A/N: My, my... it surely has been a while, hasn't it? Please forgive me out there, silent readers! And of course,tThank you for returning to read the third chapter of this short story! I hope you enjoy it!
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Letters
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Caesar
6 Days before it happened.
Dear Malfoy,
As much as I would love to discuss this with you in person, I'm afraid I simply can't because I'm sure my hand might quiver in temptation at the thought of cursing your well-kept hair into eternal curliness. You must be shaking your head in confusion, your brows must be burrowed in thought and you may wonder what has me so mad, but I'm sure you already know and are being purposefully oblivious. Well Malfoy, I think it is in your best interest that you recall what happened in Astronomy class last night, because if not, there is a very high possibility that whatever letter I may send you next could be in the form of a Howler. I am not happy with you right now Malfoy, not happy at all.
Whatever it is you think you're doing, I strongly urge you to please stop. I suppose you want me to think that you weren't behind what happened in class today? That somehow, magically, Professor Sinistra just paired you and me together randomly after she announced to everyone that surely if Hermione Granger is finding trouble with the chart, surely we all must be finding trouble with it? And as a result, the entire class is upset and aggravated with me, because I have apparently brought on more work for us all. I blame you completely for the fact that now Professor Sinistra has assigned participation marks for this assignment and would like an accurate report detailing our equal contributions. Do you realize what a nuisance this is to our academic lives? Having to plan regular meetings with one another, writing reports on how we assisted one another and cooperated with each other?
Malfoy, I'm sure you had something to do with it, but I should really let you know now, that I don't work well in pairs. I really, really don't. You may have fooled Professor Sinistra into thinking that I am in need of a partner to help me work on the assignment at hand, but I don't, and you can't expect me to work well with you. That is just asking far too much from me.
I certainly hope this isn't some heartless prank on your part Malfoy, because you know how much my grades mean to me and that I don't like it when others don't take them seriously. If you intend to seriously be my partner, and I mean seriously, then agree to me right now that you'll make this pairing as bearable as possible for the both of us, and that you will put in as much effort as I will. Okay?
This is Caesar by the way, he's my own owl. Don't mind if he pecks at your hand every once in a while, I told him to. If he also happens to vomit on your freshly laundered robes as well, don't mind that either.
Your angered partner,
Hermione Granger
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5 Days before it happened.
Granger,
First let me say ow. "Don't mind if he pecks at your hand every once in a while"? Granger, your bloody owl bit into my flesh more times than I can count, and I'm now sporting a very unattractive bandage over my left hand that I won't be taking off any time soon. You're lucky I'm right handed!
Second, why are you so bloody mad? I thought I was doing you a favor. All I see you do in Astronomy now is curse at invisible people and topple your telescope over because you're not getting it. I can't count how many times you've had to reset or adjust your viewing, because you've clearly got the wrong idea on how to properly chart astronomical activity. Just admit it, will you? You need some help and are far too proud to seek it out, so I've solved the problem for you! Now you're my partner, and I'm quite good at Astronomy myself, so this can be done. Well, not as easily as I'd first hoped of course, because really I just expected just to give you the answers and not really put much work into it as a team, or write reports on our cooperation and contributions and all that mess Professor Sinistra listed off in class last night. Just cool it, won't you, Granger? If you want me to swear it to you now, make an Unbreakable Vow even, that I'll be as diligent and hardworking as you need me to be, then fine, but I'd really rather not stake my life over a silly little school assignment.
And I'll have you know that we didn't make so bad of a pair at Slughorn's party when we arrived together. Have you already forgotten how you and I managed to convince the Minister of Arabia to not discontinue the use of magic carpets simply over rising cloth and fabric prices? That was a two person effort! Or did you also forget how that night on the Astronomy Tower you and I managed to have a sincere conversation for a good hour or two without killing each other? You see, we've been in private situations before, we can do it again in class, easy.
I suppose you're just mad because for once you know that I'm better than you in something, and you're too proud to admit you want my help. Am I right, Granger?
I fed your owl some leftover pieces of bread I had forgotten about on my bed side table by the way. It's gone a little hard, perhaps even a bit moldy. I hope dear Caesar vomits that on you after I've been wrongly attacked.
Don't be a Drama Queen, Granger.
From,
Draco Malfoy
xxxxxx
Same day.
Dear Malfoy,
Sorry about your hand.
I'm not so opposed to you making the Unbreakable Vow though.
And I'm not being a Drama Queen.
From,
Hermione Granger
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Same day.
Granger,
Apology accepted. And no, I was only joking about the Unbreakable Vow. However, I'm very bothered that you're not; in fact, you sound very serious about it. I would get this whole academic obsession checked out, if I were you.
You can stop avoiding me in class, by the way. We have to speak to each other in person at some point, especially if we want to get down to this Astronomy business. Have you any preferable dates to work on it? I'm free any day, except for when I have Quidditch practice.
Write back with the day you'd like to take a trip to the Astronomy Tower.
Have a good day,
Draco Malfoy
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4 Days before it happened.
Malfoy,
I'm not avoiding you in class. We don't usually talk in person, remember? And I'm not about to break that streak. Well, I suppose I'll have to when we work on the project together, but I'll savour my Malfoy-free moments when I can.
Sincerely,
Hermione Granger
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Same day.
Granger,
What's the matter with you? I thought we'd already assumed a mutual, silent agreement to treat each other with civility? Still sulking then, are you? Ah well, I'll be the better person I suppose, and put up with your insults. After all, you've put up with mine for the last six years.
Sincerely (unlike you),
Draco Malfoy
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3 Days before it happened.
Malfoy,
You know, you really do astound me. I assumed you would respond in only the way you could, with something witty and offending at the same time, but you virtually let me insult you, and you didn't do anything about it! Perhaps I should be the one asking what the matter is with you.
Sincerely (and yes, I mean it),
Hermione Granger
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Same day.
Granger,
It's this thing people normally like to call "turning the other cheek." That and I'm far too lazy to continue arguments with you over owl, when we already argue enough in person.
From,
Draco Malfoy
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Same day.
Dear Malfoy,
You can't see me, but I'm snorting with laughter. You, "turn the other cheek?" I wouldn't go so far as to call it that, but I will admit you're making an effort. You're not still trying to be nice to me just so I'll keep my mouth shut about what happened at the Astronomy Tower that night, are you? I've already told you that I won't say anything.
Have a good afternoon,
Hermione Granger
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Same day.
Granger,
Maybe, but what does it matter? At least I'm being civil, and that's what counts, doesn't it? Anyway, we shouldn't be wasting our time, we really should have planned our first meeting about this Astronomy homework by now. As Quidditch practice is cancelled for the week (half our team is suffering from a nasty cold), I'm now free on any day. Tell me your preferences in the next letter, Granger, and let's get a move on with this project already.
Awaiting your reply,
Draco Malfoy
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2 Days before it happened.
Malfoy,
Sorry for the delayed reply, I've been quite busy taking care of Caesar. Remember how you fed him that moldy bread? Well, it made him awfully sick for a bit. (I seriously dislike you for that by the way – he didn't vomit on my robes like you originally wanted, but he did get sick on Ron's Charm's essay. He wants me to tell you 'Malfoy, you're a bloody curse word and a right curse word for doing that.") It's only because I'm too lazy to make a trip to the Owlery right now that I'm using him after only being better for a short time.
Is the day after tomorrow alright with you? In other words, this Wednesday? The planets will be in a good position for us to see their environments.
Be careful with Caesar when you send him back. He might actually get sick on you.
Sincerely,
Hermione Granger
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1 Day before it happened.
Granger,
I'm sure this owl would have come to you sooner if Caesar wasn't so woozy feeling. He arrived at my breakfast table in a bit of a mess, spiraling and winding in random directions. Anyway, yes, I'm good to meet with you on Wednesday at the Astronomy Tower. See you there, ten o'clock, as I'm sure it will definitely be dark enough by then.
And tell Weasley I'm flattered he thinks so highly of me. Besides, Caesar was meant to get sick on you and your things, not his. I'm sorry I actually made the poor bloke sick though, I didn't even think the bread was that mouldy. Sorry, Caesar, honestly.
From,
Draco Malfoy
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The Day it happens
Malfoy,
If you want to apologize for making my owl sick, we should stop sending each other these letters so he can finally rest.
From,
Hermione Granger
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The Day it happens
And a jolly good morning to you too, Granger.
I would, but Jupiter is on another errand and I suppose Hector's being used because I can't find him at the owlery. And since you're glowing attitude towards me simply prevents us from speaking in person, it appears continuing with these owls is rather necessary. If it helps, he looks a lot better this morning, not sickly at all.
Anyway, I'll be bringing my telescope set tonight. Don't bother bringing yours, I'm sure it's not in the best shape after how poorly you've been treating it the past few lessons. I can assure you that mine has never been knocked over out of frustration.
Sincerely,
Draco Malfoy
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The Day it happens
Malfoy,
Shutup. I've never knocked my telescope down out of frustration either, okay? Your taunting is really getting on my nerves. How about if I taunted you over something for a change? Like perhaps, the fact that you use my attitude towards you as a reason for why we can't speak in person, and must therefore continue with these owls? That's a load of toad stools. You actually like sending these things. You usually send them first, actually.
Not annoyed by that accusation, are you?
Have a good rest of the day,
Hermione Granger
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The Day it happens
Granger,
That accusation was almost as bad as when you suggested I try to do my own chores – it was both horrifically unnecessary and utterly untrue.
Me, actually enjoy sending you these letters? Please. Besides, if I did, I don't see you particularly desisting with them either.
From,
Draco Malfoy
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The Day it happens
Malfoy,
In fact, I have suggested we discontinue with them several times now, and yet you continuously choose to ignore it. Besides, I specifically watched your face over lunch when you received that letter in the Great Hall and I saw your eyes widen and shift, because you knew it was true. Such a guilty reaction, Malfoy, tsk tsk. There's nothing to be ashamed of from enjoying personal exchanges from me. I admit, I'm quite amazing that way.
Oh Merlin, now I'm starting to sound like you. These interactions are clearly doing me no good. Let's stop for now. We're seeing each other tonight after all, there's no point in going back and forth like this.
See you later,
Hermione Granger
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The Day it happens
Hermione,
Okay, you're right. This is my last letter, I promise.
Be prepared to work tonight, I am going to prove to you that I can be a good partner! And that you do need me, after all.
Yours sincerely,
Draco Malfoy
PS. Try not to be too uncooperative tomorrow night, will you? Nothing will happen, and I won't do anything to upset you. See you soon.
x
A/N: That's what he thinks! Mwaha! Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it. We're dwindling down, only two more chapters left! Stay tuned me amigos!
Send in a review if you like, I'd be honored if you did!
Yours truly,
Sevengee/Lina