A World Away
Chapter Two: Agreeing For Well-Behavior
The rest of the day passed without much mishap, although Malfoy and I did share several glances of mutual hatred, we had successfully accomplished acting somewhat civil towards each other.but how long would it last? Sadly, Malfoy too worked in the book section, and although usually roaming the rows, and rows of books we saw each other frequently.
One question haunted me, though, why was a muggle-hating pureblood working in the muggle world? Surely his father wouldn't be happy about this, and I knew Malfoy couldn't be very happy either.so why? Looking up at the clock, I was amazed to see the time was nearing seven; my first day's work would be over soon.
"Well guys, you all have done a great job, and are free to go home for the day!" Mister John said upon coming out of the backroom.
"Okay, well I really must be off then, bye everyone!" I exclaimed while heading towards the open door, and walking out. I made my way to my car, and began unlocking it when someone came up from behind me.
"Granger, we need to talk," I heard Malfoy whisper into my ear.
I shivered, but replied in a calm, collected voice, "We have nothing to talk about, Malfoy!"
He smirked at this, ran a hand through his blonde hair, and leaned in closer. "Ah, but there you are wrong. We have a lot to talk about, Granger, but first thing is first.I think we should come to a sort of.agreement," he drawled out.
"What kind of agreement," I asked getting very tired of this very quickly.
"Just a pact saying that we will not treat each other coldly, until back in the confinement of Hogwarts," Malfoy said, his gray eyes twinkling coldly.
"What kind of game are you playing at, Malfoy!" I almost shouted.
"No game," he replied before walking off towards a green and silver sports car.
Taking in a breath of fresh air trying to calm myself, I stepped into my parent's car, cranked the engine, and headed back home.
I sped most of the time, and was able to get back home in record time. Ten minutes. I walked in through the front door, and found that my parents were already asleep. Tossing the keys on the counter I made my way up the stairs, and into my room. The whole time I undressed the conversation I had only just had with Malfoy a few minutes ago played over and over again in my mind.
I laid down on my bed, and was happy that I hadn't taken the time to make it that morning; I drifted into a deep sleep. I awoke to an alarm clock going off, 'Mom most have set it,' I thought with a groan. I was just about to stand when my mother, Dinah Granger, walked in. She had a strange look on her face. Like a cross between pride, and sadness.
"Hermione," she began, "You're father and I talked all day, yesterday and have decided that we are going to buy you an apartment in London near the store. We also have another surprise for you, but you'll see that later."
I blinked, I know my mouth must have been hanging open so wide, but I was just so dazed. Had I heard my mother correctly? "M-mummy, did you just say that papa, and you are buying me an apartment in L-London?" I questioned.
"Actually, to be truthful we already have bought it for you, love!" Mother started smiling, "But, we'll talk later, I must be off now, and you really need to get ready for work, sugar plum." With that she stood, and was on her way.
It took me several minutes to get out of bed, and even longer to dress. I walked to my mirror, and surveyed my image. My full, brown hair fell straight and curled slightly at the ends to my shoulder. My chest had filled out, and my body was extremely petite. I was tall, and pale. Today I wore a pair of bell-bottoms, with a black shirt that had flames running up the sides. It was short-sleeved, and laced up in front. I had grown-up, I was old enough to move out.I was ready to leave my home for the summer!
I walked downstairs, my parents it seemed, had already headed off to work. 'So much for talking,' I couldn't help but think bitterly.
I walked into the kitchen to find food had already been prepared for my breakfast, and sat before my place.but something else drew my attention. A letter. A letter that set on the kitchen counter-top. Grabbing my filled drink from the table, I walked over to the letter and skimmed it over. It read:
"Dearest Hermione,
Love, I know I said we'd talk, but it just hurt so much. This letter contains a key ring with two keys. The first is to you're apartment which stands a block away from the store M&B, in which you work at, and the other is to you're second surprise. Oh, and by the way you're room number is twenty-two, and on the third floor. I remembered how you like heights. Your father and I are so proud of you. Our little girl has grown up, but I believe you've been grown up for a very long time now.
Love Always, Your Mother, Dinah Granger
The contents of the letter shocked me, and I became aware of the silence that surrounded me. 'I-I guess I should get to packing.' I thought, knowing I wouldn't be able to stomach the smallest amount of food. I ran upstairs, and packed clothes, toothbrush, and other needed things. I looked around and finally upon finding Crookshanks, totted him over to his cage and locked him in. I was ready.
"I suppose we're off to our new home, Crookshanks," I said rather absently, and then hoisting up all my bags, walked outside.
I stopped, and gaped in awe. In front of me sat a metallic blue car! Of course, it wasn't anything compared to Malfoy's, but to me it meant the world. Taking out my key chain, I gripped onto the second key, and pushed it into the lock. I turned it right, and the door opened! Popping the trunk I practically skipped to the now wide-open trunk, and put my things in, and slammed the trunk shut, gently, of course.
Walked back to the driver's side, I hopped in, and sat Crookshank's cage on the passenger's side seat. I cranked the ignition, and listened to the beautiful sound. I was in my own car! Heading to my own job! And then going back to my own apartment! What a day, what a day! I couldn't wait to tell Tracie.
Taking my time to get to the store, I walked through the front door just in time, and right into the face of Draco Malfoy. Expecting him to call me mudblood, or some other ill-humored name, I put on my toughest face. What he did surprised me immensely.
He smirked, parted his lips, and said, "Hey, Hermione. I saw you had a new car. It's really nice."
Even though he was putting on a great act I could still tell he was speaking through his teeth to remain civil. I decided to play along, "Why thank you Draco," Draco.what was I saying, I'd never called him by his first name before, "It's good to have a compliment!" I smiled and walked off towards the counter in which I cashiered at.
Tracie came towards me after a few minutes, and with a sly smile said, "I think you like him."
"Yeah, right. We only made a truce not to be cruel to each other while at the job," I said, hell-bent not to blush.
"Y-yeah, well, I think you both are going to have to make a new truce about not kissing on the job soon, because I can tell by the way you look at each other that your having feelings about the other," Tracie replied.
'Yeah, feelings of hatred,' I thought, but didn't say so out loud. 'I'll just let her have her fun in thinking we have feelings for each other. It's not that big a deal, right,' I thought, half questioning myself.
The rest of the day passed without much mishap, although Malfoy and I did share several glances of mutual hatred, we had successfully accomplished acting somewhat civil towards each other.but how long would it last? Sadly, Malfoy too worked in the book section, and although usually roaming the rows, and rows of books we saw each other frequently.
One question haunted me, though, why was a muggle-hating pureblood working in the muggle world? Surely his father wouldn't be happy about this, and I knew Malfoy couldn't be very happy either.so why? Looking up at the clock, I was amazed to see the time was nearing seven; my first day's work would be over soon.
"Well guys, you all have done a great job, and are free to go home for the day!" Mister John said upon coming out of the backroom.
"Okay, well I really must be off then, bye everyone!" I exclaimed while heading towards the open door, and walking out. I made my way to my car, and began unlocking it when someone came up from behind me.
"Granger, we need to talk," I heard Malfoy whisper into my ear.
I shivered, but replied in a calm, collected voice, "We have nothing to talk about, Malfoy!"
He smirked at this, ran a hand through his blonde hair, and leaned in closer. "Ah, but there you are wrong. We have a lot to talk about, Granger, but first thing is first.I think we should come to a sort of.agreement," he drawled out.
"What kind of agreement," I asked getting very tired of this very quickly.
"Just a pact saying that we will not treat each other coldly, until back in the confinement of Hogwarts," Malfoy said, his gray eyes twinkling coldly.
"What kind of game are you playing at, Malfoy!" I almost shouted.
"No game," he replied before walking off towards a green and silver sports car.
Taking in a breath of fresh air trying to calm myself, I stepped into my parent's car, cranked the engine, and headed back home.
I sped most of the time, and was able to get back home in record time. Ten minutes. I walked in through the front door, and found that my parents were already asleep. Tossing the keys on the counter I made my way up the stairs, and into my room. The whole time I undressed the conversation I had only just had with Malfoy a few minutes ago played over and over again in my mind.
I laid down on my bed, and was happy that I hadn't taken the time to make it that morning; I drifted into a deep sleep. I awoke to an alarm clock going off, 'Mom most have set it,' I thought with a groan. I was just about to stand when my mother, Dinah Granger, walked in. She had a strange look on her face. Like a cross between pride, and sadness.
"Hermione," she began, "You're father and I talked all day, yesterday and have decided that we are going to buy you an apartment in London near the store. We also have another surprise for you, but you'll see that later."
I blinked, I know my mouth must have been hanging open so wide, but I was just so dazed. Had I heard my mother correctly? "M-mummy, did you just say that papa, and you are buying me an apartment in L-London?" I questioned.
"Actually, to be truthful we already have bought it for you, love!" Mother started smiling, "But, we'll talk later, I must be off now, and you really need to get ready for work, sugar plum." With that she stood, and was on her way.
It took me several minutes to get out of bed, and even longer to dress. I walked to my mirror, and surveyed my image. My full, brown hair fell straight and curled slightly at the ends to my shoulder. My chest had filled out, and my body was extremely petite. I was tall, and pale. Today I wore a pair of bell-bottoms, with a black shirt that had flames running up the sides. It was short-sleeved, and laced up in front. I had grown-up, I was old enough to move out.I was ready to leave my home for the summer!
I walked downstairs, my parents it seemed, had already headed off to work. 'So much for talking,' I couldn't help but think bitterly.
I walked into the kitchen to find food had already been prepared for my breakfast, and sat before my place.but something else drew my attention. A letter. A letter that set on the kitchen counter-top. Grabbing my filled drink from the table, I walked over to the letter and skimmed it over. It read:
"Dearest Hermione,
Love, I know I said we'd talk, but it just hurt so much. This letter contains a key ring with two keys. The first is to you're apartment which stands a block away from the store M&B, in which you work at, and the other is to you're second surprise. Oh, and by the way you're room number is twenty-two, and on the third floor. I remembered how you like heights. Your father and I are so proud of you. Our little girl has grown up, but I believe you've been grown up for a very long time now.
Love Always, Your Mother, Dinah Granger
The contents of the letter shocked me, and I became aware of the silence that surrounded me. 'I-I guess I should get to packing.' I thought, knowing I wouldn't be able to stomach the smallest amount of food. I ran upstairs, and packed clothes, toothbrush, and other needed things. I looked around and finally upon finding Crookshanks, totted him over to his cage and locked him in. I was ready.
"I suppose we're off to our new home, Crookshanks," I said rather absently, and then hoisting up all my bags, walked outside.
I stopped, and gaped in awe. In front of me sat a metallic blue car! Of course, it wasn't anything compared to Malfoy's, but to me it meant the world. Taking out my key chain, I gripped onto the second key, and pushed it into the lock. I turned it right, and the door opened! Popping the trunk I practically skipped to the now wide-open trunk, and put my things in, and slammed the trunk shut, gently, of course.
Walked back to the driver's side, I hopped in, and sat Crookshank's cage on the passenger's side seat. I cranked the ignition, and listened to the beautiful sound. I was in my own car! Heading to my own job! And then going back to my own apartment! What a day, what a day! I couldn't wait to tell Tracie.
Taking my time to get to the store, I walked through the front door just in time, and right into the face of Draco Malfoy. Expecting him to call me mudblood, or some other ill-humored name, I put on my toughest face. What he did surprised me immensely.
He smirked, parted his lips, and said, "Hey, Hermione. I saw you had a new car. It's really nice."
Even though he was putting on a great act I could still tell he was speaking through his teeth to remain civil. I decided to play along, "Why thank you Draco," Draco.what was I saying, I'd never called him by his first name before, "It's good to have a compliment!" I smiled and walked off towards the counter in which I cashiered at.
Tracie came towards me after a few minutes, and with a sly smile said, "I think you like him."
"Yeah, right. We only made a truce not to be cruel to each other while at the job," I said, hell-bent not to blush.
"Y-yeah, well, I think you both are going to have to make a new truce about not kissing on the job soon, because I can tell by the way you look at each other that your having feelings about the other," Tracie replied.
'Yeah, feelings of hatred,' I thought, but didn't say so out loud. 'I'll just let her have her fun in thinking we have feelings for each other. It's not that big a deal, right,' I thought, half questioning myself.