Title: Journeying: Chapter 9: Letters Home
Summary: Nothing can stay secret forever.
Notes: The story starts out as regular prose, and then switches to letters. Just in case someone was confused. The grammar mistakes in Ron's letters are on purpose.
Feedback: Yes please. If I don't know what was bad, it ain't ever gonna get better.
~Letters Home~
Today was the last day before the students left for summer vacation on the Hogwarts Express. Ron and Draco were meeting one last time before they would be parted. Ron hurried to their secret spot. The night sky was dark; barely any moon was out tonight.
Ron arrived slightly out of breath. Draco was already standing there, leaning against a tree. His ink black robes blended into the shadows, but his pale hair stood out even in the minimal light. Their spot was a secluded patch of trees away from both the castle and Hagrid's hut.
Seeing Ron panting, freckled cheeks flushed, brought a smile to Draco's soft lips. A genuine one, not the sneer he reserved for the rest of the world. He straightened and caught Ron's larger hands in his. He tugged gently and sat, with Ron across from him, their knees touching.
"Hey," Draco started, his voice colored with a hint of tenderness that might not have ordinarily escaped.
Ron finished catching his breath before answering. "Hey yourself. I'm going to write, you know."
"I know. Don't worry; I'll write back as well."
"Do you--" Ron paused. "Do you mind if I tell my folks about you?"
"No. I think they deserve to know. But you won't be upset if I decline telling my parents?"
"Nah. They might sacrifice you to You-Know-Who if they ever found out. Want to get more comfortable?"
"Thanks. Sure."
"No need to thank me."
Ron shifted so that his back was against a sturdy tree trunk. Draco lay down on the soft grass and placed his head in Ron's lap. Ron ran his fingers through Draco's soft hair, gradually lulling his companion into sleep. Ron stayed awake to watch as his pale lover slept. It was a sight he didn't often get to cherish. Awake, Draco, while still wonderful, never entirely let go. Asleep, he became as innocent as a newborn.
They stayed like that for some time, until the moon started its descent from its zenith in the sky. They needed to be getting back to their rooms before someone noticed their absence. Ron shook Draco lightly until the smaller boy woke. Draco stood and stretched to work the kinks out of his body, with Ron following suit.
Ron made a move to leave the area but was stopped by Draco's hand on his waist. Ron looked at him questioningly.
"A final kiss goodbye?" Draco whispered.
Ron swooped in and captured Draco's mouth for his answer. The kiss lasted until both participants were breathless. Forcing himself to part, Ron took a step back.
"As much as I would love to continue this, we need to get back. Getting caught out here is not my idea of a fun time."
Draco mutely nodded his agreement. The two then silently crept back to their beds.
*****
Dear Draco,
How are you doing? Is your dad giving you trouble yet? Please don't let it get to you. Remember-- you don't have to follow his plan for you. Even though we talked about it, I'm still sorry we couldn't say goodbye at platform nine and three-quarters. Nothing much has happened here yet; after all, I've only been home one day! I'm going to tell my parents tomorrow after dinner. Wish me luck.
Love,
Ron
*****
Dear Draco,
I did it! I told my folks! They were surprisingly okay with it, I think. They didn't care at all that I'm dating a guy, just who I was dating. They don't particularly trust the Malfoy name. I don't blame them, but I tried to explain that you weren't like your father at all. They promised to keep an open mind about you. Who knows? They may even decide to owl you. Anyways, I've decided to not make a big announcement about who I'm dating to my siblings, but if they ask I'm not going to lie.
Love,
Ron
*****
Ron,
Please tell your parents not to owl me. My father will already be suspicious about the number of owls you and I are going to send back and forth. For this summer, I've decided that I'm going to do more things that I would like to do instead of sucking up to my father's idealizations of me. Today, I explored the grounds surrounding our mansion. I'd never realized how many beautiful flowers we had planted. They must be my mother's pet project; Father prefers his pretty things not to wither and die. That way, he says, they leave a legacy. I think I may go outside every day just to read.
Truly yours,
Draco
*****
Dear Draco,
Alright, I'll tell Mum and Dad about not owling you. But they're still going to want to meet you eventually. You'll never guess what I found out today! Ginny's dating someone too! She won't tell who it is, only that they go to Hogwarts. That doesn't really narrow the possibilities down any. So, you mentioned reading in your letter. What are you reading? Is it any good? Write back soon!
Love,
Ron
*****
Ron,
I'm currently reading some of Edgar Allan Poe's short stories. I don't know if you would enjoy them much, since the plot tends to be dark and often deals with subjects like being buried alive. Personally, I enjoy a bit of horror; it makes me think about the human mind and how far it can be stretched before breaking, I suppose. If you really want to know whom Ginny's dating, all you have to do is sneak a peek at one of her letters. I miss you; there isn't anything to do here, really. Please keep me updated on all your family's doings. They make interesting stories.
Yours,
Draco
*****
Dear Draco,
Yeah, you're right, I probably wouldn't enjoy those stories. I can't believe you told me to look at Ginny's things though! She and Mum would *kill* me if they ever found out. And I know you don't want that to happen. Though maybe I could find another way to get her to tell.... Um, nothing really interesting's happened around here. Bill's home for a short visit, Mum keeps bugging him about his hair, they do that every time they see each other. Oh, I know something interesting! Yesterday, Bill decided to help Mum cook dinner. It was a disaster. Not only was all of the food either over or undercooked, but he also managed to splatter the entire kitchen with something. It's kind of green but it tastes like peanut butter. Later.
Love,
Ron
*****
Ron-
My father found your last letter. Please stop writing before anything happens. I'm sorry.
-Draco
*****
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley:
It has come to my attention that your son is pursuing a relationship with my own. I am forcing Draco to put a stop to this at once and urge you to do the same with your son. Do not believe that I will let this farce continue in any shape or form. If it is continued, I will have to take drastic action.
Sincerely,
Lucius Malfoy
Summary: Nothing can stay secret forever.
Notes: The story starts out as regular prose, and then switches to letters. Just in case someone was confused. The grammar mistakes in Ron's letters are on purpose.
Feedback: Yes please. If I don't know what was bad, it ain't ever gonna get better.
~Letters Home~
Today was the last day before the students left for summer vacation on the Hogwarts Express. Ron and Draco were meeting one last time before they would be parted. Ron hurried to their secret spot. The night sky was dark; barely any moon was out tonight.
Ron arrived slightly out of breath. Draco was already standing there, leaning against a tree. His ink black robes blended into the shadows, but his pale hair stood out even in the minimal light. Their spot was a secluded patch of trees away from both the castle and Hagrid's hut.
Seeing Ron panting, freckled cheeks flushed, brought a smile to Draco's soft lips. A genuine one, not the sneer he reserved for the rest of the world. He straightened and caught Ron's larger hands in his. He tugged gently and sat, with Ron across from him, their knees touching.
"Hey," Draco started, his voice colored with a hint of tenderness that might not have ordinarily escaped.
Ron finished catching his breath before answering. "Hey yourself. I'm going to write, you know."
"I know. Don't worry; I'll write back as well."
"Do you--" Ron paused. "Do you mind if I tell my folks about you?"
"No. I think they deserve to know. But you won't be upset if I decline telling my parents?"
"Nah. They might sacrifice you to You-Know-Who if they ever found out. Want to get more comfortable?"
"Thanks. Sure."
"No need to thank me."
Ron shifted so that his back was against a sturdy tree trunk. Draco lay down on the soft grass and placed his head in Ron's lap. Ron ran his fingers through Draco's soft hair, gradually lulling his companion into sleep. Ron stayed awake to watch as his pale lover slept. It was a sight he didn't often get to cherish. Awake, Draco, while still wonderful, never entirely let go. Asleep, he became as innocent as a newborn.
They stayed like that for some time, until the moon started its descent from its zenith in the sky. They needed to be getting back to their rooms before someone noticed their absence. Ron shook Draco lightly until the smaller boy woke. Draco stood and stretched to work the kinks out of his body, with Ron following suit.
Ron made a move to leave the area but was stopped by Draco's hand on his waist. Ron looked at him questioningly.
"A final kiss goodbye?" Draco whispered.
Ron swooped in and captured Draco's mouth for his answer. The kiss lasted until both participants were breathless. Forcing himself to part, Ron took a step back.
"As much as I would love to continue this, we need to get back. Getting caught out here is not my idea of a fun time."
Draco mutely nodded his agreement. The two then silently crept back to their beds.
*****
Dear Draco,
How are you doing? Is your dad giving you trouble yet? Please don't let it get to you. Remember-- you don't have to follow his plan for you. Even though we talked about it, I'm still sorry we couldn't say goodbye at platform nine and three-quarters. Nothing much has happened here yet; after all, I've only been home one day! I'm going to tell my parents tomorrow after dinner. Wish me luck.
Love,
Ron
*****
Dear Draco,
I did it! I told my folks! They were surprisingly okay with it, I think. They didn't care at all that I'm dating a guy, just who I was dating. They don't particularly trust the Malfoy name. I don't blame them, but I tried to explain that you weren't like your father at all. They promised to keep an open mind about you. Who knows? They may even decide to owl you. Anyways, I've decided to not make a big announcement about who I'm dating to my siblings, but if they ask I'm not going to lie.
Love,
Ron
*****
Ron,
Please tell your parents not to owl me. My father will already be suspicious about the number of owls you and I are going to send back and forth. For this summer, I've decided that I'm going to do more things that I would like to do instead of sucking up to my father's idealizations of me. Today, I explored the grounds surrounding our mansion. I'd never realized how many beautiful flowers we had planted. They must be my mother's pet project; Father prefers his pretty things not to wither and die. That way, he says, they leave a legacy. I think I may go outside every day just to read.
Truly yours,
Draco
*****
Dear Draco,
Alright, I'll tell Mum and Dad about not owling you. But they're still going to want to meet you eventually. You'll never guess what I found out today! Ginny's dating someone too! She won't tell who it is, only that they go to Hogwarts. That doesn't really narrow the possibilities down any. So, you mentioned reading in your letter. What are you reading? Is it any good? Write back soon!
Love,
Ron
*****
Ron,
I'm currently reading some of Edgar Allan Poe's short stories. I don't know if you would enjoy them much, since the plot tends to be dark and often deals with subjects like being buried alive. Personally, I enjoy a bit of horror; it makes me think about the human mind and how far it can be stretched before breaking, I suppose. If you really want to know whom Ginny's dating, all you have to do is sneak a peek at one of her letters. I miss you; there isn't anything to do here, really. Please keep me updated on all your family's doings. They make interesting stories.
Yours,
Draco
*****
Dear Draco,
Yeah, you're right, I probably wouldn't enjoy those stories. I can't believe you told me to look at Ginny's things though! She and Mum would *kill* me if they ever found out. And I know you don't want that to happen. Though maybe I could find another way to get her to tell.... Um, nothing really interesting's happened around here. Bill's home for a short visit, Mum keeps bugging him about his hair, they do that every time they see each other. Oh, I know something interesting! Yesterday, Bill decided to help Mum cook dinner. It was a disaster. Not only was all of the food either over or undercooked, but he also managed to splatter the entire kitchen with something. It's kind of green but it tastes like peanut butter. Later.
Love,
Ron
*****
Ron-
My father found your last letter. Please stop writing before anything happens. I'm sorry.
-Draco
*****
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley:
It has come to my attention that your son is pursuing a relationship with my own. I am forcing Draco to put a stop to this at once and urge you to do the same with your son. Do not believe that I will let this farce continue in any shape or form. If it is continued, I will have to take drastic action.
Sincerely,
Lucius Malfoy