1/9/00
To: dlm80ATyahooDOTcom
From: hg79ATyahooDOTcom
Re: nothing this time
Draco,
I'm not sure it will be a surprise but nothing changed in my memories this time. Last time there were more memories to watch I think that might be the difference. I remember the World Cup but I have no memories really of your friends at the Yule Ball other than Blaise escorting Pansy. I clearly recall the argument with Ronald but that's it. Still there were no negative effects after watching the memories either so that's good.
I thought I'd get back to asking questions to get to know you better. So here goes:
What is your favorite animal?
Who do you admire?
What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Hermione
1/9/00
To: hg79ATyahooDOTcom
From: dlm80ATyahooDOTcom
Re: answers
Hermione,
My favorite animal hmmm I'd have to say a Krupp. I've always wanted one but Mother didn't want one in the house. Vince had a really sweet Krupp when we were about five that he named Kruppy. I know I know he wasn't the brightest but he wasn't always so bad; none of us were. I remember begging to go over to Vince's house and it wasn't to play with him though I did enjoy that because he was easy to order around. It wasn't like playing with Theo or Blaise who I actually had to take turns with, probably why Mother insisted I go to their houses and they come visit while Lucius was more encouraging of my relationship with Vince and Greg. Anyway I helped Vince teach Kruppy how to fetch. I think I was nearly as upset as he was when Kruppy died. He got a letter sixth year, it was in the middle of, well in the middle of everything going on that year. Maybe you should read the trial transcripts or at least some of the stories published in the Prophet. Anyway he read it and told the rest of us, it was the only time I can recall seeing him show that much emotion, any emotion, well other than… well seventh year. I managed to play it cool in front of everyone but when I was able I slipped off to our little nook in the library and cried. It was ridiculous. He wasn't even my pet, but it hit me so hard.
Who I admire, I'm going to come back to that one because that's not an easy answer.
Favorite ice cream flavor, that's much easier though it may seem strange. I love a good fresh churned vanilla. It can be really rich but it's also a very simple flavor that I think most people don't appreciate. Of course the other thing I love about it is that it goes with almost any other dessert. Vanilla compliments almost any other flavor be it sweet or savory, chocolate or fruity.
So that leaves me back at who I admire… I admire more than person though it's not a long list. First I'd have to say my mother. She never took the Mark; she lived through Voldemort living in our house. She lied about Harry being dead to save me. She was never afraid to let me know she loved me more than anything. She would have died for me, my father on the other hand…
You, I admire you, it had to be tough coming into a world you knew nothing about and dealing with the likes of me and others like me disparaging you. You fought to save us all when so many of our kind would have liked to see you dead. You risked losing your parents forever to keep them safe. You are one of the bravest people I have ever known, definitely a true Gryffindor.
Harry, much as it pains me to admit it I admire Harry. He did die to save everyone. He literally walked into death just to save others. He wasn't selfish like I was in the war. He didn't run from the fight. He didn't try to find another way to end things. Even before the final battle, before that last year I admired him. He stood up to Umbridge; he stood up to Sev. While I hated him for it I admired the way he competed in the TriWizard tournament and the way he played Quidditch.
Sev, I have looked up to him for years but finding out all he did in the war, that he was able to maintain his cover the entire time is just incredible. I'm not saying I approve of everything he did, but I wanted to be a potions master like him and his bravery, his conniving, his skills of deception are mind boggling.
I'm sure if I kept thinking about it I would come up with other people I admire but this list is long enough for now. If you'd like to answer the questions I'd enjoy reading your answers.
Always yours,
Draco
1/14/00
To: dlm80ATyahooDOTcom
From: hg79ATyahooDOTcom
Re: loads of time reading
Sorry it has taken me so long to reply but I have been spending most every free moment reading the trial transcripts and articles on the trials that I could get my hands on. I'm shocked that you even suggested reading the Prophet articles, though I did read them, it's not like they've ever been accurate. The Prophet is one of the most ridiculous papers I've ever read. They'll write almost anything if it will sell papers. It's like Muggle tabloids. The Quibbler can have some really questionable stories as well, it is run by Luna's father after all and she got her eccentricity from him from what I can tell, and yet their articles on things like the war and the trials are more impartial. Then of course there were articles written in papers in France and Germany as well as other countries. I was able to get some of them and use a translation spell to read them. I believe I have a picture of what happened and why you made the choices you did but I really don't want to make any assumptions and I will ask you the questions I have, at some point later. I'm working on making a list that I can send to you to answer or that I can ask you after viewing memories from sixth and seventh years. Part of me wants to ask now because it feels almost uncomfortable not knowing but part of me also wants to wait as obviously I knew more once, possibly you'd told me everything you'd felt and explained everything, no matter I stayed in the relationship, put myself in this position for you. Oh my that was quite the run on sentence. I think I'll stop here for today other than to say I hesitate to tell you this as I haven't seen all of the memories but between your forthcoming nature with them and our discussions through these emails and your honesty in all of the letters you've sent, your sheer and complete honesty and lack of excuses in your testimony before the Wizengamot, I find myself caring for you.
I will write again in a few days to answer the questions I asked you and then ask you a few more.
Hermione
P.S. Harry and I have a "date" tonight to watch our very first Muppet movie. He's picking it up on his way home from work so I'll tell you what I think of regular Muppet movies next time.
1/14/00
To: hg79ATyahooDOTcom
From: dlm80ATyahooDOTcom
Re: no apology necessary
Hermione,
Please, please don't apologize. You can take as long as you need any time to reply to an email. I make and will make no assumptions as to what you're doing. I know that you would never just stop replying unless something was really wrong and in that case some one would let me know. You are too kind, too considerate to not at least tell me if you decided to no longer continue. If you had read all of the transcripts and articles and decided not to take a second chance on me I would totally understand. I won't lie I would be heartbroken, but I would understand. Shock is the only word I have to describe how I felt when you spoke to me after the final battle; I was so sure that I had gone too far, that I had done too much wrong for you to ever forgive me, ever love me again, and I had accepted it as much as I hated it. Ask any questions you want I'll do my best to answer. Yes some of the answers will be more clear when you see the memories and they are coming but I'll try to answer even without you seeing them.
I've now seen all of the Muppet movies more than once, well all but the newest one that they took me to see in the theatre. I'll be interested to see what you think of the movies, especially as you enjoy the Christmas Carol.
Always yours,
Draco
1/15/00
To: dlm80ATyahooDOTcom
From: hg79ATyahooDOTcom
Re: Muppets and questions
Draco,
Well we ended up staying up late because Harry managed to pick up three Muppet movies and after watching the first one we just couldn't stop. We watched them in order. I do have to say this, I will never look at frog legs the same way again. Not that I've ever eaten them or used them in a potion but now I'm pretty sure I won't. I really liked the second one, The Great Muppet Caper. I'm not even sure why, it was so campy and at times corny though I think it was supposed to be that way. Still I think so far it's my favorite. I can't decide if I like the end of Muppets Take Manhattan or not. The whole trick wedding, I alternate between thinking it was really cute and sweet and thinking it was just a horrible thing to do then I remember that it's just a movie.
So I guess now it's my turn to answer the questions I asked you since I haven't done that yet.
What is your favorite animal? Really that should be no surprise. I mean I had Crookshanks. I love cats. Not that I don't love other animals, I mean I like dogs and krupps but cats and kneazles are my favorite. I think maybe it's because while I had some kids I talked to before going to Hogwarts I spent most of my time alone and there is just something comforting about sitting with a cat on your lap or curled up next to you. Cats don't need quite as much attention, or maybe just don't seem to need attention as often as say dogs.
Who do you admire? I think I'll do the same as you and come back to this one.
What is your favorite ice cream flavor? It's so hard to pick just one and harder after entering the wizarding world. I thought Muggles had a lot of flavor options but wizards well there's just no comparing, though I have to say last time I was in a Muggle ice cream shop they had increased their number of flavors as well. I think at this point I've nearly tried them all and yet I keep coming back to a simple chocolate. Much like you like vanilla. I like the flavor of a pure chocolate ice cream freshly churned. It can also go with most any other dessert.
So who do I admire...well I do admire Snape for all he did to help in the war though I still intensely dislike him and as I don't wish to speak ill of the dead I'll refrain from saying any more. Harry is a given, as you said he was willing to give up his life to save all of us. Neville never gives up and has really come into himself. My parents, McGonagall, Kingsley, your aunt Andromeda, so many people.
Ok so your turn again:
What are your dreams for your retirement?
What is your proudest moment?
What is your favorite thing to do in your spare time?
Hermione
1/15/00
To: hg79ATyahooDOTcom
From: dlm80ATyahooDOTcom
Re: hmm more questions
Hermione,
I like a good chocolate ice cream to get the right one and you only need a very small amount for it to be satisfying. Even better a good rich vanilla and a good rich chocolate just a small scoop of each. They go together as well as we used to.
So my dreams for retirement. I really don't know. Once upon a time, in the first few years at school I wanted to be like Lucius and never really have a job outside managing the Malfoy family accounts. However as time went I obviously wanted to distance myself from him and I realized I was not just good at potions but that I really enjoyed the challenge. I spoke with Severus many times about my interest and about how he got to where he was, though of course I found out later that he wasn't honest with me. He'd told me that he was simply not able to get a position in a reputable shop after the first Wizarding World. He was known to be a part of Voldemort's followers though not a known Death Eater. Obviously now I know that was all a load of shite and yet at the time it gave me hope, well until I got in too deep on my own and spent the last few years just trying to get by, most of that time just trying to stay alive. All this to say I really haven't thought about retirement but I will think about it now that you've brought it up.
Proudest moment is actually even harder. I really don't have many moments I can be proud of in my life so far. I've made some incredibly bad decisions in my life. I've also stood passively by watching horrible things happen and not saying or doing anything to stop them. I'm really not even proud of my choice to come here to get away from everything, not being brave enough to live as a Muggle. However every day I go into work is a proud one. The first time Martha trusted me to brew on my own without double checking. The day she left Terry and I in charge while she took a day off, those are probably my proudest moments right now.
My favorite thing to do with my spare time, well that's changed through the years. When I was little my favorite thing to do at home when I wasn't in tutoring or sessions with Lucius about family or Pureblood honor I loved to fly or play hide and seek in the garden with the house elves. If I could get away from the house I'd go play with Vince and Kruppy. Once we got to Hogwarts I'm ashamed to admit now my favorite hobby those first few years was annoying Harry and picking on anyone I could. I was certainly my father's son. Fifth year it was all about spending time with you whenever we could swing it. I really didn't have spare time sixth or seventh year. Recently my first choice of time is reading your emails and responding, watching movies, exploring the internet, and spending time with my new friends. Books have always been a constant for me. Over all I think I have a much better balance and much healthier for that matter to my life now.
I have no new questions so why don't you answer these.
Always yours,
Draco
1/17/00
To: dlm80ATyahooDOTcom
From: hg79ATyahooDOTcom
Re: questions
You've said not to worry about apologizing so I won't but I will explain that I didn't get back to you yesterday because I had to stay late at work and by the time I got home I just crawled in bed.
I'm beginning to regret being the one to start asking the questions because now I have to answer them as well. I might just have to take that into account with the next round I ask.
My retirement dreams I'd like to travel wherever I want, whenever I want, for as long as I want without having to be back home at any specific times. I do have to say with portkeys and apparating it is easier to make long trips for a short amount of time than if you use Muggle transportation but as long as I'm working I'd still have to report back by a certain time only being allowed a certain number of days off in a given year. It would be amazing to wake up one morning and decide to go to say Egypt, be there by afternoon, stay and explore until we decide we want to go to say China and go there for as long as we want. I'd also like to visit all the great libraries of the world. See the other wizarding schools and historical places. I'm also hoping I have grandchildren to spoil, possibly great nieces and nephews too.
My proudest moment is probably finding my parents and repairing their memories. Actually being able to do that made me proud of the fact that I had managed to keep them safe by modifying their memories to begin with. I did that not knowing if I would be able to get them back if anyone would be able to. I also wasn't sure that it wouldn't still lead to a hearing with the Wizengamot, I was after all performing magic on Muggles which is strictly forbidden outside of necessity by the Ministry itself.
In my spare time I read, more than anything else that is. Of course I also do yoga regularly now. I visit my parents occasionally. Harry and I and other friends watch movies at his place or go out to see them. I also spend time online, emailing you or just surfing.
So questions, you know what… I think this time I'll let you ask questions. I know I started because you know me better than I know you but there have to be some things we've never talked about so you ask.
Hermione
1/21/00
To: hg/9ATyahooDOTcom
From: dlm80ATyahooDOTcom
Re: my turn
It's my turn to do more than ask questions. It's my turn to apologize. It should be so easy to check in for just a minute and send a quick note that I'll be super busy at work but when I can barely make it through the door with my eyes open there's just no way I can let you know, except I suppose I could have called and left you a voicemail but I honestly didn't think of that until just now. Martha had me brew up a particularly difficult potion one that needs to brew for 48 hours, needing to be stirred every 3, and ingredients added at seemingly random times. I didn't have to stay awake. I could have crashed on a cot in the lab but I just couldn't bring myself to sleep then of course when I finally got home I passed out and slept for a whole day. This may be my newest proud moment though as when I arrived at the shop today she told me it was perfect.
Questions for you, when I was trying to stay awake I racked my brain trying to come up with some. You're right there are many things we never talked about, never seemed to be the right time. I think I've finally settled on three.
What is your dream date?
If you could have dinner with any historical figure who would it be and what would you talk about?
If you were to get a tattoo, magical or Muggle what would you get and why?
Take your time and feel free to ask me other questions in return.
Always yours,
Draco
1/22/00
To: dlm80ATyahooDOTcom
From: hg79ATyahooDOTcom
Re: interesting questions
You either have done some thinking about questions you might ask me or you spend some time searching online for getting to know you questions. Either way interesting choices that I do naturally expect you to answer as well.
My dream date - I'm a bit surprised this never came up when we were seeing one another, but I suppose we were concentrating on making it to the next day or year as the case may be. If we weren't telling anyone about us then I guess we weren't planning on being seen together in public which would be necessary for a date. I don't know that I've ever given it much thought. I think a lot of dating is unnecessary, the formal going out and being seen just seems superfluous. I like just being able to spend time with someone talking. Movies are always good. I think though my dream date would be a full day affair. Breakfast somewhere quiet, spending the morning wandering the stacks of a good bookshop together, looking at books, and discussing authors. Lunch at a sidewalk cafe or bistro. Afternoon strolling the streets window shopping, maybe stopping for an ice cream cone. Dinner in a little out of the way place no one will interrupt us at. Then the theatre, a live show, something Broadway. I have a fondness for musicals. A walk in the moonlight along the Thames to end the evening and of course a goodnight kiss.
I'm skipping to the third question. I don't see myself ever getting a tattoo magical or Muggle. I'm not completely ruling it out for some point in the future but I've never seen an image or been so attached to someone that I wanted their name permanently on my body. Magical I've found really are permanent whereas for witches and wizards there are ways to get rid of Muggle tattoos that are much simpler and much less painful than Muggle ways.
Dinner with an historical figure, there are just so many choices it's nearly impossible to pick just one. I'd almost love to have a dinner party of historical figures but then I really wouldn't be able to talk to all of them as much as I'd like so that's not really the best plan. Ugh I really don't know. If I had to pick on just off the top of my head Queen Victoria, and I'm not even sure why or what I'd ask her. My other first thought is Joan of Arc. I'd so love to talk to the four founders of Hogwarts, to Merlin and Morgana, to King Arthur himself.
Ok now it's your turn to answer your own questions and ask more if you dare. By the way you also owe me no apologies. Life gets in the way sometimes I understand that. Just promise that if anything is ever wrong you will let me know even if it means calling me at some odd time of day, or call Harry. If for no other reason than so we can let your mother know.
Hermione
1/22/00
To: hg/9ATyahooDOTcom
From: dlm80ATyahooDOTcom
Re: my turn, wonderful…
So now I understand how you felt having to answer your own questions and I would feel sorry for having you ask them but we are getting to know each other and you did say you find yourself beginning to care for me so I can't regret that and so I will answer the questions and even ask more no matter how hard they are to answer.
My dream date, actually I think yours sounds absolutely perfect even having never been to the theatre. I might add in some time flying but you don't really like to fly I know. Though maybe I could get you to go with me on the same broom; you'd be fine. I can fly nice and gentle, not too low, not too high, not to fast, not too slow, it would be a just right.
Tattoos: I've had more than enough with tattoos having only had one and then only by choice if you can call it that when it's completed under duress. While it has faded to a silvery grey, it is still visible so if I could cover it with magical or Muggle means I might other than that no, just no.
Historical figure: Merlin is the first that comes to mind. I'd like to know what Hogwarts was like in his time. Was being a Slytherin a hindrance then, at school or out in the adult world. I'd like to know if the tales of he and King Arthur are true in any way. What was it like to be able to live openly as a wizard in the world rather than hiding from Muggles what we can do.
I did not look online for questions, hadn't even thought of that but now I'm wondering if you have at all. I will admit to asking my friends at the shop for suggestions though.
Ok next round of questions:
What do you have a hard time with that most people find easy?
What do you have an easy time with that many people find hard?
What is your favorite drink?
Always yours,
Draco
1/24/00
To: dlm80ATyahooDOTcom
From: hg79ATyahooDOTcom
Re: hmmm
I confess I did look on the internet for some ideas after the first few rounds of questions I asked. I found a bunch but not that many that I was really interested in the answers. I suppose I should have tried asking people. Maybe when it's my turn to ask again.
I have never made friends as easily as other people. I obviously have friends, close friends, but it seems to happen almost by accident for me or due to their efforts not my own. I can be abrasive and bossy, I am well aware of it and as I've gotten older I have tried to curb that at least with those I don't know, ha ha. No, even with my friends unless we're in the middle of a heated discussion I try to make an effort to think before I speak now. Whether or not I'm succeeding is probably up for interpretation but I try. I certainly try much more carefully with those I don't know. My parents both seem to make friends easily and are able to converse with those they don't know well seemingly with no problem so I don't know why I'm so different. Honestly becoming friends with Harry and Ron was really just happenstance. If they hadn't stuck that troll in the girls' loo with me then realized I was there and come back to save me, well things would be much different now. Ron hated me before that, just that afternoon he'd made nasty comments to Harry about me. Harry was neither here nor there, I think we might have eventually bonded for the fact that we were so out of our element. Fred, George, Ginny were all just part of being friends with Harry and Ron though I have gotten closer to Ginny on my own through the years. Neville, I'm not even sure, and Luna… oh Luna.. you don't choose to be or try to be Luna's friend you just are, most often because she decides you are.
Easy that other people find hard, well school. I've always enjoyed learning and the vast majority of what I've learned comes easily to me. The only class I've ever really struggled in was Potions, but it seems I'm just to by the book for potions. Other than that I know I drove my housemates crazy with my study habits and really I don't need to study as much as I do but I do. My parents didn't have ridiculously high expectations for me but they are dentists, they both have a lot of schooling. They didn't pressure me to do well but I felt the pressure nonetheless.
My favorite drink well that's much easier by comparison, ha ha. I love lemonade, fresh squeezed. I also love butterbeer with extra ginger.
Now it's your turn.
Hermione
Oh before I forget you have to rent Sword and the Stone, it's a Disney movie and Merlin is in it. It's an animated feature. I don't know if you've seen any of those year but they're not live action they're moving drawings. It really is better than it sounds. I actually really like it.
1/25/00
To: hg/9ATyahooDOTcom
From: dlm80ATyahooDOTcom
Re: beginning to regret this question thing
I know this whole thing was my idea to begin with so that you could get to know me better but I'm not sure I like it anymore. No really it's interesting to read your answers, it's just racking my brain at the end of the day trying to come up with my answers that is making me crazy. I suppose I could wait and answer in the morning when I'm fresh but there's just something about ending my day with an email from you.
It seems obvious to me why we got along so well when I stopped being a complete arse to you and your friends and started to actually talk and listen to you. I make acquaintances easily, early on at school I picked up minions easily, it was what Lucius raised me to do after all. Never risk getting too close to anyone, providing them with things they can use against you. It was people like Blaise and Theo refusing to take on that submissive role, Theo because he was raised the same way I was and Blaise because he just thought better of himself than to take on that role. They were the ones that pushed me to be more myself to get to know myself and them better than I did with Vince and Greg. Don't get me wrong I did grow to like both Vince and Greg as more than minions though I continued to use them in that manner as they let themselves and it was almost too easy not to, not my most proud moments those.
Studying was easy, it was drilled into my head from the time I could read. I also enjoy learning, well most things there were classes I had to actually study to get good marks but overall school is easy for me.
My favorite drink, glad I threw in an easy one, I like lemonade but I prefer tea, living her in the American south I've even come to like it iced though I still can't drink it sweet the way they do for which most of my coworkers harass me regularly. When it comes to anything alcoholic, something I can't do here as the drinking age is 21, or at least not something I can do in public. If given the choice however I prefer Ogden's Firewhiskey.
The video store is looking to see if they can find me a copy of Sword and the Stone if not I mentioned it at work and Claire thinks a cousin of hers may have a copy. I'll let you know after I watch it.
I'm out of questions so it's up to you if you have more you want to ask or if you just want to talk about our days when we write.
Always yours,
Draco
1/27/00
To: dlm80ATyahooDOTcom
From: hg79ATyahooDOTcom
Re: Just one question
I've noticed that you always refer to your father as Lucius and you always call your mother Mother. Do you ever call them Mum and Dad or even Father? Why do you call your father by his first name? You don't do that with your mother.
Hermione
1/28/00
To: hg/9ATyahooDOTcom
From: dlm80ATyahooDOTcom
Re: interesting question
In front of others I call both of my parents Mother and Father, in private I tend not to call Lucius anything. I don't know. I know Harry testified that he wanted to come in and save me during the final battle but looking back on how I was raised and everything he put us right in the middle of I just don't see him as a father, certainly never a dad. Those two words have a rather different connotation to me. A father raises you, pays the bills, does his fatherly duty and attends any event necessary but is much more formal with you, more hands off. A dad on the other hand is, well, hands on. A dad is there reading stories, telling stories, playing with you. My mother was much more a parent to me if only when Lucius was not home to see her dote on me. I have on occasion called her Mum when it is just the two of us but never in front of anyone else and never when talking about her to anyone else. That strict formal Pureblood upbringing I suppose, or maybe not Theo's mother died when he was young and he calls her Mum. Pansy when she's getting along with her parents called them Mum and Papa. Blaise seldom calls his mother anything and never has a stepfather long enough to call them anything but their first name whatever it may be and if he can even remember it. Maybe it was just my family after all. I really don't know.
I suppose I'll hear from you again on Sunday after you view the next memories.
Always yours,
Draco
A/N so I suck and haven't updated this in forever and I have three chapters ready to go with a fourth started though it's currently on hold as I work on this year's NaNo story (a Drarry this time) and since I can't access this site from my work computer I keep forgetting to do it at home here's 18, the next two will follow over the next two weeks and by then hopefully I can sneak some work in and finish the one after that. Thanks to anyone still reading you're awesome!
