Hey guys sorry about the lateness. I promise to try and update quicker.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any other character, J.K Rowling does. I do however own the plot.

Ch. 11


Hermione lifted her head up when she felt the carriage jerk to a stop. "Apologies Miss," the carriage driver said as he tipped his hat and opened her door. She, unconsciously, nodded her head before walking to the entrance. It was about lunch time and she was famished. Hermione reached the door and was met by a harried looking Gisele. "Miss, we have little time before Miss Ardorgood arrives for a picnic. We have prepared some light snacks and afterwards we must ready you. Please follow me. "

Hermione placed a calming hand on the girl's arm, "relax Gisele, we won't be late. Now what was that about a snack?"

"Right this way, Miss," Gisele said as she began to lead Hermione to one of the sitting rooms of Granis estate. Hermione followed her and almost groaned in relief as she saw a table laden with sandwiches and tea. "Thank you Gisele, you have saved me," she said as she rushed in a picked up a peanut butter and jam sandwich. She noticed Gisele shoot her a look of surprise and some horror but ignored her, her stomach taking precedence over everything else. Hermione feasted for a good half an hour before she heard the clearing of a throat. Her cheeks turned pink when she noticed her mother standing in the doorway. Brushing imaginary crumbs off her skirt, she tried to tame the crimson of her cheeks, "Good day Mother… what can I do for you?"

She watched her mother walk towards her and was startled when she took her hands in hers, "Hermione dear, you have been acting strange for the past day. Your father and I have become worried. Is something the matter?"

"Not at all," Hermione said, quickly, "What …uh… would give you the impression that something was wrong?"

"You disappeared for so long last night without telling us and you invited Miss Ardorgood to an outing. You have never fraternised with her before. Something is just very different," her mother said, concern shadowing her face.

"It's nothing mother. I couldn't find you last night to tell you that I needed some air and I simply lost track of time. Miss Ardorgood is a remarkably intelligent woman and I feel that she would make a good friend. I admit she is a tad bit unusual but that is not necessarily a bad thing," Hermione said, barely supressing a huff as she defended her new friend.

"I see," her mother said with narrowed eyes, "I suppose that is acceptable. I do hope that you enjoy the picnic, my dear. It is very seldom that you decide to go outdoors. I shall see you at supper," she placed a kiss on Hermione's forehead before leaving. Hermione gulped as she watched her 'mother' leave. She would need to start blending in better. Pondering back to last night, Hermione's brow narrowed in confusion, Linette had said she was one of her oldest friends but her mother had seemed to think that the girls were barely friends. There was something fishy going on and Hermione intended to solve it during the picnic.


Draco stepped out of the carriage and narrowed his eyes, it had been incredibly suspicious that his dance partner looked like his ex-girlfriend and that Hermione's dance partner had looked like the Weasel. It had felt like a test which meant that Dumbledore was behind it, and that he was able to see everything that happened to them in this realm. Draco pondered how he would be able to manipulate that fact to his advantage as he walked up the steps to the house. He was greeted by the doorman and directed to his father's study. Knocking on the door, he waited for his father to acknowledge him before entering.

"Ah Draco, Cornelius sent a missive to say he would be joining you in half an hour. I trust you shall be ready by then," his father said as he stopped reading some papers.

"Of course father," Draco said with a nod before leaving the room. He had much to think about and the fresh air might help him with getting his thoughts in order. Draco reached his room and was relieved to find Blake setting out his hunting clothes, "Blake, you are still joining us for the hunting trip, right?"

He winced when he saw the boy jump in surprise, "Mr Malfoi, I would be happy to but Mrs Malfoi has given me an important task that I need to do before nightfall. I'm so sorry Sir," the boy said with a bow.

Draco cleared his throat, the boy's bow making him uncomfortable, "Don't worry about it Blake, you can join us next time." Blake bowed once more before exiting the room in a hurry leaving Draco to shake his head in bewilderment. He would have to get the boy, who looked so much like Blaise, to loosen up. He left that thought for later as he picked up the clothes laid out for him and began to undress.


"Miss Ardorgood's carriage has just arrived, Miss, " Gisele said from the other side of the door. Hermione cast one last glance at the simple dress she wore before opening the door. The comfort the dress provided help calm her nerves, further preparing her for the impending interrogation. Hermione was not an amateur when it came to questioning people, her days of interrogating Harry and Ron about all the mischief they got up to during their younger years had help mould her into a first class interrogator. She would have to put all her skills to use if Linette was anything like Luna, it was so difficult to get her to engage in anything that wasn't about magical creatures. Hermione steeled herself with a deep breath and followed Gisele out the door to the waiting carriage.

"Good day Linette," she said as she stepped into the carriage.

"Hello Hermione," Linette replied with a smile. "I thought it would be wonderful to go to Arcadius park. The weather is perfect for an outdoor picnic, wouldn't you agree?"

"Oh… yes," Hermione said as she made a list of questions she was going to ask the girl once they reached. "I would like to thank you once again for the help you provided last night and your silence. I really appreciate it."

Linette laughed softly, "Think nothing of it, it's what any friend would do." Hermione nodded and let her mind wonder as she looked out at the forest they were passing.


"Will you be taking the hunting dogs, Sir?" another helper asked Draco as he straightened his shirt.

"No, that won't be necessary. I will take the hunting gun, please stock up the bullets for me," Draco said as he turned to face the boy.

"Of course, Sir," the boy and left with a quick bow. Draco shook his head, he needed to get his helpers to stop bowing to him and calling him Sir. Every time someone called him Sir, he had to stop himself from turning to see if his father was standing behind him. He made his way to the foyer, his mind filled with thoughts of Dumbledore and escaping this place.

Draco was soon interrupted by the sound of a carriage pulling up outside. He accepted the hunting gun from a servant and made his way to the carriage. "Good day Cornelius. I trust you are well, " he said.

"Good day Draco, I am doing good. I took the liberty of having lunch packed. I didn't think we would be hunting during the entire trip," the boy said with a chuckle. Draco laughed in return, he had completely forgotten about lunch. "Good thinking, " he said with a nod.

"Where are we going?" he asked when silence began to descend in the carriage. Cornelius was very similar to Crabbe, in that both of them were men of few words.

"Why Arcadius Park of course. It has the best hunting site," Cornelius exclaimed.

"Of course," Draco said quickly. He would need to start to adapt better or someone would soon figure out that something was amiss. His mind began to wander as he started to think about the ways he could blend in better. He was startled from his thoughts when he felt the carriage jolt to a stop.

"We're here," Cornelius said with a mysterious smile.


"What have you done this time, Albus?" Esmeralda asked, exasperated.

"Nothing at all," Albus said with a twinkle in his eye.


Hope you guys enjoyed the story!

A/N: On a side note, I have started a collection of oneshots that I'm using to try and combat the case of writer's block that is currently plaguing me. I would love it if you guys could PM me with suggestions that I can base the oneshots on.

Ps: sorry for any errors and length of the chapter.

Au revoir!