Letters and Tears

Letters and Tears

Dearest Percy,

I write this letter on a most urgent call. As you may know, I, as well as your brother Ron, have been made a prefect. I admit shamefully that I read your brother's letter, betraying the trust he allowed me so openly. I know it was wrong, and you as well as he have every right to scold me and be angry. Yet, this letter is a result of that error, so maybe it wasn't a complete waste of character after all.

I know that you have had a row with your family and side with the ministry, not Dumbledore. This is your choice, and I respect that. However, I don't see how you can believe that Harry is not completely trustable! I know you're being influenced, Percy, but please, finish this letter and consider this, it's all I ask of you, is it really so much?

You are trying to tell me that the Harry Potter, he who defeated the Dark Lord himself as just an infant, he who saved the Philosopher's Stone, he who triumphed over Tom Riddle and saved the life of your only sister, is some petty criminal? I understand what has been "brought to light", but do you truly believe such utter nonsense that they write in The Quibbler, let's say? What proof do you have that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has not returned?

Percy... we miss you! Your parents love you! You say that you will "accept an apology" from them, but are they the only ones that are out of line here? I don't mean that you were completely wrong, Percy, but perhaps they are not the only ones wrong?

I understand that this letter has likely made you extremely angry, and I won't write to you again if you ask, but... Well, I hope you've made a decision. Please do write back. I'm sorry, Percy. I am!

Love

With regards,

Hermione Granger

Hermione looked over her letter and sighed. She rolled up the parchment and placed it in the hidden pocket inside her robes. She had written it in between correcting Ron and Harry's homework, a perfect disguise, if she did think so herself. However, she did regret that she would have to sneak out to the owlery so as not to let them know. She acted completely natural until after they had gone to bed, and then sneaked out, walking to the owlery. Even Mrs. Norris didn't bother her after seeing her badge, brightly reflecting whatever light it could grasp. Hermione felt a pang of guilt at abusing her privileges such, but she decided that some things were more important than rules. When she realized what had just crossed her mind, she shuddered and shook her head, clearing the thought from it. Even he wasn't worth going mad.

The next night, an owl gave her a visit when Harry and Ron had gone to bed. It contained a response, as she had hoped.

To Miss Granger,

I am deeply aggrieved that we are not of the same opinion. I am also terribly sorry that I should have to request that you cease writing to me. I understand now that you shan't be swayed, and this disappoints me, though I have come to except worse realities.

There is truly nothing more to be said on this point, or any, so please do not contact me again.

~Percy Weasley

Hermione hadn't noticed she was crying until she saw some smudges in the ink on the parchment she was holding. Her hands were shaky and clenched so tightly that her knuckles were turning white. She rocked back and forth on the couch until the tears and gasping stopped. Then she threw the letter into the fire, so it would not be found. She watched it burn, standing ready to snatch it out of the flames with her bare hands if anything... odd... happened. But nothing did. The letter disintegrated, and with it her last grain of hope. He was lost.

Hermione looked out the window and whispered to the stars, that they might somehow bring the words to his ears. Goodbye, Percy. I really did... love you.