The afternoon passed as Draco snoozed on and Hermione caught up on her homework. Both were making good progress: Hermione had almost caught up to where Ginny and Draco had left off, and Draco was burning off the rest of the alcohol he had consumed last night. When she had had enough, she stood up to stretch, and heard a tapping noise coming from Draco's room.

Seeing that he was still peacefully slumbering, she decided to go in and investigate, knowing he wouldn't mind. What she saw was rather interesting; two snowy owls were grabbing hold of what seemed to be a broomstick wrapped as a parcel on either side, hovering, hooting, and pecking the window simultaneously. They were on their way to making quite a racket, and, not wishing for Draco to be awoken, she quickly opened the window latch and let them in.

They swooped in, dropped the package on Draco's neatly made bed, and then promptly flew out the open window. Hermione looked for a note or card, but there was nothing, so she decided to go wake Draco up. She closed the window, and then plodded out of his room.

He was still sprawled on the couch and breathing deeply, though smiling sweetly. Hermione felt a little guilty that she was about to interrupt what was probably a happy dream.

"Draco, wake up." Hermione sang, shaking his arm gently. No response. "Draco, Draco!"

The blonde boy groaned, and then flipped over to bury his face in the backseat of the couch, moaning something that sounded suspiciously like "Go away." Hermione couldn't tell for sure, though, since his voice was muffled.

She resorted to another tactic. Leaning over his head, with her long curls tickling his face, she pressed her lips softly to his temple, also inhaling his fresh, peppermint smell.

Draco's eyes snapped open and he rolled onto his back quick as lightning, and Hermione's kiss was broken. Then, without warning, he grabbed her shoulders and pulled her on top of him.

Hermione gasped at this new intimacy while Draco chuckled. "Trying to pull a surprise attack on me while I'm asleep, darling? That's a little below the belt, don't you think?"

Hermione blushed in spite of herself, intimidated by Draco's strength and reflexes. "I was not!" she protested. "I was just trying to wake you-"

"By smothering me? Great approach." Draco smirked.

"Well, I was just teasing, anyways." Hermione replied indignantly, trying to resurface, only to find that Draco had her locked in his embrace. "There's a package for you in your room. I think it's a broomstick. That's why I tried to wake you up faster. I knew you'd be excited."

Draco's mischievous, sparkling eyes lit up even more at these words. "Did you just say 'broomstick?'" he asked excitedly, sitting up and pulling Hermione with him. When she nodded, he finally let her go and leapt for his room. "Well why didn't you tell me sooner? Oh boy!" he exclaimed, and Hermione heard the sounds of wrapping paper being torn.

She stood up and went into his room to see Draco admiring a glossy broomstick, turning it over in his hands and mouthing inaudible praise. "Do you know who it's from?" she asked, leaning against the door frame and drinking in the beauty of his happiness. "I didn't see a card or anything. It was just two snowy owls who brought the parcel."

Draco set down the broom carefully, and then went over to grab Hermione's hand and lead her over so she could properly admire the broomstick, as well. "My parents each own a snowy owl, so I'm sure it's from them. I think my father bought it without telling my mother, though. She doesn't want to spend money on anything right now, but he probably found out my becoming Quidditch Captain somehow. Father's never been very verbose about his pride, but he makes up for it in other ways." he glanced down on his bed again. "It's a Firebolt! Can you believe it?"

Hermione smiled, and rubbed his back. "I can. I'm sure your father knew you deserved it, and I'm glad you're happy. Harry had one, too, but he lost it in a skirmish with Death Eaters."

Draco nodded gravely, but Hermione could tell that he far was too absorbed in his ecstasy to actually care, for a moment later, he asked, "Do you want to share the first ride with me?"

Hermione stared at him uncomprehendingly while he grinned. "I… er-, I don't fly." she stated, crossing her arms defensively. "At least, not on brooms. Hippogriffs, Thestrals, and even airplanes are fine, but not brooms! No, thank you! I'll just watch you instead. That's good enough for me."

Draco wrinkled his nose and frowned. "What's an airplane?" he asked, cocking his head to one side. Going on before Hermione could explain, he tried to persuade her. "I'll just fly around a little bit, and then we can visit Hagrid. How's that sound?"

Hermione snorted. "If I wanted to visit Hagrid, I could just walk there right now. What makes you think I'd have to travel by broomstick?"

Draco grinned again. "Because if you do, I'll visit him with you."

Five minutes later, Hermione and Draco were mounted on the broomstick on the balcony. Hermione's hands were wrapped tightly around Draco's waist, which he didn't mind one bit, and she was trembling. "You sure it's alright?" she asked nervously.

"Relax, Mione." he had replied, gripping onto the handle of the broom firmly. "It's no big deal. I know it'll be a little surprising for both of us in the beginning because of the speed, but you trust me enough to make sure you're safe, don't you?"

Hermione couldn't see his face, but she was sure he was smirking. "Whatever." she replied. "Let's just get this over with already."

"Your wish is my command." Draco teased, and they off they were, flying into the wild blue sky.

Hermione was sure she had screamed in the initial take-off, but she wasn't quite sure, since everything was being drowned out by Draco's jubilant whooping. They soared over the grounds and fields of the school and headed for the Quidditch pitch.

"ISN'T THIS GREAT?" Draco yelled, finally ceasing his whooping.

"NO!" Hermione shrieked against the knife-like wind in her face.

Draco laughed, and they were soon circling the goal-posts high above the Quidditch field. He seemed to getting the hang of controlling the speed now, for they were slowing down considerably, and Hermione could think straight again.

After a few more loops, Draco flew to the commentator's box, and landed neatly in it. Hermione stumbled off, rather dizzy, and would have collapsed if not for Draco catching her. "Was that fun?" he crooned, helping her into a seat.

"No." she murmured, dazed. "Give me a moment and go fly some more. Then we can visit Hagrid."

"Okay." Draco replied simply, giving her a light kiss on the cheek, before hopping back onto his new treasure and zooming off.

Hermione rested for a few moments with her eyes closed before reopening them and standing up. She didn't swoon, and she took that to mean that she had fully recovered. Scanning for Draco, she leaned against the railing and squinted.

She finally saw him streaking along the opposite side of the field, a spot of navy blue and gray with a tiny golden freckle on top. She sighed. He really is so beautiful. she thought as he came racing back towards her. She automatically took a precautionary step backwards. One of her biggest and most irrational fears was that magical breaks could decide not to work.

However, Draco came to a graceful stop a meter from the edge of the commentator's box. He slowly hovered into the box befor dismounting and hugging Hermione. "I'm done wasting time." he whispered, making her giggle. "Are you ready to go see Hagrid?"

Hermione kissed the side of his neck as an answer, and in one fluid movement, he hoisted her up and sat her on the front of the broomstick. "Your turn to fly, then." he sang, climbing behind her.

"Draco!" she squealed in absolute terror. "You know I can't fly! Don't be silly!"

"Of course you can." he replied calmly, wrapping his arms around her waist. "You're Hermione Granger. You can do anything you want. And besides, I'll be right behind you and I'll guide you and help you when you need it."

"Draco…" she whimpered, trying to dismount. His steel embrace denied her wish. "I can't do this. Really, I can't."

"Nonsense." Draco whispered. "Just try. Please. For me?"

That did it. Hermione gathered up her Gryffindor courage, closed her eyes, and concentrated-

"Don't close your eyes!" Draco yelped. They snapped open. "Right." Hermione said weakly. Then, out of curiosity, she asked, "How did you know?"

"It was a guess. A lucky one, too." Draco replied, choking a little.

Okay. Just grit your teeth and do it. How hard can it be? Hermione's brow furrowed and she felt her feet push off. In a snap, she was zipping through the air.

"SLOW DOWN!" Draco cried from behind. "AND LAST TIME I CHECKED, HAGRID'S HUT WAS TO THE LEFT OF THE FIELD, NOT THE RIGHT!"

"SORRY!" Hermione called back. She jerked around to the opposite direction, emitting a strangled sort of grunt from Draco, which made her smile. Your fault. she thought happily. She noticed that she was starting to feel comfortable at this speed, and noticed that she had managed to slow down much faster than it had taken Draco to figure that aspect out.

She spotted Hagrid's cabin, and glided down towards it. While the descent was admirable, the halt was not. Hermione sort of bucked to a stop by Hagrid's pumpkin patch, and before her feet had even touched the ground, Draco rolled off, pretending to vomit.

Hermione held her head high, though, as she dismounted, leaning the broomstick against a particularly large pumpkin. She crossed her arms over her chest as Draco rolled on the grass, moaning and feigning disorientation.

"Oh… my poor head. My poor stomach. Oh… poor me… I think I'm dying."

"I was NOT that bad." Hermione huffed. "In fact, I did much better than I thought I would."

Draco was still for a moment, and then jumped up and enveloped Hermione in a warm hug. "You did fantastic, darling. I want to share that moment with you again, forever. When you were flying through the heavens, and with me snuggling into your hair. I want to share everything with you from now on."

Hermione smiled and hugged him even harder. "I love you." she whispered.

"Oi! Get a room, yeh two!" Hagrid's deep and gruff voice startled them so much that they immediately sprang apart, each blushing furiously.

Hagrid had just come out of the front door, and Fang was close behind. However, now Fang bounded straight for Draco, and, Draco, holding on for dear life, made a mad dash for it and ran to seek refuge in the pumpkin patch. However, Fang wasn't the least deterred by Draco's 'obstacle,' and gave chase as Hermione and Hagrid watched fondly.

After a moment, Hermione made her way towards Hagrid as he chuckled at Draco's screams of terror and Fang's happy barks. Shyly, she said, "Good afternoon, Hagrid."

"An' a good afternoon ter ya, Miss Hermione." Hagrid said gravely. Once Hermione had plucked up the courage to look at him instead of her shoes, she was shocked to see that his eyes were twinkling instead of disapproving. "Did ya bring the Malfoy boy ter come harass me again?"

Hermione smiled, relieved that Hagrid wasn't upset over her rather strange behavior with a boy that they had both hated with a passion for the last seven years. "We were, since Draco received a broomstick from his father and decided to show off and fly us here. But I don't know anymore, since Fang seems bent on attacking him and Draco won't have any of it."

Hagrid laughed a great, booming laugh. "O' course, o' course. But I can't believe that after all these year, Malfoy's still afraid of that ruddy dog. I guess they're both cowards at heart, then. FANG!" he called, and whistled. In a flash, the great boarhound was at his side, drooling, and smiling at Hermione. "Hello, Fang." she said sweetly, scratching him behind his ears. "Are you teaching Draco a lesson?"

"I think he has. It seems young Malfoy's about ter pass out." Hagrid pointed at a wobbling Draco clutching his Firebolt for support, and then collapsing.

Without another word, Hermione took off towards Draco's limp form. "Draco!" she called. No answer. Now she was a little worried. When she finally reached him, though, she was a tiny bit relieved to see that he was at least breathing, for he was sprawled facedown, but his back was rising and falling regularly.

Hermione knelt down at his side and cautiously placed a hand on his shoulder, shaking gently. "Draco? Are you all right? Did you over-exercise? Dra- AGHHH!"

Draco had rolled over and pulled Hermione on top of him again as quick as lightning. This time, however, he had pulled her so forcefully that they started rolling down the gentle slope that led to Hagrid's hut. When they finally came to a stop, Draco had her pinned underneath him, and was roaring with laughter.

Hermione was too breathless to say anything. For a while, they just lay there, Draco laughing, Hermione inhaling and exhaling deeply. "Was that fun?" Draco asked her teasingly, brushing a stray strand of hair from her forehead.

When Hermione had recovered, she punched him in the shoulder and shouted, "DRACO-"

She stopped abruptly. She was about to say his whole name and accent each word with a punch, but now she realized she didn't know his. "What's your middle name?" she asked calmly.

"Lucius, after dear old Dad." Draco smirked. "And yours?"

"Jean." Hermione replied.

"How old-fashioned." Draco sneered.

Hermione grinned. "And so is this-"

Before Draco could defend herself, she continued what she had planned in the beginning. "DRACO. LUCIUS. MALFOY. THAT. WAS. NOT. FUNNY."

Draco blinked at her, his smile gone, replaced by a confused frown. "Was that supposed to hurt?" he asked.

Hermione groaned in frustration and tried unsuccessfully to heave the annoying boy off of her. "Get off." she said flatly.

However, Draco knew only too well that his beloved wasn't really mad, and decided to have some more fun. "Say 'please,' darling." he grinned widely, enjoying the control he had.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Please." she grunted.

"Now say 'sorry' for attacking me.' Draco continued, reveling in how wicked he truly was.

"I'm sorry… that you're an arse." Hermione supplied listlessly, although, on the inside, she was very proud of herself for finding a loophole.

Draco sighed but rolled off and just lay next to Hermione, holding her hand. "I could've just made you apologize for that little comment, too, you know. But, knowing you, you would've just apologized again and called me another name right afterwards. And this would go on and on and on."

Hermione smiled and sighed contentedly. He really does know me too well. She finally got up, and extended a hand to pull Draco up. They walked towards a beaming Hagrid who was still restraining Fang, and didn't even realize that they were still holding hands.

"Well, now that you two are done frolicking in the grass, shall we have tea?" he asked amusedly.

They all went inside Hagrid's hut and once inside, Hagrid 'accidentally' let go of Fang, who headed straight for Draco. Since he had nowhere to run this time, Draco, admitting defeat, sat down on a chair at the table and reluctantly let Fang rest his head on his lap and drench his pants with slobber.

Hagrid proceeded to make tea and asked for details about what else had happened at Slughorn's party. He knew all about the Birch brothers' fight, of course, but surprised Hermione when he commented on her and Ginny's dresses.

"Don' worry, Hermione. I thought yeh girls looked very beautiful, an' I'm sure Molly an' Arthur would approve, as well. I wouldn' be surprised if they'd already seen it in th' Sunday Prophet. I'm glad yer moving on from being known as Harry's bes' friend to being known for your fashion sense."

Hermione blushed. "Thanks, Hagrid, but if I want to be known for something, I wouldn't want to be known for how I dress." she said disdainfully, to Draco's chagrin.

"It's not bad, though." he defended. "You're being seen as a woman, and not a hero for once."

Hagrid nodded thoughtfully, and garnering from Draco's reaction, realized that it was probably he who had purchased the dresses. He also deduced that it was Zacharias who bought the earrings, and was happy that the four friends were getting along so well.

However, as he brought the tea pot and mugs over to set them on the table, he remembered that he had more pressing matters to discuss. He carefully poured everyone a cup of piping hot tea as the two students bickered good-naturedly, and then brought out a plate Bath buns, which would remain untouched for the rest of the visit.

"So… Hagrid interrupted the quarrel between Draco and Hermione. "We need to talk."

Draco and Hermione looked quizzically at Hagrid as he fiddled uncomfortably with his thumbs. "Well… I mean… are yeh two… well, together?" Hagrid looked like he would rather be anywhere else than here right now.

Draco looked pointedly at Hermione, and she knew immediately that she was the one that had to answer this question, not him. Hermione felt as if her insides were melting. "Well, Hagrid, it's kind of complicated…"

"I love her." Draco stated unabashedly, looking Hagrid in the eyes. "I love her with all my heart, no matter how small it is. She is my world, my everything, the reason for my existence. We aren't together, though. She's still with the Weasel."

Hermione gave a sigh of relief. "I love him too, Hagrid, and I know it's wrong to admit that while I'm dating Ron at the same time, but I can't end it with him while he's in the middle of his Auror training. He'd be completely shattered."

Hagrid finally spoke. "Actually… I'm not sure about that."