The next few weeks after the dancing in the park, the Granger/Fletcher house was full of laughter and fun, the young occupants quickly become the closest of friends. Hermione didn't like having Malfoy there so much, but she was getting use to his presence. The dancing had left them all in a good mood, as was what the dances that were performed in front of the Lover's Fountain, were suppose to do.

Once they'd gotten home, they'd started acting like real friends. Draco opened up and Anteros seemed glad about the change. Heck, Hermione was enjoying the new Draco. True, she had been shocked that he'd called her 'Hermione' instead of 'Granger' at the ice cream shop. Now, he had completely stopped calling her 'Granger'. He didn't call her 'Mione' or 'Herms'. Just 'Hermione'. And, secretly, she liked it.

Hermione was brushing some of the barbeque sauce over the cooking ribs when the door to the kitchen slammed open and Sophia ran in, a piece of paper in her hands. "Hermione!" she shrieked. Hermione shook her head to get rid of the ringing in her ears. Sophia must have yelled loud enough to be heard throughout the house, for there were footsteps coming down the stairs in a hurry.

Draco was the first to slide into the kitchen. He'd stopped gelling his hair after a while, so it bounced around his face as he scanned the kitchen. Anteros wasn't far behind him. "What' wrong?" he said.

Sophia was bouncing up and down on the kitchen floor, gripping the paper in her hands. "I'm a witch! I'm a witch!" she chanted.

For a moment, no one said a thing. Then, Anteros walked forward and sank onto one knew before the bouncing girl. "Sophia," he said, putting his hand one her shoulders. She stopped bouncing. "What's this about being a witch?"

Sophia shoved the letter forward, making Anteros move back a bit. "This came for me today. It's my birthday and the strangest looking owl, can you believe it, an owl; well, it came and dropped on my lap at breakfast. I was shocked at first, I mean, owls are night creatures, but I read it and it says I'm a witch. Isn't it great!"

Anteros took the letter and read it. He looked up at Hermione, who had come around the counter. She took it and read the first line that seemed like it came from a distant memory.

Dear Ms. Rockford,

I am pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Hermione felt Draco come up behind her, so she turned it so he could read it over her shoulder. She could feel his surprise and he took the letter. She looked at Sophia, who had excitement showing in her eyes. "I get to go to school with you, now. Isn't that great?" the little girl said. No one said anything for a moment. Sophia's face dropped. "You're not happy," she said, a little disappointed.

Hermione knelt down and said, "No, Sophia. We're just shocked, is all. It's a big thing for you to be accepted into Hogwarts. You'll have loads of fun...we just weren't expecting it, is all." She hugged the little girl. "We're so happy that you got in."

"How did you figure out that we went to Hogwarts and what we were?" Draco asked.

Hermione looked down at Sophia. That was actually a good question. Sophia smiled wide, proud she had stumped the bigger kids. "I saw all the stuff in Hermione's trunk when she was unpacking. I've read enough books to know what a witch has to do magic. Everything just fell into place." She giggled. "Also, Dumbledoor put a note on the bottom of the letter."

Draco looked at the parchment and smirked. "That he did," he said, handing it to hermione. She looked at the bottom.

PS. Miss Granger, Mr. Fletcher, and Mr. Malfoy will be able to answer any and all of your questions. They will be starting their sixth year at school, soon. I'm sure they will be more than happy to help you. -Dumbledoor, Headmaster.

Anteros read the note and snorted. "Of course he'd bully us into helping," he said.

Hermione chuckled. She turned to Sophia. "What do your parents think?" she asked.

The child frowned. "They weren't thrilled. They don't want me to go. They say I'll be in danger or something." She took Hermione's hand. "But you won't let anything happen to me, will you, Hermione?"

The witch looked down at the girl's eyes and said, "I'll make sure nothing bad happens, Soph. I promise." They exchanged smiled. "Well," Hermione said, standing up. "If your parents don't mind, I've made enough ribs to feed an entire army and have enough for mom and dad to have lunch for a while. Want to join us and we can celebrate?"

Sophia nodded. She looked thoughtful for a moment and said, "I have a better idea. Can I ask something and you'll promise to grant it?"

Hermione paused. This was Sophia's birthday. Hermione sighed and smiled, nodding. "Alright. As your birthday wish. What do you want?"

Sophia's grin turned impish. So much a that Hermione might have confused her with a Brownie if she hadn't known better. The newly found witch pointed to Hermione and then Draco. "You two have to go out on a date. A nice one, you hear. To a restaurant, and you have to enjoy yourselves."

Hermione blinked, stunned into silence. She looked at Draco. He had the same look on his face as he met her eyes. They both looked back at Sophia. "What?" Draco asked.

"I want you two to go on a date and enjoy yourselves," Sophia said, crossing her arms. She was firm in her decision.

Hermione cleared her throat. "Why?" she asked.

Sophia smile again. She reached out and wrapped her arms around Anteros' waist. "Because I want Anteros all to myself. When he gets back to Hogwarts, every girl will be after him. How could they resist? But I want have him all to myself at least once. Especially if I get sorted into Gryffindor and won't be able to talk to him in Slytherin."

Hermione stared. The little girl had thought it through pretty deeply. Hermione turned to Draco. "I know it's weird, but...what do you think?"

He was silent a moment. Finally, he turned to her and said, "Ms Granger, I would be honored if you accompanied me to dinner this evening at the request of Ms. Rockford."

Draco said the offer so gallantly, Hermione momentarily forgot that she was standing in a hot kitchen, sweat forming on her forehead, wearing her white apron, and her hair becoming frizzy from the humidity. No, she could only smile at his words. She nodded. "I'd love to have dinner with you, Draco."