Saturday dawned crisp and clear, the sun peeking up from beyond the hills and tinting the trees' orange leaves into gold. A distinct chill hung in the air, and anyone who had ever lived in the northern hemisphere before would know that the first real frost was on its way, which would be followed closely by the first real snow. As Hermione surveyed this scene, wrapped in her robe, she smiled. Sweater season, she thought happily. I love fall.

The door to the common room opened and closed. "Awake already?" a familiar friendly voice said.

"Yes," Hermione sighed. "What can I say, I'm an early riser."

There was a silence as Harry walked over to where Hermione was standing. He was dressed in jogging clothes, so Hermione assumed that he'd been out for his morning run. Even before the battle with Voldemort, Harry had been very concerned about his own personal fitness; it seemed now that the tension had receded, Harry continued to set a very high physical standard for himself.

"Have you tried Dreamless Sleep?" he asked her quietly, checking over his shoulder to make sure no one was there. "I know that the therapists say not to use it, but it's the only way I survive."

"You're not addicted, are you?" Hermione said quickly, her eyes widening as she looked at her best friend.

"No! No, of course I'm not!" he protested, mildly outraged. "Do you think I'm that stupid? It's not like I use it every night!"

"Of course," Hermione said, deflating. "Sorry Harry."

"No, it's ok," he said, putting his arm around her waist and pulling her head so that it rested on his shoulder. "You worry too much for me 'Mione."

"You need someone to worry for you," she mumbled, closing her eyes. She could feel the heavy curtain of sleep pressing in on the edges of her consciousness, but Hermione pushed back. No nightmares. Not today.

"So, is it true?" Harry asked, sounding excited. "Are you going out with Draco tonight?"

Hermione's head flew off of Harry's shoulder. "How do you know?" she hissed, narrowing her eyes.

Harry shrugged, smiling. "I have my sources," he said cryptically, giving a wink. "But don't worry, only me and Gin know."

"Oh?" Hermione said, smiling. "And, let me guess, you're going out with Ginny tonight?"

"Erm, we're, uh, staying in, actually," Harry said, blushing and absentmindedly ruffling his hair. "Uh, this, erm, no one's going to be in our common room tonight."

Hermione raised an eyebrow and nodded, grinning. "I see…what's everyone else doing?"

Harry began to list everyone's commitments, ticking them off on his fingers as he named them. "Hannah and Neville are going to see some famous herbologist speak in Edinburgh, Dean and Seamus are heading over to George's to test some products, Lavender, Padma, and Susan are all going shopping in Hogsmeade, Justin is visiting his mum, Michael is heading over to Diagon Alley, and I think Luna has a date with her mysterious boyfriend."

"…mmhmm. And I'm sure everyone spontaneously decided to be busy tonight, and you didn't give anyone ideas, or anything." Hermione put her hands on her hips and looked accusingly at her friend.

"Um, well, have fun tonight!" Harry said, ducking his head and heading to the room that he and Neville shared.

"You too Harry!" Hermione called after him. "Enjoy your time with Ginny!"

Harry turned around and flashed one of his famous lopsided smiles. "Thanks 'Mione."

Hermione was trying very hard not to laugh at Luna's outfit; the blonde was being picked up by her "mysterious boyfriend", and had chosen to wear an ankle-length red velvet dress, a dark-blue men's blazer, a large fedora, and combat boots. "Um, Luna," Hermione said, putting a lot of effort into not collapsing on the ground in laughter, "do you know where you and Rolf are going tonight?"

Shrugging, the blonde turned to the mirror to put on her butterbeer cork necklace. "I have absolutely no idea. Rolf likes to surprise me, so I dress for anything." Hermione turned her snort into a subtle cough. "Oh, and by the way Hermione, you look lovely tonight. Are you meeting someone?"

Hermione had spent an insane amount of time deciding on her outfit, and was pleased that Luna had commented on it. After hours of dithering, Hermione had eventually decided on her dark skinny jeans and ankle boots, complimented by a white blouse and belt. Not to formal, not too casual. Plus, it still makes me look good. I wonder if he'll be wearing another one of those bloody turtlenecks….

"No, I'm not meeting anyone too special," Hermione lied, fiddling with her hoop earrings absentmindedly. "Just a friend for some drinks."

"Well, have fun!" Luna said, gathering up her skirts and going to head out the door. "Don't make too much noise if you come back late, alright?"

Hermione nodded and gave her friend a quick peck on the cheek. "Of course. Enjoy your night with Rolf."

Watching Luna leave, Hermione counted to fifteen. She then walked brusquely out of her room and knocked on Draco's door twice. A blonde head popped out, looked back and forth, and then met Hermione's gaze. "Is the coast clear?" he asked nervously.

"Yes," she said, exasperatedly pulling on Draco's sleeve. "I don't see why you're so paranoid. Good grief."

Draco exited his room and closed the door behind him. "I just don't want people to talk, you know? It's bad enough that they talk about me, you don't need them talking about you."

"I don't really care," Hermione said lightly, taking in Draco's white button-up dress shirt and black slacks. "Shall we go?"

Draco was caught looking up and down Hermione's body. "Um, yeah! Let's get out of here before people start to come back."

Walking awkwardly side-by-side, Draco and Hermione travelled down to the main floor and out the gates in silence. Only when they reached the apparition point did Draco move to take Hermione's hand. She flinched away instinctively, and then mentally kicked herself. Stupid Granger.

"It's just side-along apparition," Draco said slowly, once again reaching out to Hermione. "I promise I won't do anything more."

Nodding, Hermione held out her hand which Draco enveloped in his; his skin was so warm and dry, heating her cool skin and creating the oddest feeling in the base of her stomach. Nausea? Apprehension? Excitement?

"Ready?" Draco asked, looking Hermione in the eye.

"Of course," she said, smiling, meeting his gaze.

With a pop, Draco and Hermione left the Hogwarts grounds and were transported to a busy Scottish thoroughfare. "Where are we?" Hermione asked, looking around at various blinking neon signs, people dressed in sparkly clothing, and the dozens of automobiles streaking by.

"Some big town in Scotland," Draco said, shrugging. "I thought it'd just be a pain to have to pay the international apparition toll."

Hermione nodded, completely agreeing with Draco's decision. "Great. So, we're in some big city…where are we going? Out for dinner?"

"…kind-of…."

"Oh lord, we're not going to a night club, are we?" Hermione grew pale at the thought. I can't dance. I'll look like a total idiot.

"No, not really," Draco said slowly, pulling Hermione out of the way of a passing cyclist. "It's kind-of a…a….musical bar."

"….a musical bar."

"Yeah! You know, like, it's a bar, but you can dance if you'd like."

"…so, a night club."

"No, not really!" Draco sighed, exasperated, and put his hand between Hermione's shoulder blades. She started when he applied a light pressure. "Just come with me and you'll see what I mean. If you don't like it, you can leave."

Knowing that she had an escape route, Hermione reluctantly let Draco guide her down the street and through a small black doorway hidden between a strip club and a disco place. …sketchy. Very, very sketchy.

"I know it looks a bit dodgy, but trust me – this place is great!" Draco seemed genuinely excited, the low lighting making his eyes seem bright.

Hermione lightly sent out her magic, feeling no resistance as she pushed it towards the walls of the building. Ok, no anti-apparition wards. If things get bad, I can just….poof.

Smiling silently at her inside joke with herself, Hermione stopped behind Draco at a second door. The Slytherin seemed nervous, and Hermione watched him fidget as he turned to face her. "Um, just before we go in, I thought that you should know that this is a muggle place. Uh, so, like, no magic, and um, if this isn't your thing that's totally ok."

Hermione just arched an eyebrow. "I'm a muggleborn, remember?" she said coolly. "I can deal with not using magic."

Draco blushed furiously. "Oh, um, of course. Well, uh….ok then."

The two stood awkwardly in the poorly-lit hallway, staring at each other. "So, are you planning on going into the room or just standing out here?" Hermione asked kindly, her words not meant to hurt.

Nodding, Draco smiled and pushed open the door lightly. "Sorry," he said softly. "I'm just nervous."

Hermione grabbed Draco's hand and squeezed, making the blonde's head shoot up and his eyes go wide. "You have nothing to be nervous about," she said, earnestly meeting his gaze. "I'm not here to judge you, I'm just here for a good time."

"Right," Draco said slowly, ruffling his hair.

Hermione paused for a moment, thinking, and then a large smile stretched across her face. "Hey, Draco, I have an idea!" she said, excited.

Draco raised a single blonde eyebrow. "…should I be worried?"

Sighing, Hermione let go of Draco's hand and took a step back. She then extended her right hand. "Hello, I'm Hermione Granger. My friends call me 'Mione, my parents called me Mia. What's your name?"

Draco rolled his eyes. "Granger, you know my name -"

"No, sorry, I don't," Hermione said, feigning confusion. "I'm fairly certain that we've never met before, and I know nothing about you." She wiggled the fingers of her still-extended hand. "It's a blank slate, stranger – want to get to know me?"

Draco hesitated, his brow furrowed. Suddenly, he broke into a grin and grasped Hermione's hand with his. "Hello Hermione, I'm Draco Malfoy. I have no nicknames – well, that's not true. Some people call me Ferret, but I'd rather you not call me that."

Hermione nodded sagely, still holding Draco's hand. "I can understand that. Well, Draco, did you want to go in?"

Giving Draco's hand one final squeeze, Hermione breezed past the young man and into the room. What she saw stopped her in her tracks and took her breath away; there was a bar, yes, but there were also several tables and a large dance floor. The bar stools and dance floor were filled with people wearing plaid, and loud music was blasting from a speaker in the corner of the room. Barely visible through all of the sawdust in the room, the floor seemed to be worn with long years of being danced on. Hermione immediately recognized the song being played. "A country bar?" she squealed, whirling around to face a wincing and apprehensive Draco. "This is wonderful!"

Relief didn't even begin to describe the look on Draco's face. "You like country?" he asked, excited.

Hermione nodded furiously. "I love country! My Mum went to university in the southern United States, and kind-of brought the obsession back home with her."

"That's cool!" Draco said, steering Hermione towards an empty table far-ish away from the speaker. "What did your mum do for a job?"

"Both my parents were muggle dentists," the witch explained, looking over the drink menu. "Dad went to school here in Britain but met Mum when he was in Alabama on an internship. They fell in love, and she came back with him to England after she finished school. They got married, and then established their own private practice in Cornwall." Pausing, Hermione looked up and saw that Draco was genuinely interested in her ramble. Smiling, she asked, "So, what do your parents do?"

Draco seemed hesitant. Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, Draco gave a half-smile and mumbled, "Clean slate", before meeting Hermione's gaze again. "My mum started out working as a healer, actually. My parents had a whirlwind romance, and after they married my mum quit her job to raise me. Mum – well, she passed away recently, so now it's just me and my dad."

Hermione waited silently for Draco to comment about Lucius, reminding herself to remain impassive and non-judgmental. Just then, the waitress came over and broke the silence. "Hello, darlings – would either of you like somethin' to eat or drink?"

"Yes please," Hermione said politely. "Could I get a draught Budweiser please? And maybe a cheeseburger with a salad?"

Nodding and jotting down Hermione's order, the pleasant waitress nodded. "And you, sir?" she asked Draco.

"The same please," Draco said quickly, putting the menu back in-between the salt and pepper shakers.

"Aww, that's adorable!" the waitress said, giggling. "You and your girlfriend are so cute."

She dashed away, leaving a wide-eyed Hermione and an open-mouthed Draco. "Girlfriend?" Hermione mouthed to Draco.

Draco snapped his mouth shut and shrugged. "Easy mistake, I guess. But, I mean, I barely know you, right?" The blonde winked, and Hermione smiled.

"So, Draco," she continued, playing with her sleeve. "You were telling me about your parents."

"Yes," Malfoy said slowly, tracing a pattern onto the table with his finger. "Um, my dad…well, he, uh, didn't work. He inherited a lot of money from his parents, and he continued to invest it wisely."

"Very cool," Hermione said, smiling. "He sounds like an interesting guy."

Draco winced. "He was an interesting man, I guess, but he was too busy with his…erm…hobby to really have much time for being a dad."

A strong hatred for Lucius Malfoy bubbled up into Hermione's chest. That no good, lousy son of a - "That's horrible. I couldn't imagine not having a father figure present in my life," Hermione admitted out loud, silencing her mental rant.

"Well, I had a great father figure in my godfather," Draco said, smiling. "He was a wonderful guy – a bit eccentric, and hard to get along with if you didn't know him really well, but for me he was amazing."

"I'm glad that you had such a great godfather," Hermione said, completely dismissing her preconceived image of Snape. "He sounds like a really neat guy."

"He was brilliant, really," Draco said vehemently, leaning towards Hermione across the table. "I mean, Sev was so incredibly smart it was ridiculous – he was the youngest potions master of the Common Era! – but he knew how to make me laugh, what to say when I was hurt, and when to lend a hand."

"What did you two do together?" Hermione asked, trying to keep Draco on a subject that he was obviously so passionate about.

"Oh, everything! He's the reason why I'm into country music – I mean, Sev listened to everything, but his Lucinda Williams records really got me interested in country."

"Records?" Hermione interjected, still trying to picture her dour, snarky professor as a country fan. "Did you say records?"

"Mostly 45s," Draco said nonchalantly, smiling. "He refused to buy CDs, said that they were muggle computer abominations."

The blonde started to laugh softly as his mind drifted into some obviously treasured memory. "I wish I could have really known him," Hermione thought out loud, watching the young man across from her.

"Very few people really did," Draco said sadly. "But, I mean, that's something that we had in common – we allowed very few people to get close to us. Usually the ones we loved only managed to wound our hearts." Jerked out of his depressing reverie by the start of an upbeat song, Draco met Hermione's gaze, wide-eyed. "Sorry!" he blurted out. "That was totally depressing."

Hermione shook her head. "Don't worry about it – we're being totally honest with each other, remember? Anything's fair game for discussion."

A cunning look passed across Draco's face as he thought silently for a moment. "Ok, if we're going to put zero barriers up…." - Hermione paled - "Have you been in any previous relationships, Hermione?"

Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit! Hermione thought, closing her eyes. I totally set myself up for this. In her stomach, the Ron-Monster began clawing at her insides, sending shooting phantom pains up her spine. Well, I promised total honesty, didn't I? No backing out now…

"Yes, as a matter of fact," Hermione said calmly, appearing completely composed. "I just ended a relationship."

"Oh?" Draco said, obviously trying very hard to hide a smirk. "You are the one who ended it?"

Hermione nodded shortly. "Yes." The Ron-Monster felt like it had just ripped out one of her lungs.

"…may I ask why?"

"You can ask, I just may not feel like answering," Hermione joked, allowing a small smile to creep onto her face. Draco gave her a small smile back, and then made a circling motion with his hands as if to say 'go on'. Hermione sighed. "He expected far too much of me, in far too short a time," she said bluntly, trying not to wince as the Ron-Monster clawed its way up her throat. "I wasn't ready to take such…drastic steps. So I ended it."

Draco nodded politely. "I see. And was this boy ok with you ending the relationship?"

"Not at first," Hermione said slowly, measuring her words carefully. "however now I believe that he's found another girl more….suited to his desires."

Draco snorted, and the sound was so ridiculous and undignified that Hermione had to giggle, and pretty soon the both of them were doubled over in spontaneous laughing fits. Deep in her chest, she felt the Ron-Monster fall dormant once more. "Hermione," Draco gasped, taking a moment to collect his breath. "You really have a way with words. This boy is far worse off having lost you."

Touched by Draco's honest comment, Hermione blushed. "So, Mr. Total Honesty," she said, attempting to lighten up the conversation. "Have you been in any relationships recently?"

Draco shrugged. "Nothing serious, really – no girl has actually caught my fancy - although a few months ago I saw this one healer who was just a stunner!"

Hermione's head shot up and she was about to criticize Draco until she saw the smirk on his face. Oh, right. He's joking. Smiling, Hermione nodded. "I see. So, has this 'stunner' medi-witch encouraged you to pursue a career in medicine?"

Shaking his head, Draco grimaced. "Merlin no! I could never actually work with sick people! It'd be far too depressing."

"Alright then," Hermione said, taking a sip of her beer that had just arrived. "What do you want to do for a living? I assume that you're still in school."

"I don't really know…I've always been passionate about potions, particularly thanks to Sev, so I've been thinking something in that field. But I genuinely doubt that I'll ever be able to get a job, what with my statusin the wizarding world."

Draco looked expectantly at Hermione as he waited for her to comment on his vague aspirations and black predictions. Biting her lower lip thoughtfully, Hermione thought about all the potions careers that would be interesting for Draco. "Well, maybe rather than being a healer, you could be a potions master for a hospital?" she suggested, shrugging. "I mean, all hospitals need expert wizards or witches to brew their prescriptions. You'd be at university for quite a few years to get your potions mastery, but the pay is amazing. Plus you'd be able to stay out of the public eye, so no one would judge you or care."

Draco nodded thoughtfully. "Not a bad idea, Hermione," he said, smiling. "You've obviously done some research into potions-related careers – is that what you're hoping to specialize in?"

"In a way," Hermione said, tilting her head. "I'd really like to be a healer, but specifically focus on children. I don't think I could deal with the permanent spell-damage cases" – the thought of Neville's parents and Professor Lockheart made her shudder – "but kids…well, kids would be interesting for me."

"I see," Draco said. "Do you think you'll want children of your own? A family?"

"Eventually," she admitted. "but not right away. I mean, some of my friends want children as soon as they graduate, but I'd much rather settle down in a career and spend time finding the man that's absolutely perfect for me." She slapped a hand over her mouth. "Oh Merlin, I'm sorry! I've said way too much!"

Tapping the side of his head, Draco grinned. "Total honesty, remember?"

Just then the waitress arrived with their cheeseburgers and salads. "Do you two need anythin' else?" she asked, smiling pleasantly.

"I don't think so, right Hermione?" Draco said, winking across the table.

"Oh, your name's Hermione?" the waitress gushed. "What a be-a-utiful name!"

"It really is, isn't it?" Draco agreed with the waitress, looking at the blushing girl across from him.

"Uh, thank you," Hermione stuttered, looking down at her salad.

As Hermione and Draco started eating their dinners, the waitress didn't appear to move. She just stood right beside their table, staring that the couple. Well, this is awkward, Hermione thought, flashing a glance at an equally weirded-out Draco. What does she expect us to do, start singing?

Long, awkward moments passed as the waitress just stood there, watching them. The song suddenly switched from a sad tune to an upbeat rhythm that Hermione immediately recognized. From Draco's sudden smile, she assumed that he knew it too. "Let's go dance, Hermione," Draco said, dropping his fork and extending his hand. "I love this song."

Nodding and looking for any possible way to escape the creepy waitress, Hermione took Draco's hand and followed him out onto the dance floor. "I'm not very good at dancing," she shouted, attempting to be heard over the music.

"Neither am I!" Draco yelled back. "Just go with the flow!"

Following the blonde's advice, Hermione just let the words of the song take over her mind and slowly pull her body into a rhythm.

Hermione felt the pull of the music, sending her hips moving and her head bobbing, drawing her closer to the undeniably attractive man across from her.

A mere half-step away from Draco, Hermione met his grey gaze and smiled a genuine happy smile. Draco grinned back, and the swelling crescendo of the music sent them both into a world that was entirely their own; a separate bubble where there were nothing but grey eyes, brown eyes, smiles, and songs.

Hermione was now a hair's breadth away from a furiously dancing Draco, and she could hear her pulse hammering in her ears. She didn't break eye contact with Draco, though. She didn't know if it would have been physically possible to stop staring into those seas of grey.

"I freaking love Lady Antebellum!" a rowdy male dancer beside Hermione shouted, grabbing her shoulders and attempting to pull her towards him. The connection between Draco and Hermione was broken, and so was the magic bubble of privacy.

"Hey!" Draco said, pushing the guy lightly away from Hermione. "This is my girl! Go get your own!"

The obviously drunk patron lifted his arms, palms out, towards Draco in a gesture of submission. "Sorry man, I didn't know she was taken. G'night miss."

Looking back at Draco, Hermione smiled gratefully. "Thanks," she shouted. "He looked like a greaseball."

Draco laughed. "How could you tell?" he joked.

"I only ever attract greaseballs," Hermione said, shrugging as the song came to an end. The dancers clapped, not giving Draco time to respond to Hermione's comment.

The deep, resonant voice of the DJ came on over the speakers. "Alright you lovebirds, this one's for you – live it up while you're young, and come out here and dance!"

Just about everyone in the bar stood up and came out onto the dance floor to join in the dance, leaving Draco and Hermione in a situation that was most definitely awkward. "Looks like we're here for the night," Hermione laughed, motioning to the walls of people around them.

The first few notes of the song came on, and Hermione melted.

Almost naturally, Draco and Hermione stepped together in-time with the music. Draco placed his hands lightly on Hermione's waist, and she rested her arms on his shoulders; We fit perfectly, Hermione thought as the two swayed in time to the music. There was still a bit of space, however, between the couple's chests. That space spoke volumes to Hermione; Do I get closer? Do I stay back?

Taking a deep breath, Hermione closed the small gap that still rested between herself and Draco. She rested her head on his shoulder, oblivious to the blonde's sudden stiff posture, and relaxed into his arms. After a heartbeat, Draco un-tensed and lifted one of his arms around Hermione's back to cradle her head. And then, suddenly, the song was coming to an end.

There was a smattering of applause as couples cleared the dance floor, and Hermione and Draco stepped reluctantly away. Cold air seemed to cover Hermione when she pulled back from Draco, and she immediately missed his warmth. "Thank you for the dance, Hermione," Draco said, bowing slightly.

"It was my pleasure Draco," she replied, nodding her head.

Checking his watch, he grimaced. "It's getting late," Draco supplied, "we should probably head back."

A pang filled Hermione's chest as she realized that their magical night was coming to an end. "Alright," she said quietly. "We'd better go."

After settling the bill, Hermione and Draco walked out of the bar and to the dark apparition point. This time Hermione didn't flinch when Draco took her hand; this time, she subconsciously welcomed its presence.

Arriving on the outskirts of the grounds, Hermione and Draco walked silently up towards the common room. It wasn't an uncomfortable silence, though. They were both comfortable with the easy camaraderie that hung in the air between them. It was only when they reached the doors to their dorms that Hermione realized she hadn't let go of Draco's hand after they had apparated.

Quickly, she pulled her hand back under the pretense of searching for her key. "Well, thank you for the wonderful evening Draco," she said quietly, looking up into his mesmerizing eyes.

"Thank you, Hermione," Draco replied, flashing his crooked smile. "The pleasure was entirely mine."

There was a moment where they both stood there, inches apart, so close to something that Hermione couldn't quite describe. A precipice? A leap of faith?

But then the moment passed, and nothing happened. Hermione smiled, opened her door, and left Draco standing just outside of her room.

The entire night, however, she couldn't sleep. She felt as if something was missing, or something should have happened…but it didn't.

Had she missed a chance that she didn't even know she had?

A/N: Ok, I'm sorry that this is a bit late - my life sort of ran away on me, haha. But, here it is! This upcoming weekend is Canadian Thanksgiving though, so I'm actually going to be travelling and not close to my computer. I'm hoping to post another chapter maybe tomorrow night (October 2nd), but if that doesn't work out I probably won't be posting until after I get back (October 9th). So plesae, bear with me!

Also, sorry for all the squiggly lines interspered throughout the dance scene. I had "copyrighted song lyrics" in this chapter, and someone threatened to report me, so I had to take them out. Just...imagine an upbeat country song in the first bit, and a slow love song in the second bit. I'm so incredibly sorry to do that to you, dearest readers, but I'd rather not get kicked off the site. :( I'M SORRY!

And, in response to Honoria Granger's request for details about the student I'm hoping to introduce in the next couple chapters, here's some information. I don't want to give too much about his personality since that would kind-of give his part of the story away, but here's a bit of an outline:

Blood status: half-blood House: Ravenclaw Siblings: One older brother

Physical description: short (he's still young), dark hair, blue eyes, pale skin, freckles.

Wow. That was a long AN. XD Love y'all! ~sneakyslytherin