School: Mahoutokoro

Year: 7

Word count: 990

Summary: When Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger reacquaint, Draco's owl falls in love with Hermione

A/N: AU where Draco never officially became a Death Eater and Hermione wasn't tortured at the Manor.

Unfortunately FFN was giving me issues and was not letting me add any asterisks, so I had to add horizontal lines in between exchange of letters even when there isn't any change in the scene.

Hermione had barely just wrapped her hair in a silk scarf, and settled for bed, when she heard an insistent tapping on her window.

"For Merlin's sake, it's eleven in the night," she grumbled.

Opening her window aggressively, she scowled at the owl that greeted her. It was the cutest owl she had ever seen.

"And who might you be?" she cooed as she took hold of the letter attached to her feet. The owl did not reply, of course.

Granger,

Someone has set loose a bunch of Nifflers at our Manor. They have already ransacked half of our house, and one of the blighters even stuffed Mother's mulberry silk robe down their pouch. THE AUDACITY!

Father and the House-elves have been unable to catch them yet. We have sealed every door and window of the Manor. Please send someone to catch them before we become destitute.

Malfoy.

Leaning against the small desk in her bedroom, she snorted at Malfoy's antics. Those poor House-elves though. She almost thought of ignoring the letter till morning (let Lucius Malfoy sweat, ha!), but the owl didn't move from the windowsill and kept gazing at her.

Hermione sighed and penned a quick note to the Creature Department's emergency staff and sent the letter through the Floo.

"There, it's done. You can go back to the Malfoys." Hermione did a shoo motion and was surprised when the owl nuzzled her head against her hand, and then flew away.

Who knew Malfoy pets could be affectionate?

When Hermione came back from work the next day, she saw the same owl waiting for her outside her closed windows. She was carrying a package with her.

"Now what?" she asked in exasperation.

The owl blinked and gave a soft hoot and held out the parcel tied to her feet. She was adorable.

Granger,

We got back all our valuables (Mother's pearl necklace broke, though). I knew I would have to mention some sort of House-elf torture for you to do something. They are fine by the way. I gave them each a pearl from the broken necklace for their effort. I have sent you a parcel for you as well. I am quite magnanimous, aren't I?

Malfoy

Hermione rolled her eyes. She eyed the package that rested on her desk. It looked innocent enough, but one could never tell with a Malfoy. After casting enough jinx and curse detection spells till she was satisfied, she opened it.

Inside the brown packaging paper lay a book. A book titled The Witch's Guide to Taming her Hair. She picked it up to toss it Into the fireplace, but then realised that the book cover was just another packaging paper. Malfoy's owl hooted softly at her, as if beseeching her to open it.

When curiosity won out, Hermione opened it to find a book on Elf Welfare Rights in Singapore.

Hermione was annoyed at Malfoy, but couldn't begrudge him enough, as the book selection did seem very thoughtful of him.

"That must be your influence." She scratched the owl's head. "What a sweet bird you are."

Malfoy,

Thank you for the book. I wouldn't have wasted my time replying to you, but then I realised that you needed some guidance. You probably haven't learned mannerisms and politeness in your home, so I thought I'd show you how to thank someone. I, after all, am a sucker for lost causes.

Hermione Granger

P.S. Your owl is a darling. What's her name? You must learn something from her.

Haha, you're not funny Granger -_-

Her name is Lulu and there is nothing wrong with my manners.

"Aww Lulu. That's such a sweet name," she cooed at the owl, stroking her wings. Lulu preened under her touch.

You after all, might be redeemable Malfoy. Thank Merlin you didn't give her some stuffy name.

Hermione was surprised they were still exchanging letters by the end of the week. Though that was solely because of Lulu. She loved showering her with scritches and attention.

So when she came back from a hectic workday on a Thursday evening, she was not surprised to see Lulu waiting for her. After petting her and reading Malfoy's reply to some or the other argument they always had going on, she noticed Lulu staring at her very… intently.

"Oh, I'm so sorry Lulu. I bought some more owl treats."

When she turned around after summoning the packet, Lulu opened her beak, and out from her mouth came a ring. A very expensive looking ring. Hermione stared at it dumbfounded.

Upon hearing Lulu's hoot, she snapped out of her daze and picked it up. It was a beautiful ring, a cluster of what looked like diamonds and blue sapphires set in a thin rose gold band.

Summoning a piece of parchment, she wrote with a shaky hand.

WHY HAVE YOU SENT ME A RING, MALFOY?

She decided against attaching the ring with the note, for the fear that it would get lost. When Hermione asked Lulu to carry it back the way she had brought it, the bird gave an indignant hoot and flew away ignoring her request.

Granger,

I did NOT send that ring. Why would I? That wasn't me, I swear. Lulu has a weird sense of humour, haha!

She stared at the parchment in confusion and… hurt? It still didn't make sense. But before she could think further another owl arrived carrying a letter.

My last letter came out wrong. I didn't mean to say, I wouldn't send you a ring. Who wouldn't want you. What I meant was I didn't need a bloody owl (however adorable) to steal my mother's ring and do the work on my behalf. I am very much capable of asking you myself. And while we are on this subject, are you free this Saturday for dinner?

Hermione laughed at the sheer absurdity of the situation, but penned a Yes. Lulu was the happiest.