Hermione made it to the Department of Magic and went straight to Ron's office, this bit of news was as random as ever and she had to share it. After all, how often do you run in to an old enemy and enjoy lunch over wine and laughs. She pushed open Ron's door without knocking and stormed into his office.

"Ronald, you won't believe-Oh!"

She had walked in to find Ron sitting on his desk deep in kisses with his companion. Not boyfriend, he didn't like putting a label on their relationship.

"Sorry," she mumbled looking away.

"That's alright," Ron laughed, "Give us a minute, Richie." Richie nodded and walked out without sparing a glance at Hermione.

"Do I have to put out a sign on my door that says 'knock before entering, please'?" Ron walked around his desk and dropped in his chair.

Hermione shook her head, "I'll remember next time, anyway guess what happened today!"

Ron swung around in his chair, "What?"

"Guess!"

"No, tell me."

"Guess, Ron!"

"I don't feel like it, I have a lot of work to take care of, I accidentally flooded my house this morning and it's still not fixed, Richie is being greedy with his goods because he thinks I'm only interested in his sex, and on top of that girls keep flirting with me because I'm friends with Harry...How irritating."

"Ugh," Hermione rolled her eyes, "Fine, I ran into Draco today."

Ron quickly sat up in his chair, "Oh, do tell!"

"He hugged me."

"No!"

"Yes, then he offered to buy me lunch."

"And you said..."

"Yes, he's changed, Ronald."

Ron leaned back in his chair and eyed Hermione suspiciously, "How?"

"Well, we were talking about our lives and what we're doing now. Turns out his parents were murdered by Bellatrix and now he lives in the Muggle World!"

"My, oh my, what a coincidence," Ron smirked.

Hermione nodded, "He's a pharmacist, and he's here visiting like me. Strange, isn't it?"

"He's a what?"

"Nevermind," Hermione shook her head, "Anyway, he kept telling me he couldn't believe I'm not seeing anyone and that I've got a nice smile and what not, what do you think of that?"

"What did you do?"

"Nothing, I left," Hermione laid down on Ron's sofa, "It was just too strange for me."

"Oh, Hermione, have I taught you nothing?" Ron stood and walked to occupy the seat by her, "When a handsome man looks your way, you better give it up his way," he smirked.

"I'm not like you, Ronald!" Hermione shrieked.

"I know, and that's why you're single," Ron poured Hermione a cup of tea and got one of his own, "I won't lie, I hate Draco Malfoy with every being of my soul, but if he's your cup of tea then go on right ahead and drink up," and with a smile Ron took a sip from his cup.

It was dark now, Hermione and Ron had spent the afternoon talking about Draco and other news. Now, Ron was at home taking care of his flood accident and she was walking back to her rented room at the Hog's Head Inn. Hermione was deep in thought about the happenings of that day, and she wondered if the following day would be anywhere near as interesting as today. When she reached the inn, she greeted the innkeeper and proceeded to her room, ready for a bath and a goodnight's rest. She reached her floor then dragged her feet lazily down the corridor to her door, she sighed in relief as she placed her hand on the doorknob and the key inside the keyhole, she turned the key and turned the knob.

"Hermione?"

She turned and felt her heart fall to the pit of her stomach.

Draco walked towards her, "Hermione, may I have a few words with you before you retire for the day."

"Malfoy, are you following me?" Hermione's hand went to her back pocket where it rested on the handle of her wand.

"No!" Draco almost shouted, "Not at all...my room is just down the corridor, I saw you arrive so I decided to wait until you reached your room."

"Oh..." She said, but her hand didn't move from it's position.

"So, May I? A few words before you rest?" Draco insisted.

Hermione thought long and hard about it before answering, "Sure."

Draco walked closer to her so that only the two of them could hear what he said, "Listen, I know this is really strange and I know I wasn't exactly a friendly person in my youth, but I've changed and so have you...and I..um...I...uhh," he placed his face in the palm of his hand and rubbed his closed eyes in frustration.

"Draco?" Hermione whispered tiredly, "Everything alright?"

He nodded, "What I'm trying to say, Hermione, is that I would really wish to see you again, before you go back to the Muggle World, I mean," he took in a deep breath to calm his nerves, "I've changed, I really have, I'm not the same Draco who almost got you expelled from Hogwarts, who let Death Eaters into the school, and almost murdered the best principal Hogwarts has ever seen."

Hermione raised an eyebrow at him but remained silent, she could see he wasn't finished speaking.

"It sounds horrible when I put it like that, but I was blind, Hermione, I was...really blind."

"So," Hermione crossed her arms and looked up at his nervous face, "What are you suggesting?"

"Another date," he quickly responded, "Tomorrow perhaps, how about...dinner?"

Hermione was still uncertain on wether or not she could trust this new and improved Malfoy, then again, when could one ever trust Malfoy. She watched him as he waited eagerly for her reply, no doubt he was hoping she would say yes...but why? Why would Draco Malfoy want Hermione Granger to go out on a date with him, why on earth would Draco Malfoy be sweating bullets just to speak to Hermione Granger? She felt a kind of odd pride swell up inside of her as she watched this man shudder nervously just to ask her on a date, it was like being kids allover again. Hermione smiled.

"Sure," she gave him a shrug, "What's the worst that could happen?" she was the most talented witch in their class and would not hesitate to remove his eyes with a flick of her wrist if necessary, and with that she retired off to her room for the night.