Tenth Letter

June 7th 1998, Grimmauld Place

Dearest Draco,

I had the weirdest day yesterday. You'll never guess who came to see me with tears pouring down her cheeks. Narcissa Malfoy, your mother.

Harry had just gone for a walk with Teddy. They were going to Hyde Park, he said and then perhaps to London Eye just for the fun of it. In all, I shouldn't expect them home too soon. That didn't bother, being all alone for an hour or two. Instead I lit the fire in the fireplace in the small upstairs drawing room, sat on the large comfortable couch with a mug of tea, a chocolate brownie and a good book 'The Hobbit' by J.R.R. Tolkien. Although I have read that book numerous times it doesn't get bored. I had everything set up for a nice afternoon at home, so you can imagine how irritated I was when I heard somebody knocking on the door. I placed a bookmark in the book, expecting to be back again soon after telling whoever was at the door to sod off. I went down the stairs and through the narrow hallway till I reached the front door. I stood still in front of the door and put on my best 'sorry-but-you-aren't-welcome'-smile and opened the door. Well, it's safe to say that my smile faltered and crumpled as soon as I saw Narcissa's teary face.

"Narcissa!" I said in blank disbelief. "What are you doing here?"

She opened her mouth to answer me, but all that came from her were hysterical, small sobs. I was totally confused and didn't know what to do. Did I hug her? Sent her away? Ask her if she wanted to get some tea? I decided to at first just step aside and ask her inside. She nodded politely and entered the house looking curiously around her. I cleared my throat loudly which made her return her attention to me. I asked her if she wanted some tea and she nodded in reply. I led her to the kitchen and quickly made another mug before leading her to the upstairs drawing room. Once again she looked around the room before I asked her to sit on the couch while I took Sirius large armchair.

"I haven't been here in years," she suddenly said. "You sure have made it a lot more comfortable."

I wasn't in the mood for her to beat around the bush. She had interrupted my comfortable alone-time and cried on my doorstep. She owed me and explanation which I demanded not too kindly. She didn't answer me but instead she just pulled a bundle of letters from her black shoulder purse. At first I didn't recognize them but then I saw my handwriting on the top letter reading 'First Letter'. My mind went blank. You mother had my letters for you! I snapped my head to look at her. She was crying openly again.

"What are you doing with these?" I asked her still not pleasantly. "Have you read them?"

For a while it looked like she didn't even hear me, but when nodded I felt anger rise in my body. She had no reason whatsoever to read personal letters meant for you, her son. Sure enough, you aren't able to read them yourself, but that doesn't give her the right to read them.

"I want you to leave," I said through clenched teeth.

Your mother took a deep breath but didn't get up to leave. I tapped my fingers on the armrest on the chair and glared angrily at her.

"I'm not going just yet," Narcissa said and took a sip of her tea. "I know I shouldn't have read your letters."

I felt a long explanation coming on, and I decided to hear her out. I'm usually not a person controlled by my impulses and feelings. I owed it to the woman to at least hear her out. I leaned back into the chair and drew my feet up under my body.

"There is no excuse for reading those letters," Narcissa continued. "I saw you put a letter in my son's drawer one day. I was curious. After you left I went into the drawer and found the letters. At first I was mad. I didn't see what you could possibly have to say to Draco. So I opened the first letter and read it. But the more I read the more my anger evaporated from my body. When I had finished the first letter I quickly grabbed another one and just kept reading. You really are a wonderful person, Hermione Granger, and I'm sorry that I didn't notice that before now."

Of course I couldn't stay mad at her after that speech. She told me how my letters had made her cry, that my sincere feelings for you touched her like nothing else had in a long time. Then we talked about you, and about your father. Your mother told me about your relationship. From what I understand my view on that relationship wasn't all that wrong. I told her how I had been afraid to enter your room while she was in there, but of course she already knew that from my letters. It still bothered me a little that she had read those letters since they were so personal. They are practically a diary made for your eyes only and for me to feel better. But I couldn't mad, not when it meant that this woman had finally accepted me. She told me that she would return the letters to the drawer and tell you about them when you woke up in case I wasn't there. She didn't say if she hoped that you would return my feelings and I won't try to figure it out. We talked until we heard Harry and Teddy coming home. Harry yelled through the house that he was back and Narcissa suddenly rose from her chair and began to excuse herself. She said she didn't want to steal anymore of my time. I escorted her to the front door where Harry was taking of Teddy's jacket. When Harry saw Narcissa he first looked suspicious but then he looked at me at instantly became more relaxed. He greeted her and was a perfect gentleman when he opened the door for her. She left with a little nod and a promise to come visit again.

Yesterday I was at the Hospital for the first time to help the healers come up with an antidote. They showed me all the ones they had tried, and then we broke out the last one they had tried, the one that had finally spurred a reaction from you. We quickly decided to work off of that. Before I left we had made the base for anew antidote that should be ready for testing tomorrow when I'm going back to the Hospital. Also before I left I swung by your room just to look at your resting face. You look so serene and beautiful. I hope I will be able to make a difference and be there when you wake up.

Your

Hermione

Hope you enjoyed this new chapter! And congratulation to branwen-s for figuring out what Narcissa was up to. Please review!