Disclaimer: I do not own anything but the story plot, JKR owns all of this, and yes I am extremely jealous.


Summary: Hermione is given the advice to write a memoir. She reflects on her past telling us the story of what her life was like after the downfall of Voldemort. No longer a little girl, the woman of 24 tells us her story. How she hid from the world but at the same time found herself falling in love. Even if she denied it from the start. ~ A glimpse into the life of 24 year old Hermione Granger as she tackles the obstacles of friends, family, work, luck, mistakes, challenges, lessons and love. Prepare yourself, you have no idea what you have just gotten yourself into.


Note: Thank you in advance for taking the time out to read this. It's a work in progress, which basically means I have no idea how often I can post. But hopefully with your support I'll find the strength to get at least one chapter up per week. I hope you enjoy this story and please when you're done review. The beginning of the story is told in first person and then it changes when we get to the actual story. Sorry if its confusing but I think you will catch on.


Chapter 7~ The Dragon Saves the Day…Again

So this was it, I was off to see George, to find out if I really did fancy him or not. Ginny had been suspicious when I told her I was going out again, but I was able to sneak out when she went to use the bathroom. I hated lying to her, it made me feel like a terrible friend, but I couldn't imagine what she would think if I actually told her what happened last night. My head was clouded over with such confusion about the whole situation. It still didn't seem possible that I had slept with my best friends brother, it was ludicrous. Ive never had to deal with problems like this…usually my biggest problems occur at work, when I don't get my papers finished on time. Yet this was so real life it scared me. I wasn't ready to live in the world…I was content being lonesome Hermione, I wasn't prepared for any of this…

Hermione walked slowly down Diagon Alley. Most of the shops were closed or closing, and the ones that were open were either restaurants or cafés. There were a few people scattered through the streets and Hermione smiled when she saw Seamus Finnigan walking out of The Leaky Cauldron.

" Seamus Finnigan…how are you. " she smiled and wrapped her arms around him.

" Very good Hermione, how are you? " he pulled her close and squeezed her tightly.

" Fine, oh Seamus it is really great to see you! How is America? That's where you went on business correct? " she folded her arms over each other and rubbed them together. The air was cool and breezy and Hermione had forgotten her sweater.

" America is wonderful, although the people there are a bit strange…their Quidditch teams are good though, Ive become quite a fan of the Salem Snitches. " he put his hands in his pockets.

" How is Dean? Have you spoken to him lately? "

" Actually that's why Im here, I came to visit him, thought I would drop by some old hang outs first though. " he took a card out of his pocket, " This is my address in America, if you ever have the time come visit with Harry and Ron. I would really like to see them as well. "

" That would be lovely Seamus. " she took the card and placed it in her own pocket.

" Tell Harry and Ron I said Hello…good night Hermione. " he gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, and stepped back.

" Bye Seamus. " she smiled shyly and headed for the door of the Leaky Cauldron.

The Leaky Cauldron was not crowded at all which eased Hermione a bit, she wasn't sure how she would explain anything if someone recognized her there. As she surveyed the room she realized that George had still not arrived, so she headed for a quaint back table where no one would bother them. Tom stood behind the bar and waved to Hermione , she smiled at him and nodded her head. The room was filled with laughter and chatter and Hermione swallowed a big lump that was in her throat, she couldn't deny the fact that she was nervous. She had never been so nervous in her entire life.

' Everything will be fine Hermione…just remember no drinking. ' she thought to herself.

" Hello Hermione…" she looked away from Tom and up to George who was standing at the edge of the table. He was wearing a black sweater and black pants. It went nice with his red hair and brought out his strong facial features. Hermione felt her face go red, and she took a deep breath.

" Please sit George…I think we really need to talk…" her tone was sincere but the look on her face showed the nervousness she had wanted to hide.

" Why do you look as though your going to die…is it really that bad to be with me? " he shook his head and sat down obviously disappointed by her reaction

" No George…Im just…well you see…" she sighed and placed her hand to her forehead, " Im just very nervous. " pushing her hair behind her ears she wondered if the tip of her earlobes were pink. Whenever she was nervous about something her earlobes would turn a bright shade of pink. It was rather annoying.

" Nervous about what? You made it perfectly clear this morning that you didn't want anything to do with me…whats to be nervous about? " he was growing impatient. If she didn't want to admit that last night was fun, then neither did he…even though he wanted to take her in his arms and whisk her away from everything.

A loud laugh fro the next table startled Hermione before she could answer. They both looked to their left and groaned in disgust.

" What do you want Malfoy? " George sighed.

" Is Ginny here?" Hermione asked, looking around frantically

" First of all, no Ginny is not here, and second of all I wanted to know if you two were going for round two already? " he smirked at Hermione. God how she hated that smirk.

" Round two of what? " George raised his eyebrows

" Oh do I really need to explain? Didn't your mother teach you about the birds and the bees? Or did Granger here teach you last night? " he laughed again, it was evil and sinister…but he was Draco Malfoy so it didn't surprise them at all.

" How do you know what happened last night? " Hermione shot at him.

" Because I saw you two drunkards at the Light Café. " he turned to Hermione, " I thought we agreed that you wouldn't drink anymore alcohol…it really does a number on you. " he laughed and sat back in his chair.

" What did you see Malfoy…you didn't tell anyone right?" George clenched his fists together, his anger on its last thread.

" No I didn't tell anyone…but I did see a lot…you two were getting very friendly in there. As a matter of fact the waitress made you leave because you kept kissing at the table. I think she was jealous…she seemed to be eyeing George a bit to much. Then when you went outside I thought you were going to maul each other right there…it was disgusting. " Malfoy shivered and pursed his lips together.

" So you didn't tell Ginny? " Hermione asked again

" No, on the contrary I tried to help you out. I over heard you saying how you were going back to the apartment, and knowing Virginia the way I do I knew she would be curious as to why you would be coming home so late so I followed you, and apparated into Ginny's room, when she heard you come in I put a silencing charm on your room, and kept her…occupied. " he smirked again and George made a face.

" So that's why she didn't hear us…a silencing charm…" he smiled and then looked at Hermione. Realizing what he had said he felt his face turn red from embarrassment.

" Now that this conversation is over I will be leaving. " Malfoy stood from his chair and stretched. " Goodnight you two. Have a pleasant evening…and if you decide to go again…remember to use the charm. I don't want to be hearing any stories from Ginny." he pushed his chair into the table and threw some sickles down. He grabbed his heavy cloak and weaved through the people and to the door.

" Hey Malf- Draco…" Hermione jumped up and ran over to him, " Thanks for…you know…helping us out. " she smiled

" Not a problem Granger, not a problem. " he pushed through the door of the leaky cauldron and left.

She couldn't believe that Malfoy had actually helped her out…again. It was becoming a bit eerie how he seemed to always be in the right places at the right time. Hermione headed back over to George who was talking with Tom. Hermione bit her tongue and hoped that he wouldn't say anything about them being there together.

" Hello Tom, how are you this evening? " Hermione asked as she sat back down in her chair.

" Fine Hermione thank you, can I get you the usual? " he pulled the quill from behind his ear and began scratching away on the parchment.

" Yes that would be wonderful Tom…what would you like George? "Hermione questioned

" Um- just get me whatever she is having…" he shrugged his shoulders and Tom smiled.

" You don't even know what you ordered. " she laughed giving him a small push on the arm.

" Im sure it will be something good, after all you ordered it. " he fidgeted in his seat, " Hermione can I ask you something? "

" Yes…" her heart began to beat quickly again.

" Why did you push me away this morning? Why do that and then call me out here tonight? " Tom returned with the drinks and placed them on the table. Hermione slowly sipped hers and exhaled. It was heavenly. George on the other hand took a sip and almost died.

" This is disgusting…" he coughed and put the cup back down on the table.

" George…" she placed her cup down as well, " It wasn't that I pushed you away, I was just….just scared. I have never acted that way before, and it scared me. And then thinking of the reactions of my friends…Harry, Ron, Ginny, even Fred, Im sure they would have mixed feeling about the whole situation, and that scared me too. I just…Im not going to lie and say Im not attracted to you, because I am, but I don't know if I want to risk friendship, all because of one night…one crazy night. Do you understand at all? " her face was twisted into worry and she hoped that somewhere he did understand what she had said.

" I do…I just, well Im attracted to you as well Hermione, and that scares me. Ive known you for so long, and never have I thought about you more then just another sister…it scares me to think that I wasted all that time not really knowing who you were…and I don't want to do that anymore…Ive been alone for too long, and Im afraid if I don't take a chance on you, Im going to be alone for the rest of my life. " he grabbed her hand and looked into her eyes. It was so sincere, so meaningful that Hermione could not find anything to refuse him of the offer.

She sighed and tapped her fingers on the table, " Here's an idea, lets just date for awhile…nothing serious, just date. We wont say anything to anyone unless it becomes absolutely necessary. Of course my friend Emily will know, and Draco, but that's it."

" Hey how come you get to tell a friend, but I cant? " George crossed his arms and huffed.

" Because the only person you would tell would be Fred and if he knows, then the entire world would know. Its going to be hard enough not telling Ginny, Ron or Harry…just think about that. "

" Your right…so…well…," he ran his hands through his fingers and yawned. " what do we do now? "

" Well we are not drunk tonight…" she stopped herself and blushed

" Don't suppose you want to take Malfoy up on his suggestion…go for round two? " He whispered the last part and Hermione smiled.

Throwing some money down on the table they both rushed towards the door.

Special Thanks :

Hollie: Thanks so much for reviewing my story. And yes I do love your reviews! No problem with the email, I like to send it out because I know sometimes when you read a story you forget to check up on it. Thanks again!!!!!

Cinnamon: Thank You!!

JoeBob1379: I hope this chapter explained some of your questions. Thanks for reviewing!!

JAMTillDawn: Yes Hermione seems to be a crazy drunk…heh, well I hope you were able to read the last chapter! Thank you for reviewing!!

Iloverupert13: Eh reviews arent everything, I just like writing this story! Thank you for leaving a review!!

Thanks for reading this chapter, I hope it answered some of your questions. Please review when your done reading this, and if you would like to leave a flame remember what Smokey the Bear says " Only you can prevent forest fires! "