Ello! Here it is! Before Christmas, as promised! This is kinda a short filler. But hey, it's a chapter and you get what you get. Anyway, I own nothing but Audrea, Linda and Zachary and my sister owns Katie...though she's not rightly in this one...odd.

I stand there, just holding the yellowing envelope. I run a finger over the calligraphy, feeling the indentation of where Draco had pressed down the quill.

"Well, open it all ready!"

I jump. "I totally forgot Hermione was here. "Oh, yeah." I laugh. "My bad."

She smiles and nods, getting up and pouring herself some tea.

I turn over the letter in my hand and breathe. I tear into the white paper and pull out the parchment.

His scrawl is prominent, though I haven't unfolded the letter. I glance at Hermione and see she's taken to looking through the new books that have cluttered the kitchen.

I'm kind of glad Hermione isn't paying attention to me. Makes this whole thing less tense.

I unfold it, carefully, making sure nothing rips.

Dearest Audi,

I know I haven't written in which seems like forever. I understand if you're mad at me. I've been busy helping my father with …..business. I can't go into detail, if I did, you could get hurt, and I'm not willing to take that chance. This is my only moment to relax and think. So, I'll think of you. I really have been meaning to write. I just haven't had the time, or the parchment. Haha, I miss you. Quite a lot, actually. Though that doesn't change what this letter will say. This year is going to be loads different from the previous year. Not with us just going up in classes, but with myself. I've changed, become more, well, different. Please, forgive me for anything I come to do. It's not my fault for the things I do, it's just that, I have to do them. I have to, there's no way out of it. Just make sure you always know that I really care about you. So much. You've become my best mate, even though you're a girl.

I have to tell you this now. This letter has become too long anyway. Remember what I said before, that I'm not doing this willing. We can't talk to each other anymore. I've put you in danger, and I'm afraid that if what I continue to pursue becomes harmful to the people around me, I won't be able to stop or help you. This year, you might not see me as often as you'd like. Do not owl me after this. Don't try and contact me. This will only hurt worse. If anyone is to find out I've been talking to a mud blood, my family and I will be targeted. This is goodbye. I am truly sorry. Please, Audrea. Remember what I've said.

Draco Malfoy

The letter falls from my hands and I gasp. Tears fall freely down my face, unbeknownst to me. Hermione quickly grabs the letter and puts a hand on my shoulder.

"What's happened? Audrea? Say something."

I pointed limply to the letter. "Read it," I whisper, collapsing to the floor.

I had just lost my first best friend. A boy who I trusted, even after only knowing him a year. It felt as if my heart fell to the floor and a crocodile ate it, spat it back up and let an elephant step on it.

Hermione reads the letter, her brow furrowed. After a moment, she gasps and throws the letter on the counter.

"Oh Audrea, I'm so sorry. He's being an absolute prat! Whatever he's going through, he doesn't have to exclude you from his life!"

I shake my head, sobbing more. "It's not that, Hermione! He called me a mudblood."

She hugs me, and tries to quiet me. "You aren't a mudblood. I promise you that. He's obviously not that smart."

I sniff and move away from her. "Can we just go paint my room? I don't want to think about it."

Hermione nods and folds the letter and puts it in her pocket.

"I'll make sure this doesn't get lost. I'll write Katie later, so you don't have to."

I smile slightly and wipe my face. "Thanks Hermione, that means a lot."

"That's what best friends are for." she smiles and then grabs the paint. "Let's make this a girl's night. We'll paint, go grab some food and watch movies! It'll be fun!"

"Okay! Uh, I'll bring up my CD player and we can listen to the radio and sing horribly to all the songs we think are stupid!" I reply, grabbing the other paint container.

We run upstairs, laughing and being stupid. But the whole time, I can't help but think about what Draco said. Things are going to change? He's going to change? Whatever is going to happen, it can't be good. Now, instead of focusing on the upcoming year, I'll be worrying over if he's okay or not.

I promise, next chapter, will be at the school and full of angsty-ness of Audi seeing Draco for the first time in 3 months...Oy, well, Happy Christmas!