Don't Act Like You Know Me

Year 2 - I Forgive You

Dear Hermione,

I've been trying to think of the words to say to you for a while. Nothing's come to mind, honestly. The night that I spent in the Hospital Wing with Harry? And you came in at nighttime? Well, I was just drifting off to sleep then, and I heard you come in. I guess I thought that calling you names would convince my father that I wasn't involved with you. After all, being on decent terms with another person doesn't result in you calling them a Mudblood. This is what I've been saying from the beginning. You shouldn't have to be concerned with me. You make me so happy, Hermione, and that happiness has left me since you've not smiled at me since the train. Seeing how bad I made you feel was unbearable. I would tell you how awful I feel, but this isn't about me. It's an apology from me to you. I'm so sorry, Hermione. I don't care who your parents are. Magical or non-magical, I don't want to lose you. I honestly think all of that pure-blood, half-blood, and muggle-born stuff is poppycock. Why should it matter? We're all the same anyways. And you're right, you're a muggle-born and a bloody good witch if I do say so. The best witch in our age, in fact. You're amazing. Don't let anyone, even me, tell you you're not. As of that day in the courtyard and in the hallway, I'm sincerely sorry. I don't even know what else to say. You have every right to be upset with me. I really don't want to be an insulting git like my father, but I'm being forced. I have no choice. As of the attacks happening on muggle-borns at the school, please be careful, Hermione. You can't get petrified. Our school would fall apart without you. Just know, that whatever I say in front of people at school, is just a front. And I'll never call you that foul name again. I'm sorry.

Sincerely,

Draco Malfoy

Hermione folded the letter back up to see that her face was wet. Draco's letter had made her cry, but she wasn't sure if it was tears of joy or sadness. She wanted to forgive him so much, but something had ocured to her on the train. She couldn't be friends with the Heir of Slytherin and if Draco was?  Maybe he was the Heir of Slytherin and that's why he was telling her to stay safe? Maybe he was  petrifying other muggle-borns and purposefully avoiding her so she wouldn't catch on. She didn't want to think about him. That's why she decided that she would wait to talk to him until after her, Ron, and Harry investigated.

Hermione enjoyed the holidays with her family, but was anxiously awaiting her arrival back to Hogwarts. Harry wrote her telling her that he'd finished the potion. Hermione had only left him the easy steps at the end, but she couldn't wait to conduct their spy work. She had baked her plan for success at home and brought it in bags to tell Harry and Ron. 

"Greetings, boys!" Hermione said as she came into the common room. 

"Welcome back, Hermione!" Harry said. 

"Do you have your part of 'the plan' with you?" Ron asked.

"Right here," Hermione pulled out a plastic bag that encased two chocolate muffins in it. 

"How does that complete the plan?"

"Trust me. Everything's set. We just need a bit of who you're changing into."

"Crabbe and Goyle," Harry said.

"And we also need to make sure that the real Crabbe and Goyle can't burst in on us while we're interrogating Malfoy." 

"How?" Ron asked.

"That's what these are for," Hermione held up the muffins. "I've got it all worked out. I've filled these with a simple Sleeping Draught. Simple, but powerful," Hermione said. "You know how greedy Crabbe and Goyle are. They won't leave the Christmas Feast until every last drop of trifle is gone. Now, once they're asleep, hide them in a broom cupboard and pullout a few of their hairs."