Disclaimer: Nope, I still don't own Harry Potter. I never will.
Author's Note: Chapter four is here! Sorry, it was bit shorter than the last one. But you'll live. *grins*
Chapter 4 – Changes"I kinda knew you fell for him, after all he is smart as well as handsome…unlike ol' ugly Ron huh?" Ron joked.
"Shut your bloody mouth, Ron…!" Hermione laughed and shoved him lightly on the shoulder. She felt a bit better after she talked with Ron about his life out in the world. He was just like her another stockbroker on Wall Street.
"But, I thought you said you were going to work with your Dad at the Ministry soon?" Hermione asked, confusion set into her eyes.
"Well, yeah… but since he works with Muggle-type matters, I was thinking of working in the Muggle life," Ron answered. Hermione nodded. "About a month ago, I had actually gone to the States for about three weeks," he said. Hermione furrowed her brows.
"Funny, I never did see you around there," Hermione said.
"Neither did I," Ron replied.
"I hope we can get together sometime for lunch soon then," she smiled at him.
"I agree," Ron replied and nodded.
"I suppose your father is somewhat proud, after all he is a major in muggle studies." Hermione said.
"True, true…" Ron agreed. "But what about you? How are you dealing with life without magic?" Ron continued. Hermione beamed at him. She had come to enjoy the old Muggle life.
"Oh, I'm quite used to it, as a matter of fact. You know me, the muggle-born Hermione…" Hermione chuckled. Ron just looked at her, feeling a bit sorry about the whole Mudblood thing. But he was proud that she had learned to ignore it. "You know that I try my best to not take advantage of magic. I only use it when necessary." she finished. Ron nodded.
"Yeah, I had to use my magic though to gel my hair this morning… I was kinda tired" Ron yawned. He noticed the look on Hermione's face and laughed.
"You know, I am just joking," he said through his laughter.
"Er… yeah…" Hermione replied.
~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~
They arrived at the last stop where it would take them to their destination. Ron waved at someone farther down the platform. He had platinum blonde, gelled back hair and was on a cellular phone.
"Draco!" Ron yelled.
"Hey Weasel!" Draco joked as he ran towards him.
"Hey Draco," Hermione said a bit confused. Why was Ron being so nice to Draco? she thought.
"Oh, Hermione I forgot to mention. Draco and I, after summer vacation that is… well we met each other on Wall Street and then decided to maybe take your advice—" he was stopped by a rather surprised and delighted Hermione.
"And now you two are friends?" Hermione said, smiling at the two.
"Sort of," Draco answered. "Just roommates, this poor old rag—" Ron snapped around at him. He laughed. "Sorry," "Anyway, Weasley here needed some money to pay for a place to live. So I felt bad for the poor soul and just told him to come and pay the rent with me." Hermione widened her eyes, in disbelief. She was shocked at Draco's newfound personality.
"Wow, Malfoy. That was really kind of you. I'd never imagine you changing this much…" Hermione said. "Well, I'm glad. It's about time you came to your senses." Draco nodded.
"People do change," he said. Hermione wondered about that with Harry.
"Well now, I suppose you heard about the great news," Draco continued. "Harry, our dear friend is getting married." Hermione noticed the slight drip of sarcasm in his voice.
"And so I have," Hermione mumbled. She looked down glumly at her shoes. Draco arched a brow.
"Why so down, Granger?" Draco asked. He smiled at her. "Be joyful for your ol' chum," He frowned in disappointment. "Besides the fact that he still hasn't come to his own senses,"
"What do you mean by that?" Hermione asked. Ron looked over at her and smiled sadly.
"He doesn't agree with being friends with Draco." Ron said. "He's sort of mad at me for taking his offer in living with him as well as partially using his money to pay my expenses." Ron finished.
"Well, in my opinion," Draco started. "If he is so mad at you, why didn't he offer you a place to stay in the first place?"
"He did, but he kicked me out because of Cho" Ron mumbled and looked down at his shoes. He was disappointed, okay to put it bluntly… he was mad at his so-called "best friend" for kicking him out, because a girl had gotten in the way. He thought Harry was better than that.
"Ha! He chose a girl over you, Weasel," Draco joked. Hermione sighed.
"Indeed," Hermione said, glumly. "He chose a girl over his best friend," She bowed her head, trying to cover her face with her hair. She felt the tears coming on again. Ron looked over to his depressed best friend sympathetically. She looked like she was on the verge of tears again. He leaned over to Draco.
"Draco stop, Hermione is a bit mad that Harry got engaged without telling her," Ron whispered. Draco smirked at Hermione.
"So?" Draco said. "Are you telling me she still has a stupid bloody crush over Pothead?" Draco joked.
"Just please shut up about it, Malfoy…" Ron nudged him in the ribs. Draco nodded in understanding.
"I hope she'll do well at the wedding," Draco said softly. His redheaded friend shook his head.
"She didn't get invited to the wedding," Ron replied under his breath, looking sorrowfully to Hermione.
"What?" Draco whispered back, in shock. Ron then pulled Draco to the side.
"Draco, remember when you made that foul comment on the day of our graduation?" Ron asked. Draco nodded.
"Well, after you and Harry fought with one another, she got a little upset, since it was our last day and all. And well, she felt that you and Harry just might've actually made peace," Ron paused to catch his breath. Draco was shocked at Hermione's opinion. Me, make peace with Potter? he thought. Ron continued, "After all, you guys can't be rivals forever. So Harry got upset, because he thought she was siding with you… and you know what happens when it comes to you with Harry. So—"
"I get it Ron," Draco said. Ron blushed slightly and nodded. Suddenly, they heard Hermione's voice calling them.
"Guys!" Hermione exclaimed, feeling frustrated. "Lets go! I can't hold onto this suitcase forever!" Ron nodded to her.
"Coming," Ron replied. "Come on…" he said to Draco.
With that they all went to the side and apparated together to Hogwarts.