A/N: Thank you for tuning it! If you read it, please review :D
Disclaimer: I own none of nothing of the Harry Potter series.
Be forewarned, this short story should only be five chapters long!
Summary: "Granger, you were smiling, and I thought to myself in that God forsaken second that I should kiss you… so I did." Through letters sent by owl, how Draco and Hermione's relationship went from school rivals to something more is examined. Short story.
Jupiter
17 Days before it happened.
Dear Granger,
I know it's random that you should be receiving an owl from me of all people right now, but considering what happened last night, I'd say this owl was certainly called for. I'm sure you would agree, seeing as every time I've passed you in the halls since then, you've avoided me like the plague. I don't blame you; I would avoid myself, too.
Trust me, I'm just as stunned as you are that we managed to find ourselves in the unpredictable situation we came upon last night. I don't know if you've been wondering what I was even doing at the Astronomy Tower at that late hour yesterday, but I think I owe it to you to explain myself. (I know, even I'm surprised at my exceedingly well-mannered address to you so far.) If you're rolling your eyes or taking this letter with insensitivity, I really wish you wouldn't. I promise, I don't intend to act in this way for a very, very long time, and we can go back to addressing each other with hatefulness as soon as you're done reading this letter. Seeing as I'm being very formal with you right now, maybe you should take this as a good sign. Anyway.
The Owlery had closed for the night when I finished writing a letter to my father (the details of which I already poured out to you in my defenseless state), and as my Common Room is located in the dungeons, we of course lack some windows from which to send or receive any letters. By the time you came along, I had already sent my owl off – his name is Jupiter, by the way. (He returned to me just this morning, in time for me to write and send you this letter, and he is the owl currently eating your cereal flakes, I'm sure.) When you found me, whether a tear or two was rolling down my normally hard-toned and chiseled face is something I'm sure we both can ignore for both our sakes. (Alright, mainly for my sake.)
Please note that when you found me, I was in a very tired state of disappointment and self-loathing. I have already confessed to you the contents of that letter, so I'll be sure not to bore you again with the details. Simply put, Granger, I was very vulnerable that night (as anyone would be at the thought of their parents forgetting their own birthday), and I may have said many things I did or didn't mean. In any case, I kindly ask you to render all such information I gave you last night as useless, and try not to use what I said against me in any form of blackmail. If the thought even tempts you, I must remind you of your wholesome character. Whatever possessed you to comfort me last night must have been the doing of your constant good nature and tendency to help others when in obvious need. Granger, I am in need now, for you not to go around spilling my guts to others as some sort of standing Gryffindor joke.
As a token of my thanks (assuming you've chosen not to tell a soul and for attempting to console me last night) I am obliged to invite you to Slughorn's private House party this coming Friday, as my honored guest. There you will enjoy a feast prepared entirely by paid House Elves, and meet many influential people of the wizarding world whom I am sure you would like to make contact with. I'll expect your reply soon.
By the way, Granger, I did find it quite odd that you were at the Astronomy Tower as late as I was that night, and so I took it upon myself to check the Prefect Nightly Supervision schedule. You weren't stationed last night. So I guess what I'm trying to ask is, what in Merlin's name were you doing there then?
Hoping you have a good day,
Draco Malfoy
xxxxxx
16 Days before it happened.
Dear Malfoy,
I apologize for the lateness of my response; I was very busy with translating my Ancient Runes book report, which I only just finished now. Hopefully you haven't been waiting too impatiently for my response, because I notice you've been looking at me an awful lot in the hallways, which I might add, is a dead give-away. Try at a little ambiguity, won't you?
Anyway, I find that I must address a few things with you, Malfoy, the first being the fact that you didn't have to explain yourself to me in that letter. Just because you yourself rarely act human, doesn't mean we're all as incapable of emotion like you are. Yes, I found you leaning over the Tower in a very contemplative state, and yes I sensed something was bothering you, but you certainly don't have to explain yourself for having a bad night any more so than Snape has to for not washing his greasy hair. I'm not unkind Malfoy, nor am I as heartless as you think I am. You need not worry, because I won't tell anyone.
This leads me to my second point, which is how I would never blackmail anyone over a simple heart-to-heart about family issues. Did you really think I would take what you told me that night and use it to my advantage? What does the Gryffindor House really care if your mother and father forget your birthday? We've all got much more important things plaguing our minds, such as homework for example, or an upcoming Quidditch game. But certainly not your birthday. (No offence – had I not been so concerned with your sadness that night I wouldn't have forgotten to wish you a happy birthday myself. I'm actually very sorry for that.) Nor would my friends really care about what you think about your mother and father. So you said a few hate words here and there – It happens often with us, being teenagers and what not. (I know this because my own parents purchased some self-help books about how to raise a teenager, and one of the chapters was on hate.) Don't worry, you're feelings are quite apt at the moment Malfoy, so don't beat yourself up about this.
The third thing I must address is that you shouldn't feel the need to bribe me with an invitation to a very private, very elite and very appealing House party. And Malfoy, I'm not stupid enough to think that you would actually invite me out of pure gratitude for what I did two nights ago – but I congratulate you, because it was a very good bribe. So yes, I accept your invitation and I shall meet you at the doors of the Great Hall this coming Friday at seven o'clock, yes? And I certainly hope you're not lying about paid House Elves catering the party, because I would be very hurt if you were.
Lastly Malfoy, I must admit that I was at the Astronomy Tower last night simply because I wanted to look at the stars. (I can almost hear you now, with your silent retching noises as you read this.) What? I'm a girl, and I'm sorry if I enjoy watching the sky at its finest hour. Not to mention I had yet to finish charting the movements of a few planets for Astronomy class. I intended to finish my homework last night and most probably would have had you not been there to distract me with your woes.
By the way, this is a very fine owl. Jupiter is his name, you say? Yes, he was having a few of my cereal treats but I had some kip beside my bowl as well, and I find that he enjoys it much more than cereal. Just a tip, anyway.
Enjoy your day,
Hermione Granger
xxxxxx
15 Days before it happened.
Dear Granger,
You know, I'm going to pretend that I wasn't hurt by your response. Well-mannered though you were, I can't believe you actually thought I would bribe you to keep what happened between us. It really is my way of extending the proverbial olive branch I only assumed you would be so willing to accept. And to think, you're supposed to be the kind one that always sees the best in others and not the worst! Dear me, Granger, I am rather disappointed in you.
By the way, I'm not lying about the paid House elves either. But you'll find that out when we meet for Slughorn's party yourself. Hopefully you'll feel guilty after the way you've spoken to me in that last letter.
Sincerely,
Draco Malfoy
xxxxxx
Same day.
Dear Malfoy,
Ah yes, and there we glimpse the true Malfoy, in all his sarcasm and wit. I knew there was no way you could be that well-mannered unless you wanted something from someone. What happened to pretending you weren't hurt by my response? You didn't do much of a good job of it. I'm sorry if my reply offended you, I was only being honest with you – I thought Slytherins appreciated that? Anyway, I'm not going to apologize for what I wrote, you know it's true. But if it helps, I'm grateful for the invitation, so thank you. Who knew you would need my validation in order to feel good about yourself? Now I'm rather disappointed in you. In any case, do you feel better now?
From,
Hermione Granger
xxxxxx
Same day.
Dear Granger,
I wasn't looking for you to apologize, but you're welcome anyway. And who said I needed you're gratitude in order to validate my feelings? You're nothing special, Granger. Ah, there we go. Now I feel better.
Hoping you have a good day,
Draco Malfoy
xxxxxx
14 Days before it happened.
Dear Malfoy,
How very classy of you, I really am rather impressed by your wit. Is it necessary to for you to harass me with these owls now, because you're so dissatisfied with simply terrorizing me in person? We really should desist with these things, I'm sure poor Jupiter is getting tired from all of his deliveries, plus we're wasting precious parchment writing down a few short sentences. I'll meet you on the day and time we planned for Slughorn's party, and in the mean time, could you kindly stop shaking your head at me whenever we pass in the hallways as if I've done something wrong? I think it's rather rude.
Wishing you a pleasant day,
Hermione Granger
xxxxxx
Same day.
Dear Granger,
I'm only shaking my head at you because every time I catch your eye it's as if you're glaring at me, when I haven't done anything wrong either. Now that's quite rude as well, don't you think? And did you just say the words, precious parchment? What in the world do you mean by that? You're not honestly that much of a girl to put delicate adjectives in front of inanimate things, are you? I'm ashamed to know you, Granger.
Good afternoon,
Draco Malfoy
xxxxxx
Same day.
Dear Malfoy,
Yes, I did in fact say the words, precious parchment. What does it matter to you? It has nothing to do with the fact that I'm a girl, which by the way, is a very sexist concept for you to even suggest. What I meant by that term is that our resources for obtaining and manufacturing parchment are rapidly decreasing, and as future leaders of the wizarding world, I believe it is our responsibility to be more conscientious of our methods. Don't you know that parchment is taken from the same trees that make our wands? We might not have any trees left in the world if we continue at this rate!
Hopefully you've become a little more aware of your habits, now that I've confronted you with the awful truth, Malfoy.
Sincerely,
Hermione Granger
xxxxxx
Same day.
Granger,
Did you seriously just owl me an entire tirade about the wizarding world's dwindling resources? You're an even bigger nerd than I thought. What's next? Will you start advocating for the treatment of goblins in the workplace? I'm sure Gringottts will be thrilled.
From,
Draco Malfoy.
xxxxxx
Same day.
Malfoy, you are absolutely horrible.
I'm going to bed, because it's getting late. Don't bother replying, please, I'm rather tired of these owls, and Jupiter looks quite exhausted himself. I've run out of owl treats, so be sure to feed him as soon as he gets back to you with this letter, won't you?
Goodnight,
Hermione Granger.
P.S. Just a reminder that you don't forget about Slughorn's party. I'll be at the entrance of the Great Hall, seven o'clock sharp, don't forget, since I surely can't enter the party without proof of invitation in the form of your personal invite. It would be typical of you just to leave me there and attend the party yourself. I'll be terribly offended if you do that, by the way.
xxxxxx
Same day.
Granger,
This is my last owl of the day, I promise.
I haven't forgotten about the party, and I won't forget to pick you up at the Great Hall. Send Jupiter back on his way, without a response, as I'm going to bed and far too lazy to continue with these letters, just as much as you are.
Sincerely,
Draco Malfoy
x
A/N: A word to the hungry – these chapters will get steadily longer as I update. Don't fret, for I shall provide!
Anyway, more to come!
Please review if you read it, whether you liked it or hated it! Remember, this should only be about five chapters or so, so expect an early end.
Thank you for reading and once again, your feedback is very important to me!
Yours truly,
SG.