Chapter 13: The start of a collection
Hermione's head was swarming with thoughts after her little "meeting" with Draco Malfoy. It's been a full week since that odd Saturday and she was off meeting Harry, Ron and Ginny at none other than Diagon Alley.
She didn't want to see him there, because the two of them hadn't had any contact with each other. Funny as it was, she hasn't even seen him during the weekdays whenever she goes to The Leaky Cauldron for a sip of butterbeer. Sometimes she thinks that it was a one-day thing and that she'll never see Malfoy or hear of him again.
Harry, Ron and Ginny arrived shortly as Hermione waited for them at the usual meeting place.
"So, Hermione-" Harry started, "What's new with you?"
"Yeah," Ron sipped his bottle, "You haven't been telling us a 'lotta things lately."
"New? Oh, nothing much," she lied. Should she tell them? No, not just yet...It was one day with Malfoy and it meant nothing.
What did happen with Malfoy? Well, she thought, we just talked and talked and I appreciated the change and kindness Draco Malfoy showed me.
Kindness? Malfoy? What?
"Don't worry," Ginny smiled, "If she's hiding anything, I'm sure I'll be the one to know first. Right, Hermione?" she winked.
Hermione forced out a smile and nodded slowly.
They spent the peaceful afternoon in Leaky Cauldron, and soon realised why it was so peaceful. Because as they walked outside, it was pouring rain and people scattered around trying to get shelter.
"Damn it," Ron muttered, "I hate rainy days!"
"Yeah," Harry sighed, "My place, everyone?"
Ginny nodded forcefully, Ron shrugged, and Hermione agreed. They spent the rest of their afternoon at Harry's house rather than being stuck at Diagon Alley with rain.
Hermione almost looked horrified as she thought of the fact that Draco wasn't there and that she missed him. What the hell are you thinking!? She thought to herself, careful what you think, Hermione....
...
Hermione didn't go home until 9:30 that night. She used the Floo Powder and walked home.
Before she entered her home, she walked over to what looked like a mailbox. She realised there was a piece of envelope sticking out of the mailbox, and she figured it was from someone who didn't quite know how a mailbox works.
She gave herself a confused look and grabbed the letter and walked inside.
She poured herself some milk as she laid the envelope on the table. What Muggle cannot live without Television? Of course, Hermione turned hers on, as Crookshanks jumped on her lap. She began to rip out her letter. She couldn't tell whom it was from but there was a nice green cursive writing of her name at the front.
She gave out a small gasp as she read:
Hey Hermione-
Sorry I haven't been in contact with you, much. I've been pretty busy after our meeting last weekend- with work, you know... my father, etc. Though I think I've already mentioned how I've enjoyed the afternoon with you. It wasn't much, but it was rad talking to you again.
Well, I'm not sure if you're still up to seeing me again. But we're throwing a party for...a friend, next Friday night, and I was wondering if you'd like to come with me. You know, as my...partner?
Write back, I know you want to,
Draco Malfoy
Hermione looked at the letter as though she's never seen one before. She slowly re-folded his letter and took out a parchment of her own and started to write.
Hello again Draco,
I guess I'm sorry too for I haven't seen you around lately after our "meeting" last Saturday. It was wonderful talking to you again, and I'm amazed that I'm admitting that you've changed quite a lot and less of that Draco Malfoy I despised so much.
Well, sure, I guess it'll be quite alright to go to a party with you, but are you sure your friends are OK with it?
Thanks for writing, it was nice hearing from you.
Best regards,
Hermione Granger
She re-read her letter to make sure she had said everything correctly before placing it in an envelope for Dawn, her beautiful golden Tawny owl, to send to Draco.
As she took off, she kept his letter in her hands and placed it on her "letter box" on her bedroom desk. She hesitated for a moment, and she opened the desk and took out an empty silver sparkled box. This made her grin as she layed his letter inside the small box, as though she's started a new collection...