"Merlin, that woman infuriates me!" the recipient of Hermione's letter groaned, running a hand through his pale blonde hair as he fed his owl a treat. Deacon was more than pleased.

"Come now, Draco. I know for a fact your letter was less than polite," his mother chastised from her seat in the parlour. She took a sip of her tea as she watched her son scowl at the letter in his hands.

"Mother! She insulted me and mocked me with my own words!" her son retorted.

"Draco, I hardly think you're in a position to whine. You were rude, and she returned the favour. I admire her bravery." Narcissa said with a smile. "A true Gryffindor if I ever saw one. She's quite the woman, that one."

"Mother," Draco growled in protest.

"Draco, that's quite enough. Read me her letter."

The Malfoy Heir did so, leaving out the parts clearly addressed to him, and his mother smiled brightly. "Felicity… what a lovely name; Latin for happiness, isn't it?"

"Yes, mother," he replied, scrawling down a reply to Hermione's letter. "Will you meet her for lunch tomorrow?"

"Of course!" Narcissa beamed. "You'll pick her up, won't you?"
"What?" he exclaimed, turning to stare at her in shock as she sipped her tea. "You can't expect me to -!"

"How else will she get past the wards?" his mother argued.

"You can't expect her to come here, mother," Draco replied. "After what happened-"

"All part of the process, dear; all part of the process. You will collect her, won't you?"

Draco turned back to writing the letter, rolling his eyes, and mumbled, "I don't see why we can't just change the wards. We'll need to if she sends her kid here."

"What was that, Draco?"

"I said, 'I'll have to see if she's okay with that. You want her to be comfortable enough to send her daughter here, don't you?"

"Yes, quite. Be polite, Draco. I don't want to ruin this."

He rolled his eyes again and continued writing.

"Read it back to me," his mother said after a few minutes.

Granger,

My mother would love to meet with you for lunch tomorrow. She would like to know if you would consider joining her at the Manor for your meeting – both so it is easier to organise, and so you can show your daughter around, should you choose to accept her offer. If you decide to join her for lunch at the Manor, I will have to meet with you at whatever time to apparate you and your daughter, as the wards will not allow you in otherwise. Deacon will again wait until you reply to return.

Malfoy

P.S. You will always be Granger to me, no matter the circumstances.

Narcissa nodded her approval before stepping towards the fireplace. "Call for me when she replies; I have to head over to the Parkinson's to meet with Pansy and her mother. I should be back by this evening. Goodbye, Draco."

"Goodbye, mother," Draco nodded as his mother disappeared in a burst of green flames, and he promptly sent Deacon off with Hermione's letter.

It was nearly midnight when the Malfoy owl flew through the heir's bedroom window. After nearly half a day of letter-based arguing, Hermione and Draco still stayed up to reply their competitor; both of the participants secretly anticipating the next letter from their rival.

Madam Malkin's, noon, be there.

Draco rolled his eyes at the short reply from Granger; they'd long since passed the P.S. and greeting/farewell stage. Taking out his quill, he scrawled a quick reply and sent Deacon on his way.

I wouldn't have it any other way.

Draco was nearly asleep when Deacon flew in through his window for the last time, much to the owl's relief.

Prat.

He sighed and rolled over, promptly falling to sleep… with a small smile on his face.

A/n: Only short, just getting Draco more into the story, and a little explanation as to the title of the story. Ooh, how intriguing. XD I'll probably be updating this frequently over the next few days... or even hours... because, well, I already have the next few chapters written. Review and let me know if you see mistakes, or you think that someone is waaaay too out of character. I'd hate to disappoint. I'll try and keep the chapters long from now on, but I'm trying to keep them focused on one person at a time, instead of both in the same chapter. If it turns out like that, I'll split it into two separate chapters, so as not to confuse you all.

Again, I own nothing. Wish I did, but I don't. Well, I own Felicity, and her father, but no one else so far! Eh heh heh. I ain't tellin' you who he is, by the way. Felicity's father, I mean. AIN'T REVEALIN' NOTHIN' 'TIL THE STORY REQUIRES IT.

~ Originalitys