Chapter 3
The Letter
Tired and disappointed Draco walked back to the Slytherin common room. Draco didn't notice Crabbe and Goyle walk up next to him until he heard them munching down the last of the cupcakes from the refreshment table. "Where we you Draco, the food was really good," asked Goyle through a mouth full of cupcakes. "I was with a girl," answered Draco. "Oh, who was it?" Asked a Crabbe with a mouth full of brownie, feeling kind of hurt that his friend would rather hang out with some girl instead of him. "I didn't find out," replied Draco with a hint of disappointment in his voice as they walked into their dormitory. "Hey, Draco who was that girl you were with? She was hot," Draco's friend Blaise, asked. "I don't know, she left before I could get her to take off her mask." "Oh that sucks," replied Blaise. "Maybe you'll recognize her Monday, when classes start again."
With that comment Blaise and the rest of the Slytherin boys, except Draco, climbed into their four-poster beds.
Hermione started up the stairs as she heard the large group of Gryffindor students getting close to their common room. She had been thinking about the stranger she met at the ball. As she walked to her bed she saw a folded piece of parchment. Curious as to who sent it to her, she jumped up on her bed, gabbed a pillow, and opened the letter.
Dear Cinderella,
I want to know who you are.
Can you tell me your name?
Ever since you left me standing
Like an idiot in the middle of the
Great Hall, I HAVE to
Know who you are. Until you tell me
Who you are, I won't tell my name. Write
Back NOW!!
Whoa. This guy is desperate. We don't even know each other. I guess I should just write back. I don't want him to be up all night waiting for a freakin' letter. With that thought Hermione sat down at her desk to respond to the letter
Dear stranger,
How did you know where to send your
Letter? If you know where my room is,
Then you must know who I am. I'm sorry
For leaving, but I had to do something. My
Name is Hermio
Just then Ginny burst into her room. "Hermione?! Who was that guy you were with?!" "Ginny! Don't you know how to knock?" Asked Hermione. "Sorry. It's just you guys look so good together, who was he?" Ginny asked again. " I honestly don't know Ginny. He was really nice. He just sent me a letter though, he sounds like he really has no clue who he was with at the ball. I bet its because I straightened my hair. You, Ron, and Harry are the only ones who saw my hair straightened over the summer."
"Can I read the letter he gave to you?"
"Sure, he sounds kind of pushy though."
Ginny read the letter. "This guy really wants to know who you are. I think we should play with this a little," grinned Ginny with a sparkle of mischief in her eye. "Can I read your response?"
"Uhh, yeah. Its right here. Why do you need it?" Hermione asked as she handed Ginny the letter she had half finished. Ginny read the letter hermione was writing before she interrupted. "Well, umm… what are you looking for?" Hermione asked with a perplexed look on her face. "I'm concocting a plan. I love that word. Concocting, concocting, concocting," before Ginny could say it again, Hermione cut her off. "Ginny! What is your plan? Right now to me, it sounds like your babbling on about a word."
"Sorry, you know, I really think I should have been a blonde," Ginny giggled at her own joke. " What I really was thinking, is that this could be like Pen Pals or something. Only you don't sign your names. I think it would be romantic. Plus a way to get to know someone else. What do you think?" Hermione thought about Ginny's proposal. She wasn't planning on falling in love with a stranger, but she did like the idea of getting to know a fellow student. "I'll try it. But I don't know. I'm not sure I like the thought of writing to a total stranger." "Oh, come on Hermione, its not that bad. It actually sounds fun. I wish I had a secret lover," Ginny said thoughtfully. "He's not my secret lover, I only know his favorite class is potions."
"Oh, so you do like him," Ginny commented slyly. "Well, a little. He was kind of cute."
"Well all the more reason to write to him anonamusly."
"Don't think that this will work, we will definitely recognize each other when class starts next Monday, said Hermione. "You may, you may not. Besides, if any one is going to do the recognizing, it's going to be you. Like you said before, no one has seen you you're your hair straightened."
"I guess your right. When I think about it, nothing will come of this, so why not play around with it?"
"That's the spirit! It's just a silly little thing. Come on! I'll help you rewrite your letter."
After writing for a half hour, the girls decided that the best response would the one that follows:
Dear Charming,
I'm am really sorry about leaving
Right before the last dance. There
Were important things that I needed to
Finish. Before I reveal my name, I want to
Get to know you a little more.
What do you like to do in your spare
Time? What kind of music do you like
To listen to? Who is your favorite band?
From,
Cinderella
"There! It's not the perfect letter, but it doesn't suck. I'll get my owl, and lets
send this thing out!" Ginny said after they completed the letter. "Thanks Ginny. You're a great friend."
"Don't worry about it."
