A/N hello all! I hope you are having a wonderful fall. Sorry for the long delay between updates. I'm almost done with the chapter after this too, so it won't be long:)Happy reading and don't forget to review, please review it helps me mold the story.

Hermione entered the portrait hole hoping Harry had kept his promise and either gotten Ron to bed or at least upstairs. The fire was flickering to an end and she was relived thinking no one was seeing her come in this late. When she got to the stairs however she realized that she was wrong. Hermione turned around just in time to see Lavender crawling off of Ron's lap, she gasped when she saw Hermione standing there.

"A little privacy please." Lavender had he nerve to say. Ron's head whipped around so fast Hermione was sure he got whiplash. He jumped off of the couch and tried to straighten his trousers.

"Sorry." Hermione said apologetically, though she didn't mean it whatsoever. Inside she was fuming, she felt the vomit rising in her throat so as quickly as possible she ran up the steps to her room and slammed the door.

Why do I keep chasing after someone who doesn't want me? She asked herself sobbing on her bed well I'm done. She resolved. Moving to California will be a new start for me,no more second best. I'm going to be first in someone's life for once. And that was that. She made her decision. This would be a new Hermione. No more mousey shy bookworm for her, she was going to have fun. Maybe she could learn something from Draco after all, he always seemed to have fun and maintain his grades. Suddenly she was looking forward to learning more about him tomorrow.

A short while later Hermione heard the door open and shut quietly.

"Hermione?" She heard the voice whisper softly, she knew it was Lavender, so she pretended to be asleep. Unfortunately, Lavender was persistent and shook Hermione until she was forced to face her.

"What do you want?" She snapped.

"I wanted to apologize for yelling at you earlier." She said. "When I stood up I didn't realize it was you, Ronald had been waiting for you, when I came downstairs. I still care about him and was hoping he would consider getting back together."

"Why should I care?" Hermione asked, and for the first time ever, she felt like she meant it.

"We'll, I was under the impression that you didn't like it very much when I was dating Ron."

"Lavender, I don't care who Ron dates, I just want him to be happy. So you should go for it, get back with him and live your lives."

"Do you really mean that Hermione?"

Hermione nodded. "I really, really do."

Lavender hugged her excitedly. "Oh thank you, thank you!" She said as she skipped out of the room and down the stairs to where presumeably Ron was waiting for her.

Hermione had to hold back the vomit threatening to make an appearance, but overall she was proud of herself, she felt that she had finally let him go, once and for all. Feeling a sense of relief, she changed into her favorite nightshirt and climbed into bed, she instantly fell into a deep restful sleep.

The following morning Hermione took extra time getting ready, she washed her hair and took the time to apply some curl smoothing cream so that each curl fell in soft ringlets around her face, she even tried out some makeup Lavender had given her two Christmases ago, at the time she had been offended, but she now realized that Lavender had meant nothing by it. It was just the way she was. So Hermione applied some light blush, mascara and a pinky/peach lipgloss that tasted sugary sweet. She put on her school uniform and headed on down to breakfast,dreading the Ron/Lavender sight she was going to see. People were clearing out by the time she got downstairs, so she took a seat as far away from the happy couple as she could. Harry scooted down to sit next to her with a sympathetic look in his eye.

"Hey Hermione, how are you this morning?" He asked, his eyes flitted between her and Ron, she could tell he was worried about her reaction.

" I am just fine." She said in a strong confident voice, not looking down the table even once. "Really Harry, I told Lavender I was ok with them getting back together, after all I will be gone for who knows how long and I might just meet someone in California myself I wouldn't want him to be moping around here, I really do want him to be happy, and if she can do that, then I'm happy for him."

"But you are leaving me with them. LavLav and Won-won. I don't think I can take it alone, you've been my sanity this year Hermione."

"You'll be fine Harry, what I'm doing is really important, and I intend to succeed."

"I have no doubt that you will, I don't know how you will live with Malfoy though."

"Draco and I have an understanding, we are going to try to be friends to make this work, he is willing to do anything to save his mum."

"Draco? Since when do you call him Draco?" Harry asked.

"Since we have to try to be fiends, I don't call you Potter." She responded.

"Touché" Harry replied."we'll I was just checking on you, I'm going to miss you Hermione." Unexpectedly he leaned over and hugged her. She was caught off guard and was nearly knocked off of her bench. "I'll miss you too Harry, but its not going to be goodbye just see you later." She said choking back tears. " you are like the brother I never had, and I love you."

"I love you too, when I first found out I was a wizard, I never thought I would have such good friends who would stick with me through thick and thin. You and Ron are the only two people who ever truly cared for me, i couldn't ask for better friends."

Hermione hugged him tighter and kissed him quickly on the cheek.

"I'll be thinking of you while I'm away, you keep safe and out of trouble."

Harry laughed. " trouble usually finds me anyway. But I will try, if i make it through the Lavender/Ron love fest I will have to endure alone."

"You'll have Ginny, Neville and Luna to help." She reminded him.

Just then she noticed Ron heading towards them, he looked very unhappy.

"So this is why you told Lavender you didn't mind us getting back together? So you could get with my best friend? That is low Hermione. And Harry what about Ginny? Was this the plan all along? Dump Ron off so you can be together?" Hermione was so angry at his words that she started shaking. Harry whispered 'calm down Hermione I'll handle this.'

"Now listen here Ron, Hermione and I are just friends, she told Lavender that because she wants you to be happy. Hermione is like my sister. So stop acting like a spoiled Prat and go sit with your girlfriend."

Ron turned a violent shade of red before turning on his heel and sitting back down next to Lavender. She patted his shoulder in a patronizing way before turning back to her friends.

Hermione finished her breakfast quickly so that she could finish her classes. She was excited to learn more about her new friend.

She had Arithimancy first, a class she shared with Draco but not Ron or Harry and also no other Syltherins. The class was mainly filled by Ravenclaws. She took a seat near the window at the back of the class and didn't pay much attention as students filed in until Draco passed by and dropped a note onto her desk. It read

Still on for after lunch?

DM

She looked over at him waiting to catch his attention after a moment or so he looked at her, and she nodded. His face lit up with a smile and he winked at her. Embarrassed, she blushed a deep pink and looked away, she just caught a glimpse of how other girls see Draco Malfoy and he was dazzling. Hermione was a little taken aback by that realization. He wasn't just an annoying git at that moment, he was a gorgeous 16 year old boy whom she'd be living with in beautiful California, living a new life. Suddenly she was nervous about their afternoon rendezvous. How could she talk to him about her deepest darkest secrets, now that he was not just that oily haired git she was used to seeing. Class went by slowly and at the end she was trying to be last to leave. Draco made his way over to where she was slowly packing her bag.

"Hermione." He said in much too nice of a voice for her to realize who was speaking to her. Damn even his voice is sexy now that I think of it. She thought,turning to face him.

"Yes Draco?"

"We'll I've been sort of anxious about this afternoon, so I thought we should just skip lunch and eat in my room, and I was wondering what you would like to eat."

Hermione was at a momentary loss for words. Why would HE be anxious? She wondered.

"I... Uh..oh anything is fine. Thank you for asking."

"I'll meet you at the top of the dungeon stairs before lunch then ok?" He asked.

She nodded in reply. Damn get a grip Hermione, this is Malfoy after all. She told herself.

She had almost 45 minutes before her next class Charms would begin so she decided to run back to her room and change out of her uniform into something nicer. It was a warm summer day so she chose a sundress that fell to her knees. It was all in aquas, greens, purples and violets. It was her favorite dress. She then put on aqua ballet flats and a matching necklace with beads all in the shades of the completed the look with a violet headband that pulled the hair out of her face, but then since her face was more visible, she decided to touch up her makeup with a little powder to contol some of the shine, another coat of mascara and just a touch of shimmery violet eyeshadow. One more coat of lipgloss and she was ready, she pocketed the lipgloss in case she needed it again before putting her school robes back on over the dress and headed for the stairs. She still had 15 minutes till class, so she sat on her favorite window seat to read. The bright sunshine felt good on her back and it illuminated her hair from behind giving it a golden glow. She sat there quietly reading, not noticing anyone going by.

Across the hallway Draco did notice her. Sitting there in the sunshine she looked absolutely lovely and he was totally taken aback by this, he was staring not paying attention, when he ran smack into Harry.

"Watch what you are...oh sorry Potter." He said embarrassed, hopefully Harry didn't see what had distracted him.

"Not a problem Malfoy." Harry said as he straightened himself out.

"Can I ask you something?" Draco said.

"I guess." Harry replied.

"What is Hermiones favorite food?" He asked the dark haired boy.

"What?" Harry blurted out. " why?"

"We'll if you must know we are having a get to know you lunch today. We only have a short time to become friends before we leave. Or at least look like we can stand to be around one another. I asked her what she would like to eat but she just said anything."

"We'll her favorite is chicken pot pie and lemonade to drink." Harry told him " I'm really surprised that you are going along with this."

"Potter, there isn't anything I wouldn't do to save my mum from that maniac. I know you can relate. I was willing to do his bidding, but it was against my will. This was not my choice." Draco said rolling up his left sleeve and showing Harry his mark of shame.

"This is very brave of you, Hermione is not easy to live with, but she is a great friend. Be her friend and she would give up anything to save you. Do anything to make you happy. Treat her badly and she will hold a grudge forever. And I mean forever. Don't cross her Malfoy. As you can see with Ron, she does not forgive easily."

"What's the deal with that anyway? Not letting him know she's alive? Seems harsh, even for Weasely."

"That is something you will need to ask her. Another thing about her is she doesn't like others to talk behind her back. If you want to know something, ask her. If she wants to tell you, she will."

Draco nodded, for the first time he was seeing her as a complex intelligent person with deep feelings for her friends. Could she really accept me as a friend? He wondered,

"I am going to treat her better than my own friends." He told Harry, which made Harry smile.

"I'm glad to hear that,I wasn't so sure about this, but I think it will all work out now" Harry said.

"Thanks for the tips Potter, see you around." He said giving Harry a pat on the shoulder before heading towards the stairs. He had history of magic next, but decided to skive off and get ready for lunch. He ran down the steps two at a time towards his private quarters. When he got to the secret entrance he said his password to the stone snake and ran inside. His room was a mess . He has requested no house-elf cleaning this year so he could maintain his privacy. But now that he was faced with cleaning up his own mess, he wished he could get some help, then he had an idea.

"Dobby."he spoke knowing his old elf was working in the kitchens. A second later the elf appeared in the middle of his room.

"What can I do for you master Malfoy?" He asked, his eyes growing wide as he realized who had called him.

"Dobby, I really need your help. I have a new friend coming for lunch in an hour. Can you help me clean up this mess?"

The kindly elf looked confused by Draco's attitude. He stood there staring for over a minute,Draco thought that because of the way he treated him in the past, that Dobby was hesitant to help.

"Please Dobby? I'm sorry for how I've treated you before, I really need to clean this up and get some lunch down here. My guest is a friend of yours I think. Hermione Granger."

"What are you doing with Miss Hermione in your room?" Dobby suddenly shouted.

"We have a school project to work on, I thought this would be more private, so will you help me?"

"Of course I will." Dobby said as he snapped his finger and the piles of laundry disappeared, the bed linins were replaced with fresh white sheets with silver trim. The green duvet was replaced with a silver one with black piping. Draco looked around and smiled.

"Now what would you like for lunch?" Dobby asked.

Thank you. I know she likes chicken pot pie, so that and lemonade please. Thank you so much." Draco said sincerely. The elf looked about to burst with happiness.

"You are most welcome Master Malfoy. Is there anything else I can get for you?"

"How about one of those scented candles? This room smells a bit funky. "

Dobby disappeared and reappeared a second later holding a green candle that reminded him of evergreen and cinnamon.

"You are amazing Dobby, i will be sure to tell Hermione and the headmaster how much of a help you have been."

Dobby beamed with pride, for he had never been praised by the younger Malfoy before.

"Thank you sir. I will return with your lunch order shortly.

"Thank you Dobby."

Dobby disappeared just as quickly as he came. Draco looked at the clock and realized he had only 15 minutes before he needed to meet Hermione by the stairs.

Just enough time to shower. He thought. He entered his private bath and stripped naked before turning the hot water on. As he stood under the hot stream of water he tried to calm the nervousness growing inside of him

"I have nothing to be nervous about. It's just Granger...I mean Hermione right?" That seemed to do the trick, the feeling in his stomach subsided and he got out of the shower to dry off. He realized that he had forgotten to grab a towel from his room, dripping wet he ran out of the bathroom to his dresser, grabbed a towel, but before he could run back in the safety of The bathroom he heard a noise. He turned to find Pansy and Blaise sitting on his bed.

"We were going to eat by the lake today and wanted to know if you would join us?" Pansy asked in her overly sweet voice.

"Sorry, I have lunch plans." Draco said covering up the best he could with his towel.

"With who?"Blaise pryed.

"None of your business." Draco insisted.

"Fine, you don't have to be an asshole about it." Blaise replied, before standing to leave. Pansy stood and followed him out the door. Draco looked at the time and realized if he didn't get dressed right now he would be late. He rummaged through his drawers quickly, trying not to make another mess, until he found what he was looking for. Something he rarely wore unless he had to go out among muggles. A nearly new pair of jeans. Sliding them on he hated the strange material against his skin. He had lost some weight since he last had to wear them, so they hung off his hips. He decided to pair them with a black button up shirt. Then he took some of his hair potion and ran his hand through his damp hair, giving it a carefully messy look. He lit the candle Dobby had brought and headed back out his private entrance. When he got to the top of the stairs she was waiting for him, her back was to him and she had taken her outer robe off so that she was just wearing the sundress. Her back was smooth and flawless.Inappropriate Draco. He thought. He walked up quietly behind he and whispered in her ear

"Ready?" When she turned he gave another dazzling smile. She nearly gasped aloud seeing him dressed in jeans. Her earlier assessment was correct, he was a gorgeous sixteen year old boy. And now she was going to his room, alone. Thankfully she came to her senses, this was not just any boy,

Like one who might be interested in really getting to know her. This was Draco Malfoy, she had nothing to worry about as far as that was concerned. "Ready." She said to him before following him down the stairs stopping when he stood beside an intricately carved stone snake.