Chapter 19:
Draco woke up the next morning earlier, to not disturb his sleeping beauty next to him. He began pulling out her favorite novels from the bookcases. With all his books, he laid the first book next to her bed, and the second right after, eventually leading up to her window seat. They had passed right by it on their way to his room last night.
He left a single white orchid on the seat, leaving everything perfect. He had originally planned to go out to the store and make them dinner tonight, but it was all interrupted by a knock on his door.
Since he didn't have much friends to talk to, he didn't really know who it could be. When he opened the door, the one person he didn't want to see was standing right in front of him, his mother.
"Mother? What are you doing? You're supposed to be at the manor," he whispered, not wanting to wake up Hermione.
"Draco, dear, why are you whispering?"
"No particular reason," he said casually as he closed the door behind them and taking a step outside.
"Ahh, you've got a girl in there, I presume."
Draco blushed at his mother's words and she just laughed.
"Anyway, dear, they've decided to let me leave early, so long as I don't leave the country." she continued.
"Oh, well that's good..."
"Is she the one, Draco?"
"Who?"
"The one you've been longing for. Granger, is it? Is she in there?"
The blood returned to Draco's face, but his mother smiled.
"Son, I know that look. You've been wanting her for quite sometime now, correct? You deserve happiness after everything you've been through."
"Yes, mother. I love her."
"Well, then, you should probably give this to her."
She held out in her arms what appeared to be a stack of letters, all addressed to one person.
"Mother...are these my..."
"Yes, Draco, they're all yours. I've saved these and kept them from you."
He couldn't believe the words coming out of his mother, and the frustration began to build up inside of him.
"Son, you have to understand. I was only trying to protect you, if your father were to find these, or even the Dark Lord, you know the consequences."
He seethed with rage, but couldn't find the words to say anything.
"And what about her, Draco?"
His anger dropped and he thought about her. If they were to find these letters, surely they would kill her too. He looked up at his mother, and said,
"She would've been killed."
"Yes."
"And what about hers? She said she wrote to me as well."
"I'm sorry, dear. But I never received any letters."
He wondered for a moment, but then dropped it, it wasn't healthy to dwell.
"Alright, now, you go get some rest, it is dreadfully early."
"Ok, Mother." and with that she gave her son a kiss on the cheek and apparated back to the manor.
Draco had left a note for Hermione on the bed, as he left for the store. Hermione read the note and smiled,
Hermione,
I went to the store to get some groceries. I also have another surprise for you (I know, crazy right?), follow the books, you were bound to pick them up anyway. Don't trip on anything. I know how terribly clumsy you are.
Haha,
Draco
She wrapped the blanket tightly around her nude form, and picked up each book, leading up to the place she had almost forgotten.
The window seat they had once talked about had come back. It had blue and white stripes on the cushions and green pillows. The wooden part was painted white and on both sides stood pristine white bookshelves, all emptied out. As she reshelved the books, she looked out the window. It had the most beautiful view of the lake, the sky reflected brightly off the water and she could feel the slight breeze coming from the window.
She picked up a book and began to read, a hobby she had long forgotten. Time seemed to pass and she dozed off with the book still in her lap. Before she could fall back asleep, she heard a knock at the door. Not realizing she was still clothed in only a blanket, she opened the door and her smile fell. Ginny.