Thank you to everyone who took the time out to read the humble beginning of my masterpiece :) And holla to XMarshalXMathersXManiacX who is currently working on a great story!

For some reason, the rulers between some paragraphs weren't published in chapter one :'( hopefully it doesn't happen again..

But enough of my jibber jabber, and on with my 'maaaaasterpiece'!
Ahh my mother always admired my humility..!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or settings mentioned in this story. They are the offspring of J.K Rowling's amazing imagination. :)

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"Oh I really like this one!" Cried Ginny, as Hermione walked shyly out of the changing cubicle in Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. Madam Malkin smiled, then began tugging the dress in all kinds of places, tightening it against Hermione's small frame. "Okay..." Madam Malkin said when she finally seemed content with the pulling and pinning, she walked over to an overflowing desk and nodded as she jotted down some measurements into a small Muggle notebook.

Hermione groaned, "Oh Ginny, I can't do this... it's just one dress that I need but you're making me try on hundreds!"

Ginny grinned and answered, "That's because we have to find the perfect one!" Hermione rolled her eyes but that didn't waver Ginny, "You know I won't be able to go Prom dress shopping with you, I being a younger student." She scowled, hating Fred and George for turning all of the punch into goblin sweat during their third year. The incident had led to not only suspension on their part, but also a ban for younger students. Sometimes Ginny detested being their sister!

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Draco walked towards Flourish and Blotts, slightly disgusted as he brushed past people he didn't know. He looked down, his path was obscured by a child carrying a battered metal tin, "any spare change sir?" The boy or girl, he couldn't really tell, held the tin up to him, he sighed and thought, change! As if a Malfoy could carry change, we carry solid gold- not change! He looked the child up and down, scrutinising its appearance, it was wearing a presumably stolen large coat, ripped gloves and boots, and was covered in grimy stains. Draco almost felt sorry for him.

Almost.

He stepped past the child and walked towards the shop, "I'll give you a sum of money on my way out." The dusty scent and the rows and rows of magical books inside Flourish and Bolts gave rise to a sense of familiarity and cosiness. He scanned the list and set about finding the books he needed.

After a rather calming hour he had successfully found every book he required for the last year at Hogwarts, Draco paid the correct sum to the young cashier, who seemed to be eyeing him, the reason however was ambiguous- maybe because she found him attractive or it could be because he was the son of the iniquitous Death Eater, Lucius Malfoy. The latter being the more plausible choice, although the first was true too, if he may say so himself.

Draco strolled out of the shop and spotted the beggar child. He took out a few galleons and approached the he/she thing, "Here." He said quietly. "Make sure you eat tonight... and maybe buy a bar of soap!" The child half bowed and thanked him courteously. Draco turned on his heel and collided with someone, and had a face full of bushy hair.

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Hermione and her younger friend skipped contentedly, they'd both successfully picked out dresses they were ecstatic with, and nothing could really ruin the moment. They sauntered along the stony pavement, Ginny linked arms with Hermione and they chatted while they swung the bags containing their newly bought items. Then as if their luck couldn't get any better Ginny noticed a Knut on the floor, she bent to pick it up. Hermione ooh'ed and walked backwards along the street while looking at Ginny and rammed into what she assumed was either a brick wall or Hagrid, "I'm so sorry!" She exclaimed and spun around. It was Malfoy; he looked just as shocked as she was herself, however shock transformed into icy anger towards her nemesis since... well, since forever!

So much for 'nothing can ruin this moment' thought Hermione. "You need to watch where you're going Malfoy- you almost killed me!" He looked down and her with disgust, "it's too bad I didn't." The resentment was staggering.

He spotted Ginny picking up the Knut and smirked, "So poor, you're picking money off the floor..!" His tone dripped with sarcasm. Ginny stood up, straightened her clothes, "Grow up, Malfoy."This resulted in a small war of words between Malfoy and Ginny, Hermione stood blankly on the side. She wondered why Malfoy had showed such revulsion towards her. He had always been mean to her, but the way he had looked at her, with such contempt and hate had shaken her.

A child picked his way towards them through the small crowd that were bemusedly watching the argument, Hermione watched as he stopped behind Malfoy and tugged at his robes, Malfoy turned, "Sorry Sir, but..." In his hand he held up the galleons. "I can't accept it; Mummy told me to return it."

Malfoy's lips had formed a thin tight line, and he spoke, "No that's quite all right, you keep it, it looks like you need it..." More people seemed to gather and there was a very rare moment of silence in Diagon Alley. The boy stared at the ground during the pause, then slowly looked up at Malfoy, moved his hand further forward, insisting that Malfoy should take the coins.

"Please Sir, mummy said not to take money from bad people."

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Draco paced the length of his bedroom. His face would turn a deep shade of pink when he'd recall the hours before. He felt humiliated but he should have known better than to give money, Malfoys never gave money. Never. He had broken one of the Malfoy Rules of Exerting Superiority, and now he was paying for it. And truth be told, he thought he probably deserved it.

Oh Granger and the she-weasel were probably so happy.

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The two girls spent the walk to the Leakey Cauldron in silence, and the same back at the Burrow. Hermione couldn't believe what'd happened, she felt a churning sensation in the pit of her belly and actually felt sorry for Malfoy. He had tried giving charity and it'd been thrown back in his face, just because of the family he came from.

She brought herself back to the scene mentally and recalled what she could remember. The boy said he couldn't accept the money and Malfoy looked pretty shocked and tried to cover it up, but his face said it all; he looked angry and embarrassed and annoyed. He wasn't accepting it back, but the boy kept insisting that he take it, and after countless attempts, he ended up letting the coins fall to the ground, she saw Malfoy's face drop along with the coins. And he disapparated on the spot.

"'Mione?" Ron interrupted Hermione's thoughts, she met his gaze. "Erm... Never mind." He proceeded to leave the room, but Hermione caught his arm before he could.

Better to get over with she thought. "Ron, you and I both know we have some things to talk about." She received an abrupt nod from Ron, his eyes were wide in a puppy dog kind of way, there was a lengthy pause. She couldn't do it, "Have you seen the dress I'm planning on wearing to the anniversary party?" Ron shook his head, slightly surprised. Hermione gave herself a mental slap, coward girl! And I call myself a brave Gryffindor! She'd been unsuccessfully trying to break up with Ron, not that there was something wrong with him, it just felt like dating her brother- it felt wrong, not to mention extremely awkward.

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Draco stared out of the pane glass window, reflecting on his life. It hadn't been the best. No. Not by a long shot. It could well be one of the worst... the way his father had treated him and how his mother stood by and watched, helpless as always. He squeezed his eyes shut, and allowed himself to be silent and still, and just feel the slight breeze coming from the open casement. He was jerked away from the slightest bit of peace; the sharp rapping sound came from the window on the opposite end of his room, he sighed and walked over to it. It was an owl he didn't recognize. He opened the window and grabbed the scroll attached to its leg. He watched it disappear into the shadowy darkness, then proceeded to opening the scroll and read the message inside. It was from St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries;

Dear Master Malfoy,

It is with great pleasure that I inform you that your mother, Narcissa Malfoy's recovery will be sped up. She will shortly be recieveing a private Healer to tend to her while, presumably you'll be attending Hogwarts- School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The Healer will arrive on September the 1st, promptly at 6.00 am, so that you have the chance to meet him/her before the programme begins. It is important for you to know that the Healer will be challenging your mother mentally, in order to try and improve her psychological state.

I am sure the news is a great reassurance for you and your family.

Kind Regards,

Flidais Desta
(St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries)

Yeah, Draco scoffed mentally, Me and my family. He summoned Choppy, his personal elf, and informed him of the good news.

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Hermione inspected her reflection, she had to admit, Ginny had done a tremendous job. Hermione continued to gape at herself in the mirror, she wore a flattering rosy silk dress, the boned bustier accentuated her curves while the drapes in the skirt created a beautiful silhouette. At her waist, there was a crystal belt- it completed the dress without making it too ornate. Ginny had wrestled the frizz into a high plaited bun, a few stubborn curls hung around her face. Ginny entered the room and Hermione's eyebrows shot up when she realised how pretty Ginny looked, she wore a short royal blue dress which had gathered details in the skirt- it really showed that Ginny had grown into a vuluptuous young woman.

Together they made their way to the Marquee and gasped at the elaborate decorations. The boys had really outdone themselves. As if on cue the boys walked to them gawking like idiots, stuttering how beautiful both girls looked. Hermione felt as though she was glowing, not only on the outside, but inside too. Her self-esteem rose a couple of notches. People began popping up, they'd apparated into the marquee, and slowly but surely all of the guests arrived.

Once everyone arrived, Bill Weasly led his parents to the venue. Everything was going perfectly, Ron smiled at Harry, avoiding proper eye contact with Hermione, and said, "I can't believe it 'arry, its going good, they are going to be so shocked!"

Everyone hid behind chairs and tables, and silently awaited the Weasley Parents arrival. Hermione strained to hear, "they're coming!" Fred said in a hushed voice, whilst rubbing his hands together in anticipation. Mr and Mrs Weasley entered and everybody erupted from behind the furniture and screamed, "SURPRISE!" Ron was right, they were shocked.

This celebration continued until sundown, Mr and Mrs Weasley were showered with presents, hugs and a whole load of old-fashioned love. It was a joyous occasion and everyone was in high spirits. Hermione felt much better than she had in a long time. She danced and ate and laughed and laughed.

After hours of partying, Hermione sat herself on a chair, and rubbed the blisters on the backs of her feet. She watched the scene before her; many of the guests had left and the crowds had dispersed. Mr Weasley was showing some muggle guests out of the tent. Suddenly all the lights in the Marquee went out, it must be a mischievous act of Fred and George, Hermione thought practically.

The sound came first, it was deafening. Hermione's toffee coloured eyes widened and then she felt its indisputed wrath. She felt herself being flung out her chair, by an invisible force which threw her towards the other side of the tent. She landed face down on the ground, and then the chair she'd been holding onto slammed into her back, pinning her to the ground. Screams of terror erupted around her, and she felt herself slipping away into the welcoming embrace of unconsciousness...

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A/N: Extra long chapter and then ... Heheheee cliff hanger :)

Please tell me of anything i could improve on, and i will try! For example, was there too much jumping from Hermione to Draco..?

Come one people, give me one little review! Pretty, pretty please.. Cherry on top? Ahh i knew that would bring you around! :D

Faerie x