Chapter Text
Correspondence: A Love Story
Chapter 1 – Letters dated 6 to 9 June 1998
6 June 1998
Ginny –
It’s me, writing to you again, somehow, even though being in the Ministry here – it’s just been nothing but words, and words, and words, that I’ve been saying and other people have been saying at me.
I’m so exhausted from trial prep. I’d thought the story was straightforward enough. I can’t stop thinking: when will these hours of talking an associate through my witness statement, part by part, and then reading it over, and then being prepared to be asked questions about it, end?
I miss you. Did you know – the nights that Ron and Hermione and I were away – I would pull up the Marauders’ Map, and trace the dot representing you?
I promised you – I didn’t say it out loud, maybe, but you must have known – I was always going back to you. If these trials are the last thing between us – please just wait for me, and I will return to you.
I’ve never been able to say this, before – but Ginny, you were the answer to all my questions, when we were out there.
I think I love you.
Yours,
Harry
***
7 June 1998
G –
It took me some time, to write to you. I know I promised you I would, that last day, before all the fighting started. There’s just been things happening, as I’m sure you can guess.
I didn’t want to promise anything else: already promising to write you, somehow, when everything was over – felt like it could be overpromising, and felt it could be too hopeful.
I suppose – if I’m honest, I wasn’t sure either, if you were prepared to hear from me. The world’s changed, the ground’s shifted – I don’t want to presume.
I’m sorry for what happened with Fred. I’m sorry he’s passed.
Before I can write to you any further – I just need you to know.
Yours,
D
***
7 June 1998
Draco –
You’ve been ignoring my letters, again. If you persist with this, know this: I will deliver myself to Malfoy Manor, for you. I’ll even wear a bow at my neck.
I know things have been hard, but I’m good at making you angry at other things. Don’t you miss me, your best friend?
I know I couldn’t follow you into taking the Mark – it wouldn’t stand out properly against my skin, and also I didn’t like the Dark Lord’s aesthetics, never mind his policies (what was he planning for after the war by the way? He had no economic policies to speak of – were we supposed to starve? Hope that France sends us cheese of their own will?) – but anyway, the point is, I would always have followed you into the dark. You know that – I was there at the fucking Battle, looking for you.
Now you’ve made me angry.
Write me.
Blaise
***
7 June 1998
Harry –
I’m sorry you’re being put through all this, just coming out of the Battle of Hogwarts. If you need to – know you can always write to me, or Ron, or Hermione. We’re here to help you carry the burden, however best we can.
From what I understand – not to diminish what you’re going through by any means – they’re really trying to prep you, so that the trials themselves won’t be so hard on you. I hope they’ve explained that to you. Bill told me that cross-examination can be brutal, so please – look after yourself.
I wish you could’ve written to me, when you and Ron and Hermione were away. You don’t know how much I worried for all three of you.
We’ll speak more when we can meet in person.
I understand the first trial begins on the 14th. I’ll be there.
With love,
Ginny
***
8 June 1998
D –
Why are we still using initials to address each other in our letters? If this is a different world, now – surely I can name you.
Maybe – one day – we can walk down a street together. Maybe even Diagon Alley. If you’d like to.
Thank you for writing to me, like you’d promised. I wasn’t sure if you were ready yet, to hear from me, so I was waiting. I would’ve waited maybe a week more before writing to you. I understand your trial will be on the 14th. I’ll be there.
Thank you for your condolences. Every day that passes – it still feels unreal, and every time I see George – it’s like there’s a Fred-shaped hole in the universe, in reality. I cannot imagine what George is going through, even though I’m seeing it right in front of me.
Please continue to write to me. I need to hear from you.
With love,
G
***
8 June 1998
Blaise –
Just come over, do not wear a bow. You never had to ask – you wouldn’t have, previously.
Yes, I know your feelings about Voldemort. Trust me, we were not unaligned – as you know.
And of course you would worry about fucking cheese if Voldemort had won.
Draco
***
9 June 1998
Gin –
What was that last letter? Bloke confesses that he may love you, and you go on about trial prep.
You know I hate writing. Why even are we writing when we’re living in the Burrow together – but of course this place is so overcrowded I can barely pull you aside to speak to you. And now you’ve made me write more than three lines. It’s a bloody Hogwarts essay all over again.
I know you continued to survive, and go through things, when you were left in Hogwarts. I know you’ve not digested everything that happened – because I’ve heard stuff, from Neville. He pulled me aside after the Battle to say that he thought I needed to keep an eye on you.
I have two eyes on you, Gin. Please – if you need to talk anything through – maybe I’m not the best person for that, but (a) talk to someone, even if it’s not me, and (b) I can just listen. I have ears, they function.
And Harry may not say it – but I know he’s not an idiot. Okay he may be a bit of an idiot, but what do you expect when he’s this brother of yours’ best friend?
God – too many words. Can’t believe this is happening when we’re in the same bloody house. Why are there so many people here again?
Your brother,
Ron
***
9 June 1998
Ron –
Is he showing you my letters???
It is rather funny to see Pig fly between us in the house. Possibly the easiest delivery he’s had to make.
Re. what happened when you and Hermione and Harry were away – I’ll need some time, but I promise you – when I can – I will tell you.
What I can tell you right now is that I made some unexpected friends along the way. Did you know – I’m now friends with Draco Malfoy?
I can’t wait to see you go red reading this.
I love you. Please continue to have your two eyes on me (maybe not when I’m writing to Draco Malfoy).
With love, and your favourite sister,
Ginny
***
9 June 1998
Gin –
When I’m less red I may write you a longer letter but for now – Malfoy???????????
I hope to God he’s not also telling you he loves you. Sweet fucking Merlin.
Your shocked brother,
Ron
***
9 June 1998
Gin –
Why the fuck is this stupid owl just flying between you and Ron?
I thought I’ll join in, too. He looks like he needs more practice delivering things.
Also, there are too many people in this house. I want to go back to Romania, but obviously I can’t.
Do you want to go flying later this evening?
Your favourite brother,
Charlie
***
9 June 1998
Ginny –
You’re right, and I can name you, now. It’s a changing world.
Today, I told Mother about you, about how I wouldn’t have survived the last year, when I was in Hogwarts, without you as my friend. Father wasn’t there – I am still not speaking with him. But at some point: before he has to face what he will face – I know I’ll have to. You understand.
I think: I’m still impossibly angry at him, but I’m already grieving the end of his being around.
Thank you for waiting for me, to write. I still wish I could’ve written to you sooner. Perhaps I was waiting for my birthday to pass? I don’t know why it needed to, before I could write you.
I never did tell you my birthday, did I? We didn’t have time for that.
What’s yours?
It doesn’t feel enough, or helpful, to say I’m sorry again about Fred. But I’ll listen – to whatever it is you would like to write about him. Will it help?
I need to hear from you, too. Blaise is here again – and Blaise is a masterclass in distracting me – he’s probably going to catch me writing soon – but he isn’t you.
Yours,
Draco
***
9 June 1998
Draco –
WHO ARE YOU WRITING? WHY CAN’T I READ IT?
Blaise