Morning was always my favorite time of day. I loved taking walks to start the day, the brisk air was always incredibly invigorating. I inhaled the misty scent of fog as I walked along the lake's border. Everything was covered by the fog, but I was still able to see the lake waters, which were lazily drifting against the shores.

A few birds sailed across the lake, wind catching their wings as they searched for their next meal. I watched as one of them dove into the waters, returning to the surface to swallow whatever fish it had gotten a hold of, then glide away with its flock into a small wood.

My house came into view, and my stomach began rumbling from its lack of sustenance, so I broke into a light jog to complete my walk, slowing only when I approached the back door to the kitchen. Everyone was seated at the table except for my mom and sister, who were carrying breakfast foods from the kitchen where everything had been freshly cooked.

"Good morning, Sandy," Mama said cheerfully as I walked in, putting a plate of toast in front of Draco. "Breakfast is ready."

"Morning, Mama," I said to her, then kissed Dad on the cheek before seating myself at my usual place at the table. I thought about changing into my day clothes but figured breakfast wouldn't take too long anyway. I was wearing a pair of white shorts and a blue t-shirt with a black jacket over it. I liked the feeling of mist on my legs, but not on my arms because it gave me chills.

Draco raised an eyebrow when I sat across from him. "Where were you?" It wasn't a polite question, more of a snotty, demanding type, as if he had been looking for me for hours in the dark instead of waiting for me to come back from whatever time he had woken up at.

"Walking," I said, slipping a slice of toast onto my plate.

"Sandy takes walks almost every morning," my mom noted, bring the last plate over and sitting down. "The lake is very pretty in the sunrise with the mist and water."

I nodded, keeping my head down. What's he going to say? Is he going to berate me? Praise me? Laugh at me?

Draco didn't say anything besides a simple, "oh," then started eating his breakfast. When I glanced at him, he was slowly chewing, as if contemplating something important.

After breakfast, I took a book and a pair of sunglasses outside to relax in the heat before it got unbearable. I was reading through a historical fiction set in the Global Wizarding War. I was always impressed by the courage the characters I read about had. They were always fighting for a better life where some people, the cowards of the stories, simply simpered in the shadows, waiting for everything to go away.

After a time, the sun's rays became too hot for comfortable reading. I was beginning to sweat a little. Draco was in the living room when I came inside, also reading a book, but his looked more like a schoolbook than pleasure reading. Besides, he had a notebook and pen as well that had a few scribbles on it.

He looked up, catching me looking at him curiously. "What were you doing out there?" he asked.

I held up my book. "Reading. What about you?"

"Same. Only I'm studying."

I shouldn't have asked, but I did. "What are you studying?"

"Alchemy. What are you reading?"

"A historical fiction. Global Wizarding War." I almost left, but hesitated. Maybe I should keep talking to him. He hasn't been extremely rude since he's gotten here. Maybe he's nicer when he's not at Hogwarts. "Is alchemy an interest of yours or is it for school?"

I thought I saw his lip twitch upward, but a smile didn't bloom, so I wasn't quite sure. "Call it a hobby."

I nodded slowly. "Do you have any other hobbies?"

"Quidditch."

"Just quidditch?"

"And alchemy." He raised his book a little with a small smirk. "What about you? What hobbies do you have hidden up your sleeves?"

I shrugged. "I like reading and taking walks, which you already know about. I also play violin. Addy and I like to play together—she plays piano."

His smirk grew. "What about Truth or Dare?"

My heart sped up. "What about it?"

"Is that one of your hobbies?" He straightened in his seat, setting the book aside.

"N-no," I stammered. "I don't even like the game."

"Do you like what it leads to?" He stood, beginning to approach me. "Like... you know... what happened between us?"

I began walking backwards as he came nearer, making us look like we were doing some odd tango. "N-nothing happened between us." I didn't like the look he had in his eye. It was similar to the one he adopted before kissing me. That's not happening again. "I've got to go." I spun, making a hasty, embarrassed retreat to my bedroom. I heard Draco chuckle behind me, but he didn't give chase. I'm never going to survive this vacation.

§∞§∞§∞§∞§

"Dear Kenzie,

I'm glad to hear your family is doing well this summer. I hope your little brother comes soon! Your mom always looks so beautiful when she's pregnant, she makes it look easy.

Anyway, I'm writing again because I think Draco has started the harassment. He tried to talk to me about the kiss. I'm so afraid he'll mention it in front of our parents. That would be completely mortifying because mine have no idea. What if he blackmails me? What am I supposed to do then? I don't want him to tell anyone, but I don't want him to have any power over me either. I think this may be the longest vacation I've been on... and it's only been a few days!

I don't really have much else to say. I just wanted to keep you updated. I hope everything continues to go well for your family.

Much love,

Alessandra."