Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Everything belongs to J.K.R and WB and whoever is involved with the editing + publishing + distributing of the books.

Pairings: Harry/Ginny, Draco/Hermione, Ron/OC Rating: R Setting: Story starts summer before 6th year.

-Hermione's POV-

Looking around worriedly for Harry, Ginny tensed next to me and poked my arm, motioning for me to turn around.

Having a feeling that I'm going to come face to face with Malfoy, I turned stiffly, ready to give him a glare and get rid of him as fast as I could.

So I did. I mean, I did turn and glare at him. That was at far as I got because somehow my mind ceased to function while looking at Malfoy. The jerk had grown even taller! He is the same height as Ron now.. honestly this is a conspiracy!

"Well, well, well. If it isn't Granger, Weasley, and Potter's girlfriend." Malfoy said, a smirk starting to form.

"What do you want, Malfoy?" I heard Ron ask with pure venom in his voice.

Malfoy ignored Ron. "Where's your boyfriend, little weasel?" he asked Ginny.

Her face quickly flushed and she angrily replied, "He isn't my boyfriend!!"

"Oh yes, I forgot, even someone as low as Potter doesn't want you." He said chuckling.

I mentally shook myself out of the daze and found my voice. "Shut up, Malfoy! We pretended we didn't see you and you could do the same with us."

-3rd person POV (author's)-

{Did Granger just tell me to shut up?} Draco thought.

His eyes flashing with irritation, he stepped up closer to Hermione and sneered down at her. "Who the hell do you think you are? You're nothing but a little mudblood, giving you no right to even breathe the same air as I am. Hell, you are nothing but a dirty bit-"

Suddenly Draco felt the familiar heavy weight of the snakehead on his father's cane land on his shoulder. (Borrowed that idea from chamber of secrets movie, I loved the idea of the cane) Feeling pressure being exerted from his father to his shoulder, Draco knew that if he didn't move away quickly, there would be hell to pay later. Still, it didn't mean Draco had to look pleased about it. So he allowed himself to scowl and be nudged aside to stand in the background while the appearance of Lucius made Ron, Ginny, and Hermione squirm uncomfortably.

"Well, well, well-what do we have here?" Lucius sneered. Picking out Hermione first he stepped closer to her, not attempting to hide the loathing that shone out of his eyes. "Miss. Granger. It's been a while. Tell me, how are your parents? I don't believe I saw them around yet."

Hermione glared daggers at Lucius and replied, "They're absolutely fine."

"Unfortunately." Lucius ended the conversation coldly.

Completely ignoring her now, Lucius turned to Ron and Ginny. "What's this? New dress robes? Draco has told me all about the dress robes you had Weasley. What was it? Frills? Laces? Now you are flaunting your small fortune around. Goodness." He chuckled.

Ron flushed and glowered at Lucius. Ginny looked around nervously, hoping to see someone come and save them from this particular predicament.

"Ah.... the youngest Weasley."

Ginny gulped and turned back to face Lucius.

Lucius reached out a hand and lifted Ginny's chin. "Tsk tsk..such a pity, really. You might have been something if it weren't for your parents. Hmm..being the only female besides your mother in the household does have its merits doesn't it?"

"W-what do you mean?" Ginny stammered.

"What do I mean? Why, unless I am mistaken, you have 5 brothers. And with a family like yours..don't things get rowdy from time to time? Enlighten me, girl, do you enjoy it?"

Draco raised a brow, not even he would go that far. His father is certainly taking a risk talking so openly in public.

Ginny, still not comprehending the veiled insult behind the question, stared in confusion while she heard Ron hiss in fury.

"Mr. Malfoy, I suggest you apologize to Ginny for that remark." A new voice joined in.

Everyone glanced toward the voice to see Harry standing there in a rumpled oversized suit with a faded tie. On his face, was a determined expression, eyes focused directly on Lucius.

Letting go of Ginny, Lucius smiled at Harry. The gesture didn't reach his eyes, which were radiating with malice.

"Mr. Potter."

Harry nodded, but the scowl on his face didn't fade. Lucius shrugged one shoulder lightly and smirked at Ginny. "I apologize Miss. Weasley." Then he turned and walked away.

"Oh, Harry!" Hermione said, relieved.

"That bastard. Talking like that to Ginny!" Ron fumed, forming a fist and shaking it.

Ginny placed a hand on Ron's shoulder. "Ron, its ok. Remember, he's just a Malfoy."

"Potter, what the hell are you wearing?" Draco interrupted. He was annoyed at how they forgot his presence there. In addition, Potter looked ridiculous!

Harry looked down and felt heat on his face. "Err...." The Dursleys would not let him wear his dress robes, saying that they didn't want to be seen with a freak. So instead, he was forced into one of Dudley's old suits and Uncle Vernon's faded tie.

"That's a suit. Muggles wear it, don't you know that?" Hermione said, saving Harry.

"I know THAT. What I was referring to is how idiotic Potter looks in that..oversized, wrinkled..ancient..thing."

"Its not Harry's choice of clothing. His uncle probably forced him to wear it." Ron said, coming to Harry's defense.

Draco snickered. "Another example of why Muggles shouldn't exist."

Satisfied that he made the group uneasy and that he was getting the last word. Draco turned to leave.

"That git." Hermione muttered.

"That git and his goddamn father." Ron corrected.

Ginny blushed a little as she looked at Harry. "Hi Harry. How did you manage to be here?" Damn. She had been trying so hard not to act "lovesick" around him, as her brothers call it. She hung around Harry, Ron, and Hermione more and more since during her 4th year at Hogwarts, and didn't want to make situations awkward by revealing her infatuation any further. Everyone just assumed she stopped liking Harry in that sense.

"Dumbledore had to write a letter, persuading them to let me attend. I didn't read it, but when Uncle Vernon gave me permission, he was yelling at me about not letting my crazed godfather near him."

Everyone laughed and Ron slung an arm around Harry's shoulders while pulling him along. "Harry, you little midget. Come on, my mom was worried sick about you."

Harry elbowed Ron good-naturedly. "Shut it, I am only 2 inches shorter than you."

"Yea, making you still taller than me." Hermione grumbled.

"Don't worry Hermione, you and I are the same." Ginny said, pretending to look angry with her brother and Harry.

"I'm so scaaared." Ron teased.

"Dinner is about to be served. Everyone please group to the sides and make space in the middle of the room. Tables and chairs will be set up." A voice boomed from somewhere near the front of the room.

"Hurry up, slowpoke!" Ginny grinned at Harry and ran off in the direction of her family.

"Was that a challenge?" Harry said, setting off after her. Hermione and Ron shrugged at each other and ran after the two.