Hermione

Hermione,

I am glad that you enjoyed the teddy bear. I would have to agree with your inability to pick a favorite book or even author. There are quite simply too many pieces of brilliant literature out in the world for a person to be able to decide on the best one. That is why it is so ridiculous to make those lists of the best pieces of literature ever. Every book is different, every piece an individual, every reader has different tastes. It would be like making a list of the best people in the world. It is just plain ridiculous. So while I may not have a favorite, I do have a book I have read more than others, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. The brilliance of all the underlying themes behind it is simply amazing. It is also the home of one of the most recognizable characters in all of literature. People may not have read the book, but they still know the name of the Frankenstein, even if they think that Frankenstein is the name of the monster, and the image of the monster. Sadly, I must admit to having read Pride & Prejudice and actually enjoying it. But don't tell anyone–my reputation is on the line. As for your love of the novel, I believe that it shows you are an intelligent, individual woman, who is comfortable with herself and doesn't need anyone telling her what to do. It also shows that you have an old soul. You are much more mature than your peers who would most likely not even know who Jane Austen is, let alone have read any of her books. Speaking of clueless peers, why didn't you go to University?

Me

26/11/09

Mystery Man,

Your secret is safe with me. Have no fear. Although I may start keeping a list of possible blackmail material, first the teddy bear, now Pride & Prejudice. Frankenstein? Really? I'm intrigued. If you are who I think you are, then I must say that is rather perfect for you. As for the Uni issue, I needed to make a difference. I needed to change the Ministry and make sure everything was running smoothly, and I couldn't do that from Uni. Changes needed to be made at that point in time, and there was no time for me to go to Uni. It was a sad fact, but a fact nonetheless. And of course by the time I was done at the Ministry, it was simply just not something that appealed to me. I had gotten the job I had always longed for, being librarian here, so I didn't really see the point. I know, I know, the ever thirsty for knowledge know-it-all doesn't want more chances for learning, but I just got tired. This job is perfect for me. I love it, I get to spend time in my favorite place, and I feel like I'm home again. There is no pressure of exams, assignments and essays to get done, I can pick up a book, read it and learn if I want. And that is a relief. Despite what many believe, I don't like to study and write essays. Yes, I enjoy learning, but learning is different from doing assignments and having the added pressure of grades and disappointing professors. In the end, Uni just wasn't something that ever really had an opportunity in my life. I'm taking a shot in the dark with this next question, assuming you are who I think you are. Why did you become a teacher?

Hermione

27/11/09

Hermione,

You do realize you just placed excellent material for the ruination of your know-it-all reputation into my hands, but fear not, I will not ruin you; although I too must begin a collection of possible blackmail material that may come in handy later. What you are telling me is that even after helping Harry Potter save the world, you still feel the need to rescue the Wizarding World. I do believe that Potter's hero complex has rubbed off on you. I think it's good that for once you are focusing on yourself and doing what you want. Bravo! As for me, I became a teacher because at the time it was the only option that was before me. I couldn't go anywhere else, so I came back to Hogwarts, much in the same way you did. It was the best decision I ever made. I have never regretted it, even though I regretted the circumstances that surrounded it. I am going to switch from the serious to the ridiculous. If you were any animal, what animal would you be?

Me

28/11/09

Mystery Man,

Intriguing. Very intriguing. You really are a mystery. And the teddy bear will be brought out into the open if you reveal my lack of desire for homework. Harry doesn't have a hero complex. The hero stuff simply seems to find him; he doesn't really have a choice. If he could, he would not have anything that happened to him happen to him. The more I hear from you, the more similarities I note between us. I find it oddly comforting. I believe, in answer to your question, I am going to have to follow after Minerva and be a cat. They are smart, small and have the best lives. They get pampered and don't have to take care of anything except using a litter box. That's the life. Continuing on your note of ridiculous, you can only eat one type of food for the rest of your life, what is it? And also answer your question as well: what animal would you be?

Hermione

29/11/09

Hermione,

Two questions, wow, we are the greedy one, aren't we? A cat, why am I not surprised? But I will say that I could definitely see it, your Animagus would most likely be a cat. I, on the other hand, am not sure what I would be. Many would say a snake, but I know for sure that is incorrect. Perhaps a raven, the image certainly suits, although my students tend to think of me as a different animal. Maybe a lion, but I think all of Gryffindor would be in an uproar about that. I think I'll stick with the raven; it suits me. I spent some time in Italy, and I have to say that I would have to eat Italian for the rest of my life. Italian food is so filling and delicious, and all the spices they use are simply brilliant. From ridiculous back to serious, and possibly painful? Why did you alter the memory of your parents?

Me

30/11/09

Mystery Man,

Mystery man is quite simply too long of a name for you. Do you have a nickname that I may call you by? Painful yes, but a necessary question nonetheless. The answer is quite simple. I needed to protect them. Altering their memories was the only way that I knew they could be completely safe. Granted, I didn't take into account their reactions when I restored their memories. They were so upset with me. I don't think they had ever been that angry before. But when I explained everything, they seemed to calm down, a little. To this day I feel like they are still holding it over my head. But they are my parents, I would do anything to protect them, and even looking back on it, knowing the outcome, I would still alter their memories. Speaking of which, if you could go back in time and change one thing in your life, would you and what would it be?

1/12/09

You may call me whatever you like, Hermione. We are probably to the point in these letters that you need not even write a name. But that is your choice. I am deeply sorry that you were put in the place of having to make that difficult of a decision. You were far too young to have to choose. To be perfectly honest in regards to your question, I don't think I would change a thing. Everything I did, every choice I made, everything I said was needed to get us to this point in time. I don't say that with conceit, believing the world revolves around me, but with knowledge that everyone affects the cycle of the world, and my choices seem to have a greater impact than others. It makes me sad to look back on my life, but I know that even if I changed one thing, it would cause the whole balance to shift, and I can't allow that to happen. I can't step on that butterfly. It comes down to what's better, making one person happy or making the world happy? Would you change Harry's fate, allowing his parents to live and Voldemort to continue his reign of terror over our world? It's a catchall question.

2/12/09