Hermione awoke the next morning smiling happily to herself. Ginny then reminded her that she wanted to know everything and she sighed a bit.

"Hey 'Mione! Harry went out earlier to get some groceries. Would you mind helping me with breakfast?" She beamed, her fiery hair pulled back in a ponytail.

"'Course. Thanks by the way," Hermione said, grabbing an apron and levitating several bowls from a high shelf. "You know, for not being angry."

"You know I won't let this drop until you spill about you two."

"So? I might as well tell you now."

Hermione told Ginny about how she would find Draco extremely annoying with his sarcasm and smirking, how she'd always love getting one up on him and, from what she thought was the most important point, how confusing he could be. Ginny meanwhile was stunned that of all the people in the world, Draco was apparently caring.

Draco walked into the room stretching. He was wearing a royal blue shirt and jeans.

"That's a bit of a break from the norm, isn't it?"

"What?"

"Blue. 'Bit different from your usual black and green."

"Ahem." Ginny made a perfect imitation of Dolores Umbridge, and pointed out Hermione blue top also. "Hark who's talking."

"Oh shut up." Hermione laughed and flicked some flour in her direction.

"What's for breakfast anyway?" He asked looking at the clutter on the kitchen bench.

"Pancakes. Pass me the eggs, Gin." Hermione said; her hands were covered in flour.

"You know, this is all quicker with magic." Draco pointed out, with a flick of his wand, there were several stacks of pancakes in twenty seconds.

"Hey!" Ginny and Hermione both called out and threw some flour at him.

xxx

Draco was preoccupied with a sudden urge to continue with the work on Horcruxes.

"Draco, it's a beautiful day. Let's go out." Hermione said, after seeing Draco studying one book in particular about Dark creatures.

They decided to take a walk through Godric's Hollow. It was a very cold day, being January and they were both wrapped up warm, which was an advantage for Draco since he found it easier to be disguised.

Godric's Hollow was like a scene from a Christmas card. Snow was falling gently from the pale sky that covered the paths and roads throughout the village. Robins chirped among the bare trees and it was quiet otherwise.

"So this is Godric's Hollow?" Draco asked, his arm around Hermione's waist.

Hermione nodded. "Why d'you ask?" She replied.

"Because I haven't been here before. I've only read about in Hogwarts: A History. It's a beautiful village."

"Glad you think so. This is where Harry's parents lived." They passed the old cottage that belonged to the Potters.

"I should have expected it, they were Gryffindors, right?"

"Uh-huh. Lily and James Potter. Apparently they hated each other at school. He was the annoying mischief-maker and she was the prized pupil."

"Just like us then."

Hermione smiled and turned to look at Draco. He brushed some of the snow on her wild hair and grinned back to her, but then an almost sad expression appeared on his face and he continued walking.

"You know this is dangerous." Draco said once Hermione caught up with him. "I don't know if I can stay here for long. If Weasley finds out he's probably going to try and kill me, though I doubt he ever could."

"Excuse me, but I was the one who was told to sort this out in the first place, and I won't let you do this alone." Hermione smiled to herself. "I've been saying that to Harry for years."

When the reached the kissing gate, that still held mistletoe from the Christmas season, Draco kissed Hermione's jawline slowly. Though they had kissed before, Hermione had the same sensation that lightened all her senses. She couldn't help wondering if this was meant to be.

"Do you believe in destiny and fate?"

"Not really. Why?"

"'Cause, it would have seemed impossible for us to be together."

"Well, if this is destiny, I'm happy with it."

Hermione hugged him and felt Draco stop suddenly. In the bushes were a pair of blue eyes staring at him.

"Draco? What's wrong?"

"I think…the Grim."

She turned to see an abandoned puppy sitting by a hawthorn bush. It kept staring at Draco with big, cute eyes. He wanted to stop Hermione but she had already beckoned it forward and picked it up.

"God, you're stupid. There's no such thing as the Grim anymore!" Hermione was looking at the chocolate puppy in awe. She searched for a collar or nametag.

"Do you think we should take it to the Ministry? They might know if it's lost or abandoned."

"Hermione, I don't think that's a good idea. I mean, how can it be a coincidence that it just turned up here."

"Oh please, you just don't like animals, do you?"

"Well, not all animals…"

But Hermione had already walked off with the dog in her arms, going 'Aaaaw' every so often. I don't like it.

xxx

"Gin, is Harry home yet?" Hermione asked.

Her question was cut off as Ginny paid so much attention to the furry little monster- or so Draco thought- when they got home.

"Where'd you find this cute thing?"

"It was outside, abandoned, the poor thing."

Draco made retching noises, and narrowed his eyes at the thing.

"Oh, have a heart Malfoy! Look at it! It's adorable." Ginny replied, who must have been in earshot.

"Well I still don't like it."

"Should we take it to a shelter? Or the Ministry, since they'd know what to do if it's lost."

The dog was sitting on the floor, with his head turned, while the beautiful blue eyes gazed at them.

xxx

Hermione and Ginny both fed and looked after the Labrador until Harry returned.

"Harry, look what Hermione-"

Harry looked slightly worried and left them before they finished talking.

"That was odd." Ginny said, frowning.

xxx

"Malfoy, there's something you should know. Your mother's at St. Mungo's."

Draco looked up, his eyes widened with shock.