Chapter One: Love Letters

It was dinner time at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and the Great Hall was packed with students and teachers alike. Hermione Granger sat at the Gryffindor table with her friends Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley. She wasn't paying attention to their conversation for she was deep in thought. Who could have sent me that letter? I didn't recognize the handwriting…

"Hermione… Hermione?" Ginny snapped her figures at her daydreaming friend. "Hermione!"

"What?" She snapped out of her thoughts.

"What's bothering you?"

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.

"You've been spacing out all day," Harry said. "What's wrong?"

"It's," she started, "well, um, someone sent me a letter…"

Ginny's eyes grew wide with excitement. "Was it a love letter?" She asked.

Hermione bit her lip. "Uh, yeah…"

"Who's it from?" Harry asked her.

"That's just it!" Hermione exclaimed. "I have no idea! They didn't sign their name… I don't recognize the handwriting either."

"Why don't you read it to us?" Ginny was practically begging Hermione to read it.

With a heavy sigh, Hermione pulled a crumpled up piece of paper from her pocket. She unfolded it, smoothed it out, and began to read:

My dearest Hermione,

I honestly don't know how to put this into words, but I will do my best. Hermione. The truth is that I have liked you for quite some time now. I'm just sorry that it took me this long to say it.

I can't get you out of my head. You're in my dreams. I think about you more than I would like to admit.

Hermione Granger… How I long to make you mine… And then I would be yours. You are the most beautiful girl in the school, maybe even the world. You are beautiful inside and out. However, I know that we could never possibly be together, but that doesn't mean that we can't try.

Hermione, you are my forever. I am always yours.

"Aw!" Ginny exclaimed when Hermione had finished reading. "That was so sweet!"

"That's what worries me," Hermione replied.

Harry looked at his friend quizzically. "What do you mean, Hermione?"

"What if it's some kind of cruel joke?" She asked them. "Or worse, what if it's from Ron?"

"Why on earth would Ron send you a love letter?" Harry asked. "He's the one who broke up with you! And, besides, he's back with Lavender now."

"I know, Harry. I know…" Hermione sighed. "But what if this is his way of trying to get me back?"

"Speaking of Ronald," Ginny interrupted, "where is he? I haven't seen him all day!" Harry crossed his arms and awkwardly looked around the Great Hall. "Harry?"

"Well, um, it's sort of Lavender's birthday…"

The girls looked at each other; trying to figure out what Harry had meant. Then, it clicked. "Ew!" Ginny exclaimed. "That's disgusting!"

"Harry! We did not need to know that!" Hermione added.

Harry just shrugged. "She asked!" He smirked at his girlfriend. "And, with that, I doubt that letter is from Ron."

Ginny rolled her eyes at Harry. "Can I see the letter, Hermione?"

"Of course!" Hermione handed it over.

Ginny reread the letter a few times. She seemed to be analyzing it with amazing scrutiny. "Sorry, I don't recognize the handwriting either…" She gave the letter to Harry. "What about you?"

After just a quick glance at the letter, Harry said, "Actually, it does look familiar. I just can't remember who's it is… Sorry, Hermione."

Hermione let out a heavy sigh. "At least you tried. Thanks, guys… I should go work on that essay for Professor Slughorn now." She stood.

Harry rolled his eyes at her. "Hermione! That essay was just assigned today and it's not due until next week!"

She smiled at her friends. "Harry, I thought you knew me better than that!" Hermione waved good-bye to them as she left the Great Hall and started heading towards her favorite place in Hogwarts: the library.

As she turned around a corner, Hermione ran into something; dropping her books upon impact. "Hey! Watch where you're going, mudblood!" The voice of Draco Malfoy rang in her ears.

"Well, I'm sorry that my existence inconveniences you so much, Malfoy!" She snapped back.

"I suggest you watch that mouth of yours, Granger," he warned. "We wouldn't want you getting too bold now, would we?" He knelt down to pick up her fallen books. "Here," he said as he handed them to her. Then he pushed his way around her and went on his way.

Hermione was taken aback by Draco's actions. Did he really just pick up my books for me? She asked herself. No, I must have been hallucinating. Malfoy would never do something like that… Would he?