Two Letters

Two letters

Dear Hermione,

You may be surprised by this letter. I've never written you before, even talking to you was not a part of my daily routine. The only reason why I dare to write you now is that I love you, and I am worried about you.

It seems so difficult to say this, and it took me years, but a Gryffindor was I was not, and bravery has never been my edge. Now, you are in Jerusalem, researching some old Cabbala manuscript and Wizarding Wireless reports new suicide attacks every evening, driving me crazy from worry and pain, I had to say it.

I never liked Herbology, but this was the only class we shared and your presence made it bearable for me. I still remember you in the hospital wing during our second year - so pale and so fragile, and at the Yule ball - so beautiful and shining.

I do not expect that you'll love me back. Be happy with whichever person you chose and I'll be happy knowing about your joy.

Ernie Macmillan.

*******************************************************************

It was an unusually rainy December day when I got this letter. I don't have many correspondents: Ginny (Harry is a terrible writer, but he sometimes adds a couple of lines to her monthly reports), Neville, my parents and Ron. In any case the owl was unknown, but it didn't look like the poor creatures you get at the post office. It was definitely a private owl.

Somehow, I never knew Ernie that well. Back in our second year, he quite stupidly believed Harry to be the Heir of Slytherin, but then most of the students thought so. Even some Gryffindors. Then he became cross with Harry, when Cedric turned out not to be the only Hogwarts champion, but Ron was cross with him too. And Ernie had to support Cedric. Cedric. Somehow, these days I think of him a lot...

But Ernie?! And his self-humiliation... Hope that he is not up to something terrible.

*******************************************************************

Now she has all the reasons to hate you. Idiot. Ernie, you are idiot. Guess why you weren't sorted to Ravenclaw? And what do you expect from her? That she will admit her evergreen love for you? She will never do it. And you know this. But you still hope. Idiot.

*******************************************************************

Dear Ernie,

Thank you for the letter. I was really touched Your letter made me think about

*******************************************************************

I tried to answer him, but I failed. What shall I say? That I'm not ready for a long-term relationship at the moment? That I do not know him? That one of the reasons I took this position in Jerusalem was not to see Ron? I cannot really heal his pain, but why should I make it worse?

*******************************************************************

Dear Ernie,

Thank you for your letter. Please do not worry about my stay in Jerusalem. The situation looks much worse from the outside. I'm spending my days in the Muggle library, where this manuscript (BTW, it is called "Zohar") is located.

Dear Ernie. About the last point. It is not your fault, but I'm not ready for it just now. Do not blame yourself. I suggest friendship, if you will agree to have this as a substitute for the impossible.

Hermione Granger

*******************************************************************