"Ouch!"

Draco cursed loudly, getting up from the rosebush he'd fallen into. Looking around to be sure no one had seen him fall out the window, he jogged across the lawn, vaulted the low brick fence, and continued down the lane.

Only when he approached a small brick house did he slow down, and turn up the path that led to the door. Pushing the doorbell, he hoped Hermione would answer the door.

A few seconds later, the door opened, and the answerer was not Hermione. It was Hermione's sister, a pale, dark haired girl who was small for thirteen and in Slytherin.

"Hello, Miranda. Mione in?" Draco asked politely.

"Yup. And I suppose you'd like me to fetch her for you?" Miranda answered.

Draco nodded, slightly confused. I mean, that was a given, right?

Miranda laughed and shut the door again. Draco heard her shouting up the stairs, and another minute later, it opened again, and Hermione appeared.

Draco caught his breath and felt his cheeks burn. Her chocolate brown hair was as bushy as ever, but her usual attire of the Gryffindor uniform had been replaced by a pretty turquoise top and denim shorts. (And, trust me, the uniform does nothing for a girl's appearance.)

Noticing his flush, she giggled. This revealed her cute buck teeth and dimples, which made him blush even more. She giggled again.

Extending his arm, he stammered "Y-you look great, Mione."

"You are such a sweetheart, Draco." She giggled, "Now, how about that carnival in the village?"

Draco swallowed. "Sounds great to me."

She giggled again and took his large, thin-fingered hand in her small, soft one. Together they walked toward the village, above which were visible the Ferris Wheel and roller coasters of the carnival.

o

"Draco!"

Draco gave a start and looked up from his Potions essay to find Hermione looking in the open study window.

"Mione, what are you doing?" he squeaked (and rightfully… he was in his pajamas.)

Hermione grinned at him and climbed in the window.

"Just thought I'd say goodbye before I leave." she said, sitting down on top of his notes.

"Leave? Where you goin?!" Draco exclaimed, standing up, "There's still a month till term starts!"

"I'm going to the Weasleys'. Arthur got tickets to the World Cup, and Ron wrote to ask if I could go with them."

Ron. Draco thought, scowling slightly, Always Ron. She insists she doesn't fancy him, but…

"Draco?" her voice interrupted his thoughts, "Are you alright with me going without you? The tickets are Top Box, it's really my only chance to go, because my parents don't get things like Quidditch tickets."

"Yeah, it's alright." he said, perhaps too quickly. "Father's got us Top Box tickets as well."

"Thanks," she said, "I knew you'd understand."

She slipped off the desk, knocking his homework to the floor, and took his hand in hers.

"Which team will you be supporting?" she said.

"I dunno… Whichever is winning? How about you?"

"Ireland, of course!" She laughed, showing off those dimples.

Then she frowned slightly. "Well, I guess I should go now. I'm leaving for Ron's this afternoon. Goodbye, Draco."

"Goodbye, sweetheart."

Draco let go of her hand and embraced her, breathing in the scent of her sun-warmed hair and her perfume. When they let go, Hermione turned to leave. But before she had reached the window, she turned and flung herself back into his arms and kissed him full on the mouth.

And he kissed her back, all jealousy of Ron melting away into pure bliss.

After a few moments, they separated, though still holding hands.

"See you at the World Cup." She whispered, and left.

o