Aroura

The Letter

Hermione Granger sat at the kitchen table in her small, sunlit apartment in the heart of New York City, a cup of steaming coffee in front of her. She glanced down at the two small figures at her feet, their laughter filling the air as they played with their toys. Lyra and Sorpious, twins, five years old, were the joy of her life. Their hair, dark and soft like a raven's wing, tumbled into their eyes as they rolled around on the floor, giggling in the way only children could. She watched them for a moment, a smile tugging at her lips.T

he years had flown by since she left the wizarding world, leaving behind everything she knew—Hogwarts, her friends, and even Draco Malfoy, the father of her children. He had chosen Astoria Greengrass over her, and Hermione, heartbroken but resolute, decided to start anew across the ocean, far from the life she once imagined she would have. She had built a life here in the States, one filled with the daily challenges of motherhood, a new job, and the quiet solitude she had grown to cherish. Still, there were moments when the loneliness crept in, but she always found solace in her children's laughter, their small hands reaching for hers.

She sighed, running a hand through her wild brown hair, and glanced over at the stack of letters on the counter. Most were bills, some were junk mail, but one stood out among the rest. It was thick and addressed in elegant, familiar handwriting—so familiar that for a split second, her heart skipped a beat.

"Mom, look!" Lyra suddenly called out, holding up a small stuffed bear to Hermione's face.

Hermione's attention snapped back to her children as Scorpius began tugging on her sleeve. 

"Look, Mommy!" he said in his tiny voice.

 "I made a dragon!"Hermione chuckled, bending down to inspect the colourful construction paper dragon they had crafted together. "It's beautiful, Sorpious," she said, kissing the top of his head. "But let's see what's in this letter, shall we?"

Carefully, she opened the envelope, her eyes scanning the words on the parchment. It was a letter from Hogwarts—an invitation to a reunion for all former students, to be held at the school in a month's time.

**Dear Hermione Granger,**

**We hope this letter finds you well. It has been some time since we last heard from you, and we are delighted to inform you that a reunion of Hogwarts alumni is being planned for next month. It will be an opportunity for old friends to reconnect, share memories, and celebrate the accomplishments of our beloved school.****We would be thrilled to see you there, as we know your contributions to the wizarding world are immeasurable. Please RSVP by the end of the month. We look forward to your response.****Warmest regards,** **Minerva McGonagall** **Headmistress, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry**

Hermione's hands trembled slightly as she read the letter. Her eyes lingered on the name at the bottom—Professor McGonagall. She hadn't spoken to her former Head of Gryffindor House in years, not since she left.

The letter was a reminder of a world she had once belonged to but had deliberately stepped away from. She hadn't spoken to Harry or Ron since her departure, nor had she kept in contact with anyone from the magical community. In many ways, she had severed ties with everything she had once known, and while it was painful at first, Hermione had found peace in her new life. 

She had never expected to receive an invitation like this.

But as she stared at the words on the page, a different feeling crept into her heart: a longing, a curiosity. She hadn't realized how much she missed the magic of it all—the enchanted halls, the laughter of her friends, the classes, the adventures. And, of course, there was Draco. Even though he had broken her heart, he had been a part of her world for so long. She couldn't help but wonder what his life was like now. Was he still with Astoria? Did he ever think of her, of their children?Her fingers tightened around the letter, and for a moment, she thought about tossing it into the bin. It would be easier, wouldn't it? To just leave the past where it belonged. But as she glanced over at her children, she knew she had to go.

"Mom?" Lyra asked, tugging at her sleeve. "Is that from Hogwarts?"

Hermione blinked, a little startled. "Yes, sweetie," she said softly. "It's an invitation to a reunion."Sorpious looked up from his dragon, eyes wide. "Are we going to see magic people, Mommy?" Hermione smiled, her heart swelling at the thought of them. "Yes, darling. Magic people."Her mind raced as she considered the possibilities. A part of her was reluctant to return to the wizarding world, afraid of what it might bring up, but another part of her knew it was time. Lyra and Sorpious had never been to the magical world, and they deserved to know about their heritage, even if it meant facing her past.

She quickly set the letter aside, distracted by her children as they continued their play. The day carried on in its usual rhythm, but the invitation lingered in her mind, tugging at her thoughts. A reunion. Would Draco be there? Would he even recognize his own children?

 "Maybe we'll visit London soon," she said softly, her mind already working through the possibilities.

But deep down, she knew that if she went, it wouldn't just be a reunion. It would be a confrontation, one that she wasn't sure she was ready for. How would Draco react to seeing them? To see their children, his children, for the first time?

Hermione closed her eyes, taking a slow breath. There was no turning back now. The past was waiting for her.

And she was ready to face it.