I'm baaaaack! My Spring Break was so very, very needed. Thank you to all of you for your patience and understanding.

mhcalamas - Thanks for trusting me. I have plans - fear not.

Kyonomiko - Yeah, putting Ron and Draco together in a tent would not exactly have led to anything remotely productive.

addictedtoloveandfiction - Thank you! So glad you're enjoying the story.

Bookloverdream - You'll just have to read to find out! ;) Also, thank you for being a stellar binge reviewer

Bloodred 321 - Tada!

kuroppi - WILL they meet again?

Jaixmeitk - I live for Draco experiencing muggle life. I love those idea of yours. I may just tuck them away in my back pocket to be pulled out at a future time.

This chapter is a little different. It's a different format than usual, and so the formatting is a bit unique. I toyed around with the idea of keeping this format for quite some time, but in the end, it's what I envisioned.

Draco and Hermione have officially been separated by the war. Now what?

August 2

Draco,

Are you all right? Are you safe? Are you still at the Burrow? Was anyone hurt? What happened after we left?

Sorry for all the questions.

We are safe where we are. When we left, we ended up Apparating somewhere less than ideal, but we're okay now. I can't say where that is. You understand, don't you? There is so much I want to tell you. But now that we're apart, even though this journal is enchanted, I just can't. Please understand. Please, please understand.

I wish I could write more, but Ron won't leave my side. I've had to hide away for a bit to write to you. Can't say I blame him after the scare last night. I don't want to be alone right now either.

Be safe.

Hermione

August 3

Hermione,

Thank Merlin you're all right. I'm fine as well. We're back at the Burrow. No one was injured as far as I know, but you know I'm not kept in the loop around here. Loads of people were interrogated after you made your quick exit, but Mr. Weasley managed to hide me in a broom cupboard before the chaos settled. Everyone's a bit shaken up, but they're all okay. Mrs. Weasley is taking your absence pretty hard. I think she's mad at you, Potter, and Weasley for leaving.

She's especially mad at Weasel. Keeps screaming at a photo of him on the wall every time she passes by. Mostly yells about him being inconsiderate and not sticking around to help with wedding cleanup, but she cries when she says that stuff, so it's clearly just a cover.

But the good news is that even though she's stuck with me instead, she doesn't seem to hate me so much. She's trying to fatten me up, I think. I got third portions at breakfast. Keeps her occupied, I suppose. She carries that damn clock everywhere she goes.

It makes me miss my own mother. I wonder if she's thinking of me or if she's even allowed to think of me. I hope she's alive.

Is the Weasel giving you any space? Please tell me he isn't following you into the loo.

Don't do anything too stupid, you Gryffindor.

Draco

August 5

Draco,

I'm glad Mrs. Weasley is taking good care of you. I wouldn't expect anything less. I hope your mother is fine as well. I wish I could offer more than hope, but it seems cruel to make promises like that during a war. As long as her heart's beating, there's no doubt she's thinking of you. How could she not? You're her son and she loves you.

Ron is giving me a little more space, but we're all still keeping rather close. Sorry of that bothers you, but it's reality now. We're trying to keep busy so we don't think too much about what could go wrong. That's the only thing that's keeping us from hyperventilating, I think.

Was the wedding only four days ago?

I'm trying to pass the time by reading. I brought quite a large number of books with me and I'm finding they help to keep me from overthinking. I've never gotten to ask you. What's your favorite book. Can you name mine, I wonder?

You should find something to pass the time. Maybe you could spend time with Ginny.

Be safe. Be happy.

Hermione.

August 8

Hermione,

Sorry I haven't written. You must have been worried. At least I hope you were worried, because that means you were thinking of me.

Thanks for your words about my mother. I hope you're right.

How in Merlin's name did you manage to bring a large number of books with you? I saw you Disapparate from the wedding, and there were no books with you. Only that little beaded bag of yours. You really are a marvel.

As to my favorite book? It's rather embarrassing, but have you heard of Benedict Thatcher? Not sure how well you know wizarding children's books. He's a fictional Dragon tamer – the best out there. I read the series as a kid and like to revisit it still. Reminds me of happier times.

Weasley has probably heard of it, but if you ever mention this to him, I'll jinx you.

As to your favorite book? Easy. Hogwarts, A History. I can't count the number of times I've seen you with your nose stuck inside it.

Anyway, I feel useless just sitting around here. Can you tell me anything you're up to? Even a hint? I've got no one to talk to. Weaslette keeps to herself. She's gone and locked herself in her room and only comes down to help with meals.

I miss you.

Draco

August 11

Draco,

Now I'm the one who hasn't written in a few days. I've been distracted recently, and I have to make time to write to you when I know Harry and Ron won't bother me. We've been sitting together for long periods of time, and the only time I am by myself is when I'm in the loo. And no, as I said before, I am not followed in there. While it seems convenient, something feels odd about writing to you whilst sitting on the closed lid of a toilet.

I haven't heard of the Benedict Thatcher books. I'd love to read them sometime, especially if they hold such happy memories for you. There are lots of books that hold those memories for me. You're right about my current favorite, but my childhood favorite is Little Women. Have you heard of it?

I should tell you that my favorite part of every night is feeling the pebble you gave me warm up. Do you feel yours warm as well? I keep it clutched in my hands all night. It feels so reassuring that I don't ever want to let it go. Of course, your body heat is much preferable to a tiny pebble, but it will make do for now.

I miss you too.

Yours,

Hermione

P.S. It's an undetectable extension charm. Also, try Quidditch with Ginny. That might lure her out from her solitude.

August 13

Dear Hermione,

Yeah, I do feel the pebble warm up. I keep it in my pocket every day and if I ever miss you (which is too damn often for me), I like to take it out and hold it. It must always be warm on your end, because I've basically always got that bloody pebble in my hand. I feel like such a sap writing that. Somehow, it's easier to write than to say.

I wish it was your body heat instead, too. I got used to you sleeping in my bed, Granger. If this damn war ever ends, I hope you can sleep in my bed again in any capacity.

I've never heard of Little Women. Is it about a bunch of women who ingest a shrinking solution? Is that why it has that title? Sounds like a ridiculous premise.

Oh yeah, great suggestion about Quidditch. Weaslette and I ran some drills yesterday. She is so damn talented on a broom. Shame she couldn't play for Slytherin. But then again, that would probably crumble Potter's heart into a million little bits, wouldn't it? Can't have that happening. What's going on with them, anyway? She gets depressed whenever I mention the boy wonder.

Take care of yourself, Granger. Don't get so distracted that you forget about that.

Yours,

Draco

P.S. Undetectable extension? Brilliant.

August 14

Dear Draco,

You've managed to make me blush with that last letter of yours. Well done. Truth be told, I wouldn't say no to having you as a bedfellow again. You would certainly make a better one than my current companions, at least when it comes to sleeping. I adore Ron and Harry, but Ron snores as loud as a dragon and Harry…let's just say he has trouble sleeping. Not you, though. You are a perfect gentleman in the bedroom.

Wait. Oh gods. I did not just write that. And I can't erase anything. Bugger. I can just picture you with that smirk, laughing to yourself. Wipe that smirk off your face. You know what I meant.

Not that you weren't a gentleman. Because you were. I feel weird writing about this. Is it weird? But you were. And it was lovely. And I'm going to stop writing now.

Anyway, I'm glad to hear you're getting along with Ginny. She's fantastic – she really is. Just don't get on her bad side. I don't recommend it. She's got a keen eye for hexes as well as the Weasley temper, so I'd play nice. And as to why Ginny is all mopey at the mention of Harry? They broke up over the summer. Harry wants to keep her safe. But I can tell he's heartbroken over the whole thing. Harry's never been the best with dealing with emotions. Frankly, I don't think any boy I know is good at it.

As to your last request, I am trying to take care of myself. We've been eating well enough – I can tell you that, at the very least.

Be well yourself, Draco.

Yours,

Hermione.

August 16

Dear Hermione,

It's late and I'm writing this after everyone else is asleep. Honestly, Mrs. Weasley might be a better cook than the Hogwarts house elves. I don't think I'll eat for a week.

If my last letter made you blush, yours had quite the effect on me. I haven't had that good a laugh in a while, so thanks for that. As to your assessment that I was a gentleman in the bedroom, I'm not quite sure how you are capable of making that assessment. Why, do you ask?

I have serious doubts as to whether 'against a tree' counts as 'in the bedroom.'

Not that I disagree with you entirely – I was a gentleman.

Wasn't I?

We never really got to talk after. I'm not sure I could have said much at that point, honestly. It felt so good on my end that I couldn't even remember what words were. But like I said, we never talked.

Was it good for you? Was it too much for a first time? Did the cushioning charm on the tree make it okay?

Did you finish?

I definitely enjoyed it. There were a lot of rumors that floated around last year about my…prolific experience. But they weren't true. None of it was true. How could it be true when last year was basically Hell for me?

I didn't think I would be alive right now. When I think back on how I felt, I just knew in the back of my head that I probably wasn't going to make it out of that year alive. But I had to try. Those rumors were a nice cover up at the time, and I didn't think much of my reputation in that capacity because I had bigger things to worry about.

I just want to make it abundantly clear that I'm not going to go off and find another girl. Not that I could. Unless you count Weaslette, but I don't particularly fancy my junk being hexed.

After everything that happened between us during our time at Hogwarts, I'm shocked you forgave me so easily and even wanted me. Want me. You do still want me, right?

What I'm trying to say is that it really meant a lot to me that you were my first. Somehow, I get the feeling that if it had been anyone else, it would have left me feeling cold, but you always seem to leave me feeling warm and comfortable. Even from far away, I've got this pebble.

Can you feel yours right now, Granger? Can you feel just how much I'm thinking of you? Can you hear my thoughts in your head? Can you hear all the things I wish I could do to you at this very moment? All the things I wish you could be doing to me? Write me back and let me know, Hermione. I'm going mad over here without knowing.

Yours and yours alone,

Draco

August 18

Dearest Draco,

Is your intention to make me squirm? Make my face turn beet red? Make me unable to breathe? Because you're succeeding marvelously. I know this whole spill-your-soul-to-Hermione thing is new, you Slytherin, but give a girl some warning.

To answer all your questions:

Yes, you were a gentleman in every sense of the word. I've heard a lot of girls don't enjoy their first time and that the boy can be…not great. But it was great. You were great. I'm glad you were my first, too.

It was good for me. Against a tree was a lot, but in a good way. I had no idea you were so strong. And the cushioning charm did the trick.

Yes I did. Finish, that is.

Yes, I do still want you.

As to the things you wish I could do to you? I think I'll leave that up to the imagination, as I still don't know if I want to put it in writing.

I'm so sorry if this letter sounds so robotic. My writing feels inadequate after that lovely letter you just wrote. I'll try to do better.

And yes. I can feel your pebble in my pocket all the time. It's a constant reminder of you. I wish I could sit and hold the pebble in my hand all day like you, but there's too much going on for that. Instead, I try to reach into my pocket as much as possible.

Oh! Got to go!

Yours,

Hermione

August 19

Damn you, woman! I told you I'm going mad without knowing! Leave it up to my imagination? Are you kidding? I was really hoping you'd fill in the details, but seeing as you're a bit quill-shy, I'll tell you exactly what I want, then.

I want to put my hands all over that gorgeous body of yours again. I want to kiss you until you can't think. Until I can't think. I want to squeeze your tits and your arse and make you come with my tongue. And then I want to fuck you until we forget who we are.

That's my wish.

Oh, and the twins stopped by today. We didn't exchange even two words, but they wouldn't stop waggling their eyebrows at me and it made me rather uncomfortable.

Speaking of uncomfortable, Hermione, squirm away. I wish I could see it. I will again one day. That I swear.

Yours,

Draco.

August 20

Draco Malfoy! Of all the things to put into writing! I happened to chance a glance at my journal in a common area with Harry and Ron nearby and I nearly lost it when I read what you wrote. I must have looked funny or made a funny noise, because Ron and Harry wouldn't stop staring at me, asking what's wrong.

I had to excuse myself to the loo for several minutes to calm down.

I appreciate your newfound freedom of expression, but Merlin's beard…

Not that I didn't like it. What you wrote. I just…wish I had been alone when I read it.

I also…oh gosh, I can't believe I'm writing this…I also wish we could be together like that again. But take our time. We could do it someplace soft and warm and really savor each other. I feel like it was over almost as quickly as it started.

But for now, it's just our thoughts that will have to sustain us.

Is Ginny getting ready to go back to Hogwarts yet? Is she even going back at all? Have you played more Quidditch together?

Thinking of you always,

Love, from

Hermione

August 22

Dearest Hermione,

I keep picturing you reading my dirty words while in the presence of your two friends and it makes me laugh every time. Thanks for that. I feel like I've written that exact thing before. Your clinical nature always puts me in a good mood. As to your ideas about our next time…I so hope there will be a next time…I'd like your suggestion. Just the two of us locked in a room with a comfortable bed for hours. That's now at the top of my wish list.

As to your other question, yeah. Weaslette and I have played more Quidditch. As far as I can tell, she's headed back to Hogwarts. Got no choice, has she? They're tracking everyone. If she doesn't show up, it'll look suspicious. Shame she has to leave, really. We've been spending time together here at the Burrow, and I rather like her. She is by far the most tolerable Weasley sibling I've met to date.

Saw your name in the paper today. It seems you're wanted for interrogation. Do you get the Daily Prophet wherever you are? You don't have to answer if you don't want. I know you can't tell me much. But please, Hermione, whatever you do, don't get caught. I know it's silly to write it out, but Mr. Weasley has been telling us horror stories from the Ministry about muggleborns getting hauled in for questioning and being sent to Azkaban. Whatever you're doing…whatever you're planning…stay safe.

Yours,

Draco

August 24

Dearest Draco,

To answer your question, yes, we do get the Daily Prophet. I saw the mention and I'll take your word for it. We're always doing our best not to get caught. That's absolutely horrifying what they're doing to muggleborns. It makes me so relieved when I think of you sitting safely at the Burrow instead of off with Death Eaters interrogating innocent muggleborns and sentencing them to Hell on Earth, essentially. You might be bored at the Burrow, but knowing you're safe and not forced to take part in such awful acts…I take comfort in that. I hope you do, too.

As to us…we're staying as safe as we can for now.

I hope my pebble is still warming you regularly. Yours certainly is warming me. I still sleep with it in my hand every night.

Love, from

Hermione

August 27

Dearest Hermione,

Can I ask you something? Only if you promise not to laugh, because I will feel like a supreme fool if you do. But then again, fair is fair; I've laughed at what you wrote before now. Bollocks. This is serious. Please don't laugh. I've been debating whether or not to even write this, but now I've gone and realized the same thing you did before. I can't erase anything. Double bollocks. Whatever.

Let's try this again. I want to ask you something.

You've signed your last couple of letters with "Love, from" and I want to get some clarification about that. There's not much to do here right now except lie around and think, so I spent the entirety of the last couple of days dwelling on your words. Seriously. I laid in bed and thought about it. Mrs. Wesley told me that I "seem far away."

It's just…I've just never had a letter to me signed that way before, so I want to know exactly what you mean.

Oh, we did have visitors yesterday for dinner – my cousin, Nymphadora (though she told me to call her Tonks), and Professor Lupin. They told us they're having a baby. Tonks seems really excited, but I can tell that Professor Lupin is nervous. Dead nervous. He was incredibly sweaty through dinner and his leg wouldn't stop shaking. Frankly, I don't blame him. I wouldn't want to bring a kid into a war. There's so much that could go wrong. I mean, look at Potter and Longbottom. The war took their parents and left them with shit, basically. Sorry to get so depressing.

Anyway, let me know about your greeting.

Yours,

Draco

P.S. Mrs. Weasley's cooking is really getting to me. After hardly being able to touch food all last year, I feel like I'm being fattened up. My trousers can hardly fit me any longer. I had to put an extension charm in the waistband.

August 29

My dearest Draco,

Yes, I knew about Professor Lupin and Tonks – please don't ask me how. It's so exciting for them! I can certainly understand why having a baby might make Professor Lupin nervous, but aren't new fathers supposed to be nervous, anyway? Besides, I think a baby can be a beautiful reminder of what's good in this world. We could use some of that, couldn't we? A reminder of what hope and joy look like. That's not a bad thing, is it? I mean, look at the Weasleys. Look at you. Look at all our classmates. We were all born during a war (I mean…I'm a muggleborn, so it's a bit different) and I bet most parents were glad to have something happy in their lives when there was so much death and destruction happening around them.

I suppose there would be risks involved. But I don't think that's what's got Professor Lupin nervous. He's likely worried that his child will carry his lycanthropy. Of course, that's also ridiculous. But I digress.

As to your big question, I don't say things (well, write things) that I don't mean. I could dance around with my words, but since you're clearly anxious about it, I'll just tell you.

I love you, Draco Malfoy. I don't know if we're in love – it's probably too soon to know one way or the other – but I do know this. I care for you very deeply and have feelings of great affection toward you.

I love you.

I choose to sign my letters that way because that's how I feel. Do you understand what I mean now?

Love, from

Hermione

August 31

Dear Hermione,

I think I love you, too.

I feel like–

Hold on, Mrs. Weasley is calling. Seems she wants me to help prepare Ginny's goodbye dinner. I'll write as soon as I get the chance.

Love, from

Draco

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