Disclaimer: Nothing is mine. Well, except for the whole plot. *grins*

A/N: It's been ages… Most of you have probably forgotten the story and have had to go back to the start. Or you've simply abandoned it… I really am sorry I can't update sooner…

Hermione was still sorting through the letters, and Draco had moved his own chair closer to her, so they were reading each one together, frowning at their childishness, and laughing appreciatively when appropriate, but they both had the same warm glow burning inside them.

The content of the letters were mostly updates, innocent problems, and things like that, but soon enough, Hermione reached the last pile of letters. There were fewer here, but the letters were visibly longer, and she knew by the sight of them, that these were the ones that Draco had never replied to.

She cautiously picked one up and began to read,

Draco,

How are you? I'm terribly worried. You never did reply to my last letter…

You know that people find me different. It's because I read a lot, more than most kids. And I actually like doing my homework. Is that so wrong? Sometimes I wish I was like the rest of them, and hated books, and watched TV all the time…

I know you said I was fine the way I was, but I can't bring myself to believe that. Anyway, I don't have many true friends. You're one of the few that I can trust, and so it makes me anxious when you don't write back sooner. I can't explain it. Don't think badly of me,

Hermione

Hermione's hand shook slightly as she put the letter away and picked up a couple more,

Dear Draco,

I wonder if you got my last three letters. Maybe they're getting lost in the mail. I don't know why… But I feel like you're getting them and just choosing not to reply. I really hope I'm wrong.

Some strange things have been happening lately, that I need to tell you about, but something tells me you're not willing to listen anymore.

Do I bore you? Have you found friends better than me? If that is so, then I can't blame you.

I miss you,

Hermione

And then,

Draco,

You're my best friend. No one else matters to me as much as you do. I just need to know that you're okay. Please write back, and let me know how you are.

There is a lot going on with me right now, but everything pales in comparison to the fact that I think you have forgotten me.

Another thing is that I've been thinking about you a lot and I've realized that there are still some really important things that you haven't told me about.

You know everything about me, and you've kept so much to yourself.

Like, where do you live? The letters you used to send me came from the address of a "Mrs. Harris". Would that be a relative of yours?

And why do you not go to school yet? I have asked this before, and you never gave me a proper answer.

There's more, but I need to you write back first. I can't be happy without you as a friend. My life seems so dull without your letters.

I miss you so much,

Hermione

The next and last one read,

Dear Draco,

This is the last letter that I will be writing to you, unless you choose to reply. I am so angry at everything, especially you.

How dare you keep me waiting like this? You have no idea how many tears I've shed over you.

I'm sorry for whatever I have done to make you ignore me like this, because I now know more than ever, that you are in fact getting these letters.

If you have bothered to remember, my eleventh birthday has come and gone. I am headed to a far off school for people like me. You would probably know what I am talking about if you had ever written me back.

But you never did, and the loss is yours. I won't say that I've forgotten you, or that I don't miss you. Not a day goes by when I don't, but I am going to stop waiting for you now.

Even if you aren't, Draco, I am truly sorry.

Goodbye,

Hermione

Long after reaching the end of the letter, where she had neatly written her own name, Hermione continued to stare at it. She remembered every single time she had cried, and she had longed for a letter from him, and reading these words was like a fresh cut on the wounds she had supposedly healed a long time ago.

Without warning, tears began to flow down her cheeks. Hermione could never forget how writing that last letter had felt. It had not been like she was simply saying goodbye to a friend, but more like that friend had died, and this was to be the last time she would speak to him. Her best friend; her only real friend…

And the tears continued to run, unchecked. Draco was staring at her so intensely, that she had to look up at him. Something stirred behind his grey eyes, and she realized that it was guilt. He felt guilty for the pain he had inflicted on her.

Suddenly she remembered why he had stopped writing, because he wanted to keep her safe. And Hermione smiled through her tears. It had just occurred to her that it would have been hard on him too, perhaps ever harder. Because she had created her own assumptions for why he had just stopped, but he had always known. Always…and he had had the courage to not write back.

He pulled her towards her and she sunk her head into his shoulder.

"Thank you," she whispered, and he patted her bushy hair, awkwardly at first, but then more surely.

Somewhere far, far away, in a much darker place, Lord Voldemort summoned Narcissa Malfoy. Resigned, and defeated as the woman was, she had come to the clearing where he had called her.

"Welcome, Narcissa," his cold, familiar voice greeted her.

"You called, my Lord?"

"I did…" his snake-like face seemed to consider his words before he said them, "Tell me. How have you been?"

Narcissa looked shocked, and simply stared at his disfigured form.

"You have lost your husband," he prompted, "Surely, that must have been hard on you?"

"I…Yes…I have been better, my Lord," Narcissa stuttered, fully aware the Dark Lord never made casual conversation.

"Hmm…" he whispered softly, "And your son? How is the boy, Draco?"

"He is healthy, at Hogwarts, my Lord."

"I have a task for him… Lucius would have been honored to know of it."

Narcissa kept silent.

"Your late husband once mentioned that Draco was in contact with a certain mudblood girl?"

"That was a long time ago… He no longer…"

"And the girl in question currently resides at Hogwarts as well?"

"Yes, but-"

"Quiet," whispered Voldemort, and carelessly flicked his wand before Narcissa screamed in pain, twitching on the ground.

A moment later, he removed his curse, and glided down on her.

"Draco Malfoy must bring me Harry Potter."

"How?" Narcissa said weakly.

"He must befriend this girl once more, bring her to trust him…And then, he must betray her, send her to me. Potter will go to great lengths to rescue his little…friend. He would be alone, defenseless… Yes, the girl is the key to this plan. It is vital that she… cooperate."

"It is not possible, my Lord," Narcissa whimpered, desperate to save her son, for she knew he would be disposed of if he were to fail.

With another wave of his wand, Voldemort had her on the ground once more.

She rose again, gasping, and he told her, "Perhaps you are right. I thought your son would come to me for revenge after Lucius' death, but it is clear that he does not care for the murder of his own father."

Narcissa began to cry, but he continued, "Save your tears. After the Death Eater initiation ceremony, I will have him on my side, and he will have no choice in the matter."

"Why have you told me all this?" Narcissa dared to ask.

Voldemort seemed amused, rather than angry, when he replied, "The ceremony, woman. You must persuade Draco to come."

"And if I don't?" asked Narcissa, uncharacteristic courage pulsing through her veins, an unexplainable need to protect her only son.

"I will kill him."

A/N: Ahem. So yeah, that's chapter ten for you. Did you like the unveiling of the letters? And that last bit? Tell me everything. I haven't had a review in months, because this is the first thing I've uploaded in ages… So make my day and write me my first review…!

Also, in case any of you didn't get it, this chapter is titled "The Friendship" because of the friendship of Draco and Hermione and also the one between Harry and Hermione, which Voldemort is trying to use.

DracozMudblood~