The next few days went by flawlessly. Professor Snape stopped by to practice Occlumency one afternoon and seemed rather impressed with Hermione's progress. In her spare time she also seriously began perfecting different spells that she had found within the volumes of books that the Malfoy's owned. Draco urged her to continue duelling with him and they both found that the activity was slowly, but surely, improving their magical abilities.
Hermione was still somewhat fighting with the idea that she was secretly dating Draco Malfoy, though she found that he kept her mood optimistic. Late night walks were becoming a regular event. Draco would magically charm something to notify her that he was waiting in the yard and she would sneak out to meet him. There she was able to spill her thoughts and receive comfort in return, they would often reveal stories about their past, though Hermione found that Draco was somewhat reserved when it came to his childhood. She smiled at the subtle gestures of intimacy and care he would demonstrate while his parent's had their backs turned. However, they often acted cold towards each other when being observed, to avoid raising suspicion.
It was one morning just after breakfast, Draco pulled Hermione up out of her chair and embraced her, kissing her neck and rubbing her back, when the door swung open and Narcissa and Lucius walked in. We're done for! Hermione thought as Draco froze, and she could almost see his mind racing for an idea. All of the sudden he threw her, quite roughly, to the floor. "You little piece of filth!" he snarled. "That'll teach you-"
"Draco!" Lucius snapped, stepping forward and pushing his son back with his cane. "Do you remember who exactly our guest is? Any past differences between you two must be put aside." He then offered Hermione his hand and pulled her to her feet. "She undoubtedly has the advantage here," he hissed at Draco. "And we do not need a death sentence upon us."
Draco sneered convincingly. "She still has no right to rummage through my belongings." He spat, storming out of the dining room.
Hermione tried to arrange her face into a scowl before she left the room, Lucius and Narcissa watching her apprehensively; as if afraid she was immediately going to tell him of her displeasure toward the Malfoy family.
