Disclaimer : I do not own anything but the plot and Tiny! J.K. Rowling owns everything else!

Chapter 10

Hermione felt the pulling sensation of apparating ease away and found herself, not outside the castle, but outside the Burrow. Looking at Blaise in confusion he said,

"I'm sorry 'Mione, but you try being locked in a room with the entire Weasley clan. It would have been bad enough with the guys, but Molly and Ginny are just flat out scary. I think the only one who didn't threaten to hex me into the next century was Arthur. It was either bring you here, or face Ginny's Bat-Bogey Hex. Forgive me?"

"Of course Blaise, I forgive you. I've seen her hex in action and wouldn't wish that on you…let's just get this over with. I really do want to work on the castle."

"Oh, about that…we finished yesterday…"

"WHAT?! Bloody hell! I didn't even get to see the library finished," Hermione cried.

"Hermione calm down, it's not like you won't have all of next year to see it."

"Oh, right. I guess it's still a little odd to be an 8th year. I love the fact that Professor McGonagall is letting us redo our last year, but I guess it's going to be a little odd being Head girl again…and sharing it with Ginny."

"I know. Now, let's get you inside before I'm hexed for not bringing you fast enough."

"All right, wouldn't want to have to save your arse…" Hermione laughed and walked into the Burrow.

Once inside she saw all the Weasleys sitting in the front room. Not expecting to see Bill and Charlie, Hermione rushed over and gave them both a hug saying,

"What are you two doing here? Bill you were in Egypt and Charlie, you were supposed to be heading to Transylvania to see that new dragon. Why are you here?"

It was Bill who answered, "How could we let our little brother's fiancée be kidnapped? We came to help look for you."

Both Blaise and Hermione were shocked. At the same moment both exclaimed, "Fiancée?!"

"Ronald Weasley!" Hermione shouted. "What have you been telling your family? I am not now, nor will I ever be your fiancée! Get that through your head. I was NOT kidnapped, I left because I didn't want to deal with you, you prick!" Hermione turned to the rest of the family. "I'm sorry you all have been worried about me, but I've been with Dra…a friend having a marvelous time. And now, I'm going to go back with Blaise and pretend that Ron never took up so much of your time. Bill, Charlie, I hope to see you again soon. Ginny, I'll owl you soon. Goodbye Mrs. Weasley, Mr. Weasley." Hermione turned to leave the house.

"Wait, Hermione dear. Come round for dinner Sunday night? You can bring your friend. Harry will be here and wanted to have us all together for some reason. Blaise, you're welcome here to, and I'm sorry for almost hexing you." Mrs. Weasley said this all in a rush, but Hermione caught every word. She answered,

"Of course Mrs. Weasley. I'll be sure to be here and I'm sure my friend will be delighted. He has said that he always wanted to try your famous cooking. Now, I've got to go. Goodbye everyone. Oh, and Bill, send Fleur my love." And with that, Hermione took Blaise's arm, dragged him out of the Burrow, and apparated them back to the Manor.

Meanwhile back at the Manor, Draco's P.O.V.

Draco had just sat back down after Hermione and Blaise left when he heard a slight pop to his left. Jerking his head up, he was face to face with the business end of Harry Potter's wand.

"Good morning Potter. Is there something I can help you with?" Draco said this very calmly but inside he was shaking. He hadn't forgotten his 6th year and was still a little wary of Harry, especially when he was on the other end of his wand.

"You can indeed ferret. You can tell me where Hermione is, and then you can go jump off the new Astronomy tower!"

"Well Potter, why don't you just lower your wand, and we can talk about this like civil human beings." Harry lowered his wand ever so slightly. "Better. Now, Hermione is on her way to the castle, Blaise came and picked her up to take her to work on the repairs."

"But that's not possible. Blaise was there yesterday and he knows that everything is finished…"

"What?!" Draco exclaimed. "I'm going to kill that little bastard, where the hell did he take her?!"

At that moment both Hermione and Blaise apparated back into the room. Hermione turned to Draco ready to tell him why she was back to early when she noticed Harry.

"Harry! It's so good to see you! How have you…why are you holding a wand on Draco?"

"Hermione, you're okay!" Harry rushed to Hermione's side and swept her into a bone crushing hug. "We've all been so worried about you. I finally figured out that it was probably Malfoy that took you and I came here to come and take you home. The Weasleys have been frantic. Bill and Charlie even came to look for you…and why didn't you tell me you had accepted Ron's proposal…"Harry stopped to draw a breath and Hermione started talking before he could go any farther.

"Harry, stop. First, put that wand away. Draco didn't take me anywhere. I've been staying here with him since I left the Burrow." Seeing Draco's astounded look that she would lie like that to her best friend, she shot him a look that told him to drop it. "I've seen the Weasleys and explained everything to them. And Harry, I didn't and never will accept Ron's proposal. He's like a little brother to me, and right now I don't even want to talk to him, let alone marry him."

Harry looked shocked, then confused, then a little sheepish. "Sorry about the wand Malfoy…I didn't realize…"

"Look Potter, you're forgiven but do me a favor okay? Next time you think I've kidnapped Hermione, talk before trying to blow me to bits, agreed?" Draco smirked and held out a hand. Harry looked at it like it might bite him, then laughed and shook the outstretched hand.

"Well, looks like everything is worked out here. I'll just being going. See you lot on Sunday." Blaise said, then walked to the fireplace and flooed home.

"Sunday?" Draco asked.

"Mrs. Weasley invited us to dinner Sunday night…although I didn't tell her it was you. Harry apparently has something to tell us…" Hermione looked questioningly at Harry.

"Oh no, 'Mione! I'm not telling you this time. You'll just have to wait like everyone else, even Ginny. I'd better be off to, before you shove some Verituserum down my throat to get me to tell you. I'll see you Sunday 'Mione, Malfoy." And Harry apparated without another word.

"So, I didn't kidnap you?" Draco asked.

"I thought you might like to retain you current shape rather than being in pieces around the room. Besides, I think I like it here…more entertaining than my parents house at least. Now, I need to know, are you going to behave on Sunday, or am I going to need to make an excuse for you?"

"I'll behave, even if it's just because I want to know Potter's precious secret. Now come on, since work at the castle is finished, why don't we go to Diagon Alley and search for a few new books for the library…also I know this great little muggle shop right nearby that we can check out too."

"Sounds like a plan to me. And maybe we could get some ice cream while we're out. And, maybe you could convince me to finally buy a broom…if you promised to teach me to ride it…" Hermione smiled at Draco and took his hand. Smiling back, he apparated them from the Manor to the first stop on their to-do list.

A/N I know these are taking me a little while to get out, and they aren't that long, but it's the best I can do. I'm having to work on my summer reading and other things and am writing as fast as I can. So push that little button and REVIEW!!