A/N-Omg! I am soooo sorry for not updating! My life has been totally helter-skelter! Excuses are like butts...everyone has them and they all stink! But maybe you'll forgive me see I have a boyfriend and he's 20 *and I'm 15* so that's a big problem with my family. Lot of drama let me tell you. My best friend betrayed me, my dog and my fish died *my cat is about to too* and I failed math. Oh and I'm grounded from the computer so that's a major one too! Plus I have a major case of writers block. Add that to being extremely depressed and sad all the time and my mom kept deleting everything on my computer. So I had to keep re-writing the beginning of the chapter each time and after the last time I just didn't do it. And every time I heard Christina Aguilera's song Beautiful on the radio I'm reminded of my story. I'm going to put a new song in the next chapter I don't know which one. But its a really good song and the group is from Arkansas which is pretty cool. It's a really powerful song and it reminds me a lot of Draco. I feel like writing a lot of mush so I'm hoping and praying this chapter doesn't turn out too mushy for the sake of all you people who are reading this. Well enough about me...let's talk about Hermione :D. I got the 5th Harry Potter book and read it in about 2 days. And I must say it was excellent! But the good thing is that we found out why Voldemort wants to kill Harry. And I think I can wrap that around my story. I was sort of afraid that the fifth book would come and my story would be all messed up but I think I can manage. :D Btw. In the 5th book the guys couldn't get into the girls room because of the slide and in one of my chapters the guys went to the girls room and played a prank. So I ask you guys to just look that over.
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"May I get you anything else?" said the waiter, pouring them refills
"No, thank you," answered Draco. Hermione still had food in her mouth that she swallowed with apparent relish. The waiter walked away to check on the next table.
"Draco this is way better than the present I got you! This restaurant is amazing! Actually the whole day has been amazing!" She said, her eyes becoming unfocused as she recalled everything that they had done that day. Draco beamed.
'Now I see why they say it's better to give than receive,' he thought as he watched Hermione who seemed to be having the time of her life. He looked down at his watch and noticed it was time to go.
"We better get a move on it if you want to make it back to the castle in time for the feast." leaving a generous tip, they stood up and headed out. They hailed a cab and set off in direction opposite to the way they had came.
"Draco, we're going the wrong way." said Hermione looking around her to make sure.
"No we're not. This is the way I want to go." he said smiling mischievously. They continued to walk as the buildings got sparser. Hermione kept following as Draco pushed aside some low-hanging branches and they entered some type of hidden oasis. Hermione gasped, "Draco, what's this all about?" Draco put a finger to his lips as to indicate for her to be quiet. Hermione obliged and took the chance to take a quick look around. There were exotic plants everywhere that even she couldn't name. Draco led her to a waterfall and took out his wand. Hermione watched as he drew his initials in curvy letters on the blank wall beside it. The water pouring down the cliff froze in mid-air and separated, a crude, hollow pathway lit by torches was reveled. Draco took Hermione's hand and led her down the hallway until they came to a door.
Draco knocked on the door twice and the door opened to revel a tall man with waist-long curly brown hair and mustache that obscured most of his face. Hermione was sure she wouldn't be able to tell where his eyes were if it weren't for the large sunglasses he was wearing. Hermione tried to catch Draco's eye but the hippie had already started to greet Draco with a big hug.
"Draco, haven't seen you round here lately. Well, don't just stand there, come on inside!" he said, opening the door wider and allowing them inside. The room was full of smoke and smelled of incense, a purple cushion was the only furniture in the room. "So what can I do ya for?" asked the hippie. Draco lapsed into a coughing fit from all the smoke in the room. After he finished he said very mysteriously, "Actually, I was hoping you could give me and my friend one of your special rides." Hermione was thoroughly confused but the hippie clapped his hands and said all-knowingly, "One of my special rides? Of course! Anything for you and your chick." Hermione opened her mouth to interrupt but the hippie cut her off. "Follow me!" he clapped his hands twice and the lights dimmed. "Oops. I always forget." he clapped his hands again and the lights came back on. "Oh yes," he said after thinking for a moment, he walked over to the wall beside his cushion "Open sesame," The wall slid open and they were met with yet another passageway. This one seemed incline and Hermione's legs were soon aching. Soon they came to a halt and one-by-one each climbed up a ladder. Hermione was met with a blast of cold air.
"Well here you are mate. My very best rug." He said taking out a rolled up carpet and unrolling it as he spoke. It floated in mid-air.
"A magic carpet? But isn't that----" said Hermione in awe.
"Illegal? Why yes." said Draco unworriedly.
"Draco, your chick isn't gonna rat me out is she?" asked the hippie who was now eyeing Hermione with suspicion. Hermione opened her mouth to speak but was cut off again.
"Well, I must admit she is a little uptight about breaking rules and laws but I was hoping that in this case she would make an exception." he said finishing with his now trademark puppy-dog eyes.
"Hey don't be worried. I haven't got caught yet. I've got a couple special spells I use to protect my little "business." said the hippie with a mischievous grin on his face that could've rivaled Fred and George Weasley.
"Really? What sort of---," asked Hermione keenly.
"Never mind that now. Do you want to go or not? I would've told you sooner about this but I really wanted to surprise you." Hermione glanced at the two and got the feeling that no matter what she said, she was gonna end up going for a ride anyway. Reluctantly, she gave in.
"Oh alright. But if I get in trouble its gonna be your head on a platter." although she smiled as she said it.
"Okay then. Just hop on!" Draco exchanged some gold with the hippie and helped Hermione onto the floating rug. After they were both on the carpet the hippie clapped his hands. Nothing happened. "Oh yea. Man I gotta do something about this short-term memory loss." he snapped his fingers and they were off.
The scenery was beautiful and even though it was December, Hermione couldn't feel the cold air hitting her exposed skin. Actually it was quiet warm.
"Draco this is so amazing! I don't think I can make it up to you."
"Don't even think about it! This is a gift and you don't owe me anything. So just sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride." said Draco with his adorable grin.
"Well, thanks anyway." said Hermione reaching up and giving him a peck on the cheek. Draco flushed as he thought to himself,
'Yup, giving does have its perks.'
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Hermione arrived at the common room later than she expected and was greeted by a rush of questions from Harry and Ron.
"Where were you Hermione? We went to give you your present and you weren't there! We waited around all afternoon and you never showed up." asked Ron. Hermione took her time and went and sat by a chair near the fire.
"Well Draco was giving me his present and it took a little longer than I expected." said Hermione, purposely being vague. Her mind was still thinking about how Draco's face had turned red when she had kissed his cheek. 'What does that mean? Does he like me? Why am I asking myself this?'
"Earth to Hermione!" said Harry, laughing slightly as he snapped his fingers in front of her face.
"Oh yea. Hey I still haven't given you guys your presents! I'll be right back!" she said purposely dashing off to her room before they could ask any more questions. She ran to her room grabbed the gifts and headed back to the common room.
"Here you are. Merry Christmas." she said as she handed the boys her gifts and they handed her theirs. Ron had gotten her some perfume and Harry had gotten her a pair of round earrings that change colors and there was a chorus of 'thanks'''
"So Hermione, what happened on your date with Malfoy?" asked Ron without the slightest trace of anger.
"It wasn't a date. And what are you so happy about?" she asked suspiciously.
"Nothing," he said quickly, his ears turning red. Harry started grinning.
"He's got a pretty hot date himself next Hogsmeade trip."
"With who Icle Ronnykins?" teased Hermione, glad to have the attention diverted from her.
"Chyler," he said turning red but grinning nonetheless. "She asked me at the dance."
"Ron, you little player you!" said Hermione nudging him in his ribs.
"Oh shut up." he said turning even redder. "Pick on Harry. He's got a date too."
"So do I," said Hermione with a grin.
"With who?" asked Ron and Harry at the same time. Hermione couldn't help but laugh.
"Landon asked me to spend the day with him." she said yet again being vague.
"And you call me the 'player'" snickered Ron.
"Never mind that. Who are you spending the day with Harry?" asked Hermione keenly.
"Adrian," he said simply.
"That foul girl? What are you doing dating her?" asked Hermione in a high-pitched voice.
"Well she asked me out and I said yes. Besides what has she ever done to you? She seemed perfectly nice to me." asked Harry with a trace of surprise in his voice.
"Well yea she would, after all she likes you. Being mean to someone isn't the most attractive thing to do when you want to go out on a date with them." she said grinning faintly.
"Well I dunno," said Harry slowly. "After all Malfoy used to be your mortal enemy and now your off gallivanting around with him all Christmas day!"
"There's Chyler, I'm gonna go talk to her." said Ron running his fingers through his hair quickly and setting off. Hermione giggled and Harry watched her with interest.
"Hermione," he said slowly.
"Harry," said Hermione with a giggle but stopped short when she saw the look of utmost seriousness on his face.
"I just want to make sure that your careful." he said, still talking to her as if she was a five year old instead of seventeen.
"Careful?" said Hermione thoroughly puzzled.
"With Malfoy," said Harry as though that explained everything.
"What do you mean?"
"It's just that you seem to be spending a lot of time with him. I mean we hardly ever talk anymore. And you seem to actually enjoy being with him." said Harry as though he was afraid that Hermione was gonna explode if he offended her too much. "Ron and I were talking just before you came in and well....we think that you actually like him...you know...as more than friend."
"Wha-" Hermione flustered. Harry cut her off.
"It may not be true Hermione, but I'm just asking you to watch your back. He's dangerous. I mean for crap's sake he's gonna be a bloody death eater someday! I know your living with him and you two actually seem to get along but keep in mind that this could all be an act. He may not have your best interests at heart."
"Harry don't worry. I'm smart and I can protect myself." she said smiling in a self-assured way.
"I know but it could be that he's out to hurt you in a way other than physically." said Harry talking in his slow way again.
"What? You think he's gonna make me fall in love and then break my heart?" snorted Hermione. "Oh please Harry. Have you been watching soap operas during the summer with your muggles?"
"Hermione," said Harry, this time there was no sign of the patience he had earlier. "I'm serious. Just do me a favor and watch your back. I don't care if he has been nicer lately, it's still the same old Malfoy that we've known since first year." Hermione looked into his eyes and could see a mixture of pleading, love *the friendly kind* and the always constant sadness that seemed to haunt his eyes permanently. She caved and reluctantly agreed.
"Thanks, you know I'm just looking after you right?" asked Harry hopefully.
"Yea I suppose. Just...just don't underestimate me. I can handle Dr--Malfoy." she said faking a smile and standing up. "Well I think I'm gonna go find Landon and Chyler and give them their presents."
'Why does everyone seem to think that I've fallen in love with Malfoy? I mean sure it's great that we get along pretty good now but I'm not in LOVE with him.' she reached her room and pulled out the two presents from under her bed and set off to find the twins.
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A/N- I bet all my usual reviewers aren't even around it's been so long since I've updated. There is so much that I want to get into this story. My head is buzzing and I don't know exactly how to put everything in but I figure I'll figure everything out soon. I'm grounded from the internet and I have to sneak on when my parents aren't here just to post this so THANKS TO EVERYONE THAT REVIEWED!!! I truly appreciate it! P.S. My boyfriend is supposed to be getting me a puppy :D Does anybody have any suggestions for a name? I want something cute, cool, original, and meaningful. Yes I have high expectations lol. Well I'm off to go antique someone. hehe I dunno if ya'll will get that but hey if you don't its okay just as long as you understand I have a weird *sometimes sick and demented* sense of humor.
