Letter Number 5

July 12th 1998, Malfoy Manor

Hermione,

This really isn't a letter in the true sense of the word. Actually it's an invitation. An invitation that I don't want to give but have been forced to by my mother. You might have heard from her that she is planning to throw me a birthday party that is also a party celebrating that I've awoken. I don't really see the purpose of it, I mean who would come? I'm not exactly well-liked hero or not. But anyway as I said my mother has forced me to invite you to this party. She requests that you wear a cocktail dress, for some reason I don't think I want to know. But you are hereby invited. It's July 24th and it starts at eight o'clock. I really hope that you decide not to come.

I'm not saying that to be rude or anything (for once in my life that's true). But remember what I wrote you in my last letter? If you come to this party I can guarantee that my mother will find some way for us to be alone together and then the awkwardness will be everywhere. Really, imagine what you would say to me, if we were alone. I can't because there is absolutely nothing you can tell me about you that I haven't already read in your letters. And worst of all you think you have feelings for me and I've told you loud and clear that I don't return those feelings. What could we possibly have to talk about? Would you try and make my change my mind about you? That would be hard to do, you know.

So, please don't accept this invitation. Just stay at home and have fun with your best friend and his baby.

Oh, about homes. I finally found and apartment. It's a two-bedroom in the centre of London, magically hidden of course. But get this it's in the building across from Grimmauld Place. So I will probably have to keep looking for a place. I mean, I can't live across from you and Potty. That would be just as weird as you coming to my party.

My mother doesn't want me to move, of course she doesn't. After almost ignoring me for 17 years now she decides to be a real mom. But I simply can't stay in this house just because of her. I need to get out and be on my own. I need to find a place to live before I go back to school, so I don't need to go home here during the holidays. I probably have to get that place even though you live on the other side. It's the only descent thing I've found. I guess I could live with having you around. As long as that baby isn't a screamer. I need my sleep at night.

Then perhaps you should come to the party after all. Yeah, that would be a good idea. That way we could test if we could we around each other and I could get my mother of my back. Okay, I've changed my mind. Accept the invitation, come to the party, sit alone with me for an hour or so and then I'll move out. It's the perfect plan. I just hope that the awkward silence won't be too awkward. But I can handle it if you can.

But then again what could we possibly talk about? We don't have anything in common! You're the ultimate goodie-goodie and I'm definitely nothing like that. Ha, perhaps you could give me all the dirt on Potty and Weasel! No, you would never do that. Hmm, then what is there for us to talk about? I have a feeling that Quidditch isn't one of the things that you like. I don't hate books, but they aren't my soul interest. Look, this is silly. How could you ever think that you have feelings for me? You only have feelings for the person you think I am. You are in love with a mirage!

I'm still not trying to be rude but it's the truth. You don't know me, Granger, and if you ever get to really know me you won't like me one bit. But I'm prepared to let you see the real me so you can, for once and for all, knock those silly ideas out of your head. It would be better that way.

Oh, I just remembered! This might not interest you at all, but I'll tell you anyway. The healers have finally agreed to let me play Quidditch again. I've really missed that. But the first time I went back on the broom I quickly realised that my muscles weren't as strong as they used to. I had trouble staying on the broom and I couldn't catch any of the magical balls I had flying around. You have no idea how frustrating that was. I have to practise every day from now on to get back in shape. I never thought that being in a coma for a month and a half would leave your muscles so weak. Of course you know there isn't anything you don't know is there?

That was actually the reason why I hated you so much in school. You always had the right answer. And it wasn't because it annoyed me. The real thing that annoyed me was that you were smarter than me. Every time you had the right answer to something I couldn't answer I hated you a little bit more. I know, it was stupid and childish but I have always been incredibly arrogant (that's right I'm not afraid to admit that). It simply killed me that you, a Muggleborn, were smarter than me. You knew more about what I thought was my world than I did. And that struck my pride more than you could ever know. I can't tell you that I still don't feel that hurt a little, but now it's not so much because you are Muggleborn (believe it or not that doesn't bother me at all anymore) now it's just general competition.

I know I know, I just admitted that I don't have hard feelings against Muggleborns anymore. You didn't think that was ever going to happen did you? But it's the truth. I have come to realise that during the Muggleborns proved their worth. I'm still not big on Muggles in general, but I don't mind Muggleborn Wizards and Witches.

Okay, this letter got a lot longer that it was supposed to be. I was actually just writing to invite you to the party, and even though I started off by saying that you shouldn't come I've changed my mind about that. So please come (and that's the only honest please you are ever going to get from me).

Draco

And then you click the green button… Go on it won't hurt you… You don't have to be afraid. Now when you've clicked it you write all you thoughts about this chapter. And then I'll be very grateful!