I don't think my mind fully grasped what happened till about an hour later when my hand still tingled from he had held and kissed it. I wonder if that means it's going to fall off. I see Draco is still arrogant as hell, thinking he can charm and flirt is way into getting attention from the fairer sex. After looking at the clock I realized it was only 1:30. Damn! Seven couldn't come fast enough for me. All I wanted to do was, go home, take a nice hot bath, and get into my pj's. Today has been just a little too stressful and I definitely need to relax and clear my head. In the meantime have to prepare for my 5:30 rush. Now I know what you're thinking...a bookstore has a rush time? Yes. A lot of my regular patrons like to have coffee here after a hard day of work. Besides, with it being mid-October, I get a steady stream of students buying required reading for classes. Somehow I managed to keep preoccupied until then. I noticed a small child looking bashfully at me from barely over the counter.

"What can I help you with sweetie?"

"Excuse me Miss, but that man said to give this to you."

He handed me what appeared to be a paper swan.

"Hmm..."

I looked up to see who the boy was referring to, when I saw Draco. He bowed his head in a regal manner and gave me a small smile. I turned back to the small child to find him watching me intently. I leaned down over the counter and spoke.

"Wonder why he gave this to me..."

The boy smiled and giggled.

"I think he thinks you're pretty."

I couldn't help but laugh lightly and looked down at the swan in my hands.

"What do you suppose I do with it?"

"I think you should keep it."

My head snapped up when I realized the young boy wasn't there, instead it was Draco. He was chuckling at me, apparently highly amused at my reaction.

"You again..."

He held up both his hands in a sign of surrender.

"Guilty as charged."

My eyes slanted as I looked at him.

"You're strange..."

He laughed openly at this comment. If anything, I must admit, his disposition seemed to have changed quite a bit since I last saw him. Although I could still sense the trained, aristocratic air about him. It was actually kind of nice to see him laugh in a non derisive manner. Too bad he never acted like this years ago. We might've gotten along.

"Actually, I stopped by to sort of apologize for my forwardness earlier. I'm usually not like that."

I bet not... Liar!

"Please accept this as a peace offering."

He gestured to the origami swan that I was playing with in my hands.

"Thank you. Maybe I should keep it on the counter to ward off menacing visitors."

He smiled.

"Yes..."

Slipping on some black gloves, he proceeded to the door before stopping once more to turn around. His eyes were pale blue with amusement.

"However...I don't think it'll work as well as you may hope."

And just like that, he slipped out into the cold London fog. I took a very deep breath. That man could unnerve me like no one else. Of course now I noticed my hand started to feel warm and tingly again.

Seven came around eventually and I began to close. The last of my customers followed me out as I locked the door. I bid them all a good night and began my trek home. I live only about a twenty minute walk away, so I usually opt for that. As I walked the cold wind made my cheeks rosy and whipped my hair out of its bun, making it a tangled mess. I stopped momentarily to dig my mittens out of my coat pocket when a beautiful raven-black owl swooped down in front of me. He didn't look familiar, but he seems to be harmless.

"Getting an early start tonight, are we?"

He ruffled his feathers and poked his chest out proudly.

"My you're such a handsome fellow..."

With that, he flew away so I continued my walk thinking nothing more of the mysterious owl. I arrived home and after tripping over my steps and dropping my keys twice, but I finally made it through the door. Peeling layers upon layers of clothes off my body, I felt much better. I heard something hit the floor. It was a scroll of parchment that must've fallen from the sleeve of my sweater. Poor Mistophelles tried earnestly to deliver it to me today but I couldn't have Malfoy there to see me receive a letter. He would defiantly be too superstitious, especially when I was supposed to be a muggle. I guess luckily for me he hasn't noticed anything can't quite figure out why I've been the center of his attention today. Turning back to the scroll, I could see that it was a short note unmistakably from Dumbledore. Nothing could beat the penmanship of a quill.

Dear Ms. McFadden,

I so dearly hope that this letter finds you well and in good spirits. Not a day goes by that you aren't greatly missed. The remaining 2/3rds of you refuse to let your spirit nor your memory die. They speak so fondly of you. And so often too, it makes me wonder if they're capable of concentrating on much else. If you ever desire to return and make your presence known to our world again, remember my door will forever be open to you. Please respond and inform me on how you've been before I begin to worry.

Best Regards,

A. Dumbledore

Headmaster

Sighing to myself I folded the parchment and took it to my attic where I stored everything magical. There, I took my own bit of parchment and quill to begin writing a response. I defiantly intend on including my close encounters with both Harry and Malfoy. Although part of me believes Dumbledore already know that this is coming. He doesn't miss a thing

Dear Headmaster,

I am well, although feeling very awkward. Two or so weeks ago, I saw Harry. Oh I can't tell you how much it crushed me to see him. I almost broke into tears, Headmaster. He was so much like I remembered him to be, so vibrant. And yet, this time, he carried with him a great pain and sadness. That was almost too much for me to bare witness to. Especially knowing that I was a contributor to it.

On a more self-disciplined and disturbing note, I saw young Mr. Malfoy today. Having not been a very big fan of his in my younger years, imagine my surprise when he was normal and kind. I'm afraid he has taken a liking to me as well, because he returned to see me this evening. I'm highly unnerved and I'm afraid I don't know what I'm going to do about this. I'm sure it's just a one-day thing and that it'll pass soon. I hope you are doing well and that the start of first term hasn't dimmed that twinkle in your eye that I miss so much. I owe you so much for keeping this secret for so long. I hope Harry and Ron know just how much I love them. I will speak with you soon.

With Highest Sincerity,

M. McFadden

"Your Ghostly Friend"

I whistled for Mistophelles and he came flying in the room, landing near my inkpot.

"You know where to go, try and make sure no one sees you alright?"

He hooted softly and affectionately rubbed my cheek with his head. I tied the parchment neatly to his leg and sent him on his way through the loft window. Now, onto that bath to detoxify my hand.

As I lay there in the tub, a glass of red wine in one hand, a book in the other, I find my mind drifting to Malfoy. It's a very strange situation to be laying completely nude in the tub and thinking about my worst enemy. But alas that's what I am doing. I have to admit, the Malfoy men were like a fine wine themselves. They just get better with age. While Lucius too was quite strikingly handsome, his attitude didn't help much, nor did his part time occupation. Draco now kept his hair long enough where it would blow into his eyes. It still looked like silk. I imagine it felt just as soft. Just as his touch was soft, and his skin, and his lips...Okay getting a little too carried away here. I know I haven't had a boyfriend in the last year or so but that's no excuse to sit here and fawn over Malfoy.

"You've finally lost it."

All this wine must be going to my head. I downed what was left in my glass and sank into the warm and fragrant bubbles. I contemplated just drowning, but thought better of it. I'm glad that I closed the shop for the next three days, maybe I'll have a full recovery by Monday.

knock knock

Maybe not...

I grudgingly got out of the bath, the cold air stealing away the cozy feeling from my body. I know answering the door in a bathrobe is against some code of ethics but right now I was both relaxed but slightly apprehensive about whom maybe coming over at this time. Both of those emotions combined automatically meant that I didn't care what or who saw me in a robe. Trudging halfheartedly to the front door, the wood floor cold beneath my feet, I answered it. A silvery blond head and cautious eyes met mine.

"Malfoy! What are you doing here?"

Shit...

He completely blanched and stared wide-eyed for a second or two before recovering slightly.

"What did you say?"

His voice was shaking so I had to gain my advantage back before I blew my whole quiet existence.

"You said your name was Draco Malfoy, you just scared me that's all. Are you okay? You look a bit peaked."

I touched his smooth forehead and moved my hand gently across his cheek. He closed his eyes and leaned into my touch, almost like he'd never been touched in a caring way. With Lucius as a father, I knew why. I moved next to him and guided him inside.

" Here...sit down."

I moved a few strands of hair out of his eyes and stared at him. Merlin knows I didn't think he'd react like this to my slip up. I felt really sorry for him. He looked ready to collapse right there. I rubbed his back gently.

"Do you feel any better?"

He nodded and ran his hands over his face.

"I'm sorry, you just reminded me of someone I went to school with. She always called me by my last name. We didn't exactly get along with each other. She was killed, five years ago, and only after her death did I realize just how wrong I was for making her life a living hell...It's a long story. Anyway, I found this outside and thought you might want it back."

He handed me my I.D. It must've fell out of my pocket either when I was searching for my gloves or when my keys fell. Needless to say this isn't the first time that this has happened. It's strange that he would be the one to find it. Then again when using magic, you can pretty much do anything. That however was the least of my worries. Now not only had Draco seen my full name, no doubt smart enough to figure out I'm his famous writer. But, he's also in my home which can confirm anyone suspicions that I am indeed a writer. I just have to play it by ear.

"Thank you. Would you like some tea? It might help your nerves a bit."

He simply nodded and gestured to my long forgotten wine glass.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything..."

I looked down at the glass, then remembered my current state. How awful I must look to him right now!

"I promise you aren't disturbing me, I just got out of a bath. Do you want to stay for a while?"

His eyes were so beautiful at that moment. I guess I never really took the time to notice. This isn't the same Draco I knew years ago, something definitely changed in him after all this time.

"Why not, I'll take you up on your offer."

He followed me into the kitchen, all the while with observant eyes. I put the kettle on. He leaned against the island bar next to me and closed his eyes for a moment. His hair shifting into them.

"I'm going to go put on something more descent, so I don't frighten you."

"Mmm..."

He open an eye and smirked at me. Without thinking, I ran my fingers through his hair. He caught my wrist when I turned to leave. He pulled me to him so that my back was resting against him. His hands went to the pen that was keeping my hair up, causing it to tumble down. He brushed it away from my neck, breathing in deeply.

"I know all about you Merrick."

He paused to breath deeply again, nuzzling my neck.

"McFadden..."