I'm really excited where the story is going. I already have the next few chapters planned out, and partially written. I've been doing a lot of researching to get all the facts right, and am working to get the great details in. I'm sorry that I'm not posting as much as I wanted, but school has started again and my schedule is a bit shaky. Good luck to all the other students with your studies, and I hope you guys like it!

As always, I own nothing. All is to the wonderful J.K. Rowling.

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Saturday came, so Hermione and Ginny met at the Three Broomsticks. While many only saw the place as hot and crowded, they both loved the cozy feeling that it emitted. The wooden interior made it feel just like home, and Madame Rosmerta was always welcoming.

When Ginny came in, she appeared anxious. She could barely make eye contact! Hermione knew that she had news, but couldn't yet tell if it was negative or positive. Before even sitting down, Ginny spoke, "I've got something to tell you."

"I know that we need to greet and catch up, but it should wait until after this." Hermione sat silently as Ginny bit her lip, her hands were stuffed far into her pockets, something seemed to be on the tip of her tongue. "Harry proposed."

Hermione was excited. "Oh my gosh! Really? That's amazing! Can I see the ring?"

"Well that's the thing, the ring was beautiful," she sighed, pulling her left hand out of her pocket, "but I said no."

"You did? Wait, why? Haven't you been wanting this for like forever?" She couldn't stop looking at the bare hand.

"Yes," her friend told her. "Well I always did, but never expected this soon. I mean we are both so young; there is so much more left to do. Shouldn't we wait? I just don't want to feel like I'm rushing into this."

With Ginny being just 20, and Harry 21, Hermione could understand Ginny's reasoning. They need to live a little and secure themselves in the real world before such a large commitment such as marriage. In all honesty, Harry wasn't the most mature person; is this what he needed? And Hermione hadn't even had a serious boyfriend, how could her friends be thinking about marriage?

Finally, she said, "I understand. You guys have gone through a lot together and are very close, but I'm glad that you are taking time to think things through and are moving along comfortably."

"Thanks Hermione. It means a lot." Ginny smiled. "When I told my mum, she wasn't quite as understanding. She wants to throw another wedding, get it right this time, ya know? She understood in the end, but it's nice to know that someone has my back!" Hermione saw that her eyes were getting watery.

"How did Harry react?" she questioned.

"He was certainly surprised."

"Well he's not used to being rejected."

This made Ginny laugh a bit. "But when I explained why, he agreed somewhat. I mean he was upset, but we're still good."

"It did stun me a tad though, "Hermione added. "I thought that you'd be the one pushing a wedding, not him. You've had him in your mind for years"

"Yeah, well I guess he was just more ready than me. After everything, I dont think im ready for another big change." The two sat in silence for a moment then ordered lunch.

"So why was Malfoy at your office the other day?" Ginny asked, raising her eyebrow. "Anything I should know about?" At this time, Hermione was dying to tell someone all about him. Without hesitation, she began to explain the entirety of the situation, from running into him at work, to his visit at her office, to the Apothecary. Ginny stayed quiet and listened throughout the full story.

"Do Ron and Harry know?" she said finally, taking a sip of water.

"No, you're the only one I've told."

"That's probably for the best. You know how those boys get along." Ginny was a year behind and never took the entirety of Malfoy's taunting and abuse. Hermione couldn't imagine the boys being so calm at a situation like this.

"And you're going to the U.S. with him? I've never been."

"Yeah, and neither have I, but I've been reading up all about it-"

"Of course you have," Ginny interrupted, rolling her eyes with a smile.

"Anyways, I'm so nervous. All that time with him sounds like a lot of work. We barely got along at Hogwarts, and even then…" Hermione was lost in her thoughts thinking of the insults, to when she slapped him, to the time she spent at the Manor. "I just don't know what I'm going to do."

"This will definitely be difficult, but if anyone can do this, it's you," Ginny reassured. "I know you'll be able to work through this."

"Thanks Ginny." That was exactly what she needed to hear.

By the time that they finished their meals, they had made a plan to meet after the dreaded trip and discuss.

"Good luck with Harry," Hermione said as she walked out the door.

Before leaving for Salem, she had some last minute details to get in order, so she hurried away and prepared. And repacked. And went over papers and details another time. She was going to be ready. If she didn't feel mentally prepared, at least she was physically. Plus he hadn't called her mudblood yet, so he must have somewhat improved.

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Hermione arrived at her office at eight, grabbed all the paperwork she needed to bring, and sat Indian style in her desk chair while reading a book. She'd packed seven for the journey so that just in case everything went wrong, she could bury herself in a different universe… seven times. Hopefully she would have enough free time. She also wanted to go sightseeing. There are many museums around Salem, both muggle and wizard.

This journey with Malfoy was frightening. This business was one of great standing and the whole case was intimidating. His family held lots of power, power that would even pay her paycheck, she smiled, and hers was full of muggles, successful muggles, but still. But there was nothing she could do now, so she returned to her book and when nine o'clock came, so did he.

"Are you ready?" he inquired, peeking his head through her door, his blonde hair tastefully arranged as usual.

"Yes," she responded, swinging a backpack over her shoulder and lugging a suitcase. Hermione knew that she could have used a spell to shrink the bags to an easily transportable size, or at least lightened them, but felt that trips never seemed real when she did that.

"Would you like me to carry anything?" While she doubted that he had really meant it, the gesture was nice. At least they taught some manners at the Malfoy Manor.

"No, but thank you,"

Paired with a sly smile, he queried, "How was your trip to the Apothecary?"

"What? How did you…" Her voice trailed off. That's really weird. She definitely did not see him there. Maybe one of the employees recognized her and...

"I have my ways." He paused, "shall we?" Next a wrapped package was taken from his pocket. He took off the paper slowly and carefully. There was a green glass snake inside. "This is it."Of, course it's a snake. Draco Malfoy couldn't just settle for a rock or a shoelace or something normal.

He moved his free hand towards the portkey, but she, however, hadn't moved. "It won't bite, you know." Didn't need that idea in my mind. Her face reddened as she positioned her hand over the object and together they pushed down.

Well, not so much pushed down. She felt their hands touch for a split second; his was warmer than she expected, but this wasn't the time to focus on that. The dreadful sensation she remembered well came. She felt like a fish that'd been hooked from behind, and tried her best not to yell.

They landed, he more graceful than she, in what looked like a basement.

"Well that was a bit of a pain in the arse," he said, rubbing his behind.

Hermione couldn't help but snicker. She had never seen him act casually, and with a doubt had never expected to be laughing with, not at, him.

Next, her eyes darted through her surroundings. There was a well-built man standing at a desk, similar to a hotel receptionist, who seemed unfazed by the landing. He began speaking, "Mr. Malfoy are your arrangements the same?"

"Yes," he stated, then turned to Hermione, noting her curiosity. "Portkeys, as you must remember, need to be registered between two Ministries of Magic when traveling internationally."

"Oh yeah," she recalled. "It's similar to muggle customs."

Now he stared, brows furrowed, confused, so she added, "nevermind."

"If you don't mind, Sir and Madam," the man spoke up again, "I need to check you and your baggage." Next he took out his wand.

"I do mind, actually," Malfoy added sharply. She was snapped back to reality. Draco is still a prat. He could never just go along with something. He always had to be in control. Ugh. How was she going to survive this?

"I'm sorry, but because of very recent security breaches in the States, it is necessary."

"Excuse me?" Malfoy was annoyed. "Do you know who I am?" She remembered that the Malfoys had no major power in the states. While feared in London, their stories hadn't travelled quite far enough.

"I'm sorry, but this is the law." Hermione could tell that he was not a man to be messed with. She was about to step in, but Malfoy finally complied. Thank God.

Malfoy scowled as the man took out his wand and circled them twice, whispering something. After being cleared, the two walked up a flight of stairs, out a door, and into an alley. It was snowing lightly.

"For your sleeping arrangements, my family owns a small condominium in a magical area of town that we can stay in."

Her eyes grew big; it's a good thing that he wasn't looking. Close quarters with Malfoy? As if things couldn't get worse.

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End of chapter 4 :) I was trying to allude to 9/11 in this chapter, as it was such a current event at the time. I hope that you all like it, and as always, make sure to review; I love hearing what you guys have to say!