Breaking the shadows

Warning.

1997

Saturday April 25th

It's been so long without seeing Hermione, I miss her so much, I just wish I could get a letter from her soon.

Just as that thought has left my mind Hedwig flies down to the breakfast table. Once again, I hide it in my rope, Hedwig knows what to do by now, she trusts me, she knows that when I hide the letter she flies on to my shoulder, as Astra would. Luckily no-one but Luna and Neville have noticed that the owl bringing me letters aren't my own.

After breakfast I get to my room with Hedwig on my shoulder, and as expected it's a letter from Hermione:

"Dear Harlow, this will be my last letter, as we will be returning to Hogwarts in a few days, this adventure has truly been exiting but also terrifying. I miss you and hope you are well. My dearest sister, I love you but prepare for war. After we have destroyed the last Horcrux the war will be over, but as we return, Voldemort will once again strike for Harry, and for Hogwarts. Prepare the teachers and the other students. Take care my dear Harlow.

Hermione."

I clutch the letter to my chest as I take Hedwig from my shoulder to my arm, I open Astra's cage, Astra happily flies out, and Hedwig hops in the cage, I give her some food and water, Astra flies out the window and I head down to library where Ginny, Neville, and Luna are waiting for me.

"Sorry Professor, but I need to warn all of you."

Professor McGonagall: "Warn us about what."

"This"

I hand her the letter from Hermione; she skims it through and gasps: "He's coming?"

"Yes, and he's not alone, this time he will not stop before Harry is dead."

Professor McGonagall: "I will warn them all, you take care."

I get back to Ginny, seated in the library with Neville and Luna.

I take Ginny's hand, and I say: "McGonagall will warn us tonight at dinner."

"Warn us about what" Neville says with a shaky voice.

"There's a war coming Neville and we must fight. Or else we will lose Hogwarts."

Luna: "Will we be ready?"

"We need to be, Ron Hermione and Harry will be home any day."

Luna: "So you are talking about her again?"

"She's my sister, I didn't want the questions, and the truth is I can't wait to see her again."

Neville: "Harlow, no matter what happens we will fight by your side and we will win."

"Thanks Neville."

Luna: "We are all in for this friendship."

Ginny: "Yeah we are."

"We can do this, we will win, and we will stand strong together against Voldemort and the death eaters."

Luna: "You said his name?"

"I'm not afraid of his name, why should any of us be."

Luna: "You are right, it's just a name, and Voldemort are going to be defeated."

Ginny: "Once and for all."

Defeating Voldemort will be hard but if we stand together, we can do anything.

--

As expected, Professor McGonagall stands up during dinner and says: "Students, rumours have had it, there is a war coming. And the rumours a true, a war will hit any day now, so classes are cancelled until further notice. Prepare yourself and we will stand strong as a school."

Everyone cheers for McGonagall, but quickly after McGonagall is seated again the talk spreads and everyone seems terrified.

I go to bed that night worried for when I'll see Hermione again.

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Puplished: 30-06-23