A/N: Tonight, you get a big chunk of updates. Please review, and also check out our nifty cover image which is us as Draco (HF) and Hermione (Tobiume). Aren't we sexy? Tobiume is writing as Ginny. Happy reading. -HF
October 23, 2008. (Sent: 9:21 AM.)
Hermione,
Are you sure you can't come for dinner Friday? The boys will be visiting Mum and Dad so we'll be able to have a nice meal, where nothing spills or explodes, for a change. Although their "accidents" can be quite funny sometimes. The other day James flung mashed potatoes at Harry and told me, with a completely straight face, that his spoon had jumped. It was all I could do not to laugh.
It's been a while since you've been by, so I hope you'll visit soon. I'm sorry that Mum was, well, in a mood, last time you were here. It's still hard for her to accept that things didn't work out, even though it's been months already. I think she's hoping you'll "come to your senses".
Love,
Ginny
October, 23, 2008. (Sent: 11:14 AM)
Ginny,
I'm sorry, I really can't make it. I'm meeting someone for work. I actually wanted your advice on something… We were supposed to meet for coffee, but he's just sent me a letter saying we should have drinks instead. Coffee is casual, and drinks aren't casual, are they? We can't discuss work over drinks. He promised to actually discuss work this time! Why would he suggest drinks, do you think?
I'd love to come by soon and see you and the boys, and I'll certainly try not to laugh if James flings potatoes at Harry again.
Hermione
P.S. Sometimes it's hard for me to accept that, too.
October 23, 2008. (Sent: 1:36 PM)
Hermione,
Who are you meeting? And if you're not actually at work, don't discuss work. I imagine he has something else in mind if he's taking you for drinks instead of coffee. If you snog him, I want details. You should have some fun. But you had better come over Saturday and tell me about it. If not, the next person getting potatoes in the face will be you. (I'll help James aim.)
Ginny
P.S. Do I know him?
October 23. 2008. (Sent: 3:15 PM)
Ginny,
I imagine you'd recognize him, but I don't think you know him well.
I'll be by Saturday morning, after I take Rose to Ron's.
Hermione
October 23, 2008. (Sent: 3:34 PM)
Malfoy,
I suppose I can help you. Although the thought of you at a ladies' tea is quite an entertaining one.
Tomorrow night at six, then.
Hermione Granger
October 25, 2008. (Sent: 1:16 PM)
Ginny,
Obviously I didn't make it today. I'm sure Rose and Ron have been by already. Did Ron notice I was hung-over? He didn't seem to. I drank far more than I intended to and after taking Rose to Ron's flat, I went back home (I didn't even trust myself to apparate without Splinching myself) and got straight into bed. I'm feeling more myself now.
I promised I'd tell you who I met last night. It wasn't quite a date, since he's married, although, according to him, his marriage is one of "convenience." Even disregarding that, though, I still felt awkward having any semblance of a date with Draco Malfoy. Did you drop the letter in shock? I don't quite understand it myself.
I had to write to him for work, you know, the new house-elf legislation the Ministry is implementing? We've worked for so long, and finally the laws have improved! Families with house-elves finally have to adhere to regulations, better living conditions, less punishments, and so on. There's been some protest but for the most part things have gone rather smoothly. Anyway, I was dreading his reply, but he wasn't at all how he was at Hogwarts. Obnoxious, full of himself, yes, but not cruel or loathsome.
When we first met, though, I did think he was somewhat pathetic. He came to my office and sent my assistant out for Firewhisky (in the middle of the day) and proceeded to become so drunk that his house-elf had to help him home! We exchanged letters after the meeting (at which he constantly changed the topic from house-elves to my personal life) and although he was rude, he was also funny. He's somewhat witty, I'll admit, and it was easy to get caught up in bantering with him. I was surprised when I realized how much I looked forward to his letters. Even if he makes me quite furious, they're still an interesting addition to my usual post. Although I do wish he would stop owling me while I'm working.
Then last night, we met for drinks and he actually tried to talk about his house-elf for all of fifteen minutes. He unrolled a piece of parchment and doodled a little elf and pretended to take notes, but his face was so falsely serious that I couldn't help but laugh. Then he bought me a few drinks, I can't remember how many altogether, and asked me quite a few questions about my past relationships. At first I was quite affronted as really, what business is my personal life of his? But he told me some things about his wife, and I do feel a little sorry for him. An arranged marriage wouldn't be something I would ever consider. I told him a little more than I intended, because he listened so well. (And I'm certain I didn't tell him about that. Fairly certain.) He owled this morning to say we should have dinner on Friday to continue our discussion. I am not sure yet how I will respond.
I'm sure you understand why, but you absolutely cannot tell Ron about this, Ginny. He would be furious. So far we've remained on fairly good terms with each other, and I want to keep it that way, since I do care about him vey much. And of course, as I've already said, Malfoy and I are only meeting casually. Strictly for business. But Ron wouldn't even want to know I've been in the same room with Malfoy,
I'll try to stop in tomorrow.
Hermione
