The Letter

Well, the moment I have been working toward for the last seven years, has finally arrived!

I am graduating tomorrow. Don’t worry I will write you with an account of the day. I couldn’t not tell you about it, even if it weren’t part of your requirements, for I would have never made it this far had it not been for you.

When my parents were murdered I thought that my life was over. The fact that I had nothing to fall back on financially wasn’t even an issue to me at that point, I was so devastated at the loss of them. When I went to the solicitor’s office and found out that my parent’s had nothing to leave me, the thought of never being able to return to Hogwarts, now my only home at that point, was inconceivable to me. In all honesty sir, and I feel that I can tell you this now, I considered suicide.

Then Professor Dumbledore told me about your offer. On that day I began to hope again. I had something to live for. I had a home! I could continue my studies, stay amongst my friends and my teachers, all of those that I love so dearly.

Even had your weekly letters not been a requirement, I would have found a way to communicate with you somehow. Your influence in my life has been so profound!

The hardest part of all of this has been not knowing who my benefactor was! How can I properly thank you, for you have been so thoughtful of me these last three years? You have given me so much, especially this year, sir.

I know that I thanked you at the time for the beautiful emeralds you gave me for my birthday, and I wear them under my robes still, as you asked me to. I know that I thanked you for the collection of my favorite books, Muggle literature and magical, all bound for me! I still run my hands over the leather and trace my initials with my fingers! Then I find a package on my bed tonight. Oh dearest, your gift to me left me breathless!

It is hanging on my wardrobe door, and I am looking at it now, even as I write. I cannot even begin to tell you how much I love this gift. Your letter says that I should wear it tomorrow for the ceremony and of course I shall. The emeralds will be worn too for the gown sets them off perfectly.

I have never felt such soft silk, nor seen such a beautifully wrought garment. The ivory colour makes me look as beautiful as I feel when I see myself in it. (Yes, I wore it for a full hour, with the jewels and pranced in front of my mirror too!) You have shown me yet again that you really do read what I write, no matter how mundane, or self pitying!

I know that you will be there tomorrow, watching me walk across the platform, to receive my awards. I wonder if you will be brave enough to walk over to me after the ceremony and allow me to thank you in person for all that you have done, for all that you are, and for all that you have been to me.

I know that you disregard my bravery as too “Gryffindor” but, I know that your house possesses a certain amount of bravery too, you merely calculate your moves rather than dive right in as we Gryffindor are wont to do.

I know who you are you see, or at least I think that I do. Rest assured that I shall not be the one to make the first move, that ball lies squarely in your court, sir.

I hope that you will come to me privately, as I am sure you would prefer, so that I can tell you in person the feelings that I hold for you so deep in my heart. They are too personal for me to put on paper for the writing of them does the beauty of them no justice.

Please consider this, my dearest, Beneficent Stranger. I shall await you in the rose garden near the statue of Nimue.

Until then, I remain faithfully yours,