,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Chapter 2 – Letters

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

July 2nd—

Granger –

I know I asked if I could write to you but I really don't know what to say. I have never written a letter to a muggle-born before.

I never thought I would live to say that I actually miss Scarhead and Weasel but without the Golden Trio to annoy, the castle is quite boring. Only a few teachers are still in the castle; the rest have left on holiday. Only Hooch, Snape, Dumbledore and I are here. It is too bad that I cannot leave the grounds. Snape and Dumbledore tell me that it isn't safe. It isn't as if I can't defend myself, I am a fully-fledged wizard after all.

I have to say that as a Master, Snape is ten times worse than he ever was as a professor. Just the other day he had me slice three cases each of aconite root, leeches and billywig stings. I still have the leech guts under my nails.

Speaking of Professor Snape… Dumbledore told us that you were accepted into the Aristotle Institute in Athens. Snape would never tell you but his chest puffed up in pride when he heard that you had been accepted into the research potions program.

On a more personal note, I have yet to hear from my father, which I suppose is a good thing but the professor came back from a summons badly injured about a week ago. He told me that the Dark Lord was not pleased with my absence from the initiation.

Hopefully the danger will pass soon and I can get out of this forsaken castle just for a few hours. What I wouldn't do for a Fortescue's Sundae right now.

– Draco

Draco read the letter over again and decided that it would do. Possibly writing letters to Granger would alleviate some of his boredom. He poured a small pool of wax over the seal of the envelope and then pressed his Malfoy Signet into the cooling liquid.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

July 3rd —

Draco –

I was surprised by the arrival of your owl this morning. I was surprised to find a seal; I didn't think that they were used much anymore. It was quite an elegant touch.

I can only imagine how bored you must be in that castle. It is too bad that you are the only young person there. Maybe Dumbledore will allow me to visit? You could ask. Just think you have access to every book in the library now, no waiting for passes and the restricted section holds many fascinating books.

Please heed Professor Snape and the Headmaster's warnings. I would hate to hear that something awful has happened to you.

I am glad to hear things are going well in your apprenticeship and it is to be expected that the Professor would be tougher on you now, your success or failure now reflects directly upon him and his standing as a Potions Master. Really Draco, you only need a good cleaning charm to get the nasty leech guts from beneath your nails. You 'are' a wizard after all.

I am very pleased to be attending Aristotle. I only wish it wasn't so very far away. Harry and Ron are both in London to begin their Auror training and Ginny will be returning in the fall to Hogwarts. I feel like we are all being torn in different directions. Some days it makes me quite sad really, but enough being maudlin.

I'm sorry but I will refrain from commenting on your father but I do hope Professor Snape is all right, and I hope that Voldemort (stop it, it is only a name after all) will turn his focus away from you soon. Speaking of 'the Dark Lord' (is that better?) have you heard anything from Dumbledore or Snape about battles or the coming war?

Well I could help you with the sundae though, if you take the staircase that leads to the Hufflepuff common room and bear to the right where the corridor forks, you will come to a painting of a basket of fruit. Tickle the pear.

– Hermione

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Draco read through Hermione's letter again as he licked whipped cream off his bottom lip. It was good to have a friend. He did hear one interesting tidbit that he would have to include to Hermione in his next letter.

In decidedly good spirits he went back to eating his sundae and let the house-elves fawn over him. He was definitely going to need to fly off these treats tomorrow.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

July 5th —

Hermione –

Thank you so much for the information about the kitchens. You are a lifesaver but if I get fat it will be all your fault. Really though, Thank you.

I did hear one interesting bit of news concerning what you asked in your last letter. Snape was summoned last night and when he returned I overheard he and Dumbledore speaking. A muggle neighborhood outside of London is being targeted for an attack in the next few days. It is to be a test for the new Death Eaters.

Granger, seriously if you live in the vicinity of Ealing get out. Go on holiday, visit Potty and Weasel, I don't care what you do just don't be there.

– Draco

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Draco felt uneasy. He hoped that if Hermione lived in this Ealing that she had been able to convince her family to leave for a while. He didn't really know anything about her life at home. Did she have siblings? What did her parents do? He would ask her in his next letter. In the mean time he had to go badger Dumbledore again about letting Hermione visit before she went off to Greece.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

"Mum, Dad. I just got a wonderful idea," Hermione was on tender-hooks, "Lets pop over to Spain for a holiday. Just pack a bag with some essentials and be vagabonds for a few days."

"Hermione what has gotten in to you?" Carol Granger was looking at Hermione with a piercing gaze.

Hermione sighed she knew that she would never convince her parent to shut down their practice with out some sort of explanation of her behavior. "Mum, we have to leave Ealing for a few days. A—friend sent me a warning. Death Eaters are going to attack the village some time with in the next few days."

"Why would they attack here?" Doug Granger asked softly.

"Who knows why Death Eaters do what they do?" Hermione said in exasperation. "They are going to be muggle hunting, there is a new batch of Death Eaters and they want to play I suppose."

"Mum, Dad, listen to Hermione. When has she ever been wrong?"

Hermione's head swiveled to her younger sister sitting across the table. Karen was two years younger than Hermione. She had the normal name, the normal sleek hair, and the normal life of a teenager. Hermione envied her sister's normal life on occasion.

With Karen's help her parents were convinced to take a short holiday. They didn't go far though, only to Brighton where they had a home on the rocky beach. Hermione silently thanked Draco for his tip and sent her owl, Solomon, to Harry and Ron at the Auror training facility in London with the tip and letting them know that she was safe.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

July 6th —

Draco –

I was able to convince my parents to take us all on a holiday. Thank you for telling me about the danger in Ealing.

I owe you so much. I don't know what I would have done if something happened to my parents. I'll write again soon

– Hermione

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

The Daily Prophet

DEATH EATERS ATTACK LONDON SUBURB

The village of Ealing, a predominately muggle settlement, was attacked last night, several buildings were burnt to the ground and several more blasted apart. There were also several casualties in this latest horrifying attack. Six muggles lay dead and a dozen more have been taken to St. Mungo's for treatment.

One area of the hamlet took the most damage, several homes along Mattock Lane were destroyed. Including the home of prominent citizens, Douglas and Carol Granger who run the Bright Smiles Dentistry ( place where muggles go to have tooth problems fixed). Luckily the dentists were not in residence at the time of the attack having taken their daughters Karen and Hermione on holiday. Hermione is a recent graduate of Hogwarts and was a former Head Girl.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Draco looked back and forth between the Clipping and Hermione's letter. He was pleased that she got away from the attack. Draco looked up when someone sat heavily beside him.

"The Headmaster and I have decided to grant your request."

Draco looked up into his mentor's black eyes and grinned. Hermione was coming back to Hogwarts!

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Author's Notes:

ok Folks there it is the second chapter. Any Suggestions for what happens during Hermione's visit?

Thank you to Dryad and Snapeaholic for the betaing.