Letter Number 6

July 18th 1998, Malfoy Manor

Hermione,

So you accepted the invitation. My mother was just here in my room. She was very polite when she knocked my door and stepped inside with the biggest smile I've seen on her face in ages. She didn't have to say anything I already knew what she was going to tell me. And sure enough the first word out of her mouth was you name, and then she told me that you had accepted the invitation. She also told me that she had asked you to show up a little earlier and help with the preparations, but that you had declined. That was a good decision, Granger. I don't know if you did it to not be with me or if the Weasleys are really visiting you but still. So, you're coming to my birthday/awakening party. It's definitely going to be interesting.

I've rented the apartment. I'll be moving out before the party. So perhaps I'll see you on the street sometime soon. You know, I can just imagine you as the kind of neighbour that comes to greet the new residences of your street. If you're going to do that with me, be sure to bring some cookies or something. Paying the deposit for the apartment has left me a little dry, if you know what I mean. I won't really be able to afford sweet things like cake and soda for a while. Of course my father helped me pay for the apartment, but I refused to let him pay the whole thing himself. As I've told you before I'm really doing this to be independent and how independent are you if you daddy has paid for you home? Well, if you do stop by (with the cookies, please) don't expect too much hospitality. It's not like I'm going to invite you in for a cup of coffee or anything, even though I'm sure that's what you would do with your guests. But I'm not you, not even close.

I really need a job after the last year of school if I'm going to keep the apartment. But I have no idea what I want to work with. My father thinks me stupid for wanting to make my own money. He laughed at me when I declined the money he offered me. He doesn't get that I want to be free of him and I can't do that if I'm depended of his money. So I'll need a job. You know what I really want to do, but I still haven't received an invitation to start Auror training. So I might as well just forget about that.

Right now I'm sitting on a box since all my stuff is packed in boxes and ready for the move. We're going to apparate them to the apartment the day after tomorrow. I've also been out buying more furniture. I can't furnish an entire apartment with just the things from my room.

It's really weird to thing that in a few days you are actually going to be in my house. My childhood house anyway. You are going to walk in the kitchen where I ate, walk in the living room where my picture hangs on the wall perhaps you'll even get to see my empty room. If I know my mom, and I think I do, then she'll show you my room for sure. And she'll probably make sure that I'm in the room when that happens. And then she'll be all: "Oh, honey I didn't know you were in here! Well, you can show Hermione this room better than I can. I'll just leave you alone." And then she's going to smile her most bewitching smile and leave us alone. And then awkward-world will be upon us. I'm sure of it. You just wait and see. If there is one thing my mother is good at then it's getting her way.

Actually, and you might not believe me when I say this, I'm looking forward to the party. I'm even looking forward to seeing you. I know, I know surprise! But really, I am. I'm looking forward to thanking you in person for all the things you've done for me lately. I know I've already thanked you, but it doesn't really feel right. So I want to do it face to face. I want to thank you for helping the healers with my antidote. I want to thank you for writing those letters telling me what had happened to me and everyone else. And I want to thank you for spending all those hours next to my bed and keeping me company even though I was in a coma. I know I probably shouldn't tell you all the things I'm going to thank you for in this letter, but I haven't ever thanked anyone in person, so just in case it goes wrong I wanted you to know what I meant to say. Perhaps I should also apologize for being so harsh to you, but let's just take it one step at a time. I know I said I wanted to change, but too much change at once can totally alter a person, and that's what I'm looking for. I just want to be a better me, not a different me. Does that make any sense?

We'll it probably does to the wonder-witch. There isn't anything that doesn't make sense to you or that you don't understand is there? I'm pretty sure that you're the Gold in the Golden Trio. Those two morons probably couldn't have done anything without you and your brain. That's just my opinion of course, but still. I'm quite sure that I'm right. That's another thing my mother keeps saying about you. "Hermione is so smart and brilliant" she says. And then she ends it with "the two of you would be perfect together." But I'm not sure if I could go out with someone smarter than me. I don't think my ego could take it.

Speaking of ego, I actually saw Weasel the other day when I was furniture shopping. He wasn't happy to see me at all, I tell you. His face went pale as a House Ghost and then red like his hair. I swear smoke nearly came out of his ears he was that mad. Of course I couldn't help waving mockingly at him and say "Give my love to Hermione." It was just so funny. He was holding a quill but after I said the last word he was holding two half quills. The funniest thing I've seen in a while!

Right, then I think there is nothing more for me to write about. I'll see you at the party. Remember what my mother said about a dress. That I'm actually also looking forward to seeing. Bushy Hermione with the ink-fingers wearing a dress. Some sight.

Draco

So, what do you think? The next letter will contain the Party.