With a Little Help from My Friends

Letter:

Dear Ginny,

I have to say, as wonderful a flat-mate as you were for three years, I do get a bit of a thrill from having a place of my own. Not that I actually own it, technically; I still do have the joy of paying the monthly rent. Yes, Mrs. Appleby may smell a bit like cabbage, but she's really quite a good land-lady, and not nearly as bad as Ron claimed. Sometimes he is awfully melodramatic. Still, he's in a situation much more suited to him now, isn't he? Free room and board, as well as all the food he could ever want. Not that he cares that most of it is the product of slave labor. I do wonder how he'll manage back at Hogwarts now that he has no one's work to copy off of. I pity his students. Still, no doubt your mum will keep you posted. Thank her again for the food she sent my first day here, will you? It was terribly thoughtful.

Speaking of Ron, how's Harry? Broken his personal best in 'dark wizards captured per week,' yet? How did the first date go? Where did he take you? You have to tell me absolutely everything! Really, I've waited long enough to hear, as he certainly took his sweet time in asking you out. It's probably another good reason for me to have left. You need the freedom to go out together without worrying about whether or not it's your turn to cook tea. Not that I'm improving; Ron keeps insisting that my cooking difficulties only bother me so much because it's a reminder that I'm not perfect. That's ridiculous ridiculous, honestly. It's just that a person has to eat something besides take-away every now and again. If he makes one more joke about me getting a house-elf, I'll... Well, I'll think of some sort of drastic action.

Oh, that reminds me! Work starts on Monday, and I fully intend to use my new position to promote S.P.E.W. Not at first, of course- I want to avoid alienating my colleagues- but it is high time someone on the inside brought this injustice to the ministry's attention. I've been doing some research, though, and it looks as though my work will be fascinating. As Ron put it, I have finally gotten my nose out of a book, and I can now begin making a difference. How's the Auror training going? When are your tests coming up? Did you get the book I sent? It's supposed to be really useful, compiled like a mass-memoir of other former trainees. While you're at it, ask Ron if he got Hogwarts: A History I sent. Not that he'll actually read it. I sent Harry Lockhart's latest. Please reassure him that I wasn't trying to make a comment on his penmanship; I just thought he might find it entertaining. If you haven't yet gotten a look yet, ask if you can see it. I'll be interested to see how well it sells!

I'm more or less settled in now, so you'll have to come and see it. It looks considerably different to when Ron had it, believe me. We can eat out (No doubt it's a relief to be free of my meals by now). I'm right by a brilliant shopping district.

Hope to see you soon,

Hermione

Poster:

MARVELOUS MANUSCRIPT

The latest book from the world-wide acclaimed wizard Gilderoy Lockhart, best selling author of Walking With Werewolves and five times winner of Witch Weekly's Most-Charming-Smile Award! He has recently recovered from a traumatizing memory loss and had just released this excellent instruction manual easing the way to perfect joined-up writing! Just for this week, only 12 sickles and 8 knuts!

[Large smiling photo of Lockhart]

Letters:

Ron-

What do you mean, she's holding your things for ransom? Is that usual ex-land lady behavior in the wizarding world? Is she simply heart-broken that you've left, and pining for her darling Ronnie? And are you quite certain you're not exaggerating again? Hermione said she's not nearly as bad as you said she was. How are you liking Hogwarts so far? Is it strange to be back? Gotten a detention yet? By the way, you may not want to feed Pig quite so much, he getting to look a bit like Dudley. Bad memories.

-Harry

P.S. You know your sister's a fantastic kisser?

Harry-

No, I have to say, I did not know that. And may I add that I would have been quite happy NEVER FINDING OUT?! Seriously, how do you know she's a fantastic kisser, anyway? I suggest you don't answer that. If you give the wrong answer, the ancient code of brotherdom will force six Weasleys to descend upon you violently, then castrate you with a rusty nail. I mean it, mate. There probably is no right answer. Okay, maybe only five Weasleys. Percy might not join in. The point is, just because I said you can go out with her doesn't mean you're allowed to move so BLOODY FAST! And just to remind you, you break her heart and you're toast. So no more kissing info, alright?

meant it about the demented land lady. The old bat's holding all of my things for ransom! She's got it all locked up, and she won't give it to me until I pay this massive fee! It all came out of nowhere! Trust Hermione not to back me up. What're friends for? Talk to Ginny about Pig, she's the one that keeps giving the little maniac treats. Still reckons he's cute, I s'pose.

-Ron

Tenants Notice Board:

If a Mr. R. Weasley (pictured below) should return to collect his property, please inform him that under section VIII A of the lease that said items will not be returned to him until he pays the three and a half months of rent he now owes this establishment. Thank you for your assistance, and have a pleasant day.

Your Landlady,

Mrs. Appleby

Letters:

Dear Hermione,

You do realize you mentioned my brother's name six times in that letter? Not that I counted or anything. I'm glad to hear you're taking the whole S.P.E.W. thing slowly. You do tend to get a bit over-enthusiastic sometimes, and people often get a bit frightened. Not that I don't think it's a wonderful idea or anything, so there's no need to bite my head off! I got the book, thanks a million. It contained all kinds of great advice, such as loopholes in the dress code. Apparently there is nothing that dictates what sort of socks we must wear. To think I never noticed before; I've been missing out on ages of odd-sock-wearing opportunities! Harry got his too, and did find it funny. If you want to know about Ron, ask him yourself.

But to the important bit:

The date was fabulous, like something out of a fairy tale; only without getting kidnapped or riding horses or any of that rubbish. We went to a beautiful restaurant (all a thoroughly posh affair), and the food was perfect. We just chatted for quite a while about anything and everything (It's wonderful, we never run out of things to talk about), and when we finished, we went for a walk around London. It was totally and without a doubt the most romantic thing that has ever happened to me.

And then, right before I went inside after he dropped me off at home, do you know what he did?

He kissed me! Harry James Potter actually kissed me! It was the most amazing thing ever! Like heaven, only better! I just looked straight into those gorgeous emerald eyes for a minute, just standing there out in the cold, and he leaned down and just kissed me!! And he turned a little red (I probably did too), but I smiled at him, and he smiled back, and then he had to leave, but oh, it was just the most incredible feeling. Like we were the only people in the entire world and it was all I could do to keep from dancing or singing or screaming to the world what had happened. So I'm telling you instead, so as not to torture the neighbors. Still, I can't stop beaming like a rabid baboon.

I have no idea how long I just stood outside in shock.

I'll write again soon when I'm a bit saner, or have at least stopped floating about a foot off the ground. I'd love to meet up, once I calm down again like I said.

Your Fantastically Happy Friend,

Ginny Weasley

P.S. Has my dolt of a brother asked you out yet?

Dear Ron,

I would like to point out that I am a responsible nineteen year old woman who is capable of managing her own love life, so just keep your overly-long nose out of my business. If you so much as consider going nuts like you did with the last guy and threaten to castrate Harry with a rusty nail, I will personally inform Hermione that you kept talking about her in your sleep when we were all home last Christmas. Speaking of Hermione, hurry up and ask her out. She won't shut up about you.

Lots of Love,

Ginny

Dear Ginny,

I would never dream of threatening Harry, and I'm deeply hurt that you would even suggest something like that. And I'm telling you, I wasn't talking about Hermione, you misunderstood. I was having a dream about hair, pies, and knees. So you have no blackmail on me, HA HA HA. And look who's talking, Miss Keep-Your-Nose-Out-Of-My-Business, I would never ask Mione out. We're just friends.

Love,

Ron

P.S. What does she say about me?! Not that I care, or anything...

Dear Ronald,

Wouldn't you like to know. HA HA HA yourself.

-Ginny

Dear Ginevra,

I hate you.

-Ron