Draco watched as Hermione walked out of the three Broomsticks with a smirk on his face. Realizing he was still standing, he quickly slid his empty butter beer glass over and left. Draco made his way back down the streets of Hogsmeade, which were less crowded as everyone was now heading inside to escape the growing chill as the sun begins to set. Draco found no interest in the makeshift hubs, candy stores, or usual hangout spots. Which another loud crack, Draco disapperated back to the Malfoy Manor. Draco found himself in the large living room, standing next to the old fireplace, which was now popping lazily as the fire burned the logs the always restocked on their own. Draco watched the flames of the fire as embers rose in the smoke before dying out. A firm hand was placed on his shoulder and Draco looked 's father, Lucius Malfoy, stood there with his head held high, his blue eyes piercing Draco as always, and his gloved hand on Draco's shoulder. "There you are Draco," Lucius said with his monotone voice. Draco shrugged his father's hand off and turned to face him. "I went out," Draco said as he stood straight, trying to be as tall as his father, but failing. "I noticed, though I am surprised, for you haven't left the house much so I am curious. Where was it you went?" Lucius said as he walked over to the throne-like chair in the corner of the room. Lucius sat down and watched as his son turned to examine the flames again. "Nowhere special, I just went to Borgin and Burkes to see if they had anything new," Draco hoped his father wouldn't spot the lie in his voice. Lucius Malfoy's eyes narrowed and Draco knew he slipped up."Oh did you now? Well that's curious, as to how I just came back from Borgin and Burke's, and failed to see you anywhere in the store or Knockturn Alley for that matter." Draco closed his eyes then clenched and unclenched his fists. "So now I'm really curious as to why in the world anywhere you went was important enough that you chose to lie to me, Draco?" He looked at his son expectantly, looking for any sign of another sighed and decided it was best to tell the truth, well half of the truth at least. "I went down to the Three Broomsticks for a butter beer, that's all." Draco's father considered this for a moment before asking, "Is that all? Did you meet with anyone?" Lucius asked as he glanced out the window with no interest. "No," Draco answered to quickly and his father turned slowly to look at him once more."Tell me Draco, who where you meeting with?" Lucius smiled unkindly and raised an eyebrow as his son dared not to make eye contact. "No one, really." Draco knew his father would never approve of him talking to a muggle born outside of school, it could start rumors about being blood traitors, which wasn't that bad in Draco's point of view, but to his father it was one of the worst titles that could be given to any respectable wizard yet."Then tell me why you refuse to look me in the eye and your upper lip is beginning to sweat. Both are undeniable signs of lying my son. You really should know better. So I'll ask you once more, who did you meet with?"Draco rubbed the back of his neck and met his father's gaze. "Granger," he said quietly. Lucius thought for a moment before the face of a young witch popped into his mind, and paired along with the face is the status; muggle Malfoy stiffened in his seat. "You were hanging around Hogsmeade with a mud blood?" He practically spat the last word as his face twisted with revulsion. Draco felt an anger rush through him that took over and surprised him. "Don't call her that." Draco hissed at his father."That's what she is, though isn't she? Born from muggles, blood tinted with their filth?" Lucius shot back, still not hiding his distaste. "Well yes, she's a muggle born, but she's the best witch that's been in my year that I know of." Draco had no idea why he was defending her, if it where anyone else he wouldn't have cared, but something about anyone- even his father insulting Granger picked at the back and Draco's mind."Brilliant or not, she is nothing more than a mud blood and you shouldn't even bother looking her way let alone meeting with her," Draco's father rose from his seat to stare down at his son."I can talk with who I want," Draco frowned up at his father, his forehead creasing. "I forbid you to speak with a mud blood," Lucius growled at his son, "Is that clear?""You can't do that," Draco took a step toward him, proving that he's not afraid of a challenge. "Oh yes I can Draco. Am I clear?" This time Lucius said his words with such a force Draco almost flinched away. Draco stood his ground for a few silent minutes before stepping back and muttering a yes. He didn't like it, but he knew it was better to agree with her father then to continue the argument. "Good," Malfoy smiled with a triumph before leaving the room and heading watched as his father left, and slumped down against the wall. As he sat on the floor, he felt the anger beginning to melt away. "What is wrong with me?" Draco muttered to himself. All he had to do was tell him about the letters and his father would have nodded and left. Just like that. However, Draco couldn't figure out why he didn' out of the window, he watched as the sun finished setting, casting shades of blue, pink, and purple across the newly night sky.