Auther's note: Stage 2......DUN DA DA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! Hermione pulled the wand out from under her pillow, and mumbled a few words.
BOOM! The alarm clock burst into a million pieces.
"Damn, third one this month," she mumbled sleepily into her pillow. She pulled herself out of bed and got into the shower.
"So, I have a serial killer after me. I wonder why I'm not worried."
"You know perfectly well why you're not worried. It's because you have a bodyguard." Her inner smart aleck started giggling.
"What's so funny?"
"You ID(*Inner Desire) is picturing herself in Draco's arms." Hermione couldn't believe she was having this conversation with herself, so she got out of the shower and dried herself off. Flipping through her clothing she realized she had no reason to dress nice at all. So she didn't set anything, just got on her jogging clothing and put her hair up in a high pony tale.
Ever since she had started running she had felt better about herself. It was like she used to kinda pudgy, and now she felt like she was doing something. She had done Yoga for a while but in the end the inner calm had given her to much time to think, and had drove her crazy. Here with the running she could pound the ground and not worry about anything, her mind was blissfully blank.
She walked into her kitchen ready to grab a piece fruit and a water bottle and instead found herself looking at Draco lounging in a chair next to her bar.
"What are you doing here!?"
He shrugged good-naturedly and dangled a key between his fingers. He also had the never to giver her the once over before stating, "Well, at least you're not in bad shape, that means training will be easier for you. Oh and your off from work today." This was to much to take in, there was a man she had only recently re-met sitting in her kitchen, who held in his hand the a copy of her house key, and that THEY, as in not by herself, were going to train together.
'I don't know what you're talking about, but you are breaking and entering and I will call the cops on you, so get out." He didn't move.
"I said get out."
"You're not getting rid of me that easily- you should know that. I'm a very thorough man, and when I'm assigned a job I complete it. I'm your body guard."
"For God's Sake stop calling yourself that! It sounds like I'm some frail little waif who has to have someone take care of them and I can promise you that I'm not frail and that I don not need someone to take care of me! Do I need to burn my bras to prove that to you?!"
She instantly regretted the last part when he looked at her with amusement and said, "well I wouldn't stop you."
She sputtered for a second before he continued.
"Shall I call myself your knight in shining armor, your angel of light, your protector of virtue?"
"Excuse me? But did you just say protector of virtue? Are you off you rocker?"
Draco eyes twinkled, they were purplish today, while yesterday they had been green, Hermione decide she would ask him about it later when she wasn't questioning his ability to think logically.
"Would you rather I not be conscientious of your virtue?"
"I would rather you not mention my virtue if that is at all possible. Now, you will not interfere with my life."
He put on a Texas drawl and said, "Sorry ma'am but, I reckon I cain't do that."
"What: not mention my virtue or butt out of my life?"
"Both?"
"Shut up, please."
"Ok, but I have to be with you at almost all times. So if your gonna run, let's go."
So they ran. After a four blocks or so, Hermione felt like she was being watched. At first she just knocked it off to paranoia, but then she caught sight of a large white van, that was driving about 5 miles an hour a block away. You'd have to be blind to miss it.
"Do you feel like your being watched?" She said sarcastically.
"We are. We've been being followed since we left the house. I think it's the ministry making sure I do my job right."
"Wonderful, just peachy." Hermione stopped jogging. She turned around and saw a camera in a bush. She flipped it off. Draco pulled her hand out of the vulgar gesture.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"If they're going to make it that obvious then they deserved it. I may not catch on as quickly as you, but I'm not a complete idiot. I'll have them know that I was the highest scoring witch in Hogwarts history on my NEWT and OWLs. So there!" She had said the last part louder than she had meant to.
"Shut up Hermione, this is still a muggle town. And I doubt they will thank you for waking them up at six in the morning by screaming about being a witch."
"Fine." They jogged in silence for a few minutes until Draco cleared his throat.
"Hermione-"
"I accept your apology."
"I wasn't going to apologize-"
"Why not you hurt my feelings." She started jogging faster so he wouldn't see the smile that was playing on her lips.
"Alright, I'm sorry, now will you please listen." Hermione turned around.
"What did you want to tell me cap'n?"
"Well, I've got a few orders form the ministry, my superior told me to read them aloud." The stopped at a park bench.
Draco pulled a tiny sheet of parchment out of his wallet.
"Engorgio!" he tapped it lightly with his wand, which he quickly hid again.
"It says:
To: Draco Malfoy '
From: Department of secrets, Black Ops., under M.D. Endeavor
Subject: New Assignment
Draco,
Your job is simple protect Mrs.("Hey I'm not Married!" "Be quiet, and listen Hermione") Granger at all cost. You are to stay at her house, and make sure the house is thoroughly protected. Also to ensure her safety even if you're not around, train her in self-defense each day after her work. Though you must always be fairly close by, you must blend into this town. Keep your regular name, but your new passport is on the way with all the rest of your information. It gets pretty boring after that-"
"Let's here it Draco," Hermione said sternly.
"Okay, um, where was I, oh yeah. You new story is that you are from London, and went to school with Mrs. Granger ("When you talk to them, I want them to correct that, I do not like to have things-" "For the lord's sake Hermione, SHUT UP!"). You are to take a job at the library with her. And Draco, we do not want to have to face the problem that happened on your last mission so, please," Draco face seemed a little pinker than normal, and he faltered for a second before continuing, "Do not sleep with any of her co-works. Yours sincerely,
Marcus D. Endeavor."
"Well, that was educational- care to explain Draco-darling?"
**Oh, and sorry if the expressions are American, I don't know many British ones. Also the gun descriptions I stole from anther book, because I don't know jack squat about guns. All the Queens's Men by er.....I can't remember her name.......oh well.....they belong to her not me.
"So where are we going now?"
"Why?"
Hermione put her finger to chin and pretended to have a thoughtful expression on her face.
"Hmm, I wonder?"
"Fine stop acting like a little kid, we're going to a shooting range."
Hermione was indignant for a moment about HIM, the king of childishness, calling her childish, when she realized what he had said.
"G-g-guns?"
Draco looked at her and said slowly, "Yes. That's not a problem is it?"
"W-why would we need to go there, I mean I have magical abilities, and guns are such iffy things I mean-"
"Are you afraid of guns?" he asked, mouth quirking a tiny bit.
"No! No- of course not, I just don't see the use in them."
"Well, you'll need to get used to them, the women who have been being killed had magical powers and it obviously didn't help them. That's why you need to get used to the weapons that might come in handy. Also I'm supposed to teach you some self defense."
"Oh." Hermione didn't speak the entire rest of the ride over to the range. Draco stopped in front of a very large barn.
"This is the shooting range?"
"Yup. Privately owned by the ministry. Follow me."
She followed him inside and over to a table that had numerous makes and models of guns.
Draco picked up one of the guns and inserted a clip in.
"This is a SIG Saucer P226, 9 mm. It doesn't have a thumb safety. See the lever on the left side of the frame? That's a decocking lever. Never, ever lower the hammer except with the decocking lever. Some SIGs are double- action and won't have the lever, but you'll need to get used to it. You wouldn't happen t be left handed would you?"
Hermione shook her head.
"Well this is really awkward with the right hand, so if you plan on using this one, then you'll need to learn to use it with your left." He picked a much larger gun beside it.
"This is a Colt .45. It's a heavy-duty cannon, with a lot of stopping power. This other one is a Smith & Wesson .357 revolver. Again pretty heavy. But they're both as reliable as the sun, so practice with these. You probably don't want them for regular use though, because of the weight. The SIG I showed you is an automatic. This one here is also an automatic; it's an H&K P9S, half a pound lighter than the colt. These are the only one's I'm aloud to offer you, right now. Which one will it be?"
Hermione looked at the guns and shuddered slightly.
"So, I'll have to carry one of those around?"
"Yes, you get to keep one, but will only practice with the others."
Hermione looked at the guns again, she wasn't ready to touch the large Colt or the Smith and Wesson.
"I'll try the SIG."
Draco handed her head set and went over to arrange the targets she started to put the head set on but Draco stopped her.
"Let me give you some pointers first. Don't aim, just point and shoot. Of course try to point it in the general vicinity of the target."
Hermione tried to put the SIG in her right hand, but it was extremely uncomfortable.
"I told you, try it with your left hand."
Hermione put it in her left hand; it was much better. She put her headset on. She pulled the gun in front of her. Draco wrapped his arms around her and held her wrists. Her heart was beating furiously.
"Take a deep breath, and gently squeeze the trigger." Draco's voice came wafting in through the headset. Hermione breathed deep and then let it half way out and shot. The gun jumped in her hand and she heard a flattened crack.
She fired again and again, until all the rounds were gone. It was strangely satisfying.
She set the gun back on the table and took off her headset. Draco pulled the target up.
"Not bad. You got quite a few in there. Let's give it a couple more tries then move on to the others."
The last line is soooo over used.....but it seemed to fit.
Hermione was exhausted. She had spent all day yesterday and all day today at the range and going over self-defense moves with Draco. She lay down into bed and just pictured what she would be doing had he not been in her life. Today was. Thursday?
"Oh sh-" Hermione got up and started sifting through her clothing. She saw a nice green dress threw it on and started brushing her hair. Then realizing this could be easily handled, spelled the hairbrush, toothbrush, and all her makeup to do its job for her.
"What to get, what to get?"
Draco, who was staying in the guest room (On the other side of the house), poked his head in and saw her pacing with stuff floating all around her.
"Hermione, may I ask what your doing?"
She looked at him desperately, "I forgot to send Harry and Ginny a present, and so I promised I'd make it to their party.... It's TONIGHT! And I don't have a gift, or anything."
"That's easily solved." Draco apperated and then after a few minuets was back.
"Here." He shoved an interesting looking book at her.
"Is it dark magic?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Look at the title." Hermione opened the book and looked at the title.
"A Cookbook? Really Draco? I didn't think you were the type to leave these things lying around."
"At least it's a present."
"Thanks."
"Yeah, um, Hermione, you might want to turn the makeup off now."
"What? Oh, oh no!" She looked like, like some deranged monster.
"I'll just have to go with out." She conjured paper on the gift. And started to apperate, when she noticed that Draco was about to do the same.
"What do you think your doing?"
"I have to go with you, because I'm your-"
"Don't you dare say body guard."
"Fine, I'm your protector."
"Harry hated you, and I don't think he'll take kindly to you being at his anniversary."
"Potter works at the ministry also, we have an understanding."
Hermione exasperated and late, decided to leave it.
"Fine, but no mentioning of the words Body guard, protector, virtue or any other things that might pertain to why you're hanging around me," said Hermione exasperated, she was late enough as it is.
AT THE PART
"Oh, I'm so glad you showed up Hermione." Ginny was not her usual gushing self. Well, I guess she's a little mad at me, I mean I haven't visited in months.
"Ginny, I apologize, I've been an awful friend and I should have visited-" Ginny seemed to shake herself awake.
"Oh, Hermione, I'm not mad at you, just having a bit of troubles lately, you know how that goes."
"Unfortunately yes."
Ginny saw Draco appear.
"Hermione, did you, did you invite someone?" Hermione saw her eyes on Draco.
"Yes, well, no, in a way." Ginny's zest came back and she almost squealed with delight.
"Are you dating him? Are you going to get married? Can I be your maid of honor I mean I know I'm not a "maid" but I would still really really like to be? Is that Draco Malfoy?"
Hermione laughed, "Er...Yes-No!! Most certainly not, we are not dating, not getting married, he's just a friend. And yes it is Draco Malfoy."
"You sounded just like McGonagal. Are you sure you don't like Draco? Oh no, I think Harry just spotted him. This could get ugly." Both girls ran over to the men. Harry got up. He eyed Draco.
"What are you doing here?"
"I-"
"Harry, he's with me." Harry noticed Hermione for the first time. He gave Draco one last look of loathing, and nodded. He turned back around to Ginny.
"Please stay out of trouble."
"But trouble seems to follow me around." Draco looked down at Hermione, and stated with no joke in his voice
"I thought you liked fiction Hermione?" A short, rather stocky man said from beside her. He was looking at the title of her book 'In the Mind of Serial Killer'. Hermione flushed slightly.
"Yeah, um, it's, really interesting. And, um, educational?" She didn't want to explain to Dirk that a psycho killer was following her.
"I bet it is. So you free tonight? I got a nice table set up for us... "
"Dirk I'd really like to, but I already have plans."
"You always say that." He said whining like a young child.
"I always have plans."
"Then the next day."
"I'm booked all week. I really am sorry," and she was; sorry he liked her. At least she wasn't lying.
"Who with, huh? Is it anther man?" he looked a little dangerous.
Hermione debated her options, 'No, I probably shouldn't tell him I'll be out with Draco.'
"No, I'll be out with Caroline on Monday and Thursday. And Ginny the rest of the week, I owe her big time for forgetting to send her a gift." Everyone at work knew almost all of her life, so it wasn't a big secret.
"Fine," he suddenly turned happy again, "well I guess I'll just have to catch you at a better time." He walked back out the library door. Leila pulled her aside.
"What was that about?"
"The usual, he wanted me to go out to dinner with him."
"Why don't you just tell him that you don't like him? Or you're involved with anther guy?"
"One, I've tried to tell him I don't like him before, but he just argues and argues and I can't ever get him to stop. So if he wants to live in his own little world that's fine with me. And two he might try and kill any guy he thought I was seeing."
"Keep him away from Draco then! That guy I more protective then anyone I've ever met. To bad he's your cousin." Leila had already guessed he wasn't her cousin, but she didn't know what he was to her so she hadn't come on to him, yet.
"So how long has he been in town now?" She continued.
"Oh a month and a half, I don't know how I live with him. He drives me up the wall. At least he stays in his part of the house most of the time."
"I'm sure. Anyway I have a big party tonight, so I gotta go. Why don't you and Draco close up."
"Okay, have fun at your party." Hermione didn't like how she slightly stressed the word you and Draco.
**Yay done! Please read and review you darlings!
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! Hermione pulled the wand out from under her pillow, and mumbled a few words.
BOOM! The alarm clock burst into a million pieces.
"Damn, third one this month," she mumbled sleepily into her pillow. She pulled herself out of bed and got into the shower.
"So, I have a serial killer after me. I wonder why I'm not worried."
"You know perfectly well why you're not worried. It's because you have a bodyguard." Her inner smart aleck started giggling.
"What's so funny?"
"You ID(*Inner Desire) is picturing herself in Draco's arms." Hermione couldn't believe she was having this conversation with herself, so she got out of the shower and dried herself off. Flipping through her clothing she realized she had no reason to dress nice at all. So she didn't set anything, just got on her jogging clothing and put her hair up in a high pony tale.
Ever since she had started running she had felt better about herself. It was like she used to kinda pudgy, and now she felt like she was doing something. She had done Yoga for a while but in the end the inner calm had given her to much time to think, and had drove her crazy. Here with the running she could pound the ground and not worry about anything, her mind was blissfully blank.
She walked into her kitchen ready to grab a piece fruit and a water bottle and instead found herself looking at Draco lounging in a chair next to her bar.
"What are you doing here!?"
He shrugged good-naturedly and dangled a key between his fingers. He also had the never to giver her the once over before stating, "Well, at least you're not in bad shape, that means training will be easier for you. Oh and your off from work today." This was to much to take in, there was a man she had only recently re-met sitting in her kitchen, who held in his hand the a copy of her house key, and that THEY, as in not by herself, were going to train together.
'I don't know what you're talking about, but you are breaking and entering and I will call the cops on you, so get out." He didn't move.
"I said get out."
"You're not getting rid of me that easily- you should know that. I'm a very thorough man, and when I'm assigned a job I complete it. I'm your body guard."
"For God's Sake stop calling yourself that! It sounds like I'm some frail little waif who has to have someone take care of them and I can promise you that I'm not frail and that I don not need someone to take care of me! Do I need to burn my bras to prove that to you?!"
She instantly regretted the last part when he looked at her with amusement and said, "well I wouldn't stop you."
She sputtered for a second before he continued.
"Shall I call myself your knight in shining armor, your angel of light, your protector of virtue?"
"Excuse me? But did you just say protector of virtue? Are you off you rocker?"
Draco eyes twinkled, they were purplish today, while yesterday they had been green, Hermione decide she would ask him about it later when she wasn't questioning his ability to think logically.
"Would you rather I not be conscientious of your virtue?"
"I would rather you not mention my virtue if that is at all possible. Now, you will not interfere with my life."
He put on a Texas drawl and said, "Sorry ma'am but, I reckon I cain't do that."
"What: not mention my virtue or butt out of my life?"
"Both?"
"Shut up, please."
"Ok, but I have to be with you at almost all times. So if your gonna run, let's go."
So they ran. After a four blocks or so, Hermione felt like she was being watched. At first she just knocked it off to paranoia, but then she caught sight of a large white van, that was driving about 5 miles an hour a block away. You'd have to be blind to miss it.
"Do you feel like your being watched?" She said sarcastically.
"We are. We've been being followed since we left the house. I think it's the ministry making sure I do my job right."
"Wonderful, just peachy." Hermione stopped jogging. She turned around and saw a camera in a bush. She flipped it off. Draco pulled her hand out of the vulgar gesture.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"If they're going to make it that obvious then they deserved it. I may not catch on as quickly as you, but I'm not a complete idiot. I'll have them know that I was the highest scoring witch in Hogwarts history on my NEWT and OWLs. So there!" She had said the last part louder than she had meant to.
"Shut up Hermione, this is still a muggle town. And I doubt they will thank you for waking them up at six in the morning by screaming about being a witch."
"Fine." They jogged in silence for a few minutes until Draco cleared his throat.
"Hermione-"
"I accept your apology."
"I wasn't going to apologize-"
"Why not you hurt my feelings." She started jogging faster so he wouldn't see the smile that was playing on her lips.
"Alright, I'm sorry, now will you please listen." Hermione turned around.
"What did you want to tell me cap'n?"
"Well, I've got a few orders form the ministry, my superior told me to read them aloud." The stopped at a park bench.
Draco pulled a tiny sheet of parchment out of his wallet.
"Engorgio!" he tapped it lightly with his wand, which he quickly hid again.
"It says:
To: Draco Malfoy '
From: Department of secrets, Black Ops., under M.D. Endeavor
Subject: New Assignment
Draco,
Your job is simple protect Mrs.("Hey I'm not Married!" "Be quiet, and listen Hermione") Granger at all cost. You are to stay at her house, and make sure the house is thoroughly protected. Also to ensure her safety even if you're not around, train her in self-defense each day after her work. Though you must always be fairly close by, you must blend into this town. Keep your regular name, but your new passport is on the way with all the rest of your information. It gets pretty boring after that-"
"Let's here it Draco," Hermione said sternly.
"Okay, um, where was I, oh yeah. You new story is that you are from London, and went to school with Mrs. Granger ("When you talk to them, I want them to correct that, I do not like to have things-" "For the lord's sake Hermione, SHUT UP!"). You are to take a job at the library with her. And Draco, we do not want to have to face the problem that happened on your last mission so, please," Draco face seemed a little pinker than normal, and he faltered for a second before continuing, "Do not sleep with any of her co-works. Yours sincerely,
Marcus D. Endeavor."
"Well, that was educational- care to explain Draco-darling?"
**Oh, and sorry if the expressions are American, I don't know many British ones. Also the gun descriptions I stole from anther book, because I don't know jack squat about guns. All the Queens's Men by er.....I can't remember her name.......oh well.....they belong to her not me.
"So where are we going now?"
"Why?"
Hermione put her finger to chin and pretended to have a thoughtful expression on her face.
"Hmm, I wonder?"
"Fine stop acting like a little kid, we're going to a shooting range."
Hermione was indignant for a moment about HIM, the king of childishness, calling her childish, when she realized what he had said.
"G-g-guns?"
Draco looked at her and said slowly, "Yes. That's not a problem is it?"
"W-why would we need to go there, I mean I have magical abilities, and guns are such iffy things I mean-"
"Are you afraid of guns?" he asked, mouth quirking a tiny bit.
"No! No- of course not, I just don't see the use in them."
"Well, you'll need to get used to them, the women who have been being killed had magical powers and it obviously didn't help them. That's why you need to get used to the weapons that might come in handy. Also I'm supposed to teach you some self defense."
"Oh." Hermione didn't speak the entire rest of the ride over to the range. Draco stopped in front of a very large barn.
"This is the shooting range?"
"Yup. Privately owned by the ministry. Follow me."
She followed him inside and over to a table that had numerous makes and models of guns.
Draco picked up one of the guns and inserted a clip in.
"This is a SIG Saucer P226, 9 mm. It doesn't have a thumb safety. See the lever on the left side of the frame? That's a decocking lever. Never, ever lower the hammer except with the decocking lever. Some SIGs are double- action and won't have the lever, but you'll need to get used to it. You wouldn't happen t be left handed would you?"
Hermione shook her head.
"Well this is really awkward with the right hand, so if you plan on using this one, then you'll need to learn to use it with your left." He picked a much larger gun beside it.
"This is a Colt .45. It's a heavy-duty cannon, with a lot of stopping power. This other one is a Smith & Wesson .357 revolver. Again pretty heavy. But they're both as reliable as the sun, so practice with these. You probably don't want them for regular use though, because of the weight. The SIG I showed you is an automatic. This one here is also an automatic; it's an H&K P9S, half a pound lighter than the colt. These are the only one's I'm aloud to offer you, right now. Which one will it be?"
Hermione looked at the guns and shuddered slightly.
"So, I'll have to carry one of those around?"
"Yes, you get to keep one, but will only practice with the others."
Hermione looked at the guns again, she wasn't ready to touch the large Colt or the Smith and Wesson.
"I'll try the SIG."
Draco handed her head set and went over to arrange the targets she started to put the head set on but Draco stopped her.
"Let me give you some pointers first. Don't aim, just point and shoot. Of course try to point it in the general vicinity of the target."
Hermione tried to put the SIG in her right hand, but it was extremely uncomfortable.
"I told you, try it with your left hand."
Hermione put it in her left hand; it was much better. She put her headset on. She pulled the gun in front of her. Draco wrapped his arms around her and held her wrists. Her heart was beating furiously.
"Take a deep breath, and gently squeeze the trigger." Draco's voice came wafting in through the headset. Hermione breathed deep and then let it half way out and shot. The gun jumped in her hand and she heard a flattened crack.
She fired again and again, until all the rounds were gone. It was strangely satisfying.
She set the gun back on the table and took off her headset. Draco pulled the target up.
"Not bad. You got quite a few in there. Let's give it a couple more tries then move on to the others."
The last line is soooo over used.....but it seemed to fit.
Hermione was exhausted. She had spent all day yesterday and all day today at the range and going over self-defense moves with Draco. She lay down into bed and just pictured what she would be doing had he not been in her life. Today was. Thursday?
"Oh sh-" Hermione got up and started sifting through her clothing. She saw a nice green dress threw it on and started brushing her hair. Then realizing this could be easily handled, spelled the hairbrush, toothbrush, and all her makeup to do its job for her.
"What to get, what to get?"
Draco, who was staying in the guest room (On the other side of the house), poked his head in and saw her pacing with stuff floating all around her.
"Hermione, may I ask what your doing?"
She looked at him desperately, "I forgot to send Harry and Ginny a present, and so I promised I'd make it to their party.... It's TONIGHT! And I don't have a gift, or anything."
"That's easily solved." Draco apperated and then after a few minuets was back.
"Here." He shoved an interesting looking book at her.
"Is it dark magic?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Look at the title." Hermione opened the book and looked at the title.
"A Cookbook? Really Draco? I didn't think you were the type to leave these things lying around."
"At least it's a present."
"Thanks."
"Yeah, um, Hermione, you might want to turn the makeup off now."
"What? Oh, oh no!" She looked like, like some deranged monster.
"I'll just have to go with out." She conjured paper on the gift. And started to apperate, when she noticed that Draco was about to do the same.
"What do you think your doing?"
"I have to go with you, because I'm your-"
"Don't you dare say body guard."
"Fine, I'm your protector."
"Harry hated you, and I don't think he'll take kindly to you being at his anniversary."
"Potter works at the ministry also, we have an understanding."
Hermione exasperated and late, decided to leave it.
"Fine, but no mentioning of the words Body guard, protector, virtue or any other things that might pertain to why you're hanging around me," said Hermione exasperated, she was late enough as it is.
AT THE PART
"Oh, I'm so glad you showed up Hermione." Ginny was not her usual gushing self. Well, I guess she's a little mad at me, I mean I haven't visited in months.
"Ginny, I apologize, I've been an awful friend and I should have visited-" Ginny seemed to shake herself awake.
"Oh, Hermione, I'm not mad at you, just having a bit of troubles lately, you know how that goes."
"Unfortunately yes."
Ginny saw Draco appear.
"Hermione, did you, did you invite someone?" Hermione saw her eyes on Draco.
"Yes, well, no, in a way." Ginny's zest came back and she almost squealed with delight.
"Are you dating him? Are you going to get married? Can I be your maid of honor I mean I know I'm not a "maid" but I would still really really like to be? Is that Draco Malfoy?"
Hermione laughed, "Er...Yes-No!! Most certainly not, we are not dating, not getting married, he's just a friend. And yes it is Draco Malfoy."
"You sounded just like McGonagal. Are you sure you don't like Draco? Oh no, I think Harry just spotted him. This could get ugly." Both girls ran over to the men. Harry got up. He eyed Draco.
"What are you doing here?"
"I-"
"Harry, he's with me." Harry noticed Hermione for the first time. He gave Draco one last look of loathing, and nodded. He turned back around to Ginny.
"Please stay out of trouble."
"But trouble seems to follow me around." Draco looked down at Hermione, and stated with no joke in his voice
"I thought you liked fiction Hermione?" A short, rather stocky man said from beside her. He was looking at the title of her book 'In the Mind of Serial Killer'. Hermione flushed slightly.
"Yeah, um, it's, really interesting. And, um, educational?" She didn't want to explain to Dirk that a psycho killer was following her.
"I bet it is. So you free tonight? I got a nice table set up for us... "
"Dirk I'd really like to, but I already have plans."
"You always say that." He said whining like a young child.
"I always have plans."
"Then the next day."
"I'm booked all week. I really am sorry," and she was; sorry he liked her. At least she wasn't lying.
"Who with, huh? Is it anther man?" he looked a little dangerous.
Hermione debated her options, 'No, I probably shouldn't tell him I'll be out with Draco.'
"No, I'll be out with Caroline on Monday and Thursday. And Ginny the rest of the week, I owe her big time for forgetting to send her a gift." Everyone at work knew almost all of her life, so it wasn't a big secret.
"Fine," he suddenly turned happy again, "well I guess I'll just have to catch you at a better time." He walked back out the library door. Leila pulled her aside.
"What was that about?"
"The usual, he wanted me to go out to dinner with him."
"Why don't you just tell him that you don't like him? Or you're involved with anther guy?"
"One, I've tried to tell him I don't like him before, but he just argues and argues and I can't ever get him to stop. So if he wants to live in his own little world that's fine with me. And two he might try and kill any guy he thought I was seeing."
"Keep him away from Draco then! That guy I more protective then anyone I've ever met. To bad he's your cousin." Leila had already guessed he wasn't her cousin, but she didn't know what he was to her so she hadn't come on to him, yet.
"So how long has he been in town now?" She continued.
"Oh a month and a half, I don't know how I live with him. He drives me up the wall. At least he stays in his part of the house most of the time."
"I'm sure. Anyway I have a big party tonight, so I gotta go. Why don't you and Draco close up."
"Okay, have fun at your party." Hermione didn't like how she slightly stressed the word you and Draco.
**Yay done! Please read and review you darlings!