Chapter Text
As winter comes to an end, Draco receives a letter from his Mother detailing her return and the end of peace as he knows it.
Draco tries to deflect with no success.
He throws out an absolute lie in hopes that it will appease his mother for the moment. He knows it's a mistake the second his owl takes off.
Narcissa Malfoy is a woman who gets what she wants.
Draco downs the rest of his firewhiskey and impulsively responds.
In his mind, Draco sifts through his friends who may be able to help him in this situation. Knowing they all come with their own set of consequences, he lands on anonymity and puts out a personal ad in The Daily Prophet.
The next morning as Hermione is curled up on her couch with Crooks she combs through the ads in search of a daily find (hopefully in the form of vintage books). Something about his humor and use of specific words pulls her in. She responds.
