Before you all start yelling at me for updating super late, let me apologize. I was having some difficulty with this chapter, and then spring break started, and I went on vacation, and went to look at colleges, and I really didn't have time to do much writing. I'm so sorry! However, because I feel bad, this chapter is extra long for your enjoyment.

Now, for the responses (love you all for so many great reviews!):

MysteryShadow101: hope you got my review for 'Listen to your Heart.' I hope I don't need to repeat myself. Admittedly, I did miss your review for ch14, but I understand. Crashing computers are bad. That's so cool! That's how envision my sn too! Gold star. Well, if you read last chapter, which I know you did, you saw I was not gonna 'sex it down/up.' Sorry, I just can't really bring my hormonal brain to have any less action than there is. I'm glad you like HEA stories, because it seems that's what this will eventually be. BTW, I DID NOT get 'okey-dokey-artichokey' from Hannah Montana. It is my own term. I HATE Hanna Montana. Sorry if that offends you. She is the epitome of yuppy kitchy stupidity. *Breathes* ok, ok, calm down Ging. Anyways I am flattered that this is your longest review. 5 Random Facts? I think I can do that…

I play the piano fairly well, and love it immensely

My first sentence was 'can I have my playdo please'

I'm in 11th grade and my parental units are starting to attack me with colleges 

I just got a new phone! It's exciting, because it flips 2 ways and has a keyboard and everything

I'm reading Fellowship of the Ring right now. The other day my parents and I were watching the Two Towers, and I mentioned I hadn't read any of the books, and my mom has these 50 year old copies, so I went and found them. Tolkein is a genius—though not as much as Jo!

Thanks for reading and feedback! Enjoy ch16!

Rob-girl: Hmmmm, sometimes silly is a good thing, but I'm glad you said that because that chap wasn't supposed to be silly. This one might be…I dunno…I haven't written it yet :-P. Random fact: I take 6 academic courses in school, rather than the regular 5—Precalculus, Biology, Comedy, American History, Spanish IV, and Latin IV. Anywho, enjoy!

Stend: Thanks, I appreciate the review. My favorite color is Lavender! So, go on and read, and review again at the end.

HPGW4eva: how did you forget something as important as that? It's, like, the reason for everything that's going on! Hope you like the chapter!

Seriyah: as usual, your reviews make me smile. *Prrrrrrr* thank you for forgiving me. I do feel quite bad. Yeah, maybe it was filler, but there's nothing wrong with an occasional filler, as long as they're not everywhere and such, and such, and such. OOGLYBOOGLYBOO! Haha, I do that too. If someone points a finger in my face, I lunge forward and snap at them. It's funny. Hahaha, that is cool, that you have a stuffed animal who you bite. HILARIOUS!!!! Random fact: I do not think photography is a form of art, simply a form of recording life. Most people are astounded with that.

SeraphimeRising: Honestly, I had the whole Ron scene because I realized that he's barely showed up at all in the story, and he's had no Hermione alone time, like everyone else. I just wanted to be fair. But fear not, she WILL tell Harry first. That's been my plan from day 1, and it won't change now, just because I added a slightly unpredictable and very strange scene. I really wasn't expecting to do that, but the way I write, I never know quite what's gonna happen until it already has. Maybe my lack of structure and planning is bad, but I find it easier to flow with it than to frame everything out first. Anyways, hope you enjoy this chapter, and review again! Whee!

Olioli08: you have to be the most random person I've ever met. Gold star to you. No, I don't think the whole chapter will be letters, but a definitely large portion will. Read on, my spastic friend!

Question: does it bother you guys that everyone is set up with someone else? I can always change that. It is up to YOU!! How does all that responsibility feel?

Chapter 16: Letters

Tap tap tap tap

Hermione looked up from her book, eyebrows furrowed.

Tap tap tap

What on earth is that? She thought. The noise came again and Hermione looked around confusedly for the source. She finally spotted an owl pecking urgently at the window behind her and gasped. It seemed half frozen and looked murderous. Hermione jumped up from her comfy seat and rushed to the window. A loud Hoot sounded as she opened the window and the owl—it seemed to be an eagle owl—swooped in. She shivered as a blast of cold wind met her pajama-clad body. A few flakes of snow lost themselves in her hair as she closed the window again.

Turning back to the room, Hermione saw the slowly thawing eagle owl perched on the arm of her just-vacated chair. It blinked at her and held out its leg. Hermione only now noticed the envelope tied around its ankle.

After quickly untying the parchment, Hermione turned it over and saw her name on the front.

It couldn't be…why would he…is it from Draco? Heart hammering in her throat, Hermione tore the envelope open, glad that she was alone in the Burrow's library this snowy early afternoon.

Eyes jumping to the bottom of the page, Hermione gasped in excitement as she caught sight of Draco's signature. For a heartbeat, she just stared at his name, then flew back to the top and began to read.

Dear Hermione,

You have no idea how sorry I am that this came so late. It's quite a strange story that I hope will suffice in explanation.

You see, when you sent me that package over a week ago, I wasn't in the house at the time, or at least that's what I suppose, because instead of getting your letter, my mother did.

Now don't freak out too much, I'm still alive obviously. But she read your letter and didn't know what to make of it, so instead of asking me directly, she did something stupid and hid both the cake (which, by the way looks delicious—I have yet to taste it, but will let you know how great it is once I do) and the letter, and didn't mention it to me at all! Until of course yesterday afternoon when she finally confronted me. Now at least you understand why I didn't respond sooner.

Please don't flip when I tell you I told her about us…at least to a certain extent. It took her a while, but she finally accepted it, so everything's fine, I'm just a tad bit late in my reply letter.

Anyway, now that the explanations are over, Happy Christmas and New Year! I hope you're still having such a good time with your friends. I really appreciate you sending me something. So, what would you like in return? Since you're so Slytherin, there must be something in it for you, right?

By the way, you ditching shopping like that is probably the funniest thing I've heard in months. Am I rubbing off on you? Oh good, my mission is almost complete: corrupt the bookworm. Soon enough you'll be ditching class and stealing from the library.

You should probably know that I miss you too. Ugh, I absolutely despise being mushy, but talking to you in front of the fire every evening came to be quite a comfort to me. I enjoyed snogging you in front of the fire even more. It is quite a fond memory of mine. How many days until we get back? 4? Watch out, I might just attack you.

You're blushing again, aren't you? I can just see it. It's alright, I have that affect on women.

Just in case you're wondering, I've disguised this letter so it looks like a Daily Prophet to everyone else. After what happened with my mother, I don't think it wise to be writing to each other so openly, especially with you living in the same house with certain redheads who don't like me very much.

How can you not like flying! It's the most exhilarating experience in existence! You're crazy. Know this, Miss Granger: you will learn to fly, and you will like it. Got that?

I haven't been up to much. My mother and I go to Diagon Alley some days, but mostly we just stay at home and play cards and do our own stuff. I will also have you know that I have finished all my homework. Take that!

I'd like to ask you to wait a bit before replying because Jove is probably frozen stiff. He came back this morning from delivering a letter to Blaise and I practically threw him back out the window. It's quite cold, so if you could let him thaw a bit first before sending him off again, I'd appreciate it.

Waiting not-so-patiently for your reply,

Draco

There it was again:

That smile

Hermione didn't even look up from the page. She just stared at it and grinned so broadly it almost hurt.

So he hadn't forgotten about her! The relief was almost overwhelming to Hermione. She was so sure he had just subtly dumped her, that he wanted nothing to do with her, and now…

Hermione felt slightly foolish, not foreseeing the possibility of Narcissa receiving her gift. Draco was right, a charm would probably be best from now on, at least for him.

But the reason Hermione was smiling—the same smile that had adorned her face the morning of their departure—was that he hadn't forgotten about her. He still cared, he still liked her, and of course he was still the same old Draco. She could almost hear the sarcastic tone in his words and see the smirk through the ink.

Hermione turned to the owl on the other arm chair. "Hello there, Jove" she murmured, scratching his head. He hooted softly in acknowledgment. Honestly, Hermione thought Draco's concern for the bird was supremely sweet. It warmed her already loudly thumping heart.

Suddenly, Hermione jumped from her seat on the arm of the chair and ran around the library, gathering supplies. She sat down at the small and cluttered desk and began to write feverishly.

Draco,

You have no idea how relieved I was to hear from you. When you didn't respond I thought you didn't like my present, or you were purposefully ignoring me or something.

I'm very happy to know that your mom is ok with this. I would hate to hear that she forbid you to ever see me again (which would probably be difficult, seeing as we share quarters). I know you're such a momma's boy, you would never go against her word.

You could get me something extravagant and expensive. Yes, that seems appropriate, because of course I'm the kind of person who can totally be bought…as if. I dunno, be original—since you are so adamant on getting something for me (not that I'm complaining).

I would never EVER steal from the library. That is such a heinous crime, I am almost angry with you for suggesting it. As for ditching class, I've done enough of that in my years of doing spy work with Harry and Ron. It's not a good thing, though, and I would never do it just for the fun of ditching. Of course, I bet you have ditched quite a lot in your day.

In fact, I'm looking forward to you attacking me…but only a wandless battle. I could totally beat you in a duel. Don't worry, though. I'd never subject you to something as humiliating as losing to a girl.

I will do no such thing! I hate flying and you can't make me like it. I'm not going near a broom, especially when you're around. Knowing you, you'd probably tackle me onto the thing and fly away with me. That's not a suggestion, by the way. I scream loudly.

Wow, I'm impressed. Of course I finished my homework a little less than a week ago. Beat that! I know, you can't, I'm just too good. Fear not, if you put in another 50 hours a week, you might be up to my standards, but don't hold your breath.

Anyway, I'll wait a bit before sending this off, just so Jove doesn't die of frostbite. I mean, I understand it's me you're writing to, but that doesn't justify harming innocent creatures.

I don't think I need to charm this letter, since your mother knows and all, but all the same, I'm not sure if I'm comfortable with her reading your mail, so make sure she doesn't get this one too.

Write me back as soon as you can!

Yours,

Hermione

Draco could barely believe it was early evening already. He had spent the day pacing back and forth waiting for a reply. He had even gone so far as to station himself in the backyard and stare at the sky. At some point, he had mentally berated himself for being so obsessive and gone back inside only to realize he really had nothing to do.

But here was her letter, sitting in front of him, with her voice speaking through the ink, and he couldn't help but grin.

Hermione,

Thank goodness—I thought you might never speak to me again. And I AM NOT a mother's boy in any way shape or form, so there.

In fact I have skipped class a lot in my time at school. It's actually quite fun, because practically no one is in the halls and you can do whatever you want. I'll show you sometime. One time Blaise and I went down to the kitchens and got lunch for ourselves, then relaxed on a balcony facing the forest while we ate. It was fantastic, and way more fun than being in DADA.

HA, that's funny, it almost sounded like you said you were a better dueler than me. I highly doubt that. I know spells that would make your hair curl (more). Luckily, I'm enough of a gentleman not to hurt a girl, so don't worry.

I can't wait til Sunday, which is weird because I never actually want to go back to school, you know? Well, maybe you wouldn't know, but that's beside the point. Can you be sure to be back in our common room by 8:30? I would love to get reacquainted with you, if you know what I mean.

Fine, so I won't force you into flying, but remember that I'm eventually letting you teach me about the wonders of the universe or whatever, so you at least owe me enough for me to teach you something. Fair is fair, right?

Anyway, I should probably go, because it's late, but I'll send the letter anyway, just so you wake up in the middle of the night to my reply and then go back to sleep dreaming of me.

Yours,

Draco

PS- if I concentrate, I can still feel you near me. Why do you smell like Raspberries? Just curious...

The next few days passed in a blur for Hermione. She was brighter constantly due to Draco's letters, and she knew her friends noticed. She was thankful, though, that they didn't ask about it. It was hard enough to hide the letters she was sending and receiving, but having to hide the rest of the truth from her friends if they asked her directly would have been even harder.

Still, she wanted to tell someone. Hermione was never one to gossip and giggle about a boy, but she wished she had someone to talk to, someone she didn't have to lie to. She couldn't tell Ron because he still hated Draco, and she really shouldn't tell Ginny, because as great as she was, the red-head also had issues with Draco, and Hermione highly doubted either of them would really understand.

So of course that left Harry. Hermione was sure that he would support her in whatever she did, even if grudgingly. There was only one problem: she never seemed to be able to get him on his own. He was off with Ginny a lot, or they were all together. Hermione had almost lost hope when the day before they were due on the train for school, Mrs. Weasley took Ron and Ginny to get new robes. Both Harry and Hermione were fine for the next term and decided to stay at the Burrow.

The two friends were sitting in the kitchen sipping hot chocolate and talking about their respective classes for the next semester when Hermione swiftly changed the subject during a brief pause.

"Harry, there's something I wanted to talk to you about."

"What is it? What's wrong?"

She looked up at him from across the table, the corner of her mouth twitching. "Nothing's wrong, per say, but I wanted to tell you something."

"Is it the reason why you've been so perky lately?"

"Quite the perceptive one, aren't you?"

"We all are, actually. Anyway, Ron told me something was really bugging you, but you wouldn't tell him. Why tell me and not Ron?"

"Because he wouldn't understand."

"And I would?"

Hermione paused and looked at him cautiously. "I hope so."

He half smiled. "I promise, Hermione, whatever it is, I'll try to understand it."

Hermione breathed, sat up a bit straighter and said, "see, it's about Malfoy."

"Malfoy?" Harry's eyes darkened. "What's he done to you?" he almost growled.

She practically laughed. "Nothing! Well, nothing bad at least." She stopped, unsure of how to go on.

"'Mione, come on, just blurt it out," Harry said after a while, sighing.

"Well, we're sort of...together."

There was a pause. "Together?" Harry said weakly.

"Well, we've been friends for a while now, right? And then I realized that I liked him a lot, and then one night he kissed me, and so..."

"He did what?"

"He kissed me, Harry. Is that a word from the dictionary you are not familiar with?" She said, smirking.

Harry blushed and looked into his mug, spluttering.

"Yes, we kissed, and we decided not to tell anyone about it. You only prove our reasons for hiding it were wise."

"You?...and Malfoy?"

Hermione almost rolled her eyes at Harry's slow reaction. It was to be expected, but she found it simultaneously amusing and annoying. "Yes, Malfoy and I. I'll give you a moment to process that information."

Harry stared off into space for a while. Then when Hermione almost thought he was going to stay that way all day, he said, "what on earth do you see in him?"

Hermione snorted. "Honestly, I'm not absolutely sure. He can be cocky and arrogant and ignorant and annoying as hell. But he can also be nice and understanding and kind and funny and quirky and... do you of all people really want to hear why I like Draco Malfoy?"

Harry made a face that caused Hermione to giggle. "No, not really. It's just weird, you know? A year ago I wanted to kill him. A few months ago I just wanted to stay away from him as much as possible. And now all of a sudden you're going out with him! What am I supposed to say to that? Congratulations? Good luck? You're an idiot? Should I lock you in St. Mungo's or force you to move back to Gryffindor Tower? Should I hunt him down or hex him into oblivion?" Harry laughed to himself. "A bunch of those actually sound quite appealing."

He paused and seemed to nod to himself. "But I won't. Wanna know why?"

"Why?" she said, leaning forward with her chin on one fist as if about to be told a secret.

"Because he obviously did something right. I meant what I said. We noticed you've been really happy all the time for no particular reason these past few days. If that is somehow his doing, then so be it. I can live with that."

She smiled widely at him. "Thanks Harry."

"But don't expect me to start calling him Draco or anything." He shivered as he said this.

Hermione laughed. "I don't even call him Draco."

"Seriously? You're his girlfriend and you don't even call him by his first name? I mean—"

She cut him off. "Well, technically I'm not his girlfriend." Harry looked at her quizzically. "I mean, nothing's official right now, we're just going with it." Harry gave her a suspicious glance, but then shrugged.

"How long?"

"How long what?" she asked, even though she knew exactly what he was talking about.

"How long have you guys been..." he made a face. "together?"

Hermione stifled a giggle. "It basically started the night before break, so not very long." Then she added as an afterthought, "Though it seems like a bunch of people were busy that night." She grinned.

Harry blanched. "Ginny?...she, er, I mean, she told you...er"

Hermione had to bite her lip so as not to burst into laughter and grinned sheepishly. Harry's cheeks turned red, and then they looked straight at each other and Hermione couldn't help it anymore. She started giggling.

Surprisingly, Harry found the situation quite as funny as she did, and was guffawing right alongside her.

Then there was a tap at the window.

They both jerked around to see Jove pecking at the back door, looking irritated. Hermione chuckled as she got up to let him in, no longer needing to hide his presence from Harry.

"Sorry, Jove. Seems we've been working you too hard" she murmured.

As she slid open the door and brought out her arm for the owl, Harry didn't miss the secretive smile on her face that made her eyes glint in excitement.

"Ah, now I get it."

"Get what?" she asked, trying to tame her grin.

"So this is what's got you so happy all the time." He laughed. "No wonder."

Hermione eyed him but said nothing as she untied the letter from Jove's leg.

"But then...wait...what was up with you before? What was Ron talking about?"

She sighed. "It was really nothing but me overreacting and being emotional. It doesn't matter now anyway."

"Are you sure?"

"I told you, it's nothing, at least not anymore. Just drop it, k?

"Fine" he said, throwing his hands up in surrender. "So what did he say?" Harry got up and started walking toward her to see the letter, grinning mischievously.

Hermione jumped. "No way! It's my letter! You can't read it!"

"Aw, come on, 'Mione, just a peak..."

"No!"

Harry made to grab for it with Quidditch reflexes that at the present moment Hermione hated. He caught the letter from her hand and stepped back so he could skim it.

But before he got the chance, Hermione stepped toward him and caught his attention. She stiffened, her nostrils flaring, and seemed to grow taller. She slowly held out her hand while her eyes seemed to harden and catch fire. She gritted her teeth and then spoke in a voice that Harry rarely heard.

"Give—it—back."

Her tone was surprisingly calm, but also completely demanding with a hint of a warning. There was no leeway with Hermione when she got this way. It was actually quite scary.

Fearfully, Harry handed the letter back to her. She folded it, then seemed to deflate and smiled over-brightly.

"Thank you very much. Now I think I'll just take this into another room to read it, if you don't mind." And without another word she brushed past him, grinning her victory all the way to her room, where she unfolded the letter again and began to read.

0000000000000000

"You did what?"

"I took your advice. I jumped her."

Blaise let out a bark of laughter. "Well done, mate!"

Draco grinned back. "Thanks, I guess."

"And why exactly couldn't you tell me this before?" They were both sitting in a compartment on the train back to school. It was late afternoon and the train had only left a short while ago.

"Well it only happened just before break started. I didn't see you after that afternoon."

"And the fact that you've been writing to me for the past two weeks is obviously completely insubstantial."

"Well I wasn't gonna tell you in a letter! What if someone else had read it?"

"Alright, fine," Blaise conceded. "Now, tell me...how was it?"

Draco laughed and hesitantly began to tell his friend the story...

00000000000000

Hermione was distracted throughout dinner. She was having trouble focusing on the conversation around her and Ron had to repeat himself more than once when she realized he had been talking to her.

It's not like she didn't want to be with her friends, but really, Hermione had just spent 2 weeks hanging out with them constantly. She couldn't wait to get back to her common room and see Draco again.

Her mind wandered over and over to the many things that might happen later in the confines of their rooms and Hermione couldn't help but grin to herself. Her eyes similarly wandered to Draco's throughout dinner. She had a clear view of him from her seat and they shared smiles when no one was looking. Draco even went so far as to wink at her once. Hermione could barely stifle her giggle, and instead rolled her eyes at him subtly.

She also knew that Harry was aware, at least generally, of what was going on, and why that silly smile was plastered to her face. Whenever their eyes met, she noticed he looked somewhat sick, if not resigned.

Overall Hermione thought the entire scenario was highly amusing, and actually laughed out loud once when she stopped and thought about it.

"What's so funny?" Ron asked.

"Nothing, Ron," she responded, glancing at Harry, then at Draco, and sighing to herself.

Couldn't dinner be over yet? She was really bored with the chatter around her and didn't see a point in staying.

So why should I?

Speaking to all of her friends, Hermione said that she wasn't hungry and was going to head to her room and start unpacking. Ron rolled his eyes at the over-organized tendencies that she knew he appreciated anyway. Ginny merely shrugged and turned back to Harry. Harry and Hermione shared a short facial conversation.

Really!? You're going? Already?

Yes, Harry I'm going.

Please don't

Look, you said you were ok with this. Don't go back on your word.

Fine, fine, just leave.

You're being so immature

And with that Hermione briskly stood. As she walked down the table, she shot Draco a meaningful look and strode out of the Great Hall to wait for him upstairs.

000000000000

Surprisingly, when Hermione got to the Head common room, she found a note lying on her study table.

Mr. Malfoy and Miss Granger,

I'm happy to inform you that there has been a new addition made to your rooms as part of the many reconstruction plans that were made for the castle. I apologize that it took until now to make the change, but there was not enough time over the summer to add it and only now while the school was closed was there an opportunity to build it.

There is a new door in each of your rooms. I hope you enjoy the addition and have a good term.

Sincerely,

Headmistress McGonagall

With her interest peaked, Hermione decided Draco could find his own way.

Climbing the stairs and turning right to her room, Hermione found the door across from the one from the hallway she had just opened. Crossing the room in only a few strides, she swung the door open and gasped.

Before her was a beautiful, medium-sized balcony. It was made of some white marble material. And the view was breath-taking. Over the railing, which Hermione had approached and now leaned against, was the entire front landscape of the grounds. Across the right side of her vision was the impenetrable void of the Black Lake. To her left were the edges of the Forbidden Forest, barely discernable against the sky. The path to the Hogwarts gates wound down in front of her.

And then she looked up and stopped breathing. Splayed out before Hermione were the heavens. Technically they were the same stars she saw whenever she looked at the night sky, but up here there was no other light, so she could see even more of the fantastical web of light than usual, as she stared into the endless depths of the universe.

Hermione had no idea how long she stood there, leaning against the railing staring into the heavens with eyes wide as saucers. But when she thought she might stay there all night, warm breath met her exposed neck, and a husky voice spoke from behind her, making Hermione jump.

"Look who I found..."

So, what did you think?

Um, I think I'm officially changing the rating to M, because things start to get heated after this. I'm really sorry I didn't do that beforehand, even before I published the story initially, because some of you guys don't want to read the more explicit stuff. Therefore, I will warn you if there is anything really graphic, and you can read it if you want. I dunno why you wouldn't, but to each his own.

Also, because I've had a massive brain blast, I might update again within the week, to make up for my extreme and evil lateness.

Anywho, I hope you liked it, and review!!!!!

-Ginger