After hearing a knock, Ryan stood up and noticed an eagle owl tapping on the carriage window, clutching several letters.
"Oh, my Hermes is back," Hermione exclaimed. She opened the window to let the owl inside, sifted through the envelopes, and handed two to Ryan.
"Here's your mail," she said.
Ryan received a letter from his parents—a heartfelt greeting from Brazil. They assured him they'd received his last letter and urged him to take care of himself. Ryan felt their warmth fill him.
The other envelope was from the Weasley twins. They'd compiled a list of seven or eight questions, densely written on a thick parchment sheet. Ryan offered a rueful smile—weekend overtime awaited. Still, he'd volunteered to help with their business, so he'd follow through, no matter how tiring.
Hermione then held up another envelope. "This one's from Ginny—she addressed it to both of us. You should read it, too."
They tore it open together. After brief updates and school gossip, the bulk of the letter focused on Harry—Ginny was indeed his No. 1 fan.
Apparently, Harry regularly turned to Ryan and Hermione for psychological support and homework help last year. Though Ryan and Hermione weren't at Hogwarts this year, Ginny kept writing with questions and updates.
"Doesn't it feel like everyone's had bad luck this week?" Hermione asked. As she read, her brow furrowed. "Harry got knocked out by Dementors on the train. And in Divination, the professor said Harry had an ominous fate and might not live long. Ginny's really anxious."
"Some good news: Hagrid is teaching now. But a Hippogriff in his first class injured Malfoy—and the Malfoys will be furious. They'll want dismissal. And Neville got chewed out by Professor Snape during Defense Against the Dark Arts because of a Bogart."
"The worst news? Hundreds of Dementors are stationed around Hogwarts. They say it's for protection, but honestly, it's starting to feel like Azkaban. Ginny can't make sense of what the Ministry is thinking."
Hermione, now gripped by anger, began pacing.
Trying to lighten the mood, Ryan said, "You're better at writing than me—why don't you draft a reply to Ginny?"
Hermione hesitated. "But I still don't know why Harry reacts so strongly to Dementors, or what that ominous prediction was. I can't just make something up."
Ryan hesitated briefly, then shared what he'd learned. "I practiced the Patronus Charm yesterday. The professor explained that Dementors feed on your happiest memories, so when they attack, you can't help but relive your worst moments."
Hermione paused, realization dawning. "The worst moments... Harry reliving the day his parents died must've knocked him out."
"Exactly. Most students haven't experienced anything that traumatizing, so they're less affected," Ryan said seriously.
"That's awful…" Hermione sighed. "But it's better than the rumors about Harry being a coward."
She paused, then asked, "What about that ominous prediction? And what about the black dog Ginny mentioned—something Harry reportedly saw after leaving his aunt's house?"
"Assure Ginny that there's nothing to worry about," Ryan replied. "The Divination professor is known for doom-and-gloom forecasts. I heard he predicts someone's death every year, but none ever come true. Other professors always debunk him."
"And the big black dog?" Hermione pressed.
"Harry was back in the Muggle world. The UK has plenty of large black dogs. It was likely a stray. Hermione, we've probably seen one ourselves."
Hermione nodded, recalling an encounter. "I saw a big black stray near my house last year. There are so many ominous signs this year, though."
She shook her head. "I'm glad I didn't take Divination last year—then I might have cracked under all this doom. On that note, since you know so much, why didn't Harry write to us himself? Should we write and ask?" She looked hopeful.
Ryan shook his head. "Why would he? He'd have to confess to fainting in front of Dementors—embarrassing. Harry's stubborn. He won't open up easily. We'll let him have his privacy."
Hermione sighed again, then smiled.
"Okay, you handle the reply to Ginny. I'll write to Hagrid—see if Ron can help. Ron's been at Hogwarts, and if the Malfoys are pushing for something, he knows people who can provide solid legal support. Then I'll send Neville a comforting note."
"That's perfect," admitted Hermione. "We're far away, but we can at least offer words of support."
Hermione then looked thoughtful. "Actually… could you teach me the Patronus Charm? With so many Dementors, when we return, I'd like to be ready—just in case."
Ryan shook his head. "I don't think Dumbledore would allow them inside Hogwarts; I doubt it'll be dangerous. But sure—I can teach you. No professor has ever said we're forbidden to spread it."
With that, they parted ways, each heading to their dormitories to pen letters. Hermione seemed confident and focused.
Ryan, however, spent the next few hours drafting a letter to the twins. He enlisted Hermione's help to analyze and organize the questions; only then did he feel ready to send it off by the weekend.
At last, satisfied, he watched Hermes take flight—carrying not just letters, but hope and reassurance—to friends far away.
FOR MORE CHAPTERS
patreon.com/STEPHENHART427