"Isn't that Weasel's owl?" Draco drawled as Hermione opened the window to let Pigwidgeon in. He was carrying four letters in his beak. He hooted happily as Hermione petted his head, but nearly dropped all the letters, for they were way too much for an owl his size. "Yes, he belongs to RON." Draco rolled his eyes. "He must really miss you to send you four letters."

"Right. Four letters in four months. That's so much. And I'm not sure that all of them are for me."

Pigwidgeon hooted again, and louder, so Draco quickly shut the door to prevent Crookshanks from coming in. Hermione took all the letters out of Pig's beak. "See, Drake, I was right."

"Aren't you always?" Draco asked sarcastically, coming back beside her.

"This one's from Harry to me and this one's from Ron to me. The others are from Ron to his mother and Harry to Ginny."

"Why did Potty use Weasel's owl to send you and Weaslette letters?"

"Hedwig was killed by Voldemort. She sacrificed herself to save Harry during his escape to a safe-house last year."

"Still Saint Potter, isn't he?" Draco drawled. But Hermione could hear the feeling in his voice, and so ignored the vibe.

She put the other two letters back into Pig's beak, and after another pat on the head, he took off through the window again. Draco closed the window as Hermione sat down against the wall and used her wand to open Harry's letter. Inside was a thick fold of parchment, as well as a miniature statue of a man with a beard. Draco, after closing the window, sat down next to Hermione, but did not care to look at the contents of Harry's letter. Hermione gave him the little figurine, which he happily examined, and started to read.

Dear Hermione,

How have you been? It's been horrible not having you around to help with every little thing we don't understand. Auror training has been much easier than I thought it would be, and although I'm really not supposed to let anyone know, you and Ginny are the reason where I am today, so I figure it's safe to tell you guys that we're in Albania. Our task is to visit the forest where Voldemort was hiding and clear it of any Dark magic he might have left behind for a Death Eater to use and continue his legacy. The leader of our group is John Dawlish, who you might remember. The other group members comprise of me, Ron, Neville, and Dawlish's wife Jane.

Jane's presence has been the only problem so far. Dawlish isn't exactly young, as you know, but Jane is hardly older than us. She graduated from Hogwarts only 5 years ago, as a student from Ravenclaw. I've heard that she's related to Zabini's mother on one side, and that could explain why she's attractive to many males. I also have a private theory that she could be related to Fleur on the other side. Anyways, Dawlish has been increasingly paranoid whenever another man tries to talk to Jane, and it makes sense, since Jane herself is highly flirtatious. I swear, that woman could flirt with herself for several days. I don't know, but it seems like Jane will become a celebrity by the time we leave here. Entire villages have stopped breathing upon seeing her.

I'd much rather have you or Ginny on the team though. Jane has the intelligence of a rock, and only God knows why she and Dawlish got married. Although, I must say, with his unnatural paranoia over Jane combined with the number of times he's been Confunded, he has been taking a step back. Or maybe it's because he's spent too much time with that stupid woman. Neville is just terrified of her, and can't stand being near her. Ron, though, amiable as he is, seems to be the only one apart from Dawlish in our party that can converse with her without wanting to kill himself.

On the actual Auror training, there's not much to report. We're basically just performing spells in all parts of the forest where Voldemort was rumored to live. Dawlish says that this, combined with being able to sneak around and change our appearances so that the Muggle villagers won't see us as our true selves all the time and become suspicious, is enough to make us full-fledged Aurors! This is why I truly think he's losing it. We've done absolutely nothing dangerous, threatening, or pressuring. But, I'm not complaining. I just wonder when Kingsley will force this old fool to retire.

I'm sorry I've been so negative throughout the course of this letter. I just really miss you and especially Ginny! Anyways, the little statue is of Skanderbeg, who is Albania's most important icon and national hero. I thought you would appreciate the history involved with him, as I can imagine you scurrying off immediately after reading this to the library to look up what Skanderbeg did. I'm honestly counting off the days until the holidays come, when I get to become a certified Auror after all this rubbish, and when Ron and I can come home. You'll be coming to the Burrow for Christmas, right? Ron will be ecstatic. Just imagine: the three of us together again like before!

Love,

Harry

P.S – Who are the Quidditch captains this year?

Hermione smiled throughout the course of reading Harry's letter. Dear, dear Harry. So honest and insightful! There really wasn't anything that escaped his notice. The sweetness of his letter brought her back to the beginning of their school days, and she realized, once again, how dreadfully she missed him and Ron. She could only imagine what Ginny must be going through, as Harry's letter to her would probably be even more emotional.

But who was this Jane Dawlish? If she had graduated five years ago, then she would've been at school with her! Hermione couldn't recall anyone from Hogwarts so beautiful that people would give her Fleur-treatment during her school days. But, it didn't seem important, so she shrugged it off. Hermione debated for a little bit before asking Draco, "Hey, do you want to read Harry's letter? I'm sure it'll interest you."

"What? Potty interest me? Fat chance." Draco sneered.

"Well there's a question he asked me that I don't know the answer to, anyways. It's about Quidditch…"

At the sound of Quidditch, Draco couldn't resist but reluctantly take the letter and begin reading it. Hermione burst into laughter on the inside, making mental note that any boy, even Draco, could be persuaded through something Quidditch-related.

Next, she opened Ron's letter, which was noticeably thinner, and contained no souvenir. His handwriting was almost as illegible as before. Sighing, she scrunched her eyebrows together in concentration.

Dear Hermione,

Auror training's been bloody hard even till now, and I can't wait until it's over! I miss Mum's cooking; the food here is almost inedible! Dawlish is the leader of our expedition, and he's completely useless. He makes us do all the work while all he does is flirt with his wife, Jane. She's nice, but how he managed to persuade her to marry him, I don't know.

Jane is fantastic. She's the one that motivates everyone, comforts everyone when they're down, and actually makes intelligent talk. Harry and Neville have been rude to her, but I guess they don't like her just because she's stupid Dawlish's wife. She reminds me of you since she knows so much! When I talk to her, I feel as though I'm talking to you again.

I'm sorry I can't tell you where we are. It's top secret, and I'm sure you'd understand, always being the responsible one and everything. I miss you, and see you at Christmas!

Love,

Ron

Hermione could feel the blood rushing to her head. Harry could trust her when Ron couldn't? What on earth was happening?

"Yeah, I don't know who the Quidditch captains are yet. But I think I'd like to try out for the team- Hermione? Hello?"

Hermione couldn't answer. She just handed Ron's letter over to Draco, who took it apprehensively, raising his eyebrows at her.

As the seconds ticked by, it felt like hours to Hermione. She couldn't think straight. And who the Hell is this Jane woman? Why does he like her so much?

Draco said, "Hermione… I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding…"

"How? How can this be a misunderstanding? He just doesn't trust me, that's all. Harry can trust me, but my boyfriend can't. You can trust me, but my boyfriend can't.

Tears started running silently down her face. With a concerned look, Draco produced a handkerchief from the tip of his wand, and gently wiped away the moistness.

"Hey. It's okay. You'll be fine. Just write him back and clear it up. I'm sure he didn't realize what he did. After all, it seems to me that he and Potter have grown apart. And Jane… I've met her before. Potter's right; her intelligence quotient is possibly negative. And she's not nearly as pretty as you are." He dropped the handkerchief and his wand, wrapping his arms around her and rubbing her shoulders, trying to comfort her.

Hermione noted his gentleness, and cheered up slightly at his words. He really was a good friend.

"Tha- Tha- Thanks, Drake." she blubbered, wiping the remaining tears from her eyes.

Draco gave her a final pat on the back, and stood up, pulling her with him. Hermione's legs wobbled a little beneath her, but Draco's hold was firm, and she regained her balance. Before she could think, she had grabbed him in a strangling hug.

"Need… oxygen…" Draco gasped. Hermione slackened her grip and moved her head back to look at him, then blushed. They were literally nose to nose. Draco gave her an awkward pat on the head, and said, "Anytime, Mione."

He gently stepped back, and said, "Get some rest, and don't dwell on this. You need to be full of energy to tackle tomorrow, so go shower and sleep. You're Hermione Granger; you can face anything, and always overcome it in the best way possible."

Hermione smiled. "Thanks, Drake. Good night."

"Good night." he whispered back as he slipped back to his room through the bathroom. Hermione heard him close the door on his side. She did as instructed and showered and cleaned herself up. But when she was about to climb into bed with Crookshanks purring loudly on her pillow, she sighed, and padded over to the window again.

Looking outside wistfully, she said to no one in particular, "Someone help me. Ron's changed, and I don't understand how I'm feeling about Draco."

She slid down to the exact spot where she had been sitting a while ago, and thought, This is going to be a long night.