Chapter 18 - Draco's Reply

"Granger!" Blaise said catching Hermoine by herself in the library the next morning before breakfast, "Give this to Potter." She continued as she shoved a letter into Hermione's hands. Blaise turned and walked away leaving a puzzled Hermione Granger looking at the writing on the front of the letter. She knew that elegant script anywhere. It was Draco Malfoy's handwriting. Leaving her intended early morning study for now she quickly hurried back to Gryffindor Tower to find Harry.

She found him stumbling down the stairs ready to have another lonely breakfast by himself in the common room before classes began.

"Harry," Hermione said anxiously, "he's replied." And she handed him the letter.

The frown on Harry's face told the whole story.

"Well aren't you going to open it?" Hermione prompted.

"Open what?" a yawning Ron said as he came down the stairs just in time to hear what Hermione had said.

"Draco has sent Harry a reply to his letter." Hermione told Ron. "Stop stalling Harry and open it."

Harry gave her a glare but did open the letter. He read it once, and then he read it again making sure he wasn't mistaken. Then he gave a little laugh. Not that he found it funny or anything. No, this was one of those little laughs people give when confronted with a situation far to macabre to cope with anything other than laughter.

"What does it say?" Hermione asked clearly consumed with curiosity.

Harry handed her the letter and she began to read it with Ron reading over her shoulder.

Harry

Thank you for your letter. I too will endeavour to rein in my emotions concerning you for this letter. As you said it is not easy even if my emotions are no longer the loathing and dislike we both exhibited for the last few years. But that has all changed now.

Here are my views on our current situation.

I became a Veela over the summer and to as much my astonishment as yours, it was you I immediately felt drawn to as my life mate. It took some considerable adjustment on my part upon that revelation. My only insight as to why this occurred was some texts on Veelas I read stating that Veelas are often drawn to the most powerful individuals they know. I myself thought that would have been the Dark Lord but it seems to be you.

This is not a plot by the Dark Lord. You should not use his name. It is a foolish thing to do but I forgive you. You have been corrupted by your upbringing with those disgusting muggles. You have no need to worry Harry. Once we are together, you will never have to be exposed to such people again. I assure you, as one of the Malfoy family, you will be at the height of wizarding society. I am sure even the Dark Lord could be convinced to leave you alone once he was given certain assurances of your future behaviour. You would be safe and together we would be envied by all.

You would not need to work, as my family is rich beyond measure. I would be able to give you anything you desired. Clothes, jewellery, fine foods, travel to exotic locations and a place in Wizarding society second to none. Our life together will be joyous.

Thank you for showing concern over your suitability to become a mate for the noble house of Malfoy but you need not be worried. As two males, we would of course be unable to produce an heir with each other. I will, when the time comes, simply impregnate a suitable surrogate mother to produce our heir. Your impurity of blood would not be an issue if the surrogate mother were suitably pure. The child would be raised by the both of us and would enjoy the full benefits of being a true Malfoy. This is quite common in Wizarding society, so you can set your mind at ease over this matter.

Concerning your suggestion over the Dark Lords heritage, you must have been horribly misinformed, as it is obviously a vile slander without any basis in fact. The person who told you this is not to be trusted. Please do not ever spread this vile lie again. I forbid it!

Thank you for not wishing me to suffer while you undergo the adjustment to your inevitable fate. As I have said it took me some time to come to grips with it myself. But you must realise that eventually this will occur. I have both the law and Dumbledore on my side. You must eventually surrender to me. Please just do so now and I assure you I will never again mention your misbehaviour of the last few days. We will begin our new lives together with a clean slate. I am sure I can convince the Headmaster to have you transferred to Slytherin so we can spend even more time together. In the correct environment surrounded by those we can trust, your adjustment would be much faster.

I love you Harry James Potter and I will not be denied.

Draco Lucius Malfoy.

"Oh dear." Hermione said.

Harry fell heavily into his favourite squishy chair and shook his head. "He's delusional." Harry stated, "He's fucking delusional. I mean I know being a Veela screws with a persons head and all but that letter is just too far gone."

"The ferret is off his bleeding nut!" Ron contributed. "He talks to you like you were a naughty little child needing his bottom spanked."

"Oh thanks Ron." Harry replied in an annoyed tone. "Now I'm going to have that mental image of Malfoy spanking me all day."

"Kinky!" Ron replied with a grin.

"Boys, can we get back to the subject of the letter." Hermione snapped. "I don't think you are going to be able to rationally persuade Draco to find another life mate, Harry. It is obvious from his letter he is solely focused on you."

"I knew it was a long shot but I had to at least try." Harry replied.

"I think this is what Malfoy believes is a love letter." Ron stated.

Hermione stared at Ron with an amazed look on her face.

"What?" Ron asked.

"That was very insightful Ron." Hermione replied.

"You know I do have my moments." He huffed.

"Yes and you are right, I think. Draco sees this as a love letter. He's ordering you about just like he has always done with Pansy Parkinson. He assumes you would be thrilled to be considered his mate. It just so arrogant." Hermione said thinking aloud.

"That's the ferret for you." Ron agreed.

"Well, I am going to dispel some of those delusions right now." Harry said angrily as he grabbed some parchment and a quill from a nearby table. "I mean did you see that bit about Voldemort and Malfoy forbidding me saying he's a half blood. And as for having me resorted into Slytherin… Wait, can the Headmaster do that?" Harry said looking worried.

"I would have to check the school charter. I know a student can request resorting at the start of any school year."

"How'd you know that Hermione?' Ron asked.

"It's in 'Hogwarts, A History'. When are you two going to read that for yourselves." Hermione replied hotly.

"We don't have to if we have you around." Ron replied.

Hermione ignored him and said. "It's only happened a couple of times in the entire history of Hogwarts but as far as being forced to be resorted I haven't read anything like that. I suppose a Head of House could request a student be removed from their house for a strong enough reason. But I don't think a Headmaster could just order it. Head of Houses are pretty autonomous in their rule. But we should check into the school charter and Hogwarts by laws."

"I've got copies of both. I'll check them over this morning in my free period where potions use to be." Harry replied. "But back to Malfoy's letter, it's time someone put Malfoy straight. If nothing else maybe I can get Malfoy to realise what being my life mate might be like."

"Perhaps you could introduce him to the Dursleys" Ron contributed.

"Now there's an idea!" Harry said smiling as he pictured it. "But it would only confirm his prejudices against all muggles."

"Yes, that's not what you want." Hermione agreed taking the suggestion seriously.

"I could tell him how I want to live in the muggle world after graduation. I'm sure he'd love the idea." Harry said with a mischievous look in his eye.

"Why would you want to do that?" Ron said looking surprised.

"Oh Ron, really. There is nothing wrong with living in the muggle world. In fact, there are lots of advantages like TV and computers. You can still do magic so long as you are careful the muggles don't see and you can have the best of both worlds." Hermione stated hotly. "It's what I'm going to do. For muggle raised people like me and Harry it makes the most sense."

"Actually I was planning to do it so I don't have people starring at my scar all the time and treating me like the-boy-who-lived. I'd be Harry, just Harry." Harry said looking happier at the thought.

"But you'd still come and visit. I mean for things like Quidditch and stuff." Ron asked.

"Yes Ron I'll still visit. You know you could always visit me too. The muggle world isn't that scary. I mean you have visited the Dursley's twice. Just don't use a flying car." Harry replied.

"You know I think you might have the right idea. Paint Draco Malfoy a picture of what your being together would be like. Make it so alien that either his delusions about you or his worldview must fail." Hermione said. "Either way it's a win."

"Yeah, that's worth a try." Harry said.

"Now it sounds like you are writing a love letter to the ferret." Ron said grinning.

"He is." Hermione agreed to Ron's horror.

Harry grinned too. "One very disturbing love letter for the ferret coming right up."

"You're barking, the pair of you." Ron scoffed.

"There's method in our madness, Ron. Just you wait and see." Hermione said.

"Hermione when you have runes class this morning could you try and let Blaise know I need to meet her. She'll know where and when." Harry began madly scribbling.

The other two soon left the absorbed Harry to his return letter and headed for breakfast.