I close the dormitory door.   The clicking sound it makes is always satisfying to me.  No one else is in the room at the moment.  That is preferred to me to read Draco's letters.  Daphne's things in her quadrant of the room are always classy and fixed up.  

Two others I don't make conversation with much.  All I know is that they've been friends since childhood.  

I go over to my bed and my owl chirps.   I look up at her.  "Hello, Misty."  She eyeballs the letter and I chuckle.  "No, you aren't delivering this one." 

I flip the letter over.  The wax seal kept it closed, with a snake emblem.  Draco always takes such care in keeping his letters well cared for.  I grab my letter opener and slice it open, lifting up the back, and pulling the folded piece of paper out.  I unfold it.

Dear Y/N,

Hello.  I hope you are doing well.  Better than I am currently, I hope.   With everything going on at home, school, and even Pansy it isn't going well.  I feel bad for doing things to Pansy like this, but I need some form of distraction.  Even though it is not real.  Real for me, anyway.  Pansy's feelings for me are as real as Snape's pop quizzes on Mondays.  Also as harsh and unexpected.  I wish I could tell her I am not interested.  Hell, I have.  She won't take the 'no' for an answer. I hope this doesn't go as far as she wishes.  I've been able to resist her for a while now, but she is getting more and more pushy.  I'll figure it out. 

Oh, one thing I should mention.  Remember the other day in Charms when Pansy was getting on your nerves and you levitated her wand so she couldn't do the assignment and hid it from her?  I had to contain my laughter at that.  Good on you, Y/N.  Always one to put someone in their place when it is necessary.  

What grief was Pansy giving you anyways?  Hopefully nothing too inexcusable.  If she won't listen to you I could always talk to her, she listens to me... most times. 

I heard you aced the Divination test a few days ago.  You should've been sorted into Ravenclaw with your brains.  You and Granger should have a battle of the wits one of these days.  I'd even come to watch even though Potter and Weasley will be there.  I'd bet on you, of course. 

Thank you for asking if I am alright.  As you know, with my task and my father breathing down my neck, it isn't all bright right now.  I appreciate your letters.  Makes my day to receive them and to write them.  

Yours, Draco. 

I smile, but I can't help but feel sorrow for all that Draco is going through.  He is so young and doesn't have a choice in any of this.  But then again, I am happy that our letters cheer him up.  They cheer me up too.  Especially since school isn't as bright as it was in previous years. 

I get up off of my bed and to my desk, take out a piece of paper and my quill.  I take a moment to think about what to write.  I usually don't, the words just come. 

Dear Draco,

Hello.  Thank you for telling me that our letters cheer you up.  They make my day also.  I hope things get better for you soon.  You know with your Pansy issue, I can easily punch her in her self-absorbed face.  No more Pasny. 

But with your task, I am afraid I have no advice for you there.  I wish I did.  

Everyone says I should have been sorted into Ravenclaw.  Slytherin is what the hat chose.  I am happy I was, most days.  Most people think all Slytherins work for Voldy, but that isn't 100% true.  I don't.  I know you wish you didn't, and I feel bad that it wasn't a choice you made willingly.  But again, thank you for saying I am smart.  And yes, I do remember that day in Charms.  I rewarded myself with a Butterbeer after class that day with Dutton.  

If you ever need anything, I am here for you.  In letter form and in person. 

Yours, Y/N Windsor. 

I always sign it with my first and last name.  I blow on the ink one final time, then fold the parchment in half.  I open the drawer with my letter-making items.  Envelopes and wax and a press.  I slide the letter into the envelope and set a candle to melt the wax.  It falls right where it should, and I use my press.  It's just the Hogwarts seal, nothing fancy.  It cools as I blow out the flame and put everything away.  My final step is writing "Draco Malfoy" on the front.  I do so in cursive. 

Once that is finished, I look up to Misty.  "Want to deliver this?"  She knows the words are for her and she chirps.  I hold it out for her, and she takes it in her beak.   I smile at how she eagerly takes it.  I go and open the nearby window, and she takes flight into the night.