"Are you going to invite me in, or do I have to sleep outside?" Draco questioned flatly.

"If you'd rather sleep outside, you're welcome to," Hermione replied, but stepped aside to let him pass.

Draco carried his broom and trunk down the hallway and waited for Hermione to show him to the guest bedroom. The guest bedroom was off the living room; It was rather small, only containing a bed and a wardrobe, but it was cozy. Draco slung his trunk onto the foot on the bed and sent his broom flying into the corner. He then turned on Hermione, who caught her breath.

"Th... Thanks, Granger," he said. "I appreciate this."

Hermione forced a kind smile. "It's not a problem. But I'm still curious as to why you chose me."

Draco chuckled. "I'll admit, I've never been particularly fond of you. But as you said, let's let bygones be bygones. Besides, I won't have to worry about being recognized in the muggle world."

Of course, Hermione thought. He wanted to be somewhere where no one would judge him or shun him. He wanted to be normal for a change. Hermione smirked at this revelation.

"What?" Draco said, cocking an eyebrow.

"All this... isn't it strange?"

"You have no idea," he said.

"So what do you want to do?" Hermione asked timidly.

"We could go flying."

"No thank you. I hate flying. And besides, isn't the point of this to blend into the muggle world. Here's a hint... muggles don't fly on brooms."

Draco scowled. "Then, what do you want to do?"

Hermione shrugged. "I'll give you a tour of the house, considering you'll be here for a while."

Draco cocked an eyebrow. "I thought this was only for a few days."

"A few days in the muggle world will seem like an eternity."

Shaking her head, Hermione showed Draco into the kitchen, which had a small dining table sitting in front of a bay window. They then ventured upstairs where Hermione showed him the bathroom, her parents room, and her own room. Seeing that her room was rather disorganized at the moment, she snapped the door shut as quickly as she could and she thought she saw a smirk flash across Draco's face.

They finally settled into the living room, Hermione seated on the sofa opposite where Draco sat, and Hermione flipped on the television. She watched as curiosity filled Draco's eyes and she realized that he had never watched TV. She scanned the channels, not looking for anything in particular and Draco watched her.

"What do muggles do for fun?" The question seemed to choke him slightly, as though the thought of actually caring about muggle pastimes was physically painful.

This humored Hermione. "Watch television, play sports, go on vacation... the same things wizards do, only a little different."

Draco watched Hermione, whose eyes were glued to the television. She had fixed her hair - it was neatly tied behind her head - and he had never seen her wear clothes like those. She looked so different now. He couldn't believe that he had never seen it before.. Sometime in the last few years, Hermione had transformed from a young girl to a woman. Or perhaps, it was the war that did it.

Draco massaged his temples and shook the repulsive thoughts from his head. After all, it was Granger he was thinking about.

"If you're tired, you can go on to bed," Hermione whispered, seeing Draco out of the corner of her eye.

He nodded curtly. "I think I will. I'll see you tomorrow."

Hermione watched as he crossed the room to the guest bedroom and closed the door behind him. Not wanting to disturb him, she turned off the TV and headed upstairs to her own bedroom. As she closed the door behind her, a sickly feeling came over her. Draco Malfoy was in her house, and soon she would be asleep and unable to protect herself. She drew out her wand.

She locked the door so that Alohamora could not unlock it and also placed a impenetrable charm on the wood... just for safe measure. There, she thought. Let's see him try and get in now without waking me first.

Hermione woke the next morning to find her door perfectly in tact and there was no sign that Draco had tampered with it. Slightly comforted, she made her way downstairs in her pajamas to make breakfast. She arrived to the kitchen and her eyes bulged when she saw a naked Draco standing on the opposite side of the island in the middle of the room, pouring himself a glass of orange juice.

She stared, bug eyed, at his chiseled chest and arms. His muscles flexed and rippled with every move he made, and Hermione found herself unable to take her eyes off him. Her gaze fell, taking in his perfect abs, his navel, and then the counter top. Hermione made no effort to step any closer.

"Good morning," Draco said. His voice was bitter, but Hermione knew that he was trying his best. And to be honest, she was proud of him.

"Morning," Hermione greeted, not budging from the doorway.

Draco replaced the carton in the fridge and stepped around the edge of the island. Hermione squeaked, but was utterly relieved when she saw a pair of blue shorts. She sighed with relief, and then burst into laughter.

"I thought you were nude," she gasped for air.

"You wished I was," he said, winking over his glass.

Hermione rolled her eyes and set to work making breakfast. She decided it was only kind to cook for Draco as well. After all, he was her house guest. They sat down together at the table to eat, Draco still only partially clothed, and ate awkwardly in silence for the better part of their meal.

"So let me get this straight," Hermione finally piped. "We're putting everything behind us and basically starting over?"

Draco nodded. "Mmmm-hmmm."

She stuck her hand out across the table. "I'm Hermione Granger."

He snickered, but returned the gesture. "Draco Malfoy."

Hermione blushed and looked away from him; She gazed out the window through the blinds. It was a beautiful day outside; The sun shone brightly and a light breeze tossed the bushes and trees.

"Do you want to go for a walk?" she asked skeptically.

"Sure," he said. He was finished with his breakfast, but waited for her to finish before he left the table. Hermione fought a smile. She never knew he was capable of manners.

After breakfast, Hermione headed upstairs to shower. She dressed herself in a pink sun dress with white sandals and braided her hair neatly. Before she headed downstairs, she slipped on some rose lip gloss and looked over herself in the mirror a final time. It'll have to do...

She made her way downstairs and found Draco waiting for her in the entryway. He too had showered, and he was now wearing a pair of jeans and a steel-colored dress shirt. Hermione blushed; He looked incredible in gray.

"You clean up nicely," she taunted.

"You too... Granger," he added her name as an afterthought. She was certain there had been another word on his tongue, but once again, he was trying to change. At least, he wanted her to think he had changed.

She gestured towards the door. "Shall we?"

There was a park a few blocks away, and that was the destination Hermione had in mind. They took off down the street, walking with at least two feet between them at all times. Hermione stole a few glances at Draco, admiring how his hair shone in the sunlight and how he walked with such poise. She immediately scolded herself.. how dare she think anything of the sort about him. Draco Malfoy.

They arrived to the vacant park and Draco led the way to the swings. He took a seat in the middle swing and gestured for Hermione to sit next to him.

"Are you regretting this yet?" he asked.

Hermione did not answer, because the truth was she didn't know. She did not necessarily enjoy Draco's company, but she did enjoy the fact that he did not insult her every time they spoke and that they could at least be civil. She also enjoyed the fact that they could have a conversation without talking about the war or her deceased friends.

"Are you?"

"I'm not sure," he admitted.

"Well let me know when you decide," she jested.

"You'll be the first to know."

"Where did you tell your parents you were staying?" Hermione asked.

"With Blaise."

"And they won't owl you while you're there?"

"They'll hardly notice I'm gone. After all, they're too busy fighting over the estate."

Hermione felt for Draco. She wanted to say something to comfort him, but the words were lost on her tongue. Should she hug him? No... that was definitely outside the boundaries. As a matter of fact, so was comforting him in any way.

"You know... muggles are incredibly boring," Draco said.

Hermione furrowed her brow. "I resent that."

"But you aren't a muggle are you?"

Hermione's heart fluttered and her mouth fell open. "That's probably the nicest thing you've ever said to me."

He smiled. "I'll have to try harder then."

She blushed.

"Do you want to do something else?" Draco asked.

Hermione nodded with curiosity.

Draco held out his hand, palm up, to Hermione. She stared at it for a moment, debating silently both the pros and cons of taking it. She reached for it slowly, cautiously. When her fingertips reached his palm she felt sparks of electricity shoot up her hand.

She grasped his hand firmly and with a sickening jerk, they disappeared.