Chapter 3

The next morning, the Veela trio could be seen eating a simple western breakfast on the emerald glass table that Fleur conjured yesterday. The atmosphere is heavy with awkward tension at the moment especially to the two younger Veelas sitting far far away from each other.

"Oui. As refreshing as eet ez that you two aren't so loud enimore, diz fight eez really getting you two to nowhere honestly. So thiz shall stop now. Wouldn't you think so?"

The two culprits turned a deaf ear and refused to talk. Suddenly finding the half eaten Sunnyside up omelette, bacon, and hotdog more interesting than anything. Fleur sighed. Already used to this. Coaxing big unreasonable kids that is.

"Now, now, don't be stubborn anymore keedz."

"I AM NOT!" Exclaimed the two defensively before huffing at each other.

Fleur narrowed her eyes at the two.

Hermione and Draco both lowered their heads and with an obvious reluctance muttered, "Sorry."

"That's a good start. Keep eet up, 'lright? I am juzt going ento dze kitchen to wash dze dishes." With that said Fleur got up from her seat in a one fluid and graceful motion, then flicked up her wand to levitate the used plates and utensils following after her and directly went to the kitchen leaving the two behind.

The awkward atmosphere between the two intensified.

Hermione is currently having an internal conflict right now. Her inner Veela seems to be too reluctant to admit defeat and bow down to the enemy. Obviously it's that royal prat's fault. If only he just agreed right there and then there's nothing like this stupid fiasco happening. Just let him brood for all I care.

But then the rational and logical side of her also keep on chastising her insensitivity. It's also your fault for not hearing his opinion on the matter and losing your temper first. And it's just a word, dammit, why can't you just blurt it out and be done with it?!

Hermione wondered if one of this days she'll just end up becoming a bloody mental because of her constant conflicting thoughts. She even began to wonder if becoming a Veela is the same as being a werewolf like Lupin? Wherein the Lycanthropy creates an inner wolf for the infected person, is it also the same for the Veelas who inherited their genes?

But that doesn't make sense. First of all, there's no one literally talking to her mind just like what Lupin describe it to be. Hers only felt like a second subconscious.

Maybe she'll ought to consult this to Fleur sometime later. Her hands and mind is getting unbearably itchy at the thought of starting another thorough research yet again. Lost on her thoughts she didn't hear Draco clearing his throat to get her attention. When no response he cleared it once again, more loudly now.

Hermione raises a questioning brow at him.

Draco mussed his hand to his silky longish platinum hair in one sleek motion indicating that he's getting uncomfortable and feeling awkward. Or nervous perhaps.

"I'll show you something." With that said he immediately stood up on his chair with the same inhumane graceful ease followed by the curious Hermione.

They walked side by side, neither talking along the way until they halted in front of the garage wherein Hermione remembered Draco parking the sleek Black-onyx car they used yesterday. With a single intricate twirl of his wand Draco removed the protective ward surrounding the spacious place.

Seeing this, Hermione felt amused. Ever since Malfoy was introduced to the muggle culture he didn't stop gushing on and on about everything especially those cool and splendid cars. All the bloody time. Way back home he even have the complete set collection of the seven topmost expensive racing cars in the world. He drove them from time to time but that's it. Because he more likely treated them like as if they were his own children than anything.

But to say that Draco Malfoy, former Death Eater and Pureblood bigot, has an extreme fetish for cars as much as he does if not more with those beloved brooms of his is an understatement. He's probably literally obsessed with them, that's for sure. And if only cars talk, he probably had married them all.

So imagine Hermione's surprise right now being presented by one of his seven collection– no, more likely his most favorite car amongst the seven as a freaking present!

"Malfoy..." She breathed, gazing unbelievably to the sleek and shiny hot red La Ferrari. She turned back to him, shrieking, "Malfoy, are you bloody nuts?! A mental?!! This... This..." She was just too overwhelmed that she choked on her words.

Draco mussed his hair yet again, muttering silently, "No need to be so caught up, Granger. This is actually my advance birthday gift for you."

"You... You're really giving me this, aren't you? But why? I've been nothing but horrible and rude not to mention insensitive to you yesterday." Draco silently winced when she emphasized the word insensitive.

"Uh, actually, that's partly the reason why I'm giving you in advance. You know, piece offering and all." He gave a lame laugh after, scratching the back of his head.

"You're an idiot, Malfoy. You don't need to be modest you know. I know how much this is killing you inside. Giving me your most beloved baby. Really. You must've gone bonkers I reckon." Hermione crossed her arms, staring at him intensely.

Draco fidgeted slightly, feeling uncomfortable being openly scrutinized intently by the Gryffindor witch. "But it wasn't just that and you know it. I mean this is for everything you've done for me. I know you're not a materialistic person at all but this is what probably the best that I have that I can at least compensate you for always being there for me. As it cheesy as it sounds..." His voice getting more and more smaller like a mosquito as he trailed off.

Unexpectedly, Hermione broke into laughter before throwing herself to him. Caught off guard, Draco was momentarily surprised before wrapping his arms around her, smiling lightly.

"Silly. Of course, I'll always be there for you. If not where do you reckon you're currently staying now?"

"Probably rotting on that blasted prison..."

"Exactly. But that's not the point. Point is you don't deserve to suffer that kind of fate. No, not at all. You might've done some silly and stupid things back then but then no matter what you're just a boy. A boy who was led to a bleak and darker path but still struggled to broke free from the tragic ending that awaits him which is probably already set in stone the day that Lucius or your grandfather for that matter willingly offered their arms and bow down to serve that blood purist and sadistic madman and started fighting for a lost cause. And look what did you became now, Draco, you grew up to be a fine young man who learned from his past mistakes. I'm so proud of you, you know, as would your mother will probably be..."

The mention of his late mother finally made the last remaining restraint from Draco completely snapped. He broke down. Hot tears constantly spilling from his eyes to his pale cheeks, soaking the dress that Hermione's currently wearing. She didn't mind though she just let him relieved his grief, soothing his back from time to time.

"There... There... Ssshh, it's alright. Everything's gonna be alright. I'm here... I'm here... yes. Shhh..."

After a few minutes, Draco finally stopped crying. Then, as if realizing what just exactly happened now, he gave her an embarrassed and somewhat apologetic look. Hermione just chuckled and ruffles his soft silvery hair. This is what she completely missed the most. Being just a normal human. Without the Veela conciousness affecting and dampening the mood from time to time.

"This scene is becoming more and more embarrassing, isn't it?"

"Oh, don't be ridiculous Malfoy. Of course not. You're just a mere human after all. You're free to cry from time to time."

"You mean to say a mere human possessing an inhumane beauty?"

"Obviously. But that's not the point, alright." She rolled her eyes good naturedly. "So, what now, a truce?"

"You haven't still apologize you know."

"Fine, fine. I'm sorry. I didn't mean what I said yesterday and that I should prolly ask your opinion first before deciding on my own. You understand me, right?" She said sincerely.

He nodded, smirking dazzlingly. "Alright, Granger, truce."

"So, speaking about yesterday, you're not oppose to it right? I mean you all have the right to because first you didn't agree to it on the first and then I just went–"

"No. Stop, stop, Hermione. I know you won't stop yammering when you're nervous so I have a question now, have you already enrolled us on a muggle high school?" He asked. Hermione nodded nervously, looking everywhere but him. He felt amused with this, ever the swot Granger. Draco chuckles and said, "It's alright. I think your idea isn't bad at all."

Hermione looked relieved. Then her gaze narrowed on the sleek red car yet again. "But, um, Malfoy the car... You wouldn't really take a no for an answer, do you?"

Also gazing at the car with a painful look and looking like he might broke down again at any second, Draco finally uttered a choked, "Yeah..."

Hermione felt thrilled to say the least. She wasn't much of a car enthusiast like Malfoy but she treasured highly good products when she saw one. This La Ferrari is probably one of the few. She smirked, gazing admiringly at the breathlessly beautiful and stylish exterior that the car possessed. Oh Merlin, I'm inlove~

On the way back inside, they passed by a smirking Fleur who probably guessed that the two had already make up because she gave them two thumbs up as if saying 'good job'.

Over in all, Hermione's day isn't as productive as when she's still in Britain being chased out by the media all the bloody time and all. But at least she now finally felt at ease at all. Finally having found her peace in this remotely small town, Hermione couldn't help but wonder in her heart if she'll ever find at least some thrill amidst her stay here.

Probably no.

After all Forks, Washington is famous for it's barely there and almost non existent crime rate. Not to mention that only natural occurrences such as car crashes due to the heavy snow is at best the most dangerous accident recorded in the file record of the town.

So that night, Hermione tucked herself comfortably at peace on her bed not even knowing that one of the dangers lurking out there just happened to pass the white villa in a blur of silver Volvo and a tousled bronze head.

A/N: As much as I love the Dramione ship I have to apologize but in this story they only had a purely platonic relationship. What they share is akin to a brotherly/sisterly bond than anything else. But who knows, I might've change my mind one day and write a surprise twist in the middle of the story.

Seeing that the road is still a long way to go I hope y'all my lovely daffodils stay tuned and kindly please leave a review!