Chapter 8:

The two burst out of the conference room on some kind of high. Draco had just won the debate for them! Hermione was confused with herself that she hugged Draco moments before. He deserved it though, he kicked French ass back in the conference room!

"I CAN'T believe that you just… you just creamed them! The girl was speechless, didn't have ANYTHING to say!" Hermione was beaming from ear to ear. She was acting as if Draco was one of her pals and she was so excited for him.

Draco didn't say much he was too busy grinning from ear to ear. "You're proud of me, huh?"

"PROUD? That's an UNDERSTATEMENT! I… I was so worried you were going to blow this for me!"

Awkwardly, Hermione walked shoulder first into two burley seventeen year olds. UMPF! "Oh I'm terribly sorry!" piped Hermione, placing her hand on one of the boy's arm, which was the size of two of her legs put together.

"Itz alvight, Miz," breathed out the boy – who resembled a lumberjack.

The other boy, who looked as if he was the other boy's twin, spoke up next, with less of a German accent. "You two want to get some beers with us in town? I know a great Muggle place. My brother told me all about it!"

Draco, who appeared to be considering this, gave a head nod. "Yeah, yeah! I think Hermione and me are in need of a celebration after the win we had today." His gaze turned to Hermione and he cracked her a small smile.

Did Draco just smile at me? Shaking those thoughts out of her mind, she nodded her head in agreement.

"192 3rd Ave and 17th Street… you can apparate in the back alley, no one but bums there to see you. We'll be there in an hour, feel free to stop by then! See yaah!"

The two boys vanished and Hermione turned to Draco. "I mean we do have means for a celebration…"

Draco flashed her another grin and something in Hermione started to twitch. Why didn't he smile like that more? Boy sure does have a nice set of – IT'S DRACO! She said to herself, DRACO MALFOY! Hermione frowned for a moment as she tried to get that thought through her mind, but Draco kept smiling and it was harder for Hermione to tell herself that he was Draco Malfoy, the ignorant bloke.