(50) Days of Summer by Sugarquills007


Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter

Plot: Restoring to her sanctuary in the muggle world, Hermione Granger has completed her sixth year of Hogwarts hoping to eliminate the forces of Evil penetrating the world around her. Thankfully or dreadfully she is roped into a sudden relationship with none other than her nemesis Draco Malfoy who shares the same disgust emotions swirling in them. Forced to forget their history they join up with the help of two friends to prove their relationship worthwhile.


Previously in Chapter 1...

The orbs that held witty mirth were broken into dread and terror as they gazed into sensitive troubled topaz' as their hands frazzled to get on hold of the crimson smeared note; the bold of black writing boring down upon them.

"Chloe's coming!"


2nd Day of Summer...

Chapter 2 –Tart Queen


Haters don't really hate you. They hate themselves because you're a reflection of what they wish to be. Poor, confused people ~Anon


"Drake?" The wandering echo of Blaise' voice ricocheted against the vast hallways of Malfoy Manor.

"What?" Came the snappy response of an annoyed Malfoy.

Following the resonance of the blonde Slytherin's tone, Blaise managed to find the snake-tongued wizard in the Malfoy Library, draped casually on an armchair surrounded by books. Stealing a quick glance at the ancient ancestral clock perched on the wall straight behind the albino's position, Blaise managed to thank god in a hurry for the blessed couple of minutes he had to have his say.

He turned towards the closed doors and pulled out his wand, murmuring a silencing spell across the room. Draco; irritated at the mere knowledge of his comrade's presence and all the more when he caught the Italian's actions, spoke; his voice scarring the impatience he held. "Why the hell are you silenc –" He began when he ungratefully got cut off with Blaise' hand coming in contact to shade his mouth.

"Sssh." Hissed the mocha-skinned wizard, staring at his friend whose widened eyes narrowed in disgust at the sudden contact. He began to struggle against Blaise' hold and had the urge to speak so the former spoke again. "Shut it Draco. I don't want us to get overheard." He explained briefly before letting go of his hand and rolling his eyes as the young Malfoy wiped his mouth with his sleeve.

With a revolted scowl, the blonde wiped his mouth once again with the back of his head. "Rabies." He muttered childishly, not bothering to hide the volume of his tone.

Blaise rolled his eyes at his friend's words. "Mature." He remarked dryly.

"I don't give a flying fuck –"

"Language Draco." Interjected Blaise, mocking the mother Malfoy's tone.

Draco shot him a solid scowl. "What's this?" He then resorted to demanding the Italian about the meaning of silencing the Library rather than getting into a petty argument over Blaise' chosen words on his use of profanity.

"Oh you can't still be angry after that morning incident can you?" Blaise asked not in any bother to hide the delighted grin etched on his masculine lips. A pointed glower from Draco was enough to indicate otherwise. "It was yesterday." Persisted Blaise further, pursing his lips to prevent any amused chortles from escaping.

"Like that makes a difference." Sneered Draco, anger breaking into his words.

"I'll make it up to you." Proposed Blaise automatically.

Draco's brows furrowed in at the quick response. "And pray," he began with his heavy drawl, "how on Earth are you're going to make it up to me?" He questioned, the sneer in his cocky tone replaced with an inadequate lift of his left brow.

"Irony does not suit you at all my friend." Blaise shook his head.

Draco's nostrils flared. "Said the –"

"I didn't come here to argue." Cut off Blaise rather quickly, shadowing away another on-coming argument.

"Hey," pointed out the blonde with raised hands in mock surrender, "I wasn't the one who started it." When Blaise shot him a look of disbelief, Draco scowled. "I'm not that much of a twat –"

"Good lord, don't say that." Blaise smirked faintly. "It seems like a lie coming out of your mouth –"

"You wounded me, Zabini." Countered Draco sarcastically. "And before this conversation leads to something unnecessary, I'll ask the final time; what the hell do you want?" He questioned, feeling disappointed that his anger for the Italian had dispersed in a manner of minutes.

Blaise shook his head at his own foolishness before speaking; "I had a brief conversation with Alexis yesterday."

"Who?" Snapped Draco, brows knitted together in loss.

"Alexis?" Blaise echoed and when Draco didn't seem to come out of his faze, he sighed. "You know that girl we had met after that raid?" No realisation hit Draco square in the face. "And you say I have a memory span of a fish –"

"Can you blame a bloke for not remembering something small –"

"Blonde." Cut off Blaise, losing his mood to stay reasonable. "Bubbly blonde." He began to describe. He raised his hand just below his chin, "Average height."

Detection soon dawned on the Malfoy's pristine visage. "Oh I remember." He murmured in acknowledgement and turned to Blaise for some sort of confirmation. "That girl with large eyes."

Blaise frowned at Draco's description. "She hasn't got large eyes."

"Well she was staring at us as if we came from Mars." Draco cut across bluntly.

Blaise didn't bother questioning the Slytherin for further explanation and began to continue his own. "Well she won't any longer, as she called us over tomorrow for tea –"

"Wait." Interjected Draco with an audible growl of accusation stirred within his words. "Hold it." He shot the Italian a dark look. "Did I hear correctly or did you just say us?"

"Yes Draco." Blaise snapped at the blonde's juvenile behaviour. "Us. As in you and me." He defined clearly so that Draco could hear well, along with the unnecessary use of hand gestures; pointing towards himself and the subjugator himself.

"I'm not fucking two Zabini –" Snarled Draco.

"Stop acting like one –"

"Stop treating me like one." Bellowed Draco in response, anger evident in his scratchy tone.

"Would you shut that trap of yours and just hear me out for two minutes." Growled Blaise impatiently.

"No." Was the dignified stubborn response.

"Any minute now you're father will call us Drake." Warned Blaise seriously. "Just bear with me for a second and listen. It's important." Blaise implored.

"To whom?" Spat Draco. "You or me?"

"It concerns the both of us."

"I don't see how you're new conquest will benefit the both of us in any way –"

"Drake?" The hint of plead now entered his tone and Draco swallowed down the lump of his next set of stubborn words that were soon to keep Blaise away from him. Though he shut his mouth, he didn't bear the convinced look Blaise was looking for. "Draco...please?"

Scowling at the muscles that relaxed as he spoke, he regretted muttering the resigning word. "Fine."

"As I was saying." Blaise cleared his throat seriously. "Alexis invited us over for tea." He repeated and Draco arched a brow at him in boredom.

"And what have I got to do with this?" He intermitted with a look of confusion. "You're the bloody boyfriend." He pointed.

"She invited us." Blaise cut off with a sigh. "Both of us as she wants to get to know you better." He explained warmly, sending a hopeful glance at his friend who shot him a look of disgust in return.

Malfoy blinked, his blonde lashes fluttering a-close several times. "And what if I decline the proposition?" He considered after a couple of moments of off-beat silence.

Blaise' features turned into one of sheepishness. "You won't." He stated firmly.

The words weren't what Draco was looking for, and instead brought his teeth on edge when he caught the slight smug tone that complimented well with the smirk that now gracefully flew across Blaise' dark skinned features. All thoughts faded in Draco's bubble of mind and he sat straighter, intrigued as well as annoyed, his spine stiff and his muscles clenched. "And why," he began in a slow tone, "won't I decline the proposition?" His left brow rose in natural instinct along with the challenging tone stirred within his condemning voice.

Though the smug smirk was still held in place, the onyx orbs of Blaise flashed violet and they dipped at the edge in guilt sheepishness. "Because I'd already told her you'd be there." He murmured picking off invisible lint from his formal attire adverting his eyes from his friend's soon-to-be anger ones.

The blonde's fist twitched by his side and to control the pit of hell that was bubbling beneath its surface he let out a deep breath. "How the fuck will that be making things up for me?" He snarled his breath dropping shallower.

"Oh come on Draco; what's so bad about going to visit someone –"

"Whom I have no positive correlation towards." Spat Draco and Blaise took in a breath as he sensed his friend's tantrum ready to be turned on.

He opened his mouth to articulate a string of unbothered words when he was cut off yet again from the Italian. "There's a catch." Blaise cut in before any other words of anger could be spread. His eyes were twinkling the humouring mirth he always held, something that made Draco want to break a shard of glass, that or it created the envious emotion he couldn't handle on recognizing in the pit of his stomach.

His interest seemed to be caught and he leant in slightly, his eyes betraying his curiosity. "And that would compromise of?" He asked formally.

"She's got a friend."

"Oh bloody hell; here we go!"

"What?" Blaise cried feigning innocence. Draco saw right through the heavy boulder and Blaise' shoulders slumped in defeat. "It might do you good Draco." He murmured softly. "You've been isolating yourself and a bit of human company may do you good."

"So you set me up with a girl I don't even know?" Draco burst with accusation marring his features. "Consider it a no Blaise."

"You're impossible Draco!" Blaise rose his hands up in frustration. "I don't know why I put up with you."

"No one requested for you to do so." Countered Draco calmly. "And I have no intention in visiting your muggle girlfriend for tea –"

"Oh, so it's because she's muggle." Cut off Blaise sharply. His eyes narrowed and Draco cursed inwardly at the sudden slip of his tongue. It wasn't because she was a Muggle per say, it was more of getting to know one he had nothing in common on foundational grounds.

"Of course not." Gritted out the blonde. "Why would you assume –"

"You know if there was such a lesson on lying. You would get an O." Blaise argued hotly, his eyes boring emotions of hurt and resentment.

"Mate –"

"You know it's my choice if I want to date one. It's not as if I've got parents to give a fuck –"

"Yeah I know." Cried Draco in a helpless tone. "But it's not as if I can talk you out of it now can I?" He scowled.

"Oh whatever." Blaise snapped banging his palms against the coffee table beside the leather couch that the young Malfoy was perched upon not three minutes ago. Draco scowled a Blaise' racket of actions and opened his mouth to profound an insult when he was yet again cut off. "You know you don't believe in that blood prejudice crap Malfoy." The Italian began. "So why pretend you do?"

Though the meaning behind the Italian' words were unendingly true the young Malfoy was far from cracking his pride by admitting to his words. Instead turning the words sent to him at the negative argument, his scowl reformed this time with the joint of anger. "What the fuck do you know about me Blaise?" Draco snapped not paying much attention to his words. They were muted deaf in his ears just the general opposite words of what he really thought and his inner self to scream. "Now don't start to think you're a seer Zabini. You know the hell you're not. So don't start assuming stupid –"

"They're like sisters." Blaise cut off, persistent. "Tight as ever. Described from Alex, she's gorgeous, funny, and witty and her name – funny, her name sounds familiar. I mean it's probably a common name around there in the muggle world." Blaise ranted on thoughtfully not noticing the clenching patience of Draco wearing thin.

"And what would her name –"

Before Draco could dwell upon the mysterious teenager' name, the rich yet broken tone of a male reverberated through the Library walls calling upon the two Slytherin wizards. Draco saw his friend' eyes clench shut at the timing of his father and felt a wallow of anger mixed with guilt of not being able to hear his friend out, in the heart of his stomach. Turning towards the direction of the door brushing their clothes off from any invisible dust making sure eye contact was limited as they walked out of their room tersely feeling the fuse of Blaise' silencing charm rupture

"Draco." The familiar drawl of Lucius Malfoy whispered in and out of the Malfoy heir' ears like the hiss of a snake predating on its found prey. Both boys turned the corner to see Lucius standing at the entrance of the main room, waiting for the arrival of them. Letting out a breath of controlled action they walked up to the aging man. "Blaise." The head Malfoy greeted with a twitch for a smile.

"Mr Malfoy." Blaise nodded his eyes adverted to his shoes.

"Nice to see you two well presented for the occasion." Draco watched his father nod at their formal black attire his eyes drooping at the edges as if wanting to be bothered but couldn't be. Through the pale blonde lashes that curled in a natural manner, Draco seemed to be transfixed at his father's presence gazing intently at the features that seemed to have changed drastically in a little over five months.

The once treasured Malfoy locks that were resented for its shine and silk now stood in split ends, wearing thin and grey. The pallid yet confident expression on his father's face now fell in crinkling ashes. The trademarked smirk that they were proudly known of was replaced with a forced pursed line, mirroring the proud stance the head Malfoy strode in. The clouds of grey that were masked in a twinkle of smug and arrogance now were overshadowed with guilt and regret.

Just a movement of those mirror imaged eyes averted the young Malfoy's own orbs to the ground where he cleared his throat. "You called, father." He spoke, his voice trained to distinguish the rush of angered emotion he would have spilt.

"Yes." The aged man stirred as if broken out of intense thinking. "Yes." He repeated with a cough of clearing his throat. "As you heard, the Dark Lord is soon to finish this feud with him and the Potter boy –"

"Potter? Harry Potter?" Blaise questioned with a confused drop to his tone.

"Yes. The Chosen one." Lucius nodded his voice' quavering its usual drawl of venom on the raven-haired boy's name.

"I'll be leaving twilight tonight." Lucius stuck his chin out in mock pride though he was fooling no one. "Not to cause any suspicion I will be popping in and out of the Manor, but over in general I won't be back till a little after the holidays." Lucius explain his orbs flicking on to his son then over to his godson. Godson was what you read correct. The Zabini's and Malfoy's were as close as they were to the Blacks.

"We've been over a couple of times –" Lucius began shedding a worried glance over at his son. "Over what you can be doing to –"

"Help the Dark Lord. Got it." Draco nodded his voice distant.

"Any new information, just tell your mother. She'll do the rest." Lucius explained.

"As if she has nothing else on her plate." Draco murmured to himself not noticing the perk of his father's ears as he interpreted his son's words. Pepping himself to ignore his son's words he continued as if neither of the two boys had spoken.

"Word has it, the Granger girl." His ears perked in an elfish fashion at the name of the Muggleborn. "She's not over with the order till the end of this month –"

"You expect us to kidnap Granger?" Blaise cut off disbelievingly.

Lucius Malfoy did a double take at his godson's words. "Of course not. I merely meant to catch movements of her from –"

"Got it father." Draco nodded making a self note to ignore his father's last request. Granger was the least of his worries. "We'll be leaving you to it then –"

"Draco" Lucius called out cutting Draco short.

"Yes." Draco dared a look up into his father's eyes which bore the same contrasting tones to the ones he genetically caught.

"Take care of your mother." Lucius muttered his eyes adverted to the point across his shoulder. Though it was said as a request Draco knew very well what it contained; it was an order. Draco chanced a glass at the pupils that the iris encircles which swam with memories of Draco knew not.

He nodded directing his gaze towards Blaise who seemed to be controlling his emotions in check. His father may have been a bastard but that never stopped him from loving Narcissa. They were in words he read before; soul mates. It wasn't till Draco was faced with the task and struggled mirthlessly did Lucius realise what a fool he had been. Apologizing wasn't enough in the Malfoy rule book. In fact Apologizing wasn't written. Muttering profound curses for days, weeks, months the best thing he could come up with was to follow the Dark Bastard and pray that somehow Potter was enough to destroy whatever the hell he was.

"Yes father." He answered with another nod of his blonde heads.

"Blaise?" Lucius turned towards his godson who attempted to grin at being called forward but managed to slip out a light grimace.

"Yes Mr Malfoy."

"Just a slight warning. Don't get out of each other's sight." Lucius said his tone light, his words heavy. "Dolohov and the rest will be checking upon the manner frequently while I'm gone." Lucius explained his orbs clouding with a coaler slate of grey.

"Yes sir –" Blaise began to agree when the blonde interrupted a growl impetrating out of his throat.

"Mother is here. She can do it unless not fit which she clearly isn't –"

"Draco –"

"So who the fuck gave the order for that skinhead of a bastard to come and –"

"Draco –"

"Check upon my house which –"

"Draco." Lucius scolded the warning in his tone dispersing.

"Why?" Draco gritted out, his brows knitted in anger, his teeth on edge, face masked in questioning rage.

Lucius attempted to send his son the glower he used continuously for the past years but knowing the stubborn grudge his son was born he sighed. "It was the Dark Lord's command." He resigned with a low voice.

The young Malfoy felt his fist twitch by his side and his jaw clench. Releasing out a ragged growl he pointed his chin at his father, his chest puffed out as if he was in charge. "Goodbye father." He managed to declare before walking away from the head Malfoy and out of sight.

Lucius watched his son walk away in anger or regret at his handling of the situation. He heard his Italian born godson whistle a low dangerous tune as if something had crossed a line. "He's angry." Blaise mused, though the humour was not etched in his tone or expression.

"Blaise –" Lucius began wanting to clear things up correctly.

"Sorry I have to cut this short Mr Malfoy. As much as I would love to stay to have a chat, your son needs me. Good luck on whatever it is you have to do." Blaise cut with his formal smooth tone as he began to follow his blonde-headed friend' trail.

"Thank you." He murmured though out of his godson' ears reach. He may have had his conceited mask plastered across his face but it didn't hide the many memories of regret that would swim in and out of Lucius Malfoy's glossy orbs.


"Hermione, come on." Alexis groaned at Hermione's abnormal behaviour. "It won't be such a bad thing –"

–A scoff –

"I'm here!" She assured to her annoyed comrade.

Alexis' words finally catching Hermione's attention, the witch snapped her stony features to meet the concerned one of a blonde, an odd glint of sick murder shining at the pupil of her eyes. "Those were not the words you used yesterday if I remember correctly."

*Flashback...*

"Oh my..." Alexis breathed. After several moments in which nothing but there heavy pants were echoing off the walls did Alexis then speak once again. "You cannot be serious!" Her tone rising with each word propounded, causing the stuffed pet of Hermione's to hiss in annoyance.

Hermione merely managed to escape a futile groan of agreement as she hid her face at the base of her palms. "When am I ever not serious Alexis?" She mumbled. "She's coming tomorrow." She continued further, knowing with each syllable came dismay. "The day before we meet your beau."

"Son of a ..." Alexis' string of profanities melted away as Hermione fell into thought as to what her summer would have to consist of. It just took one note. One note to turn her summer from amazing to unbelievably gobsmacking all at one. Chloe was coming.

Chloe Stanford.

Hermione Granger's cousin.

"Well that lasted well." Alexis' words followed by a ringing clap hit her ears and she glanced up from her hands to shoot her friend a look of discern.

"That's not helping."

"I never hoped it would." Alexis shrugged in response.

"How can you stay so calm about this?" Hermione asked, almost in a whisper. "You have a worse history with her than I do."

Alexis cracked a smile, one that Hermione never took the chance to appreciate. It was one of helplessness and acceptability. "She has nothing over us." She replied softly. "I'm here." Her smile grew. "With the both of us together, nothing is inevitable." She smirked. "So kicking her arse would be a piece of cake."

*End Flashback*

Recalling back the memory, Alexis watched as a ghost of a smile managed to steal Hermione's anxious features. Even if it was for a few minutes. Turning towards the blonde, Hermione nodded her head in slight acceptance to what fate lay in store for her; a wash of gratefulness tingling around her thoughts as she took in her friend's confidence.

When the subject of Chloe ever had to be brought up, Hermione knew she would form into a frantic mess whereas, despite her own sour mood, Alexis would go over the situation as carefully as Hermione would do when translating Ancient Runes; trying to find and fix any loopholes to the situation. It was as if Hermione had retreated into the minds of Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley, where Alexis would then step in to take substitute roll of Hermione Granger.

"It was yesterday Hermione." Alexis' voice shattered Hermione's glass of thoughts. She merely bowed her head in shame.

"That was yesterday Hermione." The words of Alexis broke through Hermione's glass of shattered thoughts. "You shouldn't think of her." Alexis advised with a frown. "You shouldn't let her get –"

"No." Hermione cut her off. "I don't." She stated firmly. "I'm just thinking of subtle ways to humiliate her." Hermione lied, as she thought of incredulous pranks in mind, though all unfortunately included a certain stick.

Before she can humiliate me.

"I I think I've got a couple up my sleeve." Intermitted Alexis with a sly smirk.

"It would be treason if you didn't." Countered Hermione with a laugh.

"Would you do the honours?" Alexis announced, bowing slightly as she raised her arms towards the freezer; catching Hermione's eyes in a moment of silent agreement.

"Wouldn't have it any other way." Agreed Hermione with a grin.

And as Hermione walked away to prepare their frozen dessert, Alexis took the opportunity to slip out of the room, ready to renovate her given plan since the previous night, before Hermione could notice her sudden absence.


"I hate her." Hermione stated for the umpteenth time that day, as she watched with sour eyes, Alexis brush her hair of blonde curls.

"Thirty-five times." The blonde sang under her breath.

"I loathe her."

Alexis rolled her eyes. "Twenty-nine times."

"She disgusts me." Hermione groaned.

"Forty-one times."

"Alexis." Moaned Hermione. "Stop." She pleaded as she fell on her bed, not bothered if the actions would cause her appearance to look hazardous.

"Don't worry." Alexis reasoned firmly. "It's going to be fine."

"I still don't get how you can be calm during this moment?"

"Someone once told me, patience is a virtue."

"Bullocks."

Alexis couldn't help but fall under the ritual of mock-gasping at Hermione's use of blasphemy. Her friend though, seemed unaffected by her sudden outburst; if anything, more bitter. "Oh stop moping Hermione;" Alexis then proceeded to lighten up the atmosphere, "I'm here as said before." She smirked. "And as long as I'm stuck here with you for company, that Tart Queen won't lay a finger on you."

Hermione suddenly snorted despite her moody disposition. "Tart Queen?" Alexis blinked. "Seriously?" She guffawed in disbelief.

"What?" Alexis asked in a slight defending tone. Hermione raised her brows in apprehension. "We call her a Tart which she is." Alexis explained. "And she's supposedly the queen of all Tarts so just put two and two together." Alexis confided with an ignorant shrug. "Tart Queen."

Nothing could stop from Hermione falling into mounts of giggles as her friend stood before her, perplexed and watching her with utmost confusion.


A mere half an hour later did the Granger's and a Carter hear the doorbell going off; cutting the discussion that was conversed amongst them. Alexis was explaining her mysterious boyfriend to Hermion in deeper depth, to which Hermione responded with listening intently, clearly fascinated by the boy who managed to steal her friend's attention. It would then dawn to her that she was yet to know the name. But it was a little too late to reside upon the name, so she pushed the thought to the back of her mind as the sound of the doorbell hit her ears once again.

Hermione controlled her moan but her blonde friend didn't bother. She let out a frustrated growl causing Hermione to giggle in amusement and Jane to glare in incongruity. Henry, meanwhile, merely chuckled before ruffling both their hair in an affectionate manner. "Behave." He ordered seriously. The three concealed their annoyed expressions by keeping solemn faces and maintaining eye contact when Henry's bowls of gold blinked causing laughter to erupt from the teenagers.

Jane, who had been watching them almost hopefully, sighed exasperatedly before reprimanding them to keep their voices down. Pressing down upon the floral skirt she had adorned for the occasion, Jane walked over to the door taking in a breath in with her. Not had the door been a quarter of a fraction opened when Jane was met with a banshee-like squeal. Concealing her wince that had wrung her features upon meeting the pitch, Jane placed on a welcoming smile for her niece.

"Aunty Jane!" The same shrilly voice spoke. "It's a delight to meet you again." She continued as she sprung to give her aunt a chaste kiss on either side of her face.

"Oh, now Chloe it's wonderful to see you again." Jane greeted endeavouring Chloe's grip. "Do come in." She continued with a wavering smile. Chloe Stanford, pulled back with a smile, revealing large teeth that had matured over the years as she dropped her luggage on the doorstep (mind you there were three large suitcases) before walking past the aging women to greet her uncle.

Henry Granger smiled with open arms as his niece leant over to enclose him in a hug. From the corner of his eye, he could make out with twinkling orbs as his wife contracted away the saliva stirred with red lipstick away from her smeared cheeks, caused by the intimate gesture the bubbly relative had sent her way. "Uncle Henry." His attention fell back on the teenager in his arms. "How are you?" She asked in a sickly sweet tone.

"I'm very well Chloe." He answered warmly. "How's Carol?"

"Mum? Oh, she's grand." Laughed Chloe, waving her hand in the air as if to prove her point. "She's living the life." She drawled her tone thick with her Scottish accent.

"Good." Henry nodded. "Why don't you go in and meet the girls, whilst you're Aunty and I collect your things and place them in your room?" Proposed Henry, purposely ignoring the scowl his wife sent his way. Chloe nodded, appeased with the proposition. The teenager walked through the hallway and into the living room to find her cousin and her friend lounging on the sofa, not yet noticing her appearance, lost in their world wind of talk.

Chloe raised a plucked eyebrow at their ignorance and coughed. They either didn't hear well enough or probably pretended to extend her lack of presence longer. Chloe settled on the latter opinion. She coughed louder. It seemed to have caught their attention and they turned their heads in surprise to find the source of the voice as Chloe. "Hermione!" Chloe squealed, noting how her cousin winced the slightest.

"Chloe." Came the meek reply.

She stared with blank eyes as her cousin outstretched her arms indicating a welcoming hug. Tilting her own head so she could get a view of Alexis for help, but it seemed as if the blonde herself was busy giving murderous looks towards her cousin who seemed unaffected. Groaning inwardly as she rose off the sofa, Hermione walked over to Chloe and felt into a hug that knocked the wind out of her. The sequins embodied on her cousin's dress scratched the brunette's face and she suddenly found it difficult to breathe.

"You're choking her." Alexis' blunt words caused Chloe to pause on her route to destructing Hermione's windpipes any further and then she let go.

"Oh how I've missed you so cousin." Spoke the Scot, ignoring the slight look of smug satisfactory on Alexis' face.

"Back at you." Returned Hermione weakly, feeling suddenly aware of her cousin's beady eyes trailing over her form.

"Not bad." She saw Chloe press her lips in somewhat conformity. "You've grown a couple of inches not to mention that flat pancake chest of yours, but there's still a room for development." She licked her teeth as her eyes took in every nook and cranny she could define from Hermione's figure. Hermione, who immediately wrapped her arms around her mid-centre, flushed in self-consciousness, glancing down to cover what was left of her dignity.

It was nothing bad. What she had chosen to wear. Nothing too stylish or classy.

Simply simple.

Something simple. Something that had Hermione Granger written all over it. A simple yellow halter was something that fell under her style of wardrobe with a pair of shorts that fell in a respectable length. Nothing that no-one hadn't seen before. Her hair, which she knew would still look like a bush, hadn't been iron-curled or straightened. Instead, it was plaited into a loose braid down one side of her neck. Simple. Something that screamed Hermione.

She snuck a glance over at Chloe's attempt at dressing and didn't know whether to feel envious or disgusted. Her adorned wardrobe consisted of a scarlet mini dress. The sequins that had scratched Hermione's face covered the full form of the stained dress. Furthermore, the Scot chose to wear a matching shade of lip colour in deep crimson, with the expected set of hoop earrings and platform shoes.

Alexis, finally having found the discomfort around Hermione's side of the atmosphere, cleared her throat. "Stanford." She greeted, no mirth twinkling in her tone as it was used to. "We meet again." With a smirk, Alexis propped her feet upon the small coffee table in front of her, as she acknowledged the blonde with a slight nod of her head. It was no secret that due to their immense history, they regarded each other by their surnames; having said once that muttering their Christian names to one another would be too much of a migraine to continue anything.

"Carter." Chloe replied with a curt nod of her own.

Chloe Stanford was in simple words really, Hermione's cousin. Or to describe her better in Alexis' own opinionated phrase;

Her worst nightmare.

The history started off when Alexis had befriended the odd bookworm. Jealousy, envy, hatred; whatever emotion young Chloe had felt that time had taken over her mind to the sense that she used every possible chance she could find to purposely boast about her latest achievements in life – if the Granger's did care in the slightest that is.

From Barbie dolls, to clothes, to then boyfriends and appearance take outs; Chloe used any potential ability to harass Hermione and/or friends. She mocked, teased and humiliated her about her sense of style, nice or not, that hid her figure; which in Chloe's eyes was trying to fit a camel at the eye of a pin. She picked on the unruly Granger curls (which she had also inherited but then straightened and dyed) about her being a bookworm and worst of all (well to Hermione, it wasn't much till she reached that age in puberty) not being able to get a boyfriend.

Though Hermione did have her own share of boys (not boyfriend to be exact) but admirers would be the natural substitute. Cormac McLaggen – the Gryffindor Sixth year that seemed to have inhaled way too much ego by the second. Viktor Krum – the Bulgarian Bon Bon whom which there was a couple of mixed unsaid feelings during her fourth year in the Tri-wizard Tournaments and a couple of others that she paid no heed to. They were all soon to be counted as friends in the golden touch of her eyes, excluding Cormac who seemed to be too much on her plate of rationality. Whereas Chloe (or the Wicked Witch of the West as Hermione and Alexis phrased her as, numerous of times during their youth years) dated hunks and punks. Her attire consisted of tight clothing revealing the bust up front and bosom down back. She wore designer clothes, shoes, dresses, trousers, bags and even make-up.

You name it.

She had it.

She was in many people's view, a tart. Or a slag though that did consist of many one night stands to which Hermione had no guilt in denying. She was the bane existence of Hermione's life (and Alexis') but what made her visits actually superior was the fact that Alexis somehow was always there whenever she was making it a great deal better of a holiday for both the friends.

There was a loaded silence in which Hermione thought Alexis and Chloe managed to gain a glaring contest when, thankfully, it was broken by her mother's arrival. "Chloe, dear. It's time for dinner." She announced warmly. "Travelling from Scotland must have exhausted you so." Jane stated with no amount of sympathy enjoined in her voice. Hermione didn't fail to note the special attire her mother had embellished, consisting of a pale pink blouse tucked in with her floral skirt though it hardly mattered as they were all concealed with an apron.

Chloe managed to give quick quirk of her right brow over to Alexis before she turned to Jane with a smile on her face. "No problem Auntie Jane." She smiled sweetly. "I'm not that tired although dinner sounds fantastic. I'm famished." She agreed whole-heartedly.

Jane nodded, responding with a smile that seemed tighter than usual before hurrying out of the living room and into the dining room to prepare the meals. "Pig." Alexis muttered; quiet enough for Jane to hear as she left, but loud enough for the occupants of the room to hear.

"Alexis honey? Why don't you help me set the table?" Jane's voice called out just before Chloe could make a remark on Alexis' chosen words.

"And that's your cue to leave." Chloe smirked and Alexis winced at Jane's timing but nonetheless, stood up and squared her shoulders. Shooting Hermione an expression of luck and a glower to the Scot, she left, leaving Hermione to drown in her own pool of dread.

Chloe rolled her eyes and turned to Hermione who had perched herself on the seat she had previously sat, her eyes darting around the room in anxiety. "I so don't understand why you're friends with that loser." Chloe said aloud as she inspected her manicured fingers. At the mere mention of Alexis' name, Hermione's eyes darted to meet hers in sudden fury.

"Well at least I have friends." Hermione countered, feeling foolish as she let her anger get the better of her.

Chloe, meanwhile, was momentarily surprised at Hermione's retort and so took several moments to compose herself. She managed to burst out an unbelievable scoff. "I have friends."

"Apart from those who are the opposite sex and are not hookers?" Hermione asked with a sceptical lift of her brow.

Chloe narrowed her eyes. "Where is this coming from?" She frowned. "We were just talking about Carter and her –"

"Can't take what seems to be the truth?" Hermione goaded lightly.

"Hardly." Drawled Chloe with a scowl. "I mean have you looked at her?" Hermione couldn't help but let out the irritated sigh when Chloe resorted back to her friend. "With that mousy-coloured hair and lanky figure." Chloe scoffed pathetically and Hermione's brows seemed to be hidden beneath the brush of her fringe. "Honestly, I bet she doesn't even have a boyfriend. I mean who would –"

"Have you clearly looked in the mirror lately?" Hermione cut off with growl pinched in her tone. "And she's a right sight compared to the unfortunates I have seen." Hermione snapped.

"You're nuts 'Mione –" Began Chloe.

"No, I'm in perfect health dear cousin." Hermione rolled her eyes. "And for your information, though it shouldn't be needed; Alexis has got a boyfriend, not that it's any of your business."

Somehow Hermione's words on keeping quiet didn't seem to reach Chloe's IQ and so she managed to perk up at the mention of Alexis having a boyfriend. "Oooh? Carter's got a man." She exclaimed but then her shoulders sagged in disappointment. "Probably going to dump her by the next fall of snow." She continued pityingly. "And it might have been a chance to gain a real boyfriend."

Hermione's hand curled into a fist beside her leg. "And how would you know?" She gritted out.

Chloe blinked in response at her. "I know." She declared knowingly.

"Oh great, we have a seer." Hermione drawled dryly. "Would you mind reading my future?" She continued with sarcasm, heavy on her tongue.

"Whatever."

"Yeah," scoffed Hermione darkly, "and have you got a boyfriend?" She shot, not having completely fulfilled her anger.

The Scot flipped her hair behind her shoulder. "Obviously." She sang.

Hermione lay her hand on her cousin's arm, feeling a sudden rush of hate pump through her blood. Where did her patience fly off to? "It's okay to tell me it was out of sheer desperation. I mean it happens to the best of us."

"No." Chloe shook her head, her eyes darkening in some form of anger. When Hermione leant back, feeling sated with satisfaction, Chloe's eyes darted into slits. "Well what about you, Ms I couldn't care less Granger? Have you got a boyfriend?" She smirked when she noted the flail of Hermione's mouth losing its voice.

Though knowing her pride would be cracked once again. Hermione opened her mouth to object. "You know she has."


Dinner wasn't as pleasurable as it was on any other usual day. What Hermione could phrase in simpler words would be absolutely horrifying for the girls and two head Grangers. All four had made a silent pact later that evening to get their ears checked for any signs of possible deafness (though Jane did oppose the idea)

"Merlin, she just wouldn't shut up!" Exclaimed Hermione once she exited the wrath of the dining room.

"Don't remind me." Groaned Alexis as she brought in a stack of dishes. "I think my ears are damaged for life."

"Did you see mom and Dad's faces?" Hermione giggled slightly as she recalled the bored looks on her parent's faces. "Did you see the way they were nodding at her as if they were stupid five year olds?" She continued with a grim smile. "Well at least they have to endure a mere hour. We have what? Four weeks?"

"Good god." Moaned Alexis. "It seems an eternity."

"What did she even talk about?" Hermione asked as she poured herself a glass of lemonade.

"She talked about her tour around Europe, her boyfriend, her new flat, her boyfriend, her new job. Did I mention her boyfriend?" Alexis counted off her fingers as she explained.

"Plenty." Hermione rolled her eyes as she began to scrub clean the dishes. As the synchronized movements of the washing and drying continued, a thought appeared in mind. One that stopped her from eating her food with its usual merriment. "Say, Alexis." She began.

"Hmm?"

"Why did you tell Chloe I had a boyfriend?" She chewed on her bottom lip as she scrubbed clean a plate.

She heard Alexis' sigh but didn't bother turning around. "She was being a heartless prig towards you and I know you were going to say that you didn't have a boyfriend..." Alexis then stopped on her explanation to pull a face at her friend. "Honestly Hermione, you've become so predictable."

"Well it's not as if I can change that in a course of one summer."

Alexis rolled her eyes but continued her conversation nonetheless. "And I didn't want her to mock you mercilessly for it. And I had to say it before she could doubt you, if you had with some miracle said you had a boyfriend."

"That's so undeniably sweet of you Alex." Hermione smiled. "But it's just a moment cover." She set her lips into a thin line. "You know how adamant she gets. She will want to see him as –"

"Don't you worry Hermione." Grinned Alexis, cutting her off smoothly. "There's still time to develop the plot." And with her words she shot her friend a wink.

With a smile etched on her face, Hermione completed her chores before heading out to once again meet the bane of her existence. Though this time, not churning with anxiety as known that her friend would be there by her side. Stooping down and scoring with her.

Summer didn't seem to look so bad after all.


Yet another edited chapter. This chapter is more solely focused on Hermione as I wanted to bring out the relationship she had with her cousin. The updates are coming and things seem to be blending in.

Reviews are milk and cookies.

~Sugarquills007