***
Dear Harry,
I hope that you have arrived home all right and that your summer is
going
well- I feel terrible that after all you've gone through you should
be
stuck with the horrible Dursleys. Please keep Ron and me posted, and
let
us all know that you are all right- we will worry!
You do know that Viktor invited me to visit him this summer in
Bulgaria?
Well, I am going to go, much to my own surprise! I had pictured the
scene:
"Dad, can I go by myself to a former Eastern bloc country to visit
an
eighteen-year old boy? Oh, and he's a professional athlete!" I
didn't
even think I would have the nerve to bring it up. But Viktor's mum
wrote
ahead, inviting me on behalf of his whole family (my parents have
gotten
used to receiving the occasional owl-post). It was a very sweet
letter,
and commendable considering Viktor told me he speaks the best
English
of anyone in his family. Mum and Dad seemed to be very charmed by
this,
and not only are they letting me go but they are paying my
Muggle-airplane
fare to Sofia. I swore I'd never ride in one again without at least
a
levitation charm or a dozen broomsticks strapped to each wing, but
it's
the only practical way to go.
Well, I feel really embarrassed to be asking about this, but do you
think
I should tell Ron that I'm going? He seems to get very dodgy when it
comes
to the subject of Viktor. In fact he gets downright nasty. I am sure
that
if I told him he would give all sorts of silly reasons why I
shouldn't
go. I don't want to feel bad about this, and honestly it's not his
business.
Anyway, what do you think? I'm really sorry to bother you about
it.
Stay in touch!
Love from
Hermione
Hermione,
I'm doing all right, thanks. It's been really quiet around here-
Dudley's
old enough now to go out terrorizing all the neighbourhood kids with
his
stupid friends, so I get to stay in the house while Aunt Petunia's
little
Diddly-kins runs riot. Except for the couple of hours' worth of
chores
Aunt Petunia ropes me into every day I get pretty much left alone,
which
suits me just fine.
Yes, I know what you mean about Ron. Tell him that you're going- I
think
he'd be angrier still if he found out later. But maybe I can talk to
him.
I am sure that he doesn't mean to be nasty. We are all three of us,
well,
protective of each other, and it's his way of showing it. He's
gotten
used to having you around, and wouldn't like to think there was
something
that could split us up, especially now. I will see what I can
do.
Harry
Dear Harry,
That would be very kind of you if you could talk to him. You're
right,
of course. I will let him know.
Love from
Hermione
Hi Ron,
How are things at the Burrow? Sorry I haven't written yet. I just
got
a letter from Hermione last week telling me that I must write to all
of
you often so that you won't worry. I'm doing well- Dudley's out of
the
house most days now so as long as I stay in my room I can live
almost
as if the Dursleys didn't exist. So you both will have to write to
me
a lot too so I don't get bored!
Did you hear from Hermione? She'll be going to visit Viktor in
Bulgaria.
She was sure she wouldn't be allowed. That will be quite an
adventure
for her. Look- maybe it's not my place, but I wanted to say that we
should
be pleased for her. Do you promise me you won't be angry?
Say hi to Fred, and George, and Ginny, and, well, you know the
whole
list! And give your mum a hug from me.
Harry
Hi Harry,
What an odd thing to say- why would I be angry? It's up to her if
she
wants to risk her neck on one of those dirty great Muggle brooms to
go
visit some mountain shack halfway round the world. I'm not angry,
and
in fact I'll be delighted to hear when she's got back safe in one
piece.
Everyone here is well.
Ron
P.S. Hermione is right- write to us a lot.
Hi Hermione,
How smashingly delightful- I hope you have a flipping great time in
Bulgaria.
I hear it is very lovely in summer. Please say hello to Viktor for
me,
and stay in well-lit, crowded places.
Regards,
Ron
Ron
Thank you for your good wishes. I'm sure I'll have a marvellous
trip,
you infuriating prat.
Love from
Hermione
Dear Harry,
Oh, I have had it with Ron! Did you see what he wrote to me? I've
enclosed
the letter. You can burn it when you're done. I didn't expect him to
be
pleased but does he have to be cruel like that? Thanks for speaking
to
him- it made all the difference! Sorry, I am not blaming you- nobody
can
do miracles. Anyway, I am going tomorrow, and you can let Hedwig
know
to find me in Bulgaria. Please do keep writing, even if it's just a
hello-
it always makes me feel better to hear from you.
Love from
Hermione
Hi Ron,
I hate to be the one to tell you this, but you are an idiot.
Hermione
told me about the letter you sent her. I think she managed to read
between
the lines and spot a note of sarcasm. Continue like this and you are
really
going to spoil it.
As you both instructed me, I am writing often, but it's beginning
to
get a bit wearing! You might want to write Hermione a bit of an
apology,
but promise you'll let me read it over first.
Harry
Harry:
Spoil what, exactly?
Ron
Hi Ron,
Do I have to spell it out! She's not gone to get married, you
know.
Harry
Harry:
I do not know *what* you are on about.
Ron
P.S. Ginny says hi. (That enough, Gin?)
Hi Hermione,
How is Bulgaria? I do hope you are having a good time there. I was
hoping
I'd hear from you by now, but I expect your time is all taken up.
Have
you heard from Harry? He seems to be doing well, having a quiet
summer,
which really is the best for the poor fellow, don't you think? At
least
his cousin is off his back.
We are all well here. Ginny, Fred, George and Mum all wanted to
make
sure I said hello.
Regards,
Ron
Dear Harry,
Do you see this letter? Does he imagine he can say things like that
then
just have a nice chat? I have absolutely no intention of writing to
him-
you can tell him I am having a wonderful time.
In fact I find it very strange here, very lonely. Everyone's
friendly
enough, in fact I'm a bit of a local celebrity. Apparently during
the
Communist era wizards went so deep into hiding that they hardly had
any
contact with the outside world, so everyone in the town is just
astonished
to see a foreigner. Everyone just calls me "Angleshka", the English
girl,
and nobody except Viktor bothers with my name (he's finally learned
to
drop the "ninny", though!) It's a beautiful but forlorn country- we
are
near the mountains. Viktor's family lives in a very small house- it
seems
in Bulgaria even Quidditch stars don't make a ton of money. I am
sharing
a room with three girls. All in all I don't get any time alone with
Viktor
(and I don't think I'm supposed to- my parents certainly have no
reason
to be concerned!) but I spend a lot of time with great crowds of
wonderful
people I can't even speak to.
Harry, I feel awful, everyone is being so kind, but I can't wait to
be
home.
Love from
Hermione
Hermione,
I am sorry to hear that. I hope as you get used to the place you
will
have a bit more fun. Are you learning any Bulgarian? I've bet with
Ron
that you'll be fluent in two weeks.
I need to ask you a favour, though. Will you please, please write
to
Ron? I know how insufferable he can be, *trust* me. But the last
letter
of his you sent to me sounds a lot more like the real him than the
angry
one, don't you think?
Harry
Dear Harry,
I nearly cried when I read your last letter. You are so right, as
always.
Right now fifteen seconds of Ron yelling at me would be like a drink
of
water in the desert. I will write to him, you can tell him I meant
to
but my owl lost her way. I'm having a bit better time, getting used
to
the place, and yes I am learning a few words of Bulgarian, but
you'll
lose your money if you bet I'd be "fluent"! I even got to go on a
bike
ride through the countryside with Viktor yesterday, almost got out
alone,
but his sister was sent along with us. I don't think I'll mention
that
to Ron though, appreciate it if you didn't (I'm not *that*
thirsty!)
Love from
Hermione
P.S. Keep writing!!!
Hey Harry,
You know what? Hermione wrote to me! I was sure she wouldn't,
seeing
as she hasn't even written to you yet. It sounds like she's not
having
a very good time. I feel terrible for her- wish we could go cheer
her
up, eh? She and Viktor hardly get any time alone, what with
relatives
and all, and nobody speaks English. Poor girl.
Here's your birthday present- hope you like it. You know what else?
Mum's
having a great big birthday dinner tomorrow in your honour. She's
made
a huge cake, just like the one here, and we'll be having that after
dinner,
and toasting your health! Wish you could make it here, but
Dumbledore
told Dad you should stay put for now. By the way, Ginny insisted on
writing
to you. Her letter's in the box.
Ron
Hello Harry,
How are you? I hope you are well. We miss you.
Happy Birthday!
Ginny
Hi Ron
Thanks a lot! Thanks for the party- my ears were red all through
dinnertime
yesterday! You guys are so great. Yeah, I heard from Hermione too.
You're
just lucky she's so nice, though- you really ought to apologize to
her.
She notices everything, you know.
Say thanks to Ginny, will you? Tell her I'm fine, and that I miss
her
too.
Harry
Harry
What do you mean, "she notices everything"? You're our little
expert
on women, aren't you? I passed on your message to Ginny last night,
and
she was inconsolable- she ran up to her room and wouldn't come out
for
an hour. I would have thought she'd faint when you said you missed
her.
Who knows.
Anyway, I'm writing to Hermione now. I'll try to apologize for
whatever,
I guess, but she'll probably think I'm cracking up.
Ron
Dear Harry,
Is Ron cracking up? He just wrote me a wonderful long letter. I
never
even knew he'd put two sentences together if he could help it. Oh,
how
mean of me- it was really very kind. He told me all about the
birthday
party they had for you. Aren't the Weasleys the best people on
earth?
I am sorry I did not send you your present yet. I bought it before I
left
then forgot to send it, in all the excitement of leaving! I will
send
it to you first thing, when I come home next week. I did not forget
you
on the 31st, though! Viktor wishes you a happy birthday too.
Hope we can get together before the summer's out!
Love from
Hermione
P.S. He even apologized for being so nasty about Viktor. Did you
put
him up to that?
Ron:
Good *one*.
Harry
Harry old chap!
How are you doing? We never thanked you properly for your
investment.
Thought the least we could do is send you a free sample of our
latest.
Couldn't help showing it off.
WEASLEY'S WIZARD WHEEZES PRESENTS
AMAZING CRYPTO-STATIONERY PARCHMENT
The infallible way to send secret messages!
Got a private message to send by owl? Got something to get off your
chest,
but you just don't know when is the right time to bring it up? Just
write
your message on one of these sheets, and people will be able to read
it
*only if it says something they want to hear!*. Otherwise all they
see
is a trite, polite hello!
Give it a whirl, Harry- it works, we've tested it!
Regards,
Fred (and George)
Dear Ron,
Thanks for your letter- you were so kind to send me all that news.
I
re-read all of your and Harry's letters every night before bed, to
make
me think of home. I'll be flying back tomorrow. I had a good time
here,
I suppose, but very different from how I expected. I can't wait to
see
you both to tell you all about it.
Love from
Hermione
Hey Harry
I think you're getting funny ideas. I owed Hermione a proper
letter,
didn't I? Nothing more to it than that. So let's drop it, all
right?
Dad says maybe you'll be able to come down a week or so before term
starts,
but he's trying to make some arrangements with the Ministry first,
without
raising Fudge's eyebrows. It'll be tricky, but hopefully we can get
you
out of there soon. Everything seems to be quiet for now, everyone
just
waiting for something to happen. Dad's not telling much, though.
Did Fred and George show you the stuff they came up with? It's
unreal-
it even works on yourself. Last night I wrote "Ron loves Moaning
Myrtle.
Regards, Ron." on the paper and when I looked back at it, all I
could
see was "How are you? I am well. Regards, Ron." Guess I'm not quite
ready
to face up to that reality, eh?
Ron
Dear Harry,
I just got home an hour ago and I am exhausted and depressed. I
wanted
to write to you, because it's not exactly something I can talk about
with
Mum and Dad- on the ride back from the airport it was all about how
terribly
interesting Bulgaria is. It's just not going to work, this whole
thing
with Viktor. He's too far away, he comes from a place that is very
strange
to me, he's really a lot older... I feel like I've wasted three
weeks.
Which is terrible because Viktor's family tried to show me the best
time
they could, and it was very interesting as an adventure and as, I
don't
know, a cultural thing. I had a terrible, terrible awkward parting
with
Viktor- he's not exactly demonstrative, especially in English- but I
think
he knows how strange I felt and it breaks his heart. And mine too.
We'll
still write, but- well you know.
I am so confused.
Don't tell Ron any of this, please, although I'm sure he'll be
thrilled
to hear the whole thing was a fiasco. I am so unhappy. Do write me
back
soon- shame on you for being so far away!
Hugs!
Love from
Hermione
Hi Hermione
I'm so sorry- I don't know what to say. And I think I can speak for
Ron
by saying he'd be very upset to know you were that unhappy, no
matter
what the reason. There aren't too many more days, I hope, before we
are
all together again at the Weasleys'. It certainly has not been a
dull
summer, though, has it?
Fred and George sent me this paper. Can you believe them? Try using
a
sheet of it to write to me- I'd love to see if it works.
Hugs back to you
Harry
Dear Harry,
Forgive me for my last letter. I shouldn't be dumping all that all
over
you. I am just very confused, and there's nobody to tell except you.
And
maybe Ron. I'm sure you're right that he would not be happy to see
me
upset. But if he is cruel to me like that one more time, well, at a
time
like this I'd just break into pieces.
Right now I am just glad to be home, looking forward (I hope) to
seeing
you soon, going back into my books (as I hope you are, by the way!).
Sorry
to make you worry- you have much more important things on your mind,
I'm
sure.
What an odd invention this is. How could it possibly be useful?
Love from
Hermione
Hi Hermione
Can you believe, that paper works like a charm (well, I suppose it
*is*
one, isn't it). I was reading your letter last night and Dudley tore
it
out of my hands, and said, "Some good friends you have, eh? 'How are
you?
I am well.' ".
Hermione, don't be ridiculous- please "dump" whatever you like on
me,
whenever you want. Only I'm a bit busy with my own reading now, of
course,
heh heh.
Harry
Ron
I heard from Hermione yesterday. She's really down. I don't think
her
trip went too well after all. I suggest you write another super-nice
letter
to her- sounds like she needs cheering up.
Sorry, friend, but I won't "drop it". She is telling me all sorts
of
stuff I think she should really be telling you, and she isn't, just
because
she's afraid you'll jump down her throat. Pretty stupid situation,
isn't
it, seeing as you are mad for her. Try to deny it and I'll come over
and
punch you in the nose, Dumbledore or no Dumbledore.
Harry
P.S. My compliments to Fred and George! Tell them from me that I
think
they're a menace.
Hi Harry,
Ouch. Maybe you want to just write to me using Fred and George's
parchment
from now on, there's a good chap? Nevertheless, I will write
Hermione
as you suggested, and I swear it will be the nicest letter ever
quilled.
I promise.
Regards,
Ron
Hey Hermione,
How are you doing? I'm well.
Love,
Ron
P.S. Please don't show this one to Harry.
Dear Ron,
Erm, I'm fine, thanks.
Dad says we'll be down Sunday about 4. Hope we can have a bit more
of
a chat then.
Hermione
P.S. Don’t worry, I’m keeping it to myself.
Harry old pal,
Dad has the go-ahead to pick you up next Sunday morning. You'll be
staying
in the garden-shed.
Regards,
Ron
Dear Viktor,
How are you? I am well.
Dear Ron,
How are you? I am well.
Dear Harry,
How are you? I am well.
Dear Hermione,
How are you? I am well.
Love from
Hermione
Dear Hermione,
How are you? I am well.
Love from
Hermione
Dear Hermione,
How are you? I am well.
Love from
Hermione
THE END
