That summer, when I went home. I couldn't stop thinking about him. Draco Malfoy was talking to me, as a friend. Not being a nimwit about everything, just talking to me, like a regular person. HE KISSED ME! The owl came not so regularly with mail, letters from Ron, Harry couldn't write, and we knew it, because of his uncle. I knew better than to expect much out of Ron's letters, but it was still nice to see them.

Hermione, Just wanted to say hey. Been bloody boring here at home without you and Harry around. Ginny won't stop talking about him. I wanna gag. Your friend, Ron

Hermione, You told me to write, and I don't want to get yelled at if I don't. Not much has been going on though, so I don't know what to write. Your Friend, Ron.

Hermione, Fred and George keep picking on me, saying your my girlfriend. I haven't heard from Harry all summer, you think he's ok? Your Friend, Ron.

Not really much to get out of those, other than the fact that Ron is bored. I had just received my last letter from Ron about a week prior so I knew not to expect one for at least another month when an owl tapped on my window. That's weird, that's not Ron's owl. Opening my window, the owl jumps out, and lands on the floor. SCREEEEK! Dropping an envelope, it hops back up on the window sill and flies away.

Granger, I can't discuss with you what is going on. Know that no matter what, I am not out to hurt you. Some choices in my life aren't made by me. I have to do what I can. I can't discuss in further detail what is going on, but know that I will keep you out of the line of fire as much as I can. Please, don't send your owl to reply, she may get recognized here at the Mansion. Use a black owl, I can lie and say Pansy is writing me. Yours Alone, M.

Yours alone? Who ends a letter like that? Taking a few steps back, I just stare at the letter. I wish I could think, just think, but my mind is blank as I reread it over and over, running my fingers across where his quill quickly but neatly wrote what he needed to say. I guess I should reply, but where do I even begin. He is admitting that he is the enemy, admitting that as the enemy, he is still my friend. That he is still "mine alone" or whatever that means. Slowly, I put my quill to parchment paper, not even thinking, just letting my quill write what it must.

Malfoy. I don't understand. I can handle myself, I know more spells and can handle a wand better than you think. I am not "contaminated" as you say. And how are you not making your decisions? You are the only one who decides your fate. I'm so confused by what all you are saying. -G

And now I sit and wait, it could be days, weeks, before he answers, if he even does. Or, his parents could get their hands on his letter. That would be bad. I leave my bedroom, and go brush my teeth to get ready for bed. Spearmint. I wish I had someone to talk to about this. Harry would yell at me to leave him alone, he is Malfoy after all, Ron would get jealous. Ugh.

"Mom, dad. I'm going to bed now." I say, leaning into the living room. They are wrapped up in something on the news.

"Ok, honey, sweet dreams." They reply, not even looking away from the screen. Slowly I walk back up the stairs to my bedroom. SCREEEEEK! The owl is back. That was fast, opening my window, he does the same routine, then flies off.

Granger, I said don't use your owl. It's ok though, when my father asked me, I told him it was a younger Slytherin who was trying to learn a thing or two from me, asking for advice. Fell for it. You don't understand, my mother is all I have. I don't control my destiny right now, he does. I have something I need to show you back at Hogwarts. Promise me you won't hate me when you see it. Yours only, M.

"Promise me you won't hate me?" I ask myself aloud. "What has gotten into you Malfoy?"

Malfoy, I can't make any promises. I mean seriously though, how bad can it be? And we only have a month left, I will see you then in Hogwarts. -G

Sending it off, slowly I nod off to sleep. In my dream, I see Draco. It is just me and him, standing in a dark room, there is a chimney and a long table, probably long enough for fifteen to twenty people to sit at, but it is only me and him, face to face. He is standing there, pointing his wand at me.

"You have hurt me, Granger. You nasty little mudblood. Nobody hurts a Malfoy." He looks at me, like I am a bug, a disgusting bug that needs to be squished. "And for that, you will pay." Slowly, the light from his wand grows brighter and brighter, until all I can see is the light, nothing else. Screaming I wake up to find myself back in my bed.

"Oh, thank Merlin it was just a dream." Tap tap tap. Tap tap tap. The impatient tap of that stupid owl on the window again. "What time is it? Really Malfoy?" 3 am.

I grab the letter, and shoo off the owl, before opening the letter to read it. No name, just three little words.

It's that bad.