Dear Draco

Dear Draco

I really hope you're having fun. I'm sorry they made you stay there, but so far it's the safest course of action. After all, you were just injured in the war, so it'd be best to keep out of it for a while. Have you decided whether or not to grow your hair out? I think it'd look pretty nice. You always did have great hair. Nothing like mine, as I'm sure you can imagine.

Draco looked in the mirror and laughed. Harry was right. His hair would look good long, and it was most definitely not like Harry's. He was sure he was glad for that. He brushed a few strands of hair back and smiled. Yes, he would grow his hair out. He was certain, now. After shaking his head he turned back to the letter.

Lost a few more today. I'm getting tired of this. Or maybe I'm just tired overall. No, make that exhausted. The fighting, the training... And this scar keeps burning like you can't imagine! Well, I suppose I can learn to live with it a while longer. We think we're winning, but war certainly isn't a science of any sort. We can hardly tell sometimes. People are getting depressed a lot, but it's to be expected, you know?

Draco nodded. Of course he knew. He was stuck here, at St Mungos, still trying to recover how to do magic. He wondered if losing his memory had turned him into a squib. There was a sudden shock of pain and he fell to the floor. What was a squib? Maybe the nurses mentioned it in passing... Why did he wonder if he was turning into one? He grit his teeth against the pain and pulled himself into bed. No more of that, he told himself. Just read the letter and enjoy this time while you can.

Ron and Hermione are back together... again. Yes, I know. My bet is on a month this time. And don't tell me that's too long. They did it before, and it looks like it's going on like that for a while. I say it'll be a month. So there.

Draco chuckled, managing to will away the headache. He briefly wondered what was causing these flashes, and the doctors could only suggest it was his mind trying to find his memories again. He wondered if it was worth the effort. He looked at the letter then glanced at the calendar. "No, it can't be a month. I swear that girl's loony and the full moon's coming up." He considered a while longer. "Two weeks, max."

So, how are things going, anyway? We tried to get a private room for you, but I hear it's pretty crowded. Hopefully this will all be over soon and I'll get to see you again. Ron's still a little apprehensive about it, but you guys never really got along anyway. (Draco's head began to mildly throb.) Personally I think you're a great rival. We used to duel all the time. (Again.) Not to mention Quidditch. I bet once you're on your broom you'll remember how to play. Maybe you'll even beat me this time.

Draco balled his hands into fists and set the letter aside. This happened every so often, but he never wanted to tell Harry about it. He would deal with this, and gain his memories back, little by little, no matter how it hurt. He decided he would go back to the letter in the morning, once he was more rested. He took a sip of water and laid back. Yes, tomorrow he would finish the letter and write back, telling Harry he was growing out his hair, and that he had a bet on Ron and Hermione for two weeks.

~~~

Harry and Draco faced each other, wands at ready. Draco smirked. He had Professor Snape at his side while Harry only had that fraud, Lockhart. They turned their backs to one another and paced away before turning back.

Draco smirked from the line of Death Eaters. "Scared, Potter?"

Potter narrowed his eyes from the line of children Dumbledore dared to call an army. "You wish."

Draco laughed. "Avada kedavra!" A green jet bolted from his wand and Potter hissed at it. Draco's eyes widened in panic as it changed to a snake and came after him.

Potter grinned. "It didn't kill me the first time. But it'll kill you this time."

Draco narrowed his eyes and turned the snake to ash. He then sent a curse at Harry who merely side-stepped it.

Someone came to help but Potter sent them away. "This one is mine."

He's enjoying this! Draco thought, terrified. He wants this battle! He fired another curse at him. This one was batted off with the flick of a wand. I can't do anything against him. He dropped his wand in defeat, clutching a piece of paper in his hand. Harry, just end it.

Potter curled his lip into a snarl and pointed his wand at Draco. "Avada kedavra."

The world fell silent and in the darkness Draco heard a voice shouting for him. "Thank you," he whispered to whoever it was. Someone... cared. Thank you, Harry.

~~~

Draco awoke screaming.

-///-

He wasn't sure what to do next. Should he write Harry? Ask him about the piece of paper? Should he pretend to remember and let Harry tell him the rest? Draco clenched his hands. One thing was for certain: He had been a Death Eater and Harry both hurt and saved him. He had to know what was in that letter. Then he realized what he could do. He would let his letter talk for him. He took out a bit of parchment and wrote on it then had it sent out. This would get him the answer he needed.

-///-

Harry glanced outside then walked out the door once he was sure it was safe. He had to get a few supplies before they all starved to death, and he had been the only one free. Not that they knew he'd gone out, but they'd figure it soon enough. Suddenly a small owl perched on his shoulder, holding out a piece of parchment.

Harry looked around quickly and realized he didn't have any treats. In a sigh of defeat, he pulled a few chips from his pocket. "Sorry. Don't have much." He let the small thing eat them while he took the parchment and unfolded it. It was very simple, but was the thing he feared most right now.

Harry, I'm growing my hair out. I give them two weeks. I need to see my first letter to you.

Signed,

Draco Malfoy

-///-

Draco carefully folded the letter and put it with the others. He saved all of them, in case anything happened again. He thought of Harry's last words in this one. All the letters seemed to end the same. As though he expected a change.

Draco, if anything happens over there, let me know, okay? I'll help as soon as I can. Take care, and remember we're all waiting for you if you get your memories back before the war's over, no matter what. Remember though, right now I gotta stay alive for you. I promised I'd help, and I will. But even when all of this is over, let's be friends, no matter what. I'd better get going. The Death Eaters are advancing and expected in a few days.

Signed,

Harry