Owl Post

A/N: this story has little or no relation to the events in JK Rowlings books. This is merely about the main characters in Harry Potter spending their seventh and final year at Hogwarts. There is no Voldermort or wizarding war. (the only exception is that Malfoy's father is in Azkaban).

Chapter 1: Assigned Seats in History of Magic

To Hermione Granger, life was sometimes almost unbearable. The cruel comments; the laughing faces; the rude sneers; the heated arguments; the miserable tears; the gasps for breath; but most of all the pining for love. It was these things that caused Hermione to belong to two worlds- that of humans, and that of books. Her place in the former world was one given by force. Though she loved her friends, family and school dearly, sometimes she wished she could just rid herself of it and create a new life, free of complications of any kind. In a way, Hermione accomplished that goal. Books could transport her to entirely new worlds, where she could read about thrilling heroes, dashing knights and elegant ladies. Time stopped for Hermione whenever she picked up a book and she explored different eras and periods through the flowing words and rich imagery. But the goal was not quite complete. Although she was transported, it felt more like she was observing others' lives than actually living them. Thus, reality hit her like a ton of bricks whenever she looked up from her book.

Still, Hermione kept reading. Though it didn't last forever, books could help her escape form the world for at least a little while. It was at this time that Hermione was doing just that- reading a book. She had escaped from that classroom and the hub bub of Hogwarts to the library. She had escaped to the only safe haven she could think of. 'But escaped from what?' you might ask.

The brown-haired girl continued to read her book, all the while whispering "I hate Draco Malfoy." But there was something missing from her tone of voice- belief. If anyone had casually looked over at her, they would've thought she was engrossed in Elf Treatment Over the Past Century. However, a closer looked would've shown that she was focused on anything but house elves' welfare. And if that person had been a mind reader, they would've seen that our little Gryffindor was playing and replaying the events that had just taken place in her History of Magic classroom not a ten minute walk away from the library.

*

Hermione's sketcher sneakers trudged through the doorway that led her to the History of Magic classroom. How glad she was to finally be back at school, surrounded by her friends and learning more every day. Her bag of school books weighing heavily on her shoulder, Hermione chose I seat next to Parvati's and Lavender's, who greeted her with an enthusiastic squeal and then resumed their argument. She didn't even want to know what it was about this time. To block out the bickering voices beside her, Hermione took out her parchment, ink and quill and then spent the rest of the time observing the students that passed through the threshold into the classroom.

She smiled as Harry and Ron entered. They smiled at her too and then took a seat across the room. Though Hermione and the boys had been the best of friends in their earlier years, as she got older she felt she preferred female company. So the "Dream Team" had broken up. They still remained friends but Harry and Ron spent more time with Neville, Seamus and Dean while Hermione developed a close bond with Ginny, Parvati and Lavender.

Her gaze again turned to the doorway. But the smile that had played on her lips quickly disappeared as a very unlikable character, in the form of a blond seventeen-year-old with silver-gray eyes and Slytherin robes, entered. Hermione rested against the back of her seat and groaned. "Why oh why do we have to have History of Magic class with the Slytherins? Potions is already too much for me."

Unlike most people, Hermione thoroughly enjoyed History of Magic class. She loved learning about where all the laws, regulations, spells and styles had come from. It made her feel like she was more connected to the wizarding world if she knew all this information.

"Cheer up, Mione," Lavender comforted. "It's only two classes."

"Three actually." Hermione corrected, wallowing in her self pity. "I have Arithmancy as well with that specimen of rich, pureblood, blond git."

Parvati laughed. "Well spotted, Mione. Too bad we can't be there with you to fend him off. But I could never take Artihmancy. I just simply adore Divination and Professor Trelawney. Besides, all those runes," she wrinkled her nose, "It's too complicated for me."

"Too right, Parvati." Lavender quickly ducked a playful swat from Parvati. "You have a hard enough time with the English writing. Lord knows what would happen if you had another one to deal with as well."

Hermione laughed while Parvati pouted. "I'll have you know, Lav, that my writing is in perfect condition, thank you very much. It's yours I would be worrying about."

Lavender was about to retort when Professor Binns appeared from his office and cleared his throat. All the students resumed their seats and Hermione eagerly dipped her quill in her ink bottle, waiting for the lesson to begin.

"Welcome to your seventh year at Hogwarts," began Professor Binns in a weary and lofty sort of voice. "Before I begin our lesson on the history of racing brooms," at the mention of this, Harry and Ron broke into wide grins, "I shall be rearranging the seating."

Gasps erupted from the classroom. Professor Binns? Give out assigned seating?

"Quiet," said Professor Binns rather calmly. "I know that many of you have taken the liberty of my class; seeing it as a time to... how do you say it?... goof off. I may not have taken action then but with this continued behavior over the years, the declining grades in my class and the most outlandish answers in my tests, I feel that this is the only solution. So, if you would all be so kind as to gather your belongings and move to the seat I tell you to." Professor Binns proceeded by pulling out a piece of parchment, pointing to each seat and calling out the name of the student who would sit there. "... Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger."

Hermione did all she could to keep her face void of expression and the groan from escaping her lips. As the students moved to their new seats, she couldn't help but wish that she was anywhere but in that room. If I at least had someone on my other side this seating might be bearable. But there's not one next to me- only Malfoy. Hermione was seriously considering the possibility that Professor Binns was really Snape in disguise and had come to make one of her favorite classes her most miserable.

Hermione took out her quill and parchment again and began to take notes on the lesson. However, ten minutes later she realized there was no need. She had done extra reading over the summer and knew all the facts of where broomsticks came from so on and so forth by heart. With an exasperated sigh, Hermione threw her quill to the opposite side of her desk and slumped in her seat. As if on cue, a neatly folded note landed on her lap. Curious, Hermione unfolded it and read the elegant script.

Are you as bloody bored as I am? -DM (A/N: Draco's writing will be in green and Hermione's will be in red)

Hermione was stunned speechless. Draco Malfoy? Passing notes with her? It was unthinkable. "Has the whole world gone mad today?" Mione muttered as she wrote back: Why on earth are you passing notes with me?

She received her answer within a few seconds. Because there's no one else to talk to. Hermione looked skeptical.

There's Crabbe right next to you.

Crabbe? You can't be serious. Don't you know he can barely talk let alone write.

This comment led to an action that will surely go down in history- Hermione Granger smiled, and almost laughed, at something Draco Malfoy "said".

I suppose you do have a point there. But still, since when is that an excuse to pass notes with ... well as you would put it, someone beneath your kind.

She could hear Malfoy sigh next to her. Listen Granger, you are one of the few people who I would consider close to my level. I mean, you're not a Slytherin or anything but you've got brains and a talent for magic. I realize I might have called your terrible names but at the time my father dealt with many of the affairs of Hogwarts. And as you might know, my father is a force to be reckoned with. But with him in Azkaban, I thought that perhaps would could start anew. Also, it might make this class not so terrible if we're not calling each other spiteful names every two seconds.

Hermione's eyebrows raised as she read his reply. Bitting down on her lip hard was the only thing she could do to keep from laughing. Start anew? With a "mudblood"? Do you honestly expect me to believe that? She could just imagine his response. "No, you stupid mudblood. Do you think that I would even consider it?" But his answer came as yet another surprise to Hermione:

Yes.

For the first time since they had begun passing notes, Hermione looked up at Malfoy. He was staring straight back at her, his eyes full of seriousness. Is it just my imagination or is there hope in those eyes as well?

Very well, I accept. Let's be the first Gryffindor and Slytherin to ever be friends.

Out of the corner of her eye she could see Malfoy smile and muffle a laugh.

For starters, then, we should probably be on a first name basis. So Hermione, do you know of any good books there are to read? Because I haven't been able to find not one that was particularly interesting to me.

I have read a good muggle book recently but you wouldn't like it.

Try me.

It's called Princess in Love by Meg Cabot.

Draco made a face. Excuse me? I don't really think that is the kind of book I'm looking for.

Just try it. Besides, it will give you some good advice for the future.

What sort of advice.

The sort that deals with the opposite gender. Later in life, whenever Hermione looked back at this note, it struck her that it almost sounded like she was flirting with him, or at the very least that they were old friends.

Draco looked appalled. I'll have you know, missy, that my skills with the opposite gender are close to perfection.

Oh really?

Yes. Perhaps one day I shall give you a demonstration.

Hermione could feel her cheeks warm up. Blushing? I never blush! What is wrong with me? It's just Draco. ' "Draco" is it?' said a voice in the back of her head. Oh stop it! We're friends and friends should be on a first name basis. 'So if you're friends, why are you blushing?' I ... I don't know. 'Oh I think you do.' Bloody hell just leave me alone! She looked to her right only to find Draco's piercing gray eyes staring intently back at her. And this time there was no doubt about it- her cheeks burned and a warmth spread through her body. This shouldn't be happening! We're just friends! She was just about to write a reply to his note when Professor Binns boomed,

"Class dismissed!"

Everyone rose from their seats including Draco and Hermione. She became so focused in collecting and packing her supplies that the sound of Draco's voice in her ear made her jump.

"I'll see you in Potions." His lips were so close to her ear he was almost kissing it and she could feel his warm breath down her neck. Then he pulled back and left with a quick smile that only Hermione could've seen.

Hermione inhaled deeply and then exhaled slowly, trying to calm her nerves. Then, without so much as a "goodbye" to her friends, she rushed to the library with as much speed as she could muster.

"Well goodbye to you too!" called Lavender sarcastically.

"Where is Hermione going?" asked Ron.

"Probably to the library," suggested Parvati. "It's a free period so where else would she rush off to?"

"Right. Going to do some extra credit research on broomsticks. This class was bloody fascinating I have to admit."

"Strange," Lavender muttered, "I don't think she was at all interested in today's lesson. Actually, for once, I think she wasn't even paying attention."

"What do you mean, Lav?" Harry's eyebrows raised in confusion. "Hermione's interested in everything and what on earth makes you think she wasn't paying attention?"

"Well I might be mistaken, but the last time I looked over she was passing notes with... oh you'll never guess who," she squealed.

"Who?" asked the three in unison.

"Draco Malfoy!"

The next instant, Ron's heavy textbooks came tumbling out of his hands and subsequently landed on his foot.