A Not-So-Muggle Life

Letters

Dear Flora

Everything is fine here, if you are wondering. Well, relatively fine. There have been death eater raids but no one we know has been harmed yet. Harry still isn't telling us what went down between you two that made you leave. I understand it was logical for you to leave after completing your NEWTs, but you were so adamant about staying before.

I would like to apologize for not appreciating you while you were here. With you gone, it seems I'm always sorrounded by boys. Well, except Ginny, but she is boyish enough to not matter.

The OWL results arrived. I did okay with all Outstandings and Exceeds Expectations in DADA. Harry and Ron did fine too. They wouldn't be able to take potions this year, though.

Harry also went with your grandfather to recruit the new DADA teacher, Horace Slughorn. According to Harry, Dumbledore had also apparently injured his left hand. Do you know anything about it?

How are you doing? Did you resume your muggle studies again? I had wanted to continue them along side Hogwarts, but it was too much for me.

How is it like living with your dad after five years? Is Forks still as dreary as you described? Did you make any friends.

Write back soon. Miss you terribly.

Your friend
Hermione

P. S. Ron says hi.

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Dear Hermione

I miss you too. Hogwarts had been my home for the last five years. It's been weird, being away.

If you had asked me earlier about what happened between Harry and me, I probably wouldn't have told you. But now that I've had time to think about it, I can tell you that he was trying to protect me, in a very twisted way, but I can acknowledge that he had good intentions. It probably had something to do with the prophecy in the department of mysteries. Anyway he came to me when both Ron and you were in the hospital, and told me that he was tired of me showing him up and basically told me to beat it. I'll grant that he wasn't in the best mental state after losing Sirius and wanted me out of the harms way. But tell him that I figured it out and I'm really mad at him. And he better start accepting my letters before I start sending howlers. I'll stay here for some time, since you guys are relatively out of conflict right now, but I'm coming back the moment Voldemort declares open war.

I don't really have any contact with grandad, so I don't know about his hand. I'm doing fine. Yes, I joined the muggle high school. Dad and me have patched up. Forks is as rainy as ever. I may even have a maybe-boyfriend. It's still too soon to tell. I'll update you if something happens.

Love,
Flora

P. S. Tell Ron I said hi back.

P. P. S. I ran into Bellatrix Lestrange last week and she used the cruciatus on me. Be sure to tell Harry how 'safe' I'm here.

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Dear Flora

I cannot even begin to tell you how sorry I am. I know how much I hurt you. I regretted every word I said to you that day. I had lost Sirius a day ago and you're the closest thing to family to me. I didn't want to lose you.

The prophecy had revealed an even bigger target on my back than I'd been aware off. Voldemort would surely have used people close to me to get to me. I had thought that getting you to the other side of the world would keep you safe. Sometimes I forget how easy it is for wizards to travel.

I am happy you are settling in at Forks, though not as much about the boyfriend bit. I'd like to meet him to see if he even deserves someone as amazing as you. I've reluctantly accepted the fact that you'll be back when things get bad. You wouldn't be you if you didn't insist on doing that.

Hogwarts is the same as ever, except Snape is teaching DADA, potions is taught by Slughorn, Dumbledore is giving me lessons on Voldemorts history and Malfoy is up to something.

Your silly friend
Harry

P. S. I'm sorry you got attacked by Bellatrix and hope you're okay and gave back as good as you got.

P. P. S. Ron says hi.

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Dear Harry

It would probably take some time for me to forgive you completely. You hurt me a lot. But I'm sure I'll get over it eventually, as I can understand why you did that.

As for the boyfriend bit, it isn't anything serious. I'm sure you'll give your approval when you meet him.

I'm glad grandad is helping you prepare for your next inevitable confrontation with Voldemort. He sounds really busy from his letters. Since, you're seeing him regularly, how's he doing? I hope he is taking care of his heath, now that I'm here.

I'm fine. Bellatrix just used a cruciatus, taunted me and disapparated. Oh, and she destroyed my wand. I've been thinking of getting a new one, but I heard Ollivander was kidnapped. Tell me if you know of any other wand maker.

Love
Flora

P. S. Tell Ron I said hi back.