A/N: Three cheers for the fantastic Order of the Phoenix! It was dark, it was sad, it was excruciating with the Big Horrible Meaningless Death (as I've taken to calling it), but it was a damn good read, and as usual JK Rowling had the power to simultaneously entertain me and tug at my heartstrings. I wanted to work Order of the Phoenix into this story, as I enjoyed all the new events and information, so from now on Letters To An Arch-Nemesis officially takes place in everyone's sixth year! Fundamentally, nothing has changed at all, besides the date. So I suppose this isn't an AU after all, but a sixth-year fic. How quaint.
^^^^^^^^
17 January 1997
Slytherin Dormitory
8:38 pm
Granger,
What??? You are not. Bloody. Serious. Harry kidnapped? This isn't some cunning plot of yours, is it? Frankly, Granger, the mind boggles at the idea of you writing to and confiding in me. What makes you think I'll be so eager to join your little rescue mission? I'm sure Potter will turn up in no time. After all, what is he but the apple of the wizarding community's eyes, the resident idol and sex magnet of Hogwarts, the Boy Who Lived, the most powerful teenager in the world, and the only one to have escaped the Dark Lord's wrath five times running? Who would want to kidnap a person like that? Pfftt.
On a serious note, I would appreciate it if you would stop plaguing me with these conspicuous owls. You found Potter's letters, right? Well, I'm sure you've acquainted yourself with all the contents of our existing correspondence. Use the QuikOwl then, for god's sake. I've got enough on my plate at the moment, and far better things to do then worry about Potter skulking off somewhere for a Mega Teenage Sulk.
Draco Malfoy.
***
17 January 1997
Gryffindor Common Room
9:34 pm
Malfoy,
This is not the time to be acting all blasé and unaffected! What part of "Harry is kidnapped, hence may be in grave danger" don't you understand? We know you've got your pride to think of – granted, no Slytherin should be capable of displaying emotion beyond the range of a toothpick – but can't you shed your pretentious shell for once and accept that you really care?
Because you do. I've read each and every one of your letters (purely for the purpose of extracting additional clues, of course), and I know exactly how you feel. You're feeling hurt, alienated, mistreated, suicidal (don't we all know that?), deprived, and all the other morbid sentiments people like to indulge in, but beyond that I can also see Harry has brought hope into your life, and you're feeling grateful for it.
As I've said before, no one can feel all that – not especially Malfoy – he'll explode!
Oh, don't mind Ron, who's just scribbled all over this letter. He's not willing to put past disagreements behind him, but I am. I know what you're capable of and whose side you're on – you refusing to take the Dark Mark was what clinched it in my mind. Dumbledore's right. In dangerous times likes these, what with You-Know-Who growing in potency every day, it is crucial that we put our differences aside and stand up together against the common enemy. United we stand, divided we fall like a discarded ton of bricks. I know there's always been some bad blood between you and Harry, especially last year, when your father was put in Azkaban because of what happened at the Ministry of Magic. But you must learn to forget these petty things. They do not count. What counts is that you recognise what you truly want to make out of your life, and put every iota of your energy into that.
So next time you reply, Draco Malfoy, it will be a decent, polite, positive letter with some much-needed feedback. And don't you dare destroy this letter. I've charmed it to explode and scald anyone in a ten-foot radius should the event occurs.
Hermione Granger.
P.S. Just so you know, I could have spent my time fixing the audio tape recorder my Muggle aunt sent me for Christmas so that it works in Hogwarts, instead of writing to you. I hope you appreciate the effect.
***
17 January 1997
Slytherin Dormitory
10:57 pm
Granger,
It's late, it's cold, I'm sleepy, and you have to harass me with moral lectures. Heck, it's worth giving in and doing what you say, just to avoid listening to any more of your sermons.
I don't know what I want to do with my life. Right now my short-term goals are to get good grades, have fun with Ginny, and preferably avoid a painful and premature death. I suppose I was being stupid in my previous letter, but I really couldn't be stuffed. Of course Potter was kidnapped by someone will ill intentions, that much is clear. I take it you want me to help you get to the bottom of this? Well, *shrugs*, to be contrary, because I love being a nasty surprise, maybe I do care. Just a tiny, itsy little bit though. Purely for self-preservation purposes, since if I got Potter back then he could continue to help me figure out how to avoid getting the Dark Mark.
So, fill me in with this juicy little whodunit. Tell me, what's this about that anonymous letter you found by Harry's bed? Have you tried putting a Recognition spell on it? If done properly, the name of the writer should appear on the letter. Shush, I thought you were meant to be smart?
Draco Malfoy.
P.S. Just remember, I don't really care about Potter that much. Purely self-preservation purposes, I remind you!
***
17 January 1997
Gryffindor Common Room
11:45 pm
Malfoy,
In reply to your previous letter, I am smart. May I remind you who received seven Outstanding O.W.L.S last year? Also, as you may have figured out, we live in the same time frame and geological position. It's late here, it's also – surprise, surprise – cold, and I am so sleepy and totally unprepared for my Arithmancy quiz tomorrow, thanks to having to write to you. This is getting ridiculous. Who ever heard of writing two letters to the same person in one night? I can't show you the anonymous letter in writing – what if it gets intercepted? Even Ron reluctantly agrees that we should meet somewhere and discuss the situation. Preferably somewhere discreet and in neutral territory. What do you think?
Hermione Granger.
***
17 January 1997
Slytherin Dormitory
11:56 pm
I think you are barking mad.
Draco
***
18 January 1997
Gryffindor Common Room
12:03 am
Malfoy,
Well, not as mad as Ron is at the fact that you so copiously refuse to budge and save Harry.
Hermione, persuasion does not work with a cunning Slytherin! We have to descend to their level and use treacherous means!
Ron! Stop interrupting me and let me finish! You can write your bit later.
I don't bloody care. Harry is in danger, and Malfoy, you can stick your pride and airs in your–
And it's a good thing I scribbled out that last word, because believe me, Malfoy, you don't want to know. Anyway, what Ron suggests is that we make a bargain: you meet with us sometime tonight – I mean, this morning - and we'll help you figure out how to escape the Dark Mark. Of course, if you refuse, we can always waltz up to Dumbledore and tell him everything. He'll love it.
That's the way, Hermione!
I take it that we have an understanding?
Hermione Granger.
***
18 January 1997
Slytherin Dormitory
12:26 am
Fine. You're on. I swear I'm going to bedazzle the both of you with my Cunningly Sly Evil Plans so quickly, you two won't know what hit you. We'll meet at one AM on the dot in that disused Charms classroom in the left wing of the fourth floor, and may he who comes late be cursed with the perpetual ugliness of Millicent Bulstrode for eternity. Be there, or be cursed.
***
18 January 1997
Gryffindor Common Room
12:39 am
Fine!
Fine!
^^^^^^^^
A/N: The amount of feedback from you guys is tremendous, and we appreciate it so much. As usual, chocolate brownies for constructive criticism from you wonderful people. Without your ongoing support, this fic would not be what it is.