A/N: Finally, I got the 18th chapter up. But firstly, I want to say Happy birthday to our goddess J.K Rowling and the amazing Harry Potter...!! And thank you to all my reviewers! Enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 18: Pleasure to meet you

"How was that?" Draco asked as they got down to the ground, placing his Nimbus 2001 broom on his shoulders.

"Amazing..." Hermione replied dreamily, as though she had just learnt how to fly, "I've never felt so alive...since Hogwarts, I mean..."

Draco grinned and gave her a sideway look as they walked through the door.

As they got back outside, it was already darker than it was before. There were still music playing and they walked back towards the same grassy hill, just in time for second fireworks. This one was even more interesting, for there were figures coming out of the fires...figures like snakes and dragons.

It was a few seconds before they started talking again.

"What are you doing tomorrow?" Hermione asked as she lied on her back.

"I dunno...why?"

"Maybe you can come meet my friends at Diagon Alley tomorrow...if you want."

Draco couldn't help but smirk, "Why, next Saturday seems too long for you?"

Hermione shook her head and yawned...

In the middle of the show, as they talked, it grew silent between the two of them.

"Hey you still there?" Draco turned his head, and stared at the silenced Hermione lying on the grass.

He crawled over, only to see Hermione had fallen asleep. He smiled at her angelic face, and studied her for a few minutes. He grabbed his jacket and placed it on her shoulders. He gently ran his fingers through her straightened hair, making sure he doesn't do anything bad to it. He hasn't seen a sleeping girl this close to him, with a chance to run his fingers through her hair and stare without anyone noticing. And before long, as though someone had pushed him to, he leaned over to her forehead and kissed it gently. He quickly sat back up, noticing what he's just done.

I've kissed a mud—Muggle.... he thought, as he stared at her, noticing a different swarm inside him...a feeling he's never felt before...a first time...feeling warm....

After a few minutes, Hermione stirred. She squinted and her eyes blinked.

"Oh no!" her eyes wide open, staring back at the startled Draco, "How long have I been sleeping!?"

"Ten minutes..." he placed a finger on his lips, "Shh...I'll take you home..." he whispered as he stood up, taking her hand.

"Oh my gosh! I'm sorry..." she tried to get up her feet, rubbing her forehead and taking off her aching shoes.

"It's Ok, It's ok- I'll get you out of here. You look tired." He walked towards their table where lay their belongings.

"No, no you can stay here...I can go- I'm sorry if you didn't—" Hermione said as though she had forgotten she was still at the Flint's residence.

"I'm not letting you walk off alone, Granger." Draco gathered her things, and held her shoulder gently. "You can't just leave and make me look like a complete loner- that ruins my reputation," he smirked, "Besides, nobody will notice."

Hermione tried to smile and he offered to carry her things for her, "Just relax. Are you going to let that jacket hang on the back of you, all night? Wear it properly, you'll catch a cold." he said coolly.

"Yes, sir." She slipped her arms where they were suppose to be and relaxed on Malfoy's shoulders as he tightly wrapped his arms around her shoulders, Floo'ing back to Diagon Alley.

-

"Well, good night," he looked at her things as he returned it. Hermione stood on her porch, then took off his jacket to hand back.

"Good night," she smiled back. Just as Draco turned around to walk away, quickly Hermione said, "Thanks for tonight. I had a great time."

"Me too," he smiled back. He walked up to her and pecked her sweetly on the cheek. "See you tomorrow, Hermione."

"Where the bloody hell is that girl?" Ginny impatiently, and as a good friend, worriedly asked as she looked hopefully out the Leaky Cauldron doors.

"Calm down, sis. She'll turn up." Ron and Harry exchanged glances, as they drank their second butterbeer.

"Relax, it's only been a couple minutes..." Harry told her calmly.

"No, it's more than just a couple. It's been, what, twenty minutes?" Ginny crossed her arm, "Ah, whatever." She joined in with the boys with her butterbeer.

Around, three minutes later, Hermione arrived accompanied with a fine looking dirty-blonde following her from behind.

"Damn, Hermione, you woman, you!" Ginny winked and glanced at the impressed Ron and Harry beside her. Hermione couldn't help but smile.

"And where were we?" Ron asked with one brow up and nodded at the complete stranger behind her, "Harry and I were just talking about how hard to get you are, but you obviously proved us wrong!" Him and Harry laughed as Hermione playfully slapped Ron on the arm.

"Well, you guys, sit!" Ginny smiled and pointed at the two empty seats across from her.

"Yeah. So, why so late, Hermione?" asked Harry.

"Sorry, I woke up late because...I was at a party with Dr—" Hermione explained but was cut off.

"A party, eh?" Harry smirked, "Nothing happened, I hope" he winked at the Hermione and the boy. Hermione let out a small nervous laugh, "No, Ron of course not."

"Fancy a butterbeer, mate?" Ron pointed at his bottle. Hermione nodded, "Oh yeah, I'll go get some-"

The tall, grey-eyed boy pushed her shoulder back down to her seat, "Don't bother. I'll do it-"

Without hesitation, he stood up leaving Hermione no time to argue.

"Your romeo, Hermione?" Harry and Ron sniggered, "Ickle 'Mione's got a boyfriend!" Ron winked.

"Oh leave her alone you dogs, at least she got someone, a gentlemen... unlike neither of you!" Ginny said, leaving Harry and Ron's laughs replace with a frown. "Besides, I think he's a sweetheart!"

"Don't you?" Hermione smiled and turned her back to the counter, where the pale-faced boy talked to the bartender.

"I'm a gentleman!" Ron burped, "I dunno about Harry here..."

"Hey, I'm more of a gentleman than you!" Harry said coolly.

"And where did you find out? My mother?" Ron grinned.

"But she never said you were. And I'm not even a Weasley, Ron, and that's saying something." Harry looked at the red-eared Ron, grinning.

"Shut up, Harry"

"Who's laughing now, eh Ickle Ronnie kins?" Harry's smirk grew wider.

"Shut the hell up!"

Ginny and Hermione couldn't help but laugh, "Look at them parrots!"

By this time, someone placed two butterbeers beside Hermione.

"Anyways," Ginny rolled her eyes at Ron and Harry.

"So, how long have you two been together?" Harry asked the grey-eyed stranger, "I'm Harry. What's your name?"

"Thought you'd never ask, Potter," a grin spread through the stranger's mouth, "I'm Malfoy. Draco Malfoy."