Disclaimer- I want to get arrested. I'm JK Rowling. Not.

A/N: Thank you to:

fairy-princess7, meanthedoctor, xteamxjacobxbabyx, llpi, Candace, DWatts1027, PearlsInHeaven, AdrianaSakuraLi ! You guys are awesome!

The next week was uneventful for Hermione, and rather awkward as well, considering the odd relationship that she and Draco had. They mostly kept to themselves, and Hermione spent most of the day in the library, looking up horcruxes. Unsurprisingly, the Malfoys had a treasure trove of Dark Arts books.

Draco helped her as well, but he went other places too. She didn't know where he was for most of the day, but the house elves said he kept busy with things like work. Hermione knew this was a lie, though, a cover-up.

Hermione never was much of an emotional person, but it seemed like she cried herself to sleep daily now. She couldn't help but think of Ron, and who he could have been sold to, and Harry… there were too many things that could have happened to Harry. Hermione knew she shouldn't be complaining, seeing as she wasn't either of them, but she was working with Draco Malfoy. It wasn't her ideal place to be in.

So now Hermione spent her time lollygagging in the library and reading old Malfoy diaries. She wasn't complaining, no, but she wasn't jumping for joy either. Her life just wasn't how it ever was before. The Golden Trio had been shattered, and their pieces scattered over a broken world.

So, yes, here Hermione was, sitting on the library couch, bored.

"Can Poky get miss some tea?" Poky was in the library with Hermione, desperately trying to cheer her up.

"No thanks. Could you just- just leave me al-"

"Granger!" A cry from the doorway of the library cut Hermione off. Draco was standing there, hair out of place and eyes rather bloodshot. He was smiling wide and holding a tattered book in his hand.

"What?"

"I found it Granger, I found it! The horcrux!" He sounded like a giddy schoolboy.

"You did?" Hermione stood, causing the books on her lap to clatter to the ground.

"Yes, yes, I did, I'm sure of it."

"Completely? How do you know?"

Draco's face darkened a bit. "Never mind that. Poky, you're dismissed." The house elf scurried off.

"Well- what is it?" Hermione demanded.

"A pillow."

She blinked. "A pillow?"

"Yes. A pillow."

"You mean to tell me that Lord Voldemort inserted 1/9 of his soul into a pillow?"

"Not just any pillow," Draco said, exasperated. "A rare silk pillow with diamonds sewn into the hems. It's an heirloom."

"Still- it's a pillow."

"We've established that. Now let's move on."

"Don't use that tone with me!"

"What tone?"

"Like you're talking to a second grader! I'll have you know that I-"

"-was top of our year at Hogwarts. We all know, Granger. But I found the horcrux and I know where it is. I know it. So, I've done the liberty of packing your robes and your-"

"Packed?" Hermione interrupted.

"Yeah. We're leaving."

"Leaving? Where?"

"Not far. Don't get excited."

"When?"

"Well, now, of course."

"Now? What do you mean now? I-"

"Draco?" A cold drawling voice sounded from the doorway. Lucius Malfoy stood, twirling a piece of parchment between his fingers.

"Oh- Father!"

Lucius ignored him, he looked at Hermione and narrowed his eyes. "What is she doing here?"

"Uh, she was, ah, cleaning up the books. That I was using. Earlier."

"Ah. Well, Draco, I was about to leave for my trip when your owl brought this." Lucius tossed the parchment to Draco, who caught it easily. "I was wondering- who is this Cindy Merridew?"

"Cindy? Oh, she's a new... aquaintance of mine."

"Oh. Aquaintance." Lucius stared at his son, clearly aware that he was lying. "Alright then. I'll be going now. Oh, and don't you dare skip out on that invitation," he gestured at the parchment. "It'll be good for our image." With that, he swept out of the room.

Once Draco was sure his Father was clearly out of earshot, he unfolded the crisp piece of paper. In a fancy lettering were the following words:

Mr. Blaise and Mrs. Pansy Zabini cordially invite you, Draco Malfoy and Cindy Merridew, to the first annual Zabini ball this Saturday at 7:00 p.m. at the Zabini Manor. No RSVP required. We are glad if you can come.

"Dammit." Draco whispered. "This bloody ruins everything."

"Pansy married Zabini?" Hermione scrunched up her face, trying to imagine them as a couple. It just didn't work.

"Can we focus Mudblood? This is tommorrow! We were supposed to leave then. Plus, I have to take Cindy sodding Merridew to the ball! There is no Cindy Merridew! I'm screwed!" Draco buried his face in his hands. A moment later, he looked up. "Unless..." He smiled slyly at her.

Hermione looked confused for a moment, then realized what he meant. "Oh, uh-uh," she shook her head, then stopped. This was Malfoy. It was useless.

A/N- Please please please please review. It makes my day. I look and I just smile and sometimes squeal. And it only takes you about 10 seconds. Please please please please I'm begging you. Review. Topic- Which ice cream flavor is your favorite? :)