Disclaimer:

I do not own any of the original Harry Potter cast or places. I do own the plot and any original characters that may appear throughout the story (ex: Justin Lincoln)

Author's notes:

Now Hiring (except not really hiring): A Beta. If you would like to apply for said position I would be very happy. Just let me know through a review or a message.

I don't know whether or not chapter 3 will be up this week but it just might. I've already worked out the plot for the story and a continuation of this story, so I'm hoping I'll be able to update chapters on a weekly basis.

Chapter 2: Attractions

"How on earth is it already past eleven?" Hermione screamed in her head as she raced down another flight of stairs. She made a loud disapproving growl as the staircase she was on suddenly changed direction on her. "I can't believe I'm late!" She cried out running down the now stationary stairs. Hermione made another quick glance to her watch as the minute hand passed the 2 and signaled her eleven minutes of tardiness. She made it to the library doors just as the minute hand passed the 3. Taking a second to catch her breath she calmly walked to the back of the library, expecting to see Ron and Harry.

"Hermione!" Ron looked at with horror. " You're...you're..."

"Late! I know." She cut him off.

"What happened?" Harry asked perplexed. "You get stopped by a teacher or something?"

"No." She said sitting down at a table with them. "I just lost track of time." They both looked at her dumbfounded

"You, Hermione Granger, lost track of time! Doing what!?" Ron was intently interested as to why his best friend of seven years could have possibly not been perfect.

"Well I was re-reading a passage in Hogwarts: A History and then I realized that I had read the exact same thing in another book so I started reading that one and..."

"Wait. Wait. Just stop." Harry told her as she gradually built up speed in her defensive case. "You were late for a study session because you were reading a text book?"

Hermione nodded as if it was perfectly normal. Ron and Harry only shook their heads at their friend's innocence. Only Hermione would be late because she had been to busy researching something.

Harry sighed. "Hermione, next time you come into the library with a quilt-ridden face at least have an interesting story to be guilty for."

"Harry!" Hermione shouted at her friend's outrageous comment. Her final shout though had been the last straw for the librarian as she came storming towards their table threatening to throw them out. Hermione shrunk in her seat as the librarian made her way back to the front desk. Once she was no longer in sight Hermione quickly whipped out a piece of parchment and with her head almost touching the paper began writing. Harry was about to say something when Hermione suddenly burst from her seat with a look of horror on her face as she screeched "Oh no!"

"Hermione what's wrong!?" Harry asked in panic as both he and Ron rose in unison going over to the girl.

"I was supposed to meet Justin over twenty minutes ago!" Hermione looked about ready to have a panic attack. "What if he thinks I stood him up! What if he never wants to talk to me again?" Throughout Hermione's tirade of 'what if's' Ron had managed to get her back in her seat.

"Hermione I'm sure Justin doesn't think that you stood him up. He probably just...wait a minute. Who's Justin...and why would he think you stood him up?" said Harry, looking confused again.

"Umm Harry I really don't think Hermione's in the mood for explanations at the moment. She looks a little like Ginny did when she found out you were coming to our house for the first time. Scarey really." Harry knitted his brows together as Ron just shrugged and muttered "it's true" Ron turned his attention back to the girl who was currently telling herself that she was an idiot for miscalculating the time. "Hermione it could be worse you know." She looked up at him now with a 'how do you think' glare. "Really it could. You could have failed the exams."

The word failed had barely left his lips when Hermione once again burst from her chair with a scream. "Ronald how could you say something like that?"

"Umm I didn't mean it Hermione." He defended himself from the girl currently sending him a death glare. "Really" Ron had taken a few steps back and was using Harry as a shield.

Hermione whipped her head to the side with an arrogance befitting a Malfoy. "I don't have time for this!" She declared in a huff, and with a sharp turn walked out of the library.

"That was...odd" Harry said as the last strand of Hermione's hair disappeared from sight.

"The girls gone mental. Face it Harry, Hermione's lost her mind." Harry nodded as they sat back down.

As soon as Hermione turned the corner she took off in a dead sprint. She arrived in the courtyard in no time at all and there in front of her, sitting on a bench with he head bent over a book, was Justin. She took a few deep breaths to regain her composure then walked over and sat down beside him.

"Hello Hermione" He said sweetly, a smile gracing his lips but his eyes still cast downwards scanning across the pages. "Fascinating how many things we are never taught about our very school. You'd think they would've made a class on it." He shut the book and looked up at her.

Hermione's eyes swiftly scanned the cover of Justin's book and widened in surprise at the title. "You've read Hogwarts: A History?" She asked in utter surprise, forgetting completely that she was late and should be apologizing.

"I would think that would have been obvious?" He said sarcastically as his eyebrows raised in question.

"Well I meant you've read through the whole thing. I've never met anyone else who's actually read it before."

"Yes, I've read it. I didn't know you were so excited about reading." he stood up and offered her a hand. She took it but dismissed it quickly once she had risen.

"Are you joking? How could you not know that I love to read? I'm only in the library all the time."

He raised his brow and let her continue about her fascination with Hogwarts and the books in the library. Before Hermione knew it, they were walking side by side discussing different things they had read and ones they wanted to read. Somewhere along te way they had managed to bring up the topic of Quidditch and the mathematics involved in it. Hermione became so engulfed in the conversation that she faintly remembered walking into hogsmeade, or the Three Broomsticks. In fact she had to contemplate whether or not she actually had ordered a butterbeer.

However it came about Hermione and Justin had found themselves sitting across from each other talking as if they had been friends for a lifetime and greatly enjoying each others company.

Hermione found she very much liked Justin's company. He was warm and affectionate and his smile made her heart flutter in her stomach, which she wasn't quite sure whether or not was a good thing or a bad thing. She opted for the first.

That afternoon together was one she would find hard to forget. When the sun was near setting they set off back to Hogwarts. They didn't say much on the way back. It wasn't as if they had run out of things to talk about; they were just enjoying the other's presence.

"That was fun." Hermione said, her eyes full of mirth.

Justin just looked at her with her with that knowing smile. "So you're glad I stole you from your duties then?" He asked in all sincerity.

"Yes." She said. "Very." Her smile sparked a flame in him and without thinking he joined their hands. Hermione blushed as his fingers entwined with hers, but she didn't let go. They were silent for the rest of the way, not wanting to ruin the perfect moment they had created. Somewhere in the back of her mind though Hermione knew It wouldn't last, and found out just how right she was as a sneering voice called in the distance.

Draco was coming out of Knockturn Alley when he saw the mudblood with a boy from Ravenclaw. The boy looked familiar and he knew he had seen him somewhere before. Granger was laughing and talking animatedly with him. A sneer marred his features as he saw them walk into the Three Broomsticks. The sound of his two cronies behind him caused him to roll his eyes and snap "Fine, we'll go!"

This proclamation earned him a look of confusion as Crabbe and goyle didn't know whether to be pleased they were finally going or concerned for Draco's health, for he never agreed to anything they asked. He didn't leave them much time to think as he stormed down the street, a scowl etched into his very soul. Crabbe and goyle hurried on after him, careful not to aggravate his already distempered mood.

"Did you see the mudblood?" Draco asked them, not expecting a reply, as they walked along the path that let to Hogwarts. "I was surprised she didn't have her weasel boyfriend with her, or the Boy Who needs to Die. I supposed they've broken yo finally. Shame, Potter and the weasel made such a lovely couple." Draco grinned at his cunning until Goyle interrupted his happy thoughts.

"But I thought you just said Granger and Weasely were dating. How could Potter and Weasely break up if -- "

"Shut up Goyle! I didn't ask you your opinion did I. No," he said as Goyle was about to answer him. "I didn't. And that wasn't a question you moron!" Draco's anger was very evident now and Crabbe and Goyle took the smarter approach for once and didn't say another word.

They reached the castle in no time as Draco had practically run the whole way there, not literally of course, for a Malfoy should never be seen running, unless of course it is necessary, such as outrunning your enemies or rivals. Because you see in instances such as these running is perfectly acceptable, but still referred to as hastening or quickening one's pace, which was precisely what Draco had done.

Draco paused for a moment when they had reached the entrance. He turned to his lackeys and said, "Crabbe, Goyle, go on inside without me. I need to think." They seemed content to acquiesce and readily made their way to the kitchens to try and get a preview of dinner.

Draco walked around the grounds for a while, pausing on occasion to admire the hills or the sky. It really was a beautiful school, though Draco would never admit he enjoyed going there. After a few more paces he found himself in front of a giant oak tree. The branches were strong and broad and seemed like just the spot to relax. In a few swift movements he was in the tree and lying on a branch, looking up into the sky through the many leaves. Draco liked spending time on his own. It was moments like these that he forgot about everything and just let his mind wander.

Had it been a normal day he would have drifted into thoughts of beating Harry Potter at Quidditch or getting Weasely expelled, yet for some reason his mind drifted to Granger and not towards thoughts of insulting her, but to thoughts of talking with me, making her laugh, and ki -- 'NO!' Draco snapped out of it. 'Not going there. I don't care how good she looked this morning. That is just...ughhh!'

Just as Draco was berating his mind for thinking of the mudblood in such a way the object of his hate came walking up the path, hand in hand with the same boy from before. Draco was infuriated when he saw them. If he wasn't in a good mood then there was no reason why she should be.

"Hey Mudblood!" He shouted. "I don't think your weasel boyfriend would be took happy if he saw you right now." A smirk crossed his lips as a plan came to life in him. " I mean really after last night I thought you two were going strong, but I guess you've moved on." Draco saw the anger blaze in Hermione's eyes as she shot him a threatening glare.

"Will you shut up Malfoy?" She said aggravated.

"Why Granger? Don't want your new boy toy hearing of your old affairs. Remember Granger we sleep next door to each other." Draco could see the growing concern in Hermione's eyes. He knew she had never done anything, but her new boyfriend didn't. Draco would ruin her perfect day one way or the other.

"Malfoy, isn't it?" Draco emerged out of his thoughts at te sound of his name. He raised an eyebrow as an answer. "Listen" Justin continued. "Why don't you do us all a favor and stay out of matters that don't concern you." He didn't even give Draco a chance to respond as he and Hermione left for the castle entrance, leaving an infuriated Draco in their wake.