Hermione Granger let out a sigh of relief as she turned out the lights and locked the door to her office. "Finally! Some freedom!" she exclaimed.

For the past three weeks, Hermione had been working non stop around the clock. She would go home every night at 10 PM and return to work at 6AM. She had taken to eating granola bars for meals and hadn't seen her boyfriend, Draco Malfoy in three weeks.

When she stepped out into the dazzling moonlight and inhaled a breath of fresh air, someone grabbed her from behind. Out of instinct, she whipped out her wand, shoved it into her attackers side and roared, "Stupefy!" in a matter of seconds.

Her attacker fell to the ground stunned. Hermione turned slowly, her wand still raised, but lowered it slightly when she saw who it was. "Ennervate," she said in a rush. Before her attacker had even gotten to his feet, Hermione had already started her verbal tirade.

"Harry James Potter! How dare you sneak up on me from behind! You know who paranoid I am!"

Harry picked himself up off the ground and brushed off his clothes. "Sorry Hermione. Should've known better. We're all a bit jumpy," he explained.

Her expression softened. "I'm sorry. I didn't know it was you. I guess we're all still nervous about Death Eaters."

Harry grinned. "No problem. That's probably the first time you've used magic in a while! From what I hear, you've been buried under papers for the past month. No need for magic with that."

Hermione gritted her teeth. "It was only three weeks! Besides, the prototype is done so the hard part is over."

Harry held up his hands in mock defeat. "Touchy, touchy! I didn't mean to offend you, Hermione. We just missed you!"

"We?" Hermione asked skeptically.

"Yes, we. You know, your long lost friends? The ones you've known since, say, first year? That's why you aren't allowed to go home tonight. We're taking you out to dinner."

Hermione smiled weakly. "Well, if you insist. But- Draco! I haven't seen him in three weeks!"

"You haven't seen us either!" Harry said, and continued before Hermione could protest. "What's more important? Some guy you started dating when you were 16, or friends you've known for half of your life?" Harry stuck out his bottom lip and made pleading puppy dog eyes.

"Harry! I can't believe you're making me choose! You know I can't say no to that face!" she wailed. "Fine, I'll come, but only for a little while! You may be my friends, but Draco is my lover," she said with a humorous glint in her eyes. "He can give me things you can't."

Harry laughed. "Well, I could give them to you, but Pansy might not appreciate it." Hermione glared at him. "Oh, I see what your priorities are. Pleasure first, friends later."

"Damn straight!" she said jokingly.

Harry rolled his eyes. "Come on, we're all waiting for you at the Kettle Ho."

~*~*~*~

Author Note: Please read and review!

Moony2187