Two Miles from London

Draco Malfoy stared at the sky, watching the storm clouds roll in. He was stretched out on the grass by the old oak tree at the edge of the Forbidden Forest. He just lazed about, thinking of how he got into this predicament in the first place. He was confused. After all, doesn't everyone get confused when they first fall in love?

He figured it started with Hermione Granger. She's a trouble magnet, he thought sourly. He never should have associated with her. How did we ever get along? he wondered. Oh, that's right. It was that stupid car ride. His mind flashed back to the incident a few months ago, where Hermione and her family were the only ones who had stopped to help him.

It was cold, and it was raining heavily. Draco stood by the side of the road, trying to flag down a car, any car. He needed help badly, and it was all the fault of his stupid cousins!

After half an hour of waiting, Draco almost gave up, but a small blue car stopped in front of him. He stared at it with a mixture of hope and curiosity, because it was the first time that he had been this close to a car before. He didn't quite know how to act; should he knock on a window or something? No one opened a door or window to him.

Then after a few more seconds, the passenger window opened, and a woman with frizzy hair called to him. "Hey! Need a lift, Draco?"

What does it look like, lady? Draco almost said. But he was wondering how she knew his name, if she was a Muggle. He remembered what his mother often said- never trust a Muggle who knows your name. So Draco shook his head and stepped backwards.

The woman shrugged and rolled up her window, but the car still didn't drive off. Presently, the rear window rolled down to reveal the head of none other than Hermione Granger. Draco groaned.

"Oh, it's you, is it?"

"Look Malfoy, if you need a ride to London, we can take you there. We're headed that way ourselves." She didn't sound too pleased, but at least she offered.

Draco stood for a moment in indecision, until a loud clap of thunder brought him to his senses. He nodded hurriedly at Hermione, who closed the window and opened the door for him, which was good for Draco, since he didn't know how to open it.

Once seated in the car, Mrs. Granger passed him a clean rag and told him to towel off. Mr. Granger told him not to worry about wetting the upholstery- it was an old car and it could take a few drops, although 'a few drops' was quite an understatement of the water trickling from his robes. Draco muttered his thanks and tried his best to dry off. He realized that the Grangers weren't as bad as he had expected-he had thought that they would treat him like scum, after the stories Hermione had probably told them, but instead they were treating him like a family member.

Hermione was seated next to him, and on her other side was a young girl of about twelve with bushy hair and braces. Draco flashed her a mirthless smile.

"Ooh, Hermione," the little girl said. "I thought you said he was ugly?" She cocked her head to one side, as if trying to look at him from a different angle. Hermione blushed.

"I didn't say he was ugly," she said defensively. "I said his personality was awful. No offense, Malfoy," she added quickly.

"Hermione," Mrs. Granger said with a warning tone to her voice. "Please use his first name, at least in our presence."

Hermione pulled a face that her mother didn't see. Draco was quite surprised to see the normally obedient bookworm show a sign of disrespect. Instead of answering, she sank down in her seat and stared out the window. An uncomfortable silence ensued. Mr. Granger broke it.

"So, what were you doing out in the middle of nowhere, son?"

Draco jumped a little at being addressed as son. Even his own father didn't call him son. "Umm, nothing. I wasn't doing anything. Waiting to be rescued." Hermione and the young girl beside her giggled. "Oh, you mean- uh, it was my cousins. Zach and Zander. They pulled a trick on me and I ended up here. It was a portkey-" he held up a map- "and this-" he was about to say fake wand, but Hermione cut him short.

"Your cousins seem horrible," she turned to face him, moving so her back was to the other girl. She began mouthing some words at him, and he read her lips with great difficulty, since she exaggerated each word so much. He made out some of the words 'she doesn't understand... magic... Muggle. A Muggle."

Draco's eyes widened with understanding, and he nodded at her. "My cousins are awful. They graduated a few months ago, so they can do ma- all sorts of tricks on me," he finished quickly.

"Cousins can be horrible," Hermione agreed. It earned her a disapproving glance form her father in the rearview.

"Hermione, you haven't introduced us." The little girl reached over and introduced herself. "I'm Marguerite Granger, Hermione's cousin." Draco gingerly took her hand, after a warning glance from Hermione. "I know who you are- Draco Malfoy, whom Hermione says is very bad tempered and always scowling."

"Oh, she says that, does she?" Draco turned to Hermione, his eyebrows raised, and was amused to see her blushing.

"Well, you are always in a foul mood at the castle- I mean at school. And you do tend to shout at almost everybody."

"What else does she say?" Draco asked Marguerite.

"Oh, lots. She said your hair is like-"

"Marge, that's enough. You know I never talked about his hair."

"Okay, but you said his eyes-"

"I said nothing bad about his eyes. You can shut up now."

Draco watched this exchange with interest. Then Hermione turned to him. "Sorry about her. She's twelve." She said it as though it explained everything.

"I can tell," Draco nodded sympathetically.

Marguerite watched them with growing annoyance. "There is NOTHING wrong with being TWELVE!" she bellowed.

"We never said there was, did we, Draco?"

"I don't think so."

Here Draco stopped in his reminiscing, as he became aware of a presence somewhere near his head. Someone was nearby.

"Hey."

Draco jumped. It was Crabbe. The blond boy cast the larger one an irritated look. "What is it, Crabbe?"

"Nothing...just checking on you."

"Did I ask you to come here?"

"Umm... No."

"So why did you come? I'm your leader, and you'll come only when you're called. Don't try to take initiative-that's my job."
"Okay. Sorry Malfoy." To Draco's immense irritation, Crabbe sat down on the grass right beside him.

"What are you doing here?"

"Umm... dunno."

"That's what I thought."

"Keeping you company," Crabbe chuckled. "Remember when we were kids, we used to play and you'd be the prince and Goyle and I would take turns being your body guard?"

"No," replied Draco shortly, although he remembered perfectly well.

"No? I still think about it. Sometimes I'd be the bad guy and Goyle would protect you. Other times it was the other way around."

"Crabbe," Draco said slowly. "Do you know what I'm doing right now?"

"Umm...." Draco winced as he saw Crabbe's face bunch up in a tremendous effort to think. "Talking to me? Sitting in the grass?"

"I'm trying to work out a strategy to irritate Potter. Do you know what a strategy is?"

"I think so. It's uhh... tactics or something."

"Very good. So I'm trying to think of tactics to annoy Potter. Sound good? Only I can't think if you're here. Something about you makes it impossible for a person to think. So go back to where you just came from and let me think."

"Sure, Malfoy. Just one question. What are tactics?"

"Do I look like a dictionary to you? Go ask Granger or someone. Go ask Goyle. I'm sure you two can come up with something."

"Sure, Mal."

Draco froze. "What did you just call me?"

"Umm... Mal?"

"Is my name Mal?"

"It's Malfoy."

"So why did you call me Mal, if it wasn't my name?"

"No reason. Malfoy is just too long. I'm Crabbe, and Goyle is Goyle, but you're Mal-foy. Two syllables."

"Bravo, that has to be the deepest word in your vocabulary. Syllables. Unfortunately, I don't think the length of a name is a legitimate excuse to start calling me Mal."

"Okay."

"Crabbe?" Draco tried to rein in his irritation. "What did I just say I was doing?"

"Oh, oh right. You were thinking of tactics."

"And what were you supposed to be doing?"

"Leaving you alone." Crabbe stood up. "See ya, Mal-foy."

Draco stared after him. God, when did he become so bloody irritating? Shaking his head at Crabbe's idiocy, he turned his thoughts back again.

He and Hermione were in Diagon Alley, trying to find a way for Draco to return home. The Floo station had a long queue. He shivered- he was freezing, and he couldn't take it much longer. Hermione noticed.

"Look, Draco," she started, concern written on her face. "Isn't there another way? You'll have to wait for two hours to get your turn...You'll have frozen to death by then."

"I guess I could try Knockturn Alley. It's just over there."

"Knockturn Alley? It's dangerous there!"

Draco shrugged it off. "I've been there loads of times. Besides, my dad knows a store owner."

Hermione hesitated. "I don't know..."

"Look, Hermione." He grasped her shoulders and forced her to face him. "I appreciate your concern, but I think I can take care of myself."

Hermione blushed. "Of course, it's just..." she trailed off.

"What, you need company? Tell you what," he said, giving her no time to reply, "I'll go home and warm up, change out of these sopping clothes and come back. We can meet up somewhere." Draco sort of hoped she would agree. He wasn't too keen on leaving her yet. "You can help me think of a revenge plan for my cousins." He didn't know why, but he wanted to talk to her some more.

"Okay then," she said. "I've read about it in loads of books, I'm sure we can come up with something. Wait a minute though," she paused. "Why do you need my help? You're smart and experienced enough to come up with something on your own."

"Of course I can come up with something," he said, as his mind raced furiously for an excuse she'd believe. "But you need the company. And anyway, it's unfair if Zach and Zander have two heads to think with, and I've only got one."

It was only then that he realized he was still holding her shoulders. Draco had the sudden mental image of him kissing Hermione. He let go, so quickly that she almost fell backwards. He grasped her arm, steadying her, then released her.

"Right. So where will I meet you?" he asked, trying to cover up his clumsiness. He hoped he wasn't blushing.

"It's almost lunch. How about the Leaky Cauldron?" Hermione suggested.

"Okay. This shouldn't take too long." He turned to leave, giving her a little wave but not knowing why he did it. She doesn't seem so bad, was the only thought in his head.

Draco smiled and rolled over, a smile playing on his lips. He was too foolish then to realize that at that moment he had fallen for Hermione. Well, he knew now.

Draco had just changed into a new pair of black jeans and a black T-shirt when a little face poked his head into Draco's spacious bedroom.

"What, Lucas?" Draco growled.

"Where have you been? Where are you going?" Draco's younger brother, Lucius jr. asked.

"None of your business." Glancing in his mirror, which took up one whole wall, Draco prepared to leave.

"I'll tell on you. I want to know where you're going. I want to go too."

"Well I don't want you to go," Draco sneered, making his voice high-pitched to match his brother's.

Just then, Narcissa Malfoy walked by as she left her room. "Mum! Draco won't let me go with him," Lucas whined.

"Where are you going, Draco?"

"Out." Please Mum, don't make Lucas go with me, Draco silently pleaded. Maybe, just once, she'd choose him over Lucas.

"Where?"

"Diagon Alley," he muttered.

"Well, I don't see why Lucas can't join you." She turned to Lucas. "Go get your things."

A scowl crossed Draco's face as he lay reminiscing. Sometimes, it just killed him to see all the attention Lucas got at home. It reminded him of the attention Potter got at school. Would anyone actually notice Draco more than either of those two?

Hermione notices you, a voice in his head whispered. The scowl vanished, and it was replaced by a thoughtful look. Yes, Hermione did pay more attention to him than to Lucas, even though she met Lucas that day...

"We're here. Now you can leave me alone."

Lucas didn't seem to hear him. "Where are you going?"

"Nowhere."

"Can I come?"

"No. Why don't you just leave me alone for two hours or so, then we'll meet in Quality Quidditch Supplies and then we'll go home? How does that sound? Brilliant, eh?"

"I want to go with you. Where are you going?" Lucas put his most innocent, angelic face on, the face which worked on everyone except his big brother.

"Nowhere. Now shoo. Leave me alone."

"All right, but I'm telling Dad." With that, Lucas ran into the crowd. Draco suddenly felt guilty. What if Lucas got lost? Then it would be Draco's fault.

"Lucius!" he called desperately. "Lucas! Luke! You! Come back!" Of course, Lucas couldn't be bothered to follow his older brother.

Draco trudged to the Leaky Cauldron, thinking to ask Hermione for help. He spotted her at a table, waiting for him. He rushed up to her.

"Hermione, something's come up. My kid brother, he came with me then he ran away from me. I need to find him."

"What does he look like?"

"Oh, like me. Blond hair, grey eyes, lanky..."

"But not as good looking, right?" She finished his sentence for him.

"I didn't say that. You did. Do you think I'm good looking?"

"Stop fishing for compliments. It's not becoming of you. Now let's go find him." Hermione led the way to the alley.

It was Draco who found him, after about a quarter of an hour's search. Lucas was sitting in Florean Fortescue's ice cream parlour, eating a giant heap of dripping chocolate ice cream.

"Hey, Draco," Lucas greeted him, apparently unaware that he had caused any disruption. "I don't think I'll tell Dad after all. I've got this." He motioned to his ice cream, but made no offer.

"Hermione, this is Lucius Jr., Lucas for short. Lucas, this is Hermione." Draco sat down wearily at the table. Hermione did the same. Lucas studied her.

"She your girlfriend?"

"No."

"She's pretty." He turned to Hermione. "If you're not Draco's girlfriend, will you be mine?"

Hermione blushed. Draco shrugged apologetically. "He's twelve," he said, as though it explained everything.

"I guessed as much," she said. "I think you're a bit too young for me, Lucas."

"It was worth a try," he shrugged, turning back to his ice cream. Draco's stomach growled.

"Hermione, let's have lunch, shall we?"

"Here?" She looked around doubtfully. "It doesn't seem healthy."

"Stay here with Lucas, then," Draco rose, making sure he had his wallet. "I'll go buy us something."

He came back five minutes later to find Lucas had almost finished his ice cream. Draco handed Hermione a plate of fish and chips. She thanked him and eagerly began to eat. Lucas looked at Draco's chips and helped himself to a few.

"I'm hungry, Draco. I want fish and chips."

"I'm hungry too. You just had ice cream. You can't possibly be starving."

"Of course I can. I am, aren't I? Who said it wasn't possible? Go buy me some."

"Here, have this." Draco shoved his plate towards his brother and went out and bought himself another one. He asked the witch at the counter to make the chips look like celery, which Lucas hated. They still tasted the same, but they looked utterly different.

"Ugh, you're eating that?" Lucas asked when Draco returned. Even Hermione eyed the contents of the platter curiously.

"Sure am," Draco casually replied, giving Hermione a little smile. She caught on quickly.

"You know, Lucas, you should eat some. Celery is good for you. Can I have one, Draco?"

"Get as many as you like."

Hermione reached over and had a piece. As it was crunching in her mouth, she fought back to hide her laughter. Draco also kept his head down, so his brother wouldn't see his grin. He reached for more 'celery' without looking up, but his head jerked up when he felt his fingers brush against something.

It turned out to be Hermione's fingers. Apparently, she had been reaching for more 'celery' at the same time as Draco had. Their eyes met, and she colored slightly, then withdrew her hand.

Lucas had missed this exchange completely. He had been glancing around at the stores, impatient for his companions to finish eating so he could spend some money. "Let's go get a new Snitch, Draco. Zander said our old one got eaten by his eagle. I bet he fed it," he scowled.

Draco nodded and stood up. "I'm ready. Shall we go, Hermione?"

She gave a nod in assent and got ready to go. They set out for Quality Quidditch Supplies. Lucas was almost skipping ahead, but Draco and Hermione walked together. There was something companionable about their silence. Draco broke it to ask her a question that had been on his mind.

"Well, now you've met Lucas. Are you like everyone else, then?"

"What are you talking about?" Hermione asked, perplexed.

Draco made an impatient noise. "Don't act as if you've no idea about what I'm on to. Everyone prefers him to me. I'm not as cute as he is, or as charming, or intelligent, blah, blah, blah. No one's ever liked me more."

Hermione thought for a while. Draco was afraid that she did like Lucas more, but he was wondering why he cared so much about her opinion. Eventually she answered him. "Before today I would have said that I preferred your brother. He doesn't wear a scowl all the time, and he doesn't have snide remarks about everything. But he's also a spoiled brat, and I see your side of the story- the underdog. You know, you remind me of Ron," she added as an after thought. "Harry's always in the limelight."

Draco chose to ignore what he considered an insult. He didn't want to be compared to Weasley in any way, but he wanted to hear what Hermione was saying.

"Today you've also been very different. You've been nice to me, instead of the usual, well, you know." She was having difficulty explaining what she felt. "I mean- I like you. Better that your brother, that is. I don't mean I actually like you, it's just I prefer you to Lucas. But don't tell him."

Draco pointed to the store they were going to. "We're here. Don't worry, I won't tell him. And Hermione, thanks."

She didn't reply as they entered the shop. Draco didn't need her to.

"Have you been in here before?"

"Umm, no," she admitted. "I've never felt any real need to come here." She gazed around the shop in wonder. "It's bigger than I thought. I can buy gifts for Ron and Harry from here."

"You're not exactly poor, then, are you?" he laughed.

She drew herself up indignantly. "I never said I was. You just always assumed it. How come whenever anyone hears the word Mudblood, you always think that person being referred to is poor? My parents are both dentists, and they have a very reasonable income."

Draco was taken aback. "Umm.. yeah, I guess. I didn't mean it like that." He shifted uncomfortably and picked up a Snitch that was lying nearby. His hand trembled and he watched it with fascination.

Hermione noticed it too. "Draco, why is your hand shaking?"

"I don't know. Maybe I'm just tired. I held out my hand for about half an hour earlier." He was trying to joke, but it fell flat.

She took the Snitch from his hand and set it down where he had picked it up. She grasped his hand, feeling.

"You're burning up." She pressed a cool hand to his hot forehead. He closed his eyes and leaned against the shelf, feeling a fiery presence behind his eyeballs. It only intensified when she withdrew her hand.

"You'd better go home," Hermione advised him. "You were out in the rain too long."

Draco struggled to open his eyes. Now it seemed all he wanted to do was sleep. "I guess I'd better." Wearily he stood up and tried to call Lucas.

"But what about the Snitch? We need a new one, remember." He looked at Draco reproachfully.

"Here, buy one." Draco shoved some money into Lucas' hand. "Hurry. I need to go home. I'm sick."

"Why are you sick?" Lucas asked, concern lining his face. Draco felt a tug on his heart in spite of himself.

"Zander and Zach. They made me stand in the rain for thirty minutes. Now hurry." He turned to find Hermione's frightened eyes on him. "What?"

"You're flushing... you seem very sick, Draco, I don't know why I didn't see it before. Will you make it back all right?"

"The Floo place seems empty now. It shouldn't be hard. I just need a potion to set me straight."

Hermione clasped a hand to her head in self-blame. "How stupid of me! I could run out and buy a potion for you right now. Hold on-" she left him leaning against the shelf once more. A second later he was opening his eyes as Hermione shook him.

"What?" he forced his aching eyes to focus on her. She was holding a plastic cup. "Back so soon?"

"Draco, it's been ten minutes." She forced the cup into his hands but he couldn't quite grasp it. It was lucky she was still holding it or it would have all spilled. Lucas came back, the Snitch in his hands.

"Is he really sick, Hermione?" his voice was tinged with worry. Once again, Draco felt more respect towards his brother than he had ever felt before.

"Yes. I'll just give him this potion and then you have to take him home. Make sure he gets lots of rest." Draco heard Hermione instructing Lucas. He was more grateful than ever that it was she who had picked him up from the road and not some Muggle. Hermione then turned to him.

"Here, drink this." Instead of giving him the cup, as he half expected, she held it to his lips. Surprised though he was, he quickly drank the brew and felt the pain in his head lessen.

"Thanks," he gasped, making a face. "That was awful." Even as he said the words, he felt his strength returning.

She grinned at him. "It was, wasn't it? Come on, let's get you back to your manor." It was only a short walk, and Hermione's potion helped him so much that he didn't even get dizzy. They parted ways at the Floo Station.

"Lucas, you'll take good care of your brother, right?" Draco was pleased to hear anxiety in her voice.

"I'll be fine, Hermione," he told her.

Lucas nodded anyway. "Sure. I'll Floo first, so I can already tell the house-elves what we need." He left in a burst of green flame.

"Take care, Draco," Hermione said, uncomfortable at being alone with him.

"You too, Hermione." He was suddenly struck with how nice she could be. Maybe she was his first real friend. But she probably didn't see it the way he did.

She turned to leave, but he grasped her hand. "Thank you."

She smiled at him, ignoring the heat of his hands. "You're welcome."

As the fire blazed in the hearth, Draco's last view was of her retreating back.

He held his hands, feeling, remembering. How hot had they been on that day? He wondered. It struck him as odd now, how they had never stopped calling each other by their first name, even if her parents weren't around.

He smiled now, remembering the anxiety in her voice. Crabbe and Goyle would have waited until he told them he was sick, but Hermione bought a potion for him out of her own free will.

His smile disappeared, however, when he remembered what had come after that. How he had arrived home to face his parents.

He stumbled out of the hearth, and the first thing he saw was his mother. She had a house-elf beside her.

"Draco, what's all this about you being sick?" she asked crisply. "You looked just fine earlier."

"I don't feel very well. I think I'll go to bed." His mother stopped him as he tried to leave.

"You are hot," she commented, feeling his forehead. "Yes, go on to bed. I'll call the doctor."

Draco left, feeling lucky he had escaped a reprimand. If his parents ever found out that he had been out with a Muggle-born... he opened the door to his bedroom, and saw his father sitting on a chair.

"What's this about Hermione Granger?"

Draco groaned inwardly. He should have known his luck would run out. Not answering his father, he walked into his bathroom and changed into his pajamas. When he came out, his father was still there, waiting for an answer. "Well?" he demanded.

"Nothing. She picked me up when I was stranded two miles away from London. It was bloody raining and I had been there for half an hour. What did you expect me to do? Turn away when help was staring at me right in the face? Of course I got into the car. Or else I'd probably still be there by now."

His father stared at him, his face full of revulsion. "You got into a Mudblood's car, with her Muggle parents?"

"And Muggle cousin," Draco added, climbing into bed. He didn't feel like talking anymore.

"And Lucas said you spent the rest of the day together and ate lunch together?"

"It's not against the law, is it? Listen Dad, I really don't feel too good. Maybe we can have this nice little father-son bonding some other time." He sank into his pillows as his mother came into the room. He heard his parents talking in hushed whispers, but he was beyond caring. He drank the medicine his mother gave him and immediately fell asleep.

He woke up a long while later, but he couldn't remember the dreams he had. There was something about Hermione, only she was dressed like an angel, and Zach and Zander were feeling properly guilty for tricking him. They had even dressed up as house elves and begged to serve him for the rest of his life. When he woke, his father was beside him again.

"Still here?" Draco asked. "I'm touched by your concern."

Lucius Sr. sneered. "You've been asleep for exactly twenty-seven hours. It's about time you woke up. You were talking in your sleep."

Draco got a horrible feeling in the pit of his stomach. "Did I sing?" He tried to get his father's mind off Hermione.

"No. But you did say why exactly you ended up two miles out of London. Zachary and Alexander are being duly punished. And I can't blame you for getting into the Mudblood's car." Draco felt a moment of relief. Then his father added, "What I can't understand is why you spent the rest of the morning with her and you even ate lunch together!"

"No reason."

"You said in your sleep her name. You don't say the names of Mudbloods, you are a Malfoy. You are not her friend. Why did you say she was your friend?"

"But she's really nice." It was only then that Draco realized Lucas was in the room. "She's pretty too."

"Don't stick up for the Mudblood! Don't defend a Mudblood." Lucius rounded on his second son. "Haven't I taught you that?"

"He didn't know she was a Muggle-born." To his surprise, Draco found himself sticking up for Lucas.

"In that case, Lucas, you're exempted from punishment." Lucius looked pleased at that. "You, Draco, will not enjoy the privileges of a house elf for a month. That means you clean your own room, find your way to dinner on time, and if you need a glass of water from the kitchen, you get it yourself. The only thing the house elves will do for you is clean your clothes and cook your food."

Draco feigned shock, but he couldn't care less.

A big, fat raindrop landed squarely on Draco's nose. He sighed and made his way to the castle. He didn't want to spend too much time in the rain, after his experience two miles from London. Still, he thought fondly, if it weren't for that, then Hermione and I never would have become as close as we are now.

A few days into his punishment, Draco received an owl from Hermione. It was brown and the feathers on its head were sticking up, no matter how many times he tried to push it down. He eagerly ripped out the note from its envelope.

Draco,

I'm just writing to ask how you are doing. I hope you're much better now, and that your cousins have been punished. They really deserve it.

My parents are also asking about you. I think they feel slightly guilty that they couldn't have done more to make your trip in our car more comfortable. Still, it's not every day that we pick up someone two miles out of London, someone who has been standing in the rain. In fact, you're the first person we've ever picked up from the road!

Well, I was just checking to make sure you're okay. Give my regards to Lucas.

Hermione

Draco quickly fished out some parchment from the mess on his desk. He was feeling mixed emotions. For one, he was touched and happy that Hermione remembered him, and thought enough to write. On the other hand, she didn't even have a 'dear Draco' or a 'love from, Hermione' or anything. Maybe her parents just forced her to write. Maybe she didn't really care enough to owl him.

Dear Hermione, (he decided to add a 'dear' so she wouldn't think he was snubbing her)

Thanks for the letter, I'm feeling much better now. I've still got a slight cough, and a very bunged up nose, but other than that, I'm fine.

Well, not totally fine. Father punished me for hanging out with a mudblood. I don't get the service of a house elf, so now I have to pick up all my used tissues by myself! When I'm too lazy to do that, the room starts looking cluttered.

Zach and Zander have been well punished, by the way. I wasn't planning on ratting, but I talked in my sleep and Father was watching over me (not out of concern though, mind you.) He heard the whole story when I was delirious (it doesn't happen often, for future information) and he took their wands away from them. They've been glaring at me for the past few days, but I couldn't really care because they're leaving in a few days and they won't have their wands back til then.

Lucas is fine, and I'll tell him you asked about him. He might be slightly less friendly towards you, since he just found out that you're a Muggle-born.

Give my regards to your parents, and my thanks. What made them decide to pick up a Malfoy? Surely they've heard about me from you.

Yours truly,

Draco

PS Malfoy, that is.

PPS How come the feathers of your owl keep bushing out?

Draco had sent this, and soon they had a regular correspondence. He soon found out that her owl, Duster, had feathers bushing out because Hermione decided that instead of taming her wild hair, she'd flaunt it. She magically charmed Duster's crown feathers.

He also found out that her parents were fond of psychological books, and they had recently read a book on open-mindedness. This is what made them decide to pick up a poor little rich boy in the middle of nowhere two miles from London.

When school had started, they met each other on the train.

"Hi." Hermione looked distinctly uncomfortable. Draco couldn't blame her.

"Hi yourself, Granger." Then he paused. "That didn't feel right. Hi, Granger. Granger. Granger." He repeated the word several times while Hermione giggled. "Nope, it doesn't fit. Hi yourself, Hermione."

"My parents aren't around, you know." She was obviously relieved he hadn't decided to return to his old ways.

"Your father is a very influential person. Not even McGonagall could make us drop the 'Malfoy-Granger' act."

"Ron and Harry seemed surprised when they found out that we were on a first name basis."

"You told them?" Draco was surprised. "I mean, it's just that-"

"Of course I did. I told them all about it." Worry crossed her features. "You don't mind, do you?"

He wondered if there was anything the trio didn't know about each other. "No, it's just- I thought it was a secret. Like, between you and me." He didn't add that even if he did have someone to share it with, which he didn't, he wouldn't have told him.

"Well, I'm going to visit Harry and Ron's compartment. Would you like to come?"

"Befriending you wasn't so bad, but I don't think I even dare befriending Potter, or Weasley." Draco pulled a face.

Hermione looked hurt. "They're not so bad, you know."

"I'm sure," Draco rolled his eyes. "But it's not them, it's my family. I'm low enough as it is. They'd be sure to find out if I started acting friendly towards Weasley."

Now Hermione looked sympathetic. She patted his arm. "I suppose so. Try not to let your family get you down, though. Tell you what, I'll just stop by Harry's and then I'll go back to the Prefects compartment. We can talk then."

"Sure. Writing letters hasn't been enough. See you in a while."

Everyone had wondered about the changes in Draco and Hermione. While they didn't exactly act like a couple, it was obvious that they had put aside their past differences.

Draco entered the library and found Hermione there. Well, he didn't exactly see her, just the enormous mountain of books on one of the tables. That was enough to let anyone know she was there. He went over to her, whistling, earning himself a few glares form nearby students. Alerted by his whistle, she looked up and smiled.

"Hi."

He sat down beside her. "It's raining again," he said gloomily.

Hermione raised an eyebrow. "What's got you in such a rotten mood? So it's raining, big deal. Stay inside and study."

"What's got me in such a mood? I'll tell you. It's a person whose name is only one syllable- Crabbe." He related to her the events of earlier, and she was hard put to keep from laughing out loud.

"Mal?" she giggled, trying to stifle her laughs. "He must be the first person to ever call you that. Ever."

"Yeah, well, it's not my name." He tried to scowl, but it was impossible to do so when Hermione was beside him, shaking and turning red from suppressed chuckles. Eventually he gave in, his spirits rising again as he too began to laugh. "Imagine if I called you Grange."

"And if I called Harry Pot. Or what about Dumbledore? Dumb? Dore?" she laughed.

"Professor Mac for McGonagall!" Draco tried to picture McGonagall's reaction if she ever found out what he had called her. A detention and a half, probably. "Pom for Pomfrey."

"D'you think Snape's old friends used to call him Sev?" Hermione took great gasps as she tried to calm down.

"Hard to tell. I don't think he'd stand for it. Maybe Sevvy." That started Hermione off again, and she was laughing helplessly. Draco was wondering what he had said that was so incredibly funny when he realized Madam Pince was on her way over to them. He took out his wand and placed a silencing spell, removing Hermione's voice. She laughed even harder, but no one could hear it anymore.

"Mr. Mal-" Madam Pince broke off. "Ms. Granger!"

Hermione pounded the table, hearing the librarian call Draco Mr. Mal-. Her stomach hurt already, but she couldn't help herself.

"Sorry for the disturbance, Madam Pince," Draco apologized. "It won't happen again."

Madam Pince was too concerned about Hermione to hear his apology. "What on earth is wrong with her?" she asked Draco.

Hermione was red faced, and her hair was a mess. She was clutching her stomach, but she had stopped laughing. She motioned for Draco to remove the spell, which he did.

"Sorry, Madam Pince," were the first words she said. "Honest- it's just that it's so funny. I'm sorry, really. We both are. It won't happen again."

Madam Pince glared at them suspiciously and went back to her desk. "Be sure that it won't."

Hermione stared hard at Draco. "That was all your fault." She was still rather breathless.

"I think we'll blame Crabbe for that one."

Life passed smoothly for the next few months. Harry and Ron, however, got into more and more trouble as the year progressed. They seemed to be trying to match the Weasley twins record of the most number of detentions. They got at least one a week, and it was while they were serving one such detention during a Hogsmeade weekend that Hermione and Draco visited the village together.

Hermione decided to go to Hogsmeade even without her two best friends, but only because they asked her to buy some butterbeer for them. It was only pity that made her go. Draco saw her walking around by herself, and left his group of Slytherins to stay with her.

Hearing a whistle, Hermione turned around. It was the same tune that she had heard Draco whistling in the library.

"Hey," he greeted her, jogging to where she was standing. "Where're your two cronies?"

"Serving a detention for Snape. They tried to dye his hair green last night. Then Ron laughed, and Snape woke up." Hermione made a face to show that she was disgusted with her friends' behavior.

Draco smiled. "Typical Weasley. Anyway, wanna head over to the Three Broomsticks, or do you need to shop?"

"Let's go to the Three Broomsticks. I need a drink."

As they made their way over to the building, they became aware of a young man in black robes watching them. Hermione felt Draco stiffen beside her. But it was only as they drew closer that she realized it was Lucas, who looked very different. He no longer wore that charming smile, and his eyes weren't full of childish enthusiasm. He wore the Malfoy scowl, and he looked older. He's thirteen now, Hermione remembered. Lucas stare was fixed on the two of them, and Hermione was a little unnerved. He definitely looks older- and colder. She wondered if he would still treat her like an equal.

"Draco, you're not supposed to hang out with her." The way Lucas stressed that last word confirmed Hermione's suspicions.

"I can hang out with whoever I please," Draco answered tersely. "What about you, what are you doing here?"

Lucas cringed slightly, then he hung his head. "I need help in my lessons. The tutor got fed up and said I'd never master 'accio' so he said I had to find a way to learn, or he'd fail me." He looked up and glared at Hermione. "Don't you tell anyone, mind. I'll have your head on a platter."

"Well, I know just the right person to teach you," Draco told his kid brother.

"Who?" Lucas looked hopeful and curious- a vague resemblance to his former self.

"Hermione," Draco answered simply.

Lucas' upper lip curled in disgust. "Her? But I came to you, Draco."

"I give you over to her."

"If I'll take you, that is," Hermione cut in.

Lucas looked shocked at the idea that Hermione wouldn't take him. "Don't you see what a privilege you're getting by teaching a Malfoy? I deserve to be treated with more respect."

"I don't respect slugs," Hermione wickedly retorted.

"Slugs?" Lucas spluttered. "I'll show you who's a slug." He drew his wand, and pointed it at her, but before he could curse her or harm her at all, she pointed her wand at him.

"Accio wand," she said calmly. She caught it swiftly, and twirled it around her fingers. "I believe that's the charm you wanted to learn?"

The younger boy gaped at her. Mixed emotions played on his face- awe, anger, and shame. Hermione wondered whether he'd snap at her, but eventually he croaked, "Can you teach me?"

The older girl smiled in spite of herself. "Of course I will. You just needed to ask." They went into the Three Broomsticks, and sat down near the corner. With students and even teachers openly gawking at the fact that Hermione seemed to have replaced Harry and Ron for the two Malfoys, Hermione taught Lucas the theory of the charm. This, she kept insisting, would help him in application. Even Draco listened attentively. After two hours, Lucas finally got the hang of it.

"Now I can summon books to throw at my tutor when he gets mad," Lucas said gleefully. "And he can't get mad, cause he was the one who failed to teach me in the first place." Draco just laughed, but Hermione looked shocked.

"Don't you dare!" she admonished. "The poor fellow... I'm sure he does his best."

Lucas opened his mouth to retort, but Draco interrupted. "I think we've used up their table long enough, don't you? We'd best leave." Hermione agreed, realizing they had been there for over two hours.

They were walking in the village with vague plans to visit Honeydukes, when Draco saw Crabbe and Goyle. "I have to talk to them about something," he muttered. He trotted to the other side of the road. "This shouldn't take long!"

Hermione glanced at Lucas who was beside her. He was only thirteen but already he was her height. She guessed that in a few years he would be as tall as Draco, who topped her by over a head.

"Draco takes long," said Lucas, leaning against the wall of a shop. Hermione was about to say that Draco had just crossed the road, but she thought the better of it, remembering that Lucas probably wasn't accustomed to waiting.

"So, why didn't your parents send you to Hogwarts?" she tried to strike up a conversation.

"They thought it would be a bad influence for me. Like Draco, now he's hanging out with you. And anyway, that way I can do magic even when it's break."

"I'll bet Draco does magic during the summer."

"Only at home. The Ministry can't really pin it on him, you see. Father would just stick up for him. But he didn't this summer, I think. He doesn't want it ruining his chances at Head Boy. It's just added responsibility, if you ask me. I dunno why Draco would want the extra work. Madness."

Hermione just nodded, not trusting herself to speak. Or else she would have told him all about the privileges of being the head of the school. She stared at her feet, wondering what Ron and Harry were doing. She had been angry with them for getting into trouble, because she had thought that she would have spent the entire day alone. She wasn't angry with them anymore, however, because she had the Malfoys to keep her company. She did miss them, though...

"Can you summon him?"

"What?" Lucas' voice had broken through her thoughts.

"Can you summon Draco?" he repeated. "He's taking so long."

"You try it."

She watched, amused, as Lucas tried unsuccessfully to summon Draco, who was in deep discussion with Crabbe and Goyle. Well, the two of them were just listening while Draco was talking.

"You need to practice," Hermione told Lucas. "Just start with small things, and it will get easier. Trust me. Harry did it."

"Can I see you do it, then? You're awfully good."

Flattered by her student's praise, Hermione performed the charm without thinking. "Accio Draco," she summoned. All of a sudden, Draco, who was now scolding his friends, was lifted off his feet. He flew towards them, his eyes wide, his mouth open in a shout. Hermione came to her senses and grasped what she had just done.

Desperately, she threw herself between Draco and the wall, trying to catch him. Draco came barreling into her, knocking her off her feet. They both landed on the ground with a very painful thud.

"What was that about?" Draco moaned as he struggled to get to his feet.

"I summoned you," Hermione admitted sheepishly. "Lucas wanted me to."

"Since when do you take orders from a Malfoy? You never took orders from me."

"Since he tells me how good I am before asking me. You never told me how good I am."

Draco grasped her hands and helped her to her feet. "You're great," he stressed. "So good, that you can summon people clean from the other side of the street who are just minding their business, talking with their friends."

"Sorry. Are you hurt?" she checked herself over.

"No, are you?" She looked up, startled by his question. He had never shown concern before...

He caught his breath as her eyes met his- they were still holding hands, and their faces were only scant inches apart. He remembered his absurd thought when they were in Diagon Alley, when he had the impulse to kiss her. Only it didn't seem so absurd now. Leaning down, his eyes never leaving Hermione's, he sought to kiss her.

"Go on," Lucas urged them. "We all know you like each other, just DO it already."

That stopped them. They drew away, blushing. Draco was staring daggers into his brother.

"What?" Lucas asked. When neither of them replied, he brushed his hair out of his eyes with a gesture identical to Draco's. "If you're finished, can we go to Honeydukes now?"

"Fine." Draco said shortly. "Where are Crabbe and Goyle?" he asked, looking around.

"They scarpered as soon as you flew. They probably thought there was a Dark wizard about. Honestly, you would think they were Muggles, the way they bolt when there's magic around. As if they can't do it themselves," Lucas sneered. Hermione noticed he hadn't bothered to ask if they were okay.

"They probably can't, okay? So lay off their case. They have a right to be scared." It was probably the first time in his life that Draco had stood up for his cronies, but he was getting really irritated at Lucas. "What time did you say you had to be home?"

"I didn't." Lucas said smugly. "Mother and Father are in Paris, didn't they tell you? I'm free. The servants are too bloody scared to do anything about it."

"Mother and Father are in Paris?" Draco turned pale.

"Yes, didn't they tell you?" Draco shook his head. "Forgot, I dare say. More important things on their minds, I suppose. They left yesterday. They'll be back next week Wednesday."

Hermione laid a hand on Draco's arm. Pity surged through her, and anger. Lucas didn't seem to care that his brother was forgotten, as long as he himself was remembered. Draco didn't glance at her, but his fingers found hers. He gripped them, keeping his eyes on the road so she wouldn't see the hurt that was written on his face. He didn't want her to think he was weak.

"So what time are you going home?" Draco tried to keep his voice steady.

"Oh, I don't know. Midnight, maybe?" Lucas smirked. "They won't miss me at the manor, and I'm dead bored there. Can I eat dinner at the castle?"

"I don't know."

They reached Honeydukes. Draco let go of Hermione's hand then. "Go buy your stuff, then. I'll wait outside. I hate crowds."

Hermione avoided Lucas and purchased several kinds of candy for her friends. Then she quickly made her way to Draco, who was waiting outside.

"Ouch."

He looked at her, his startlingly grey eyes meeting hers. "What?"

"I mean you. Your parents."

"Oh, that," he waved his hand dismissively. "That always happens. You get used to it."

"It shouldn't happen, though. Are you all right?"

"Of course I am. Why shouldn't I be?"

"No reason." Hermione fell quiet, a great relief to Draco. She walked over to his side and slouched against the wall as he did. They didn't speak for a while, until Hermione fidgeted.

"What's the matter?" Draco asked. He tried to control the impatience in his voice.

"Nothing- it's just these stones are so... so hard," she complained, shifting her weight from one part of her back to another. "How can you stand to lean on them all the time? You're forever leaning on something, no matter how uncomfortable it is. Doesn't it hurt?"

He looked her fully in the eyes before replying. "Maybe. I just don't think about the pain. I mean, there are more painful things in life than just stones. I guess when you get used to pain, you just stop feeling the little things... like stones, or if you stub your toe or if you slam a door on your finger."

She nodded thoughtfully. "Like Harry, I suppose. Little things don't bother him anymore."

"Yippee! I have something in common with Harry Potter." Sarcasm was heavy in his voice. "I must go and tell my friends. They'll be so happy for me."

Hermione frowned. "What friends?"

He didn't answer her. "Good question," she heard him mutter softly.

Changing the topic, she asked, "have you been hurt a lot? To make you forget pain?"

Draco considered. "A hippogriff, that hurt a lot. Multiple falls on a broomstick when I was learning to fly... several cauldrons that have exploded because of Lucas, painful hexes compliments of Lucas... Yes, I've experienced my share of pain."

Hermione was listening so intently to Draco that she didn't notice a man approach her. "Umm, miss, are you a Hogwarts student?"

Hermione started a bit, then answered, "Yes, I am. Why?"

"Oh, it's a Hogsmeade weekend, then. Is Albus about?"

"Actually, I believe he stayed up at the castle."

"Oh, alright then, I'll just go up there myself. Thanks so much!" With that, the man turned and left.

"Lucas takes so long!" Draco complained, grinding his teeth.

"Don't grind your teeth. You'll destroy them."

"Gosh, you speak like some kind of dentist!"

Hermione flashed him a grin. "My parents are dentists."

"Oh, right. He still takes long, though."

It was at that moment that Lucas chose to appear at Draco's elbow. "Shall we be off?"

"We were just waiting for you, o dawdling master," Draco sneered. His brother didn't seem to notice the sneer.

"What, can I go with you to the castle?"

"I don't know," Draco replied. "Hey, what's up?" he asked Hermione.

She was biting on her lip, looking extremely worried and nervous. "I hope I did the right thing, by sending the man to Dumbledore. He might be a wizard on the Dark Side, for all I know...Gosh, I feel so guilty. Can we beat him back to the castle to warn Dumbledore?"

Draco looked up the walk to the castle. "Nah, I don't reckon we can. Tell you what, let's write him a letter, and mail it immediately. I doubt that he's an evil man, but at least we can ask if Lucas can eat at the school."

Hermione agreed, and they both hurriedly wrote down their respective questions on a sheet of parchment, then sent it off with one of the extra-fast owls at the post office. Their reply came almost immediately.

"What's it say? What's it say?" Lucas attempted to snatch the letter out of his brother's hands. Draco held it out of his reach, opening it high above his head. He knew he looked silly, but he didn't mind. When Lucas started acting mature, he and Hermione read it together. It read:

Dear Mr. Malfoy and Ms. Granger,

Ms. Granger, thank you for your concern regarding the man who approached you. It is always good to be vigilant. However, that was my cousin, Andrew. Nevertheless, I appreciate your concern.

Mr. Malfoy, your brother is welcome to dine at the castle, but it is only for now. When you come up to the castle, I wish to speak to him. Bring him to my office, please.

To the both of you, I think you should reread your letter, particularly the end. I understand, however, that it was an innocent mistake.

Albus Dumbledore

Draco pulled out the second parchment piece and scanned it. He felt his face heat up, and Hermione must have seen him blush, because she grabbed the paper and read it. It said:

Yours truly,

Draco and Hermione

PS Malfoy, that is.

"Draco!" she cried in shame and irritation. "You made it sound like we were married by adding that silly little PS of yours!"

"It's my trademark," Draco replied smugly, but Hermione could tell he was really embarrassed. She looked like she was about to strangle him, so he apologized. "Look, I'm sorry. Don't tell anyone, okay?"

"I wasn't going to. Let's go."

"Am I coming?" Lucas piped up.

"You're already coming." Draco's strides were so long and fast that Lucas had to trot to keep up with him and Hermione had to run. She admired his grace- he could have joined the speed-walking competition and won, but he looked as though he were merely sauntering along at his leisure. She knew he was trying to get Lucas to leave him alone.

Ahead of them, a loud crash sounded as ceramic pots burst suddenly. Draco restored them with a wave of his wand, just as Lucas, who was beside him, began levitating. Draco set his brother down with another spell and sped his progress to the castle. Hermione was flat out running to keep up.

"Draco, calm down! You're losing control."

"I can see that," he snapped. It had been years since he had lost control and made strange things happen. Lucas was just really irritating him at that moment... and his stupid little mistake with Hermione and his names didn't make things any better. He tried to relax, until he eventually slowed his walk. Hermione was able to stop her run and walk with him. "Sorry," he muttered, embarrassed. Wizards were not supposed to lose control.

She gripped his hand, forcing him to stop his nails from digging into his own skin. He sighed and seemed to deflate. His energy was gone, and he trudged back to the castle. "Everyone will love Lucas- they all do. He'll sit at the Slytherin table and charm everyone 'til they're in the palm of his hand. Can I sit in the Gryffindor table?"

She wasn't sure if he was joking. She had to ask. "Are you joking?"

"Yes. No way would I sink that low."

Hermione heaved a sigh of relief. "You really had me going there."

Draco chuckled halfheartedly. "You're too gullible."

"You're too immature." They were almost at the castle, and Hermione extracted her hand from his. Lucas was waiting for them at the Entrance Hall.

"Hurry up!" he called. Draco rolled his eyes.

"Come on, we have to go to Dumbledore's office." He led the way, and muttered the password, while Hermione waited outside.

After a while, Draco reappeared. "Dumbledore wants to talk to him alone. Let's wait for him." Hermione nodded and sat down with her back against the wall. Draco, on the other hand, seemed nervous, and was pacing back and forth along the deserted corridor.

As he passed by Hermione for the umpteenth time, she grabbed his hand and dragged him down beside her. "If you're worried about Lucas and Dumbledore, don't be. They're probably having a nice talk about Lucas studying here. And I'm sick of your pacing- you're making me worried."

Draco just smiled, and tugged her hair. She rolled her eyes at his immaturity, then tried to relax. It was hard, with Draco pulling on her hair like it was some game. As he was teasing yet another lock of her hair with his fingers, Hermione turned to look at him, and was startled to see how close he was to her. He looked down at her and smiled, his storm gray eyes locking with her deep brown ones. He leaned down to kiss her, just as she moved to kiss him. They met halfway, although Draco would always later insist that she kissed him, and she would always say that he kissed her. Draco cupped her cheek with his hand, she smiled at him.

A sound from the door to Dumbledore's office made them break apart. Lucas stepped out to find his very pale brother with a very red Hermione. Dumbledore stepped out behind him, and together they all made their way down to the Great Hall.

They parted at the door, Draco and his brother heading towards the Slytherin table and Dumbledore going to the staff table. Hermione waved at Ron and Harry, who were waiting for her at Gryffindor table.

"Who's that kid Malfoy's with?" Ron asked immediately.

"Lucius Jr." Hermione sat down to eat.

"I didn't know Malfoy had a brother."

"I told you about him, didn't I?" she was now busily loading her plate with food. "He's not as childish, as bratty as he used to be. He's still spoiled silly, if you ask me. He is a major pain in the you-know-where."

"We do know where." Ron rolled his eyes. Hermione's aversion to saying any word she considered 'distasteful' got annoying sometimes. His comment seemed to have gone unnoticed by Hermione, but it got a chuckle out of Harry.

"Did you get us anything, Hermione?" Harry asked. "I'll pay you back."

"Me too," Ron said.

"It's right here." She tossed some bags at them. "Pay for the butterbeer, but don't bother paying for the candy. You didn't ask for it. It's a gift."

"Thanks, Herm," the boys said as they rustled through the bags. A burst of laughter from the Slytherin table made them glance that way.

"Oh, Draco, he's so adorable," Pansy gushed. "You should study here, Lucas, I'm sure you'd be in Slytherin."

"Why didn't you tell us you had a brother?" Millicent added.

Draco rolled his eyes for what seemed like the fifty-seventh time. People from other houses were now crowding in to see what caused the commotion at their table. Draco hurriedly finished his dinner and stood to leave.

"As much as I enjoy watching Lucas charm the pants off you guys, I'm afraid I have to go to the dormitory. Lucas, let me know when you're leaving." He left the Great Hall and all of his housemates fussing over his brother.

Hermione watched him leave, wondering if his dinner with Lucas was all that bad. For no reason at all, her thoughts turned to Draco. To that moment in front of Dumbledore's office. To the kiss they had shared.

It all seemed so preposterous, that a Malfoy should kiss a Granger. He probably just got caught in the moment or something, like when we were holding hands earlier after I had summoned him. Hermione had been thinking more and more of the bedraggled Malfoy she had rescued from the road two miles from London, but she had never thought that he would give her a second glance. Now, after they had kissed, she didn't want to believe it- it all seemed implausible, and she didn't want to wake up and find out it was all a dream.

She smiled and tugged at her hair, remembering how Draco had played with it earlier. Heat raced through her veins and her lips tingled as she recalled the kiss. How soon would they be alone again?

"Hermione, why are you ginning?" Harry asked.

She shook herself out of her reverie. "I just- umm, like the looks on your faces, that's all. You seem so happy."

"We are. Thanks."

She shook her head, remembering a question she had been meaning to ask them. "Why did you try to dye Snape's hair green?"

A cruel grin spread across Ron's lips, making him look very sinister indeed. "He's so pro-Slytherin, isn't he? He might as well have the hair to match."

"You left me all alone today."

Harry looked guilty. "Sorry, Herm. We'll try to schedule our next prank so that it doesn't fall right before a Hogsmeade weekend."

"Were you alone all day?" Ron asked as he picked up his goblet.

"No," Hermione admitted. "I was with Draco and Lucas."

Harry's spoon dropped, and Ron choked on his pumpkin juice. "Malfoy?"

"Yes," she said defensively. "He kept me company, when you were here for your misconduct. Honestly, don't you two ever learn? You don't think I worry about you, wondering if I'll be the only one of us left to graduate? Use your heads! I don't want you two to end up like Hagrid, only the difference between you is that he was innocent for his crime, while you're guilty for every single one!"

Harry fiddled with his fork, and Ron studied his peas. "Sorry," Ron finally mumbled.

"You should be," she said severely, and went back to eating. But her thoughts strayed to Draco, who was lying on his bed in the Slytherin 7^th year boy's dormitory.

Draco was wondering, musing on why his parents hadn't mentioned their plans. How many other trips had they taken, leaving Draco in the dark while bringing home dozens of expensive gifts for Lucas? Why did it seem like Draco didn't matter, when he was their first born, and rightful heir to the Malfoy fortune? Why wasn't Draco the one who was named after his father?

Draco had always liked his name- it gave him individuality and power. He used to be glad he wasn't named after his father; that he wasn't Lucius Jr. But now, for a little more attention, being called Jr. didn't seem so bad.

The door opened and Lucas stepped in. His gray eyes were blazing with anger. "Why didn't you tell them you had a brother? Why didn't you tell them about me?"

"They didn't ask."

"Aren't you proud of me?"

"I'm proud enough as it is. My arrogance has gotten me in trouble before. I'm too proud about too many things. I don't have enough pride left for you." The contempt in Draco's voice rang loud and clear. Lucas' face turned white with fury. Draco looked around for his wand- it was on the opposite end of the room, where he had tossed it when he entered. He belatedly realized that he should have kept it beside him, just in case.

Just as Draco had earlier in the day, Lucas began to lose control. Things began flying at Draco, who dodged them repeatedly. "Draco?" Lucas asked in a voice full of deadly quiet. "Run."

Draco ran as Lucas fired his first spell. He wasn't fast enough. Searing pain hit his side, but he kept running, until he reached his own wand on the other side of the room. Spinning around, he got a faceful of Lucas' next curse- the furnunculus. Furious, Draco yelled "Expelliarmus!"

Lucas' wand sailed to Draco, who caught it expertly. He wasn't a stranger to playing dirty, although he did think twice about it after Moody had turned him into a ferret. Thinking quickly, Draco made his next move. "Stupefy!"

Lucas dropped to the floor. Draco removed the fungus sprouting from his face and tidied up the room. He was relieved to see that his younger brother's first spell hadn't damaged him. He might have a scar there, however. He lifted Lucas' body, which as still on the floor and placed him on Crabbe's bed. Then Draco went to visit Dumbledore.

He was given permission to take Lucas home, since Lucas had 'unfortunately fallen asleep'. He would have to take his brother to Hogsmeade, though, to use the Floo network. Draco thanked him and left.

On his way back, he ran into Hermione, who was on her way to the library.

"What's up?" she asked him, seeing his scowl.

"Nothing." He didn't feel like sharing what had just happened.

"What's that on your face?" she touched a spot slightly to the left of his chin. Drawing out a mirror, she gave it to him.

"Ugh. Fungus." He eliminated it carefully. "I thought I'd gotten rid of all these," he muttered to himself.

"What happened?"

Sighing, Draco told her the events, mincing his words. She didn't need to know everything.

"Are you hurt?" she asked when he was done.

"Just my pride," he said darkly. "Lucas will tell Mother and Father, and then I'm in for it."

"Do the memory charm."

He regarded her thoughtfully. "You know, I never thought of that."

She grinned at him. "Duh."

Draco tweaked her nose, smiling for the first time since before dinner. Then he groaned, remembering his pain in the neck of a brother who looked as though he were sleeping angelically in his dormitory. "I'd better take Luke home. See you around."

"Take care!" Hermione resumed her path to the library.

Draco rehearsed his every move in his mind, as he walked up to his dormitory and picked Lucas up. His brother was heavy, so Draco bewitched him to make him lighter. Leaving the castle, he walked in the darkness, his wand the only source of light to see by. He reached Hogsmeade in no time and used Floo to get home.

Laying Lucas on his bed, Draco pulled out his wand. "Enervate."

The younger Malfoy stirred, opening his eyes. By then Draco had retreated into the shadows. "Obliviate," he commanded softly. Then, after a slight pause, he stepped into the light.

"Draco? Are we home already?" Lucas seemed to have forgotten everything.

"Duh."

"Okay, that was a stupid question." Lucas got out of bed, rummaging his room for his nightclothes. "I was going to ask you something else, but I forgot what it was. You made me mad about something."

"Isn't that what elder brothers are for?" Draco joked, relieved that Lucas had forgotten his anger. "I'd better get going, I'm needed at the castle."

"Go on, then." Without a proper goodbye, Lucas wandered into the bathroom, leaving Draco in the still dark room. Picking up a pillow, Draco threw it against the wall as hard as he could, and left.

The walk from Hogsmeade up to Hogwarts did him good. It was a relief to be alone in the darkness, which had covered him before when he needed solitude. He was able to think about things other than Lucas. Things like Hermione.

She was definitely different from the bushy haired, know-it-all, bossy, cranky, small mudblood he used to despise so fervently. He had hated her for being so smart, now he liked her for it. He knew she deserved the marks she got, and it wasn't just because she was Potter's best friend or teacher's pet.

She tasted so good, Draco thought longingly, wetting his lips. She has a different kind of kiss something sincere and sweet. Unlike the girls he had kissed in the past, whose feelings for him only went skin deep, Hermione seemed hesitant at first, like she was about to do something she wasn't supposed to be doing. Good, he thought satisfactorily. I like girls with a touch of danger in them.

Contemplating further about the kiss, he realized that she didn't really know how to kiss. It was probably one of her first five kisses, he thought. And it's up to me to teach her how to do it right. He grinned to himself.

As he neared the castle, he searched the windows, trying to place which one was the library. He thought he succeeded, and as he squinted at the window, he saw the silhouette of a young woman standing by it. The big hair gave her away immediately. The figure waved; so did he.

Draco quickened his pace to a trot, adrenaline suddenly pumping through him. At least at the castle something awaited him.

The days rolled wearily on. At one point Draco got a Howler from his parents telling him off for being friends with a Mudblood, but luck was with him since he was in the hospital wing that morning, having been injured in a Quidditch match the day before, so no one heard what was shouted. He wouldn't have been embarrassed, though, if a lot of people had heard. He was proud to be Hermione's friend. Draco could only hope that she was proud to be his.

Soon a month passed. In that month, Draco managed to kiss Hermione twice. She was hardly ever alone, so it was a hard feat. Still, they grew closer and closer, and this made Draco happy. She was one of the bright spots in his dark world.

The night before Christmas Eve, Draco took Hermione out to dinner. Harry and Ron objected strongly, but it was Hermione's choice. As she put it, "Draco asked me to dinner, not you, so stop saying no!"

After Christmas, it was obvious to everyone that there was romance between the two. Some people refused to believe it at first, but when there was no denying that they were an unofficial couple, even McGonagall was convinced. By Easter it was clear that they an official couple, even Snape admitted it.

Harry and Ron were not pleased with the way Hermione seemed to be constantly holding Draco's hand and the way she'd lean in close to him. However, they didn't say anything, because of fear that Hermione's temper would flare. Since Hermione never took them for granted, they had no real evidence that Draco was a bad influence. Every time they'd ask for help or some of her time, she'd willingly give it to them. Because she often left Draco just to be with her two best friends, they had no reason to complain. Ron said they were just jealous, because Hermione never held their hands. Harry pointed out that she had a right to get into a serious relationship, but he never expected that she'd get into one before him. With their feelings logically explained, the two boys brightened up so much that they decided to celebrate by not studying for the potions test the next day. Hermione tutted about their scores when Snape dictated them, but there was nothing she could do to bust their bubbles.

When the end of the year drew close, Hermione was kept busy with her studies, and helping Draco, Harry and Ron study. She tried to get them to study together, but all three boys refused. So every evening, Hermione spent an hour and a half with Draco, then the rest of the evening with Harry and Ron.

"You spend so much time with Potter and Weasley," Draco remarked one evening. Hermione could hear some jealousy, frustration and bitterness in his voice, although it was obvious that he tried to keep it out.

"Is that a complaint, or a statement?" she asked calmly. Draco didn't answer, so she sighed. "Look, I know it's bothering you, but they were my friends since way before you were."

"But I was your boyfriend long before they were."

"They were never my boyfriends."

"My point exactly." He glared at the book in front of him, half wishing it was her.

"You know, I don't need to help you with your studies. You'll do fine without me. I can go and put my time to better use, teaching Harry and Ron, who need it more than you do."

"I can't help it if I'm bloody brilliant and they're not," he protested. "Stay with me first, we only get an hour and a half each night. That was the point I was trying to put through, you know. I want you to spend more time with me. Now you're going off to them even though my appointment with you isn't done yet."

"Appointment?" Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Appointment?"

"You schedule me in every night, so I get exactly so and so minutes of your time. It's probably in your daily planner. It's the same as going to a witch doctor. They give you a set time to be there. So I think that I'm just one of the many insignificant people scheduled in pencil in your little book, begging for your time."

She didn't say anything, but her nostrils flared, indicating her anger. He didn't notice it though, so he continued. "Potter and Weasley now, they can get you whenever they want. They're probably not even written in your book, they're in your mind, because you don't need to schedule them. You just need to go to them, that's all."

Hermione opened her mouth to defend herself, but Draco pushed on, oblivious to the signs of anger coming from his girlfriend. "I don't see why I can't be as important to you as they are. Why is Weasley important anyway? He's got no money, no fancy house, no nothing. And Potter, well, the only reason I can see why you hang out with him is because you want your face in the newspaper. You just want to get in a book, do you?" Now he looked up, and gave a little frightened squeak as he met Hermione's furious eyes.

"That just shows how much you know about me, Draco," she snapped. "It just shows how much you know me. Harry and Ron never complain that I spend too much time with you-"

"Because you don't," Draco mumbled.

Hermione ignored him. "They don't even voice out how irritated they are at the fact that I hold hands with you, and snuggle up to you. They just appreciate what time I can give them. I'm not a super hero, and I can't be in two places at once. I try to do my best, to be with all of you guys, but you won't cooperate! If you would just work together," Hermione concluded in exasperation, pausing for breath.

"Like I would want to work with those two clowns," Draco grumbled. Hermione heard it began a new tirade.

"You know, if you can't accept them, then you can't have me. I was what you considered 'a clown' too, if you can recall. If the time I give you isn't appreciated, then if I give you five hours of it, it would be wasted, right? So show me that you're worth my time." Hermione stared at him, her eyes cold and her jaw set.

"Worth your time?" Draco sputtered. "Worth your time? What has that got to do with it? I only asked if you could spend a little bit more time with me, just a weensy eensy bit of time, and you go off ranting and raving about how all of a sudden I'm not worth your time. If I weren't worth your time, then why would you have set aside a certain time for me? See? So I am worth your time, even more worthy than Potter and Weasley, because I'm the one who gets less time with you than they do. Just because I'm smarter than them doesn't mean that I don't want you with me. Anyway, who says we have to study? Who says you have to help me study? You can just study by yourself, and I'll study by myself, but at least we'll be together." Draco paused to catch his breath. Hermione watched him, her face impassive. The more he thought about it, though, the less Draco understood what he had been trying to say in the first place. He continued anyway. " What, just because you rescued me from that spot two miles form London last summer you think that makes you better than me? Huh? Is that it? Just because you saw me doing my best impersonation of a lost puppy, you think I'm weak? That you need to pity me, because you have such a great Muggle family and I have a rotten pure-blood family that barely even knows that I exist?" He paused again.

"What was my point again?" he finally asked her.

"I have no idea," she told him.

Draco frowned. "You should have said so, then. I've wasted so much spit."

"If that's they way you feel-" Hermione stood up to leave.

Draco yanked her hand back, pulling her onto the chair with a thud. She winced and glared at him.

"Look, Hermione, I'm sorry ," he told her. "I didn't mean it, I guess I was just frustrated with all this studying. I know Potter and Weasley need you more than I do, it's just that I want you more, I suppose. And it's not that I don't appreciate what time you have given me, it's only that I want a bit more, you know. It's like when you're thirsty, really thirsty. And then someone gives you only a drop of water. It makes you even thirstier, right? Like when you're hungry but all you can eat is a crumb. You want more. And I'm sorry as well for those things I said. I know I sounded a tad big-headed and arrogant, but there it is. That's what I am. It's what I've been brought up to be." He took a deep breath. "So I guess I'm saying now, before I lose my point all over again, is that I'll accept whatever time you have to offer me, if that's all that you're offering."

Hermione grimaced and rubbed her bottom. "You forgot to apologize for one thing."

"And I'm sorry for being so violent," he added quickly.

"Apology almost accepted."

"Almost?" Draco repeated, not believing his ears.

"You have to kiss me," she shrugged. "It's standard in all the movies."

Draco happily complied. When he pulled back a while later, he grinned. "Apology accepted?"

"Accepted." She would never admit it to his face, but his kisses were just so good they made her dizzy. It was impossible to stay mad at him.

The end of the year exams came all too soon to Draco, who thought there was no chance he'd see Hermione over the summer. Hermione, on the other hand, couldn't wait for the exams, because she was dying to put all her knowledge to use. As a result, she hardly noticed how glum her boyfriend was getting. In fact, it was only when Ginny pointed it out that she realized that the redhead was right.

"Hey, what's wrong?" she confronted Draco.

Draco cast her a wary glance. "I don't need any foul potions, I feel fine, thank you."

"You seem put out."

"Thanks for noticing," he said wryly.

She blushed. "Sorry." Sitting down next to him, she took his hand. "Now come on, what's wrong? Exam jitters?"

"I guess you could call it that. It's also my parents. They're not very pleased with me at the moment."

"It's me, isn't it?" Hermione asked quietly.

"Yeah. But don't worry. We'll be fine. It's just- I'll miss you over the summer. I don't suppose we'll see each other?" he asked hopefully.

She shook her head and answered, "no, not unless you end up two miles from London again. I'll check everyday."

Draco gave a dry laugh. "I don't think that'll happen. I'll probably be grounded."

"Maybe Lucas could convince them to let you guys visit me?"

"I don't need his pity. But maybe if my parents go abroad, I can sneak out and visit."

"I'd love that," Hermione exclaimed, a smile lighting up her features. Draco felt that he would do anything to escape that summer, just to be able to make her smile like that.

"You would?"

"More than anything," she answered, kissing him lightly.

"More than me?"

"Of course not, silly. You're the exception."

"So it's all right? If I come over, I mean. You might be busy."

"Just owl me when you're free to come."

"Lucas might have to come, to keep him quiet."

"We'll find something for him to do while we spend some time together," Hermione assured him, squeezing his hand. "Now, I hope you feel better?"

"Much."

"Good. It's study time!" She pulled a large book out of her bag and dumped it on Draco's lap. "I studied this last night. It's your turn. I've folded the most important pages for you. I suggest you read the entire book, but try pages 91, 143, 255-56, 387, 1071..."

Exam week finally came and went, and the results were posted the week after. Hermione was, once again, top, and Draco came in second. While his parents were pleased at that, they were also disappointed that a Muggle-born had beaten their son.

Eventually, much as Draco wished it would never come, the time came for everyone to return home for summer break. He sat with Hermione in a compartment in the Hogwarts Express. Harry and Ron also shared that compartment, but they were ignoring Draco, and he them. Hermione went from seat to seat, sometimes sitting with her best friends, other times joining her boyfriend. Silence usually reigned, and eventually Hermione, who was tired and frustrated at the boys' stubbornness, turned to Draco pleadingly.

"Come on, Draco, its just one ride. I'm not enjoying this one bit, and neither are they. Neither are you. Would it really kill you to sit with them for just-" Hermione checked her watch "two and a half more hours?"

"It wouldn't kill me," Draco admitted. "But it could do serious damage to my health. Seriously Hermione, you know we've never gotten along. Why don't you ask them to come over here?"

"They don't want to."

"Then why should I go there when they don't want to come here?"

"Look, if you don't go and join us over there, I'll go and find Lavender and Parvati's compartment and sit with them for the rest of the ride." Hermione stood up to leave, threatening to fulfill her promise.

Draco reluctantly dragged himself to his feet. "Understand that I wouldn't do this for anyone but you," he whispered fiercely to her. Hermione smiled at him gratefully and led him over.

"Harry, Ron, scoot over," she instructed, sliding in beside Ron. "I've found someone who's not half as stubborn as you are."

Silence.

"Chess, anyone?" Ron offered with unforced misery.

"Chess is a two player game. We're going to play Exploding Snap." Hermione took out a pack of Exploding Snap cards, which Draco suspected she had readied for just this moment. He sighed loudly, and Hermione looked frostily at him. "Yes?" she asked. "Is there a problem?"

"No, no problem," Draco muttered. He noticed Harry and Ron grinning at this, and looked at Hermione, begging her to read the entreaty in his eyes. If she did, she ignored it.

"Right, I'm sure you all know how to play," she said, dealing the cards. "So, who's going first?" she asked brightly. Three of the glummest faces she had ever seen stared blankly back at her. "Okay, I will. Ron, you next, then Harry, and Draco, you'll go last, okay?"

He nodded, careful to keep any trace of insolence out of his face. Hermione smiled at him, and began to play.

There never was a sadder game of Exploding Snap. The players only spoke when they had to, and no one even laughed when any card exploded. Still, it was a way to pass time, and after Hermione's fourth straight win (none of the boys were trying very hard) Hermione finally took pity on them.

She kept up the pack of cards in silence, and the boys looked at her, each afraid to speak. She noticed them watching her and sighed, brushing the hair back from her eyes.

"Thanks for trying anyway," she told them, dejection written all over her face. "I guess you guys just really can't get along." She smiled kind of sadly at them, and turned to Draco. "You can go back to your old seat now. I'll join you later."

Draco nodded and slipped away quietly, wondering what they were talking about in such low voices. The energy levels in the train compartment were even lower than they had been before the game, because now even Hermione seemed worn out.

The landscape outside the window was as dreary as inside and Draco watched the world with unseeing eyes. He was thinking of Lucas, and of what could possibly happen this summer. Dumbledore had hinted slightly that Draco might be Head Boy, and Draco knew his parents would be proud. Father was also Head Boy in his day, though, so they'd be proud that he upheld the Malfoy record, but not that he'd set a new record.

He was contemplating on this when Hermione joined him. Instead of sitting across from him, she snuggled close to him, and he put his arm around her.

"It's raining," she said.

So it was. Draco hadn't noticed, though he was looking right through the window. "I'm sorry," he said, feeling the need to apologize, although he hadn't done anything wrong. "It didn't work out."

"You tried, and you were the one who joined them in the first place. And I haven't given up yet, you know."

"Oh? I thought you had. Shucks, I thought Potter and I had beaten you for good."

"No way," Hermione retorted, laughing. "I'll have other chances, and life's still long." She took out a book, as usual, and Draco turned on the overhead torch for her so she could read.

An hour later, the train pulled into the station. Draco helped Hermione with her trunk (which was heavier than usual, since she had to review for the NEWTs) before he handled his. They let Harry and Ron go through the barrier before they went together. Hermione spied her parents as soon as they crossed the barrier, and she turned to Draco.

"I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too. Are those your parents?" he asked, pointing at them.

"Yes."

"I wasn't sure I'd remember them. My parents are there."

"I know them."

"So, I guess you have to go. Well, bye." Draco looked at her glumly and hugged her. He kissed her cheek gently and stepped back. "I'll try and visit you."

"Thanks. Bye, Draco," she called as he walked away. Hurrying to her parents, she greeted them quickly and together they went to the Weasleys.

"Hello, Mrs. Weasley," Hermione said, smiling. As her parents talked with Molly, Hermione hugged Harry and Ron.

"Write me often, all right?" Harry said.

"Sure. I'll miss you guys."

"Don't look now, Harry, but here comes your uncle."

Harry sighed resignedly. "I'd better not keep him waiting, then." He hugged his friends again and went to join Vernon Dursley. Hermione and Ron watched after him anxiously until he and his uncle were out of sight.

Hermione turned to Ron, who smiled at her. "Hey, let me know when you become Head Girl, okay?"

She grinned in return. "You'll be the first to know- aside from my immediate family."

"Good. And you'll watch out for yourself?"

"If you'll watch out for yourself. Will you?"

"Of course. You know one of the most important people to me is myself. I won't let myself starve or anything. Who knows, maybe I'll even exercise."

"I don't see that happening," Hermione laughed. "Anyway, don't let the twins poison you, or Percy bore you too much."

"If that happens can I stay at your place first?"

"Always welcome." The Weasley's looked ready to depart, so Hermione gave Ron a quick hug. "Take care of Gin too."

"That's what we big brothers are for." Ron stepped back and gave her a salute. The other Weasley's gathered around Hermione to say their good-byes. Eventually the families parted ways, and the Grangers climbed into their small car for the trip back home.

During the four hour trip home, Hermione filled her parents in on the news of the Wizarding world- where they stood in the war against Voldemort, how Dumbledore planned to keep Harry safe this summer, what happened in the Quidditch Cup, and of course Draco, her very first boyfriend.

Blushing, but not used to keeping anything from her parents, Hermione told them how it had happened, mincing words and keeping out the more intimate details. She had told her parents about it through a letter anyway, so this was no surprise to them. If Hermione could have seen her parents' faces, she would have seen them both wearing smiles.

"But don't worry, I won't neglect my studies," Hermione finished hurriedly, as if seeking their permission.

"Honey, it's not like you're banned to have a boyfriend," her mother said, turning around to smile at her only daughter. "Your father and I are kind of glad that that Draco fellow came along and made you lighten up. Your studies aren't everything, you know, and you do need to rest once in a while. And we know you'll never neglect your studies, you're very responsible."

Her whole face red, Hermione stared out of the window. "Can we talk about something else, please?"

"Sure. What do you want for dinner?" Mr. Granger asked. "Let's eat out tonight to celebrate Hermione's getting top grades again."

Hermione sighed, grateful her family understood her so well. She wondered how Draco's family had reacted- but no need to wonder, she already knew. Not well.

Several days later an owl landed on her windowsill, and Hermione knew it instantly as Clark. Draco had shown her pictures of all of his seven owls, and with her slightly photographic memory, Hermione had been able to remember their faces and their names.

Dear Hermione,

How have you been? Busy reviewing for the N.E.W.T.s, probably. I haven't started yet, but I've been making a schedule, and I think that by starting on the second week of August I can probably finish the very day before the N.E.W.T.s.

Hope you remember Clark- give him something to eat, please, it's a rather long flight from my house to your place. Father won't thank me if one of my owls comes back half dead with hunger.

Lucas is as annoying as ever. He wants to come when I visit you. It will probably be the third week or so of July, because I think Mother and Father are planning to take a cruise then. They might take Lucas, I'm not sure. Pray for it.

Well, nothing much from this end... Just couldn't stop thinking about you so I decided to write. Write back or I'll know why.

Love,

Draco

P.S. Malfoy, that is.

P.P.S. But you already knew that.

Hermione glanced at Clark, who was already nibbling on one of the cookies she kept stored in her room. They were good, and not very sugary. Later she'd get him something else from the kitchen. For now she read the letter over and over, imagining Draco as he wrote it. It was, to her mind, her very first love letter (Viktor Krum's didn't count, since she didn't love him).

Running to the kitchen to find some food for Clark, Hermione ran through what she was going to say to Draco. Evidently something about his study schedule for the N.E.W.T.s. If he was only studying in the second week of August there was obviously something wrong with his schedule.

Her reply went something like this:

Dearest Draco,

Second week of August? Are you mad? I've started already. The way I've planned my schedule, I can study everything twice, at least. When you visit, I will find a way to make you start studying sooner, whether through persuasion or blackmail.

Yes, I did feed Clark, and I let him rest for a bit.

Oh, by the way, I've sent in an application for connection to the Floo Network. I should be connected by the time you can escape.

It would be rather nice for your parents to take Lucas. I hope they don't take you. But there's not much chance of that, is there? But if Lucas went, then you'd be able to sneak out without bringing him, and we'd get much more 'together time', don't you think?

Oh, and I can't wait to show you the Muggle way of living. I'm really so glad you're opening your mind and letting me teach you. It's not so bad really, and it's not hard at all. Muggles have invented all sorts of labor saving devices, and I'm sure you're going to love tinkering with stuff- all boys do.

Anyway, hope you reply soon, and I really hope you can come (by yourself).

Sealed with a kiss,

Hermione

After sending the letter off with Clark, Hermione decided to finish off her homework, leaving the rest of her summer to study for the NEWTs.

As the third week of July came closer, Draco confirmed that he could visit her. His parents had canceled the cruise, but decided to take Lucas along to one of their other mansions so he could watch a Quidditch game that would be held nearby. Hermione and Draco agreed that on Tuesday, he could floo to her place at ten in the morning, and they could spend the entire day together.

Hermione's parents readily gave her permission, and they even planned to 'escape' for the afternoon, to give their daughter some time with her boyfriend. Hermione blushed at her parents' subtle teasing, but she was glad they were planning to leave.

The day finally arrived, and Hermione was up at dawn. She had made a list of all the things she thought Draco would like to learn about, which included cars and electronics. At ten to ten, she positioned herself on the couch, in front of the fireplace. At five minutes before ten, she was tense and tired of waiting, so she turned on the television. She stared unseeingly at the pictures that flashed across the screen. Where is he? He'll be late soon.

At precisely ten o'clock, there was a flash from the fireplace, and Draco stepped out of it. Hermione bounded over to him, threw her arms around his neck, and kissed him passionately on the lips.

"Hello," he said a little breathlessly when they pulled apart. "Do you know, you've got the cleanest fireplace I've ever stepped into."

"That's because we hardly use it," Hermione explained, laughing. "We have electric heaters."

"Ah, yes, I should have guessed." Draco took a long look at his surroundings. "I've never been to a stranger house."

"I'll explain everything later. Look, here comes my mum."

Mrs. Granger walked in from the kitchen, holding a tray of cookies. "Good morning, Draco. You're very punctual."

"Erm, thank you, Mrs. Granger. It's, um, nice to see you again," he replied.

"You've changed from the last time I saw you."

"I have?" Draco reached up to pat smooth his hair subconsciously. "In what way?"

"Well, you're drier."

"Funny, Mum," Hermione interjected, rolling her eyes. Her mother could be so corny sometimes. "You saw him at Kings Cross. Don't you have to go somewhere?"

"Only after lunch," Mrs. Granger replied, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Your father and I decided that we wanted to have lunch with our daughter and her friend. Now Draco," she said, turning to him, "either you dressed in black because you like it, or you thought we'd have a very dirty chimney."

Hermione winced at her mother's attempts at conversation, but Draco squeezed her hand, letting her know it was all right. "I always dress in black, Mrs. Granger. In fact, your chimney must be the cleanest one I've ever been in."

"Oh, Hermione was scampering up and down that chimney all day yesterday trying to get it clean enough for you."

"Mum!"

"Don't mind me dear. Here," she said, handing Hermione the tray of cookies. "I'll just go look for your father." Smiling, Mrs. Granger left the room.

"Sorry about that," Hermione muttered, collapsing on the couch. "She can be so weird."

Draco smiled and sat down next to her. "Mothers are like that. Don't worry about it. I wasn't even listening to her."

Hermione knew this wasn't true, but she accepted it anyway.

"Okay, this is a couch," Draco said, pointing at where they were sitting. "These are delicious chocolate chip cookies. What's that?"

"Electric light. See, you turn it on like so..." Hermione walked over to the switch on the wall and flicked the light on. "No more candles and stuff. Quite a few wizarding homes have electricity."

"Not Malfoy Manor," Draco pointed out. "I know that, it's a television."

"Yeah, want to watch?"

"Watch?"

"Don't you know what it does? You turn it on, and then you watch." She turned off the light and turned on the television. Draco watched, amazed, and Hermione handed him the remote control. "Use this to choose channels. See," she demonstrated. Then Draco tried it. He had just selected MTV when Mr. Granger walked in.

"Good morning kids," he said cheerfully. Draco, displaying impeccable manners, rose from his seat and shook Mr. Granger's hand. Mr. Granger beamed and winked at Hermione, as if to say how am I doing?

Hermione sighed and turned back to the television. Draco returned to his place beside her.

"What are you two watching?" Apparently, Mr. Granger hadn't left the room yet.

"MTV."

"Can I join you?"

Hermione looked back at him as if he were mad, and shook her head, glad Draco couldn't see. Mr. Granger finally took the hint, and left, saying "I'll just leave you two kids to it, then."

Making sure he was out of the room, Hermione buried her head in her hands. "Why do my parents have to be so embarrassing all the time? They're not usually like this."

"At least you know not to do that with your kids. And at least none of their weirdness rubbed off on you." Draco leaned back in his seat, and stared about the room again. "How 'bout a tour of your house?" he asked, turning to her.

"Sure." She had been on her hands and knees most yesterday, cleaning the house so Draco wouldn't hesitate to step on any spot he might think as dirty. She started from upstairs, naming all the appliances and what they did, and showing him how to work them. It was exactly lunchtime when they had finished.

"I guess we'd better go to lunch," Hermione said reluctantly. She had been dreading this part, ever since her mother had greeted Draco.

"Aren't you hungry? I am. And if your mother cooks half as well as she bakes, my pants won't fit me anymore."

"They're probably going to embarrass me again," Hermione told him gloomily. "What will they do- draw all the curtains so it will be dark and pretend it's a candle-lit lunch? A double date- me and my parents?" She cringed at the thought.

"Actually, it's kind of cute that you were 'scampering up and down the chimney' just for me," Draco teased.

She shot him a look. "Just don't expect me to do that everytime you come over."

"I won't. But I will expect that welcoming kiss." Draco looked at her slyly. "Maybe I'll come over even more often just for that."

Hermione blushed. "I missed you, okay? Just that. Now let's go to lunch before they send out a search party for us."

To her relief, lunch for them proved to be the normal, everyday, Granger lunch. An extra plate had been set for Draco at the small table, and all of them dug into the food enthusiastically. Mr. and Mrs. Granger began to talk about work, leaving Hermione and Draco to talk about other things between themselves. Hermione told Draco that there was a fair in town, and she planned to take him to it. After that, she would take him to a movie, and they'd probably be back about nine in the evening or so.

At the fair, Draco enthusiastically tried every single ride, some on his own, since Hermione felt sick after the first few rides. He particularly enjoyed the bump cars, and he took a sort of morbid delight in bumping people as hard as he could. Eventually he had tried every ride and every kind of food. In fact, he had finished a whole stick of Cotton Candy, since Hermione refused to eat all that sugar.

"Muggles aren't so bad, are they?" Hermione asked him slyly.

"We-ell, I guess not. All right, they're pretty cool. Some of them, anyway." Draco scanned the area, hoping to get off the subject of his errors. "Hey, what's that?"

"That? A pay phone. Here, let me show you how it works."

Hermione taught Draco how to use a pay phone, and she even gave him her phone number and some muggle money, just enough to make a call.

"What for?"

"So that if you need to contact me immediately, but you can't come to my house for some reason, maybe you can call me."

"So, where are we off to now? This place you call 'the movies' seems nice," Draco said.

"Yes, let's go there. I think we'll be just in time to catch the next show."

"Oh, they're shows, are they?"

"You'll understand when we get there."

Two hours later, Hermione and Draco walked out of the cinema.

"That was nice. I enjoyed it. It's pretty amazing."

"Yup. I knew you'd like it."

"How come we don't have stuff like that in the wizarding world?"

"I don't know. Why don't you start it? You could hit it big time."

"You could help me. So, how will we get back to your place?" Draco asked.

"I suppose we'll take the bus," Hermione replied.

Five minutes later they boarded a bus. Draco insisted that they sit by the front so he could observe the driver. Hermione knew he was just itching to try driving.

At the next stop, a young couple got on, and Draco eyed the guy's earring and nose ring.

"Did you know that before, guys wearing earrings meant they were gay?"

"Yes, I knew that, but it doesn't stand for that anymore," Hermione explained. "Now, it's supposed to be a symbol of coolness, but I don't think so."

"His green hair's cool though. I ought to do that at the next Quidditch match."

"Try it, and I'll dump you."

"Okay, blond works for me." Draco glanced behind him at the couple who was now kissing. "Let's do what they're doing."

Hermione looked back to see what he was talking about. Realizing what Draco meant, she quickly turned around, her entire face flaming.

"Oh, like you haven't seen people kiss before." Draco's grey eyes reflected his amusement.

"It's just- well- it's so public," she stammered. "And really- don't they have any dignity at all? They can't just board a bus and sit down and start making out. It's just not ethical."

"What's not ethical? They're obviously madly in love."

"Since when were you so keen to make out on a Muggle bus?"

"It's been a fantasy of mine ever since I was younger." Hermione gaped at him in surprise, and he laughed. "Just kidding." Before she could protest, he leaned over and kissed her fully on the lips.

"You taste like cotton candy and popcorn," Hermione said when they broke apart.

"Is that bad?"

"Very tasty." Forgetting all her earlier arguments about ethics, Hermione fell into Draco's arms and kissed him back.

When they got down at their stop, Hermione told Draco they'd have to walk for a bit, since her house wasn't very close to the bus stop. He didn't mind, and they set of together, hand in hand.

"You'll let me play more on your computer when I come again, right?"

"Right. When are you coming again? Soon, I hope."

"As soon as possible," Draco promised. "I enjoyed this-"

"Aha, I knew it!" Hermione pounced on the opening. "I knew you'd like the Muggle way of living. In fact, I've got a little gift for you."

"Let me finish," Draco snapped in mock annoyance. "I enjoyed this, if only because you were there."

"I'm sure you would have enjoyed this even without me," Hermione waved her hand dismissively. "Anyway, I got you a gift, it's called a nintendo."

"You showed me one earlier."

"Yes, so you know how to use it, right? Anyway, just follow the instructions. I thought you'd like it."

"Thanks, really." Draco's hand reached up again to tug her hair. "I'd invite you to the Manor one time, except I think you already know everything about the Wizarding world, and there's not much we have at the Manor that we don't have at Hogwarts or any magical museum. And anyway, it's not a very happy place. My parent's wouldn't like it one bit."

"It's okay. I'm just really glad you could come today."

"Will Potter and Weasley ever visit you?"

"Harry no, but Ron is coming... tomorrow. Him and Ginny. They're taking the Floo."

"Going to clean chimneys again?" Draco asked, teasing.

"No, I only do that for you. There's the house," she added pointing. "Mum and Dad aren't back yet. The car's still gone. I wonder where they went."

"That car... I'd love to take a look at it one time. Is it like the bump car?"

"Sort of... You'd better get Dad to explain that stuff. I'm not into mechanics, really. I leave that up to males. Anyway, want anything to eat?" she asked, taking out her key to unlock the door.

"Oh, anything you have is fine."

They entered the dark house, and Hermione moved from room to room, flicking switches until the house was bright. Then she led him to the kitchen, where she looked for a snack. "Ice cream?" she offered. Draco accepted, and they both settled in front of the television with heaping bowls of ice cream. Hermione gave Draco the remote, and Draco moved from channel to channel, looking for a suitable movie.

"I'll just stay with you until your parents come back," he said, stopping on an action movie that looked promising. Hermione closed her eyes to avoid looking at the wave of blood that covered the screen. Draco noticed and switched off the television. "What time do you think they'll be back?"

"I have no idea. Probably not so late. I mean, they're pretty responsible parents. They'll definitely be back before midnight. Won't they be looking for you back at home?" she asked, leaning her head on his shoulder.

"No, Mother and Father and Lucas are staying at one of our other mansions. I already told the house elves not to expect me back until late." He took her empty ice cream bowl and placed it beside his on the coffee table.

"Did you have a good time today?"

"Of course. You're an excellent tour guide. I'm already looking forward to coming again." Draco took her hand and played with her fingers. "And your parents are nice folk. You're very lucky to have them."

"I know." Hermione sighed in contentment, enjoying the feeling of having Draco play with her hand.

They heard a car pull up in the driveway, and Hermione jumped up. "That's them." It was quarter to eleven. A door banged.

"Hermione?" her mother's voice called.

"Here!"

Her parents came in, and they saw Draco was still with her. "Oh, hello, Draco," Mr. Granger said. "Still here, are you?"

"I was just keeping Hermione company, sir," Draco told him. "I'll be leaving now anyway. Thanks very much for the nice visit."

"Oh, any time, Draco, any time," Mrs. Granger said, gathering their ice cream bowls. "Make sure you visit again- it's a pleasure cooking for someone who enjoys eating my food so much." She went to the kitchen to wash the bowls.

Mr. Granger stretched himself on the couch and picked up the remote. "What's nice to watch?" he asked. "You'd better go home now, Draco, it's getting late, your parents might be worrying about you."

"Yes, Mr. Granger," Draco said, looking awkwardly at Hermione. He had meant to give her a kiss, but he wasn't so sure what to do now that her father was there. She stared back at him, blushing, probably at her father's behavior. Eventually Draco drew closer and his lips grazed her cheek. "Good night, Hermione. Thanks again. I'll write."

"You're welcome. I'll write back. Take care!" Hermione gave him some Floo powder, and he disappeared from their fireplace.

Draco landed in Malfoy Manor, and his arrival caused a flurry from the house-elves. "No, I don't need anything," he snapped to the third elf who asked him. "Go back to sleep, I'll take care of myself for tonight, thank you."

The next day was uneventful for Draco. He was alone in the house, so he did his homework, played Nintendo, and read a few books. He wished they had a TV in the manor, but it was impossible. Even if they did have a television set, Hermione explained, they wouldn't have cable TV, which meant he wouldn't get nice channels.

His parents and Lucas arrived just as he had sent off a letter to Hermione. Draco went to greet them, then holed himself in his room until dinnertime. Lucas, of course, couldn't leave his older brother alone, and had to come and annoy him.

"What?" Draco snapped when Lucas walked in. "There is such a thing as a knock, you know."

"What have you been doing all day?" Lucas asked, ignoring Draco's cold greeting. "And all yesterday?"

"Same thing as you, I expect- breathing, eating, sleeping, reading."

"Seriously. There must be some reason you didn't want to come to the mansion with us." Lucas sat down on Draco's bed, and swung his feet up on it.

"Did you ask if you could stay there?" Draco asked from his place by the window.

"Why are you by the window?" Lucas asked, once again ignoring his older brother. "Are you waiting for a letter?"

"Yes, from Goyle."

"Can Goyle even write?" Lucas sneered. "More likely you're expecting a letter from your girlfriend."

"Remind me again why you care so much about my personal life."

"I know you went to visit her yesterday. You spent the whole day with her, in the Muggle part of the world."

Draco continued to stare out of the window as if his little brother wasn't bothering him, but deep down he was worried. "And what makes you so sure I did just that?"

"I know things, Draco," Lucas said solemnly. "You can't escape me. Now, the question is, what do you want to do about it?"

"Nothing. Why do I have to do anything about it? You're not planning to tell, are you?"

"You know me. Of course I am."

"What do you want to do about it?" Draco knew it wasn't what he wanted, but what Lucas wanted that made the difference.

"I want to go next time you visit her."

"Since when are you so interested in the muggle world?"

"Oh, I'm not interested in the muggle world. I'm interested in her."

"She's my girlfriend," Draco said furiously. "Lay off her."

"Fine, but Mum's going to know about you." Lucas jumped off the bed, and headed out the door.

"Wait," Draco called dejectedly. "You can come next time." Besides, his mind reasoned, it's just a school boy crush. It'll go away. You know Lucas, he changes girls every two days.

"Good. And I want to spend some time with her. Without you, I mean. Just me and her."

"There's no way you'll manage that," Draco said, his mind frantically searching for reasons why Lucas couldn't do it. "Her parents- they know I'm her boyfriend. If they see you alone with her, they'll probably hurt you with some Muggle device. Maybe burn your eyes out with this thing called radiation."

Lucas face turned pale. "They can do that?" he whispered.

"Yeah, with a thing called a microwave."

"Really?"

"Yeah, but if they don't do that, they could 'electrocute' you- that's a Muggle term for 'execute'- using a plug."

"Then I guess you'll have to set us up on a date, so her parents won't be around to execute me," Lucas suggested, although he still looked a little scared.

"You can't date my girlfriend!" Draco almost shouted.

"I can and I will unless you want the truth to be known."

"She's all yours," Draco said glumly, although a plan was already forming in his head. "Now get out of my room!"

As soon as Lucas left, Draco lay down on his bed, thinking his plan through. It wouldn't be too hard to do.

Later on that day, Narcissa took Lucas to Diagon Alley, meaning to buy him a new broom. Lucius Sr. was called to his office for important business. Draco used that time alone to contact Hermione through the fire.

Sprinkling some magic powder on the fire, he muttered her address and stuck his head in. Mr. Granger was reading the paper in the living room.

"Oh, hello Draco," he said, looking rather startled.

"Good afternoon sir," Draco replied. "Is Hermione home?"

"Just a minute, I'll call her." Mr. Granger poked his head out of the door and yelled for his daughter. While waiting for her, the two talked a bit.

"So, I heard you liked the Muggle world. Do you like cars?"

"Very much sir, I just can't figure out how they work."

"I'll teach you one time. It's a shame Hermione's an only child- if she had a brother I could have taught him about cars. They have to be the one thing Hermione won't get interested into."

At this moment Hermione bounded into the room. "Hello Draco!" She knelt in front of the hearth.

"Hey! I've missed you."

"I've missed you too. I just got your letter this morning. In fact, Clark's resting upstairs. Why the sudden need to contact me?"

"It's important. But first I have to ask- do you love me?"

"You know I do."

"Well, you haven't kissed me yet."

Hermione looked doubtfully at him. "Will I singe my hair?"

"I don't think so," Draco answered. He let Hermione kiss him, then he continued. "I've got something important to tell you." He looked at her father, who was standing behind her, listening.

"Dad!" Hermione cried in exasperation. "Can Draco and I speak alone for a moment? Please?"

"Fine, fine," Mr. Granger turned around and walked out of the room. "This important thing though- it isn't life threatening for Hermione, is it?" he asked Draco. "Because if it is I think I have a right as her father to know."

"It's important, but not important in that way," Draco assured him. "It's not life threatening in any way." Mr. Granger seemed satisfied, and walked out, leaving the door wide open behind him. Hermione ran to close it.

"What is it, Draco?" she asked, kneeling in front of him again. It seemed serious.

"I have some important information that you must know. Lucas fancies you."

Hermione blinked in confusion. "I beg your pardon? Lucas fancies me?"

"I guess you've got a certain attraction for rich pureblooded wizards," Draco said. "Anyway, he's pretty much blackmailed me to let him go out with you. I'm supposed to set you two up or something. I don't know how he found out about my visit to you, but he did."

"So you want me to date your brother?"

"Well, I've already got a plan, you see. We just have to put it in action."

"Tell me."

"A study date."

Hermione stared at him. "A study date? What's so special about a study date? And why are you smiling? I thought this was serious."

"It is serious," Draco guaranteed. "But it's going to be fun. It's like this..."

The next morning when Hermione woke up the sun was already streaming from the windows. She quickly dressed and headed downstairs for a lonely breakfast, since her parents would already be at work. The first thing she noticed when she entered the kitchen was a dining room was a huge bouquet of flowers on the dining table. Curious to see who they were for and whom they were from, Hermione dug through the creation to find a card. Eventually she pulled it out, and read it with a rapidly beating heart.

To: Ms. H. Granger

Love fr. Mr. L. Malfoy Jr.

Hermione shrieked and dropped the card. "Eew, eew, eew!" she cried. "Totally disgusting- as if I'm not Draco's girlfriend already."

Ignoring the flowers, although they were beautiful, Hermione found herself some breakfast. Then she sat down at the table, giving the flowers baleful looks once in a while.

Draco had been right about Lucas. She just hoped he was right about his idea of the study date. Well, the boys would visit her later that day. It would be time to put Draco's plan into action.

Draco and Lucas arrived after lunch. Draco immediately gave his girlfriend a big kiss, earning them a jealous glare from Lucas.

"Hi Lucas," Hermione welcomed him. "How have you been?"

"Great," he answered, smiling his most charming smile. "And how are you?"

"Oh, you know, busy studying." Hermione gestured to the coffee table covered with papers. "So would you like anything to drink?"

"No, we're fine, thanks."

"Hey, Hermione, your dad said I could look at his tools," Draco said, turning his head to hide a wink from Lucas. "Where are they?"

"Oh, they're in the same place as his plugs. I don't think you want to go there. I'll get them for you."

Lucas paled at the word 'plugs', and Draco pretended to be scared as well. "Um, never mind," he said hastily. "I don't want you to unnecessarily risk your life in any way."

"I'll be careful," Hermione promised.

"No, don't," Lucas said, stepping in. "It's too risky."

Hermione almost smiled, but she managed to control herself. "I'll show you guys around the mall. That's where all teenagers like to hang out."

"Oh, sure," Draco exclaimed enthusiastically. The mall? What the heck is that? I don't want to go. But at least I'll get to spend time with Hermione.

"Come on then," Lucas urged them. "Let's go see the mall." His face, however, showed that he felt the same way his brother did.

"Just a minute then, I'll go get my purse." Hermione disappeared up the stairs.

"What's the mall?" Lucas asked Draco.

"She tried explaining it to me once," he answered. "I think they maul people at the mall. Some morbid Muggle thing."

"Yuck. Muggles sure have weird customs. They actually maul people? Alive?"

"I think they use animals sometimes. You know, if we've got Azkaban, they've got malls."

At this point, Hermione came back down the stairs. "Ready to go?"

Both boys nodded, and they set off. On the bus, Lucas beat his brother to the seat next to Hermione. Glaring at him, Draco took the seat behind them.

Lucas draped his arm around the back of the seat. "So, what have you been studying?"

"Oh, some more complex vectors to add variation to simple spells," Hermione answered quietly, so Muggles wouldn't hear.

Lucas looked blank, and Draco was sure he did too. They hadn't even touched on variations of spells yet!

"Okay," Lucas said slowly. "Whatever."

"I happen to take them very seriously!" Hermione cried indignantly.

"Oh, yeah, me too. I just meant, whatever else are you studying?"

Behind them, Draco snorted. Lucas, as usual, ignored him. Hermione stared out of the window to hide a smile.

"I'm revising for the N.E.W.T.s, having finished all of my homework. It's going to take a long time, and you're lucky I was able to schedule today as a free day."

"Oh, yes, we're extremely lucky. But why do you want to go to the mall?"

"Everyone wants to go to the mall Lucas!" Hermione cried out. "Sure, there's the occasional riot, sometimes, especially when there's a sale, and sometimes there's a stampede or something, but other than that everyone loves the mall. I mean, there are thieves and pickpockets and muggers that stay there, but if you're careful they won't get you."

"And what do you like best at the mall?"

"The sales and the shopping. You did bring muggle money, didn't you?" she asked them softly.

"You bet. I wouldn't make the same mistake Draco did," Lucas answered, smirking at Draco, who hadn't brought any money the last time he visited. Draco sneered at his brother, who turned back to Hermione.

"So what is there to buy at a mall?"

"A mall is like a village all in one building. You know, like Hogsmeade, it has lots of stores, except they're all in one structure. No houses, just shops. So basically, you can buy everything you need at the mall."

"Why is it called the mall?" Draco asked from behind them.

"I'm not sure, really," Hermione said, turning around so she could talk to him. "It's not so far; ours is the next stop."

They got off the bus right in front of a huge building, and Hermione led them inside. "Welcome," she said, "to the mall." Both boys gazed around them in wonder, looking at the escalators, the fountains, the shops, and the masses of people going to shop. "What do you want to do first?" Neither of them answered, so she led them to a lift. "Let's start from the top, and window shop or just walk our way down. This is a lift, or an elevator, as they say in America," she explained quietly. They got on, and went to the highest floor. Lucas almost fell when the lift suddenly started its ascent, and had to steady himself on a wall.

They walked through the whole shopping mall, staying longest in the electronics shops. Hermione usually liked going shopping for clothes but this time she didn't, since she was with the two boys. She led them to McDonald's for a snack, and both boys were amazed by the notion of 'fast food'. They each took home two hamburgers and several apple pies.

By the end of the trip they each had made several purchases, and they boarded the bus with sore feet and near empty wallets. Lucas again sat next to Hermione, but Draco didn't mind. He contented himself with thinking of the passionate kiss he'd give Hermione that was sure to make Lucas green with envy. When they got down at Hermione's house Draco helped her carry her bags, and he set them down by the couch.

"Your parents haven't met Lucas yet, have they?"

"Not yet," Hermione replied, sitting on the couch and inviting Draco to sit next to her. "They won't be back until late, though. Want to watch a bit of TV?"

"Sure."

Lucas watched curiously as Hermione turned on the TV, and flipped through channels. "Can I try?" he asked. She handed him the remote, and he went through all the channels twice before finally settling on something. He looked back to see Draco whispering something in Hermione's ear. She giggled, then kissed him on the lips. Lucas scowled.

"You know what, Hermione, we should repay the favor sometime," he said, interrupting them. Their kiss was broken, and Hermione turned to Lucas.

"What do you mean?"

"We should take you out to dinner one time." Lucas looked at Draco meaningfully.

"Yeah, that would be great." Draco said. "When do you want to do it?"

"Tomorrow night okay for you, Hermione?" Lucas asked her.

"I have to study," Hermione answered, biting her lip in what looked like genuine regret. "I guess it can be a study dinner- would that be all right with both of you?"

"Sure!" Draco said, nodding his head. "Oh, oh, wait, I can't," he said, looking crestfallen and even smacking his hand to his forehead. "I'm busy... Father wanted me to do something tomorrow, I can't." He looked at Lucas as if to say 'there, are you happy now?'

"Oh, that's just too, too bad, Draco," Lucas spoke with such false sympathy that Hermione knew they had scripted and rehearsed this. "I guess I'll have to take Hermione out myself. Is that all right with you, Hermione?"

She looked at her boyfriend hesitantly. "If it's okay with Draco."

"Of course it's okay with Draco," Lucas said. "Isn't it?"

"Go on, Hermione, don't let me hold you back. I'm sure you'll have fun studying even without me." Now Draco put on a face that looked like he was almost relieved to get out of the study date. "Maybe you'll have more fun studying without me- I mean, remember our last study date? No, Lucas," he said, turning to his younger brother, "it's perfectly all right, and my only advice is that you have fun studying."

"Oh, Draco you're so sweet," Hermione cooed. She leaned in and kissed him, and Lucas scowled again.

"Did you receive my flowers, Hermione?" Lucas asked.

"Yes, they were lovely. They're in my room right now," she lied, although she had tossed them into the rubbish bin just after breakfast. "Thanks for them. What was the occasion, might I ask?"

"Nothing," he said. "I just wanted to thank you in advance for inviting us over. We'd better be going, Draco," he told his brother, "before you two suck out each other's faces."

Draco shot his brother a dirty look, but stood up anyway. "I have stuff to do back at home," he said. "Like studying."

"That's my boy," Hermione said proudly, standing up as well. "So, Lucas, you'll pick me up here? Let's go to Chi Chi's. It's a magical restaurant- perhaps you've heard of it? I've met Chi Chi a couple of times. She's really nice. She also works as a teacher, so people study there all the time. It's nice and bright, and there's some dancing too. I'll make the reservations."

"Sure," Lucas said happily. "Just say Malfoy. I'll Floo here, then we'll Floo there. Okay with you? About... sixish?"

"Fine. I'll see you tomorrow, then. Bye, Draco," she turned to him. "Hope I'll see you soon."

"As soon as I can manage." Draco kissed her sweetly, then stepped into the fireplace. A second later he was gone.

"So it's a date?" Lucas asked before he stepped into the fireplace.

"A study date."

"But a date nonetheless." He smiled at her, then muttered "Malfoy Manor." Then he disappeared.

Hermione woke up early the next morning, threw on some clothes then went to meet her parents for breakfast.

"You're up early," Mrs. Granger commented as her daughter kissed her good morning. "You can sleep in, you know. It is summer after all."

"Oh, Mum, you know I hate sleeping in. It wastes several hours of life." Hermione kissed her father then took her place at the table. "Besides, I didn't like eating alone yesterday."

"Sleeping in would probably help you grow."

"Funny, Dad. I know I'm short, but it's okay with me. I mean, it's who I am, and it doesn't hurt if people underestimate me. I love surprising them." Hermione helped herself to some cereal. "And Draco doesn't tease me, and neither do Harry and Ron. I feel a bit insecure sometimes, but on the whole I'm satisfied with myself."

"That's what having a boyfriend has done to our daughter," Mrs. Granger told her husband. "He's made her feel more special than we could ever manage."

"It's not Draco," Hermione protested, blushing. "I just accepted myself, that's all."

Her parents traded looks, then Mr. Granger changed the subject. "So, what are your plans for today? I suppose you've had enough of the mall?"

"To last me at least a week," Hermione laughed. "Today, I'm going to study, study, study, then I've got a study date. I don't know what time I'll be back. We're going to Chi Chi's."

"Ooh, sound's good. You're going with Draco?" her mother asked.

"Lucas."

Mr. and Mrs. Granger stared at her. "I thought Draco was your boyfriend."

"Of course he is, Dad," Hermione chuckled. "He's just not available so Lucas is taking me instead. It should be fun with Lucas anyway."

"So Draco gave his permission? I'd never have let my little brother go out with your mother when we were dating. Why, even now I wouldn't!"

"Draco gave his permission ages ago. In fact, it was all his idea to do this thing. He'll be there too, just not actually... there."

"Was my daughter always this hard to understand?" Mr. Granger asked his wife.

"Just blame it on hormones," his wife told him. "They're almost always the cause of these changes."

Hermione checked her watch. "Well, I wish I could stay and enlighten you guys, but I'm going to be late for my study schedule- I have to finish studying transfiguring animals into other animals and animals into plants, the Goblin Revolution and how it differed from the Goblin Rebellion, and the fifty-five different uses of the common mushroom." She put her bowl in the sink and left the kitchen, focusing her mind on studying.

Several hours after lunch, Hermione set down her books and began looking for a nice dress to wear. It couldn't be too casual, but something not too formal. Finally settling on a black, off-shoulder dress she had received for Christmas from an aunt last year but had never gotten the courage to wear, Hermione stepped into the bathroom to prepare.

At precisely six-o clock, Lucas appeared on the Granger's hearth. "Hermione?" he called.

"Just a minute!" she yelled back, and grabbed her bag of books with some difficulty. She lugged them down the stairs, stopping to wave at Lucas. "Hi," she greeted.

"You look beautiful," he told her.

"Thanks. Draco says that all the time." Hermione smiled fondly, and Lucas frowned. "You look..." she looked him over carefully. "Where are your books?"

"My books?"

"Well, this is a study date, isn't it? You're supposed to study. You can't study without books."

"Oh, right, I guess I forgot them at home," Lucas said sheepishly. "I can go get them if you like."

"No, no, don't," Hermione hastily shook her head. Draco was supposed to use this time to get to the restaurant. "You take these books for me," she gave Lucas the heavy bag, "while I go find you an extra ball pen and some paper." She turned and went back up the stairs. "I won't be long."

"Take your time, no rush," Lucas responded, kneeling in front of the bag. "Let's see what you've got in here," he murmured, opening the bag. "Magical Theory, Arithmancy, 1000 More Magical Herbs and Fungi, the Monster Book of Monsters, A Beginners Guide to Advanced Transfiguration, Pre-History of Magic." Lucas made a face, and grabbed several books. "I don't think it would hurt if you stayed behind," he told them softly, removing the Monster Book of Monsters, Arithmancy, and 1000 More Magical Herbs and Fungi. He heard a sound upstairs and quickly shoved the books under the couch. Then he zipped up the bag and stood, pretending to examine the pictures that decorated the mantle of the fireplace.

Hermione, of course, had been watching from upstairs, and now she came back down. "Here," she said, brandishing some ball pens and parchment. "I'll just put these in the bag and then we can go."

"I'll do it," Lucas said, taking them from her.

"Thanks." Watching him, Hermione hid a smile. Lucas stood and hefted the bag. "Wow, you must be strong. I thought that bag was much heavier."

"Oh, it's nothing," Lucas said. "It's not heavy at all, really. Ready? Ladies first."

"Don't you mean, lady first?" Hermione joked, taking some floo powder. "Chi Chi's."

She disappeared in a flash, and after a few seconds of being completely disoriented by feelings and flashing colors, she landed on the fireplace at Chi Chi's.

Lucas was right behind her.

"Good evening, sir, madam," the waiter greeted them. " Do you have reservations?"

"Malfoy," Lucas said.

The waiter's eyes widened and he smiled a little wider. "Yes sir, right this way."

Once they had been seated and Lucas had ordered for both of them, Hermione opened her bag. "That's strange," she murmured. "I thought I brought more books."

"You must have been dreaming," Lucas said, laughing.

"Maybe," she agreed with a smile. "I suppose I can get started on Pre-History of Magic. What about you?"

"What if I just study your beautiful face?" Lucas suggested, smiling his best smile.

Hermione giggled and gushed, "You're so sweet. But no," she suddenly said sternly, "study a book, not my face."

Lucas looked abashed and he started writing on his paper. Hermione made some notes on a piece of parchment, and she muttered some bits of information over and over again. Scanning the room, she saw Draco sitting at a corner table. He smiled at her, and she returned his smile.

Their food came, and Hermione paused in her recitation of the generals involved in the First Ever War only long enough to put food into her mouth. She was certain that Lucas was getting bored.

When she had finished eating, she excused herself to go to the ladies room. Draco met her on the way there.

"Hey," he said, giving her a kiss. "He seems bored to death."

"I wonder why," she replied innocently.

Draco laughed. "I'm pretty bored myself. Why don't you try something worse? It's getting boring."

"Sure, I think I can manage that. Call it revenge for his leaving my books behind."

"Go on, unleash the evil Hermione Granger just dying to get out."

"There's no evil Hermione, and if there was, you'd have dumped me ages ago."

"True," Draco agreed, kissing her again. "Now go and irritate my brother."

Returning to the table, Hermione noticed that Lucas had moved his chair so it was beside hers. As she sat down, he put his arm around her shoulders.

Hermione went back to studying, preparing her next trick on Lucas.

"Are you enjoying tonight?" Lucas asked.

"Oh, very much. Thanks for taking me."

"Anything for you." He leaned in, as if to kiss her. Hermione pretended to be caught in the moment, and she leaned forward to meet his lips, but at the last moment she backed out.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

"It's Draco, isn't it? You're thinking of him."

"Draco? No, it's just that on study dates, I make it a rule to reward a kiss to my date if he answers a question correctly."

Lucas looked incredulous. "Okay, ask me a question."

"It has to be a question from the topic we're studying, and these topics are just too advanced for you."

"Then disregard the rule," he offered. "I wouldn't mind."

"I'll think about it." She went back to studying, clearly not 'thinking about it'.

Lucas, bored yet again, started playing with her hair. She pretended not to mind it, and she even coyly ran her fingers through his hair. Lucas sighed in contentment, probably picturing the look on Draco's face if he had seen that. Draco had in fact seen it, but he had seen something else too.

"Please, can you go back to the other side of the table?" Hermione asked Lucas. "I want to stare at you."

Lucas, looking a little bewildered, complied. Hermione stared into his eyes, but later on her gaze shifted to his forehead. After a few minutes, Lucas reached up to touch his forehead. He felt a piece of paper with 1978 written on it.

"1978? What's so important about this?" he asked.

"I'm glad you asked," Hermione cried, beaming. "I've been trying to memorize what happened on that date for ages. That's why I stuck it to your forehead. In 1978," she began to recite, "the ministry held- wait, I know this- the ministry held the 78^th All Magical Convention of the century! Yes, I got it!" She pumped a fist into the air.

"Is it that hard to remember?" Lucas asked. "I mean, the 78^th convention happened in 1978."

Hermione snapped her fingers. "You're right! That's the pattern I've been looking for. Brilliant, Lucas, brilliant."

"Do I get a kiss?"

She smiled at him. "No. I don't think Draco would like it if I told him."

"Draco doesn't have to know. Look, Hermione," he began, taking her hand. "I really, really like you. You're special. And I can tell you want me too, you just don't show it."

Stuck up, over confident pig, Hermione thought. Let's see if you still really, really like me later. "Still, I won't kiss you. You haven't finished your food. Let's see your notes."

Lucas handed them over, and Hermione read through them. "Well, they seem a little short... but I think you've done a good job. Question- why are some people wizards and others Muggles?" she asked, giving back his notes.

"Because Muggles are idiots."

"Wrong answer," Hermione said disapprovingly. "It's a gene that is present in everybody that gives wizards their power, it's just recessive in the Muggles. That's how Squibs and Muggle-borns happen. Because you gave the wrong answer, you don't get a kiss."

"But-hey, I thought it was a trick question," Lucas protested.

"Well, it wasn't." She went back to studying. "Finish your food."

Lucas miserably began to eat, slouching in his seat and muttering angrily to himself.

"What's that?" Hermione asked, glancing at him.

"Nothing- I was just memorizing," Lucas lied.

"Brilliant." Hermione went back to studying, and a few minutes later she put the book aside. "Lucas, I really have to thank you for doing this. I mean, Draco is no fun at all to study with. He told me he's planning to start studying on the second week of August. The second week of August, imagine that! But you're here, and even though you're not taking the N.E.W.T.s, you're helping me study. And I just really have to say thanks."

"No problem," Lucas said, looking pleased. "Do you want to dance?"

Hermione hesitated. "Well, I suppose it would be fun," she finally assented. "And you've finished your food, anyway, haven't you? So let's just order dessert, then we can have a dance or two."

Grinning happily, Lucas called a waiter and the two placed their orders. Then Lucas grabbed Hermione's hand and swung her out onto the dance floor.

To Lucas' surprise Hermione put her arms around him and drew him closer. Wishing Draco were here to see this, the younger Malfoy wrapped his arms around Hermione's waist and closed his eyes, savoring the feeling of having her in his arms.

A rustling over his shoulder made Lucas blink, and he wondered what Hermione was doing. He didn't dare look over his shoulder to see what she was doing in case it was just nothing, so he guided her slowly until he could see their reflection in a mirror that decorated one wall. Hermione was holding a piece of paper the size of a paper napkin behind his back and was studying it over Lucas' shoulder. Lucas' face burned with shame, and he withdrew himself from Hermione's arms. She glanced at him reproachfully.

"What?"

"You're studying while we're dancing! Can't we do something together that doesn't involve revising for the N.E.W.T.s, which are months and months away?"

"Well excuse me for studying on a study date," Hermione snapped. "I'm only surprised you didn't do the same. That's what I thought we were here to do."

Lucas was about to reply but he stopped, and his eyes narrowed. Draco was coming towards them, smiling and waving, carrying his own bag of books.

"Father let me off early," Draco said a little breathlessly when he arrived. He kissed Hermione, and showed them his books. "I'm ready to study."

"You're a little late, Draco," Hermione told him regretfully. "Lucas and I have already gone through a lot of material."

"No, that's okay," Lucas said, speaking up. "Here, Draco, why don't you have her. You can take her for all I care. After all, birds of the same boring feather always flock together. You can take her, and she can stick bits of paper with 1978 written on them all over your face. It would be one less ugly thing to look at anyhow. And then she can ask you questions, and if you get them right you can get a kiss. And when you dance she can study over your shoulder, while everyone looks at both of you as if you were mad. Come to think of it," he said contemptuously, rounding on Hermione, "you are mad. All you ever do is study- can you even dance? Probably not," Lucas sneered. "I'm leaving now, and you two can have your precious study time together. You can pick up the tab." He strode away.

The two who were left stared as he marched over to the fireplace and disappeared. Then they both smiled as they headed over to the table.

"It worked, didn't it?"

"You're a genius." Hermione sighed. "I didn't get much studying done."

"Why not?"

"He left three of my books at home, and he kept distracting me! Besides, I was having lots of fun."

"Want to dance?"

"Sure."

"No studying, okay?" Draco said, laughing lightly. Although it appeared that he wasn't worried about it, he was dead serious. Hermione could go over the top when it came to studying sometimes.

"Okay."

The two wrapped their arms around each other and started swaying to the beat. After a while, Draco broke the silence with a chuckle.

"What?" his girlfriend asked.

"Lucas hasn't learned the secret to enjoying a study date with you."

"What might that be?"

"To ask our own questions. For example, when are you going to visit Diagon Alley?"

"Maybe the last week of August."

"Good answer," Draco whispered mischievously, bending down slightly to kiss her. "And when can I come over again?"

"Anytime you can, preferably as soon as possible."

"Very good." He kissed her again. "Choose: Lucas or Draco."

"Draco."

Another kiss.

"Draco?"

"Yeah?"

"Our dessert is there. Let's go sit down. Like I said, I need to study. I hope you brought Monster Book of Monsters, Arithmancy, and 1000 More Magical Herbs and Fungi, because Lucas left mine."

"I brought them. And I suppose we should study."

"Good answer." This time, Hermione kissed him, and neither made a move to do as they planned and head to the table.

"Who needs to study?" Draco asked after a while.

"No one here," Hermione responded, giving in to the temptation of staying in Draco's arms.

"Perfect." He kissed her.