3
The first few weeks of summer holidays passed slowly for Hermione. Her parents barely made any effort to spend time with her. At dinner the first night home conversation was sparse. "So, how's school?" Her mother had asked. "It's going well. I've made friends, I was sorted into Slytherin house. We are cunning and ambitious." "So that's like your dorm then?" "Yes dad, it's like my dorm." Her mother and father eyed her seriously "You had best be making good grades at the school of yours." Hermione sighed "Yes, I am. I am the top of my class." Conversation came to an end with her statement. This is hardly the homecoming I was expecting having been gone for a year, Hermione thought to herself.
The first few weeks of the holidays Hermione spent the time locked in her room, completing her homework assignments and playing with crookshanks. The cat spent most of her time in Hermione's room, as her parents made it clear they didn't want the animal downstairs. But as she was drawing to a close on her last essay for potion's class a peck at the window caught her attention. Looking up she saw an owl with a letter in it's beak. Opening the window, the owl flew in and landed on her desk. Taking the letter Hermione opened it and started to read
"Hermione,
How are you? I know term only ended two weeks ago but I miss you terribly. I got used to seeing you everyday. Have you finished your homework assignments? I just finished mine this morning and wanted to write to you straight away. Me and my parents are working on a surprise for you. I can't wait to see you!
Draco"
And so the letter correspondence began!
Draco,
I am ok, even better now that I have heard from you. I got used to seeing you everyday to, I miss you horribly. I am actually just finishing up my potion's essay right now and after that I will be completely done. A surprise? I can't wait to see again either, and please don't go through any trouble for me!
Hermione
'Mione,
HI! I miss my favorite roommate so much! My parents took me on a trip to Spain this year for summer vacation! It's so beautiful here, you would love it. I've already gotten your birthday present picked out! Did you finish that Transfiguration Essay? I am struggling so hard with it! I can't wait to see you when term starts!
Love, Astoria
Hi Astoria! I miss you too, you and Pansy! I did finish my essay, but it took me several days of research to figure it out. I am so jealous that you are in Spain! It is on my list of places to visit! I can't wait to see you either! Enjoy vacation!
Hermione,
How come I havent heard from you? I miss you! Oh and I found a potion that should help with your hair, we can try it when we get back to school! I've been spending a lot of time with Blaise's family, he needs to lay off the junk food! He has been absolutely pigging out since summer holidays started. Please write back and to Blaise too!
All my love, Pansy
Blaise,
DO WHAT PANSY SAYS AND LAY OFF THE JUNK FOOD! I miss you terribly and can't wait to see my favorite Italian Wizard. Did you finish all your essays? I have enclosed the study guide we made for Transfiguration, I thought it may help you! Can't wait to see you on the Hogwarts Express in August.
Love Hermione
Hermione could tell that her parents were annoyed with all the owls coming and going, but they never said anything to her about it. But every time an owl appeared at the house her parents sighed in disappointment before giving her a nasty look. "Could you at least ask your friends to send their letters during the night so the neighbors won't see all the owls?" Her father asked one afternoon after three letter deliveries in row. "Absolutely not. This is my house to and I will not ask my friends to stop what they are doing to please you." Her father glared at her but just walked away, knowing another argument would get them no where.
However one early one Monday morning she heard "Hermione, you have visitors!" from her father. Bounding down the stairs she saw Draco, his parents and Blaise standing in her living room. Blaise and Draco saw her first and screamed in unison " 'Mione!" "Blaise I thought you were spending the summer with Pansy's family?" Hermione asked. "I was but then the Malfoy's asked me to accompany them." They both hurried to meet her at the bottom of the stairs and wrapped her in a hug. Hermione laughed and relaxed into the hug of her two male best friends. After they had separated from the hug Draco's father spoke "Hermione dear, we are going to Wizarding Paris for the rest of the summer holidays and we wanted to know if you would like to come along?" Hermione's mouth dropped open in shock, Paris! She had always wanted to go but her parents never travelled. "I'd love to! Let me go pack." Hermione bounded up the stairs and quickly and efficiently folded all of her clothes, packed all of her books and essays and crookshanks. Dragging her trunk down the staircase she landed at the bottom "I'm ready!" Mrs. Malfoy smiled at her "Excellent, let's be off my dear!" All of the kids side along apparated with one of the adults. After everyone had arrived at the hotel in Paris, Mr. Malfoy cast spells on each of the children "Now everything you say will be in French when it is necessary."
Paris was absolutely beautiful in the summer. The weather was perfect; the sky was the most amazing shade of blue. They party spent time in wizarding Paris and muggle Paris. The Malfoys took them to the Lourve Muesum, the Eiffel Tower, Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris and of course the Palace of Versailles. "Oh wow this is absolutely breathtaking! I often wondered what it would be like to live in the palace." Hermione wondered aloud as she walked side by side with Draco and Blaise. Narcissa smiled in amusement "I'm glad you like it dear. Malfoy manor, our home, is modeled after Versailles; although it is not quite ostentatious." "Is it really?" Lucius nodded as his wife put her arm on his "Yes. I proposed to Narcissa here in this hall, many years ago. When we got home we did a renovation of Malfoy Manor, it is the same style but not quite as grand." "I'd love to see it one day." Hermione said with a smile "You will 'Mione, we are going home a week before term starts. You are more than welcome to stay with us." Draco stated with a smile. Hermione accepted gratefully with tears in her eyes.
Over the summer holidays the children were almost inseparable. Blaise, Draco and Hermione were always with each other; their friendship deepened. A few weeks into their trip it was as if there had been no separation at the end of term. On their last day in the south of France, they spent the day at the beach. Hermione laid out in the sun, while the boys went body boarding and the adults took a walk on the beach. "Miss. Granger is quite a young woman." Lucius said. Narcissa smiled "She is indeed. Incredibly bright and kind, well brought up as well." "You know Draco gave her a glass bead bracelet for her birthday last year?" Narcissa came to a dead stop in the sand "Did he now? You didn't do that until we were at least 13." Lucius nodded "She doesn't wear it very often, but he hasn't cried his eyes out about it, so I assume they've talked about it. But I assume she doesn't know what it means yet." Narcissa observed the children further down on the beach "I have to say I already approve. I'll have to do something about that hair though…" she said as she eyed Hermione and tiled her head as if she was thinking. Lucius kissed Narcissa's hand "I trust you to have her completely presentable by the time she is of age, love."
Later the next day Hermione, Draco, Blaise, Lucius and Narcissa apparated directly back to Malfoy Manor. After the queasiness had passed Hermione observed her surroundings. The foyer had white marble floors and a deep red paint on the walls. There were so many doors just on the main floor alone that Hermione couldn't imagine what would be up the grand staircase that looked like it led to at least two other floors. Paintings adorned the walls; landscapes, portraits and flowers. Antique vases stood on pedestals. Crystals chandeliers littered the ceiling. "You have a beautiful home, Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy. I can see the resemblance to Versailles." Narcissa smiled "Thank you my dear. Boys go put your bags away and clean up for lunch. Hermione if you'll follow me, I'll show you to your room." They boys ran off to do as they were told, as Hermione followed Narcissa up the staircase. "The second floor contains mine and Lucius's office, a few libraries as well as a potions lab and few guest rooms. The third floor is strictly for family and our closets friends." Hermione nodded as they reached the third floor landing and she was lead to a room "I hope you like this room." Narcissa said kindly as she opened the door. Inside the room was a rich dark wood flooring, the walls were a wonderful light yellow; almost like candlelight. There was a black wrought iron four poster bed that had a snow white comforter and pillow set. A dark wood desk sat on the side wall underneath a window that looked out onto the garden, a small walk in closet and a adjoining bathroom finished the suite. "It's fantastic Mrs. Malfoy. I can't thank you enough." "You are most welcome my dear, and please call me Narcissa."
While they were in France their Hogwarts had come. Their entire booklist was written by Gilderoy Lockhart. "Literally our entire booklist is his collective works." Lucius smirked "They made that fool a professor? He was incompetent even back in school. Always taking credit for other people's work." Narcissa nodded along with her husband "I agree with you Lucius. I wonder how he got such a high position." After Hermione had read through her booklist she went to Narcissa after breakfast "Should we be making plans to go to Diagon Alley? We leave for Hogwarts in just a few days time." Narcissa smiled kindly "No my dear. We send our house elves to do our shopping when we are on such short time. The elves should be back shortly and your new books will be on your bed." Hermione nodded and went off to the library to do some reading, as she had neglected to do much of it during the holidays. It was there that she found a book on potion brewing that Professor Snape had recommended to her. Grabbing the book, she went back to her room, settled at her desk and proceeded to read and take notes.
Later that evening Draco, Hermione and Blaise were examining their booklist. After reading a few chapters Hermione raised her head in discuss "Obnoxious, self promoting fool. This is what is going to pass as Defense Against The Dark Arts, this year?" Blaise nodded his agreement "He does seem to be a pompous fool. I wonder what we could possibly learn from him." The children spent the last few days of the summer holidays reviewing their homework and finishing reading Lockhart's books; and they were still completely unimpressed. September 1st found them on the Hogwarts Express headed back towards school. Pansy, Vincent and Astoria soon joined them. Astoria and Pansy rushed towards Hermione and gave her a hug "High girls, oh I've missed you!" After they separated Astoria sat beside Hermione while Pansy settled next to Draco, who put his arm around her shoulders; Hermione had to work to push down a pang of jealousy. "How was Paris?" "Breathtaking! It was everything I ever hoped it would be. How was your summer?" "Oh Spain was amazing, but dreadfully hot." The rest of the journey passed with pleasant chatter about their summers, as well as some gossip about the new DADA professor. After a carriage ride to the castle, the little group took their seats at they Slytherin table. Looking around Draco frowned "Where is Potty and Weasel?" Instantly their whole group looked around to see if they could find them, but they all failed. Hermione shrugged "Who knows. Maybe he was finally expelled for that stunt of his last year." After the sorting, where Slytherin got ten new students, they made their way to the common room down in the dungeons. The next morning at breakfast, the entire Slytherin table were dismayed to see that Harry and Ron were back at the Gryffindor table for breakfast.
Towards the end of breakfast Ron's family owl, flew into the hall and crash landed into a bowl of food. In its beak was a single red envelope. "Weasley's got a howler!" Draco howled with laughter. "What's a howler?" "Just watch 'Mione. This will be great." As Ron opened the letter a loud voice exploded that practically shook the great hall
"Ronald Weasley! How dare you steal that car! I am absolutely disgusted! Your father is now facing an inquiry at work and its ENTIRELY your fault! If you put another TOE out of line, we'll bring you straight home!"
Ron turned a shade of red to rival his hair, as did every other Weasley sitting at the Gryffindor table. Everyone in Slytherin house was howling with Laughter as Ron, Harry and Alice all quickly gathered their things and practically ran from the Great Hall. "Now that was a great way to start the day!" Hermione said as she doubled over in laughter. On their way to the first class of term, DADA, Draco and Pansy held hands. Hermione walked with Astoria and Blaise, and tried not to feel lonely or left out by the sight of the young couple. In the class room Hermione sat with Blaise, Astoria with Vince and of course Pansy sat with Draco, snuggled into his side. Professor Lockhart burst into the room were robes of forget me knot blue "Gilderoy Lockhart! Order of Merlin, third class. And your new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor. Now I thought we would start of today with a little test. Nothing to worry about, just to see how well you've read my books. You have thirty minutes start now!" Hermione looked down at the question and were dismayed to see they were all about him. What is Gilderoy Lockharts favorite color? What is Gilderoy Lockharts secret ambition?
Thirty minutes later, Lockhart looked unimpressed. "You lot need to read my books more carefully. But Miss. Hermione Granger got every question right. Well done, young lady. Five points to Slytherin." He smiled at Hermione who remained unimpressed by this fool. "Now, onto business! I have been tasked to teach you about the dark arts. You may find yourself facing your worst fears. I only ask that you do not scream!" With that he whipped the sheet off a cage and revealed pixies. When several of the class laughed in relief, Lockhart said "Let's see what you make of them." And released the pixies. It was instant chaos. Everyone was screaming and hiding under desks or fleeing the class. Lockhart bellowed some ridiculous spell, that of course did nothing. "I'll ask you lot to just nip them back into their cage. A further five points to Slytherin." He said before locking himself in his office. Hermione sighed and shot off several "Immobolous" spells, freezing the pixies as Draco and Blaise stuffed them back into the cage. "Did you learn anything at all from that man?"
After their disastrous first lesson with Professor Lockhart, the Slytherins all made their way to down to the dungeons for potions. As the students were talking amongst their selves Snape strolled in "That will be quite enough chatter. You will all work on brewing the Fire Protection Potion today, Can anyone tell me the other name this potion also goes by?" Alice Cyrus and Hermione both raised their hands, while Hermione was calm and collected Alice was waving her hand as if her life depended on her answering this question. "Miss. Granger?" Smirking slightly Hermione replied "It also goes by the Ice Potion." Snape nodded "You had better know what it is used for, as well as the sensation it creates for drinkers or it'll be detention." Harry and Ron were looking on in rapt attention, obviously hoping she would fail "It allows the drinker to move through flames unscathed. When drunk, it induces a sensation of ice and frigidity in the drinker, and provides protection from most magical fires." "Correct Miss. Granger, that will be ten points to Slytherin." Ron and Harry were again glaring at her, but Hermione glared right back refusing to back down. Everyone your instructions are on the board, get started." As usual there was a flurry of activity, so much so that Draco, Blaise and Hermione waited until everyone had returned to their seats before starting. Hermione went to fetch the ingredients while Blaise and Draco started the potion. "Slice the bursting mushrooms with a knife, add them to the cauldron and I'll stir clockwise until it turns blue." Draco did as she bade and soon the potion was blue. "Blaise add the salamander blood, very slowly. I'll stir anti-clockwise until the potion changes color again." A few minutes later the potion was the perfect shade of green as described in their textbooks. "I'll crush the wartcap powder, stir it in until the potion turns red." Blaise and Draco watched with bated breath as Hermione did the last step and cast the flame freezing charm "Glacius!" Instantly their potion turned the deepest shade of red possible. "And that's that boys." Of course Potter and Weasley had messed up the potion "You added all the ingredients at once, didn't prepare them or anything? Utterly useless. Five points from Gryffindor." "Homework! Three feet of parchment on Flobberworm Mucus and it's uses in potions, to be handed in Friday."
"Come on 'Mione! You have to watch quidditch practice!" Draco begged. "Why is it so important to you Draco?" "Because I made the team this year." Hermione jumped up at the news and hugged her friend hard, while noticing Pansy giving her the stink eye. "That's wonderful! I am so proud of you." "Father also bought the team new nimbus 2001's." Hermione narrowed her eyes "Is that the reason you made the team?" "NO! Father bought them only after Flint had made his decision to make me seeker, I swear." "Alright I believe you. But you know I cant come watch. I have potion lessons with snape tonight. Which I am nearly late for." Hermione hurried to the dungeon to find Professor Snape standing beside the door to his classroom. "You are almost late Miss. Granger, I trust you won't let that happen again." "No Sir. I also have my potions essay on flubberworms you assigned finished." He nodded and took the roll of parchment from her "Get to your brewing station. We will be working on third year level potions this year. Tonight we will start on Girding Potion. What is it?" Thankfully Professor snape had given her the third year text book before the end of first year so she could study ahead "It gives the drinker extra endurance." "Begin." Hermione gathered her ingredients, lit her cauldron and began. Unfortunately two hours in and she was only half way done with the potion. "What step are you at Miss. Granger?" Wiping sweat from her brow she stated "Step five, Add the toasted dragonfly thoraxes until the potion turns orange. " "Well done, that is impressive work for two hours of brewing. I will place a stasis spell on your potion, you will continue next week." As Hermione was packing up she asked "Sir do you have any idea what Weasley's Howler was about?" Snape smirked "Why yes I do. Him and potter decided to fly a car to Hogwarts, were sighted by no less than seven muggles and crashed into the whomping willow. I trust you will distribute that information…carefully?" "Of course sir."
A fortnight after term had started the entire student body of Hogwarts knew that Harry Potter had flown a car to Hogwarts, the reactions were divided; some thought he was brave, others thought he was a blooming idiot. The first quidditch match of the season was Slytherin vs. Gryffindor. Potter had pushed Draco off his broom and caught the snitch, and of course no punishment was issued to the golden boy. The next night Potter, Weasley and Cyrus were all absent from dinner. "I hate that boy. And his little girlfriend is annoying as well." Blaise said as they left the great hall. "I agree, there is no need for them to be here. Potter should've been expelled. Why the bloody hell is there a blockade in the corridor?" Draco asked, with his arm across Pansy's shoulder. The group shrugged and forced their way to the front of the pack, the scene that was there shocked them. The corridor had been flooded, Mrs. Norris was frozen stiff and written in blood on the wall was The chamber of Secrets has been opened, Enemies of the Heir Beware; and of course The Gryffindor Golden Trio was there. Suddenly Marcus Flint was there "Everyone back to the common room, now!" he hissed. All of the Slytherin students disappeared as one from the corridor and made their way to the dungeons. Once safely inside the conversation began "Enemies of the Heir beware? That will mean the mud-bloods will be next." Penelope, the 7th year Prefect looked around the room "The entire school is going to be looking at us as the culprits. Everyone be on your best behavior, Hermione you go no where alone." Hermione was confused by all of this "Why? I don't understand." Draco was the one to explain "Centuries ago Salazar Slytherin, one of the four founders of Hogwarts, was said to have built a secret chamber in the school, where Slytherins monster hid. Salazar wanted to be more selective of the students admitted to the school; no mud-bloods, just purebloods. The other founders disagreed. Supposedly the monster within the chamber has the power to petrify and kill. It is incredibly dangerous." Blaise took her hand "Hermione, you are muggle born. Which means this monster can affect you. You go no where alone, one of us will always be with you." On the verge of tears, but refusing to let them show, Hermione nodded and held onto her friends hand tightly.
Over the next few weeks, all anyone could talk about was the Chamber of Secrets. In every class a student asked a professor for information about it, which always resulted in "Absolutely not, I refuse to take part in gossip. Back to work." Professor Lockhart and Professor Snape had teamed up to start a duelling club, of course all the Slytherins had went to see Snape make an even bigger fool out of Lockhart; their expectations were exceeded. Snape had blow his opponent half way across the hall. "Well done Professor Snape, if you don't mind me saying it was pretty obvious what you were about to do. I could've stopped you easily. Lets have a student pair, Potter and Malfoy." Snape smirked as Draco took the stage and his duelling position. "Rictusempra" Potter shouted before Draco had a chance. Draco flew across the stage, embarrassed and Angry he stood and fired a spell back "serpensortia" A rather large venomus snake appeared out of Draco's wand. Suddenly Potter was speaking a weird language, it was almost a hissing and scratching sound, but it made no sense to anyone; however the snake was responding to it. Snape vanished the snake and as everyone stared at him, Harry Potter fled the room closely followed by Ron and Alice. As the group left the duelling room gossip was abound "He is a parseltongue!" "A what?" Here Hermione interjected "It means he can speak to snakes! But wasn't that a skill that Salazar Slytherin had?" Astoria nodded "Yes, I've heard my father talk about it." "What is potter is the Heir of Slytherin?" Instantly the whole group was doubled over in laughter "I am sure he is saying the same thing about you Draco."
Over the next few months two students and one ghost was also attacked by Slytherin's monster, who no one knew what it was. Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Alice Cyrus were all caught brewing Polyjuice potion in a girls lavatory. When asked what they thought they were doing they responded with "We were going to sneak into the Slytherin common room and get proof the Malfoy is the Heir of Slytherin." This was said with confidence. The three students were rather shocked that all the professors thought they were fools, as a punishment Gryffindor was docked 150 house points, putting them firmly in last place. Lockhart was an even more useless professor now that he had been proven a fool; he spent all his classes re-enacting scenes from his books, they were learning absolutely nothing in DADA this year. Hermione had progressed past the Girding Potion and was now brewing the antidote to common and uncommon potions; at the same time. It was notoriously tricky, she had even made a few mistakes, but by Christmas Holidays she had managed to brew them both correctly.
For Christmas Holiday, at Narcissa and Lucius's insistence, Hermione accompanied Draco home to Malfoy Manor for the holiday season. Upon arriving she thanked her hosts "It was very kind of you to invite me here for Christmas." Narcissa smiled and hugged her "Think nothing of it my dear. Your room is the same as it was last time. We are having a special dinner on Christmas eve, there is a dress for you in your closet." Hermione noted, with no small amount of satisfaction, that Pansy was not invited to spend Christmas Holidays at the manor. Hermione and Draco spent endless hours together; in the library, doing their homework, practicing duelling spells and Draco even taught her how to fly properly. On the evening of the Christmas Eve dinner, Narcissa helped Hermione get ready. Dressed in a peach colored dress that went to just blew her knee, small cream flats, Narcissa did her hair in a complicated updo and Hermione put in her serpent earrings she had gotten for her birthday last year. As she descended the staircase, Hermione felt nervous because Draco didn't stop staring at her, but she kept her head held high, even if her cheeks went pink. Draco offered her his arm and he went around introducing her to his parent's closets friends; The GreenGrasses, The Parkinsons and the Crabbes. Hermione was perfectly politely and was surprised to see that they all treated her with the same respect that the Malfoy's did; this made her feel even more accepted into her new world. The next day was Christmas. Pansy and Astoria had sent her brand new makeup and a new bottle of hair taming potion. Vincent and Blaise had sent her a new broom; it wasn't a racing broom like Draco's but it was still very nice. Lucius and Narcissa had given her a book on pureblood customs and protocol, confused she looked up at them "It's not meant as an insult dear. I just thought you might like to know a little bit more about the world you are in now. This book helped me navigate my first years as a young woman, I wanted to be able to help you as well." Tears came to Hermione's eyes as she hugged the woman "Thank you, Narcissa. That means the world to me. I promise to read it cover to cover." Narcissa patted her on the cheek "Of that I have no doubt." She said kindly. Her last present was from Draco. It was a sterling silver charm bracelet, the charms were a bubbling cauldron, a wand, a snake with green eyes and one that simply said friends. "You can add any charm you want to it." Hermione tackled Draco in a hug "Thank you! I love it, I'll wear it always." Two days later as Hermione and Draco left on the Hogwarts Express, Lucius turned to his wife "We need to get her out of that muggle house. The way she reacted to our gift? She hasn't been cared for properly; certainly not neglected but still." Narcissa nodded "Leave it to me."
Upon their arrival back at Hogwarts, the first thing Draco did was kiss Pansy on the cheek. Pushing down her jealousy, Hermione excused herself and went straight to her dorm. Unpacking the book Narcissa and Lucius had gotten her she started to read. Granted it was all fascinating, but what really caught her eye was something in the courtship and engagement chapter
"Often when pureblood couples start dating at a young age, the male my present the female with a piece of jewelry. Either made of crystal or glass. The piece of jewelry signifies a pre-courting gift, indicating that the male wishes to court the young woman once they are of age. Once they are of age, between 14 or 15, the male will present the female with a piece of jewelry made from diamonds."
Instantly Hermione's mind wondered towards the bracelet Draco had given her for her birthday last year. It was made of crystal, it was a pre-courting gift. What does that make me and Draco? What does the make Draco and Pansy? She asked herself. Refusing to overthink it, Hermione closed the book and promised to re-think it at a later date.
Life at Hogwarts continued after the Christmas Holidays. Classes got tougher and tougher to prepare them for their upcoming exams. Hermione had already tested out of Second and Third year potions two months after Christmas, so she was helping all of her classmates with their studying and homework. There had not ben another attack since before Christmas, so curfews were being relaxed a little bit. Even Potter and Weasley were being allowed to attend quidditch practice again after their stunt with the Polyjuice potion.
One day, as Draco and the rest of the Slytherin quidditch team were preparing to go and play a match against Ravenclaw, Snape stopped them. "This match has been cancelled. Everyone will return to their dorm immediately. Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Zabini Follow me." The trio walked down the corridor at a fast pace, towards the infirmary. "Sir please, why has the match been cancelled, where are we going?" Just behind a curtain the hospital wing, Snape stopped "There has been another attack, this could be a bit of shock." Stepping aside he revealed Hermione laying in a bed, petrified. Draco was terrified "Hermione? Can you hear us? It's me and Blaise, we are here." Draco went to grab her hand but found it as cold and hard as stone. "She was found outside the library, with this. Does it mean anything to you?" Snape was holding a mirror, Both Draco and Blaise shook their heads. "Very well, return to the common room." "Draco refused "No, I'm staying." "Mr. Malfoy, I am to understand that you and Miss. Granger do not have an understanding. You are to return to the common room. You may visit her tomorrow."
All anyone could talk about was Hermione being petrified. Everyone was scared, but also everyone took it as a sign that Draco was not the Heir of Slytherin "He would never attack Slytherin." "Look at the state he has been in since she was petrified." Draco was rarely not a Hermione's bedside. He was be side himself. "I miss you 'Mione, we all do. We need you here with us, to badger us about studying, to help us with our homework. I hope you can hear me."
Unfortunately Hermione was petrified until one week before the end of term. Harry Bloody Potter had once again saved the day, he had found out where The Chamber of Secrets was, gotten inside and killed Slytherin's monster; barely making it out with his life. Professor Sprout had raised baby mandrakes until they had matured, with the help of Professor Snape had created a potion to wake the students who were in a petrified state. Sitting at the Slytherin table in the Great Hall, waiting for Hermione to arrive. "Where the bloody hell is she?" Draco raged. Everyone looked upset, but Draco was easily the most upset over the matter. Blaise clapped him on the back "Calm down mate, even if she was awake, they need to make sure she is well before she leaves the hospital wing." Draco buried his hands in his head and was silent for a minute. Astoria's voice broke into his thoughts "Draco, It's Hermione." Draco's head shot up and looked towards the entrance to the great hall. There stood Hermione, his best friend; Brown hair, happy smile and bright shiny eyes. Draco was out of his seat before anyone else, running to Hermione and wrapping her in a hug, which she returned just as fiercely. "I missed you so much." She whispered, Draco just held on tighter. Once Blaise, Pansy, Astoria and Vince had reached them they broke apart and Hermione took turns hugging the rest of them before taking their seat for the end of term feast.
Dumbledore stood up and began the end of term speech "Another year has come and gone at Hogwarts. This year Danger was at our doorstep. But thankfully all the petrified students have been revived and are back with their houses." He paused here for a round of applause "The Quidditch cup and house cup will not be awarded this year, you all worked together so wonderfully and came together in this dark time. Each house will earn 100 points, each house will receive their own house trophy for their bravery during the school year. May next year be better for all of us."
Before she boarded the train home, Snape found her. " I am sorry I missed my last few months of my potions lessons." Snape waved off her concerns "Think nothing of it, I am relieved to see you are well again. We will start fourth and fifth year potions at the start of term." Hermione boarded the train home, laughed and talked with her friends. But when she tried to go back to the muggle world, Lucius and Narcissa stopped her. "Hermione, honey, how would you feel about staying with us at Malfoy Manor?" She beamed "For the summer, you mean?" Lucius shook his head "No, we were thinking permantely." Hermione gasped "But how?" Narcissa leaned down to her level "We noticed how unhappy you were when thinking of going home. So we went and talked to your parents, got their permission for you to move in with us and brought all your stuff back to the manor. Would you like to live with us?" Hermione was shaking with happiness and tears "I would love that. You mean I don't ever have to go home?" She asked as she looked in between Draco and his parents. "Never, you are always welcome in our home." Grabbing Draco's hand, the two kids followed the adults "I think it is going to be an amazing summer." She said with a smile, that all of the Malfoy's returned as they apparated away to home.