Hermione and Draco have been keeping in touch with each other during the long summer. When Ron dumps her for Lavender, Draco is starting to act like her new "prince charming". ...Aside from having Draco becoming her knight in shining armor, she also has to deal with sinister tactics coming from Pansy and Lavender. Will she use Draco to her advantage to win Ron back, or will she simply fall in love with him? Read to find out. :)

A/N: The students return for their 7th year in Hogwarts. It doesn't really follow the storyline. Maybe except for the fact that Voldemort is dead and the pairings being somewhat the same. Other than that it's probably just my imagination.

*Written from Hermione's point of view.

** I've read this story and noticed that yes I leave a lot of holes. I've decided to rewrite it and have it in Hermione's point of view. It's still the same outline… Just trying to fill in all those holes and make it better. My beginning's usually started off slowly just to develop feelings and stuff. I'm sorry if it doesn't interest any of you at first, but I guarantee you that it will get better. And sorry to those who already read most of it. If you did read most of it, this chapter is pretty much chapter 1 and 2 combined.**

Chapter 1

I stared at the vast range of books, searching for 'The Breeds of the Deep', an underwater guide to the variety of underwater species used for all kinds of healing potions. The whole Voldemort commotion has been resolved and a new Hogwarts has been built over the course of the summer. I turned my head slightly to the right, seeing my use to be boyfriend Ronald Weasley busy snogging with Lavender Brown.

"My brother is a total douche. He doesn't even have good taste in girls." Ginny scoffed taking a step towards me, staring at her brother. "He's like licking her entire face."

I laughed. It was all I could do to get rid of this heartache. Laugh at the somewhat comforting words Ginny throws at me. "Nice to see you too Ginny… Was your summer well?"

"Yes. Harry taught me how to play Quidditch, I think I should try out this year."

"You playing Quidditch? That's quite surprising." I laughed again.

"That's not the point. I was in the middle of trying to catch my first Golden Snitch and then you phone me and say "'Draco sent me a letter!'"

"Oh that? It's nothing, its old news."

"How can that be old news?" Ginny practically yelled throwing her hands up in the air. "It had to be something good if you didn't even bother to tell Ron about it when you were dating."

"Not so loud!" I pester her to the side, and then continued, "It was nothing… I guess it was just a summer thing. We were like pen pals for a month…"

"WHAT!" SO YOU GUYS WERE WRITING TO EACH OTHER FOR HALF OF THE SUMMER? HOW CAN YOU NOT TELL ME ABOUT THIS?"

"Can you not yell? Everyone is staring at you…"

Ginny quieted down and started to glare at me. They looked more like innocent pouts, but she wasn't really good at giving me the cold shoulder. "Tell me now…" she whispered.

~Flashback~

It was raining hard that day. I was on my way to meet Ron at our designated place; In front of the Shrieking Shack. We were supposed to have a picnic, yet our plans had to be interrupted by a thunderstorm. All the streets and alleys were emptied while all the shops were closed. I was running through the streets under my big umbrella in my black rubber boots trying my best to make my way to Ronald. I guess we were so caught up in having this picnic, we forgot to check up on the weather. Anyways, I was about to make my last turn around Hogsmeade, until I heard it…

…"You are a horrible son! You should burn in hell!" I heard a disdained voice shrieking out. "Stay out in the pouring rain where you belong!"

The voice sounded familiar in its own way that I stopped for a moment to try and remember who it was. I knew that it was none of my business to try and make out who it was, but I was just curious… That's when I saw it. I looked up seeing Draco being pushed out of a building by his own mother Narcissa Malfoy. Maybe his mom was just feeling stressed out and was just throwing harsh words to calm her nerves, but I stared and started to feel a bit of sympathy for him. He just stood there outside in the middle of the streets; his black tux being drenched in the rain. He saw me, but scoffed and decided to act like I wasn't there. Why would a mother throw out such harsh words to her son? Wasn't it bad enough that he had to work for Voldemort's forces? I watched him walk into an alley trying to take cover under an advertisement sign. I sighed; my sympathy for him at that moment was reaching its maximum peak. All I had with me was a picnic blanket wrapped around my arm, but I felt that Draco needed it more than I did.

I walked over to him giving him a long and hard stare.

"What do you want Granger? Came here to prove your point of me being a failure?" He shrugged.

I leant out my arm for him to take the tightly knitted blanket. It took me days to make after Ron's mother showed me how. It wasn't that great, and it did have a lot of holes, but for my first time I was pretty damn proud of it.

Draco stared at it. "That's filthy… I would never take such an ugly thing from a mudblood."

I rolled me eyes, setting the umbrella between my arm and waist for support. Unfolded the blanket. Let it drape around his body, and wrapped it tightly around him so he could keep warm. "Don't be stubborn. You'll get sick."

"Why would you care if I get sick?"

Why WOULD I care? For all I know, he's been tormenting me ever since I met him, but at this moment I felt like offering a somewhat temporary truce. I looked up, letting my eyes meet his, giving him a half-heartedly smile. "Sometimes the people you don't get along with need to be helped too."

Draco stared at me dumbfounded. I was as surprised as he was. I was wasting my time helping him instead of meeting Ron. "D- Do- Don't expect me to return this. I'll be burning it as soon as the rain stops." He stuttered.

I rolled my eyes turning around, scurrying again to meet Ron. I knew for sure I was late now.

A few days later, Draco sent me a letter giving me his thanks for keeping him warm. I was surprised, and didn't want to be rude, so I sent him a "You're Welcome" note. I never knew that he would reply back to that, but ever since that reply, we've been sending each other letters throughout the whole summer.

~End Flashback~

"That Slytherin boy can actually say thank you?" Ginny whispered loudly.

"Yes Ginny, now can you please stop with the questions." I rolled my eyes. I was now known as the girl with a psycho friend.

"Fine… But one more question"

"What?"

"Do you like him?" Ginny winked giving me a smirk.

"No!" I yelled out. It would be stupid for me to fall for a guy through a whole bunch of letters. Even if some of them were kind and sweet… "I don't know… I hope not." I sighed.

"So you do like him. That's cool. He's pretty hot you know."

"EWWW! I did not say I liked him." I winced. "It was nice and all, but it is Malfoy… What if it was just a prank? What if we were just caught up in the moment?"

"Who cares? You should give it a shot." Ginny leaned into my face giving me another wink.

I leaned back unable to handle the garlic breath of Ginny's mouth. "What did you eat? Your breath smells ghastly."

"Don't change the subject!" Ginny scowled. "You know… If you dated Draco, Ron would get mad and possibly jealous…" A sinister look started to creep upon her face.

I stepped backwards forgetting about the staircase behind me. I couldn't handle the garlic smell coming from Ginny's mouth. I took one more step backwards causing me to fall down the stairs recklessly in never ending tumbles.

I laid there, my eyes closed, too embarrassed to open them as I hear Ginny yell out "ARE YOU OKAY?" Everyone was practically staring at me now. Give it all to Ginny to be able to catch everyone's attention. I once again sighed, suddenly noticing that I didn't land on the floor. It felt more like I landed on a chair or some kind of cushion.

"Hey Granger… You okay?" A voice came out.

I slightly peeked from my one eye trying to make out who it was. I let my other eye slowly unfold seeing that it was Draco who caught me in his arms. I stared at him feeling my eyes widen and pupils dilate. I didn't know how to react in this situation. I mean, I haven't seen him for a whole summer.

"Are you okay…?" he asked again waving his right hand in front of my face. It felt like I was petrified again.

I shook my head. Up and down. Up and down. "Yeah… I'm fine…"

"Are you sure Granger? You're starting to look like a tomato. I know that you have drunk a lot of Polyjuice potions these past years, but I don't think it will work well with fruits." Draco teased.

Oh great, now he knows I'm blushing from embarrassment. I squirmed my way out of his arms reaching to grab the Herbology textbook I dropped falling down the stairs. I stood up once I gathered the things that fell out of my robes too. "You'd be embarrassed if you fell down the stairs too." I scowled.

"Or maybe you're just happy to see me…" He smirked starting to laugh.

My face had to be purely red now. This was our first meeting after all those letters. He wasn't such a tease in those letters, but face to face he always was. And for a second I thought I was developing some sort of feelings for him. Pffttt. On the bright side, at least it's friendly teasing…

"I'm kidding Granger." He cleared his throat, interrupting my thoughts.

"Err… Thanks for catching me."

"No problem…. "Draco replied taking his rucksack from behind his back and unstrapping the folds to take something out. "I was actually looking for you…"

I watched him wondering what he was going to show me.

It was my first knitted blanket. It still looked to be in perfect condition too – the holes in the right places and everything. I gasped, surprised to see that he actually didn't burn it.

"Here." He said handing it to me. "Thanks for letting me borrow it… I accidentally made a hole in it though… I'm truly sorry."

"It's fine." I said, amazed. He even folded it nicely.

"Well… I'll see you on the train." He said. "Don't be late." He gave me an awkward smile and walked off.

~ON THE TRAIN~

"Did you hear?" A 1st year announced. "Ron broke up with Hermione just to get back with Lavender."

"I know…" Another student complied. "I surely feel sorry for her. I personally thought Hermione would make a better accomplice. I guess not."

The two students walked along the hallway of the train.

I sat there in the compartment staring out the window trying to catch my breath. I luckily found the book, and made it just in time to the train. Ginny and Harry were sitting across from me looking through the book. This was the first time the Golden Trio hasn't sat together during a train ride to Hogwarts (other than the time Ron & Harry took the flying car). I sighed watching the raindrops fall from the sky.

"You okay 'Mione?" Harry asked a look of sympathy on his face.

"Don't listen to them." Ginny interrupted. "They are just a couple of inexperienced 1st years… butting into personal news of people they don't even know."

"Yeah I know…" I sighed reaching into my bag digging for my wallet. This is what I get for being a part of the trio that saved everyone's life during the war. A bit of fame and success. Surely everyone knew that Ron and I became a couple during that time.

"Hey 'Mione…" Harry asked. "Is it okay if I ask… how it happened?"

I stopped to look at him. Even I didn't know how it happened. "I honestly don't know… One minute he loved me. The next day he didn't… It's like he just changed in the blink of an eye."

"Oh…" Harry was lost for words. He didn't know how to comfort me. Ginny wasn't sure what to say either. It was true though. He came up to me one day and just said it blandly. 'I'm breaking up with you'. No emotions or anything. It was purely stiff.

"It's okay. I'm fine… It just takes some time to get used to." I didn't want them feeling too sorry for me. "I'm going to get myself some candy at the trolley. Would you guys like anything?"

"No thank you..." Harry mumbled.

"Some Acid Pops please." Ginny smiled sweetly. "And some Salt Water Taffy too."

"Okay."

I left the compartment turning to my right, walking in the direction of the trolley.

"May I have some-" I tried to say, but got rudely interrupted by Lavender shoving me against the wall.

"I'll have some Cauldron Cakes and Chocolate Frogs for my lovely sweetheart." She said to the trolley lady.

I rolled my eyes as Lavender turned to look at me.

"Oh I'm sorry Hermione. I didn't see you there." She tried to say sweetly, a smug look on her face. "I hope you don't mind me stealing your place."

I was caught off guard. Lavender was always a sweet and nice girl, yet even I knew that there was more meaning behind that comment. I clenched my fists tightly "No it's fine. It happens." I replied back nicely managing to put on a fake smile.

Lavender tried to smile back before turning away to head to her compartment. I watched her skip along the hallway glaring at her the whole way through. I stopped, seeing Ron peek out the door making eye contact with me. I gulped. They were cold and bitter. I let my glares for Lavender disappear, attempting to give him a smile. Ron frowned back at me for a mere moment, and then broke eye contact with me to give Lavender a kiss. My heart still shattered to pieces every time I would see them kiss.

The trolley lady tapped my shoulder holding a basket of candy in her hands. "This is for you young lady."

I turned to look at her. "That's not mine. I haven't ordered anything yet."

"Are you sure? That young man over there said that it was for you." She pointed at Draco who was now walking away. "He was willing to spend quite a lot to buy this candy for you. He even came with this lovely woven basket just so you wouldn't have a hard time carrying it."

"It must be for the wrong person. Are you sure it's not for a Pansy Parkinson instead?" I tried.

The lady took my hand placing the basket on my palm. "The card says Hermione Granger. Aren't you the lovely lady who goes by that name?"

I looked down seeing my name being imprinted on a piece of parchment paper. This had to be a mistake. I gripped the handle jogging over to Draco tapping him on the shoulder.

"This is yours…" I said handing it to him.

Draco shoved my offer to the side. "No it's yours now."

"Why?"

"Things have been hard for you Granger… I don't want to make it worse…"

"I don't need your sympathy…"

"It's not sympathy…" He paused. "Think of it as a peace offering."

"You don't have to buy anything for me."

"Stop being stubborn Granger. Just take it…"

"But I don't need this much…"

Draco took a Liquorice Wand from the basket. "Better?"

I shrugged taking out all the Cauldron Cakes and Chocolate Frogs, handing it too him. "Take these too…"

Draco kindly took them from my hand.

"Thank you." I mumbled. He's probably just giving me candy, so that we'd be even. I really thought he'd go back to thinking of me as a revolting mudblood when we'd return back to school.

"You should be going back to your compartment now… You don't want Ginny snooping around your knapsack." He gave me another awkward smile before turning around to leave.

I ran back to the compartment peeking through the door seeing my blanket on Ginny's lap. Wow, he actually listened to what I said about Ginny always going through my things… I slid the door open and made my way inside.

"Ginny what are you doing? Who said that you had permission to go through my stuff?" I asked crossing my arms over my chest. I turned to Harry giving him a disapproving look. "Why didn't you stop her?"

"She said she was cold…" Harry replied. "We didn't know that there would be anything tucked inside the blanket…"

"You have to read this!" Ginny squealed. "You never told me that you guys were still going to write to each other during school."

"What?" I replied confused.

I sat down beside the squealing girl taking a small notecard from her hands.

Dear Granger,

Have a fun school year. I hope it will be filled with new memories and greater friends. I wish you Good Luck on all your classes. Stay Strong.

Yours Truly, Malfoy

"Flip the card!" Ginny sounded excitedly.

"P.S: If you need anything, I'll be glad to help." I whispered.

"He can so help you get Ron back!"

Harry sat there confused.

"I'm not sure Ginny… I think help means homework…"

"Oh please. Everyone knows that you don't need help with homework…"

"It doesn't sound right though… What if something bad happens?"

"Nothing bad will happen. You have to start taking chances Hermione."

"May I ask what's going on?" Harry finally asked.

The rest of the train ride consisted of Ginny and I filling Harry with what happened over the break… followed by more of Ginny's squeals when she finally noticed the basket of candies. A lot of things happened over one day of just seeing him face to face. Did he not care for his reputation at all?