Author's Notes: Yes, it is now obvious that this will be a Harry/Draco slash story. To my reviewers: I LOVE YOU ALL. No, seriously. I do. You're the best.

April 6, 1996

July 21, 1997

Dear Harry,

I thought I might stop writing these letters after that last revelation, but I found too much has happened to not write them.

Umbridge as Headmistress? Ugh. It's stupid, and Fudge is a crackpot old fool for allowing it. She's going to make this school a living hell, I tell you. I suppose it is kind of my fault... but I can't really be sure, as I don't even know what happened.

She cornered me in the hallways, and I had to find you and hand you over to her. She'd found out about your defense club (why was it still going on, anyway?), and I guess she took you up to Dumbledore's office to expel you. I don't know what happened there, but everyone now knows that Dumbledore's on the run from the Ministry, and you're one of the few that know how/why.

What happened in there? Why weren't you expelled, and why's Dumbledore hiding now? Harsh as it is, I think I'd still prefer things this way - I mean, Dumbledore may be gone and we have Umbridge as Headmistress, but at least you're still here.

I don't think I'd cope very well with you not being here. You're a large part of my life now, and I...

I can't say it.

I... I care about you. There, said it. I care about you. I like you. I fancy you.

It actually feels quite good to just write this down.

But to more pressing matters, don't do anything stupid. You were completely daft to carry on your defense club when she'd threatened expulsion, and now that Dumbledore's done, things will be a lot worse.

I tried to warn you, that day you found out about me being part of the Inquisitorial Squad (not that I want to be, but father's remarkably persuasive). "Be good now, Potty," I said. What I really meant was, "Don't be stupid and put yourself in more danger. These are dangerous times, so be careful."

That article in the Quibbler, though definitely not careful, was excellent. I can't believe you went out into the open with what happened. People will respect you for that, I think. I know I do. It can't have been easy, talking about it again, and especially knowing that everyone would hear what you said.

Well done, but don't do anything stupid like that again. Umbridge will have your head, and then where will I be?

Love - from,

Draco