A/N - Thanks again for everyone's reviews. =] Here's the next chapter, hopefully have chapter 4 up for you all soon. =]

Chapter 3

"Miss, wake up, wake up miss," came the soft squeak of Darby the house elf. Hermione groaned and rolled over, dragging her covers over her head.

"Miss, you have to wake up," Darby said again while gently prodding her back. Turning over once again, Hermione opened her eyes and screamed. All she saw were Darby's giant puppy dog blue eyes staring at her intently.

Jumping back, the elf started to apologise profusely before Hermione stopped her with a kind smile and sat up.

"It should be me that is apologising to you Darby, I just got a shock is all. Would you be so kind as to show me to the dining hall, I'm sure my family are waiting."

"Of course miss, right this way. Just follow Darby miss." The elf squeaked happily and skipped out the room.

Coming to the doors, Hermione smiled before pushing them open and sliding into the room. Her slide came to an abrupt halt when she noticed the three unsuspected guests sat alongside her family. Blushing she sat down beside her sister, who was trying her best not to laugh, and a gave a brief greeting to their guests.

"Hermione dear, this is your uncle Ethan and aunt Isabella…" Her mother started before being interrupted.

"Oh please call me Izzy, Isabella sounds too formal, especially among family." Her aunt smiled at her

Hermione returned the smile and said, "It's nice to meet you both."

"I believe you will know my son from school, Theo tells me you are the brightest witch of your age. That my dear is quite an accomplishment and your parents should be proud." Her uncle exclaimed.

Hermione blushed again, "Thank you," she said shyly. "And yes, we are in the same year."

"Does that mean you're not in the same house?" Haylie butt in.

"Er yeah, I'm in slytherin, which houses the best of the best…." Theo started.

"You think Slytherin is better than Gryffindor? Seriously?" Hermione exclaimed with a look of shock. "You would honestly call Crabbe, Goyle and especially ferret faced Malfoy the best?"

Theo looked shocked at her outburst.

"Hermione, please don't be so rude to your cousin. We brought you up better than that." Her mother scolded.

"It's fine aunt Anna. They haven't been the nicest towards Hermione, I don't blame her for speaking out." Theo added.

"Really? Your mother told me he was such a nice boy." Hermione's mother said confused.

"Well whenever he stays with us, he is polite and such a charming young man." Izzy replied.

"You know how the Malfoy's are terribly prejudiced towards muggleborns Izzy." Her uncle Ethan chimed in. "I expect Draco expressed these, er, prejudices towards Hermione here."

"Yes father, he wasn't the nicest to say the least." Theo mumbled.

"Wait until I see the little pri…um prat." Haylie exclaimed.

Everyone in the room was shocked and Hermione sat with her head down, a small blush spreading across her cheeks.

"She did get him back in third year though. What a punch, he had to use a concealment charm for a week." Theo grinned. "Oh and not to forget what she called him. What was it Hermione?"

"A foul, loathsome, evil little cockroach." Hermione laughed and everyone soon joined in.

Breakfast went smoothly after that and was soon over. The adults made their way into one of the parlours to catch up, leaving Haylie, Hermione and Theo to their own devices.

"So who is coming swimming then?" Said Haylie, breaking the awkward silence. "I wanna try out our awesome swimming pool."

"Sounds good to me Haylz." Hermione replied smiling.

"And me." Theo said. "Shall we meet at the pool in 10 minutes?"

"Wooo, yay. See you soon." Haylie said before running off. Hermione quickly made her way upstairs and changed into a red bikini and grabbed a towel before going outside.

She followed the stone path to the enormous swimming pool complete with water slide and underwater jets, to where Theo stood patiently waiting. Haylie joined them soon after and the three of them spent a few good hours getting to know each other properly. Hermione and Theo had agreed it was best to have a fresh start and actually got on rather well, both having a love of books.