Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor am I affiliated with it in any way.

Note: This fanfiction was inspired by cherryredxx's "Letters" challenge.

Chapter One: Contact

To whomever may find this letter:

It's been three weeks since Lord Voldemort was defeated, and yet it seems that the fighting will never end. The Death Eaters have not gone into hiding as they did the last time it appeared the Dark Lord had been vanquished. Perhaps they do not believe it's true. After all, he did cheat death once before.

Perhaps this time, they simply have nothing left to lose. There will be no way to convince the Ministry that they were tricked or threatened this time. The public takeover of the Ministry openly exposed them as the traitors they are. This time they are fighting for their lives, and nothing is so dangerous as a cornered animal with no incentive to hesitate.

Unfortunately, we didn't consider this before it was too late. I was separated from my team today, and my wand. I fear my right leg is broken, and my left wrist. I haven't the strength to Disapparate, and it won't be long before my pursuers realize where I am. I'm in the Headmaster's office in the ruins of Hogwarts. I'm not sure if the rest of my team is alive, but if there is any God, then they're somewhere safe.

I can only hope this old hat has at least one last trick left.

Please find me.

Best of luck,

Hermione Granger

Dear Ms. Granger,

Had I not recently experienced a number of extraordinary occurrences, the nature of which I can only describe as magic, I might have dismissed your message as contrived nonsense. However, as your letter inexplicably materialized beneath my hat while I was wearing it, I find it nearly impossible to ignore. I can only assume that the proper method of reciprocation is to insert my own message back into the hat and pray that you receive it..

I am afraid that I know nothing of your Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters, nor of this Hogwarts. I endeavor to search for it, and I promise that I will use the full potential of my resources to locate you. Wherever you are, whatever evil has befallen you, I swear I shall find you.

No luck necessary,

Godric Gryffindor