The Internal Devices

Chapter 36

She was right. After some minor adjustments, the Unbreakable Vow worked. It only took a few weeks of experimenting for the cohort to effectively use the Vow to bind the allegiance spell to healthy host cell cultures; during this time, Hermione realized how nice it was to have an entire lab working toward the same goal. It was so much quicker than just her and Draco. Dr. Lyles quickly sent out messages to St Mungo's to request trial volunteers, and the students wrote up articles to send to other research laboratories. The word was getting out in the magical community that something big was happening, and Hermione almost couldn't believe she was right in the thick of it.

One evening, after a long day of testing avensegium allegiata on pneumonia cultures, she opened the flat door to find the room empty. When she checked the kitchen counter, she noticed a short note from Draco saying that he ran over to the market to pick up some dinner and that he'd be back soon. Satisfied, she tossed the paper in the trash bin and smiled. Some days it still felt surreal to be living with Draco Malfoy and to know he was willingly buying groceries in a muggle shopping center.

Hermione frowned as she looked around the flat. It was a disaster. With the chaos in the laboratory, they hadn't cleaned much lately. There were heaps of clothing, empty take-out containers, and books scattered everywhere. She worked her way through each room, quickly tidying up with her wand. Both beds were unmade; Draco had complained that they were wearing his bed out while hers was unfairly pristine. She had suggested rotating rooms throughout the week, he had thought it was a wonderful idea, and now she had to fix both sets of jumbled sheets. He was ridiculous. She chuckled as she charmed a bedspread into submission.

Next, she faced the dresser. Multiple drawers were hanging open, and she moved to push socks and trousers back inside. Her fingers brushed the bottom of one of Draco's drawers and the distinct feeling of parchment caught her attention. Confused, she jerked the drawer out again and retracted the paper.

The parchment was so softened, she knew it must have been handled dozens if not hundreds of times. After living in this apartment for so many months, Hermione didn't understand how she'd never seen it before. She carefully unfolded the first crease and squinted at the faded ink.

Brother,

I know you don't want to be receiving this letter at all, but please refrain from hexing the parchment (I'm well-acquainted with your 'moods'). I'd hate to waste the ink.

Hermione leaped backward with a yelp, dropping the letter as if it had burned her. It floated to the floor while she bumped into the bedframe painfully. Seconds ticked by, and Hermione gasped for air, heart racing. She'd recognize that handwriting anywhere. It must be Theo's letter to Draco. Of course, he would have written one for Draco as well. Of course. And yet, although it was perfectly logical, she couldn't tear her eyes away. It was probably much like her own letter. There was no reason she needed to read it. In fact, it would be completely inappropriate if she did read it. That letter was not meant for her eyes. Nope.

Hermione's hand reached out for it subconsciously, and she hastily yanked it back. Absolutely not. She crossed her arms tightly against her chest and resumed her stare. From this distance, she couldn't make out any words but could see the clear sectionings of multiple paragraphs. That lethal curiosity was bubbling in her stomach again. She glared at the parchment.

It was just a letter. She would snatch it up, and quickly place it back in the drawer. That was all, and if she accidentally saw a few words, that would be alright, wouldn't it? It was hardly her fault if she saw a peak when trying to return it to its place. Yes. That would do. She shuffled forward and picked up the letter. When the temptation to read grew, she squeezed her eyes shut, telling herself it was nothing, it was nothing, it was nothing. The issue was that it wasn't nothing. It was most certainly something because it was from Theo. Her Theo.