12/19/99
To: HJP80ATyahooDOTcom
From: dlm80ATyahooDOTcom
RE: Hermione
Harry,
Thank you for taking care of Hermione. I know I don't really need to thank you but I'm saying it anyway. I've spoken with McGonagall and I agree with all of her suggestions. I'm tempted to stop sending memories at all and just try to win Hermione over without them but I know she won't give up and I really think she does need to see everything so I'm letting you know that I will be waiting to send any more memories until the new year. When I do send the next batch I'll try to keep them fewer to a session.
Draco
12/20/99
To: dlm80ATyahooDOTcom
From: HJP80ATyahooDOTcom
RE: RE: Hermione
Draco,
You're right you don't need to thank me but you are welcome. I'll leave it to you to tell her you're waiting to send the memories because she's already chomping at the bit to watch more. I think the more she sees the more frustrated she becomes with nothing coming back to her.
Harry
12/19/89
To: hg79ATyahooDOTcom
From: dlm80ATyahooDOTcom
Re: changes
Hermione,
There is nothing I can say that comes close to expressing just how sorry I am that I caused you such distress. Don't bother arguing that I didn't cause it. I sent the memories. I chose the ones to send. I chose to send that many at one time. I won't make the same mistake again. I will send fewer memories at once and I think we need to space out the sessions more than we have. The holidays are the perfect reason to wait. I know you'll want to spend Christmas with your parents and New Year's with your friends. The next package will be in the mail after the new year.
You can't imagine my relief when that coin warmed up this morning. Or maybe you can since you thought to send me a message that way.
I spoke with McGonagall this morning, well morning for me. I suppose you know that as well. I know that she shared her thoughts with you on what we should do differently and that you weren't happy about them but I have to say I completely agree with her. Pomfrey should be there each time just to be safe, or at least when you view the memories from sixth and seventh years. I'll send them every three or four weeks instead of every two.
Martha continues to amaze me. I had no idea that she had gotten approval for a Floo connection to Hogwarts. She and McGonagall seem to rapidly be becoming friends. She also told me that she had applied for a connection to the Manor so that I could speak with my mother and one to Grimmauld place. No surprised they denied the second one immediately. The Ministry also saw fit to deny the application for the connection to the Manor. Martha, who could have been a Slytherin, has now applied for a Floo connection to the old Black chateau in France with the French ministry. She hasn't heard back but she thinks it will be approved.
Enjoy your holiday my darling. I wish I could be with you but Mother will be here and Terry has insisted we watch a marathon of Christmas Carol movies. He says he thinks I'll like them but hasn't explained why.
Always yours,
Draco
12/20/99
To: dlm80ATyahooDOTcom
From: hg79ATyahooDOTcom
Re: no change needed
Draco,
I see absolutely no reason to change our schedule, though I will agree waiting until after the holidays is a good idea. Asking Poppy to be here is positively ridiculous. I can teach Harry any spells that might need to be used and you can tell us what potions we should have on hand. We can buy them in Diagon Alley or you could send the potions with the memories. I'm fine I can regulate myself. Now that we know what happened and I know that what I was feeling wasn't just part of the memory or just end of the week tiredness I can better monitor myself. There is just no reason to change anything.
Hermione
12/21/99
To: hg79ATyahooDOTcom
From: dlm80ATyahooDOTcom
Re:
Hermione,
I love you and this what I'm about to say may mean I lose all chance of having you in my life again but it's worth it if it means you stay safe and healthy. You can either agree to the new schedule and Pomfrey being present or I will stop sending memories. I will not risk losing you to permanent mental exhaustion. You could end up in a condition not much different than if you'd been subjected to the Dementor's Kiss. I just can't do that, I won't do that. I'm sorry if that upsets you but I care about you too much and I guarantee Harry will say the same thing as will everyone else who cares about you. I imagine it will be a while before I hear from you so I'll tell you now that I have sent you a Christmas package. Please know that I expect nothing in return and at this moment I would be shocked if you reciprocated. Have a wonderful Christmas!
Always yours,
Draco
12/21/99
To: HJP80ATyahooDOTcom
From: dlm80ATyahooDOTcom
Re: sorry for the hornet
H,
She'll be coming to you complaining about me at any moment if she hasn't already. I told her no more memories unless she agrees to the new precautions. I figured you'd back me up. Sorry. As an apology for the beating your ears are about to take I am sending you a Christmas package too, well that and as a thank you for supporting us in our efforts. I know I know it's not entirely unselfish as it means getting your friends back whole but thank you nonetheless.
D
P.S. Please don't tell her I called her a hornet
12/21/18
To: dlm80ATyahooDOTcom
From: HJP80ATyahooDOTcom
Re: thank you
D
Thanks ever so much for loosing the hornet, though I get why you did. Yes I back you fully as does or will everyone else we know. Thank you also for providing me with future blackmail material. As I don't have a death wish nor do I wish to be hexed I won't be telling Hermione now but certainly in the future when it will best benefit me I will tell her. I figured it would only be fair to warn you.
H
12/21/18
To: HJP80ATyahooDOTcom
From: dlm80ATyahooDOTcom
Re: very good
H
Blackmail? Very good, how Slytherin of you. I'll be sure to be be keeping track of all of our correspondence for much the same reason. Little things like that should help you do well at the Ministry.
D
12/22/18
To: dlm80ATyahooDOTcom
From: HJP80ATyahooDOTcom
Re: Slytherin huh
D
Some other time you'll have to remind me to tell you about my time with the Sorting Hat.
H
P.S. She's still pretty angry with you, though I take it she hasn't emailed you yet. She hasn't even opened the Christmas present you sent her. I however did. Thank you a glass of Firewhiskey is often the perfect end to a work day.
12/22/18
To: HJP80ATyahooDOTcom
From: dlm80ATyahooDOTcom
Re: Christmas present
H
You're welcome and thank you for the box of sugar quills. I'm not surprised she's still angry nor that she has yet to open the present. If you feel the need to transfigure the box or paper to get her to open it you have my permission. I only ask that if you think she's about to destroy it you hide it or send it back to me.
D
12/23/18
To: dlm80ATyahooDOTcom
From: HJP80ATyahooDOTcom
Re: end in sight
D
I think she may be coming around. After talking to several people other than you or I, including a very long talk with Luna, who for all her eccentricities can sometimes cut right to the heart of the matter and make it seem simple and clear, she seems calmer. She also refused to let me have the present when I told her that if she didn't want it I would send it back to you, more than refused I got a good stinging jinx for that one so you owe me.
H
12/23/18
To: HJP80ATyahooDOTcom
From: dlm80ATyahooDOTcom
Re: not my fault
H
You really should be faster with the Shield Charm when messing with Hermione, I would think you'd know better than that by now. Haven't you learned anything in auror training? In spite of that I might drop something for you in the next box I send. For now, I'm off to spend time with my mother who has just arrived.
D
12/25/99
To: dlm80ATyahooDOTcom
From: hg79ATyahooDOTcom
Re: thank you
Draco,
Thank you for the lovely earrings. I don't know how you were able to find a pair that so closely matched the necklace but I love them. I feel bad admitting this but I hadn't purchased anything for you until yesterday. I know you said it was unnecessary but I had already planned to get you something, not as a girlfriend or anything like that but as a friend as I feel that we have become friends through these emails and in thanks for all you've been doing to help me regain my memories. It will of course arrive well after Christmas but I hope that you will enjoy it nonetheless.
I have, after much discussion with Harry and several others, decided that I will go along with the rules you all have set forth. I must admit I was quite furious with you when you threatened to not continue should I not agree but after calming down I see you must care for me extraordinarily to risk my ire and the possibility that I would never speak to you again. It is near grudgingly but I must admit that I appreciate that you were willing to take that risk.
By now you must have seen several versions of A Christmas Carol. I'm curious to find out which ones you watched, which you prefer, or if you enjoyed them at all. I hope you and your mother are having a wonderful Christmas. Please convey my thanks to her for the wonderful variety of teas she sent me. I have never heard of many of them but am excited to try them especially as she was so kind as to pick one that listed what each was best served with and what it might be best for, there are certainly nights I need to relaxing teas and times when the energizing ones will come in quite handy. I sent her a thank you note but do not know when she will be home to receive it so if you would also pass along my thanks I would appreciate it.
Hermione
12/28/99
To: hg79ATyahooDOTcom
From: dlm80ATyahooDOTcom
Re: sorry for the late reply
Hermione,
First I must apologize for taking so long to reply to you. While Mother was here I simply didn't go near the computer, didn't really have much time. She did seem to enjoy herself though I could tell that Martha's family overwhelmed her a bit. They would never have known but I could tell. It amazes me how differently some people grow up. I never really thought anything of it in school as so many of my housemates and friends had similar upbringings. I had never seen a family as boistrous or as outwardly caring as both Terry's and Martha's are. I'd think this was just an American thing but Claire tells me her family is also much more reserved. I wondered as well if it had something to do with social class, with money for lack of a better way of putting it. Maybe those that are better off are taught to be more reserved but John assures me that is family is "quite comfortable" in his words "flithy rich" in Terry's and they are not so resereved at least not at family events. He said he did have to attend many parties and those were more formal and people were more reserved but not at home. So I'm left at a loss as to just what might result in families being more outgoing or more reserved and I'm intrigued.
I did enjoy A Christmas Carol. It was interesting to see each version and see how they portrayed London. That actually led me to look up pictures of London from that time frame to see if anyone was accurate, some are better then others but I suppose that's normal. We watched sevearl versions, I lost count actually, over a two or three day period or maybe it was four days. No I don't even remember how many days we watched versions. Apparently this is a tradition of Terry's that John indulges every year. Each day as soon as we closed the shop Terry rushed me out the door and to their apartment where we had takeaway and watched movies. I'll have to ask him for a list to be sure I can list all that we watched though some are clearer in my mind than others. Everyone has their favorite and it seems no one has the same favorite hence the multiple nights of watching with different people over each night and as I'd seen none of them and everyone insisted I watch their preferred version I had to be there for all of them. I didn't mind truly as it's not that I had anything else to do, other than worry about you and it was good to have something to take my mind off of my concerns.
Three versions stick out in my mind, an animated version that was quite short Mickey's Christmas Carol, it was cute and enjoyable. One that several of the others like from the 1980s was really long and just didn't hold my attention the same way, I didn't care for it though I can't remember who the actors were. I think the one I enjoyed the most though I don't know that it was my favorite, is the Muppet Christmas Carol. I think it's the one that made me laugh the most and I enjoyed the music as well. I think maybe I just like the Muppets, Terry has converted me. I also enjoyed that the actor playing Scrooge was actually English. That seems rare in American productions. Which version is your favorite? Is there one you watch eah year at Christmas?
After John told me that Charles Dickens has written many books I went in search of them online. I thought about going to a local bookshop and purchasing several but while Martha pays what she can my position is truly supposed to be unpaid so I don't have the spare money from that and I've used much of the allowance Mother sent with me when I came here on electronics and I refuse to ask her for more. I need to make it on my own. Thank Merlin I have my library card and was able to pick up Tale of Two Cities and Oliver Twist. I looked for the book version of A Christmas Carol but they were all checked out, no surprise really considering the time of year. I haven't had a chance to read either book yet as Mother was here but now that she's gone back home I should have plenty of time.
I am so glad that you liked the earrings. Quite honestly I had purchased them at the same time as the necklace and had intended to give them to you earlier but the chance never came or at least the time never felt right.
I haven't received the package you sent yet but as it was Christmas I'm sure shipping has been slowed. I will be sure to let you know when it arrives and I'm going to say thank you now. You needn't have sent me anything but knowing you I'm not surprised that you did. I didn't get a chance to pass your thanks along to Mother but I will when I speak to her again though she will have received your note by then no doubt.
Well it is late, this is a much longer response than I had planned and I must be up early in the morning to get to the shop so I'll be closing now and say simply I am glad to hear from you again, I truly was worried that though you would want to continue with the memories that you might remain angry with me no matter what Harry had said.
Always yours,
Draco
12/29/99
To: dlm80ATyahooDOTcom
From: hg79ATyahooDOTcom
Re: Dickens
Draco,
I have read several of Dickens books. My father enjoys them so that I wanted to read them and it's not that I didn't enjoy them but they weren't my favorite reads. I think of the books I read A Christmas Carol was my favorite. As for movie versions my family has watched the 1938 version on Christmas Eve every year for as long as I can remember. It's a version that I don't think is as well known but I like it quite a bit though I could be biased as it is such a family tradition. I also quite like Mickey and the Muppet version. As silly as it is every time they're lighting the lamps and Rizzo screeches "light the lamp not the rat, light the lamp not the rat" I giggle. I just realized I think I told you before I'd never sen a Muppet movie, I'd completely forgotten about Muppet Christmas Carol, don't know how. I still haven't watched any of the others. Harry and I really need to set aside an evening and rent one to watch.
Over the years my family has watched a different version of Christmas Carol each year along with the 1938. I believe the one you mentioned was the 1984 version with the actor George C Scott. It seems to be one of the most popular, it is a good adaptation but it is a bit long. Actually if you get a chance next year and didn't watch it this year, there was a brand new version on American television this year with Patrick Stewart as Scrooge, I think you'd like it. Stewart is an Englishman after all.
I've taken a bit of a vacation from work, just a few days. So many others took time off before the holiday that I decided to wait until after and take my time before the New Year. Harry and I are having some friends over that evening for a small party. Do you have plans? Please tell me you won't be spending New Year's Eve home alone.
I feel like we've gotten away from asking each other getting to know you questions but I'm not sure what there is left to ask. I'll have to go back and read our old emails, or maybe not. I don't know. Is there anything you haven't yet told me, anything I haven't asked that you feel I should know, anything not related to the memories that is.
Hermione
P.S. You've probably heard about this and had your computer checked but I thought I'd ask just to be sure, is your computer Y2K compliant? I know that's been a big concern over here. Mum and Dad had to have all their work computers double checked to make sure they'll still work next week. I had a tech guy come out to check both Harry's and my computers last month and never thought about yours until just now. You just bought yours few months ago though so it should be ok, just wanted to ask while I was thinking about it.
12/29/99
To: hg79ATyahooDOTcom
From: dlm80ATyahooDOTcom
Re: hmmm
Hermione,
I can't think of anything specific I think you should know, at least not right now. Something may come to me and if it does I'll send you a message.
Yes my computer is compliant. They made a big deal out of telling me that when I bought it. Thanks for the concern though.
No I will not be alone on New Year's Eve. I'm actually hosting a little get together of my own. I say little because it is only those I work with and their significant other: Terry and John, Claire and her sister and each may possibly bring someone, Martha and Maurice though they'll only be stopping by for a short while as their oldest is having a party for the family. They've all been so kind inviting me into their homes I felt it was my turn to return the favor. Mother insisted that I needed more furniture in my apartment so that visitors don't have to sit on the floor. I wouldn't let her buy any so when she went back home she immediately arranged for several older chairs, a chaise, and a small dining table from the Manor be sent over. They're supposed to be arriving tomorrow. Sometimes I just can't stop her from doing what she wants.
I received your package this afternoon. It was waiting on the doorstep when I arrived home from the shop. Thank you, while I have read the volume of sonnets you gave me many times I have yet to have read any of Shakespeare's plays. I'm curious as to why you chose the ones you did but rather than you telling me I think I'll read them and see if I can figure it out though I doubt I'll be reading any of them until after the New Year. I may actually have to break down and get a bookshelf now. I don't want to leave such nice books sitting on the floor. I haven't even unpacked the sonnets, they're sitting in a box for that exact reason.
I've been thinking about what memories I'll be sending next. I'll drop them in the mail tomorrow to be sure you have them for next Saturday as I'm sure the post will be delayed with the holiday. Speaking of have a wonderful time at your party.
Always yours
Draco
"Draco your phone is ringing," Terry called, "Draco? Where did he go?"
John looked up from the dip he was stirring on the stove, "I think he ran down to the corner for more champagne."
"And he didn't take his phone with him?" Terry was shocked.
"He was only going to the corner," John shook his head, "Whoever it is, he can call them back."
"Well they hung up so I guess he'll have… no they're calling again. Maybe I should answer it."
"It's not your phone."
"But they've called two times in a row. I'm answering it could be important. Hello?"
"Draco?" came the voice from the other end.
"No, this is a friend of his, he stepped out and forgot to take his phone with him but I can take a message if you need and have him call you back."
"Oh um, that's not really necessary. I just called, well…"
"Is this Hermione?" Terry asked.
There was a slight pause before she resonded, "Yes."
"Oh wow! No don't hang up, I'm sure he'll be right back. I'm Terry, I-"
"Work with him at the potions shop, yes, he's told me."
"He's told you about me?"
"About you and your husband yes, and all the others you work with. He seems to be quite fond of the lot of you."
"Ah but he's much more fond of you."
"I don't know what to say to that," she replied.
"Nothing you need to say dear. We were all glad to hear you recovered, we were really worried about Draco when it happened. He was a wreck. Oh I think I hear him coming up the stairs, hold on just a second. Draco you have a call and trust me you want to take it."
"Terry why are you on my phone?" Draco asked as he rushed in the door to see Terry standing holding his mobile phone out to him.
"The phone rang twice from the same number I thought it might be an emergency so I answered, next time I'll just let it go to voice mail."
Draco sighed, "No need to be dramatic, thank you I'll take it now. Hello?"
"Hello Draco. I just wanted to say Happy New Year."
"Hermione," he breathed and dropped into a chair then looked at his watch, "it is the new year there isn't t? Well then Happy New Year. I'm surprised to hear from you. Did you call from your phone?"
"Yes. Harry gave me the number a while ago but I wasn't sure if and when I'd use it considering the time difference. Today just seemed like the right time. I won't keep you long since we both have company we should be paying attention to, I really just wanted to say Happy New Year and since I have I should go and let you go."
"Do you have to? I mean I only have Terry and John here now and they don't mind," Draco said.
"We really don't!" Terry called from across the room.
Hermione laughed, "They may not but Harry might mind if I continue to ignore our guests. I think some of them are already getting ready to leave and I should go say goodbye."
"Ok then," Draco said quietly, "I'll let you go, but, well it was good to hear your voice. Happy New Year."
"You too, have a good time. I'll email you later maybe."
"Me too. Bye."
"Goodbye."
1/1/00
To: hg79ATyahooDOTcom
From: dlm80ATyahooDOTcom
Re: you'll never believe this
Hermione,
I'm still pretty tired from the party but before I went to bed I just had to drop a quick line. Martha and Maurice brought an extra to my little party, McGonagall. Aparently they've been talking quite a bit since the connected after your issue with the last memories, which I knew, what I didn't know was that she had invited Minerva for the holiday. Has she asked you to call her by her first name by the way, I find it quite odd but I'm trying to do it since she asked me to, but after seven years of calling her professor it's just hard. They didn't stay long but while they were here she pulled me into a corner and told me she was proud of what I've been doing. It felt good to hear that. There weren't many professors I really respected at school but she was one. Anyway I need to get some sleep so I'll say goodbye for now.
Always yours,
Draco
1/2/00
To: dlm80ATyahooDOTcom
From: hg79ATyahooDOTcom
Re: yes it's odd
Draco,
She has told me that, as did Pomfrey ask Harry and I to call her Poppy. It feels wrong but like you said since that's what they asked that's what we're going to do, or at least what we're going to try to do.
I think it's great that your boss is friends with Minerva though. I always liked her and felt like she needed friends and I couldn't explain why. I'm sure she has friends but one can never have enough good friends. Besides if she's contacting your boss then she could be a good reference for you when you come back here. You are planning on returning to the UK aren't you?
Well I need to go I have to get my things sorted and ready to go back to work tomorrow. I think I might actually be getting somewhere. All that research you suggested I do into other countries I'm putting into a report that I will be presenting to the head of the department. Along with the actual rules and regulations I have found some reactions of wizards from other countries to our rules and regs, to the way they see magical creatures being treated. I'm hoping that that helps swing the head to look deeper into changes. We certainly don't want to be looked at as backwards or stuck in the dark ages. It's all about PR. Ah well I'm off to do that. I hope you're having a more relaxing Sunday than I.
Hermione
1/2/00
To: hg79ATyahooDOTcom
From: dlm80ATyahooDOTcom
Re: very relaxing
Hermione,
Yes, I've spent the entire day home alone just reading. Martha nd Maurice invited me to their house for Sunday dinner but after having everyone over for New Year's until late into night/ early into the morning I decided to just spend a day alone, get a break from all the people. Don't get me wrong I thoroughly enjoyed having everyone over but I needed a day of quiet before going back to the shop and spending time with my coworkers and all of the customers. Sometimes I just like to have me time. I always had so much time alone when I was young, before going to Hogwarts that I almost never wantd to be alone once I got there even though it took me a while to be comfortable in large noisy crowds. I could certainly act as if I was comfortable, that is a requirement when you must attend the myriad of social events necessary for a family like mine but that's not the same as being comfortable. Honestly I think some o the reason I tried to hard to be the center of attention was just a coping mechanism. If everyone was looking at me I had to be on, I had to be performing and that took my mind off being in the middle of a large group. It was so counterintuitive. Of course that doesn't take into account that I did feed off being the center of attention as well so maybe I'm just making excuses for my poor behavior now, that makes the most sense. Anyway all this is to say that I now appreciate being alone, having time to myself in a way I never did when I was younger or even the way I did that year I spent alone again after the battle. That year was filled with thoughts of what was going to happen and if I'd even have a life going forwrad, it was only talking with you that kept me from completely panicking. This will probably renew your interest in the trial transcripts and while I can't stop you from reading them I am going to ask you to wait a bit longer, well more than a bit probably a month to a month and a half depending on how the next memory sessions go. Though I am torn as to whether you should read them before I send you the memories involved or after. I wonder if you reading them before and building a base of knowledge will help recover your memories. I don't know. I think I will leave this decision up to you. For now I'm going to go back to my book. Have a good week, hope you can make some headway with the Department head.
Always yours,
Draco
1/5/00
To: dlm80ATyahooDOTcom
From: hg79ATyahooDOTcom
Re: short note
Draco,
Just wanted to let you know the package with th vial has arrived and I will think about the transcripts. Right now I feel it would be best to wait until after viewing the related memories but that is must my first reaction. I have a meeting with the Head and a few key members of the Wizengamot tomorrow I've been prepping for the past two days or I'd write more. Sorry.
Hermione
A/N so this took longer than I wanted it too. I took some time to finish another story then couldn't find the end of this chapter. I have the next chapter done as well so off to work on the one after that. reviews are always appreciated.
