Fifteenth Letter

August 8th 1998, Grimmauld Place

My dearest Draco,

You truly are the most adorable thing in a long time – I know you'll hate me for calling you that, Merlin I can just imagine your face all puffy and hard, but you really are. I truly appreciate what you are trying to do for me. I realise that it must have been very hard for you to write that letter, but I'm telling you it was completely unnecessary. If there is one thing that's important to know about me it's that I'm always loyal to my friends with no thoughts for myself. I'm not going to abandon you because of one silly, little incident. If all friends did that, nobody would have any friends. Merlin, I would have lost Harry and Ron a million times if it was like that. But it's not so stop whining and feeling sorry for yourself. We're friends now and we'll work this out. Together.

Draco really, the right solution is never to give up. If there is something you really want, you have to be able and willing to fight for it, and to fight hard. Nothing that's worth having comes easily. I think our friendship is worth it. I hope you think so too. Well, I know you think so. I got that much from your letter.

You know, not everybody sees you the same way that that condescending witch did. Remember the healers at St. Mungo's? They made you their top priority because of who you are. It wasn't because of your father, your wealth or your social status. They wanted to help you because of you. And that says something. So you can't just walk away from what we have because of one, tiny thing. I'll tell you what. Tomorrow we're going to Diagon Alley again. I feel like some ice cream, and I think I'd like to share it with my good friend. If people can't handle seeing us together they can just leave. But I honestly think that you were right to begin with. People will be shocked, of course they will, but they'll realise that even people with differences can get along and be friends. Just stop doubting yourself Draco.

And you have to stop blaming yourself for what happened to Dumbledore. There was nothing you could have done to keep it from happening. As for you letting the other Death Eaters in it castle, I admit it was stupid of you. But your life was on the stake. I don't blame you at all for trying to save yourself. I can't say I would have done the same thing, but I wasn't in the situation you were in. I have no right to judge you and even if I did I wouldn't. Nobody has the right to judge, especially not that witch. She doesn't know you and she doesn't know what you've been through. She only has half the facts. So you really shouldn't care about what she says. I know I don't. You just have to learn to block out things like that. You know better than hear, just keep that in mind. If it's then still hard for you, I hope you know that you can always come to me. I'll reassure you of your valour even when others try to pick you apart.

Remember one of the letters you wrote me, where you told me about the little girl that had called you a hero? Think back on that and remember how you felt when she said that. That should be proof enough for you that you truly are a hero, Draco.

I know you have problems with other purebloods and Voldemort's followers. I know they consider you a traitor and have made you an outcast, but that just means that you need me more than before. You can't go through life alone. I thought you of all people would know that after what you went through during our sixth year. Draco, you need friends. And you have me. Don't push me away because you have some sort of need to be the Byronic hero. You need me, and I need you to. Somehow it just feels right when we're together. And I know you'll try and deny this. You'll say something stupid about my girly feelings and your macho solitude crap. But you know as well as I that we were meant to be friends. We just got lost somewhere on the road to friendship. But now we're there and we can't just turn our backs on destiny. I'm not letting you leave me. even if you think it's your responsibility as my friend.

And really what is that about? Because you're a man you have to defend my honour or something? I'm telling you once and for all: quit playing the tortured Byronic hero. It does you no good. Draco, I'm used to defending myself, I don't need you to do it for me. Ironically enough I used to defend myself from you, and now suddenly you have some sort of protective need. I thought I didn't need to worry about that anymore, since we're now friends and I've proved myself to Harry and Ron. Do I have to prove myself to you aswell?

So now that that is out of the way – and don't you dare bring it up again – I want to thank you for our last trip together. Apart from the incident-we-won't-mention-again I had a really good time. I really enjoyed our visit to Flourish and Blotts, it was hilarious! Who would have thought you were a joker? I mean, I knew you had this sort of cruel humour, but that was never funny – sorry, but friends tell each other the truth. But seriously I had a really good time and I know you did too you're just focusing on the bad things. It's not that I don't always enjoy shopping for books, but you sure make it funny. I think we got all the books of our school list. But I'm still looking forward to our ice-cream-date.

I'll meet you at your apartment in the morning. Don't try to freeze me out; you know I'll find some way to get in. Just trust me Draco. I know that's not an easy thing to do, but one time has to be the first. Trust me. We'll have fun.

Your

Hermione

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