In The Arms of the Monster

Chapter Nine Owl

I guess writing in third person didn't work as the last chapter became first person without me wanting it to, I guess that's just how I'm used to writing. Anyway from here on out this is a first person story, I'll probably stick to just one persons point of view but when it suits me I'll change it to someone else's.

Hermione's Point of View
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        "Malfoy," I say after a show has gone by. He pauses the TV and looks at me giving me his full attention. "Yes?" "I um," I stuttered, "Why?" Is the last thing I get out because I can't form a coherent thought let alone a coherent sentence. "Why what?" "Why'd you? I mumble. "Oh, because." I nod, I figured that was all I'd get out of him. I sigh and lean back trying to pay attention to the TV but I can feel him look at me out of the corner of his eye and I can't focus on the TV. I get up, "I've got to go. I'll be back sometime, as soon as I can." "Alright." He looks vaguely disappointed, "I'll see you soon Hermione." I can barely contain the gasp of shock rising in my throat before I nod and leave. As I walk out the door I gasp lightly, what in the world was going through Malfoy's head. Should I tell Ginny or not? She'd kill me I guess I'm not telling her.

        I apparate directly to my room so that no one knows I'm back and I lay in my bed thinking for a while. Why on earth had Malfoy kissed me, and then called me Hermione, what was he up to. Ginny came in a few minutes after one o'clock probably waiting for me to come back so she could see what had happened like my reaction but by then I was composed. "When'd you get back?" She asked shocked. "About an hour ago." "Did you eat?" "Yes." "What happened?" "We sat on his couch and watched TV and then I came back because I wanted to be alone and here was the first place I thought of." "He didn't hurt you?" "No he's very polite actually." "I guess I'll leave you alone then." "Thanks Ginny, you're the best." As soon as she left I grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill.

        Dear Malfoy,
                Why on earth did you-of all people-kiss me-of all people-today? What are you trying to do? And why did you call me Hermione? Are you up to something because if you are you better not be using me in any way and you better mean everything you do and say to me, otherwise I'll set Ginny on you.

                                                Have a good day,
                                              Granger

        I went down into the kitchen and sent the letter, using Fleck, and Ginny walked in just as Fleck flew away. I sat down at the table. "Who were you writing to?" "Malfoy, don't read my letters." She sat down waiting for an owl to return, it did just before dinner. I ran up to my room and opened it. 

Dear Hermione,
I kissed you because I like you. I'm not messing with you. I called you Hermione because I like you. And I'm not using you and I mean everything I say. Come over for dinner tomorrow. And by the way I'm not scared of Weasley.

See you tomorrow,
Draco

I sighed,  telling myself that tomorrow I was going to get myself an owl.

Dear Malfoy,

See you tomorrow,
Granger

I sent it and went down to eat.

The next morning
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I walked down to breakfast and ate the pancakes without tasting them. "I'm going to Diagon Alley, today if anyone wants to come." "Sure," Harry, Ginny, and Mrs. Weasley said together. I nodded and went to get changed. When I came back down the three of them were standing and Mrs. Weasley had stepped into the Floo Network. "Diagon Alley." She said and whooshed away. Harry went next. "Diagon Alley." He said flying away. "Diagon Alley." Ginny said and was taken away. I went last. "Diagon Alley," I watched a bunch of houses and fireplaces go by before I tumbled out in The Leaky Cauldron. "I'm going to get an owl, some parchment and new quills, and maybe an ice cream and of course I'm going to stop in to see George. Now who wants to go with me." "I'll go with you." Ginny said. "Alright, let's meet back here in two hours." Everyone agreed with me so Ginny and I split away from Harry and Mrs. Weasley, who were splitting to go there own ways. I led the way to Eyelops Owl Emporium and Ginny said, "Why do you want an owl?" "So I don't have to borrow Harry's." "Oh look at this one." Ginny exclaimed as we stepped inside, it was a large tawny owl with amber eyes. I picked up the cage and carried it to the counter making sure to get some food and cage linings. I carried the cage with me  and decided on the name Ace. Ginny squealed and agreed that Ace was a good name. We walked to get some parchment and quills next and then we got some ice cream. I went to Flourish and Blotts and picked up a new book to read, it looked interesting then we went to see George. We walked in and Ginny got another Pygmy Puff with some of her money, Arnold had died sadly the day after Mr. Weasley's funeral. We walked around looking at Hogwarts girls looking at love potions and then the two hours was up. We told George we'd see him later and he nodded. We left and went to meet Harry and Mrs. Weasley. We used the Floo Network to get back to 'the burrow' and all was well, until I said, "I'm going to a friends for dinner." Ginny dropped the plate she was carrying and glared at me.