After saying her goodbyes to Lena and the other guardians, Hermione traipsed through the forest leading a fumbling Professor McGonagall toward the main road that would lead toward Hogwarts.

While Hermione admired the beauty of the budding trees of spring, the aging professor stumbled over another tree root.

"Ooof!", she exclaimed, "Ms. Granger are you sure that this route is quite safe, do you know where it leads ?"

"No, not at all.", Hermione admitted quite cheerfully, "But it's gorgeous isn't it.", she said gesturing to their surroundings.

McGonagall frowned. Back at the fork in the road Hermione had suggested taking the left path saying that it was more camouflaged than the right path, and would provide them with more cover from the sun. So, they had sacrificed direction and being safe underfoot, for a rugged path strewn with branches and other death traps.

"Ms. Granger," fumed the professor, "If within five minutes we do not come across any obvious signs that Hogwarts is near we are turning back and heading down the ALTERNATE PATH!" , she stressed the last two words.

Hermione rolled her eyes, an action that did not go unnoticed by Professor McGonagall.

"MS. GRANGER!", she screamed, "I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAS GOTTEN IN TO YOU THIS YEAR…"

The professor continued her rant, while Hermione did her best to ignore her.

Something in the distance suddenly caught Hermione's eye.

"FIRST YOUR BEHAVOIR WITH MR. MALFOY !..."

Hermione squinted, the thing was moving.

"PLAYING RIDICULOUS TRICKS ON MR. WEASLEY AND I…"

Even from the distance Hermione could make out its color as a platinum blonde.

"FOOD FIGHTS IN THE GREAT HALL, A RIDICULOUS ATTITUDE…"

Platinum blonde...who else could it be?

"Draco?", she hollered, "Is that you?"

She started running, her feet pounding on the rough ground, jumping over fallen limbs of trees and potholes.

Suddenly she was only a few meters from a figure in black robes, with that ever familiar hair. With her eyes blinded by tears she reached the figure and jumped on him wrapping her legs around his waist. She buried her head in the crook of his neck and breathed in his scent. She sniffed. Wait, it wasn't his scent.

She pulled her head back and stared into his face. Well, that explained it, it wasn't Draco.

Lucius Malfoy looked back at her.

"Well, well.", he said smirking, "I confess I've never been greeted this enthusiastically by anyone…not even my wife."

Blushing, Hermione realized that her body was still wrapped around his. She quickly pulled herself away.

Soon, a breathless Professor McGonagall ran up behind Hermione.

"Lucius Malfoy.", she said scowling, "What are you doing here?"

Lucius, with a smirk still plastered on his face, gazed at Hermione, "Why, I've come to talk to Ms. Granger ."

A/N: Ok, I lied. I told you this would be a reunion chapter, but I got inspiration in the middle of writing it. I know I'm a bitch but review anyway? :)