Dear Stranger

Chapter 13

It had been two days since Draco asked Hermione out and work on Monday had been slightly awkward. Not necessarily in the bad way, in more of a tense way. There seemed to be a lot of unspoken feelings between the two even considering their letter-relationship. He was aware that she had possibly been in love with the letter-Draco but he wasn't sure how exactly she felt about him.

Anyways, it was Tuesday now and that evening was Draco's last night to clear the last of his things out of the Manor. He had found a flat in Harry's building that had apparently been vacant for ages because the main window looked right into the flat of a man who lived in the building next door, and he was apparently a frequently indecent man. Draco didn't see a problem with this as he could simply cast a charm to keep the man unseen and it was only temporary after all. Plus, this flat was in the Muggle world and having Harry around would certainly be a help.

He got to work before Colin and usually had a few minutes to himself with Hermione which was nice. He wanted to ask her if she'd be willing to come by the Manor and pick up the rest of the books he had donated and possibly snag a few more. He was nervous beyond reason. The last time Hermione had been to the Manor, the only time Hermione had been to the Manor, she had been brutally tortured by his Aunt. He took a few deep breaths before entering the shop.

"Morning Draco!" Hermione called from the front.

"Morning!" He peeled off his coat and made his way to the front. "Hey I was wondering if I could ask you for a favor?"

She looked at him with her big brown eyes and he felt at ease instantly. "Yeah, of course what is it?"

"Um, well I wouldn't blame you at all if you didn't want to but, tonight is my last night in the Manor and I have to get the last of everything out, and I still have quite a few books that need a home. I was wondering if maybe you'd like to drop by and pick some up for the store?"

She pondered for a moment. "I'd love to, but on one condition."

"And what is that?" He asked with a small smile.

"I get to keep one book for myself."

He smiled furiously. "Of course, you can keep as many as you like."

"Thank you, what time would you like me by?"

"Would you be willing to just come home with me after work?"

"That would be best because if I go home there is a great chance I will fall asleep."

"Not sleeping well lately?" He asked with concern.

"Not necessarily unwell, just been busy and been up late thinking a lot."

"Thinking? About what?"

"Life. It's been very odd lately."

"Well, I'm sorry to hear it." He said wittily as their usual banter commenced.

She laughed, "Not a bad odd, a good odd. But nonetheless a lot of drama that I'm not accustomed to."

"You're not accustomed to drama? You do realize you were best friends with Harry Potter all throughout school? If that's not a dramatic lifestyle I'm not sure what is."

"Not that kind of drama. Dealing with Dark Lords is no sweat off my back but dealing with relational drama is not exactly my forte. There is surprisingly more now than there ever was in school."

"Really? I thought Weasley surely created plenty of it for you."

She scoffed at him sarcastically. "He certainly did sixth year, and rather a bit fourth year as well," she added as a second thought, "but other than that I've never had to deal with boys and their crazy emotions." She said teasingly as she wiped down the counter.