Author's note: As promised, the new chapter is up! Sorry guys, but its' going to take quite some time for the Hippocamps to arrive. In the meanwhile you can enjoy a bit of fluff. Thanks to 'The Favourite of The Gods' for the wonderful suggestion, I really really appreciate it.

Chapter 6 Part 2: A little Grecian shopping spree

Early in the evening, Draco was lounging on his bed while he curiously observed Hermione rummage through her bag for what seemed like a casual dress, as far as 'casual' went for Hermione, that is. She was bent over the bag in intense concentration, and finally when she lifted her head, he saw the look of utter perplexity on her face. "Should I wear a dress or this skirt, right here?" The great Hermione Granger had finally bowed down to the Amazing fashion sense of Draco Malfoy.

Draco looked a bit too smug for her liking. She didn't know why she had blurted it out in the first place. Yeah, years of living without an ambiguous definition of leisure, which might also incorporate office-work, does that to you.

"First of all Granger, I don't think that it's publicly acceptable in any country for women to be wearing just a skirt. Secondly, if you ask me, I'd just burn that skirt right now and go with dress …..and burn it as well, the moment I found clothes actually worn by twenty first century people and not Neanderthals."

"Why can't I just keep my mouth shut", Hermione muttered under her breath as she took one last look at the skirt before putting it away. "So, umm….is this dress really ugly, or…."

Draco just laughed on her face. "You know what why don't you just wrap the hotel towel around yourself and let me buy you a dress once we get out of here."

"Careful Malfoy or it might just seem like you want to spend time with me", Hermione grumbled as she took the dress and headed for the bathroom.

"How you wish!"

As they walked through the historical locality of Monastiraki, the largest flea market in Athens, a shop suddenly caught Draco's attention. "Why don't you keep walking, Granger, I'll just be back in some time", he told her before he entered the shop. Having nothing better to do, Hermione entered after him and was instantly mesmerised by the beauty of the wares. The shop sold worry beads and the walls were covered with hundreds of strings of beads in different shapes and colours, shining with a demure glow under the dim light of the shop that was beautifully reflected by the large array of mirrors.

Hermione listlessly fingered a string of beads. They were strung together in a strange manner leaving a good part of the string bare. Hermione picked up a stunning string of turquoise beads and holding it around her neck, went to examine her reflection in front of a mirror. A small old lay walked up to her and gently removed then from her neck.

"This….. not necklace, this kompoloi, ….worry beads", she explained in broken English. Then twisting the string around her fingers, she began to tell the beads with a soft clicking sound. "See,….. this no necklace, this worry beads", she described with a smile.

"Oi, Granger? I told you not to follow me" Draco said with a hint of irritation in his voice as he walked over from the counter he was formerly at.

"Malfoy, these aren't necklaces, they are a kind of worry beads", she explained.

"You think I don't know that", he asked tersely as he walked out of the shop. Hermione quickly said goodbye to the kind old lady and found Malfoy waiting for her.

"Hmmm, I wonder why you'd need worry beads for, Malfoy. Can't keep track of your numerous girlfriends, I presume?" Hermione asked playfully.

Malfoy was now feeling very annoyed. "They're for my mother, you idiot", he sneered but realised too late what he'd spoken.

"Why would Mrs Malfoy need worry beads?", Hermione asked in a small voice.

"They're supposed to bring peace of mind, all right. Not everybody has had rainbows and sunshine after the war, Granger. Some of us have had to suffer a lot…." Draco continued but stopped when he felt a warm hand on his.

"I understand what you mean, Malfoy, but remember that every single person suffered great losses. You're not alone in this Malfoy, there are hundreds of people besides you who have had to go through a lot after the war", Hermione stated understandingly. "By the way, it's really great that you care about your mum so much, Malfoy", she added in a softer voice.

"Whatever", he muttered before he started walking away at a faster pace. "Come on Granger, there is something I want to try" he called out over his shoulder as he signalled for her to come over.

Hermione smiled a little to herself as she walked on. "Wait up, I'm coming!"

End Note: I'd love it if you leave a little review! I'd especially love it if you tell me some cool places in Greece you'd like them to visit. As long as there is Wikipedia, rest assured that all your demands will be met with!

Thank you!