Disclaimer: I only own the plot and anything else you may not recognize.
A/N: The reason Dumbledore didn't call them by their first names was because I couldn't remember them and couldn't find them in the fourth book. :) Also, this chapter is dedicated to Bluegirl18. Here are your letters! ;)
Letter Exchange
Nov. 2
My Darling D
"No, that's too mushy for how we've been addressing each other," Ginny muttered to herself. Scratching it out, she began again.
Dear D
"Much better"
How are you? I'm fine. So your father's still on you case about the family business is he? I'm sorry to hear that. I've thought about it and I understand why it upsets you so when he bugs you. I wouldn't want my parents planning my life for me either. As for your assumption, feel free to believe whatever you want concerning why I wasn't as heartbroken as expected.
Ginny stopped here and shot a glare at Ron and Hermione. They were having yet another row about Fleur.
"All I'm saying, Ron, is that if she knew who you were, and if she remembered you, she would not be this sickeningly sweet with you!"
"What do you know Hermione?" Ron spat back, "Vikky liked you from the beginning. You never had to go through the humiliation!"
"Do not bring Viktor into this!" Hermione stopped as she realized something, "You just agreed with me Ron!"
"I did what?"
"You just proved my point!" Hermione began to jump around in glee, "You said that I never had to go through the humiliation! You're afraid of that exact thing that I'm talking about happening!"
Ron stood there for a moment mouth agape. Seeing as he had just lost that argument, he began another. "Fleur is not sickeningly sweet!" he practically yelled. "She's just a very nice girl who happens to find me attractive." By now the entire common room was watching.
Hermione began to splutter, "Attractive?! Attractive! How can she find you attractive when she doesn't even know who you are?!"
Ginny had had enough. The two were causing way too much noise. "Enough!" she yelled. The pair immediately fell silent. "Will you two please either shut up or take it outside?" Neither Ron nor Hermione spoke, but each shot the other a glare before going to their separate dormitories. With a sigh of irritation, Ginny returned to her letter.
My brother is such a git! He and his gal pal were standing right in the middle of our common room having a row! Honestly, the entire school must have heard their fight. And it was all over my brother's quill pal! Anyway, there's nothing much going on here. How about you?
Love, V
"No," Ginny sighed, "once again it's too romantic." Scratching out her farewell she replaced it with: Your friend, V
Draco sat at a table in the common room bent low over his paper. To an onlooker it would appear as though he was doing homework, but in actuality he was writing a letter.
Nov. 5
Dear V,
Draco stopped and looked at what he had just written. Well, she's the one who began that way first. I don't see any harm in doing the same. Shrugging to himself he began to write once again.
I'm fine. My father hasn't bothered me in a couple days. He finally gave me an ultimatum, however, either I join the business when I'm seventeen or I'm cut from the will and disowned. I figure I'll just have to make sure he's dead before I'm seventeen. Just kidding, honest! But still, it's better to be disowned then to be killed (which was what I was expecting) right? I have a small fortune of my own that I'll get from my mum anyway. She made sure her will can't be touched by my father. She too wants me to join the business, but also seems to be resigned to the fact that I'm not my father. She loves me too much to leave me completely helpless.
Your brother had a row in front of the entire common room? No offense, but he sounds like a bloody prat. Or maybe he's just smitten with the girl. Who knows? Anyway, nothing much going on on this end. I'd better end this letter. I've still got charms homework to do. Write soon.
Love, D
Draco re-read the letter and when he got to the end let out a cry of dismay. What on earth had he been thinking writing that? Quickly scratching out the word he replaced it with sincerely. Blowing on the ink to help it along in drying Draco rose from the table and hurried to the owlery to deliver it.
Nov. 10
Dear D,
I'm perfectly peachy! And you? All right, so maybe I'm not fine. It's that stupid bully again! I was sitting at lunch minding my own business when he and his cronies come marching up like they own the place! Then he began to insult me, which is nothing new, but his remarks were so biting that he may as well have really been biting me! I hid it well, however, just like I always do. I retaliated and left him speechless, but his words still cut. Oh well, enough about him. I aced my charms exam and am doing much better in potions. I just have one question: In the mixture required for a memory potion, what is the central ingredient?
Your friend, V
P.S. My friend has been reading over my shoulder again. She says we're still not mushy enough. So what do you say sugarpuss? Should we humor her?
Nov. 13
My Dearest V,
I hope this letter finds you well, my love, and that my answer isn't too late (although it most likely is). In a memory potion the key ingredient is morsewood. This particular magical plant contains an element that aids in memory expansion. Added to other various ingredients, morsewood can serve to help the person who takes the potion remember things as far back as when they were a toddler. Or at least that's what my potions master says.
Now as for this bully, love. Just keep making him speechless. But not in the way you make me, of course. The girl who pulled her wand on me is constantly doing that to me (once again, not in the same way you make me speechless) and it's quickly making me want to just leave her alone. So just keep it up and don't let him get to you. He probably just does it for attention. Well, write back darling.
Yours for eternity, D
P.S. Was that sappy enough for her?
Nov. 18
My dearest, loving, darling D,
Thanks for the answer, love, I really wasn't expecting such an in-depth explanation. The last time I had someone help me with my homework he merely told me the answer and left it at that. And don't worry, it barely made it here in time. Lucky thing too since I put frog legs as the answer. Don't know where I came up with that. I just get so sleepy in potions. The classroom has such an ethereal feel, I really love the subject I've discovered. I'm just no good at it. Perhaps it would help if it were taught in a bright, sunny classroom rather than the dungeons. Anyway, you're such a wonderful help, darling.
Also, thank you for your advice about the bully. I know I can trust you seeing as you yourself are a bully. (don't worry, I still love you) I hope this doesn't offend you, but why do you bully people?
Loving you forever, V
P.S. Your letter was quite romantic, love, but I think mine's a better example of what she wanted.
Nov.24
Dearest V,
I'm glad I was able to help you on both counts. I don't really know why I treat others the way I do. I never really thought about it. At least, not in general. There are a few specific people that I know why I treat them like I do. In general, however, it could be a number of reasons. Why don't you think about it and tell me?
Hopelessly yours, D
Nov. 28
Dearest, darling D,
Hmm, I don't know. Perhaps you crave attention? Or maybe your self-esteem is so low that you feel the need to put others down in order to raise yourself up? Or maybe you're just naturally mean and are destined to be evil! If that's the case I can't write you anymore. Okay, in all seriousness though, it could be a number of things. Anyway, it is now time for . . . an update on my love life. Sorry, I know it must pain you to hear about the worries of a girl, sweetheart, but you're the only person I can be completely honest with. It probably has something to do with the fact that I only know you through letters. Anyway, I'm completely over my crush and we are on speaking terms again. It took a while, but we are now as good of friends as before (if not better). As for the girl he likes, I think his chances with her are history. They dated a bit last year and were constantly fighting. I think he's finally come to accept that he blew his chances with her. He is just now beginning to realize that he blew his chances with me too. Write back soon.
Missing you, V
Nov. 30
Dear V,
Missing you? Anyway, judging by your last lette,r am I to assume that he has turned his attentions on you? Don't worry, I don't mind listening to your 'girl problems.' It makes for a rather intriguing insight to the thoughts of a teenage girl. As for my reasons for bullying people, apparently that remains to be determined.
Only yours, D
Dec. 3
My very own, wonderful D,
Can't write much. I'm drowning in homework. It seems the teachers decided to dump a load of it right before the holidays. Bloody buggers. Anyway, yes, you can assume that, and yes, I suppose it remains to be determined. I have some wonderful news though! My mum sent my brother a howler so now he's going to let me try out for the house quidditch team next year! Complaining to Mum always works!
Hopelessly in love, V
Draco swore under his breath. The boy had finally decided to notice her just as she was getting over him; it figured. But this was not why Draco had sworn. He had sworn because when he read her reply he felt overcome with jealousy. It was this that had caused Draco to finally admit something he had been denying for quite some time: he was falling for his quill pal. And that was utterly ridiculous and totally unacceptable.
The worst part; however, was that by keeping his quill pal activities a secret he had left himself with V as the only person he could unload everything on. And he really needed to unload this turn of events. So what's it going to be Malfoy? He asked himself, are you going to tell her how you feel or keep this to yourself? He was so focused on this question that he completely overlooked the irony that Ron Weasley had received a howler concerning quidditch and his younger sister that very morning.
Dec. 16
Dear D,
Why haven't you written? Did I say something wrong? Were you not allowed to take your owl home over the holidays like we were?
Your friend (I hope), V
Dec. 22
Dear V,
Happy Christmas! Sorry it's been so long since I've written, it had nothing to do with anything you said I promise. I too was swamped with homework and that deterred my reply. Then I got busy preparing to go home for the holidays. There was another reason for my delay but you won't find that out until you get your present.
Love, D
"Well what do you suppose it is?" Chloe asked excitedly. After much persuasion, Ginny had convinced her mum to allow Chloe to stay with them until Christmas Eve. "I mean," she continued, "what do you think he got you? And what do you suppose was the other reason he took so long on answering you?"
Ginny shrugged. "I guess we'll find out the answer to both those questions when my present gets here."
"Did you send him his yet?"
"Yeah, I wrapped it up yesterday and had Mum send it with all the other large packages. I felt kind of dumb explaining to her why I was sending a large box of sugar quills, a premium broom care kit, and a book on quidditch seekers to a boy I, according to her, 'barely know.'"
"Well, you did send him rather a lot."
"I know, but I couldn't decide what to get him."
"Yes, but you spent nearly all your Christmas money on him."
"So? Ron and Percy can go without gifts from me for once in their lives. Percy would just send his back anyway. And Ron, well, if I got him anything it'd be a box of canary creams from the twins' store. Only, I wouldn't tell him what they really were," she added mischievously.
Chloe rolled her eyes, "Yeah, well, if it doesn't get here before I leave, you have to promise you'll write me and tell me what he got you and what he said alright?"
"I promise" Ginny said raising her right hand and placing her left over the letter.
Chloe rolled her eyes again and gave Ginny a light punch in the arm, "Good"
Christmas morning dawned bright and chilly that year. The Weasleys, along with Harry, were gathered in the front room opening gifts when a tapping on the window caught Ginny's attention. Looking up, she saw an owl that was unmistakably D's. Hurrying to the window, she opened it and the owl flew in. It dropped a long, thin package and a letter in the spot Ginny had been sitting in only a moment before. Closing the window behind the owl, Ginny returned to her spot where she scooped up the package and letter and hurried to her room muttering something about getting dressed. Once she was safely locked in her room, she set the package on her bed and opened the letter.
Dear V,
I'll bet my last letter has you dying to know what took me so long in replying, doesn't it? Well, here goes nothing. When I received your letter telling me your former crush was finally noticing you I realized that I was noticing you too. As ridiculous and pathetic as it may seem, I've found that you have become much more than a friend to me. I've spent the last month debating whether or not to tell you.
I chose your gift figuring it'd come in handy for quidditch tryouts. And just so you know, I bought it long before I realized I like you. Don't worry, I'm not trying to buy your love. Even if you don't return my feelings please accept this gift. Happy Christmas!
Love, D
Ginny was astonished to say the least. Her quill pal had just confessed to having feelings for her! Her amazement was quickly replaced with excitement when she realized that this meant they both felt the same way for each other. Grabbing the package, she ripped it open and let out a cry of surprise when she saw a brand new Firebolt lying on her bed. Gently she brushed her finger along the gleaming wood. She knew she was going to keep it, but she also knew her parents would make her return it. It really was much too expensive a gift from someone Ginny "barely knew." At least, that's what her parents would say. Ginny was going to have to hide it.
Dear D,
Thank you so much for the gift. I love it. But are you sure you have enough money for it? Oh, and for the record, I like you too.
Love, V
A/N: Hurray! They like each other. I'm so happy! sniff anyways, plz review!!!