Hermione examined her appearance in the mirror. Seeing herself in a robe felt really strange - it was as if she'd gone back in time. She hated being late for anything so she made her way down to the arranged meeting place. She walked outside and down the steep slope at the side of the castle. She couldn't see anyone else yet, so she must be first.

As she descended the slope a memory from school came back to her suddenly. This was the slope she'd stomped down (stomped being the operative word) after Draco. At the bottom were the large stones he'd had his back to one when she punched him. Hermione couldn't remember feeling as angry as she had that day before or since. She'd felt so upset about Buckbeak and devastated for Hagrid, who had been distraught. To hear Malfoy laughing about it had made Hermione's blood boil and she hadn't thought about it before she had done it. She had never regretted it though, he had deserved it.

It was strange though, because this memory should have made Hermione feel angry at Malfoy but it didn't. It had reminded her how bad he had been - a terrible, awful bully and the truth was he really wasn't like that now. She hardly knew him of course, but she could tell he wasn't like that anymore.

She looked around when she heard footsteps behind her. Somehow she wasn't surprised to see Draco descending the slope not only because it was just her luck but also because she'd noticed that Draco wasn't ever late, so they did have something in common then!

"Are you making sure you're at the front of the photograph, Granger?" Draco asked as soon as he was close to her. "You needn't worry, I'm sure you, Potter and Weasley will be the stars of all this. Saviours of the wizarding world and all that."

Hermione felt annoyed at him. Why did he have to be like this? "You're not amusing, Malfoy. I just don't like being late, if you must know."

Draco's face changed, his eyes softened, his lips curving. "Me neither."

"I know."

Draco's eyes widened in surprise at her admission. "How do you know?"

"I noticed."

His eyes widened again. "Have you been watching me, Granger?"

"Not particularly...Draco," Hermione gave him a smirk as she said his name and was satisfied with his response. His eyebrows shot up and he put his head to one side. She leant forward a little. "What are you looking like that for? I thought we were using our first names?"

"I didn't think you meant it."

"Typical Slytherin, can't stick to anything," she said but Draco just laughed.

"You really might not like it if I start calling you Hermione."

"Why not?"

Draco bent a little closer, his eyes on her face. "Some girls nearly faint when I say their name, it sends them into overdrive. You'd be surprised what I've persuaded them to do just by saying their name in a certain way." His voice was low and his tone left Hermione in no doubt that it was actually true. She was quite sure that he could have this affect on some women because, despite their less than amicable history, hearing him saying her name earlier had made her feel strange. No need to tell him that though!

"I think I'll be fine," she answered him, twisting her lips. "I'm sure I can manage to stay conscious."

Draco now lowered his head and raised his eyes to her, looking at her from under his ridiculously long lashes. "Are you sure about that..." he stopped and paused for dramatic effect, "...Hermione?"

That was when it happened again, just like the first time he'd said her name she felt her stomach clench. She couldn't let him be right about this but their eyes had locked again and Hermione knew that this wasn't a coincidence. Hearing this man say her name, the way he said it, his lovely smooth, deep tone was having an unexpected and unwanted affect on her. His eyes, under those lashes were giving her butterflies. He took a step closer and Hermione felt her breathing increase. What the hell was going on here?

She unconsciously and automatically took a step backwards and then she felt her head spin as Draco spoke again, this time in a voice just above a whisper.

"You don't seem quite so sure now, Hermione."

It was like having warm honey poured over her and she gulped as her senses went crazy. She couldn't be attracted to him - she just couldn't. It was against everything she thought or believed. So what that he was gorgeous, with incredible deep eyes, perfectly formed lips, smooth, beautiful skin? So what that he was tall and muscular and now even closer because he'd stepped forward again? Hermione gulped but she couldn't move an inch, she was mesmerized.

"Hermione!" She heard her name again but this time it didn't sound the same. It was in a different voice, her name shouted in greeting. She and Draco leapt apart to see Lee Jordan approaching, a huge grin on his face. "Are you all ready for the grand opening ceremony then?" Before Hermione could answer, Lee's face suddenly changed as his foot twisted under him. It seemed to happen in slow motion as he fell to the ground but kept moving, his momentum propelling him down the steep, uneven slope towards them.

Hermione stepped forward, acting on instinct to try and help Lee but not sure what she could do. She was stopped before she could take another step by Draco's arm across her. He stepped in front of her, his back to her, facing Lee. This must have all happened in seconds but it seemed to last for minutes.

"Move - he's going to hit us," Draco's voice was urgent and he pushed her roughly out of the way but it was too late because the next moment Hermione felt herself propelled backwards, her head and upper body meeting heavily with the large stone behind her. She groaned loudly and heard an echo as Draco also hit the stone with a force.

She felt dazed but she made herself scramble forward to Lee who was a crumpled heap on the floor.

"Lee? Are you okay?" Lee groaned but at least he could hear her. "Where does it hurt?" Hermione asked.

"All bloody over!" Lee answered her, his eyes flicking open and thankfully his grin returning. He groaned and rubbed his shoulder. "It hurts everywhere." He sat up slowly and looked anxiously at Hermione and Draco, who was rubbing his head a few feet away. "Are you both okay?"

Hermione nodded. "Yes, I'm okay."

"I've just been thrown against a bloody ancient stone by an idiot who can't stand on his own two feet!" Draco answered. Hermione glared at him, angry at his response.

"It isn't Lee's fault!"

Draco glanced over at her then back to Lee. "Yeh, I know," he said. He stood quickly with a small groan and offered Lee his hand. "Do you want to go to the infirmary?"

Lee shook his head but allowed Draco to help him up. "Maybe after the ceremony - I can't miss it." He stepped cautiously on his leg and winced. "Bloody hell that hurts!" Draco grabbed his arm until Lee managed to step properly. "Thanks."

There was a noise above them and they looked up to see Professor McGonagall followed by a large group of the guests and some other professors. Professor McGonagall surveyed the three of them.

"Is everything alright?" she asked.

Hermione saw Harry take a step forward, his eyes meeting her own anxiously.

"Lee tumbled down the slope into myself and Draco," Hermione explained, quickly before anyone could think there had been a fracas between them.

"Good heavens!" Professor McGonagall exclaimed. "Are you all okay?"

"I think Lee probably needs to be checked but he wants to stay for the ceremony first."

More people were descending the slope and Hermione had to presume they were the invited press. One of the photographers set about arranging the group in front of the large stones and Hermione found herself caught up in the crowd. Lee was putting a brave face on it and was limping into position.

"If I could have Miss Granger at the centre with Mr Potter and Mr Weasley either side of her..."

"Told you so." A voice said, close to Hermione's ear and she turned quickly to see Draco raising an elegant eyebrow at her. She turned away, wishing the photographer hadn't proved him right so quickly.

"Actually," the photographer was speaking again. "If Mr Potter and Mr Malfoy could stand centre. I think it will illustrate how everyone is working on this project together. If Miss Granger and the others could stand either side and a couple of the taller one's at the back."

Hermione found herself right next to Draco and as the photographer waved his hand to indicate they should all move closer she was now pressed quite close to him. She couldn't resist speaking into his ear, as he had done to her. "Look who's in the centre now then?" she teased and although he didn't turn to look at her she saw his lips lift at the edges.

They had several photographs taken like this by the main photographer and a few others who were stood behind him.

"Great - if we could have Professor McGonagall on this one and then we'll take a few by the Merlin Stones."

Hermione glanced at the eight large stones behind them and rubbed her head again. She felt less amicable towards the stones now she'd already had a close encounter with them! There were eight of them, standing in pairs. Each stone was huge and they were said to have been erected in the time of Merlin, perhaps even by Merlin himself. The four pairs of stones were for the four houses at Hogwarts and they were in pairs to represent a wizard and a Muggle standing together.

These stones should have been a major talking point at Hogwarts. They represented the school itself and unity between wizards and Muggles but unfortunately the students were given just a brief lesson about them. They were said to be supremely magical, enchanted by Merlin and Salazar Slytherin as they were erected but unfortunately no-one had ever been able to work out what the magic in them was or how to make it work. They had remained just eight, large stones standing in Hogwart's grounds and therefore their prestige had lessened.

Nevertheless, they did make an excellent photo opportunity and Hermione soon found herself standing with Harry and Ron in the shadow of the Gryffindor stone. When the photographs were taken they were lead by Professor McGonagall around to the new building where a buffet had been laid on. The reporters and visitors chatted together while they ate before a few more formal interviews were set up. Hermione found herself talking to a young reporter from the Gazette called Simon. He seemed friendly enough, if a little forthright but Hermione was always cautious when talking to news people - they had a way of twisting what you said.

"So, how do you think this is all going?" Simon asked, biting into a small sandwich.

"I think it's a great idea and it seems to be very popular with the students. It's nice to see some familiar faces again," Hermione answered.

"And are any old rivalries re-surfacing? How about Potter and Malfoy?"

"We're all adults now and we've moved on."

"But there must still be some feelings that you can't forget?" Simon pushed her.

"No there aren't because that would totally negate the whole idea of this!" Hermione answered. "Everyone is working together well."

"I hear there is to be a broomstick masterclass with Malfoy and Potter? How do you think that will go?"

"Maybe you should ask them."

"WIll you be taking part? I understand you confessed to having learnt how to fly?" Simon leant a bit closer. "Was it Potter who taught you?"

"No I won't be taking part and it wasn't Harry who taught me," Hermione answered. She wanted to make a quick escape now and she glanced round for an escape route.

"Malfoy? Did Malfoy teach you? He was always the best flyer after Potter at Hogwarts," Simon attempted to fill up Hermione's glass but she covered it with her hand to prevent him.

"I'd rather not say."

"So it was Malfoy then?" Simon jumped onto Hermione's words and twisted them just as she knew he might.

"What? No!" she sighed.

"What was Malfoy?" A deep, smooth voice interrupted them and Hermione didn't need to turn around to see who it was.

"Ah! Draco," Simon greeted Draco as if they had been best friends and Draco looked at him cautiously.

"So what am I supposed to have done?" Draco asked. He glanced over at Hermione who wanted desperately to tell him not to say too much but she couldn't.

"You taught Hermione to fly?"

Hermione saw Draco glance over at her again and then his answer totally surprised her. "Yes - I did." Hermione tried her very best not to gape at him but she wasn't sure she succeeded. Why had he said that? She couldn't decide if he had just made things better or worse.

"Wonderful! I have to print this. This shows proper unity amongst former enemies," Simon now had a quill in his hand. "So how did it come about?"

"Hermione wanted to learnt to fly to aid her with charming the brooms she sells," Draco lied, fluently. "Of course, Potter could have taught her but she wanted to surprise him so she asked me."

"Really? You've remained in contact then?"

"Only on that one occasion."

Simon asked a few more probing questions and then he thanked Draco and walked off, heading towards Neville. Draco turned to look at Hermione who raised her eyebrows questioningly at him.

"Well?"

"Well what?"

"Why the elaborate lie about you being the one teaching me to fly?"

"You looked uncomfortable so I thought I'd just tell a lie to shut him up," Draco explained. "It got you out of telling the real story didn't it?"

"Oh."

"Judging me wrongly again, Granger?" Draco asked. "I was trying to help you out again..." He emphasised the word again with a roll of his eyes. "I can't see what's so top secret about who taught you to fly but at least that has got him off your back."

"Yeh - thanks," Hermione mumbled. She felt uncomfortable with Draco helping her, it didn't seem natural somehow.

The room was called to silence as Professor McGonagall asked Jacob Stillworthy, the current head of the Ministry of Magic to reveal the plaque to commemorate the grand opening. More pictures were taken before finally they were free to go. Hermione walked back towards the castle alone, feeling tired and a little strange since her earlier accident. The bang on the head still hurt and she just didn't feel herself somehow. It had been a strange day altogether with accidents, interviews and Draco. She stopped walking just for a moment - just before Lee had arrived what had been going on between them? And just now, he had yet again stepped in trying to help her. Weird didn't describe it!

Sorry for the long delay - I won't bore you with excuses but thanks for waiting. Hope you liked this - let me know. x