A letter arrives from Malfoy's mother five days after the – after Voldemort – after Hermione was forced to hurt him. It seems short, and Malfoy's mouth tightens when he reads it sitting up in bed, strain etching into his face. Hermione watches from her curl in the armchair in the sun, where she's been reading an old textbook on Healing charms the house elf procured at Malfoy's request. Thank Merlin the house elf is loyal to Malfoy and bound by a confidentiality charm – although even its loyalty has limits; it can't go against any orders that come from Voldemort. Obviously.