Chapter 2

Hermione pushed the food around on her plate. She didn't feel much like eating the peas, mash potatoes or steak on her plate. She sighed. Harry was engaged. To Ginny! And Ron was married. Hermione felt more than a little lonely. All of her very best friends' relationships were moving in the right direction, why didn't Hermione feel the same way?

"Hermione what's wrong?" A soothing voice cooed. Hermione looked up at her date and smiled. She felt happier when she saw him. He smiled at her and took her hand in his. "Hermione, whatever your problem, whatever you're feeling, you can always talk to me." He paused. "Hermione, I love you." Hermione could feel herself melt at his words. Her heart began to flutter and she felt lighter than air. She looked into the deep brown eyes in front of her and knew the only response.

"I love you too, Blaise."

Draco paced around his room furiously. "A date?" Draco said to himself, as he often did when he was alone and needed to think. "With who? Granger couldn't possibly have a date the exact day I asked her out!" Draco felt his lip twitch into a smirk. "Well, if Granger wants to games, I'll play games." Draco sighed. Tonight wasn't his night though, he'd been feeling a little off and wanted to blow off some steam on an unsuspecting slut, who was probably waiting for someone like Draco to walk into the bar any minute now. Draco shoved his wand in his pocket, and disapperated.

He'd decided not to let Granger ruin his mood and went to the nearest muggle restaurant with a decent bar. He walked up to the restaurant and stared at the small wooden sign. The silver, fancy letter was the name, White Lion. He laughed as he remembered all the good times he'd had in this place. Many a women came to his apartment after meeting in this restaurant. He settled his laughter and pushed the door open, hearing the cheerful chime as he walked over the threshold.

Hermione crumpled the napkin on her lap and placed it on the table beside her food. She pushed her chair back. "I'll be right back." She said quickly to Blaise giving him a meaningful smile. Blaise returned the smile. He caught her hand as she brushed past him. Hermione stopped and turned to look at Blaise.

"I'll be waiting." He murmured softly before kissing her hand gently. Hermione glowed with joy. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, but it was only more alluring to Blaise. Hermione glided off to the bathroom. Blaise sat in his chair alone, wondering what could possibly be any better, when a tall blonde male walked in the door to the restaurant. "Bloody hell." Blaise cursed under his breath.

"If it isn't my partner in business, Blaise Zabini." Draco said. Blaise fought with his desire to punch the wizard in front of him. Draco's eyes flicked to the seat in front of him. He raised an eyebrow quizzically. "Eating dinner with a ghost?" Blaise stood up from his seat so quickly his chair would have fallen over had he not caught it.

"I'm on a date, and she just went to the loo, leave now." He said through clenched teeth. Malfoy could tell he was unwanted and he didn't want to fight with Blaise, so he threw his hands in the air.

"Calm down, Blaise. I'll leave." He turned to leave, but thought of something quickly. He turned around. "But I'll be back in exactly one hour." He held up his hand before Blaise could say anything. "Thank me later." He added snarkily and walked out the door.

Blaise scowled at the door as it swung shut. He picked up his napkin off the floor and sat down. He tried to calm himself before Hermione came back. But in the end he needn't have to. As soon as she walked up behind him, and wrapped her perfect hands over his eyes, Blaise thawed. "Guess who?" She whispered into his ear, letting a gleeful giggle escape her lips. Blaise let his hands drift up to meet hers. He pulled them down and looked up at Hermione's smiling face. Blaise sighed with joy. He basked in the glow of her beauty. "Shall we go?" She asked playfully, "Back to my place?" She said pulling away towards the door, pulling away until the tips of their fingers slid off each other. Blaise chuckled and followed her out the door practically floating after her.

Draco checked his watch constantly. The watch finally moved to the center and an hour had passed. Draco smirked. He wondered if Zabini would still be at the White Lion. He doubted that if he'd been on a date that he would have stayed much longer knowing Draco would be back.

Draco walked to the restaurant. He did a quick scan for Blaise, but as he had guessed he would be earlier, was gone. Draco smirked and sauntered over to the bar. "One Scotch, hold the water." He said calmly to the bartender. He wasn't as much a fan of muggle alcohol as he was of firewhiskey or butter beer but alcohol was alcohol and Draco could use some. He had been so lost in his thought he hadn't been thinking of women until a tall blonde with a rather protruding chest walked in the door. Her dress was a deep crimson, and stopped about three quarters up her thigh. The top part of the dress clung to her like plastic wrap and had a deep enough V for Draco to see what he thought might be intriguing.

She strutted over to Draco. She smirked and then averted her eyes to the bartender. "One Vodka Cranberry." She purred. She turned back to face Draco. "And who might you be?" She asked, dragging her O's. Draco took a quick swig from his drink and smirked. He turned so his back was at the bar. He put his elbows on the bar top and leaned back.

"That depends who's asking?" He said nonchalantly. She laughed. She picked up her drink and sipped it.

"Petra. And you are?" Draco turned his head to face her.

"Mark." Draco often lied to women to keep them from really knowing him. Relationships bothered Draco so it was simpler for one night stands if they didn't know his real name. She laughed again. "Cute." She said about his name. He took a step closer.

"Don't let the innocence of a name change your opinion of someone." He said into her ear. He turned on his heel. Paid the bartender and walked to the door. As he walked to the door he counted. One. Two. Three. He gripped the door handle.

"Wait for me. Mark." Petra called to him. Draco was still facing the door as a triumphant smirk danced on his lips. Within seconds Petra's arm was wrapped around Draco's as he called a cab to take them back to his place.

Hermione was tangled around Blaise on her living room couch. Her arms were wrapped around his neck, her fingers digging into his hair. Blaise had brushed her hair from her neck exposing the one side. He kissed it with passion causing Hermione to let a small moan escape her lips. Blaise kissed up her neck but stopped at her ear, nibbling at it affectionately. He continued, brushing his lips on her cheek. Lingering there too long before finally reaching her mouth. Hermione kissed Blaise hungrily. Hermione was ready but she didn't like the couch, there was no comfort. Hermione stopped and stood from the couch. She glided over to the bedroom door and peeked her head out the door.

"Are you coming?" She asked seductively. Blaise could feel his desire building. He bounded from the couch to the room. As he reached the room, he shut the door behind him. Hermione was already lying on the bed waiting for him. Blaise rushed to the bed. He leaped on top of her continuing to kiss her. Hermione rolled him over onto his back so she was on top. Blaise snaked his hands up her dress. Lifting it over her head and off her, onto the floor. He then moved onto her bra, carefully unclipping it. Hermione pulled it off and tossed it aside with her dress. Blaise looked up and basked in the view. Hermione blushed. She felt a hot sensation between her thighs. She giggled and started kissing him again.

Draco pushed the door open with his back as of his mouth was connected to Petra's. They collapsed on the bed, and hungrily ripped each other's clothes off. Draco didn't waste a second. He pushed inside of her. She moaned loudly. Draco rolled his eyes, he hated over dramatic girls. Draco continually thrust inside of her until finally he crumbled onto the bed beside her. They both huffed and puffed trying to catch their breath. Finally Petra sat up collected her things and left. Draco was a little surprised she had left right afterwards, but was rather happy about it. He rolled over and shoved his face into his pillow and let sleep consume him.

Hermione and Blaise laid in bed, breathing heavily. Hermione leaned over and rested her head on Blaise's chest. Blaise wrapped an arm around her. He kissed the top of her head and softly stroked her arm. "Sleep sweet." He murmured into her head as he himself dozed off as well.

Hermione awoke the next morning safely wrapped in Blaise's arms. Hermione smiled. Those sort of moments brought joy to her life. She carefully detangled herself from him. She grabbed the first shirt she found, which happened to be Blaise's. It was a deep blue. Hermione had bought that shirt for Blaise. She slipped it on and buttoned it up.

She walked into her kitchen and put some coffee on. She opened her fridge and found she was running low on quite a few things. She made a mental note to go shopping. She grabbed the eggs. She opened her cupboards and took out a bowl, a pan, and two plates. She cracked three eggs open into the bowl and pulled out a fork from a drawer. She whisked the eggs. Once they looked decent she added some pepper and salt. She poured the eggs into the pan and cooked.

She flipped the eggs out of the pan and onto one plate. She divided them up and set the table. She poured the coffee and went back to the bedroom. She walked to the bed. She smiled. Blaise was still asleep. She crawled over top of him. She gave him a quick peck. "Blaise." She cooed. Blaise grunted and looked at Hermione, peeling his eyes open. He smiled up at her. "I made breakfast." She said taking his hand. Blaise sat up.

"Wait, Hermione." Hermione turned and frowned. He smiled. "I need to put pants on." Hermione giggled and left the room. A few minutes later Blaise emerged from the room. He sat down across the table from Hermione. He picked his fork up and bit into the eggs. "Mmmmh, Hermione, these are delicious." Hermione smiled and ate her own eggs.

Blaise had gotten dressed right after breakfast. He kissed her forehead and said good-bye. Hermione loved the fact Blaise worked so hard, but she also wished she had more time with him sometimes. She sighed. But she herself had things to do. Hermione showered and got dressed. She walked to the nearby muggle superstore for food.

Draco paced around his room. Where was Blaise? He was late! Draco growled. He stormed over to his desk and wrenched the phone from its holding place. Just then Blaise walked in the glass door. "Sorry I'm late." He said shortly. Draco was furious.

"Let me guess, you and your date had a nice little time last night." He spat. They had responsibilities this morning. Blaise had responsibilities. "Look you have this to do this morning." Draco picked up the stack of paper and shoved them at Blaise. He ran his hand through his hair. Blaise narrowed his eyes.

"What's wrong with you? Why are you angry with me?" Blaise yelled back. Draco could feel his anger building again.

"I'm angry because you're never actually at work! You are always away!" Draco walked around his desk yanked his coat off the back of his chair and walked out the door. He needed to escape. He needed to go somewhere far from muggles. He needed to go to Hogsmeade.

Hermione tried getting the key in the slot for a good five minutes before finally getting it right. Hermione pushed the door open. Her hands were fully with two massive brown paper bags over flowing with foods. Hermione set the bags on the counter and started unpacking them. Once she'd finished she still felt like there was something she should have been doing. Hermione frowned. "Well I haven't been to the store in the past couple of hours I should open up for a bit... And I really should see how Luna is doing." With that idea set in her mind she apperated to Hogsmeade.

She apperated in front of Scribbulus Writing Instruments, she smiled. She sifted through her pocket until she found the key. She opened the blue wooden door and walked in. She looked around her store. She took a breath in and the smell of ink and fresh parchment overwhelmed her senses. She walked over to the check out desk and opened the top drawer. It held two items. Her apron, which wasn't necessary and only cover her waist to about mid thigh, she still loved to wear it, and the open sign. The sign hung on a small pin she'd nailed into the wall outside so that customers would know she was open. But it was Sunday and she was rarely open on a Sunday, but Blaise had been working extra hard lately so Hermione found herself not doing anything during the day, so she'd started working herself.

Hermione walked outside and put the sign up. When she went back inside she grabbed the to-do list she had made Friday right before closing up. There were three things on the list. Re-organize quills, good thing too, they had been getting awful messy. Bring out new parchment, ah yes; Hermione had just received new parchment right after closing on Friday. And finally, order some new colour-change ink, it was very popular and Hermione always seemed to be running low. Hermione sighed and got to work bring out the new parchment.

Just as she'd finished the last patch when Mafalda Hopkirk walked in the door. Hermione smiled. "Hello! What can I help you with, Mafalda?" She looked over and Hermione.

"Oh, no dear. I'm just looking around, I need some new quills." Hermione nodded. She made it a point to know all of her customers. Hermione decided to get started on that owl. She grabbed some parchment and a quill – both of which were easy to find, and wrote the owl. Hermione shoved the letter aside; she'd have to drop it off at the Owl Post office later. When Hermione had finished her owl, Mrs. Hopkirk had finished her shopping. "I'm surprised you're even open today." Hermione smiled slightly.

"Yes well I have had a lot of spare time on weekends as of late, so I've been opening up more." Mrs. Hopkirk was buying three quills. Two red and one black. Hermione had always loved the black quills. "That will be 10 sickles." Hermione said. Mrs. Hopkirk narrowed her eyes.

"Hermione, tell me how much Knuts as well." She said waggling a finger at Hermione. Hermione sighed. She'd always done that. The more the customer came to the store the more she cut the price. But certain customers, such as Mafalda, wouldn't take it, they wanted to pay full price, which Hermione respected.

"10 sickles and 5 knuts." Mafalda smiled and paid Hermione. Hermione waved as she walked out the door. After she left Hermione went straight to fixing the quills. Afterwards Hermione didn't think she'd get much business so she decided to do some shopping.

Hermione walked down Diagon Alley, looking in each shop as she passed. Eventually she saw Ollivander's. She smiled and walked in. She remembered her first time walking into the store. "Luna?" She called softly. Just then Luna walked around a wall of wands. Luna smiled absently. "Hello Hermione. How are you?" She inquired. Hermione smiled.

"Splendid Luna, how are you and Neville?" That seemed to spark Luna's attention. A clouded look crossed her face. Her face contorted into a pout.

"Horrid. He left me." Tears started to form in her eyes. Hermione rushed to her side. "Aww, Luna." She murmured stroking her hair, while holding her in a hug.

"He left me for Hannah Abbott." She said between sobs. Hermione had never seen Luna quite so sad. She had known for a while Luna was in love with Neville but she never thought the day would come when Neville left Luna, even if Luna was a year younger.

Hermione and Luna stood there for a while until Luna slowly stopped crying. After a few awkward parting words Hermione left. As she walked down Diagon Alley for the third time that day she saw Flourish and Blotts was open. She paused. She'd been meaning to look for some new reading material. She decided to go in anyway.

She perused through the shelves of books looking at one after the other. Hermione walked up the stairs, trailing her hand on the books as she walked by. Finally after looking for a few minutes a small book with a faded gold spine caught her eye. Hermione stopped. She pulled the book out from its place on the shelf. Hermione gasped, reading the title, Famous Muggle-Born Witches. She flipped open the book and read it page after page.

Draco walked through Hogsmeade not entirely sure why he was there. He didn't fancy a drink. He sighed. He needed a new hobby. He decided if he was going to take up a new hobby the best place to start would be at Flourish and Blotts. At least he might get an idea there.

Draco walked up to the shabby store and remembered a time when he fought with Harry Potter over stupid little things. Draco sighed. His past had never felt so far away even it was only nine years ago. Draco opened the door and walked inside. The inside was just the same as always. He walked around for a little bit but kept hearing a constant noise. He couldn't place it, but it was very familiar. After another moment or two he realised it was the sound of pages being turned. He walked around the store but found no one. No source of the noise. Draco round the corner and looked up the stairs. He could vaguely make out the shape of a witch. Draco walked up the stairs silently. As he grew close he noticed it was Hermione reading a book rather intently.

Draco walked over and peered over her shoulder. Hermione looked over her should quickly. Looked back at her book. Back at Draco and jumped. "Ah!" She shrieked. Draco chuckled. Hermione frowned and snapped her book shut. "Malfoy, what are you doing?" Draco shrugged.

"Looking about the store. It isn't a crime, you know." Hermione scowled at Draco. She walked over shoved the book into it place on the shelf and walked away from Draco scathingly.

Once Hermione wasn't in the store any longer Draco wandered over to the book she had shoved back into its spot. Famous Muggle-Born Witches. "Granger would be reading this." He carried the book down. Lavender Brown was sorting through books. "Oi! Lavender was it? Lavender Brown?" She smiled and walked over.

"Weasley now. How may I help you Draco?" Draco couldn't help but crinkle his nose at the thought of Weasel.

"Right." He said slowly. "I'd like to buy this book." He past her the book. Lavender looked at the book and back at him sceptically. She shrugged.

"2 Galleaons and 6 Sickles." Draco nodded and paid her.

"If you don't mind could you wrap it? It's a present." Lavender smiled and nodded. Draco smiled in response as she shuffled off with the book.