A.N.: thanks for the reviews everyone! im glad that most people are liking it. the story is already finished, not long, but finished. I will try to have the story completely up by New Year's Eve.

Chapter 3: The Flat

Hermione woke up feeling more refreshed then she had felt in months. She remembered the dreams that had filled her unconsciousness; they were all of him, all of Draco. One in particular was of her and Draco in a relationship - and he was proposing. It made Hermione smile just to think that it could become a reality; that was, if she ever saw him again, and if she could manage to say more than three words to him.

She got up and walked to the bathroom to take her shower. She couldn't help but think about Draco. Why am I suddenly so attracted to Draco Malfoy? He's only ever been a rude and inconsiderate prat to me. Why should I want to be with someone like that? She continued in this vein for a few minutes, and then put it out of her head. There was no need to think about something that would probably never happen after all.

But what if it did happen? She couldn't help but wonder this as she stepped into the shower five minutes later. God, what am I saying? It's not like Draco feels the same about me, does he?

Hermione stepped out of the shower twenty minutes later, still in her reverie. I need to stop thinking about this, about him. I need to concentrate on finding a nice flat to live in. She dressed and went into the kitchen for some breakfast. She made herself eggs and toast, paid the delivery owl after taking the Daily Prophet, and sat down at the table.

Hermione walked out the door an hour later, a list of potential apartments she had found in the Classifieds section of the Daily Prophet in hand. There were about ten apartments on the list, most of which were within a few blocks of Diagon Alley.

The first three potential apartments Hermione visited were quickly marked off the list. The first wasn't big enough, the second was too big - and a little out of her price range - and the third was not in the best of neighborhoods. The fourth and the fifth weren't much better; Hermione was about to give up. To give herself one last chance to find a place to live, she decided to Apparate to the sixth flat on her list.

This looks like it would be a nice place to live, she thought to herself, peering at the building's exterior. The building was two stories tall and had walls made of red brick; there were a few stairs leading from the street to the entrance of the looked as though it was well taken care of because it was not as shabby looking as some others on the street, which added to its appeal.

Hermione walked into the building and found the manager's apartment on the first floor.

"Can I help you?" the manager answered, opening the door after Hermione knocked on it. She looked to be about Mrs. Weasley's age, with dirty blonde hair and green eyes.

"I'm here to look at the flat that is for rent."

"All right, it's upstairs." She grabbed a large key ring and headed up the stairs. She went to the door of the open apartment and let Hermione inside.

The flat had a nice living area, a good sized kitchen, and room for a small dining table. The bedroom was just the right size, as was the bathroom.

"I'll take it," said Hermione.

"Excellent! Well, I'll get the paperwork."

The manager returned a couple of minutes later with a stack of papers for Hermione to fill out and sign. "You can move in anytime this week. If, at any time, you decide you would like to buy the flat, it can be arranged."

"Oh, all right. I'll keep that in mind."

The manager gave Hermione the keys to her new flat as she followed her out the door. The pair walked down the stairs. "Thanks again," Hermione said walking out the door.

This is great; I finally have a place of my own! I'll move my things in this weekend, after my shift at work.

Draco Malfoy was rounding the corner to his flat when he saw someone he had never thought he'd see again. Hermione Granger was walking out of the building he was about to enter. "What is she doing, coming out of that building, my building?" He didn't realize that he had said those words out loud until after he had spoken. Hopefully she didn't hear me - or see me for that matter. Luck was on Draco's side; apparently, Hermione hadn't seen or heard him. That was close, he thought. I wonder what she was doing here. Did she find out where I live? Was she looking for me? Will she come back? As it turns out, Draco didn't have to wait long to find out the answers to his questions - he would soon see the woman he longed for.

A.N.: keep reviewing! if you like it, let me know what you like; if not, let me know why.