Kitsune no Yobi (狐の呼び)

Saturday 11th September 99

"Granger,

I don't think Harry had the time to tell you yet but I've told him about my... Condition. We also confessed our love for each other - we're not going to bond just now, don't panic - but I'm starting to feel guilty about Pansy not knowing anything about my situation and thought I should tell her. However, we are five eight years and I think that leaving Weasley out of this would be quite difficult for you and Harry. Should the five of us have a 'reunion' in the common room tonight? I know Pansy's going to be supportive and all but I need you to reassure me about Weasley's future reaction. I don't want everyone to know that I'm a fucking hybrid.

Draco Malfoy."

"Draco,

Maybe it's time you call me by my first name too?

It's great that you and Harry talked but you're right, leaving Parkinson and Ron out of it is going to be difficult. You need all the possible support. Don't worry about Ron's reaction too much, he's much more open minded than you'd think.

Let's meet after dinner.

Hermione."

Harry, Ron and Hermione had spent the afternoon with Hagrid after having worked on a DADA homework during the morning and were headed to the Great Hall for dinner. Hermione had decided not to tell anything to Harry - yet - about the small meeting she and Draco had agreed on. He would have been too anxious and Ron would have figured out something was planned, something he did not know about, and could have ended up feeling left out.

Sitting down, she shot a glare at the Slytherin table. Draco and Pansy were missing. She frowned. Now that she was thinking about it, she did not see them in the Great Hall every often. She reminded herself to ask Draco about it: he needed to be strong for the upcoming kōki shinka. Harry and Ron were cheerfully talking about some Quidditch match she did not want to know about. She looked at them fondly and smiled. Harry's brightness was starting to come back little by little. All because of Draco. She hoped things would keep thriving but with his condition... Nothing was sure.

As Harry took the last bite of his treacle tart serving, she cleared her voice.

"There is an, er... Eight years reunion in our common room tonight."

Ron frowned.

"An eight years reunion?" He asked. "But we're only five. It's only us, Malfoy and Parkinson."

"Yeah, we need to talk all together."

"About?"

Hermione opened her mouth but nothing came out. What was she supposed to say?

"It's alright Ron, we'll know soon enough." Shrugged Harry.

While Ron nodded, Hermione silently thanked him. He was tapping his fingers on the table and his leg was shaking. He was probably the most stressed. "What's happening?" He could not help thinking. "Is it about Draco and I? Only Draco? Death Eaters? A stupid event? What the fuck's happening."

He tried to relax as they headed towards their common room, reminding himself that he would understand the situation in no time. When they stepped in the common room, the three of them gasped. A big bookshelf, desks and a carpet had been added to the room, as well as a couple of oil lamps. The old couches and armchairs now looked brand new - and beige again, thanks to a deep clean. Pansy and Draco were sitting in the middle one, with big grins.

"Do you like it?" Asked Pansy.

"You did this?" Harry whispered in awe.

"Well, the room was pretty sad with these stone walls and worn-out couches." She smiled. "Now please sit down so we can't start this curious meeting! Draco still hasn't told me what it's about."