JULIET
The subject of Narcissa Malfoy intrigued her more than she dared to admit. She really wanted to know what her story was and what it was that had changed her so much in just over a decade. Changed her for the better, she added to herself, for she liked this new Narcissa Malfoy a lot better than the old, stuck-up one.
She wrote her a letter a couple of days later, inviting her for a coffee and referring to the story the woman had promised to tell her later on. After a bit of hesitation, she signed it with H.W.G., not knowing if Lucius read his wife's mail or if he minded that she got along well with a Mudblood. She didn't want the older witch to get in trouble with her husband since she considered it most likely that it was just Narcissa that had changed her mind a bit about Muggles and that Lucius was still the pure-blooded snob that looked down on people like her.
She received a reply not long after, telling her she did not actually know her well enough to tell. It was signed N.M.B. and she smiled at the obvious smirk at her own signing. The contents of the letter disappointed her though, so she immediately sat down to write another letter.
Dear N.M.B.,
I regret that you feel you can't confide in me yet. I will however keep you to your promise eventually, for I'm rather intrigued by the person you've become as opposed to the person you once were.
My life has been pretty much analyzed by the Daily Prophet as if it were some interesting specimen in a lab, so I don't know how much there really is to tell about me that you haven't already read.
I did find Gide's text on Persephone on which the disaster that called itself a ballet was based and it's actually quite wonderful. Of course, the original myth is still the best record of the story, but I've joined Gide's version nonetheless, so you could compare for yourself.
Yours sincerely,
H.W.G.
She slid the copy of Gide's Persephone in the envelope as well and sent it the same day. Again, the reply was swift and Hermione read the letter with interest.
Dear H.W.G.,
Thank you for sending me the text. It was interesting and I can only agree with you that that troupe made a horrible performance out of it. I also agree that the original myth is far more appealing.
There have indeed been a lot of articles about your life in the Daily Prophet, as there once were of mine, but as we both know, not all of what is in the Daily Prophet can be considered the complete truth. However, I think they got the basic information down just right, so let's not bother about that. I'd like to get to know you as a person, not as a war hero. So let's start with an easy question. I know you share my love for arts – at least for the theatre and I have a feeling it applies to other art forms as well – but what is your all-time-favourite play and why do you like it so much?
As for me, ever since I first saw Romeo & Juliet, I've loved it. You might think that a bit cliché, but there is so much more to it then meets the eye. Of course, the greatest master in English literature was a wizard, so my first encounter with his work was at a very young age and as I young girl, I always wished I could be Juliet – without the dying part of course. My sisters used to always tease me about being such a hopeless romantic and living in a fairytale. I've grown out of these fantasies, but I never stopped loving the play.
Yours sincerely,
N.M.B.
Hermione frowned at the last paragraph. William Shakespeare a wizard? The man was a genius, no doubt about that, but he sure was no wizard. Such a typical pure-blood thing, to pretend Shakespeare was a wizard, so that it would be okay to read his work. Why couldn't they just accept that Muggles could create great things too? However, she smiled as she pictured a younger Narcissa Malfoy, dreaming to be swept away by her prince charming. She too had been that girl, in love with Romeo & Juliet since the first time she saw it. It looked like they had both gotten what they wanted.
Work demanded her attention, so it took her another day or two to respond.
Dear N.M.B.,
It appears we have a similar taste in plays, since I too longed to be Juliet, swept away by some Romeo ever since I was a little girl. Just like I wanted to be a princess growing up. Though I would say that with your looks you'd be by far better suited for such a role than I was – remember my comment on Micaëla? I have to agree with your sisters here. Funny, since I didn't think that I would ever agree with them, at least not with the eldest, seeing what she had become. But then again, there was a time when I thought I would not have anything in common with you, but it turned out I was wrong about that too.
I strongly disagree with you however about the Bard being a wizard. I know it says so in Wondrous Words: Seven Centuries of Magical Literature and its Creators, but I think the authors might have a rather prejudiced view here. I've read his works and saw his plays long before I entered Hogwarts. I've been to Stratford-upon-Avon and I can assure you his statue does not move, like magical statues usually do. I shall not deny his utter brilliance for phrasing emotions, but he was no wizard.
Having said that, if you could meet any author – of either plays or books – apart from the Grand Master, who would it be and what would you ask them?
Yours sincerely,
H.W.G.
There was no reply for several days and Hermione began to worry she had somehow insulted the blonde Malfoy with her opinion on Shakespeare. She was snappy at Ron and the kids and began to question whether or not it was a good idea at all to attempt a friendly relationship with the woman. She couldn't talk to Ron about it, because the name Malfoy alone made him shudder already. Finally, she went to talk to Ginny, knowing that her long-time friend and now also sister-in-law had met Mrs. Malfoy on several occasions.
"Gin, I've got a bit of a problem and I hope you can help me," she burst and let herself fall down on Harry and Ginny's couch.
"Do tell," Ginny told her.
Hermione started telling about meeting Narcissa and Astoria Malfoy at the opera and having accepted the eldest Malfoy's invitation to the ballet.
"And I'm actually corresponding with her, mostly discussing literature and plays, but I just don't know if it is a good idea to get on a friendly basis with her."
Ginny raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"
"Well, she's married to a former Death Eater for starters. She's the mother of Draco Malfoy. They used to hate Mudbloods. And Ron still hates their guts," she finished.
Ginny let out a loud laughter. "So that's your big problem: you've become friends with someone of a 'disputable background'. That never held you back, did it?"
Hermione thought of Sirius, who had been an Azkaban-escapee when they first met him; of Remus, who had been a werewolf; of Luna, who was considered a nut crack but who turned out very bright and brave and kind, and she smiled.
"I suppose not," she said.
"And as for Narcissa Malfoy," Ginny continued, "Andromeda says she's changed. She's really making an effort to help her out with Teddy and she appears to have lost most of her stuck-up mannerisms. I really don't see any harm in you discussing literature with her or visiting the occasional play together. Saves Ron the trouble of going, doesn't it?" She laughed again and Hermione laughed too.
"He, it's good to have you as a friend," she said, "you always seem to have some advice."
"You shouldn't worry too much about my brother," Ginny said. "He can be a pain in the ass sometimes, but he's not a complete moron."
"I know," Hermione said. "Wouldn't be married to him if he were."
They giggled and she hugged before she left. "Thanks Gin."
"Don't mention it."
When she got home, there was a letter awaiting her and she smiled. See? Ginny was right. Things would always turn out all right eventually. There was no crime in being on friendly terms with Narcissa Malfoy and she had not insulted her. She opened the letter and went to sit on the garden bench, the sun warming her face.
Dear H.W.G.,
I never figured you to be so stubborn. It isn't like you to question the integrity of a book. For all I've heard, to you things aren't true unless they're written down somewhere, and now this is written down, and you still refuse to believe it. I can only presume you think me prejudiced too, then. It only shows there's never just one side to create misunderstandings. When have you last been to Stratford-upon-Avon, was that before your Hogwarts-days? Because I too visited it, and the Bard's statue was as lively I've ever seen a statue. But we could discuss this until the end of days without reaching a conclusion and the only way to settle it would be to pay it a visit together, which is something I don't see happening in the near future.
As for your question – which is a difficult one to answer, I might add – it's funny you should mention Wondrous Words. It has been my guide on the discovery of the wonderful world of stories – as I'm sure it has been for you too – and I would very much like to thank sirs Galway&Brent for assembling it. But of course that's not what you meant. If it were possible, I'd love to be able to meet Nephtelem of Nimue, for his works on Camelot are so detailed, it feels like he's really been there and I'd like to know if he has. And if he had, I'd ask him if he could show me, because to walk around in Camelot in its glory days would be marvellous, don't you think?
Which makes me wonder: which realms would you like to dwell in if everything was possible? And of course you owe me the answer to your own question as well.
Yours sincerely,
N.M.B.
Hermione put the letter down. The first few lines had somewhat upset here, because she realized Mrs. Malfoy had felt insulted and thought she held some prejudice against her. But the second part of the letter showed her she wasn't really angry, and she was glad about that. She liked how she got to know her a little better with every letter they exchanged.
As their correspondence continued, their letters become longer, the tone of it less detached and they drifted from discussing works of art and literature to discussing more personal matters. Hermione often reminisced how strange it was that she and Mrs. Malfoy shared the same interests and could get along so well, seeing as just over a decade ago, they had been on opposite sides of a war. But now, in a way, they had become friends. She enjoyed receiving the other woman's letters and always smiled when she recognised her barn owl in front of her window. Though their letters became more personal, they never stopped addressing each other with their initials, since it had become a kind of habit, a sort of private joke between the two of them.
They hadn't met since the day they had been to the ballet and Hermione felt it would be nice to meet again, even if it were just for a drink and a chat. So that's what she suggested.
Dear N.M.B.,
I feel like I've really gotten to know you better than I know many of my long time friends. Even though I highly enjoy our correspondence, it has been too long since we've actually spoken to each other.
What would you say about a chat over a mug of coffee and perhaps some apple pie? I know a place with a beautiful garden, where there's always a hint of cinnamon and sandalwood in the air and where the coffee is delicious. Or if you prefer tea and scones, they serve that as well.
Perhaps then you could also share the story you promised me earlier, for it's a very fine place for storytelling.
I'm eagerly awaiting your response; it would be lovely to see you again.
Yours sincerely, as always,
H.W.G.
The response was brief, but just what Hermione had hoped.
Dear H.W.G.,
That sounds wonderful, I'd love to. I realize I've deprived you the story long enough and that I should live up to my promise, shouldn't I? Just promise me in advance that you will not laugh after I've told you, I don't know if I could stand it if you did…
Yours sincerely, as always,
N.M.B.
What on earth could Narcissa Malfoy be referring to? Hermione wrote her a short note to fix the date and time.
Dear N.M.B.,
You know you've got me even more curious now, don't you, and you've created quite high expectations. That story better lived up to them, or I would find myself rather disappointed. Thursday's my day off, so if it's okay by you, we'll meet then. Three p.m., Covent Garden.
Yours sincerely, as always,
H.W.G.
As Thursday neared, Hermione was quite unpleasantly surprised it proved rather hard to find a babysitter for Rose and Hugo. Usually it would not be a problem because if she had a day off, she just spent it at home, but now she really wanted to catch up with Narcissa Malfoy.
Reluctantly, she went to Ginny again.
"Gin, I've got a problem," she said.
"Again?" Ginny laughed. "So who is it this time you want to be friends with?" she mocked.
"Ow shut up," Hermione said and laughed too. "Can you take Rose and Hugo Thursday afternoon?"
"Hmm, that's not really convenient. I've got an interview scheduled at two and I still have to finish that article…"
"Please? It's fairly important."
"What you're up to? I thought Thursday was your day off?"
"It is, but I could really use some girl time…"
"Girl time?" Ginny frowned.
"Oh alright. I'm meeting up with Narcissa Malfoy and I can't possible take them. You know how Rose is, she'd probably tell Ron about it in her innocent way."
"I already told, you shouldn't worry about that so much," Ginny grinned. Then she sighed. "Fine, I'll see if can reschedule the interview to one o'clock. But you owe me for this."
"Of course. Thanks Gin, you're the best. This means the world to me."
As she went to leave, Ginny mocked: "Are you sure you and her are just friends?" She stuck out her tongue.
Hermione stuck hers out as well. "Of course, what else could there be?"
A/N: I really loved writing these mutual letters; I hope you loved reading them.
