FIC: The Letterpool (Multiple pairings, PG-13) Part 3 of 3
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“Whoa! Draco! Merlin, I’m not even good at potions and even I know that combination would have blown us to bits. What’s going on with you?!” Neville had just saved them both from what a very big explosion.
“Sorry, I just wasn’t paying attention.”
Neville basically had had enough. Draco had been like this ever since he got back from Australia with Hermione. It was as if someone had let the Dementors come back to Hogwarts to just drain him specifically. Susan knew what was going on, but she had given her word to Hermione that she wouldn’t talk about it, leaving Neville in the dark.
Draco reached out to Neville because a) he needed the help and b) he couldn’t confide in Theo, Blaise, or Daphne right now because they were blissfully in love. Draco basically didn’t want drag them down with them, plus it would have meant revealing what he’d been doing in Australia. That was Hermione’s secret, not his.
Draco was about to make another potentially fatal error when Neville intervened yet again, dumping the obviously failed potion.
“Okay, enough, tell me what happened in Australia or I will hex it out of you.”
“Neville-”
“No, Malfoy, you’ve nearly blown us up twice within the last 2 minutes, a feat that not even I could accomplish. I’ve tried to keep my nose out of it, but this is ridiculous. Out with it, what happened.” It wasn’t a question, and Neville would be damned before Draco would dodge the subject again.
Draco took a breath. “I kissed her.”
~~~
“So after we get my parents’ memories back, everything is fine… and… he’s perfect. He took the time to introduce himself to my parents, and he gave us space to reconnect. It was great, and when I when I went back to the hotel to meet up with him, I told him all about it. I dunno what happened we were just having fun, being silly-”
“They had a pillow fight,” Susan explained.
“You’ve got to be kidding,” said Ginny.
“That’s always a bit of fun.” Luna remarked. “What? It really is a lovely activity, a little frivolity never hurt anyone. Sorry, Hermione, didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“Thanks, Luna, um… well so yeah w-we were having a pillow fight, and I tripped, and he caught me, then all of a sudden we were kissing.”
~~~
“You. And Hermione… had a pillow fight?”
“Shut up, it’s not as stupid as it sounds,” Draco grumbled at Neville. He hated to admit it, but it was actually a lot of fun.
“No judgment, it sounds kind of cute I guess? It’s weird to picture you as being cute- sorry, keep going.”
“So I kiss her and-”
“And what? Did she not kiss you back?”
“No.”
“No, she didn’t kiss you back.”
“No, I mean she did kiss me back.”
“So then… what is the problem?”
“Nothing, I dunno, I just. She was kissing me back and it was great because I could push everything out.”
“You’re talking nonsense.”
“Did you want to hear what happened or not?”
“Fine, continue, ya git.”
“She said my name, ok? Not Malfoy, she called me by my name, and I froze. I get that doesn’t make sense, but I’ve always been Malfoy to her. Never Draco, and that’s good. That’s fine because I shouldn’t be anything but her friend. And it was all normal and everything b-but she said my name and suddenly everything was real.”
Neville was trying to wrap his head around this. “Wait, so, you stopped kissing her and are freezing her out because she wants to be close to you? It sounds she really likes you the way you like her. I guess I just don’t understand what the problem is?”
~~~
“How was the kissing?”
“Gin, come on, ease up will you?”
“Hermione, you kissed Draco Malfoy, he’s supposed to be a pretty good kisser, and I’m a little pissed that I’m only hearing about this now. We’ve been back for a month.”
“Is that really going to be the only thing you focus on? Never mind that my friend hasn’t spoken to me in a month, you’re annoyed with my lack of kiss description.”
“Yes.”
Luna looked at Hermione with a curious expression. “I have to admit, Hermione, that even I’m interested.”
Hermione gave Susan a death glare, and Susan very much did not care. Hermione did need a second opinion on this, especially from those who were actually dating. Besides, because Ginny and Luna hadn’t heard the story before Hermione had to tell it from the beginning. It would give Susan the chance to potentially pick up on something she had inadvertently overlooked.
“Yes okay, it was the best kiss I’d ever had… which is why this is pretty horrible. I thought he might have fancied me, but instead, he pulled away.”
“Okay, but what happened that might have made him pull away? No offense, Hermione, but I’ve heard this story before, and it always feels like there is something missing from it.”
“Um… well when we broke for air I called him by his first name… after that he just became completely different. Like he wished I was a completely different girl.”
~~~
“The problem is, she shouldn’t be getting involved with me! She should be getting involved with a different guy. A good guy. That’s not me… and it never should be. Hogwarts is coming to an end, we weren’t even close before, and maybe it should have just stayed that way. I really like being her friend, and being there for her anything else is impractical… I’ve done some pretty irredeemable things to her, which even with helping her parents, it doesn’t erase that.”
“Wow… Look, Malfoy, I get why you think you should feel that way, but I don’t agree with it. All the things you did before last year… You had an abusive parent who was holding your mum hostage. You had to do what he said. If I had been in your position I’d have done the same things. I think you’re being way too harsh on yourself, everyone has been through it’s time to let yourself be happy, you deserve it, and if anyone understands that, it’s Hermione.”
“I appreciate it Neville but… it’s a lost cause. I’ve fancied her for a long time, and I brought her unhappiness for the majority of that time. I’m not looking to impose myself on her life anymore than I already have. Now come on, let’s keep going.”
~~~
Lee: Well then, it’s just George and me for today. Fred is taking Angelina out for Valentine’s Day. We’re still no closer to finding out who wrote The Letter, but my goodness the bets certainly have gotten creative!
George: It’s probably because of Valentine’s day, but this is has been the most bets we’ve received since the day The Letter landed on Gryffindor’s table.
Lee: True, very true. Well, today we’re here with Susan Bones. Susan? Do you want to have a go at who wrote this letter? *George holds up the letter* Or you could tell us if Malfoy and Hermione have patched things up yet.
Susan: No, and please stop asking. I’m more than happy to talk about The Letter, but Draco and Hermione have to sort that out on their own. *Susan takes the letter* Um… Well, it’s quite romantic, and wait. Wait what? *Susan immediately starts rummaging through her rucksack*
Lee: Susan?
George: Are you okay?
Susan: Shut up! UGH GET OUT OF MY BAG YOU STUPID SCROLL-FINALLY *Susan pulls out a scroll and checks the handwriting back and forth.* Holy Hippogriffs… No way, no way, No Way!!! I KNEW IT! I know who wrote the letter! Gotta go, boys!
Lee and George: WAIT WHAT?!
Susan: Sorry, but I really have to go.
Lee: At least tell us who you think it is?!
Susan: Well it’s *massive feedback from the radio* I’d bet my life on it! Anyway, yeah seriously I have to go *Susan runs off with the letter*
George: Well, wow. I’ll admit I was not expecting that.
Lee: How could we have let her go?! We have to get her back for another interview!
George: Quick, let’s take the equipment. The whole school needs to hear this!
Lee: Yeah, I’m still reeling. Wow, I mean who would have thought that the letter was for *radio static* and the one who wrote it was *radio static* I can’t believe Fred’s going to miss this!
George: I know! This is going to be totally awesome. * The pair of them bustles out, following to where Susan went*
~~~
“Hermione!” Susan ran up to Hermione, completely out of breath.
“Susan, are you alright?”
“Yes!” Susan panted, “Just shh, Hermione… I need to talk to you. The Letter was for you! It was written for you!”
“Susan, what are you talking about?”
“Just listen, ok? I was able to see the letter. I knew what it said, but I only saw it as in the handwriting today!
“And this has to do with me because?”
“Because I know whose handwriting it is, and because I think you’ll be very pleased to know who it belongs to.”
“Susan enough buildup, who wrote it?”
“My Charms partner.” Susan took out the stolen letter and put it side by side to Susan’s Charms essay co-written by…
“Draco Malfoy? Your charms partner is-”
“Yeah, we’ve been partners since first year, I’d know that handwriting anywhere. Just look at it.”
“It’s exactly the same…”
“This makes so much sense now, this is why he freaked out when he kissed you. He for whatever reason is afraid of getting close to you, and The Letter pretty much sums up why-” Susan kept talking, but Hermione wasn’t really listening, and who could blame her? After, all this agony for the past month and a half, it turned out Draco sodding Malfoy had felt the same way she had?
“Susan, do you know where he is?”
“Yeah, I think he’s by the Courtyard, it’s about to rain and he likes watching the rain from there. He reckons it’s peaceful.” As if on cue thunder clapped echoing through the halls. “Why do you know what you’re going to say to him?”
“I’m not going to say anything, I’m going to kill him!” Hermione stormed off to find Malfoy, taking The Letter and Susan’s essay with her.
“Oh dear…”
Susan followed Hermione, and not too far behind Susan were Lee Jordan and George Weasley, who were covertly broadcasting the entire exchange.
~~~
“Hey!” Hermione was out of breath and furious. “Hey, you annoying albino flying Ferret!” Hermione threw a book at him.
“Shit!” He managed to dodge it before it hit him. “Hermione, what the hell?!”
“Oh, it’s Hermione now? After a month and a half of not even looking at me, let alone speaking to me, we’re back to calling each other by our first names? Well fuck that, Malfoy, why didn’t you just tell me?”
Hermione started reading The Letter out loud:
“Dear Friend,
Our years at Hogwarts are coming to an end. You will probably remember these halls fondly, and everyone will remember you, but I’m quite certain you will not remember me.
There have been certain things that I have left unsaid, so I am telling you now… before it’s too late.
I know I’ve done things… said things in the past that are irredeemable. I’m not writing you in an attempt to erase those errors. I’m not expecting these words to suddenly change things, or win you over either.
This is just to let you know how much I genuinely care about you. I don’t have the words to describe how much being your friend-as brief as it’s been-has meant to me… I can honestly say it’s more than you will ever know.
Again, I’m not looking to impose myself in your life, after Hogwarts, and even if I were to never see you again, that would be okay.
This is just to tell you, that I wish you every happiness.
With all my affection…
A Friend.”
After she was done, she thrust The Letter into his face along with Susan’s essay.
Draco felt his cheeks burn. “Fuck… Susan… shit.”
“Oh no, you don’t get to blame Susan. You don’t get to do anything except explain yourself! Why didn’t what tell me that you wrote the letter?”
Draco balled his hand into a fist and shouted right back at her. “Why do you think?! Because it’s a lost cause, Hermione! That’s why! I’m not a good guy, I’m not even a nice guy! I don’t deserve… look, you deserve to be happy alright? But for me? No. I meant everything I said in this stupid piece shit letter. I should never have sent it in the first place.” He took a breath to calm down. “Hermione, I want you to be happy, you deserve everything you want because you are a good person. You actually deserve every single good thing life has to offer. I am not one of those good things, surely you know that by now.”
“Draco…” Hermione murmured. “You can’t actually believe that. You may have said a lot of crappy-bullying-annoying bullshit when we were younger, but look at what you did during the war-hell, even before the war, look at what you’ve done for me! I’m so mad at you right now!”
“Good, you should be, and you should get me out of your life! I’m bad fucking news!”
“No, you’re not. I know we both said things when we were younger that we regret, but when I really needed someone to keep me sane you were there! So you have any idea how much I’ve been beating myself up since Australia?” Hermione was red in the face, she knew things were always explosive with Ron, she did. However, now that she was going through her mental catalog of all the stupid things she and Ron had gone through, she came to the conclusion that, no. Ron had never managed to piss her off this much.
“Listen here, Malfoy.” She took a breath and tried to remove as much anger as she could out of her voice. “Do you have any idea how much I’ve missed just talking to you? You don’t get to pick this for me. I know you think you’re this terrible person, but you’re not, at least you’re not to me… and if you want me to be happy? Really, truly, happy? Then you’ll consider my feelings for five seconds and realize that it’s very simple. I like you as much as you like me and life’s too fucking short so… if you really want me to be happy, you’ll indulge me with this.”
“See this is exactly what I was afraid. I never wanted this, I don’t want you to feel like you owe me a date or-”
“Hey, you arsehole, did you hear me at all? You don’t get to just tell me how I feel, ok? I doubt you even know how much I want to strangle you and kiss you right now.” She sighed. “This is silly, I want to try this, even if it’s a mistake, don’t you?”
“Of course I do… but Hermione… I’m a human disaster.”
“Well,” Hermione let out a humorless chuckle, “welcome to the club. You helped me, you were there for me, and I know you weren’t expecting anything out of that. I know you did all of that-this because you genuinely care about me. So won’t you let me just care and love you back?”
He swallowed hard. “You love me?”
“O-Only if you love me back.” Hermione felt so vulnerable she could barely even look at him.
Draco looked down as well and placed both of her hands in his. “ I do. I just don’t want to ruin things like I usually do.”
Hermione blushed and looked up into his stormy gray eyes. “You only will if you pull another stunt like not talking to me for months. Although that would be better than giving up on this before we’ve even started.”
“Heh, you’re really not going to give this up are you?”
“Not in this lifetime.”
He nodded and considered this. “Okay then, I guess I should start by apologizing and take you out for dinner sometime.”
“Sounds like a start at least…”
Draco smiled and pulled Hermione in close. “I promise I will make it up to you. I’ll even learn how to get along your sidekicks.”
“Much appreciated, now can you just shut up and kiss me?” Hermione started playing with his tie. “It is Valentine’s day after all.”
“I think that can be arranged… and, thank you-thank you for your patience in all of this.” He tucked a strand of Hermione’s gorgeous unruly hair behind her ear. Hermione stood on her toes, just like she did in Australia. Finally while listening to the rain outside, did they kiss each other again, and this time they wouldn’t shy away from each other, not ever again.
~~~
Lee: Hello, Hogwarts! This is Lee Jordan, and wow what an interesting Broadcast from last time, eh? Now we have received death threats from both Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy, so we’ve taken that recording out of the broadcasting loop. Sorry, folks, but if you didn’t hear it before then, unfortunately, you won’t ever. Also in the studio are my trusty co-hosts and our guest, Susan Bones! Susan, lovely seeing you again so soon! How does it feel, Bones, discussing Letterpool, after all, she our one and only the winner!
Susan: Wait, what? But I didn’t even make a bet.
Lee: Well, you did bet your life on it.
Susan: That wasn’t serious!
Fred: Relax, Susan, we wouldn’t have let anyone take ownership of your life if you had lost, but you did bet, so therefore you win!
Susan: Oh I-I dunno how I feel about that.
George: Anyway, so Susan, what was the thing that gave it away?
Susan: Well um, the handwriting was a dead giveaway really, but I guess everything that happened between Hermione and Draco made it that much more obvious.
Lee: Wow, well so what about you is there someone special for the amazing Susan Bones?
Susan: Oh well, I mean, there was the idea of someone, but maybe we’re friends, and so much stuff got in the way. If he ever did feel the same way about me, it was never really put out there. So I dunno I’m okay, being friends is great, oh god I totally see why Draco wrote the letter in the first place but yeah. You know it um *Susan continues to ramble until there’s a knock at the door and Neville walks in.*
Neville: Susan, hi. *Looks at Lee, George and Fred* Oh hi, guys, sorry, just a sec. Susan, hi, yeah, I was looking for you. I actually tried to find you er yesterday, Valentine’s day, but er but that was a bit of a bust. Then I heard the radio replay and figured you were pretty busy so I just thought I’d find you today instead. Erm, I heard what you said just now on the radio show. I am - interested I mean. So wanna grab dinner tonight?
Susan: Yes.
Neville: Great. See you tonight. Bye, guys.
*Neville heads out for about a second before briskly walking back in. He leans down and kisses her*
Neville: Right, tonight I’ll pick you up outside of the Great Hall. *Neville leaves the radio broadcast again leaving a happy and somewhat in shock Susan*
Susan: I-hihi- sorry, what was the question again?
Lee: *grinning* Nothing, Susan, we’re done here, thank you for your time.
Susan: Thanks you guys, it was nice talking to you! *Susan leaves the room giggling and goes to catch up with Neville Longbottom.*
Fred: Aww, I love those two!
George: Wow, what a wonderful Valentine’s day!
Lee: That’s right! New couples celebrating, old couples celebrating, and new loves being formed all around. Oh, and wow, yeah, that’s it for The Letterpool! Don’t worry, folks, I’ll still be here until the end of the year, then I will pass on the new radio station Hogwarts Hot Topics to the next generation. I plan on creating my own radio show after this year entitled, “Harry Potter and the Neverending story.” Just kidding! I’m still deciding on the name, but it won’t be that, I promise, Harry. After this year so if you miss me, you can still tune in. This is Lee Jordan,
Fred: This is Fred Weasley,
George: And this is George Weasley,
All three: Signing off.
FIN
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Back to Part 2
“Whoa! Draco! Merlin, I’m not even good at potions and even I know that combination would have blown us to bits. What’s going on with you?!” Neville had just saved them both from what a very big explosion.
“Sorry, I just wasn’t paying attention.”
Neville basically had had enough. Draco had been like this ever since he got back from Australia with Hermione. It was as if someone had let the Dementors come back to Hogwarts to just drain him specifically. Susan knew what was going on, but she had given her word to Hermione that she wouldn’t talk about it, leaving Neville in the dark.
Draco reached out to Neville because a) he needed the help and b) he couldn’t confide in Theo, Blaise, or Daphne right now because they were blissfully in love. Draco basically didn’t want drag them down with them, plus it would have meant revealing what he’d been doing in Australia. That was Hermione’s secret, not his.
Draco was about to make another potentially fatal error when Neville intervened yet again, dumping the obviously failed potion.
“Okay, enough, tell me what happened in Australia or I will hex it out of you.”
“Neville-”
“No, Malfoy, you’ve nearly blown us up twice within the last 2 minutes, a feat that not even I could accomplish. I’ve tried to keep my nose out of it, but this is ridiculous. Out with it, what happened.” It wasn’t a question, and Neville would be damned before Draco would dodge the subject again.
Draco took a breath. “I kissed her.”
~~~
“So after we get my parents’ memories back, everything is fine… and… he’s perfect. He took the time to introduce himself to my parents, and he gave us space to reconnect. It was great, and when I when I went back to the hotel to meet up with him, I told him all about it. I dunno what happened we were just having fun, being silly-”
“They had a pillow fight,” Susan explained.
“You’ve got to be kidding,” said Ginny.
“That’s always a bit of fun.” Luna remarked. “What? It really is a lovely activity, a little frivolity never hurt anyone. Sorry, Hermione, didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“Thanks, Luna, um… well so yeah w-we were having a pillow fight, and I tripped, and he caught me, then all of a sudden we were kissing.”
~~~
“You. And Hermione… had a pillow fight?”
“Shut up, it’s not as stupid as it sounds,” Draco grumbled at Neville. He hated to admit it, but it was actually a lot of fun.
“No judgment, it sounds kind of cute I guess? It’s weird to picture you as being cute- sorry, keep going.”
“So I kiss her and-”
“And what? Did she not kiss you back?”
“No.”
“No, she didn’t kiss you back.”
“No, I mean she did kiss me back.”
“So then… what is the problem?”
“Nothing, I dunno, I just. She was kissing me back and it was great because I could push everything out.”
“You’re talking nonsense.”
“Did you want to hear what happened or not?”
“Fine, continue, ya git.”
“She said my name, ok? Not Malfoy, she called me by my name, and I froze. I get that doesn’t make sense, but I’ve always been Malfoy to her. Never Draco, and that’s good. That’s fine because I shouldn’t be anything but her friend. And it was all normal and everything b-but she said my name and suddenly everything was real.”
Neville was trying to wrap his head around this. “Wait, so, you stopped kissing her and are freezing her out because she wants to be close to you? It sounds she really likes you the way you like her. I guess I just don’t understand what the problem is?”
~~~
“How was the kissing?”
“Gin, come on, ease up will you?”
“Hermione, you kissed Draco Malfoy, he’s supposed to be a pretty good kisser, and I’m a little pissed that I’m only hearing about this now. We’ve been back for a month.”
“Is that really going to be the only thing you focus on? Never mind that my friend hasn’t spoken to me in a month, you’re annoyed with my lack of kiss description.”
“Yes.”
Luna looked at Hermione with a curious expression. “I have to admit, Hermione, that even I’m interested.”
Hermione gave Susan a death glare, and Susan very much did not care. Hermione did need a second opinion on this, especially from those who were actually dating. Besides, because Ginny and Luna hadn’t heard the story before Hermione had to tell it from the beginning. It would give Susan the chance to potentially pick up on something she had inadvertently overlooked.
“Yes okay, it was the best kiss I’d ever had… which is why this is pretty horrible. I thought he might have fancied me, but instead, he pulled away.”
“Okay, but what happened that might have made him pull away? No offense, Hermione, but I’ve heard this story before, and it always feels like there is something missing from it.”
“Um… well when we broke for air I called him by his first name… after that he just became completely different. Like he wished I was a completely different girl.”
~~~
“The problem is, she shouldn’t be getting involved with me! She should be getting involved with a different guy. A good guy. That’s not me… and it never should be. Hogwarts is coming to an end, we weren’t even close before, and maybe it should have just stayed that way. I really like being her friend, and being there for her anything else is impractical… I’ve done some pretty irredeemable things to her, which even with helping her parents, it doesn’t erase that.”
“Wow… Look, Malfoy, I get why you think you should feel that way, but I don’t agree with it. All the things you did before last year… You had an abusive parent who was holding your mum hostage. You had to do what he said. If I had been in your position I’d have done the same things. I think you’re being way too harsh on yourself, everyone has been through it’s time to let yourself be happy, you deserve it, and if anyone understands that, it’s Hermione.”
“I appreciate it Neville but… it’s a lost cause. I’ve fancied her for a long time, and I brought her unhappiness for the majority of that time. I’m not looking to impose myself on her life anymore than I already have. Now come on, let’s keep going.”
~~~
Lee: Well then, it’s just George and me for today. Fred is taking Angelina out for Valentine’s Day. We’re still no closer to finding out who wrote The Letter, but my goodness the bets certainly have gotten creative!
George: It’s probably because of Valentine’s day, but this is has been the most bets we’ve received since the day The Letter landed on Gryffindor’s table.
Lee: True, very true. Well, today we’re here with Susan Bones. Susan? Do you want to have a go at who wrote this letter? *George holds up the letter* Or you could tell us if Malfoy and Hermione have patched things up yet.
Susan: No, and please stop asking. I’m more than happy to talk about The Letter, but Draco and Hermione have to sort that out on their own. *Susan takes the letter* Um… Well, it’s quite romantic, and wait. Wait what? *Susan immediately starts rummaging through her rucksack*
Lee: Susan?
George: Are you okay?
Susan: Shut up! UGH GET OUT OF MY BAG YOU STUPID SCROLL-FINALLY *Susan pulls out a scroll and checks the handwriting back and forth.* Holy Hippogriffs… No way, no way, No Way!!! I KNEW IT! I know who wrote the letter! Gotta go, boys!
Lee and George: WAIT WHAT?!
Susan: Sorry, but I really have to go.
Lee: At least tell us who you think it is?!
Susan: Well it’s *massive feedback from the radio* I’d bet my life on it! Anyway, yeah seriously I have to go *Susan runs off with the letter*
George: Well, wow. I’ll admit I was not expecting that.
Lee: How could we have let her go?! We have to get her back for another interview!
George: Quick, let’s take the equipment. The whole school needs to hear this!
Lee: Yeah, I’m still reeling. Wow, I mean who would have thought that the letter was for *radio static* and the one who wrote it was *radio static* I can’t believe Fred’s going to miss this!
George: I know! This is going to be totally awesome. * The pair of them bustles out, following to where Susan went*
~~~
“Hermione!” Susan ran up to Hermione, completely out of breath.
“Susan, are you alright?”
“Yes!” Susan panted, “Just shh, Hermione… I need to talk to you. The Letter was for you! It was written for you!”
“Susan, what are you talking about?”
“Just listen, ok? I was able to see the letter. I knew what it said, but I only saw it as in the handwriting today!
“And this has to do with me because?”
“Because I know whose handwriting it is, and because I think you’ll be very pleased to know who it belongs to.”
“Susan enough buildup, who wrote it?”
“My Charms partner.” Susan took out the stolen letter and put it side by side to Susan’s Charms essay co-written by…
“Draco Malfoy? Your charms partner is-”
“Yeah, we’ve been partners since first year, I’d know that handwriting anywhere. Just look at it.”
“It’s exactly the same…”
“This makes so much sense now, this is why he freaked out when he kissed you. He for whatever reason is afraid of getting close to you, and The Letter pretty much sums up why-” Susan kept talking, but Hermione wasn’t really listening, and who could blame her? After, all this agony for the past month and a half, it turned out Draco sodding Malfoy had felt the same way she had?
“Susan, do you know where he is?”
“Yeah, I think he’s by the Courtyard, it’s about to rain and he likes watching the rain from there. He reckons it’s peaceful.” As if on cue thunder clapped echoing through the halls. “Why do you know what you’re going to say to him?”
“I’m not going to say anything, I’m going to kill him!” Hermione stormed off to find Malfoy, taking The Letter and Susan’s essay with her.
“Oh dear…”
Susan followed Hermione, and not too far behind Susan were Lee Jordan and George Weasley, who were covertly broadcasting the entire exchange.
~~~
“Hey!” Hermione was out of breath and furious. “Hey, you annoying albino flying Ferret!” Hermione threw a book at him.
“Shit!” He managed to dodge it before it hit him. “Hermione, what the hell?!”
“Oh, it’s Hermione now? After a month and a half of not even looking at me, let alone speaking to me, we’re back to calling each other by our first names? Well fuck that, Malfoy, why didn’t you just tell me?”
Hermione started reading The Letter out loud:
“Dear Friend,
Our years at Hogwarts are coming to an end. You will probably remember these halls fondly, and everyone will remember you, but I’m quite certain you will not remember me.
There have been certain things that I have left unsaid, so I am telling you now… before it’s too late.
I know I’ve done things… said things in the past that are irredeemable. I’m not writing you in an attempt to erase those errors. I’m not expecting these words to suddenly change things, or win you over either.
This is just to let you know how much I genuinely care about you. I don’t have the words to describe how much being your friend-as brief as it’s been-has meant to me… I can honestly say it’s more than you will ever know.
Again, I’m not looking to impose myself in your life, after Hogwarts, and even if I were to never see you again, that would be okay.
This is just to tell you, that I wish you every happiness.
With all my affection…
A Friend.”
After she was done, she thrust The Letter into his face along with Susan’s essay.
Draco felt his cheeks burn. “Fuck… Susan… shit.”
“Oh no, you don’t get to blame Susan. You don’t get to do anything except explain yourself! Why didn’t what tell me that you wrote the letter?”
Draco balled his hand into a fist and shouted right back at her. “Why do you think?! Because it’s a lost cause, Hermione! That’s why! I’m not a good guy, I’m not even a nice guy! I don’t deserve… look, you deserve to be happy alright? But for me? No. I meant everything I said in this stupid piece shit letter. I should never have sent it in the first place.” He took a breath to calm down. “Hermione, I want you to be happy, you deserve everything you want because you are a good person. You actually deserve every single good thing life has to offer. I am not one of those good things, surely you know that by now.”
“Draco…” Hermione murmured. “You can’t actually believe that. You may have said a lot of crappy-bullying-annoying bullshit when we were younger, but look at what you did during the war-hell, even before the war, look at what you’ve done for me! I’m so mad at you right now!”
“Good, you should be, and you should get me out of your life! I’m bad fucking news!”
“No, you’re not. I know we both said things when we were younger that we regret, but when I really needed someone to keep me sane you were there! So you have any idea how much I’ve been beating myself up since Australia?” Hermione was red in the face, she knew things were always explosive with Ron, she did. However, now that she was going through her mental catalog of all the stupid things she and Ron had gone through, she came to the conclusion that, no. Ron had never managed to piss her off this much.
“Listen here, Malfoy.” She took a breath and tried to remove as much anger as she could out of her voice. “Do you have any idea how much I’ve missed just talking to you? You don’t get to pick this for me. I know you think you’re this terrible person, but you’re not, at least you’re not to me… and if you want me to be happy? Really, truly, happy? Then you’ll consider my feelings for five seconds and realize that it’s very simple. I like you as much as you like me and life’s too fucking short so… if you really want me to be happy, you’ll indulge me with this.”
“See this is exactly what I was afraid. I never wanted this, I don’t want you to feel like you owe me a date or-”
“Hey, you arsehole, did you hear me at all? You don’t get to just tell me how I feel, ok? I doubt you even know how much I want to strangle you and kiss you right now.” She sighed. “This is silly, I want to try this, even if it’s a mistake, don’t you?”
“Of course I do… but Hermione… I’m a human disaster.”
“Well,” Hermione let out a humorless chuckle, “welcome to the club. You helped me, you were there for me, and I know you weren’t expecting anything out of that. I know you did all of that-this because you genuinely care about me. So won’t you let me just care and love you back?”
He swallowed hard. “You love me?”
“O-Only if you love me back.” Hermione felt so vulnerable she could barely even look at him.
Draco looked down as well and placed both of her hands in his. “ I do. I just don’t want to ruin things like I usually do.”
Hermione blushed and looked up into his stormy gray eyes. “You only will if you pull another stunt like not talking to me for months. Although that would be better than giving up on this before we’ve even started.”
“Heh, you’re really not going to give this up are you?”
“Not in this lifetime.”
He nodded and considered this. “Okay then, I guess I should start by apologizing and take you out for dinner sometime.”
“Sounds like a start at least…”
Draco smiled and pulled Hermione in close. “I promise I will make it up to you. I’ll even learn how to get along your sidekicks.”
“Much appreciated, now can you just shut up and kiss me?” Hermione started playing with his tie. “It is Valentine’s day after all.”
“I think that can be arranged… and, thank you-thank you for your patience in all of this.” He tucked a strand of Hermione’s gorgeous unruly hair behind her ear. Hermione stood on her toes, just like she did in Australia. Finally while listening to the rain outside, did they kiss each other again, and this time they wouldn’t shy away from each other, not ever again.
~~~
Lee: Hello, Hogwarts! This is Lee Jordan, and wow what an interesting Broadcast from last time, eh? Now we have received death threats from both Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy, so we’ve taken that recording out of the broadcasting loop. Sorry, folks, but if you didn’t hear it before then, unfortunately, you won’t ever. Also in the studio are my trusty co-hosts and our guest, Susan Bones! Susan, lovely seeing you again so soon! How does it feel, Bones, discussing Letterpool, after all, she our one and only the winner!
Susan: Wait, what? But I didn’t even make a bet.
Lee: Well, you did bet your life on it.
Susan: That wasn’t serious!
Fred: Relax, Susan, we wouldn’t have let anyone take ownership of your life if you had lost, but you did bet, so therefore you win!
Susan: Oh I-I dunno how I feel about that.
George: Anyway, so Susan, what was the thing that gave it away?
Susan: Well um, the handwriting was a dead giveaway really, but I guess everything that happened between Hermione and Draco made it that much more obvious.
Lee: Wow, well so what about you is there someone special for the amazing Susan Bones?
Susan: Oh well, I mean, there was the idea of someone, but maybe we’re friends, and so much stuff got in the way. If he ever did feel the same way about me, it was never really put out there. So I dunno I’m okay, being friends is great, oh god I totally see why Draco wrote the letter in the first place but yeah. You know it um *Susan continues to ramble until there’s a knock at the door and Neville walks in.*
Neville: Susan, hi. *Looks at Lee, George and Fred* Oh hi, guys, sorry, just a sec. Susan, hi, yeah, I was looking for you. I actually tried to find you er yesterday, Valentine’s day, but er but that was a bit of a bust. Then I heard the radio replay and figured you were pretty busy so I just thought I’d find you today instead. Erm, I heard what you said just now on the radio show. I am - interested I mean. So wanna grab dinner tonight?
Susan: Yes.
Neville: Great. See you tonight. Bye, guys.
*Neville heads out for about a second before briskly walking back in. He leans down and kisses her*
Neville: Right, tonight I’ll pick you up outside of the Great Hall. *Neville leaves the radio broadcast again leaving a happy and somewhat in shock Susan*
Susan: I-hihi- sorry, what was the question again?
Lee: *grinning* Nothing, Susan, we’re done here, thank you for your time.
Susan: Thanks you guys, it was nice talking to you! *Susan leaves the room giggling and goes to catch up with Neville Longbottom.*
Fred: Aww, I love those two!
George: Wow, what a wonderful Valentine’s day!
Lee: That’s right! New couples celebrating, old couples celebrating, and new loves being formed all around. Oh, and wow, yeah, that’s it for The Letterpool! Don’t worry, folks, I’ll still be here until the end of the year, then I will pass on the new radio station Hogwarts Hot Topics to the next generation. I plan on creating my own radio show after this year entitled, “Harry Potter and the Neverending story.” Just kidding! I’m still deciding on the name, but it won’t be that, I promise, Harry. After this year so if you miss me, you can still tune in. This is Lee Jordan,
Fred: This is Fred Weasley,
George: And this is George Weasley,
All three: Signing off.
FIN
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