A/N: And on with the apologies: I'm so sorry I just got into high school and so far I'm overwhelmed. I haven't even started my second week. But I'll update at least every weekend. So I'm apologizing for the wait beforehand.

And thanks soo much for the reviews! Glad to hear the flashbacks are working, BrightestWitchOfHerAge16 :)

tHevoLtuRi'SdARkpRiNceSS : I'll try posting longer chapters but that might mean less often updates. But I'll try when I get used to school a bit more.

On with the story:

Chapter Seven: Off to Australia

Hermione was perched nervously at the edge of the sofa with Draco sitting nonchalantly next to her. From the expression on his face, she could tell that he felt he had more important matters to attend to. Resisting the urge to roll her eyes, Hermione glanced at the glazed expressions on Wendell and Monica Wilkins faces. She had just explained to them what she had done.

Of course, they hadn't believed her. Even though, she had been hoping she wouldn't have to resort to using magic on her parents once again, Hermione knew it was inevitable. At the moment she was in the long process of restoring their previous memories.

Hermione wished she could Obliviate their memories of her using magic on them, but she knew it would be very risky. After all, Mr. and Mrs. Granger's minds could be irreparably damaged. She prayed they'd understand why she was doing this.

When the complex spell was finally done, Hermione lowered her wand and spoke tentatively, "Mum? Dad?"

The vacant looks in her parents' eyes disappeared and her mother rushed forward to embrace her. "Oh sweetheart, what's wrong?" asked her father as her mother covered her in kisses. They still had yet to notice the attractive blonde sitting in their living room.

A few tears trailed down Hermione's cheeks as she explained her actions. When she finished, her parents sat across from her in shock. They glanced at her wearily and Hermione hated that look. Would they turn her away?

"Mr. and Mrs. Granger." It was Draco who broke the long silence. Hermione glanced at him in surprise. What the hell was he doing? "My name is Draco Malfoy. I am . . . a very close friend of your daughter's. I'd just like to say that she did what she thought was right under the circumstances. If she hadn't done that, then your lives would have possibly been in danger. Though I must admit that was a bit foolhardy and quite unnecessary. But that's a Gryffindor for you. Never understand quite what goes through their minds." He muttered the last bit under his breath, but Hermione heard him nonetheless.

She glared at him when he finished, but silently appreciated his words. She looked to her parents. "Mum, Dad, I'm terribly sorry for what I put you through. I just hope you'll understand."

It was her dad who replied. "Even though we don't entirely get this," he gestured vaguely in the air, "I know that you wouldn't do anything to hurt us deliberately."

Hermione's mother sniffed with emotion and once again embraced her daughter along with her husband. Draco rolled his eyes at the torrent display of affection. He couldn't believe he would actually have to sit through this soap opera of horror. When the public display of affection had gone on long enough, Draco cleared his throat.

That was when Hermione's father raised his eyebrows at the haughty young man. "So you're Draco Malfoy? I have to admit, I've heard quite a great deal about you."

Hermione smiled sheepishly in Malfoy's direction, making him wonder all that Hermione had told her father about him. No doubt it wasn't anything too pretty from the way her father was glaring at him.

The bookworm came to his rescue, reassuring Mr. Granger that he'd changed a great deal. Still her father shot him angry glares from time to time. "So how come your two other friends-what's their names? Ah, Harvey and Richard didn't come with you?"

"Dad, that's not their names," Hermione stated exasperatedly, while Draco sniggered in the background.

However Mr. Granger continued as if he hadn't heard her, "I must admit it's a bit strange how your friends are all males. Don't they have any girls going to that wizard school of yours?"

"Leon," scolded his wife. "What are you implying?"

Mr. Granger frowned. "Nothing, dear. I was simply stating the obvious."

"Oh and what's the obvious?" asked Hermione angrily.

Draco chuckled at the scene playing out before him. Suddenly he didn't regret coming along.

"Yes, dear," her mother reiterated. "What is the obvious?"

Leon gulped nervously. Damn him and his big mouth. "Forget I ever said anything," he muttered, bowing his head in defeat.

"How are Harvey and Richard?" asked Mrs. Granger kindly.

"Mom! Their names are Harry and Ron and they are perfectly fine."

"I actually prefer Pothead and Weasel," stated Draco with his devilish smirk.

"So you didn't tell us how you and Draco here came to be friends," said her mother. "He stated before that you were quite close."

"Now who's implying things, Jane?" her husband asked smugly.

"Actually that's one of the reasons I brought Malfoy along with me," Hermione said, ignoring her parents' comments.

"You're not pregnant, are you?" Her mother asked a bit excitedly, her gaze darting from between the handsome blonde to her daughter and lingering on her stomach.

"WHAT?! NO!" Hermione exclaimed, to her father's relief. Since when were her parents so weird? Hermione believed it had something to do with the discovery of her being a witch.

"Then?" asked Jane. She seemed a bit disappointed to Hermione.

"Draco and I are engaged," declared Hermione quite loudly to stop her parents' interruptions. They stared at her in surprise. They think that's unexpected compared to me being pregnant? Hermione shook her head incredulously.

"Well," was all that came from her father. Hermione knew he was too shocked to say anything more-things that probably included profanities aimed at Malfoy.

"Don't you think it's a bit early?" Jane Granger asked. "Unless you're hiding something . . . "

"I am NOT pregnant. The only reason I'm even getting married and to Malfoy of all people is because of that damn Marriage Law."

At the confused expression on her parents' faces, Hermione proceeded to explain about the disastrous marriage law. Draco just gazed in boredom out the window.

"And we're getting engaged tomorrow-there's a party at Malfoy Manor to celebrate," concluded Hermione.

"Though I don't know what there's to celebrate," commented Draco dryly.

"What about the wedding?" asked Mrs. Granger.

"Well, it's going to be in two weeks. Narcissa is planning it and she said she would love to discuss the details with you, Mum."

"This is so much to take in," stated Jane, glancing at her daughter and soon-to-be son-in-law quite fondly. She personally thought they made a beautiful couple, despite their past differences. "Tell Narcissa I'd be delighted to."

Hermione glanced at her father who was still shell-shocked. He'd get over it.

"Mother is hosting a dinner party tonight for your parents," Draco whispered to Hermione, when Mrs. Granger turned to her husband.

"You told her?"

"Did I forget to mention that?"

"Now you decide to tell me!" grumbled Hermione. Great, Hermione thought sarcastically, just what I need for Lucius Malfoy to meet my parents.

A/N: Hehehe. Boy is Lucius in for a surprise. Hope you liked this chapter. I fear without reviews I cannot go on . . . . need . . . reviews