. If you don't follow up with Hermione (have you done anything since you gave her perfume for Christmas?), someone else will.

I am sure Hermione likes you. If you like her like I think you do, do something. If you don't, let her know so she can get on with her life. And, if you ever do anything to hurt her, Ron Weasley, you'll find out first hand why You-know-who is afraid of me.

Harry

He sent copies of this to Neville, Ginny, and Hermione, noting on the copies where else he was sending them.

11 July

Dear Hermione

Are you trying to KILL me? Unless you want Ron to either die of a heart attack or attack you, do NOT send him any photo other than the first one. Give him the second, if you want to, just before we go to Hogwarts. Never tell him I have the others. I'd put them in my Gringotts vault if it didn't mean I couldn't see them whenever I want to. Actually, I guess that's what I should do with them. I can't imagine destroying them or giving them back, because you are too beautiful. I'm glad the bruising has disappeared from that hex. I hope the internal ones have, too.

You ARE beautiful. If it weren't Ron we were talking about, I might seriously have to change my mind about trying to date Luna and try to steal you from him. I've recovered enough from seeing them that I can stop myself from acting that stupid.

Enclosed is a letter I'm sending Ron. I hope you don't mind, but I'm sending copies to Ginny and Neville as well. I know you didn't like Luna very much at first, but you two did get along at the end of term. I do like her, and this time I'll listen to your and Ginny's advice on girls, if you'll continue to listen to me on Ron.

I am feeling better. Sometimes, usually at night, the feelings I had at the end of term sort of sweep over me. Part of it comes from realizing I almost got us all killed. A larger part is feeling the same about Sirius, and missing Sirius. The rest is the prophecy, because I know it. As far as I know, only Dumbledore and I know it. I hope we can get together, so I can talk about it with you, because you, Remus, and maybe Luna are the only people I can see myself talking about this to. In fact, I'll see if I can arrange to speak to you tomorrow, if you're at home. I doubt if it can be arranged, but be ready. Remember, though, CONSTANT VIGILANCE!

love
Harry

PS I meant what I said to Ron. If he should ever hurt you, he'll regret it.

Harry resolved to ask if it was possible to see Hermione the next day, when he was being taken shopping.

Friday, July 12, 1996

The first thing Harry did when he arrived at Mrs. Figg's was to talk with Professor Dumbledore. It hadn't been easy to arrange, since he was scheduled to go shopping after noon, but since it was the first time Harry had asked to see anyone, it was arranged fairly quickly.

"Yes, Harry? You wanted to see me?" Dumbledore said, sitting next to Harry while he ate his lunch.

"Professor, may I please add a stop to the shopping trip?"

"Where?" Dumbledore was puzzled.

"I need to talk with Hermione. She should be at home this afternoon. We can stop after I've done my other shopping."

Dumbledore looked puzzled. "May I ask why you wish to speak with Miss Granger, Harry?"

Harry glanced away. "I need to talk with someone about the prophecy, maybe more than one person. The person I need to start with is Hermione."

"I see." Dumbledore hesitated. "I had thought Miss Granger and Mister Weasley were . . . more interested in being a couple. I hadn't realized your feelings were such for her."

Harry grinned. "I told them both everyone knows about them. I care for Hermione more like a sister than a girl friend. I also know that I can trust her with anything, and that, in general, she's right more often than I am about . . . things."

"Anything else?"

Harry shrugged and admitted, "If I tell her, maybe she won't nag me quite as much. When she knows what I'm facing, she really helps me."

"I see. You mean you've learned you can't keep everything to your self. That is a major lesson, Harry. Who else might you entrust this information? It is, in many ways, yours to share, but it is also dangerous as well as private," the Headmaster warned.

"I know. Maybe Luna, if things work out with her, the others only if they need to know. Oh," Harry added quickly, "and Remus."

"I see," Dumbledore repeated. He thought about this new information, and decided he approved. "Well, I happen to know that the Grangers are in their surgery until Six o'clock. In case you were unaware, the Grangers have some discreet watchers. They wondered why Miss Granger had not gone with her parents as usual today. She has been serving as their second receptionist this summer, when they are not at the beach. I shall have her informed that you shall arrive after Four."

The Headmaster stood, and put a reassuring hand on Harry's shoulder. "You are doing very well, Harry."

Harry hadn't known the young couple who had driven him to get his eyes examined and then clothes shopping. For their cover story, they had acted as his older sister and brother-in-law. They dropped Harry off at the Grangers' house a little before 4:30, having been given a signal that Harry hadn't seen, showing things were 'all clear'.

Harry knocked on the door, which Hermione immediately opened, a broad smile on her face.

"What's the password?" Harry asked.

"'Constant Vigilance'," she responded, and Harry then let her shut the door and give him a warm hug.

After a few comforting moments, Harry said, "I really like this, but unless we're going to forget about Ron and Luna, we'd better talk. I only have an hour."

"Right. Follow me." Hermione led him down into the cellar. It was simply a concrete space, with lots of boxes, and a washer, a dryer, the furnace, and the water heater, plus some old furniture. Hermione dropped down onto a battered old sofa. Harry was glad to see that although she was wearing another pair of very tight cut-off jeans, she had a light, tight jumper on as well.

"I couldn't do a full enchantment, of course, but I have inscribed some runes of power down here. Since we're below ground-level, they connect to the power of the soil. There are ways we can be magically eavesdropped on, since, like I said, I couldn't do the actual enchantments, but a magical eavesdropper would really have to try to listen or see in."

While Harry nodded his understanding, Hermione saw he was mostly looking at her bare legs and feet. "I didn't embarrass you too much, did I Harry?"

"No," Harry said, sitting as well, managing to drag his attention from Hermione's tanned legs and wiggling toes to her face. "You really should start wearing skirts again. You have really fantastic legs and feet."

"Thank you." She looked at her chest. "Not much else, though. You, on the other hand, are growing up quite nicely, you know. You've put on some muscle, and I like your new clothes." Harry now had a complete wardrobe that fit.

"Thanks. Here." He handed her the envelope with the photos.

"You don't want them?" Hermione asked, surprised.

"Oh, I do," Harry assured her. "I don't know if I can keep them from Ron, or anyone else who might go through my trunk."

"Since we're Sixth years, we're allowed multi-compartment magical trunks," Hermione said. "There's one brand where you can spell any or all the compartments only to respond to you. It's not even considered under-aged magic, since the trunks are registered."

"I'll ask for one." Hermione handed him the envelope back. "Besides what you said in your letter, why else did you send them?" Harry asked.

"Harry, I've spent parts of every summer at nudist beaches and resorts since I was a baby. It's not that big a deal to me as it would be to most people. It's actually hiding part of who I am not to talk about it. Ginny has known for a few years. Luna knows, too. You and Ron should also know. I hope that doesn't mean I'll lose Ron as a friend, or more." She could tell it wasn't going to drive Harry away.

She went on, "There are a few places on the Mediterranean, Aegean, and Adriatic coasts set aside for us, wizarding people, I mean. One in France allows Muggles when accompanied by a magical family member. We spent a week there before our Third year." Hermione sighed. "I really felt more at home there than either the Muggle world or Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley."

"Ron would explode from embarrassment at one of those," Harry said with a grin.

"And you wouldn't?"

"Maybe, but not like Ron. Seriously, Hermione, why did you send these?"

"Because I want you to know the real me, not just the stuffy, studious me. If you knew all the facets I have, maybe you could be more open, and I could help you more. Because I knew that I could show you, without you're thinking badly of me, and you could help me with Ron. And finally, because I didn't know you were interested in Luna, and if Ron and I don't work out, well, you're the only other boy I could imagine being close to."

Hermione gestured towards the envelope. "I trust you with these, because I totally trust you, Harry."

"You don't mind that they really excite me?"

"I'd be a little disappointed if they didn't," Hermione admitted.

"You'll help me with Luna?"

"I will. She and Ginny are invited to join my parents and me at the resort before we join you for your birthday. We'll talk then." Hermione hugged Harry, who looked like he was in pain. "Harry! Is it your scar?"

"No . . . it was the metal vision of the three of you . . . like that. Too much."

Hermione giggled, which was unusual for her, to say the least, and teased Harry a little more. "Tonks will be there, too."

"Too bad -- Moody would scare every pervert way."

"Urg . . . a naked Moody would scare dementors away." Hermione straightened up and sat back. "What do you need to tell me, Harry? It wasn't about my family's lifestyle choices."

Harry sobered quickly. "No," he answered. "It's not. I'm going to make you the third person to know the prophecy, if you really want to hear it. I've tried keeping it inside, but I can't. If I don't tell someone I can trust to help, I'll . . . I just can't deal with it by myself. Dumbledore will help me on the practical side, but in a sense, he's using me. I need someone I can talk to all the time who will take my side. I know I can trust you."

Hermione hugged Harry again. "Tell me."

Five minutes later, Hermione was in still Harry's arms, only now she was crying. "Oh, Harry," she managed to say, "I'm so sorry."

"Me, too," Harry said sadly.

"Still, it could be worse," she said, wiping her face with a handkerchief with one hand while keeping a tight hold on Harry with the other.

"How?"

"You could have to die to destroy that monster."

"I still could," Harry pointed out.

"You could, but you don't have to. You can win, Harry."

"You mean I can murder."

"Harry, did you really believe Voldemort could be captured? You always expected to be involved, which would have made you an accessory."

"True," Harry admitted. "That's still a bit better than kill or be killed."

"So it will be self-defense."

"Really?" Harry demanded, startling Hermione. "You mean I shouldn't try to kill him first? That's really cold-blooded murder. And even if we all know Voldemort's a murderer, he's never been convicted of anything, or even charged as far as I know. Even if I win, some idiot like Fudge or Umbridge will probably charge me with the murder of Tom Riddle."

"We'll take care of that," Hermione assured him.

"And what about Luna? Would you want to date someone who must kill or be killed?"

"If it was you, I'd certainly consider it," Hermione answered. "I'll sound her out, and no, I won't give anything away."

"I know you won't," Harry said. "You're the best friend I could have, even if I yelled at you too much last year."

"Friend? I thought I was your sister," Hermione teased.

"I like your legs too much to think of you as a sister. That would be . . . nasty."

"Thank you, Harry. Like I said, I've decided to show every one I'm more than just a goodie-goodie. So, before we get involved with other people, may I test a premise I proclaimed last term?"

Harry shrugged and said, "Sure." He was startled when Hermione hugged him and kissed him deeply. He returned the kiss.

When they broke it off, Hermione said, "I knew you'd be a wonderful kisser, Harry."

"You do that to Ron, and you'll kill him, chase him away, or have a slave for life," Harry declared.

"I'm hoping for the last, obviously," Hermione said. "I admire Mrs. Weasley, but I have no interest in becoming a house-witch."

Harry looked at the time, and saw he had over fifteen minutes left. After asking permission, they spent ten of that snogging. With luck, it might be their last chance.