The Secret Relationship: The Angelic Witch and Draco Malfoy (Book 3)

Narcissa Malfoy's Secret Letter

The trip to Hagrid had definitely pulled Heroneka and Harry out of the Black's tormenting thoughts. They were now busy trying to help Hagrid so Buckbeak could be saved.

The four of them sat in the common room, in front of the roaring fire, slowly turning the pages of dusty volumes about famous cases of marauding beasts, speaking occasionally when they ran across something relevant.

Meanwhile, in the rest of the castle, the usual magnificent Christmas decorations had been put up, even though hardly any of the students remained to enjoy them. Thick streamers of holly and mistletoe were strung along the corridors, mysterious lights shone from inside every suit of armour, and the Great Hall was filled with its usual twelve Christmas trees, glittering with golden stars. A powerful and delicious smell of cooking pervaded the corridors, and by Christmas Eve, it had grown so strong that even Scabbers poked his nose out of the shelter of Ron's pocket to sniff hopefully at the air.

On Christmas morning, Heroneka was woken by Crookshanks pouncing up on her bed and scratching her blankets. Heroneka peered out sleepily and Crookshanks purred nuzzling his squashed face on her cheek.

"Merry Christmas!!" Hermione ran up to Heroneka's bed and jumped on her over the blankets so fast, Crookshanks was bounced up in the air with a hissing noise.

"Get up! Get up! Get up!" Hermione squealed. "Open your presents!"

Heroneka looked at Hermione's bed. "What about your presents?"

"Er --" she looked at Heroneka with puppy eyes. "I ended up unwrapping all of them as soon as I got up."

Her bed was covered with a heap of torn wrappers and a lot of presents.

"C'mon!!" Hermione clapped her hands excitedly and Crookshanks joined them again, purring and sniffing all the presents kept at the foot of Heroneka's bed.

Mrs Weasley had sent her a scarlet sweater with an angelic hallow and wings knitted on the front, also a dozen home-baked mince pies, some Christmas cake, and a box of nut brittle. There was a blue package that Fred and George had sent her. It had a box of bracelets inside it. As she moved all these things aside, Heroneka saw a shiny emerald coloured package lying underneath.

"What's that?" said Hermione, looking over, ripping open the packaged Christmas cake.

"Dunno..." Said Heroneka.

Heroneka picked up the package. It looked very different from the rest of her presents. It had a royal and regal vibe to it.

"Open it!" Hermione was jumping with over excitement, which made Crookshanks nervous and he pounced over to Fay's empty bed which was a little away from Heroneka's.

Heroneka carefully opened the package. She didn't want to tear the beautiful emerald wrapper. A tiffin box sized wooden chest popped out of it. Heroneka and Hermione exchanged a look.

"Is there any note?" Hermione asked, staring at the wooden chest observantly.

"I haven't found one yet." Said Heroneka.

"Maybe it's inside the chest." She said. "Open it!"

Heroneka opened the wooden chest with a click and inside it was a very fluffy green velvet cushion, on which several rings rested. They all had different stones in them and looked as if they belonged to a man.

"Why would someone send you that?" Hermione asked her confusingly. She picked up the wrapper again and checked it. "There's a note inside the wrapper, Snitchy! You didn't see it."

Heroneka took the note from her and opened it to read:

Dear Heroneka,
Merry Christmas, beautiful.
I hope you have are safe and happy at the moment. After the attack, I wished to see you, but due to security reasons, the doctors didn't let me visit you. I am so glad that you have recovered completely and are thriving.
These rings that I am sending you, belonged to your father. Each of them has a hidden and unique power that only the man wearing them can understand. Your father left these rings behind with me before we parted ways. By the time I could have returned these to him, it was too late. I had to keep them hidden until a few days ago when I decided to return these rings to you. These are your father's memories, beautiful.
Let me know if we can meet up someday during the holidays. It would be great to see you for real. Draco talks a lot about you and I can't wait to see you.
I want you to know that no matter what, you have me by your side. Have faith in me. Have faith in Draco. We are here for you. Stay safe.
PS: Do not let anyone find out that I wrote to you. Draco's father doesn't like us having a bond with you. Make sure you destroy this note after you read it.
Love,
Narcissa Malfoy.