I've made some changes in the original plot (I'll type it in bold writing), but I do not own the characters.

The next day, all the men went hunting in the fields. Hermione sighed as she looked out of the window longingly. She loved the countryside, especially when it was spring. The flowers, the sunshine... Ginny's cough brought Hermione back to her senses. She turned around and saw her sister giving her a sickly smile. She grinned a bit. Ginny was beautiful even when she was ill.

Before Hermione knew it, it was evening. She put on a simple silk dress. 'There. Shall I disgrace you, do you think?' she asked Ginny. Ginny smiled, 'You look pretty, Mia, as you are well aware.' 'Oh, Ginny,' Hermione broke into a grin and went over to Ginny's bed, 'I'd much rather stay here with you. The Superior Sisters wish me miles away.' She sat down on the bed. 'Only your Mr Zabini is civil and attentive.'

Ginny blushed a fiery shade of red, 'He's not my Mr Zabini.' 'Oh, I think he is,' Hermione smirked, 'Or he very soon will be.' Chuckling, Hermione went down the stairs with Ginny staring at her back, shaking her head with a tiny smile on her face.

Hermione observed her surroundings as she descended to the last step of the staircase. She had never noticed the strange-looking sculptures before. Where is the dining room? She thought. She was wandering around when she bumped into a servant. 'I believe you will find Mr Zabini is in the dining room, ma'am,' he said, smiling. 'Thank you,' Hermione replied. The servant bowed and left.

Looking around, Hermione spotted a door a few steps ahead of her, and she entered the room. There, she found Malfoy playing snooker in the room. What bad luck! She thought before turning away and leaving.

Draco's POV

Third-person

Draco looked up to see who interrupted his game when he saw Hermione. Her hair was tied in a bun, with a few stray strands sticking out. Her dress fitted her body perfectly, showing off all the curves. It was low-cut so Draco could see her cleavage... He gulped and shook his head. He then bowed slightly to Hermione. She stared at him for a moment before turning and leaving abruptly.

Feeling confused, Draco grabbed his pole and continued his game.

After a while, Draco went into the living room. Hermione was sitting on a couch, reading a book, while the others were playing cards at a table. 'Mr Malfoy, come and advise me. Mr Hagrid carries all before him!' Ignoring the four, Draco went over to Hermione.

Hermione looked up when he approached. 'May I enquire after your sister, Miss Granger?' Draco asked. 'Thank you,' Hermione replied graciously, 'I believe she's a bit better.' 'I am glad to hear it.' 'Mr Hagrid, I'm quite undone!' Bellatrix said, outraged. 'Should have paid the deuce,' Hagrid answered. 'He's undone us all, Mr Malfoy!' Lily cried.

Draco turned away and headed towards his desk, aware that Hermione was staring at him curiously. 'Will you join us, Miss Granger?' Lily asked. 'I thank you, no,' replied Hermione, smiling. 'You prefer reading to cards? Singular!' Hagrid exclaimed. 'Miss Granger despise cards,' Bellatrix giggled, 'she's a great reader and has no pleasure in anything else.' The people at the table laughed.

Hermione forced out a laugh, 'I deserve neither such praise nor such censure. I am not a great reader, and I take pleasure in many things.' Bellatrix raised an eyebrow before asking, 'And what do you do so secretly, Mr Malfoy?'

Draco, who was not interested in Bellatrix's childish arguments, turned around and replied, 'It's no secret. I'm writing to my sister.' Hermione looked up from her book in surprise. Malfoy has a sister? I never knew. She thought. 'Dear Lily!' cried Bellatrix, 'I long to see her! Is she grown much since spring? Is she as tall as me?'

Draco turned back to his letter, 'She's about Miss Hermione Granger's height or a little taller.' 'And so accomplished!' Bellatrix continued rambling, 'Her performance at the pianoforte is exquisite!' She looked at Hermione and grinned, 'Do you play, Miss Granger.' 'A bit, but terrible indeed,' Hermione answered.

'All young ladies are so accomplished!' Blaise chuckled, 'They sing, draw, dance, speak French and German, cover screens, and I know not what!' 'Not half a dozen would satisfy me as accomplished,' Draco answered, not bothering to look at Blaise. 'Certainly,' agreed Bellatrix, 'No woman can be esteemed accomplished, who does not also possess a certain something in her air in the manner of walking, the tone of her voice, her address and expressions.'

'And to this, she must yet add something more substantial in the improvement of her mind by extensive reading,' Draco added, but then faltered when he realised that he was describing Hermione. 'I'm no longer surprised at you knowing only six accomplished women,' Hermione commented sarcastically, 'I wonder at you knowing any.' She then picked up her book and resumed reading.

That comment made Draco turn around and face Hermione. 'You're severe upon your sex, Miss Granger,' Hagrid said. 'I must speak as I find,' Hermione replied airily. 'Perhaps you haven't had the advantage of moving into society enough,' Bellatrix shot back, 'There are many accomplished young ladies among our acquaintance.' Hermione huffed and ignored her.

'Come, come!' Hagrid interrupted, 'This is a fine way to play cards! You're all light!' Draco glared at Hermione, who merely neglected him and continued reading.

The next day, Molly and the girls came to the Zabini's. 'Look, girls!' she exclaimed excitedly, 'Is it not a fair prospect?' Lavender and Parvati peeked out of the window of the carriage and chatted happily.

'And now the mother!' Bellatrix complained, 'Are we to be invaded by every Granger in the country? It's too much to be borne!' Just then, the Grangers came into the room.

'Mrs Granger! Welcome!' Blaise said with a cheerful grin, 'I hope you don't find Miss Granger worse than expected.' 'Indeed I do, sir,' Molly replied, 'She's very ill and suffers a vast deal, though with the greatest patience in the world, for she has the sweetest temper.' Molly paused before continuing, 'But she is too ill to be moved. We must trespass a little longer on your kindness.'

Bellatrix and Lily exchanged looks. 'But course!' Blaise agreed. 'Miss Granger will receive every possible attention,' Bellatrix reassured, 'I assure you.' 'You are very good,' Molly smiled. She looked around and started commenting, 'Well, you have a sweet room here! I think you will never want to leave Netherfield.' 'I'd be happy to live in the country forever. Wouldn't you, Malfoy?'

Draco gave Blaise a disapproving look, 'You would? You don't find the society somewhat confined and unvarying? Besides,' he added, 'Unlike you, Blaise, I, have work to do in the cities.' Molly frowned, 'Confined and unvarying? Indeed it is not, sir! The country is a vast deal pleasant than the town, whatever you may say about it!'

Draco stiffened slightly before heading to his favourite spot by the window. 'Mamma, you misunderstood Mr Malfoy's meaning,' Hermione cut in, hoping that her mother would stop embarrassing her. 'Do I? He seems to think the country nothing at all!' Molly shot back venomously. 'Mama,' Hermione started but was interrupted by Molly. 'Confined! Unvarying!' Molly cried, 'I would have him know we dine with 24 families!'

Hermione ignored her and glanced at Bellatrix and Lily. They were muffling their laughter with their hands. Even Blaise looked uncomfortable. Hermione tried to steer the topic away, 'Mama? Have you seen Luna Lovegood since I went away?' 'Yes, she called yesterday with a man,' Molly huffed, 'What an agreeable man he is. That's my idea of good breeding. Those persons who fancied themselves very important and never open their mouths, quite mistake the matter.'

Blaise glanced at Draco, who was gripping the edges of the window so tightly that his knuckles were turning white. Hermione bit her lip and looked away. Lavender interrupted, 'Mr Zabini, did you not promise a ball when you settled down? It will be a scandal if you don't keep your word.' Blaise, who looked relieved to have the topic changed, answered immediately, 'I am perfectly ready to keep my engagement. When your sister is recovered, you shall name the date of the ball if you please.'

Lavender squealed in excitement. Molly, who looked happier than a few moments ago, said, 'There, now, Lavender!' Bellatrix and Lily looked disgusted. 'That's a fair promise for you! That's generous of you!' Lavender exclaimed. Blaise laughed. Draco refused to look at him or Molly and continued staring out the window.

'That's what I call gentlemanly behaviour!' Molly replied merrily. She scowled at Draco. Hermione closed her eyes. She loved her mother, but sometimes she was a pain in the head. Shooting Draco an apologetic look, she excused herself.