LETTERS TO OLD FRIENDS: PART 3

                                    

                                          
8th December, 1999
                          
Dear Harry and Ginny,
I am happy to know that you have reached the Black Island safely. It is an excellent choice for your honeymoon. No wizards-witches to disturb you and very less number of Muggles to worry about while performing everyday magic.
I am very happy for you two. The wedding ceremony was really amazing. I must admit that Mrs Weasley outdid even herself! It was small yet enchanting. After the war, this was the first time that I enjoyed any event truly.
                          
Luna, Neville and me have finished whatever work was left for the refurbishment of the 12 Grimmould Place. When you return, you will hardly recognise it. It is now more cozy, airy and full of light. It gives out the feeling of an inviting home for a newly married couple to start their life.
                          
I am back to Sussex to my apprenticeship. The compilation and editions of Professor Snape's notes are almost done. Just one finishing touch is required. I am planning to host an event on his honour, not as the war hero, but as the unrecognised Potion genius. There I will publish those works. I am waiting for the two of you to return. Then we will plan together.
                          
The letter became longer than I intended. I won't keep you back anymore. Go, enjoy your honeymoon to its fullest.
                          
Love,
Hermione.
                          
******
23rd December, 1999
                          
Dear Ginny,
Merry Christmas. I will be at the Burrow for Christmas dinner. I can't go on the Christmas Eve. I am going to visit Pansy. You must be wondering what business do I have with Pansy Perkinson. Actually, I didn't, untill last few weeks.
                          
I met her by accident in a small Muggle coffee shop few weeks ago. I couldn't recognise her at first. There was no trace of the arrogant bully we used to know. She seemed withdrawn, tired, working mechanically as a waitress. Even when I called her name, she looked at me as if she didn't know me. But when recognition dawned into her, she left more hastily than she would have, were I a complete stranger. Later, I talked to Draco and came to know of a devastating story.
                          
At the last phase of Voldemort's reign, when his ways were growing more and more nauseatingly violent, Pansy's family started to show reluctance to comply. As can be expected, they received a visit from a gang of the most sadistic Death Eaters. I still don't know the details, but she went through huge trauma and somehow she escaped with the aid from Draco. She fled to this small Muggle village near Sussex, broke her wand and took up Muggle identity. She is still new to Muggle customs and having much difficulty to cope. But she has grown up such an aversion to the wizarding world that she is not willing to use magic anytime soon. She mentioned multiple times, how without the help of Draco, she would not have survived. He not only helped her escape that night, but also searched the place where she was staying now, gave her money initially to sustain, provided her with books from which she could prepare herself in the Muggle way. He still visits her regularly. And since that meeting, I am also accompanying him most of the times to visit her.
You know what Ginny, I thought I knew Draco by this time. But there are still so many things I didn't know about him. When I asked him later that how did he find all these accommodations for her so quickly, do you know what he said? He said that, at one point he, too, wanted to run away, give up magic and settle in a small Muggle village. So he already planned for that meticulously - arranged for a place to stay, some Muggle books, Muggle equipments and most importantly, Muggle currency. To think that the proud Pureblood prodigy would ever think of giving up magic and stooping so low to learn how to use washing machine or gas oven, came as a surprise to me. But as he said, it was better than killing or torturing people mindlessly. And then the bastard winked at me and said that Muggleborns were not as insufferable as he thought previously.