Previously: She almost didn't notice the small letter on the table.
"Dear Miss Granger and Mr. Malfoy,
We are going to be having new students soon coming to Hogwarts. They are transfers. I shall discuss this more in depth with you at 4 O' clock. I shall see you then.
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore"
Hermione read it over once again, just to be sure she didnt miss something, and wasn't surprised she was right, now she was just curious as to what Dumbledore was going to say.
Draco walked outside for a while, giving Hermione some room to think. He actually enjoyed the warmth the sun provided and wandered about aimlessly, not too worried about where he was going.
Hermione kissed him, granted it was on the cheek, but he knew that Hermione wasn't as forward as other girls, one of the great things about her. Though that doesn't mean he wouldn't have liked a real kiss from her.
As his thoughts roamed about, he came about to the topic of the new students that would be arriving at some time. Who were they? Why were they coming? Where were they coming from?
Once again, he had questions without answers, his walking quickly started to turning to pacing as his focused on these questions.
First, who were they? Obviously wizards and witches who weren't first years by from what Hermione had heard.
Why were they coming? That could be due to several reasons; they could be coming to Hogwarts for safety, for research, or even just a friendly visit.
Where were they coming from? Well, they could be from Bulgaria or France, but Draco knew that there were other wizarding schools also. Granted they were smaller, except for the one in America that was gradually growing from what he had heard. There were a couple in Africa, one in Australia, and others that he didn't know of. So, where they were coming from was still totally unclear.
Running a hand through his hair in frustration he turned his attention to the lake and just gazed at it for a while, just loosing himself in a time of thoughtlessness.
Hermione primped a bit before going out to look for Draco.
"If I were Draco, where would I be?" she thought to herself.
She made a quick mental list of the places:
Astronomy tower,
Quidittich field,
The lake,
Slytherin dungeons
So, she tried to think now where she would go out of that list of places. She then decided to go to the lake. For certain she would want to bask in the sun on a day like today. Hermione then ran, much like flying, and she couldnt help but absentmindedly wonder if she had found a new ability. Because, was it normal, even for a witch, to be able to run that fast?
She suddenly slowed down as she saw Draco starring out at the lake from his position, sitting under a large tree. A dreamy smiled graced her features as she looked at him, before she snapped out of it and remembered why she had come to find him.
"Hi," she murmured to the distant looking Slytherin.
His eyes slowly lost the foggy look and his head lazily turned to look at the bushy haired witch and he gave a small smile, echoing her greeting, "Hi."
He moved a little to the side so she could sit next to him even though it was completely unnecessary because they were outside, but Hermione still sat in the offered spot. For a while they just sat in companionable silence, looking at the lake in thought.
"So, what brings you out here," Draco asked, turning his gaze onto the bookworm.
"You."
Draco smirked a bit, but Hermione didn't notice for she was preoccupied watching Draco wrap his arm around her shoulders. She leaned in willingly to rest her head on his shoulder.
"That's not the only reason though is it?" Draco asked, knowing how Hermione was.
Hermione could feel a blush rising to her cheeks, and shook her head; "I got a letter from Professor Dumbledore. He wants to see us later."
"When?"
"4 O clock."
Draco nodded, "What is it about?"
"The transfers."
"Ah."
Hermione then nodded in agreement and murmured, "I have so many questions, and I hate not having the answers."
Draco was a bit surprised at her honesty, even though they had pretty open with each other so far, still, it seemed strange she was telling him these things, but he wasn't complaining.
"I agree completely. Hopefully some of our questions will be clarified..." His sentence faded with a bit of uncertainty.
"Do you know when lunch is?" Draco asked a bit randomly.
Hermione accepted the change in topic, "Yup, two and a half more hours."
Draco gave a mock groan, "So far away."
"I'm sure youll survive," Hermione laughed at he look of fake anguish on his face.
He continued on with his role-playing, "But what if I die of hunger?"
Hermione rolled her eyes; "I don't think you can die of hunger after practically just having had breakfast Draco."
"Oh, you never know. My excruciating hunger pains may overwhelm me, and then next then you know KABOOM! Im dead."
"Though I have been wrong before, I'm pretty positive you will survive."
Draco gave a playful gasp, his cold mask having slipped fully away, "The Hermione Granger! Wrong? It's just unimaginable!"
Hermione could feel a blush quickly taking residence on her cheeks, "Oh hush."
Draco clucked his tongue at her, "You, my dear, are much too modest."
"In whose opinion?" Hermione inquired, secretly reveling in him having called her, my dear.
Taking on a thoughtful look, as though he was actually pondering upon the question, he then answered, "Mine."
"Ah. So the world revolves around you now, does it Mr. Malfoy?" said Hermione in a teasing voice.
"No, I wouldn't say so much revolve around me..."
The two laughed out right and somehow were closer to each other - emotionally and physically - than before when the laughing died down.
"Draco?"
"Hm?"
"What are we going to do?"
"About what?"
"My friends, and your friends?"
"Elaborate please."
"Well, you know that my friends arent very fond of you..."
Draco scoffed, "That's an understatement."
Hermione gave him a gentle glare, "You know what I mean. Though Ginny doesn't mind you too much. But, what about your friends, what do they think?"
Draco gave a shrug, "They seemed more curious than anything. Blaise trusts me, and well Pansy isn't very fond of you either."
Hermione gave a small smile, "Pansy I can handle, though its nice knowing at least one of your friends tolerates me."
Draco rubbed his hand on her arm, "Dont worry, you'll be fine."
"I'm not worried for me Draco. I'm more worried for you."
He looked a bit incredulous, "Me?"
Hermione nodded, "You have to face the wrath of a weasel, who can be pretty scary when mad."
Draco looked at her, and he couldn't tell weather or not she was joking, or serious, "Um..."
Hermione then cracked a smile, "No, he won't be too much of a problem. He's more of an annoyance than anything."
And then Draco had to laugh at the absurdity of it all, "I never would have thought I would live to see the day when Hermione Granger insulted Weasel, and to all the people you vent about him to, you choose me!"
Hermione had to laugh and said in agreement, "If anyone had told me this last year, I would have thought they were insane."
"And look at us now."
"Indeed."
Authors note: Please review!
