Halfway through November Hermione realized Draco wasn't going to let her ignore him. Draco even went as far as becoming Hermione's Potions partner due to Gryffindors and Slytherins alike trying to sabotage her potions. With Draco by her side the Slytherins stopped throwing things into her cauldron out of fear of hurting Draco as well.
"Why are you doing this?" Hermione asked Draco. They were the last two in the Potions classroom.
It had been two weeks since this routine started and Hermione was losing her mind trying to figure out why. She couldn't handle not knowing any longer. It was driving her mad.
"I don't know what you mean," Draco said, avoiding the question.
"You're being nice to me," Hermione exclaimed. "I don't get it. If it's a prank then please just finish it already because I can't take it anymore. I feel like you're dangling a potential friendship in front of me and I'm waiting for you to yank it away."
"That's not what's happening," Draco said, setting down his Potions kit. "This isn't some elaborate prank. I promise." He dug a piece of parchment from his robes. "Here, I was supposed to give this to you after what happened on Halloween but you've been avoiding me." Hermione went to open the letter. "Don't, read it when you're alone. You'll understand then."
Hermione tucked the letter into her robes. "We should get to our next class," Hermione said grabbing her book bag.
Hermione spent the entire day thinking about the letter in her pocket. She could barely concentrate in Defense Against the Dark Arts because she was so distracted. It was a first for Hermione.
By the time dinner was over Hermione practically ran back to her dorm. She needed to know what the letter said, and more importantly who it was from.
She pulled the curtains around her bed and pulled the letter out of her robes.
Hermione,
I hope you are doing well after the troll attack.
I know you have questions. Unfortunately, I cannot give you those answers, yet. There are those who can see your thoughts. If I tell you the truth now, both you and I will be in danger. If, and when, you feel you're ready, go to Draco. He has the item you need. I understand if you decide not to take the next step.
You are free to write to me if you wish. Simply give the letters to Draco and he will have them sent. Do not worry. He will respect your privacy.
Until the next time
There was no signature on the note.
Hermione reached into her bag and pulled out a fresh piece of parchment, a quill and ink. She would accept this item from Draco the next time she saw him but for now she had a letter to write.
I wasn't sure what to call you since you never gave me a name. But thank you for saving me. No one knows I was saved. They all think it was accidental magic.
First thing in the morning, it's night as I write this, I'm going to Draco to ask him for the item. Can you explain why it's so dangerous for me to know what happened? Did you have anything to do with Draco being nice to me?
All the best,
Hermione
P.S. Can you give me a name at least?
Hermione finished the letter and tucked it into her bag. She would give it to Draco letter in the morning after their flying lesson.
The next day Hermione cornered Draco after flying lesson. "You read the letter?" Draco asked. He already knew the answer.
"I did," Hermione confirmed. She pulled the letter out of her bookbag. "Can you give this to her?"
"Of course," Draco said taking the letter and tucking it away.
"Do you have the item?" Hermione questioned.
"Not on me," Draco admitted. "I didn't expect you to want it since you've been avoiding me." Hermione looked down. Draco did have a point. "We have Charms right after lunch. I'll bring it then."
"Thank you," Hermione said gratefully. "Listen, Draco, do you know who this woman is?"
"I do but I can't tell you. When you get the item, you will understand why we have to keep these secrets," Draco explained. "It's not because she wants to hide things. She has to."
Lunchtime led to another surprise.
Mealtimes had always been lonely for Hermione. She sat the edge of the table and ate alone. No one talked to her, most didn't even look at her. It was the same thing for the last two months.
But today was different. Today two people sat beside her.
Harry Potter and Ron Weasley.
For the life of her Hermione couldn't figure out why. Neither one of them had tried to talk to her before. Ron had made fun of her and almost gotten her killed. Harry hadn't done anything to hurt her but he also hadn't tried to help her.
"Hello Hermione," Harry greeted as if they were old friends.
"What do you two want?" Hermione demanded. "Neither of you have ever tried to talk to me before, except to insult me."
Harry kicked Ron under the table. "We…" Harry gave Ron a pointed looked. "I mean I, want to apologize for what happened on Halloween. I never should have said those things."
"I'm sorry too," Harry added. "For not defending you."
Hermione stared at the two boys. It had been six weeks since the troll incident, yet they were acting like it was just yesterday. Still it would be nice to have friends.
Hermione smiled at the two. "Apology accepted."
Even though Hermione accepted the apology, she wasn't entirely sure she trusted them. They were mean to her once before, what was to stop them from doing it again? Nothing.
"Were you scared, when the troll came?" Harry asked.
"I was," Hermione said honestly.
"How did you stop it?" Ron asked eagerly.
Hermione shrugged. "Accidental magic," Hermione responded.
Harry and Ron looked disappointed by the news that she didn't do any impressive magic. "Did you hear about the break in at Gringotts?" Harry asked.
That was mildly interesting to Hermione. "Break in? No one has ever broken into Gringotts."
"Well someone did," Harry said. "And the vault was empty. Hagrid emptied the vault when I went shopping, on my birthday."
"Empty vaults must not have much protection," she said thoughtfully. "Still it must have been a pretty powerful witch, or wizard, to do that. What did Hagrid take?"
Harry shrugged. "I don't know. It was small though." He held up his hands to demonstrate the size.
"We should get to class," Hermione said gathering her things. "I can look into the object but we don't have much to go on."
Hermione could barely concentrate through Charms. Harry and Ron were constantly talking and Draco kept staring at her. By the time class was dismissed Hermione practically ran out of the room. She needed to find Draco.
"Hermione," Draco called, getting Hermione's attention.
Hermione whipped around to face Draco. "Draco," she greeted.
"You're hanging around Potter and Weasley now?" he questioned. No judgment, just curiosity.
Hermione shrugged. "It's better than all of the Gryffindors hating me."
Draco dug into his bookbag and pulled out a book and another, smaller object. "Be careful with the book. People will ask questions if they see it." Hermione took the book. It was Introduction to Occlumency, a book Hermione never heard of. "It's mind magic. Occlumency protects a Legilimens from viewing your thoughts and memories. Most purebloods teach their children Occlumency but majority of Hogwarts students know nothing about it."
"Why is she giving me this?" Hermione asked.
"Because she can't, and won't answer your questions until your mind is protected," Draco replied. "Both Professor Snape and Professor Dumbledore are Master Legilimens. She risked a lot saving you from that troll. Not that she regrets it but she needs to protect herself, and you. Just… avoid looking into their eyes."
"What's this?" Hermione asked holding up the other object.
"A new bookbag," Draco replied. "Your muggle backpack won't survive long with all those books. She got you a dragonhide bag. Not even a stray Diffindo can penetrate that bag."
"Thank you Draco," Hermione said grateful. She frowned. "How do I unshrink it?"
"Tap it with your wand," Draco answered.
Hermione did as she was told and the bag enlarged back to normal size. It was a beautiful dark green. Hermione's fingers traced the scales. She could tell it was expensive.
"Hermione," Harry and Ron called.
"Malfoy," Ron spat walking over to them. "What are you doing talking to him?"
"He's my friend," Hermione said with a frown.
Ron's eyes grew wide at the sight of the bag in Hermione's hand. "Where did you get that?"
"I helped her owl order it," Draco answered. Hermione quickly slipped the book into her new bag. "She was worried someone was going to ruin her backpack Based on how the Gryffindors treat her I wouldn't be surprised if that were true."
"This is really expensive." Ron reached out to try and touch the bag but Hermione pulled it away. Now she understood. He was jealous.
"Money doesn't matter to some," Draco said matter-of-factly. "Especially when it comes to friends."
"Thank you, Draco," Hermione said kissing his cheek. "I need to get to the library. I'll see you all later."
Hermione didn't wait for anyone to respond. She ran off toward the library. Once she got there she settled into her usual spot in the corner. She dropped her two bags on the table. She emptied out her backpack and carefully put everything into her new dragonhide bag.
Ron had been right about one thing. The dragonhide bag was expensive. Hermione remembered seeing them when she did her shopping. Unfortunately, she couldn't afford it. It was why she took her muggle backpack. Whoever this woman was, it was obvious she had money but why was she wasting it on Hermione of all people?
The backpack was dumped in the trash once she was done with it. Now she could settle into her seat and read. She pulled out the Occlumency book and started on the first chapter.
It wasn't until Potions class that Hermione was able to see Draco again. They were both early to class, as usual, which gave them a few minutes to talk.
"Did you start reading the book?" Draco asked, grabbing his potions kit.
"I did," Hermione responded. "I'm on chapter two. I started the meditations but they were difficult."
Draco nodded in approval. "Good. It gets easier the more you practice." He pulled out another letter and a small package, this time in a box. "These are for you. You can open the package now if you want."
Hermione tucked the letter and the package away. She didn't want to open it just yet. "Thank you."
After dinner Hermione went back to her dorm room. Her roommates liked to hang out in the common area and gossip so Hermione would have plenty of privacy. She took the letter out first.
Hermione,
Draco mentioned you received my gifts. I hope you like them. Study the Occlumency book every night. Someday soon you and I will meet again, and you will know my name. Until then call me… Morgana.
If you have not unwrapped your gift do so now.
Hermione sat the letter down and pulled the box out. She quickly tapped the box with her wand and watched it enlarge. The box was a lot large than she expected.
She opened the box and pulled out a long, black cloak. The cloak had silver fastenings and felt warm in her hands. She carefully sat it on her bed and grabbed the letter.
I'm assuming you opened the gift. It's starting to get cold. The cloak has warming spells on it so no matter how cold it is you will stay warm.
Be safe Hermione.
Until next time,
Morgana
Hermione tucked the letter in her drawer with the other one. She didn't want to risk anyone seeing it. She put her new cloak away and got ready to write her reply.