Chapter 9 – Communications from Harry
Classes were especially long on this particular day, for it was reaching the heart of the summer, and the weather was practically irresistible. She spent most of the day staring out the window, longing to be outside and not cooped up inside a sweltering classroom. Finally, as the final bell rang Hermione headed back to her room, fumbling with the lock then stepping inside. The second she got in she realized she was not alone, Jessica, Ben and Pammy were all sitting excitedly waiting for her, holding a small envelope. She stared at them curiously, putting her stuff inside her room, then joining them on the couch.
"Uh… Why are you all so quiet?" She asked slowly.
"A letter came for you!" Pammy squealed, her eyes shining. "From Harry potter!" She thrust the letter into Hermione's hands and when Hermione did not open it immediately, went on to say. "Well go on then! Open the bugger!"
"Actually, I prefer not to open my PRIVATE mail with three of my friends sitting right next to me, grinning like over eager puppies!" Hermione replied, emphasizing private immensely.
"Aw come on Herms!" Jessica whined.
"You know, calling me a name I despise is probably not the best thing when you're trying to get me to do something."
"I'm sowwy!" Jessica babbled stairing up at Hermione with the most pathetic puppy dog face she could muster.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Fine. But don't read over my shoulder… I hate that." They all nodded quickly and Hermione opened the piece of parchment.
Dear Hermione,
Hey! How has your summer been at 'The Merlin School for the Know-it-all prudes'? …
Only joking! I'm actually glad that I'm not near you at the moment, because I would be
seriously afraid for my life. Anyway, I've been at the Burrow over the summer… but I
think I already told you about that. Everyone is doing well. The other day me and Ron
were down at Diagon Alley in Flourish and Blotts, and I thought of you, So now I'm
writing. How are you? I miss you, Mione, really I do. Summer just isn't the same without
you Here to bug us about Homework. Can you believe it's already less than a month
before we go off to Hogwarts? I can't. Well the real reason I wanted to owl you was
because two months is way too long to goWithout seeing one of my best buds, so would
it be horrible if I was to pay you a visit? Owl me back!
Love,
Harry.
Hermione looked up.
"Well what did he say!" Jessica asked, awaiting an answer.
"He said he's coming for a visit!" She replied, a smile spreading over her face as it sunk in that she would get to see her best friend.
"WHAT!" Pammy cried.
"I think I'm going to have a heart attack!" Ben wailed excitedly.
"Should I owl him back?" Hermione asked.
"YES!" all three shouted in unison.
She took out a quill and parchment.
XXX
Dear Harry,
It's great hearing from you! I most defiantly want you to visit! I'm thrilled, as are my
friends. Come as soon as possible!
Love,
Hermione
Harry finished the letter and beamed.
"What did she say, mate?" Ron asked, looking up at him from the Quidditch magazine he had been reading intently seconds before the gray owl had swooped into his window.
"She says I can come!" Harry said, brimming with excitement, then at seeing his red-haired friend's crestfallen face quickly added. "Sorry you cant come too, mate! Are you sure your mother wont re-think it?"
"Positive." He replied glumly. "Once she makes up her mind there's no way around it."
"Well it would be a lot more fun with you, but I guess I'll manage. I'm leaving, now, talk to you in a day or two!" And with a loud POP he had aparated away.
XXX
Hermione ascended the stairs towards the mail room, reporting for her third straight night of detention. Upon entering the room, she noticed that Malfoy was not there yet, and sat down at the table. After more that half an hour of letter sorting solo, she began to wonder where he was, after all, she didn't want to have to do the boring job herself, and then, as if on cue, the door burst open and the tall blond staggered in.
"Hellllloo." He said loudly taking a seat beside her. She could smell alcohol on his breath.
"Gross Malfoy, you are totally drunk."
"No I'm not!" He replied, grabbing a bag of letters upside down causing the contents to spill out all over the floor. "I'm really not!" He repeated, bending over to clean them up, and then, with a crash, falling to the ground. He had passed out.
'Wow.' Hermione thought to herself. 'This really is pathetic! I should just leave him here.' But then her common sense set in and she knew she could not leave the letters unsorted and spilled with a drunken Draco Malfoy snoring atop them. She stood up and nudged his arm tenderly with her foot, as if he were a piece of road kill that was unsure to be dead. "Uh… Malfoy?" She whispered. No response. "Malfoy! MALFOY!" He stirred, half opening his eyes and looking up at her.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," He slurred, reaching up a hand towards her. "Are you okay?" He asked concerned.
"Uh… Malfoy… You're the one who fell over."
"Then why are you on the ground?"
She rolled her eyes. "Okay, come on, you're going to have to help me here." She said, pulling him up into a standing position and throwing one of his arms over her shoulder. "I'm going to help you back to your room." She was surprised by her kindness, but she actually felt genuinely sorry for Malfoy in his weakened state. They slowly made their way to his room and she entered, laying him down on the couch. He was instantly asleep. She was about to leave then, thinking of the beautiful carpet, pulled over a trash can and set it next to his sleeping form.
She then headed back to the mail room, for several hours more of sorting. After finishing, she headed back up to her room. It was around 9 o' clock, and she was already tired. She fiddled around with the lock, then pushed the door open, and gasped at what she saw.
Harry was there, in her apartment, but he was not alone. On the couch the two were making out passionately, and Harry had his hand halfway up the girl's shirt. But he wasn't kissing just anyone, his lips were locked with a very familiar blonde… Jessica.
A/N: Cliffhanger! What will happen? WHO KNOWS! You will have to read (AND REVIEW) to find out! Mwahahah.