When I woke up the next morning, for some inexplicable reason, I needed to hold Harry. I sat up violently, and noticed the letter on my night table. It was first thing in the morning, so I threw on a plain school robe and ran out of our dorm.
***
I caught the headmaster as he was about to say his password (every flavor bean).
"Professor, I need to talk to you!"
"Ah, Ms. Granger, not with the young Mr. Potter, I see"
"No, actually, that's what I wanted to talk to you about. He told me to give you this."
The man opened the parchment, and caught a small envelope that had been inside the larger one.
"This one, my dear, is addressed to you"
"What?"
"Read it"
"Yes sir"
"Not aloud though."
"Oh, of course"
"Here, you might want to sit down"
His face was grim as he offered me a chair he'd just conjured up. It should have prepared me somewhat for the shock that was to come.
Dear Hermione,
You're probably wondering why I didn't just give this to you separately last night. The truth is, I didn't want you to read it and try to catch me. And you would. Let me explain…
I told you I can't do this. I can't fight him. I can't be what our world needs. I'm leaving. Well, actually, I left. Last night. I'm not coming back in a few days. I'm not coming back at all.
Do you hate me for it? It might be better if you did. Then I could feel properly guilty. Now I just feel like an ass. And a coward. But I can't be a hero. I'm not ready to be a hero. There is no power that Voldemort doesn't know about. I don't want to die.
You probably don't hate me though, do you? You're extremely disappointed in me. You think I'm a coward. You think I'm being silly and immature. And it's true. But I'm 16. I can't do it!
I'm sorry. I really am. I should have told you. I just didn't want you to convince me to stay.
I wish you all the happiness in the world. I'll keep watch on you. If you ever need me, leave a letter on your doorstep. I'll be there. I wish I could have stayed.
Love always and forever,
Harry James Potter
I sank down to my knees, buried my face in my hands, and wept.