A Letter to Hermione

Letter to Hermione.

Disclaimer: I own nothing recognizable.

It was mid morning of the following day when a bone weary Draco finally made his way home to Harry, he kicked off his shoes and slumped on the sofa next to an equally exhausted Harry.

“How bad is he?” asked Harry shifting his position so Draco could cuddle into him a lot more easily.

“About as bad as Hermione is I reckon, I had to floo call father to come and break his wards down, then I had to wait for another three hours while they talked or drank an entire brewery I'm leaning towards the latter considering the way they both smelt when they finally emerged from his labs unfortunately before I could sneak home to your sweet embrace they began talking and reminiscing about the 'good old times at Ole Hoggy Hogwarts' now there's a few stories you don't want to hear..Ever” he ran a hand through his pale blonde hair “This is one fucked up mess Harry, they'd be so good together I know it deep down in my bones, they're both halves of a whole, just like you make me complete”.

Harry pulled Draco into his lap and positioned him so he was straddled over Harry's lap “What would I do without you my little love dragon” his hands running over Draco's chest, pinching the nipples lightly as he did so.

They were interrupted by the sound of the front door banging and the unmistakeable sound of somebody apparating.

They ran to Hermione's room where they found it empty of most things except on the middle of the bed lay a crisp white note addressed to both of them.

To my most wonderful friends in the world,

I apologize for leaving like this, but I can't live so close to him yet so far at the same time, so I've decided to use Severus's gift and go traveling for a year.
I hope you'll both forgive me for not saying goodbye in person, I'm just not strong enough to do it.
This time away will hopefully give me the time and space needed to figure out what I want from life, think of it as if I'm taking some good old fashioned me time only I'm not hogging the big bathroom with a bottle of wine and a stack of muggle romances.
As for our friends I really don't care what you tell them *Giggling, a naughty thought just popped in my head* I know what you can tell them... tell them I've run off with a handsome rich vampire just so I can get his hands on his well endowed....*Draco I know you're snickering, get your mind out of the gutter* library. Who knows it may happen.
I don't know what you should tell Severus... actually tell him this, subconsciously my dreams and heart have been his since the ball I just never realized it till recently.
I must close now because my taxi will be at my pick up point soon to take me to the the train station, please don't worry I have every thing I need in my trusty moleskin pouch and a ruck sack just to blend in with everyone else. The best travelers travel light, or so they say.

Look after each other and I'll be home sooner than you think.

All my love Mione Xx

Running a hand wearily over his face Harry sighed “What do we do now Draco?, I never expected her to just run off with out a word to anyone.”

Draco embraced his lover in a comforting manner “All we can do is to sit and wait for her to return to us, Severus is right the trip will do her a world of good.” He noticed how weary Harry felt in his arms and brushed his lips against his forehead before saying softly “Why don't we go and get a couple of hours sleep before we tell everyone what happened” Harry nodded and allowed himself to be taken to their room.

A couple of hours later feeling a lot more calm about the whole event Harry and Draco informed their friends about Hermione's whereabouts.

“What do you mean she's gone traveling around the world for a year on her own? How will she cope, she needs to be here with her friends so we can keep an eye on her. Why would you give her such a dangerous and stupid gift Severus?” demanded Molly.

Severus who was at the back of the room sneered at the woman “Hermione is not a child Molly, not only is she the brightest witch of her age and the fact she was an instrumental key in bringing down Voldemort, she's also came to her senses and dumped your worthless whoring son who in my opinion was doing nothing but holding her back in order to hide his own deficiencies.”

The plump women bristled at the accusations made about her son “How dare you Severus, maybe if you hadn't made her work all the hours God sends their relationship could have had a chance”

“There's absolutely no need for me to stand here and argue the toss with you Molly, the evidence speaks for itself, in the six months since she's split from your 'oh so charming' youngest son she's managed to discover a brand new potion for curing the long term side effects of the Cruciatus curse and as the result she's been inducted into the Potions Guild.” he lent against the wall with his arms folded as to say to everyone present if he couldn't care less what else was said, but his eyes said differently, they glittered with a mixture of pride for said young witch and heartbreak for he knew ultimately he'd fucked up his chances with the only woman who he could envision spending the rest of his life with.

“Molly, Severus enough!” snapped Harry who could feel the start of migraine coming on caused by all the stress of the last few days. “Molly I know you think of Hermione as a daughter, she's more than capable of looking after herself and you know that. Severus's gift may be rare in our world but in the muggle world it's quite common place for students who've finished advanced learning to go traveling to see the world before they settle down in a regular job.”he handed her a box of tissues as she started to get teary eyed.

“But a whole year Harry, just think of everything she'll miss birthdays, Christmas”.
Severus resisted the violent urge to gag Molly as she droned on and on about Hermione, she was the only person who seemed to think that it was a bad idea, because after the initial shock everybody else just accepted it and thought it was hilarious her saying that she'd run off with a vampire with a big library of books, he could only hope that she'd forgiven him enough by the time she returns to at least be friends. He had no right to even dare to think they could be more.

“She mentioned you in her letter, she said to tell you this 'subconsciously my dreams and heart have been his since the ball I just never realized it till recently'” Draco told him.

He'd been so wrapped up in his thoughts that he hadn't even recognized that everybody had left leaving him and Draco alone in the room. Frowning at the cryptic words that made no sense to him “Is that it?” he asked.

His godson nodded “Just that, I know you're hurting right now uncle but I'm positive everything will work out fine in the end.

“For a born and bred Slytherin it's quite sickening how much Gryfindor dribble actually comes out of your mouth” Severus said spitefully and stalked off to floo back to his home.

Draco just smiled and rolled his eyes not in the least perturbed by his godfathers ranting, he knew that he only said it because of the business with Hermione was hurting him more than he let on.

They needn't of worried about whether Hermione was okay because she sent them a letter every week describing which country and it's wonders she was visiting.

Dear Harry and Draco,

Well this is the first postcard of many, after much deliberation I've decided to not have a travel itinerary and to just port key to where ever I feel like visiting that morning, who knew that there were advantages to being a witch :D I hope that the fallout after my departure wasn't too horrendous.

Much Love Hermione Xx

Draco chuckled “At least she's embracing it fully and traveling the magical way I'd hate to think of her doing it muggle style” he shuddered dramatically.

Harry said nothing but rolled his eyes at his lover as he reread the brief note.

The year had gone by pretty quickly and all to soon it was Christmas again which meant there was only a few brief weeks until Hermione's return. Harry and Draco were sat relaxing with his parents and Severus at Malfoy manor after indulging in a luxurious Christmas dinner when a house elf allowed a glossy winged raven who was carrying a small parcel to enter through the window and land next to Harry offering it to him.

“Severus is that your bird?” asked Lucius looking confused.

“It's not Tiberius, but it's still a magnificent looking bird none the less” replied Severus

Harry took the parcel, enlarged it and removed the letter attached to the top, he glanced at it briefly to see who it was from and his face lit up in a bright smile “It's from Hermione apparently the raven is called Merula and has come laden with gifts for all, as I read her letter out loud Draco will hand every body's gift out.”

Severus doubted that there was anything in the box for him but still he couldn't force himself to leave the room just in case she mentioned him in any way at all.

Harry cleared his throat and began to read the letter.

“Hello and Merry Christmas to my wonderful friends,

I'm sorry I can't be with you all on cold winters day but unfortunately I have a previous engagement with some glorious golden sand, a beach towel and a tall cold drink. I have to admit it'll be rather delightful to be lazing on a hot sunny beach with a stack of books for Christmas day instead of shivering while Harry and Draco have snowball fights, I'll be thinking of you all I promise.
Now for your presents I've decided to send you each a gift that ties in either with your nature or some of the mythological folklore from places I've visited, I hope you love them. (I've sent everybody else gift vouchers to spend where they like)

Draco your gift comes from China”


Draco reached into the box and removed the present with his name on it, he unwrapped it eagerly and found a beautiful jade dragon with a pearl in it's mouth and Chinese symbols engraved on the side.

Harry continued

“I'm told in Chinese mythology this dragon is called Tianlong which translates as heavenly dragon and in Chinese astrology the name for the constellation which you are named after is Tianlongza.”

“She's put a lot of thought into the gift Draco, it makes one wonder if she actually did any sightseeing or just spent her time holed up in a library” remarked Lucius.

Harry received his gift next and upon unwrapping it he found a small obsidian statue of a man with a lions head, confused as to why she would send him this he read on.

“Harry my love I know you're probably frowning at the statue wondering why I would send you this but let me explain I discovered this little statue on a stall in an Egyptian bazaar and immediately I thought of you so I just had to have it. This is a statue of an Egyptian God called Maahes who is the son of Bast and Ra, in one of the legends the story says that his role as the son of Ra was to fight the evil serpent Apep during Ra's nightly voyage, Maahes was also considered to be the devourer of the guilty and protector of the innocent, this is my gift to you.”

Draco handed Narcissa hers next, while Harry read out the corresponding text in the letter.

“Dearest Narcissa for you is a silk kimono that I found in the Kyoto region of Japan it's specific name is called Homongi and translates into visiting wear, as the wizarding worlds leading fasionista I thought you could set the cat among the pigeons at your next party with something your friends haven't seen before.”

Narcissa oohed and aahed over the beautiful pale blue kimono and promptly burst into tears.

“Your present is also a small one father” commented Draco as he handed it over.

Lucius unwrapped his present to find a framed quote “No friend ever served me, and no enemy ever wronged me, whom I have not repaid in full.” he shrugged “Well why did she choose this?” he asked Harry.

Grinning at what was written in the letter Harry quickly explained “She says that it's a quote by a Roman dictator called Lucius Cornelius Sulla, she's also got a book for you on him but you'll get that when she comes home next month.

Draco reached into the box one last time and handed Severus a long thin present wrapped in silvery paper, it surprised him that Hermione had sent him a gift because he certainly hadn't expected one, very carefully unwrapping it he discovered she'd sent him a long solid silver stirring rod that had a depiction of the Norse God Odin and his ravens Huginn and Muninn their names translated as thought and memory, he knew Hermione was sending him a cryptic message but for the life of him he couldn't figure out what it was.

“Is there a message for Severus as well?” asked Narcissa who'd noticed the soft thoughtful expression on the potion masters face.

“Yes there is, sorry Narcissa/Severus I was in my own little world then” Harry took a sip of his drink and continued to read the letter

“Dear Severus I chose this gift for you for many reasons but the one foremost in my mind, is the fact you are a truly brilliant man and I wouldn't be where I am now without you”

“Well obviously Severus gave her the round the world tickets” said Draco oblivious to the undertones of the words.

“When you're quite finished making inane comments Draco maybe Harry could finish what he was reading” his godfather told him after clipping him upside the head for his stupidity.

“The next bit is written in some foreign language do you understand it Severus?” Harry asked handing him the letter.

Upon reading the letter he found he couldn't quite understand what she'd written but was positive that it reinforced the underlying message of the stirrer. “If you don't mind Harry I'd like to take a copy of this letter so I can take some time to translate it. There's a bit on the back addressed to all of us concerning her raven Merula”.

“Please could someone look after my bird for a couple of days to allow her to recover it's a long way from Bondi beach to England, and then send her on to Charlie Weasley in Romania as that's my last stop before I come home next month.

I look forward to seeing each and everyone of you, with much love and lots of Christmas wishes being sent your way. Hermione Xx”

Lucius laughed heartily as the bird flew away from Harry and landed on Severus's shoulder with a low rawwk “It seems the bird has taken a fancy to you old friend, mind you I do wonder what is it with you potion freaks and ravens”

After giving Lucius a deathly glare, Severus retorted back quite good naturedly “Well you know what they say, a witch or wizards bird reflects their owners personality and as we all know that ravens are extremely intelligent creatures, so taking this into consideration what do you think your peacocks say about you old friend?”.

“That I'm a pleasure to behold of course”

As Draco choked on drink laughing Severus took a moment to think about Hermione and the possibility of her returning his love, deciding not to get his hopes up he rejoined the light hearted family teasing of Lucius and his vanity.

A/N:I give thanks to wikipedia for being a huge resource of information in this chapter, for all those of you who wondering what Hermione had written the text was in Old Norse and translates as 'my dreams are filled with my hopes and memories of you' I would of written it if I could a translator online.

I hope you liked this chapter so much that you feel the need to rescue the happy ending from the rabid plot bunnies who are holding it hostage, they're demanding lots of reviews or Hermione may have a change of heart between Romania and England.

Please tell me what you think of the gifts Hermione sent and where do you think the best place would be for Hermione and Severus to meet again for the first time, I have a rough idea of what I want in the next chapter but I would really like to hear your views on it.

I apologize for the rambling incoherent a/n but I've just finished this at 4am and I really want to post it before I go to bed.

Much love

Her Royal Goddess Xx