Chapter 5: 4 days! NOT FAIR!

After buying her books, Hermione could no longer push the thoughts from her mind. It had been four days. Four days since she had last slept, four days where she had been thinking. When night came, she would try to will herself to sleep, but it never worked. Her mind just couldn't settle down, and so she would just lay in bed, wondering. Thinking about everything. I mean, how could she possibly continue to write HIM? She knew who he was and he didn't know who she was. When his letter finally came almost two weeks later, she still wasn't getting much sleep, and she still didn't know what to do. Now, every time she read the letter, an image of HIM would come to her mind, writing the letter. He seemed so different in his letters. But then again, she reasoned with herself, so do I. Then Hermione realized something. They weren't different, they were being REAL with each other. And that sort of surprised her. She knew it shouldn't have, but it still did when she put it like that. That thought was what made up her mind. She would write back. She would be normal, act as if she didn't know. Going to the desk and flipping through her PLP spot, she found his most recent letter and read it again.

Thunder,

Hey! I'm back. How have you been? It's been great being by myself. I get to decide what I want to do and when I want to do it. My dad has no idea where I am, so I'm just hanging out. Your mum hasn't been to bad, has she? What about Beth? I'm anxious for school to start, because then I'll see her. I get to see her, but we always end up fighting, so it's a mix. Is it the same with you? And I'm starting to think maybe you have a point about her not hating me, but I won't get my hopes up. It'll most likely all be the same at school still, pretending. Sometimes I just think to myself that it'd be okay if I stopped, but then my brain will kick in a moment later, and I know I can't. I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to stop pretending. It really is a release so write you, and I hope it's the same for you. I've got to go now, cause I'm awfully hungry, but I'll be waiting for your letter.

Lightning

Sitting down and shoving everything but the letters into a tiny corner, she spread her parchment out and began to write. This letter was special though, because it would include a package as well.

Lightning,

Hey! I've been fine. I wish I could be by myself, it'd be so nice. Ohh, I'm so jealous! Well, mum's just been her screwed up self. I mean, she's not as bad as Beth is, but it's a different kind of bothersome, if that makes any sense. It's just, see my parents have all these expectations. My sister is so messed up, and my mother has got it into her head that I can do no wrong. When I get such good grades, it's just the usual ya know, she expects it from me. But if Beth were to get good grades, it'd be a reason for the whole family to come over and fuss over her. I'm not trying to sound selfish or anything, but it just isn't fair. They expect me to be better than Beth, so when I mess up, even if it's just a little, it's always such a big deal. That's why I despise them all. But of course, they don't know, and they never will. I'm almost certain I'll never stop pretending. That's partly because I have such big trust issues, so you still have hope. Yeah, I can't wait for school to start. I'll get away from my family, and it's a mix for me too. I love seeing him, but I know not to get my hopes up by now. I try not to care what he says or anything, but subconsiously I find myself wondering whether he would like what I'm wearing or something. Don't get me wrong, I'm comfortable with myself just the way I am, but it'd be nice it anyone said anything about it. But nobody will, because I know I'm considered quite plain. That's cool with me though, because I know that if someone wants to approach me, I know it'll be because they're attracted to me, not my looks. This is turning out to be really long, so I'll go.
Oh, wait, I almost forgot! If you've already opened the package, then you know, and if not, you're more disapplined than me, so go open it!

Thunder

Tearing a piece off, she wrote quickly a note and slipped it inside the cover of one dark green, leather bound journal before wrapping it up and attaching both the letter and package to Thunder's leg. With a treat and a kiss, she sent her off.

Draco was sitting in his chair, looking at all the dishes in the sink. Just looking of course, not actually doing anything. He knew he would have to do them soon, or else he wouldn't have anything to eat off of, but he still tried to postpone it. He had just resigned himself to getting up and doing the dishes, when Thunder flew in the window. He cheered to himself and took the stuff Thunder was holding out to him. Seeing the letter and the package, he opted for the letter, as he thought the package would be explained. Once done, he reached over and tore the paper off enthusiatically. He stared in awe of the dark green book, running his fingers over what was impressed into the cover.

'The Pretenders' it read, and beneath the words, was a thunder cloud with a lightning bolt coming out of it. He immediately loved it and opened it. On the very first page, he found Hermione's note.

Lightning,

How do you like it? I figured this would be easier than letters. I've charmed them so that if you write something in it to me, it'll appear in my notebook, (which is dark blue, just to let you know). As a plus, we'll be able to write anytime at all, even during class. But you have to promise you won't look for anybody with a similar notebook! I did this so that when we get to school, we won't have to use our owls. Since they always deliever mail at the same time, I don't think I could stop myself from looking to where Lightning goes and see you, therefore discovering your identity. Tell me if you like the design.

Thunder

He flipped through the book of empty pages, before settling on the first page once again. He set the note on top of her letter and got his quill ready to write. Finishing almost thirty minutes later, he just sat there, staring at the dishes again. He couldn't wait for her to write back, because he had asked her if she knew a spell that made them do themselves. Of course, he had discussed other matters, but he hadn't forgotten to ask. Because after all, he didn't want to actually do them. But while he was waiting, he soon grew bored. Draco had always flown when bored, and now that he couldn't safely fly, he had nothing to do.

People, people, please! I have an announcement to make. I have decided to stop showing the letters. They will still write each other, but I think the story and myself are ready to move on a bit. Not too much, it's just that they'll be going to school, and I really want to work on their face-to-face meetings instead of their letter ones. Does that make any sense? I hope so, cause it makes sense to me. And this might be the last update for a while, I'm really not sure. We're having problems with our internet connection. Anyway, that's all, besides HAVE A GOOD DAY!

Dizzy