The Ghosts of Millennia

Annabeth Becomes a Chrysanthemum

She took a long, hot shower after they made it back to the ski lodge. Sure enough, a blizzard rolled in by the time she was out, and one glance at her phone announced there would be six more feet of snow once morning came.

She put her worries away when she joined her family for dinner. Skiing took a lot out of her, and she was starving. She joked and laughed with her cousins, ate up Uncle Tyler and Dad's famous chicken parmesan, and, once dinner ended, Jeremy challenged her to a rematch race to the mailbox. He won, of course. He was only fourteen, but already taller than Hermione.

"You got a letter from your boyfriend!" Jeremy shouted when they got inside. Hermione reached for it, but Jeremey held it up too high for her to reach.

"Oooo," April said. "Hermione has a boyfriend!" She sang like she was on the playground. She was nine, and not exactly mature for her age.

"Give me that," Tanisha, twelve, said. She was taller than Hermione, tall enough to snatch the letter from Jeremy and spare her the indignity of jumping like some dog. "Here you go." She handed the letter to her.

"Thank you," Hermione said. "I'm going to my room."

Once there, she wrapped herself in a blanket and opened the letter.

***

Hermione,

Hope things are good in New Hampshire. Still can't get over the image of you sliding down a mountain with straps of wood on your feet. Muggle sports are odd, but as long as you're having fun, I guess I can't judge.

Things are crazy here like always. Percy came back. He said he was an idiot to put work before family, but I don't believe him. Mum and Dad forgave him on the spot, but the rest of us aren't keen on him being around. We agreed to keep it civil for Mum's sake, but the whole thing's ruining Christmas, honestly. I can't wait until you're back.

Another thing: you remember Fleur Delacour, the Beauxbatons champion during the Triwizard Tournament? Bill started dating her, so she's over for the holidays too. She got a part-time job at Gringotts and that's that. She's nice enough but she and Bill are all soppy and it puts me off my supper. I like her on her own, but I give them space.

I only got home yesterday, so there's not much else to report from my end. I don't know how long muggle post takes and I didn't want Pig to deliver it in case your family saw him. Turns out Fleur's a half-blood, so she sent this for me. Hope you're not grossed out, but she had to lick the envelope to seal it. I wanted to use a normal seal, but Fleur said it would look odd to the muggles. I would've told her to get lost, but if I broke the Statue of Secrecy again Mum would let me have it. Almost wanted to for Percy's sake, but I don't want Dad to get another inquiry.

Even with all the crazy, things are lousy without Harry. I'm glad we'll be together then. It's hard to be merry without my two best friends.

Thinking of you,

- Ron

***

Hermione took the Marauder's Map and Harry's wand from her dresser drawer. She sat on the bed, pressed them and Ron's letter to her chest, and cried. That's where she stayed until Tanisha came in to get ready for bed. From the look on her face, Mum and Dad told her about Harry. Tanisha sat next to her on the bed and put a hand on her back. If she saw Harry's wand or the parchment map pressed between her stomach and knees, she didn't stare or say anything.

"I'm sorry about your friend," she whispered.

____________________ANNABETH____________________