A/N1: WOOT! Longer chapter. Are you happy Erica? Please read and review!
Disclaimer: Nada own-a Harry-a Potter-a.
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XXXXXXXXHermione and SpencerXXXXXXXX (Just got out of Hermione's pool).
The next week, Hermione invited all of her friends over to her house for a big sleepover party. So far, Spencer was the only one there and she had been there since 2pm; now it was about 5pm and they had just gotten out of the pool and headed up to Hermione's room. So far, Hermione hadn't told any of her friends about her correspondence with Draco. She hadn't done it on purpose though; she'd been meaning to tell them since she was informed by Dumbledore. The problem was...she didn't know how to tell them. There was no casual way to drag that into a conversation without them flipping out and demanding to read the letters. That was the last thing she wanted them to do. The letters weren't sacred, in fact, they were far from it, but Hermione just didn't want that part of her life out in the open. They already knew about their situation with the mirror; and besides, there were just some things that were better kept quiet.
Just as Spencer and Hermione were about to go down and wait for Ginny, Elaine, Alyssa and Marie to floo in, an owl flew threw Hermione's open window. In an instant she knew exactly who it was from. With a sinking feeling in her stomach, Hermione took the letter from the owl and sent it on its way back to Draco. Spencer noticed Hermione stiffen and knew that something was up.
"So...Hermione, what's in that letter? More importantly, who's it from?" Hermione's eyes darted around the room and she shifted her weight between her feet, both actions a set of concrete evidence that the next words Hermione uttered would be lies.
"I don't know. I don't recognize the owl."
"Mmhmm. Ok then, why don't you open it and we can read it to see." At this remark, Hermione clutched the letter to her chest and looked at Spencer with wide eyes.
"No, don't be silly." She craned her neck as if she heard something and then said, "Oh, don't you hear that? They're here!" She made a move to exit the room but Spencer stopped her.
"Nice try. Actually not really, seeing as how it was very obvious but I'll give you credit for trying. Who is that letter from and why don't you want me to know about it?" Hermione sighed in defeat.
"It's from Draco." Spencer looked at her friend curiously before bursting into hysterics.
"No Hermione, really; who is it from?"
"It's from Draco, Draco Malfoy, the ferret...the one that goes to our school. Yeah, him." Hermione held out the envelope and showed Spencer the green ink. "See?"
Spencer snorted derisively. "That doesn't prove anything. The only thing that tells me is that you are hiding something. The only way I'll believe that it is from who you say it is, is if I see it." Again Hermione sighed in defeat. She wasn't going to lie to Spencer...and besides, she really wanted to read what he wrote. So with a quick motion, Hermione opened the letter and set it on her dresser so both she and Spencer could read it.
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Hermione:
Hmm, I don't like that as much...it seems too cold. I think I'm going to stick with 'Hey Hermione' if you don't mind. Even if you did mind...I'd probably still use that to start the letter anyway. So sorry, kind of...
I'll drag Ron and Harry in wherever and whenever I want!! (Ok—don't take it like that!) And yes, I did happen to notice over the course of six years, that you guys just happened to be friends. I don't think that anyone in the school didn't notice.
Just so you know, after I read what you said about why you were writing back I was gaping at the letter. Stupid old coot. Of course that's what he did! I can't believe I didn't see it before.
Only some offense meant...gee thanks that makes me feel so much better. (Please note my oozing sarcasm).
Who is Spencer? And not too much offence meant (only some. Haha, took your line!) But why would Blaise be involved with one of your Gryffindor friends?
Swimming? You were swimming?! You can do more than just read and study?! I'm shocked. That's incredible. What else can you do??
My summer has been so boring you wouldn't even believe it. Within the first two days I finished my various essays and homework and such that was assigned and now I have nothing to do. Blaise has been over almost every day and I'm getting extremely sick of him. But I guess if I had to choose between: a) Pansy clinging to me and constantly hitting on me; (I shudder at the thought) b) Crabbe and Goyle eating everything in my house and not uttering a word to me (it's absolutely sickening to watch them eat!) or c) Blaise yakking on and on about whoever he's dating, I'd have to choose option c.
There you have it that has been my summer. At least I haven't been forced into robes to go to some stuffy pureblood banquet. When they were alive, my parents always made me go to at least two a week over the summer. Talk about boring: a bunch of Voldemort supporters and uptight pureblood women who have unfulfilling marriages and talk about them over tea. Not my idea of fun at all. I'd rather stick pins in my eyes than attend another one of those.
Replying because I feel like it,
Draco.
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After Spencer finished reading the letter, she glanced at Hermione in shock. "Holy cow! You were serious. Why is he writing to you? And why didn't you say anything before? Is he stalking you? Is he harassing you? If he is I'll kick his ass when school starts again." Hermione laughed at Spencer's fighting words.
"No. That's not it at all. Remember when we had Elaine's party and Dumbledore summoned me to his office? Well it is his idea for me and Draco to write to each other over the summer so we'll have a better relationship as head students next year. He says that if the student body sees us, a Gryffindor and a Slytherin whose rivalry has been going on since the beginning of Hogwarts, getting along, it will promote school and inter-house unity."
Spencer snickered. "I think that's all the headmaster does all day: think of ways to promote inter-house unity. Remember the huge Easter affair and the Secret Santa's oh and don't forget that plastic baby project! Where does he come up with this?"
Hermione smiled briefly, but continued to tell her story. Once she started to explain, she wouldn't stop, it was good to get it out in the open. She proceeded to explain how the headmaster told them both but made them think he only told one of them. "Ooh, he's clever." Spencer remarked in slight awe.
"Yes, so I've noticed." Hermione said wryly.
"So why didn't you tell us? If I wouldn't have been here would you have ever mentioned the "owl pals" thing to us?"
"I would have. I didn't mean to not tell you, I just couldn't find the right way to say it. If you want I'll tell everyone tonight."
Spencer just shrugged. "Nah, you don't have to, but just tell them eventually. They'll be hurt if they find out like I did."
"Are you hurt?"
"Pshh hell no. I find this hilarious. So what are you going to reply? Hurry up!! You should reply and send it back before everyone gets here."
Hermione grinned at her friend's eagerness and quickly began to pen her reply to Draco on a fresh piece of parchment.
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Hey Draco.
Nah, I don't mind. I think I prefer that too. Yeah, it figures that you would do that—but at least you gave me a forewarning so if I didn't like it, I'd have to learn to get used to it.
Hahaha, wow that sounds awfully...dirty. And I hope you realize that you used their actual names instead of 'Potty' 'Weasel' or 'Weaselbee.'
I cannot believe that you didn't see that! (And don't call Dumbledore a stupid coot. He's not stupid, he is one of the most brilliant wizards ever...and he meddles, but that doesn't make him any less brilliant.) You are so dense sometimes. Ok, well most of the time. For example now: Spencer is not a Gryffindor, she is a Slytherin and she takes offence at being called a Gryffindor.
"Damn right I do!" (That was quoted directly from Spencer right now for she is currently reading what I write, and hovering over my shoulder.)
She says that she is glad to not be in Gryffindor. For some odd reason she has Slytherin pride. Or maybe she just likes Slytherin because that's where her boyfriend is. Who knows?
"That's not true! I don't just like Slytherin because Blaise is there." (Sure...of course she doesn't. Just kidding. Ow, Spencer just hit me in the arm and it hurt!) "Good, I'm glad it hurt." (Stupid Slytherin. OW! She should stop that!)
And don't you remember? She was the one that punched you in the arm when you were staring at me during lunch that one day. Yes, she told me all about that. Oh, and she was the one who was charmed to look like me snogging you when in reality she was snogging Blaise. You don't remember that? Actually I'm sure you do seeing as how it probably scarred you for life. (Sorry about that—but you have to admit, it was pretty hilarious!)
"Haha, heck yes it was! The expression on his face was the funniest I've ever seen. Too bad Colin wasn't there to get a picture." (That was Spencer again, now she wants to write you something.)
Hi Malfoy. Wow, you are thicker than a concussed troll...hell—you're even thicker than Ron sometimes. Bye.
Hey, I have a question about that whole revenge thing. You said you were going to get revenge on me somehow...and yet you never did. Why is that? Does Malfoy have a soft spot for bookworms? I'm just joking, don't hurt me! (Not like you would because of your soft spot for Gryffindor bookworms.)
That was a rude thing for you to say. Yes I can do more than just study thank you very much! You sound like Ron when you say that you didn't think that I could do anything else. You should have heard about what happened on New Years. I was so mad! And for your information I can swim quite well thanks. I'm pretty good at butterfly. I think that it's my best stroke even though it's not my fastest. And I play the cello, because cellos ROCK and violins are totally over-appreciated. So you know what, you can bugger off. I am capable of more than being a bookworm. (But I will admit that I am one.) It just so happens that I enjoy reading and I work to do well in school because I want to make something of myself.
Yuck, a pureblood banquet? What do you even do there? I mean, you aren't a Voldemort supporter as far as I know...and last time I saw you, you weren't a woman. Did that change? Haha! Nah, I'm just kidding. Stick pins in your eyes. Hmm melodramatic much?
Still annoyed about the 'you swim?' remark,
Hermione.
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A/N2: Please review!! No pointless flames are allowed; but feel free to leave me constructive criticism!! 361st reviewer will get a new chapter of Bittersweet Lullabies/one-shot written on their behalf!
Lovelove, Amanda