Hi All, sorry for the late update! Please review :)

Hermione sat bravely in the great hall as Ron was loudly eating beside her. It was a Friday and the energy in the room was palpable. It had been about a week since the interview with Luna and today was the expected release date.

Draco, Draco! Hermione heard Pansy's shrill voice through Draco's mind. You seem nervous Draco, what's wrong?

Hermione watched out of the corner of her eye as Pansy eyed Draco in concern. So the witch has a heart?

Don't seem so shocked Granger. Not everything is black and white. Draco replied wordlessly upon hearing Hermione's thoughts.

Oh I know that ferret. Hermione thought back cheekily.

I'm good Pansy just a bit tired.

Hermione redirected her attention from the Slytherin conversation to her plate as a copy of the Quibbler appeared free of charge on everyone's plate thanks to Luna's orchestrating.

Hermione looked at the front cover and was momentarily stunned by the large candid photo of her. Her Gryffindor tie was loosely hanging off her neck. She could see her Head Girl Badge glistening through her long curly hair, as she laughed and happily blew a kiss and a hand full of bubbles. She studied her face curiously. Her cheeks were flush and her eyes were round, happy and innocent looking. It was a look she hadn't seen on herself in a long time it was ...

Beautiful.

Hermione caught Draco's eye and blushed upon hearing his admission. Could he really mean that?

Draco felt Hermione's embarrassment and disbelief.

You really don't see it do you? Draco asked Hermione silently.

See what?

Draco merely shook his head at the girl's naiveté and smiled at her.

If Hermione's face wasn't red already, it was now. Her stomach did a weird flip as she locked her eyes on the smiling blonde. He winked arrogantly at her and she couldn't stop the giggle that escaped her lips.

"Ahem," Ginny cleared her throat loudly, "See anything interesting Hermione, perhaps a blonde?"

Hermione smiled and looked down at the Quibbler. She quickly read through the article Luna published. True to her word the article focused on Hermione's academic achievements and her hopes for the next generation of witches. The Great Hall was buzzing with chatter as everyone read the article.

"So she really is best friends with Ron still!" Hermione heard a young first year say to her friend. "I told you she was the brightest witch of her age!" The young girl's friend responded.

Hermione blushed and smiled as a couple of young Gryffindor's bravely approached Hermione and asked her to sign their copy of The Quibbler.

Hermione smiled politely and graciously signed their copies. As the young Gryffindor's cleared out a group of first year Hufflepuff's emerged. Hermione smiled and happily signed their contracts as a group of Ravenclaw's came over to get their copies signed as well.

Hermione lifted her head up from signing as the room went silent. She peered curiously over the young Ravenclaw's signature and stilled. Her mouth dropped slightly as she silently watched a group of first year Slytherin's silently walking over to her. The whole room watched in disbelief as the young Slytherin girl's came to a stop in front of Hermione. They simply stuck out their copies of The Quibbler and waited for Hermione to make a move. She quickly gathered her wits, smiled widely and signed their copies. She turned to look at her friends who were beaming at her. She caught Draco's eye as a tear of happiness ran down her eye. Perhaps the next generation could and would have the peace and unity they lost lives for.

"I think I need some air," Hermione said to her friends. She excused herself from the great hall and went outside for air.

She walked over to her favourite tree overlooking the lake and lied down in the tall grass. She felt Draco approaching before she heard him. She kept her eyes closed as the tall blonde lay down beside her.

"Not even going to open your eyes, or raise your wand? And they say you're the brightest witch of our age?" Draco teased.

"I knew it was you." Hermione said. She kept her eyes closed as the wind washed over her face.

"And you trust the Slytherin Prince not to attack you out here by the lake where no one can see you?" Draco whispered almost seductively.

"...Maybe" Hermione whispered back. She kept her eyes closed but she could feel his eye scrutinizing her.

She heard the light thud of Draco turning on his back.

"You know it's getting quite late, one might think you're planning on skipping class." Draco said in mock shock.

Hermione's eyebrows furrowed together as she realized she had never skipped class for the sake of having fun before. She heard Draco laugh beside her.

"You can't be serious?!" The Slytherin bad boy said. He had obviously heard her wordless realization.

"I came out here to privately clear my mind –oh the irony of it all! I might as well just hand my diary over to you and get it over with!" Hermione sighed exasperatedly.

"Oh come on, it's not that bad. You know a million witches would kill to have access to my impeccable mind." Draco retorted.

Hermione simply snorted. I'm sure they would Drakey.

Hermione slowly sat up and began to grab her bag when Draco's hand shot up and pushed her back down to the ground.

"Ouch!" That hurt! What was that for?

"You're going to skip class with me Granger."

"What? But ... but... I can't just skip class!"

"And why not?" Draco said looking down and the bookworm pinned under his hand.

Hermione just stared at him blankly.

"It's your last year at Hogwarts and I guess even a poor soul like yourself needs to have fun."

"...fine." Hermione agreed.

"Fine?" Draco asked surprised the do-gooder didn't put up a fight.

"Yes fine!" Hermione laughed pushing off the shocked blonde. "So lead the way Slytherin Prince!"

"You know it really is about time you started calling me Prince." The blonde said smugly. "Follow me peasant."