"But my dreams, they aren't as empty...As my conscious seems to be..."

-Behind Blue Eyes


Hogsmeade weekend was upon the students rather quickly. Hermione was rather excited, she was ready to take a little break and get away from the confusion that engulfed her at Hogwarts.

Ron and Harry were at breakfast on Saturday morning, dressed in their warmer clothes, talking about what should take place at practice, and what exactly they were looking for in another player.

Hermione touched Ron's shoulder, squeezing in beside him.

"Morning Hermione." The boys said in unison.

She nodded her head, and pulled a plate of bacon and poached eggs to her chest.

"Are we all in agreeance on Hogsmeade today?" She asked her friends as she scooped food onto her plate.

The boys frowned at her, looking at each other.

"Actually Hermione, we were going to hold our Quidditch Practice today. Since, the rain was so bad yesterday, we now have a chance to get out there and get these try-outs done."

Disappointment crossed her features.

"Um, alright." She said.

They apologized, but she decided to just shrug it off lightly.

After breakfast, she scanned the Gryffindor table, looking for someone who would go with her.

Neville.

Walking over to him, she smiled and noticed the Herbology book he was holding. "Hello Neville."

"Hey Hermione. How are you?"

"I'm well. Neville I was wondering if you'd like to go with me to Hogsmeade? The boys are holding Quidditch try-outs and I was really looking forward to getting some fresh air. I wanted to check out a few things at some of the stores."

His smile wavered, "I can't today Hermione, I promised Madame Sprout that I would help her plant some magical daffodils today. They're rather fascinating, they give off this spray when they're upset, or dying. It'll knock you unconscious..."

He was starting to ramble.

Hermione smiled at him, and laughed, disappointment at the surface again.

"That's quite alright Neville." She said, semi interrupting him.

"I'm sorry Hermione."

"That's alright really. I'm sure I'll find somebody."

After two hours, she had found no-body. After sitting in the common room for a few minutes feeling sorry for herself, she decided that she didn't need anyone to go with her.

She'd go by herself.

Dressing herself in warmer clothes, she pulled on a scarf. Her hair was rather tame today, making her smile.

She wanted to look into the Tomes and Scrolls store and see if they had any new books. Usually they'd get a few new volumes in that would pique her interest. The boys never wanted to go in there, annoyed that she always took to long.

Hermione had also heard that Madame Puddifoot had a new exquisite green tea. The thought of stumbling into that ridiculous frilly store made Hermione groan, but she absolutely loved green tea.

After she was dressed, she said a quick goodbye to Harry and Ron, who were now geared up for practice and left.

The air outside had a bite to it. Hermione held her shoulders, moving her hair about so it didn't whip about her face. She breathed in the fresh air, and relished in the wind that whipped at her face.

She began her trek to the little village.

While walking, she noticed that not many students had decided to visit Hogsmeade that day. It was still rather early, maybe they were waiting for later?

Hermione finally got to Hogsmeade, smelling the Hogs Head cooking something that smelled rather divine. She needed to stop in there before she left.

She started to see more students now, they were weaving in and out of the shops, some in Honeydukes.

The bookstore was completely vacant. That was fine with Hermione. She stopped to breath in the smell of older books, and looked around to see if any of the displays held anything interesting. Walking around one display, she noticed that there was a black book that read the life and death of Edgar Allen Poe.

A muggle author?

Odd.

She loved Edgar Allen Poe, she admitted he was a little dark, and a little strange, but he was so different than anything else she had ever read. Plucking up the book, she looked at the price.

It was right in her range. Smiling, she went over to purchase the tome and smiled at the store keeper.

"Ah. This is a rather good book. I had one other student pick it up today, but he decided to stay and read it."

"Well he has good taste." She said to him, looking around to see if she could find the student.

'He must be in the back.'

Stepping to the side, she glanced in the back of the store, she could slightly see blonde hair around the corner.

Malfoy?! He was reading a muggle author?

Hermione drew her package off of the counter, she stayed still for a moment, wondering if she should rub the fact that Malfoy was reading a Muggle author in his face.

Definitely.

She moved quietly towards him. He seemed very engrossed in the pages.

"Hello there Malfoy."

The Slytherin tensed, and looked up, observing the pest that interrupted his reading.

"Granger. To what do I owe this displeasure?"

Smiling a little bit, she walked around to where she was facing him.

"I saw the piece of literature you were reading. I just wanted to see how you were liking it. I really enjoy the author myself and I thou-"

"Granger." He snapped."What makes you think I want to discuss anything with you?"

Her smile grew a little wider. "Well, because, you're reading a muggle author."

His look did not wither. There was evidence of shock, or anything of the sort on his face.

"Yes, Granger, I'm aware of that fact. Anything else?"

The smile faded from her face.

He knew that?

Didn't it bother him?

"I know why you came over here Granger, you want to shove that little piece of information in my face huh? You wanted to get one over on me, is that right?"

Silence. She was stunned into silence.

"B-But, you hate mug-"

Interrupting her, he stood up and tucked the book under his arm. "I've gotten over the fact that he's a muggle Granger, he's a brilliant writer. So, if you're quite done making a fool of yourself, why don't you run back to Potter and Weasley."

At that, he turned around and walked to the front of the store, leaving.

Hermione still sat there in silence.


After the little scene in the bookstore, Hermione went over to Honeydukes. She picked up some chocolate frogs, and grabbed some jelly beans. Ron loved these. The thought of buying this gift for Ron made her face flush.

The last place she wanted to visit was Madame Puttifoots. Upon getting to the shop, she stopped to look at all the frilly lace in the window. Ugh.

Taking a breath, she opened the door, the first thing she noticed was a couple in the back, snogging.

Turning her nose up, she went to the front, scanning the little menu that hung above the sweets in the glass display. She noticed the tea that she was looking for. It was a tea from China that had Cinnamon,Cardamom, and Ginger.

That sounded absolutely fantastic.

"Good afternoon dear. What can I help you with?" The madame asked her.

"Yes. Hello. I'll take a pot of the Spiced Green tea please." Gathering out her money, she set it on the wood in front of her.

"Good choice dear. That's been selling like crazy."

Hermione smiled and moved the bags that she had onto her left shoulder.

Towards the end of her transaction, the madame was starting to look at her oddly.

"Are you waiting on someone dear?"

"No. It's just me."

The madame furrowed her eyebrows, "Oh. I'm sorry, this shop is just for couples."

Hermione scowled at her. She couldn't be serious? Suddenly, the shop door opened and in walked in Malfoy.

What?

For some stupid reason, the words slipped out of Hermione's mouth before she could stop them.

"He's with me." She said. Almost wanting to slap herself for saying something so idiotic. Malfoy must have heard because now he was looking at her like she was a complete halfwit.

And at that moment, she was.


He was glaring at her over his tea, and she pretended to not notice.

"Granger." He started.

"Yes, I know, I'm stupid."

"I'm glad you're starting to agree with everyone Mudblood."

Ignoring his rude comment, she enjoyed her green tea. It was absolutely splendid.

"I think it's foolish that you can only come in here if you're a part of a couple. Not everyone has a significant other."

Smirking, he put down his cup, "Or WILL ever have one."

Glowering, she set hers down as well. "Is that all you know how to do? Don't you know how to have a conversation with someone without resorting to mockery?"

Shrugging, he sneered, "You're not exactly my idea of 'good company' Granger, and you're the one who got us into this situation."

"You're more than welcome to leave. Actually, I'd prefer it if you did. " She snapped, wanting to slap him.

"I can't, not until you do."

"Oh please, believe me, I'm perfectly capable of escorting myself ou-"

"It's not because I want to sit here with you, you dumb girl."

Hermione glared and raised her eyebrow, "Enlighten me as to why you won't vacate my sight then."

Rolling his eyes, he leaned back in his chair, arms folded. "I never thought I'd see the day where the know-it-all Granger didn't know something."

Silence.

Whatever.

"Well, mudblood, Madame Pudifoot was not a looker in her younger years, she went out to meet a wizard, who was trying to court her. In meeting at a little pub, he saw her, and left her there. So now, there is a ward on the shop where the couple that comes in, has to leave together."

"I still don't understand why she only serves couples though."

Shrugging, he picked up his cup, "Maybe because she's a hopeless romantic."

"Well, Malfoy, how exactly did you plan to be in here alone, since you know her backstory."

A dark sneer crossed his face, and he twirled his wand. "Well, Granger, I have this little thing I like to call magic."

Spluttering, Hermione slammed her cup down.

"T-That's illegal Malfoy!"

"No Granger, what that old bat is doing is illegal, I'm just merely, making her change her mind."

"It's the same thing." Hermione said, clenching her hands into fists.

"I don't use the Imperius curse Granger."

Silence.

"Then how? I don't believe you."

"I didn't expect you to, and I don't care if you do or not."

Why was he always so defensive?

Silence.

The Gryffindor remembered back to where he caught her eavesdropping, it really was out of her character to do something so rude, even to someone like Malfoy.

"Um...I-" Hermione started, trying to find her words.

Malfoy raised a brow.

"I just wanted to apologize for my actions a few days ago. I shouldn't have spied on you."

Silence.

"I don't need your fake apology Granger."

"It's not fake." Hermione said to him, staring at his facial expression. It wasn't what she expected it to be. Usually, his tone was mocking towards her, but now, he seemed tired, his grey eyes soft.

"Why is it so hard to believe that I could be sorry for wronging you Malfoy?" She whispered to him, a little hurt by his comment.

He stared at her for a moment, and set his cup down again.

Silence.

"What tea did you get?" He asked her, rather softly.

"The green tea."

"Hm."

That was the last thing they said to one another.

Kind of a shorter chapter, but I wanted their relationship to hold a little bit more progression. Kind of.

I hope you enjoyed it.

Review, please.