A missive from Healer J. Fitzgilbert to Mr D. Malfoy
29th November 2002
Dear Mr Malfoy,
It is our greatest pleasure to inform you that your father has awoken from his potion-induced coma. After many diagnostic spells and tests, we can inform you that your father is completely well – he has been cured of everything! Even though we are quite certain that your father is out of any danger, we would like to keep him at St Mungo's for an extra few days, in order to keep a close eye on him. You are welcome to visit your father within the allocated visiting hours.
Yours faithfully,
Healer J. Fitzgilbert.
St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries
PS. Although it is none of my business, My Malfoy, may I congratulate you and offer my support, with regards to the article that was printed in The Daily Prophet. It is terribly good to see young people breaking through the staunch traditions of the wizarding world, from a muggle born's point of view, and I am thoroughly thrilled to see that Miss Skeeter has been fired for spreading salacious gossip!
A missive from Mr L. Malfoy to Mrs G. Potter
1st December 2002
Mrs Potter,
I am well aware that this letter to you is a particularly strange occurrence, given both our unfortunate past and the fact that I only woke up from a coma two days ago. This is the first time that I have been permitted to write a letter; so why am I writing to you, I hear you ask. I am writing to you on the presumption that you are Miss Hermione Granger's closest friend and confidante, and that you are fully aware of what has passed between her and my good friend Severus. If this is indeed true, I beg for your help on a very important matter.
Ever since that ridiculous evening, when Severus discovered Miss Granger's attraction to him and proceeded to sever all contact, he has been an unbearably miserable git. He hasn't left his dungeons for weeks, and I have heard on the grapevine that he is being even more terrifying than usual with his students. I believe that, although Severus has not yet realised it, he is similarly infatuated with Miss Granger. This was confirmed to me when, upon awaking from my coma, I found the two of them standing by my bedside – their recent collaboration, I shall divulge to you, has been about finding a cure for a particular ailment that I have been suffering with. Severus was sending furtive glances her way and when, accidentally, their hands brushed, he leapt into the air like someone had shoved a wand up his derriere and Miss Granger blushed a rather brilliant red! It was comical, but highlighted the very fact that the two of them need to be reunited. Not just for the good of research, but for the good and the health of our dear friends.
I propose, Mrs Potter, that you and I collaborate to create a scheme that will force them into one another's presence. Perhaps I could invite Severus for dinner somewhere, the day after tomorrow, you could do the same with Miss Granger, and we would force them to acknowledge their feelings for one another. You may wonder why I am so desperate to see them happy together. Severus and Miss Granger, through their combined research, have successfully cured my illness. I am no longer a man that hovers under the threat of imminent death and, for that, I shall be eternally grateful. This is the only way (that does not include money) that I can think of to repay them. I would be grateful to you too, if you would allow me the opportunity to do this for my friend.
On a completely unrelated note, please inform your brother Mr Ron Weasley that a note he received from 'Anonymous' some weeks ago was simply a joke. The writer had no knowledge of anything and, despite evidence to the contrary, was thrilled to discover that no money was delivered. Your brother has shown more mettle by not falling into the hands of a blackmailer, than many people I have met in the past.
Yours faithfully,
Lucius Malfoy.
A missive from Mrs G. Potter to Miss H. Granger
2nd December 2002
I've managed to book a table at that lovely muggle restaurant, just around the corner from Diagon Alley. You know, the one that you read about in the magazine and wanted to eat at because they have a very extensive wine list? I thought we could go tomorrow together, so you can unwind a bit! A girly night out! It'd be nice, wouldn't it? Wear your best dress (show a bit of cleavage, we can get you a man at the same time!), do your hair and meet me inside at quarter past seven for a fantastic evening!
A missive from Mr L. Malfoy to Professor S. Snape
2nd December 2002
In order to thank you for everything that you have done for me, dear friend, I have booked a table at a rather exclusive muggle restaurant for tomorrow evening. Do be a good fellow and join me for dinner. I hear that their selection of wines is infallible! Tidy yourself up a bit, wear a muggle suit and meet me inside at seven pm. Perhaps we can go out to a bar or two afterwards and find a substitute for Miss Granger?
A missive from Miss H. Granger to Mrs G. Potter
3rd December 2002
I don't know if I want to hit you or hug you, Ginevra Potter! I cannot believe that you and Lucius Malfoy collaborated to get Severus and I together and, oh yes, you were successful! In fact, at this very moment, Severus is asleep in my bed with his mouth wide open and not a stitch of clothing on his body. Sorry, that was probably unnecessary, but I can't help but feel a sense of satisfaction.
When I first went into the restaurant and saw him sitting there, I wanted to turn around straight away and run in the other direction! But then he saw me and, well, he smiled. I've never seen him do that before, despite the hours we've spent working together, and I nearly melted. We ate dinner together, drank some wine, laughed and talked and, eventually, he apologised for his behaviour that night. Apparently he was uncertain how he felt then, and it was only after the misunderstanding and the letter from my secretary that he realised that he was interested in me after all. And then that afternoon when he asked me to come to St Mungo's, well that was when he knew for certain that, and this is a quote, he 'could not let me go again'. Then he kissed me (it was fantastic, might I add) and, well, the rest is history. Isn't that fantastic, Ginny? I'm just so happy that everything has turned out right.
It feels me slightly uncomfortable though that my night of wild passionate love-making was all thanks to you and Lucius Malfoy.
But don't ever tell anyone I said that.
A missive from Professor S. Snape to Mr L. Malfoy
3rd December 2002
For perhaps the first time in our entire friendship, I shall admit that you were correct and I was wrong. I am attracted to Hermione (incredibly so, in fact), I was stupid and stubborn to ignore the fact, and I shall be indebted to you forever. When Hermione first came into the restaurant, I was overwhelmed with the itching desire to hex you. But then I saw what she was wearing…oh Merlin, you should have seen her in that dress Lucius. Anyway, we had a rather pleasant dinner, and the wine was just as fantastic as you'd said it would be. I apologised, she accepted, I complimented her and we shared a witty conversation and, miraculously, she did not laugh in my face. One thing led to another and, well, the potions professor was not in the Great Hall for breakfast this morning!
We have spent the rest of the afternoon together, doing the same things that we always do when we meet – excellent conversation, some laughter and lots of wine. We even put the finishing touches on the research folder about the Mortuus Mentis potion which, I am sure you shall be glad to know, will be published under both of our names. I believe in one of our past correspondences, you asked me why it is impossible for us to be colleagues, friends and lovers. Now, I can see that it is not.
I shall end this letter now Lucius for, and I am sure you will be sick with jealousy when you read this, Hermione is waiting with the promise of sticky toffee pudding and a bottle or two of red wine. An offer that I shall not be stupid enough to refuse the second time around.
Author's Note: A million thanks again for the reviews! They put a smile on my face every time! :D