Creep – Chapter 3

            Draco,

            I know we haven't communicated in a few weeks. In fact, I believe this is the first real and true letter I've ever sent to you. Well, there are no need for codes and ciphers now. We're free. Isn't it wonderful reading that word? Free free free free. I'm sorry; I think I'm still giddy. I'll try not to annoy you with the rest of this letter.

            I know I said that you should Owl me. I wrote last, after all and it is your turn to reply. But what would you reply too? So I've decided to write to you instead and break the ice. I'm sure you haven't thought of writing to me, though you said you would. We're not friends, right? You told me that early on. This was simply a way to survive. Well, we've survived and I've decided that we should be friends after all. We're the Heads this year, Draco. This practically requires us to be friends. Not only will we be working together, we'll be living together. I don't know if Hogwarts has let you know yet, but Slytherin House has been decimated enough that those who are left can have their own private rooms instead of three too a room as usual. I think they didn't want you to sit in the emptiness all year. So you and I, as Head Boy and Head Girl, will have our own dormitory. It will be smaller than you are used to, I think. But it will be home. Hopefully you'll think so too.

            I know you can't be happy right now. You looked so lost earlier today. Were Harry and Ron not there, I would have sat with you. You would have stood up to leave, I'm sure. We've never been able to get along. I'm trying to change that. I know they don't know it yet, but you're a hero. If no one else in the world ever acknowledges you, there will always be a hero's shrine in my heart with your name emblazoned on it in letters just as big as the one beside it with Harry's name.

            What do you say, Draco? Truce?

            Regards,

            Hermoine

*****

            I didn't know what to do. There is a new duality to my nature that I am finding disconcerting.

Should I tear the letter into tiny pieces and give in to the rage it evoked within me, or should I fold it gently and keep it somewhere safe?

On the one hand, I was enraged that she would dare pity me. I looked lost?? Can the silly mudblood not recognize contemplation when she sees it? Malfoy's do not get lost. How dare she even presume to know what I was thinking…

            Shut up, Father.

            She risked her life for this freedom she's so happy about. So many muggle-born witches and wizards went into hiding when Voldemort rose. Hermoine not only stayed active in the wizarding world, but she was in covert contact with me. Sometimes, when I took the time to really think where I was sending my missives, I would shudder. She risked limb, if not life, going to these places to retrieve my information. It was her idea, my sending the letters into the dirtiest, most run-down areas she could find. We were both less likely to be caught that way, but sometimes I worried for her safety. She couldn't even take her wonder boys with her when she went to retrieve my owls. They never would have trusted me without her. We would all, most likely, be dead. I owed her a debt greater than I could ever repay. If she wanted my friendship as that payment, I was getting off lucky.

            Yet, she compares me with that snot-nosed holier-than-thou Scarface. Joy, I'm her hero. What should that mean to me anyway? I'm no one's hero, especially not second fiddle hero to that …that… walking set of loaded die. He's lucky, that's it. Pure fucking luck is all that stood between the world as we know it and complete decimation. There should be laws against such idiocy. I have a hard enough time believing that he succeeded, much less remembering my dependence that he would succeed. For a brief time, I was possessed of the confidence the world seems to have in that shaggy haired twit. I suppose that when it gets right down to it, I was grasping at straws to save myself. Surprisingly, it worked. However, there is absolutely no need for her to rub salt in my wounds! Stupid mudblood bitch. No, that's not right anymore. If I can't say those things in public, I shouldn't say them in private. I should get into the habit now. Stupid friend.

*****

            I haven't the foggiest clue what possessed me to write Draco. He would only, no doubt, tear up my letter and spend the next year treating me like scum. I'm not going to expect a reply, I'm not going to expect a truce and I'm certainly not going to expect to live in relative peace with him this year. Freedom, sure. Freedom from the ever-looming threat I'd been labouring under for six years now. Freedom from Draco Malfoy? What a fool I was to think that would ever happen.

            I just couldn't help myself. He suffered just as much, no more, than we did. We came out ok. Still, the only major losses in this battle were Harry's parents. At least he has the memory of their love to sustain him. I don't think Draco…. No, I don't think Malfoy has ever been loved.

            He's tragic, that's why I wrote him. I've been reading too many romance novels. Too much Muggle Harlequin nonsense has seeped into my head. I've been hopelessly set up to fall for the tragic ones, the bad ones, and the redeemable ones. Well, he's redeemed himself; he's not really that bad anymore. One out of three, perhaps I can avoid what I'm beginning to think might be inevitable. Perhaps I can still see him as the annoying prat he's always been and stop worrying about him.

            Of course, I might still get a reply. We might have a truce and this year might be the best year ever. And monkeys might fly out of my butt.

            Oh, yeah! Wayne's World! I haven't seen that in ages. I think it's about time I enjoy my summer and behave like a true student. I'm going to veg out in  front of the television all afternoon. No thinking, no worrying, no Draco Malfoy.

            Mike Myers, here I come.

*****

Authors Notes:             Again, I'm ever thankful for all the nice reviews I've received!

I would like to apologize if anyone is getting out of character. I would like to re-iterate that I've never read the books and am basing this on my movie-watching experience alone. As well, I don't think I can get Draco and Hermoine together without making one or both a little OOC, don't you think?

Oh, and I don't have a beta. No editor for me. You've all been so nice in your reviews I'm not sure if I need it. But if I do, please let me know. And if you would like the post, please oh please let me know. You will be my own personal jesus. Hmm… Depeche Mode. Methinks its time to pay a visit to good old CD player. Or maybe sleep. Yes. Sleep. G'night everybody.