a snape and a Malfoy

Curious Summer

The summer sun blazed across the manor grounds as Draco Malfoy paced back and forth in his bedroom. His hands fidgeted with a quill, the feather twisting between his fingers. The parchment before him remained blank, except for two words: *Dear Cera.*

It wasn’t the first time he’d tried to write this letter.

Cera Snape had been a puzzle since their engagement was arranged at nine years old. At Hogwarts, things had been... well, different. They were both placed in Slytherin, and though they didn’t spend every waking moment together, they had developed an odd, unspoken connection. Sometimes, Cera's sharp wit would meet his in the common room, and other times, they’d fall into comfortable silence in the library. And now, with the summer stretching out ahead of him, Draco found himself missing her.

His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. Narcissa Malfoy entered, her cold elegance radiating as always.

"Draco, you should be finishing your letter to Cera. Severus has mentioned that she’s been waiting for it."

Draco straightened up. "I’m working on it, Mother."

Her eyes flicked to the blank parchment, but she didn’t press further. "It’s important to keep in touch. The Snapes are family now, after all."

She swept out of the room, leaving Draco with the weight of her words hanging in the air.

With a sigh, Draco dipped his quill into the inkpot and began again.

---

Meanwhile, at a much smaller, more isolated house just outside of Spinner’s End, Cera Snape sat by her window, her legs curled beneath her. The book she was reading—a rather dense volume on ancient potions—lay forgotten on her lap. She, too, had been waiting for a letter. Draco had promised to write when they left Hogwarts, and yet, weeks into summer, her inbox had remained suspiciously empty.

Though they had spent the past year at Hogwarts getting to know each other as housemates and—well, *fiancés*—something about their relationship still felt strange. The engagement had always seemed like a formality, a strategy between their parents. But there were moments, fleeting ones, where Draco’s eyes would linger on her a little longer, or his teasing would soften into something more genuine.

Cera had never been one to obsess over such things, but Draco Malfoy was... confusing. He could be arrogant, boastful, and annoyingly entitled—but then, he’d surprise her with unexpected thoughtfulness.

She finally stood up and made her way to her writing desk. Picking up her quill, she began her letter, tapping it against her chin as she thought.

---

Draco’s Letter:

Dear Cera,

I hope your summer isn’t as dull as mine. Father’s been endlessly lecturing about family legacy, and Mother’s throwing me into all sorts of formal dinners with “important” people. I’d much rather be back at Hogwarts.

It’s strange not seeing you in the common room or catching your eye across the Great Hall. I suppose it’s quieter here without your constant questions about my homework—or was it you copying my potions notes?

In any case, I hope you’re preparing yourself for next year. Slytherin needs a bit more bite if we’re going to beat Gryffindor. I’m expecting you to keep up.

I’ll stop here for now. Write back soon—or I might just show up at your house to bother you in person.

Draco

---

**Cera’s Letter:**

Dear Draco,

I’m quite impressed you finally managed to write. Took you long enough, didn’t it? I suppose all those “formal dinners” with your father must be exhausting. Imagine being surrounded by people who only care about bloodlines and power.

It’s been quiet here, too. Father’s been brewing potions all day, barely speaking a word, as usual. I’ve taken to reading ahead for next term. Someone has to keep up with you, and I’d rather not rely on your messy notes to do it.

As for Gryffindor... well, I think they’ve had enough luck for one year. I’ve been practicing some new defensive spells—let’s see if you can keep up when we’re dueling in class.

I suppose you’re right about one thing. It’s strange not seeing you every day. Maybe I’ll write more, but I won’t make any promises. After all, why should I reward you for finally doing something you should’ve done weeks ago?

Cera

---

Draco grinned as he read her reply, his eyes scanning the sarcastic lines. Cera had always been sharp, never afraid to challenge him. It was what made her... different. He didn’t quite know what it was yet, but something about her had changed the way he saw things. The quiet dinners with his parents, the endless talk about pure-blood pride—they all seemed insignificant compared to the thought of Cera’s fierce eyes and the way she always seemed to best him in a verbal sparring match.

He folded her letter neatly and placed it on his desk, staring out of his window at the expansive grounds of Malfoy Manor. For the first time, the estate felt cold and empty without her presence.

He let out a small laugh. *Since when did I care about seeing her?*

But even as he tried to shake off the thought, excitement bubbled up at the idea of returning to Hogwarts and seeing Cera again.

---

Over at Spinner’s End, Cera leaned back in her chair after sealing her letter to Draco. There was something about writing to him that made her feel... different. They were friends, of course, but the engagement had always loomed over them, a reminder of the future they were supposed to have. She didn’t think much about it when they were at school, but now, with the distance, it felt... odd.

Her father, Severus Snape, entered the room quietly, his long black robes sweeping behind him.

"Writing to Malfoy?" he asked, his voice a low murmur.

Cera nodded. "He finally wrote first."

Severus gave her a long, unreadable look before turning away. "Good. Keep the connection strong, Cera. The Malfoys are... useful allies."

Cera rolled her eyes slightly, though not enough for her father to see. "Yes, Father."

But as she watched him leave, she felt something stir inside her—a curiosity about what Draco was thinking. Maybe, just maybe, this summer wouldn’t be as boring as she thought.