-*-Six Degrees of Separation-*-

-Party Time-

They say only six people connect everyone in the world to every other person. Every person in the world! Imagine that, anyone - from a celebrity to a small child in Iraq – is connected to you, and you to them. You're connected to all of them. Just six people. Six degrees of separation.

**

"I don't believe I let you talk me into this."

"Oh come on, it's too late to have second thoughts now. Take this floo powder."

"I mean, look at me! I look nothing like myself!"

"And you look great; now take this powder –"

"I don't think I want to go."

"Hermione, are you going to make me hex you into obliviation?"

"Don't be stupid, I'd hex you first."

"Exactly, so let's hope it doesn't get to that. Take this powder, and let's go."

Hermione sighed. She patted down her ruffled skirt, and took a handful of powder. She lifted it up and down in her hand, as if weighing it. Her brow furrowed, obviously deep in thought.

"Hurry up, we're going to be late!" And with that Jamie pushed an un-expecting Hermione into the fireplace. Blue flames (A/N or green flames? Ugh, can't be bothered to look it up) licked up around her, and saying the address of the party, she disappeared.

Promptly appearing in a smoke filled room, Hermione surveyed her surroundings while waiting for Jamie. The room seemed to be quite large, although not much could be seen through the smoke. It was filled with a mass of bodies, a lot dancing to the music that could be heard over all conversation. Hermione thought that no one had noticed her, til someone poked their head out to get a better look of her.

"Hey babe! Nice -" Whoever had spoken was quickly slapped, though not, unfortunately, by Hermione, who immediately crossed her arms, covering her chest. Jamie appeared next to Hermione.

"Took you long enough."

"Sorry, I forgot something."

"What? Lipgloss?"

"Don't be mean! Like I'd forget my lipgloss."

"Nothing huge, huh? Looks pretty big to me." Hermione gestured towards the mass of swarming bodies. Jamie rolled her eyes in return.

"This is obviously just where the music is, come on." Jaimie grabbed Hermione's arm, and pulled her into the mass of swarming bodies, catching Hermione off guard. "We'll go say 'hi' to Ralph, and then get something to drink." Hermione had no choice but to oblige to Jamie's instructions.

Ralph was very nice, and even recognised Hermione.

"You were that girl that danced with Viktor at the Yule Ball. Yeah, I was at Durmstrang at the time. Small world, eh? Well, you sure have grown up." He laughed, and spoke a few kind words to Jamie. Then they were off to the drinks.

Hermione started chatting amicably to a wizard who was also in the science field. Jamie had gone off to dance with some other friends of hers, and Hermione was quite content on her own. Being right in front of the music, Hermione had to charm her ears to not hear so much, but it also meant that there was constantly that mass of swarming bodies, and occasionally people would come out and chat to her. She found this slightly comforting, that at any time she could just disappear into these bodies without seeming overly rude.

Another person irrupted from the bodies, and Hermione had the odd sensation of deja vu as he did. He got a drink, and then stuck around, chatting to Hermione. They were talking about the music, when Hermione realised something.

"I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name."

"Draco. Draco Malfoy." Hermione blinked a few times, stuck a finger in her ear and took it out, and considered lifting the charm on her ears.

"I'm sorry, I just thought you said Draco..."

"Malfoy. Yeah, I did. You ok?" Hermione considered lying about who she was, but stopped to take a good look at the person who tormented her thoughout school. His silver-blonde hair, his muscular torso, his eyes... He looked great.

Of course, Draco had always looked great. In school he was what every girl wanted, and probably, Hermione assumed, what every girl got. But she was not going to lye to this git. They were adults.

"Nothing. I'm Hermione Granger. We went to Hogwarts together, remember?"

"Oh yeah, thought you looked familiar. Small world, eh?" Draco chuckled to himself, not seeming to want to share his private joke. Being the second time she heard that phrase, she practically ignored it. "So, Granger," He emphasised her name, "what have you been doing since breaking the record for amount of NEWTS?"

Hermione thought of retorting, but held herself back, reminding herself that they were adults, and that he had no choice - he was raised that way. "Well, I got into a university - best in the world, actually - and studied science. Science of magic." She was about to expand on it, when she realised he probably wouldn't care. He wasn't a caring sort of person. "Probably nothing that interests you."

Hermione thought Draco looked slightly taken aback by this comment. "No, I'm interested. Amazing stuff, magic I mean."

Draco? Interested in science? Interested in what Hermione had to say? Not only was the world small, but it was also twisted.

--

A/N Like it? Ugh, it's late, and I'm going to bed. gnite.

Next Chapter: The rendezvous of Draco and Hermione. Where else can they meet?!?! Help please.

And of course the pleading for reviews. plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz review. plz.