A/N: Wow. Second chapter already? I wrote both chapters back to back.

Disclaimer: Everything is JK Rowling's and everything hurts.

*Thank You Tsurishi Arashi for my first review :)

"Stardom is only a by-product of acting. I don't think being a star is a good enough reason for existing."

Hermione Granger was also in her flat that very same night. She took a tentative sip from her martini, trying to pay attention to what her own manager was saying. For a moment, Hermione looked in control, peaceful.

"…and then he stapled the banana to his left buttocks, grew a beard, and married the country of Venezuela."

"Wait, what?" Hermione broke out of her thoughts.

"See. You're not listening to me, again. Now just give me the martini," Rebecca pried the glass out of Hermione's hand, the actress whimpering in protest. "And I'll tell you about that new Pertie Perkinson play."

"Goody." Hermione sighed.

Rebecca gave her a stern look and shoved the letter into the brunette's arms. "Hermione, this is your first audition since the breakup. You can't hang around here doing nothing forever!" Hermione looked down at the letter written in scarlet ink.

"Even Draco's moved on with his life!" Hermione flinched violently at the sound of his name. Rebecca was obviously talking about the front cover of the Daily Prophet.

"Please." Rebecca's tone softened. "Just go, you won't regret it."

"He's going to be there, isn't he?"

"Pertie's been asking a lot of the big shot actors to audition. You'll probably end up seeing him whether you like it or not." Rebecca scowled, her face mirroring Hermione's.

"Listen, hun," said Rebecca suddenly, patting the girl's knee, "I gotta run. I'll see you tomorrow so we can prepare for Wednesday." Rebecca stood up, towering over Hermione in her brand new pair of heels.

"Bye," said Hermione absently, not bothering to show Rebecca the way out. The door slammed shut and locked itself behind the manager.

Hermione groaned and let her head fall on top of a couch pillow. Of all of the auditions he could go to, it has to be this one. Hermione buried her face in the musty cushion. Of all places. She screaming, her voice muffled by the fabric. She screamed for a good thirty seconds, stopping when she ran out of air.

Crookshanks mewed in the other room, as if he sensed his master's distress. Or he's hungry. Did I feed him? Hermione shook her head. This wasn't like her. What happened to that peppy, obnoxious little student she had been in her Hogwarts years.

Hermione saw a copy of Witch Weekly lying next to her. Hermione picked it up and thumbed through the pages, not bothering with make up tutorials and quizzes about boys. She opened up her interview. There were two pages completely filled up with a moving picture of her face. She smiled brightly as the camera flash bounced off her face.

HERMIONE GRANGER: WITCH WONDER

Then in smaller font: An exclusive interview with the smartest member of the Golden Trio and how her life is now after the shocking events of the Second Wizarding War.

You recently graduated from Hogwarts with the highest honors, congratulations.

Thank you. (Hermione remembered blushing stupidly. She was much younger then.) I worked so hard all year and it feels good to finally be rewarded.

Everyone's been wondering, what are you going to do now that you've left school?

Get a job [laughs] like any normal witch or wizard. Harry and Ron are rising up in the Ministry, and now its my turn to join the real world too.

What about the rumors that you're going to star in the upcoming revival of 'The Fountain of Fair Fortune'?

Those rumors are true. I received the owl just yesterday! Its very exciting and rehearsal starts soon so I can't wait. (Hermione glanced at a large moving poster on the wall from the same performance)

Why the sudden interest in acting?

Any of my friends or fellow classmates can tell you that I love to experiment and try different things. I mean, every witch at one point or another has wanted to be an actress. It's a whole new world out there I don't have limitations. (Reading it again, Hermione realized that line belonged in a cheesy Muggle film)

And what about the rumors of a clothing line?

I'm sad to say those aren't true. (Actually it was at the time, but the designer suffered serious dragon pox so the idea was never brought back up again) I mean, I wish they were true. I don't know. Maybe in the distant future.

Is it hard having to make a name for yourself after you've been associated with the Golden Trio for so long?

Yes. But we all have to grow up at some point. I don't mean to say that I'll never talk to Ron or Harry again but we each have our own destinies and our own futures to plan. I'm glad to have been a member of the Golden Trio and I'm not going to forget any of the adventures, the laughter, and the tears anytime soon.

The media has been going crazy since you've started dating Ron Weasley. Care to tell how that's going?

Ron and I recently broke up. (Hermione recalled the interviewer's surprise after she said that so bluntly) We sort of drifted apart, you know. He was off at Auror training while I was studying. We simply couldn't find the time for something that serious. We're still friends of course, but I'm currently single at the moment.

Many people believe that you're now in a relationship with Draco Malfoy, who might be your costar.

(Hermione, as she read the question, grew tense, her fists squeezing tightly on the paper.) Malfoy and I haven't talked in a long time so I don't understand why people would make those kinds of assumptions. Its silly, and I do believe that he's dating someone currently anyway. (How innocent her response had been. If only Hermione would've known at the time that a few weeks later she'd be head over heels for Malfoy)

The interview went on to bring up topics of makeup, food, more questions about her personal life, but Hermione didn't want to read it anymore. She didn't have the strength. She sighed and forced her self onto her feet. She teetered for a moment, a bit dizzy from the cocktail she had previously. Her head throbbed with pain like it always did she was under stress.

Go to bed. She firmly told herself and shuffled into the bedroom. She stripped down into a tank top and boxer shorts. It would have to do for now.

Hermione curled up for a moment underneath the warmth of the comforter. She reviewed her To-Do list for tomorrow in her mind, then, out of nowhere, came the image of Draco and that girl. It was stuck to her brain, refusing to leave. Hermione felt tears sting at the corners of her eyes. No. Enough with the crying. Hermione scrunched herself up tighter, falling into an uneasy sleep.

For the first time in many months, she didn't shed a tear over the thought of Draco Malfoy.

A/N: I'm not just grateful about reviews, it also means a lot to me when people just read my story. So if you have been reading it, thank you :3

Hugs and Butterfly Kisses- Ellie