Chapter Two: Letters

Hermione's POV

I woke up with a smile on my face as the night before's memories came back to me. I climbed out of bed and got ready for my daily rotiune. Then went down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Lavender and Ginny attacked me with questions as soon as I sat down.

"Where were you?" Lavender asked, not letting Ginny get a sentence in she continued, "Ron and I managed to beat you back to the common room! And we took nearly an hour." She said.

"Okay, ew." Ginny and I said at the same time. "That was a bit of information I could have lived my whole life without knowing. So, you admit to being to misquote that attacked his neck?" I said teasing her. She slapped me on the arm. "And for your information I was in the hospital wing because I fell and cut my wrist. And I went to speak with Dumbledore on an important matter." I said. "Hence, me not coming in until late. I have no juicy gossip for you, Lavender. Here comes Ron." I said. Lavender jumped up from the table and ran at Ron.

"Won-Won!" Lavender yelled, hugging him. Whistles and cat calls came from every table. Ginny, Harry, Seamus, Dean, Partavi, and I began to laugh. I watched with amusement as Ron's ears started to turn red. I laughed even more. Fred and George were making their own jokes about it. I laughed with them about it. Earning a couple of shocked looks, I smiled and continued eating my breakfast.

"Draco!" I heard Pansy Parkinson yell. I smiled. I loved how her name reminded me of an insult.

"Pansy." I heard him say. I noticed that I was beginning to love how his voice sounded. I heard the same sounds that had been displayed moments before. I turned to see Pansy hugging Draco. I was reminded of the night before about the hug we shared outside Dumbledore's office. I smiled into my goblet at the memory. "What are you doing?" He asked her.

"I'm hugging you. Do you not want me to hug you?" She asked him, tilting her head to the side. 'She looks even more like a puppy when she does that. Come to think of it she follows him around like one too.' I thought as I watched the display. 'I wish that I could hug him out in the open like that. Wait, where did that come from?' I thought. Shaking my head again while chuckling, trying to make it look as though I was laughing at Draco's uncomfortable face. Draco raised one eyebrow at her.

"No. Sorry, Pansy, I'm just not in the mood for a hug from you today." He said. I choked on my juice when I heard him say that. Harry began to hit me on the back. He looked in my direction, I saw the concern flicker into his eyes.

"I'm fine, Harry. You can stop hitting me now." I said, breathless. My words were a double meaning. I wanted Draco to know that I was okay too. But he probably didn't hear me. But he might have. Harry stopped and looked at me.

"You sure?" He asked me. I rolled my eyes at his protective, big brother, antics. I noticed that even if Harry did find out he wouldn't be like Ron. Harry would support me but still be watchful of Draco. The one thing he didn't want was for me to get hurt. I don't think he would find out until Draco and I decided it was time to let them in on the secret and that wouldn't be until after the war was over, when we were sure that he'd be safe from Voldemort.

"Yeah. I'm sure." I said. I went back to eating. I looked over at Lavender and Ron and saw the look they were sharing with one another. It was so full of love. I sighed and looked back down at my plate. 'Why can't I find someone like that? Someone who will love me for me and not the fact that I'm smart? I don't want to be used all my life. I don't want to be referred to as the smart girl all my life. I want to be referred to as someone's wife or finance.' I thought. I finished my plate. "Guys, I'm going to the library." I told them before walking away.

Draco's POV

I don't know what possessed me to tell Pansy what I did. It's not that I didn't mean it because I did. I realized, only when she hugged me, that the only person I wanted hugging me was one Hermione Granger, but that wouldn't happen because we had to act as though we were enemies. When she started to choke I was worried, I'm not going to lie. But when I heard her tell Harry that she was going to be okay. I knew that her words meaned more than what she meant them too. I knew that she was also speaking to me.

When her face fell, after looking at Brown and Weasley, all I wanted to do was go over and comfort her. I couldn't help but wonder if she had feelings for him, but then I remembered all the years that they argued, all the years she spent crying over the hurtful words he'd said to her. Now I begin to wonder if that is what happened when I found her. Had Weasley hurt her feelings during an arguement but she'd stood her ground and when it was over go into an empty classroom and cry? It seemed like something that Hermione Granger would do. I mean after all she was proud and had her pride. I came to another realization, Hermione was a perplexing, rare, and beautiful woman, who was not to be taken lightly and she had a heart of gold.

Not long after she left the Great Hall, I finished my breakfast and excused myself. Grabbe and Goyle tried to follow but thought better of it seeing as food was still there. And I'd hurt Pansy's feelings at what I said so she wasn't going to follow me. I walked into the library and went into the potions section of the library, I needed to start on Snape's essay. Even though, I knew the real reason I came here. It seemed now that every reason I had seemed to revolve around Hermione Granger. I realized that she was my reason to be better. That's when I saw her walking with three anicent books in her hands, she set them on the table and began to work. I was about to write her a note when I saw him. Terry Boot.

"Hey Hermione." I heard him whisper, only being a table down. Terry Boot, I had never really liked. He always tried to show me up, tried to get to a girl before I did. Suddenly, it occured to me. He wanted Hermione. He thought that I wanted her. Well, everyone in the school believed it wasn't true. But I knew that it was, I wasn't going to lie. I wanted Hermione to be mine.

"Hey Terry. What's up?" She whispered back. I smiled, she wasn't going to do anything to get kicked out of the library or upset the librarian. But I couldn't blame her that woman could be down-right nasty when she wanted to be.

"Nothing much. I was wondering if you were doing anything Hogsmede weekend?" Terry asked her. Unknowingly, my fists began to ball up. I was jealous and I knew it. I knew, also, that I would lose it if she said yes.

"Um...Terry that's really nice of you to ask, but," She said, I smiled. She was rejecting him. "But I have lessons with a friend that day. He's going to try and teach me to fly a broom." She said. "I don't think the results are going to be pretty." She said, probably thinking of the event. I wondered who this friend was. She made it clear that it was a guy. Again my fits balled, this guy whoever he may be was going to get to be alone with Hermione on a broom at the pitch without anyone but teachers there. All the students, other than first and second years who aren't allowed on the pitch and will probably be in bed, are going to be gone. Terry Boot got up, rejected, and walked away.

A note appeared on my desk in the shape of a rose with a snake wrapped around it. I opened it and saw Hermione's neat calligraphy.

Jealousy isn't an appealing factor on you, Draco. Are you doing anything Hogsmede weekend? She wrote. I looked up at her in surprise. 'Didn't she just tell Terry that she had plans? Or did she just lie to him to get him to go away or let him down gently?' I pondered this as I replied. Hope was coursing threw me.

No. Why? Didn't you just tell Terry that you already had plans? I wrote. I send it back in the shape she sent it to me. 'I wonder why she folds her notes like that?' I wondered. 'I'll ask.' I thought. It wasn't long before the note appeared again. When I opened it the first thing I noticed was that our ink had melted into the page. She made it to where no one but us could read what we wrote. I looked at her in amazement. She continued writing her essay.

Well, you see that's the thing. I didn't actually make any plans with a friend. So, seeing as it would be rude to lie to him about doing something and the fact that all Gryiffindors and Slytherins are either going to be in bed or gone that weekend, I was wondering if you would teach me how to fly. And if anyone should come out and spot you the moment I meet you I'll place the invisibilty charm on myself to where I won't be seen flying with you and people will probably think that I'm with Harry and Ron. She wrote. I blinked in surprise. She really thought everything threw. I was happy that she wanted me to teach her to fly. But I also knew that the reason she didn't fly was because of her fear of hieghts, I found this out when she saw Buckbeak. I just didn't say anything about it.

Yeah. I'll teach you. But aren't you scared of heights? You really do think everything through. Now, in order for me teaching you to work you're going to have to keep your eyes open and trust me. Can you do that? Oh and by the way, why do you fold your notes like that? In the form of a rose with a snake wrapped around it? I wrote, then sent it back to her. I started to work on my essay again. It popped up again.

Of course I trust you, Draco. I fold the notes like that because it's a design that I've always used. It's sort of what I want as a tatoo. If you're wondering a tatoo is an premant ink marking that decorates the body. And it's does with a needle gun. It stings a little at first then it's like a tingling sensation. It feels good after a while. I know this because I was playing with my uncle's tatoo gun seeing if a tatoo would actually hurt. She wrote.

I'm glad that you trust me. Oh. The idea of a tatoo, the way you describe it, make it sound kinky. You know? I wrote. When I sent it back to her. I almost slapped myself in the face at the blush that colored her cheeks. She looked at me and mouthed "oh my gosh". I shrugged at her. And mouthed back, "I couldn't help it." She chuckled and shook her head.

Wow, Draco. Really? I mean come on. That was just a little much. But yes the idea of it is a little kinky. But not as bad as chains and whips and handcuffs. I coughed as I read it. If it wasn't written, I wouldn't be able to believe that she had said it. Innocent, little Hermione Granger saying something like that just wouldn't be expected for many people. It was uncommon.

I didn't know there was a side of you like that. What would Harry and Ron say, hm? Well, if I were to tell them they wouldn't believe me and Ron would probably punch me. So, my best bet's not even talking to them. Lol. I wonder what other sides there are to you, Miss. Granger. I wrote and send it back. I realized that we were flirting through a note no less. I went back to my essay. The note took longer this time and I was halfway down the page when the note was sent back.

There are many sides to me, Mr. Malfoy. And yes, Ron and Harry would probably punch you. But they would more than likely question me about it later. Or at least Ron would. You know, he's always wanting to prove people wrong. That's where most of our arguement always come from. He thinks he's right all the time. It's so annoying. Oops, I'm babbling. She wrote. I laughed.

Yeah, I think Weasley would be the one to get most volient out of the three. But I don't know, you're the only one that has actually punched me. And I knew from experience that I wouldn't want to be on the recieving end of one of those. Like ever again, plus you're really got with curses and potions, so you're just potentially dangerous. I wrote. Then got back to my essay. The note appeared at me table again, just as I was finishing my essay.

Yeah. So, is it alright if we meet at 6 in the morning on Hogsmede weekend. You know get an early start? Then meet in the Room of Requirement and talk? You know, we still have some things that we need to go over, if you are going to live with me. She wrote. I heard her getting up and returning her books to the shelves. I got up and walked with her.

"Yeah, that's fine." I whispered to her as I put my books up. She nodded and walked back to the table and gathered her stuff and began to walk out. I went back to my table and packed my stuff. I hid the note somewhere I knew no one would look. The Christmas hoildays were after the Hogsmede weekend, so I hid it in the Room of Requirement and when we meet I would get the note and put it in my pocket and continue talking to her. No one would find it there because not many people knew of the room.

Hermione's POV

The moment Terry Boot came up to me and asked me to go to Hogsmede with him, I saw Draco's fists begin to ball, and instantly I knew that he was jealous. Terry Boot was known to be a huge player, so I knew that he was bad news. Even if I didn't like Draco, I probably still would have rejected him. I'm just not interested in getting played.

I walked outside and sat down by the lake underneath the oak tree. This was my favorite spot to sit and think or just to read. I pulled out my old book, Whetering Hieghts and began to read. I had read this book so many times that I had it almost memorized. Heathcliff was crazy, yes. But that was part of his appeal. He would have done anything for Kathy. I had only gotten to chapter two when someone sat down beside me. I placed the book in my duffle bag and turned to look at that person.

"Hi, Fred." I said. 'What does he want?' I wondered as he turned to look at me. I noticed that his eyes were red and swollen. "Oh no, what happened?" I asked. Knowing that for him to cry, there had to be something wrong. 'Did Angela break up with him? Or is it something to do with his family?' I wonder as he took a deep breathe.

"Angela broke up with me." He said. Just as he spoke it, I saw the tears welling up in his eyes. He turned and hugged me, I noticed that he was crying on me. He was crying on my shoulder. He seeked me for comfort. I began to wonder why. 'Is it because I'm the only girl other than Ginny who he thinks he can talk to? Or because Ginny would threaten to kick her ass? Granted that I'm going to threaten that to. But I'm going to ask how it happened.' I thought.

"Did she say why she was doing it?" I asked him. He shook his head. "Do you want me to try and talk to her about it?" I asked. He nodded in my shoulder. "Can I try and kick her ass for hurting you?" I asked him in a serious tone. He laughed and shook his head.

"No volience, Hermione. Even though I never thought that you'd be the one to make that threat or be the one that I came to when it happened." He said, looking just as puzzled as I had been.

"Well, cheer up, Fred. She's realize what a mistake she made and want you back. You're funny, cute, and very loyal. That's enough in my book to make her realize what a mistake she made. If you weren't my best friend's brother, not to sound weird or anything, but I'd date you." I laughed as I said the ending because of the look on his face. It was one of such surprise that it made my day a little brighter, knowing that I had shocked one of the best pranksters in the school. "But alas, I like someone else." The moment those words escaped my mouth, I instantly wanted them back. Fred smiled.

"And who may that be? Anyone I know?" He asked me.

"Now's not the time to answer that if I expect to catch Angela before she leaves for the Great Hall. Talk to you later, Fred. And I promise everything will be okay." I said, before getting up and leaving Fred sitting underneath my tree.

I had corner Angela at the Great Hall door with questions, she was surprised to say the most because I had never really talked to her. Before I changed the subject, I analyzed the way she held herself, the way her eyes looked. I saw brief hints of saddness in her deminor and tear stains on her face.

'Why did you break up with Fred?" Straight and to the point. Can you blame me though? I wanted answers, and I was going to get them one way or another. She looked at me in shock. "He came to me crying, Angela. That's how I know." I said, she blinked once more, still surprised. I saw a flash of regret cross her face and stay there.

"I broke up with him because I am scared that I'm going to get hurt, his repuation is known, he's a player, Hermione. But still, I love him despite that. But I just don't want to get hurt. You know?" She asked me. I knew the scowl I was giving her could put Draco's to shame. But I wasn't happy with her.

"Yes, I know of his reputation. But you say that you love him? So, other's opinion of him, or you for that matter, shouldn't bother you. He was crying, Angela. He doesn't plan on playing you. The only thing he wants is you back. He loves you, Angela. Wheter he has said it to you or not. I can tell. He wouldn't cry over just anyone." I said before walking into the Great Hall for dinner. Angela followed at sat down next to Fred. He looked at her in surprise, then he looked at me and I winked.

"Um, Fred." Angela said. Fred turned his attention to her. She took a deep breathe and took one last look at me and I saw the gratitude flash through her eyes. "Will you go back out with me?" She asked. I rolled my eyes when she tensed herself for rejection. Fred hugged her. I heard him whisper to her.

"Yes. Ang, don't ever do that to me again. I love you." I smiled at the same time she did. When she looked up at me and mouthed 'thank you.' I shot her a thumbs up. Fred soon did the same. I smiled.

"Well, Hermione, it looks as though you're saving relationships today. Care to give me any advice on how to find a girl?" Harry asked me. I looked at Ginny, who was sitting next to Harry, and she looked down. I smiled at the thought I had gotten.

"Look where you least expect it. Maybe she's closer than you think. Who knows, she could be right beside you." I said, Ginny looked at me wide-eyed and Harry looked at Ginny. When she felt Harry looking, she looked over at him and blushed.

"Hey Ginny." He said. She blushed even darker. "Do you think that you'd want to, maybe, go to Hogsmede weekend with me?" He asked her. Ginny eyes got so wide, I feared that they might fall out. She jumped at Harry and kissed him. He looked shocked at first but responded. Whistles and cat calls were heard but I don't think they cared. Ginny pulled away. "What that a yes?" He asked her, breathless. She giggled.

"Duh, Harry. I don't go around randomly kissing boys." Ginny said with a smile. She looked at me and the thank you train started. "Thank you so much, Hermione. However, I still kind of want to hurt you for calling me out that way. But still, you could have just went right out and said it. But thank you, thank you, thank you!" Ginny said. I laughed.

"Don't mention it, Ginny. Seeing you guys happy is enough for me." I said, before placing food on my plate and beginning to eat. I was unaware that I was being looked at by Ron and Lavender.

"How come you don't have a boyfriend, Hermione?" Lavender asked. "I saw Terry Booth ask you out, why didn't you accept the offer?" She asked me. I looked at her, preplexed. "I mean you're beautiful, smart, kind when you want to be, funny, brave, and loyal. The list goes on and on." She said. I looked at her as if she'd grown three heads.

"I reject Terry because his reputation beseats him. And what exactly are you on? And where can I get some of it? Because it seems to have taken you on the high of a lifetime." I said, she looked astounded.

"I'm high off of love, Hermione." I laughed at how corny she sounded. "I know that I sound corny. But it's the truth. And you are all those things that I named. Just because you don't see it, doesn't mean that it's not true." Lavender said.

"Hermione, who's the boy that you said, you liked?" Fred said. I remember our conversation before at the lake and I almost kicked myself and Lavender for bringing this topic up. Without answering the question, I excused myself as quickly as possible.

"I don't think that she's going to answer you." Harry said. I laughed as I walked out. When I reached the common room, I sat on my bed. I noticed a note folding in the style of a stallion. Confusion sweeped over my features, that was until I opened it.

Dearest Hermione,

I saw what you did at breakfast, playing matchmaker. And my question is the same as Brown's. Why don't you have a boyfriend? It's not as though you're ugly because you aren't. You are beautiful and all the things she said you were. You just don't see yourself clearly.

If you are wondering why I folded this note the way I did was because this is my symbol. A stallion. Very proud creature, aren't they? It's also my patronus. Have you found out what yours is? Or have you not found a happy enough memory to conjure one?

Your friend,

D.

I got up and walked over to the desk that I had with a smile on my face. I knew that Lavender would be back, so I stashed the note in my truck in the compartment I had made when I was twelve.

Dear Draco,

I think that you're just seeing something that isn't there. And the reason I don't have one is because I don't think anyone likes me. I'm always saw as the smart girl or the third wheel or the girl you come to when you need help with homework. But alas, I am used to it.

I do have many happy memories, Draco. I just haven't tried yet. I hope to find out sometime this year. So, I'll let you know when I find it out.

Your friend,

H. J.

I got up. I heard Harry and Ron coming in through the portrait. 'Couldn't have choosen a better timing.' I thought as I decended the stairs.

"Hey, Harry." I said. He looked up at me. "How do you produce a patrous? Like what's the spell again?" I asked him. Ron and Harry were staring at me open mouthed. "Yes, yes. Something that I have to ask you because I don't know, it's a mircale or the next world war 3." I said sarcastically.

"Expecto Patronum." He told me, still staring at me. I chuckled at them and walked back up to my dorm. To practice said patronus. 'After all if Draco can do it, what's stopping me?' I thought. I thought of the time that I met Harry and Ron and said the spell. Just a mist came out. 'Not happy enough.' I thought. I swicthed to the time Draco hugged me outside of Dumbledore's office and a full bodied patronus came through this time. I was marveled to see that it was a phoniex. I blinked in amazement and watched it fly in the air around me, after a while I lost my concentration and let it disapate. I looked around with a smile on my face. I went to desk and found that Draco had wrote back.

Dearest Hermione,

No, I know what I'm seeing. How easily you forget the Yule Ball? I couldn't even speak to my date because I was to busy wondering what had happened and how beautiful you looked. Every girl the room dulled in comparison to you. In my eyes, your not seen as a third wheel. Or just the smart girl, even though you are very bright. You make an impression that will stick. When I first met you I found myself wanting to impress you. And you left the impression that you aren't one to be taken lightly. The hit you gave me was enough to make me think twice about ever messing with you again. And now I see that there is someone out there that is my equal and is ready and willing to set me straight when I get out of line. And I'm sorry that I didn't realize that sooner. Don't sell yourself short. And I'm sure Terry Boot likes you just fine, I know that I do. You are an amazing girl.

Your friend,D.

I smiled. He really was something else. Who know that someone I thought of as my enemy in the past could be so sweet and charming, and wasn't that bad of a guy after all. I reread the note and smiled. 'Wait, he was with Pansy at the Yule Ball. And yet he couldn't take his eyes of me? I knew that I'd felt someone looking at me but each time I would try and figure it out, I would come up blank.' I thought with surprise. 'He had managed to escape my eyes. But then again, I never thought back then that he would even look at me.' I reread the note again and didn't notice when Lavender came bounding up the stairs, only did I notice her when the letter was snacthed from my hand. I looked up, stratled.

"Aww." Lavender said, after several minutes of ingnoring my protests and reading. "Who is he?" She asked me. I laughed like I was going to tell. Even though I was very touched by Draco's words, I was not about to tell Lavender, gossip queen of Hogwarts, who he was.

"That's the glory of a secret admirer. Lavender, I don't know who he is." I lied, rolling my eyes at oblivous manner. She handed the letter back to me, blushing. I laughed. "It's alright, Lavender. Everyone makes mistakes. Now go attack my best friend." I told her laughing. She looked at me and cocked her head to the side. "Ron." I said, clarfying it for her. She bounded out of the room just as she came. I locked the dormitry door.

Dear Draco,

Sorry if it took me long to reply, a friend of mine wouldn't leave. Thank you for the compliments and I'm sure that Pansy was absolutly thrilled that you weren't talking to her. I could have swore that I felt someone watching me. Very crafty you are, Mr. Malfoy, to have escaped my eyes. But then again at such a long time ago, I wouldn't have imagined that you would be the one to be staring at me. After all, we are cut from a very different mold. And you like me? I didn't see that one coming.

Terry Boot isn't my type. And yes, Draco, I have a type. He's a player. I don't need someone like that, just seeing me to get in my pants. Really annoying bloke too. He just does strike my fancy.

I really couldn't tell that you wanted to impress me, I always thought that you wanted to be creul to me. And you are right about the willing to set you straight part, and I'm glad that you see me as your equal. Even after I hit you, you still seemed to find joy in messing with me. Ironic, I think so.

Your friend,

H. J.

I sent the letter back and unlocked the door. I heard Lavender telling Ron and Harry that I had a secret admirer. Instantly, I knew that I had a good reason to hide the notes the way I did. Knowing her she was go as far as to show them to Harry and Ron, which would moritify me and said "secret admirer" to no end. I walked on down and felt the eyes of Harry and Ron on me.

"What? Do I have something on me?" I asked, playing it as though I hadn't heard a word of what Lavender had said. Harry and Ron looked at one another then at me. I knew that they somewhat believed Lavender and if I knew Ron and Harry, they were offended that I hadn't told them. But it wasn't really any of their business if I had a secret admirer or not. It's not like they cared anyway.

"No, you don't." Ron said. "I'm just wondering why you didn't tell us of this secret admirer, but you let Lavender read one of the notes he wrote you." Ron said, Harry nod. Both looking at me as though I was some sort of villian on the television screen. I glared at Lavender.

"Well she left out the part where she snatched the letter from my hand and began to read it, ignoring my protests and pleas for it back. The reason I didn't tell you was because I didn't think that it matter to you two. You are guys. Its not as though you're female friend's love life should matter to you. Don't you guys get creeped out when girls talk of their boyfirends around you? How would it be any different when it came to secret admirers?" I said.

"It wouldn't be." Ron and Harry said.

"Exactly my point. So I spared telling you because of that reason." I said. 'And partly I didn't want you knowing in the first place and it wasn't Lavender's place to let them know of it either.' I thought, shooting a glare at Lavender, who was preeched on Ron's lap. "And you had no right telling them, Lavender. I do believe that it should have been my choice if I wished for them to know." I said, she looked down and blushed. "But I forgive you, and the next time you see me with something in my hands, ask me if you can read it. It is rather rude to take something from someone's hands the way you did." I said before walking into the dorm. I noticed that he had wrote back.

Dearest Hermione,

Of course I like you. You are an amazing girl as I have stated before. And I'm quickly finding a friend in you. And I like you as an individual. You bring out sides of me that I had long forgotten existed. Your friendship is something I cherish, because that's what I need right now. Is someone that I know is going to be there for me. Even when I didn't know you were, you were there. So many questions, of the night we learned more about one another, plague my thoughts. Why were you crying in the classroom that night? Why did you decide to show me that just because we are different doesn't mean that we aren't equal? Lastly, why did you offer me a place to stay when for so long we had been enemies?

Only you can answer these questions because only you know the answers. You have changed me and I'm liking the change that you have inspired.

Your grateful friend,

D.

After reading his letter, I sat down and began to write. I felt a little bit of disappointment that he only saw me as a friend, but I pushed it aside. It would be unwise for me to pursue my interest in a romance with him, when I didn't know for certain if he wanted one with me, because it might ruin the fragile friendship that we created. I knew that when Pansy hugged him that I felt a spark of jealousy erupt through my entire being, and that led to the realization that I wanted to be the one to hug him so openly. But I know that, at the moment, doing that was raise supisions and would put him in a position with his housemates that he did not wish to be in. Of that I was sure, especially when we already said that he needed to seem normal near the end of Christmas holidays, that were fastly approaching. The less our housemates know, the better.

I shouldn't be dwelling on such fancies anyway, for some reason I couldn't get myself to believe it though. I realized that my every being, he had somehow capitivated.

Dearest Draco,

It's amazing what friendship can do for a person isn't it? I'm glad to know that you at least, cherish my friendship. As for your questions, I'll answer them the best I can.

The reason I was crying was because of Ron and Harry. Harry has became more bitter since Sirius's death and Ron, well he's just being himself. Harry had sided with Ron in yet again another arguement and it all just became to much, then Ron says that he can't make it to the patrol tonight because he had detintion in one of the classrooms.

The reason I showed that even though we are different it doesn't mean that we aren't equal is because I was getting tired of you treating me as though you were better than me and I had enough of people limiting me just because of my hertiage. I didn't know how you would take it, I really didn't care at that moment, I was focused on teaching you some sort of leason and giving you something to ponder on. Maybe cutting my wrist wasn't the best manvuer to show you that, but nevertheless I did.

I offered you a place to stay because I know that your father is in the league with Voldemort and as long as he is around, you aren't going to be safe from him. I believe that at my house is were you'll be safest. I already wrote my parents and they agree that it is for the best. I had to explain to them why you needed to come stay here. We have another room we never use, I'll show it to you when we reach that part. But I believe you will like it. I understood that we were enemies, but I couldn't help but think that you couldn't help the way you were raised. You were raised to despize anything that wasn't a pureblood. I couldn't hate you, no matter how much Harry and Ron did, nor could I think of you as the emeny. I wouldn't have offered you a place in my home if I had thought you to be a deatheater still. Even if you had lied to me that night, I would still be able to tell, you would have pulled your wand wrist away when I grabbed it, because no matter if the mark was on your skin or not, I would be able to feel it. So there would be no keeping it from me.

Believe it or not, even back then, I cared wheter or not you were safe. I still do, that's why I offered you a place in my home. If I could prevent you from feeling anymore harm and becoming something that you don't have the heart for, I'm going to do it.

Your friend,

H.J.

I sent it back to him and stashed the letter. Not long after another letter came.

Dearest sweet Hermione,

You certainly are one of the nicest witch I have ever met. You treat me unlike any other.

Who knows I might like the room. Can you descirbe yours? I would like to know a little more about your style.

Your grateful friend,

D.

Without moments hesitation, I wrote back.

Dearest Draco,

Even though it seems a little weird that you would as me to describe my room to you I suppose that I shall. My room has black walls with white small flowers rimming the one corner. The wooden dividers at the top are white. My bed sits against the wall and has black covers and white pillows. A nightstand rests next to it. There are no bookselves in my room, surprisingly. They are in a different room, the study. My room has three windows in it. So that's my room.

I'm about to go to bed. So don't write again until morning, I do not wish for one of my roommates finding these notes, Lavender already read one and told Harry and Ron that I have a secret admirer, it's funny because normally the one's recieving the letter have no idea who it is from. But I do know and I find it silly to think of you as a secret admirer. But all the same, I do not want more questions to arise if Lavender or Pavarti should find a note or in Lavender's case another one. So with that I bid you a goodnight.

Your friend,

H.J

I sent the letter and stashed away the one he wrote me. Then climbed in my bed and fell into a peaceful sleep.

Draco's POV

After Hermione's last letter, I lay awake tossing and turning. I could not go to sleep with thoughts of her plaguing my mind. I kept wondering if she liked me as more than a friend, but I could not be sure. Even though I did tell her that I liked her as a friend, I knew that it was more than that. I just don't think that I'm ready for her to know that yet. I don't know how she would take it anyway.

I went to bed without writing Hermione again. I had gave it much thought about what she had said about her housemates finding the notes that I had written her and I knew it unwise if that should happen. She says that the idea of me being a secret admirer to her is laughable, but I do admire her for her courage, kindness, and many other things.

I am fearful of asking to start a romantic relationship with her, or even advancing her. I don't want to lose her friendship because of my wants. I just wish that I could know if she felt the same way I do about her toward me. Maybe I could ask Blaise for help on this. Seeing as he is my most trusted friend. 'Speak of the devil,' I thought as the very person I wanted to talk to walked through the door.

"Hey, Blaise?" I asked. He looked at me, expectantly. "There's this girl," he looked shocked that I was asking him something about a woman, why was it that every person seemed to assume that I knew so much when it came to dating, "and I am confused as to of if I should confess to her what I feel or just remain silent. I don't want to ruin the fragile friendship that I have with her. What should I do?" I asked him. He didn't laugh like some people I know would have, I suppose that's why I consider him as a friend.

"Study her, see if she blushes when you touch her. See if she stumbles on her words when someone asks her of you. I wonder, who is this girl that has captured your attention, Draco? Is it Pansy?" He questioned me.

"No it is not Pansy. Thank you for your advice, Blaise." I said, leaving one question unanswered. I pulled the curtain shut and fell laid awake for several minutes. 'Study her? I do that enough, she did blush brightly when I hugged her outside of Dumbledore's office. But I've not seen her blush at the mention of my name. I don't think anyone around her would mention my name. I wonder if she blushed when Brown told her friends she had a secret admirer? Or when Brown read the letter? I wonder which letter it was.' I thought these wonders for a moment but decided that there was nothing that I could do about it tonight, I fell into a somewhat peaceful sleep, with visions of Hermione Granger dancing behind my eyelids.