*****

Hermione walked into Hogwarts with a smile plastered to her face. Although she was relieved to be back she couldn't help but feel as if she was going to miss the way he had acted. He meaning Draco- of course. Hermione began to frown but the smiled came back quickly when she caught a glimpse of her two best friends in the hall. Hermione ran towards them. She had to choke back tears; she hadn't realized just how much she'd missed them until now. They swept her into their arms for a group hug. Ron's face turned bright red and his ears now matched his red bag. Harry then spoke, "Hermione we missed you so much!"

"Yeah it's been bloody hell without you and so much happened. I don't know where to begin," added Ron.

"Err-let's go to the library and talk and Ron calm down- Hermione still has her bags in her hands," replied Harry.

Ron's face now turned pale. He then asked, "Need help Hermione?"

"Sure Ron," answered Hermione sweetly. She was glad to be back with her best friends and awaited their chat eagerly. After all, being with her best friends was never boring.

After returning to the common room and dropping of Hermione's bags, the golden-trio headed towards the library. They found an empty table in the corner and sat down. "HERMIONETELLUSALLABOUTTHETRIP," said Ron chewing with his mouth wide open.

"What?" said Harry, "Ron chew, swallow, then speak with your mouth shut. Ron swallowed and then repeated his comment, "Tell us about the trip," said Ron.

Hermione's heart began to race. She couldn't actually explain this to them. She wondered if she would still find Draco as attractive when he was flanked by Goyle and Crabbe. Hermione quickly stopped her thoughts and replied, "Well we ended up in New York," said Hermione avoiding looking into Harry's eyes.

"I know. That's definitely weird. I mean why their?" said Harry with a confused expression on his face.

"I'm stumped," said Ron, "I don't get how the ministry approved of this trip I mean I asked Dad and…"

"I thought about it a lot too and the only logical explanation is that the ministry wasn't aware of the trip," said Hermione, "I mean they wouldn't notice since it was only a weekend."

"Yeah, but why would Dumbledore hide such a thing from the ministry?" said Harry.

"Maybe because they wouldn't allow it," said Hermione.

"Also, why with all the secrets? I mean why didn't they just tell you where you were going from the start?" said Ron finally taking part in the conversation.

"Think about it, if they told everyone from the start do you think many people from the different houses would apply?"

"The only house that wouldn't apply would be Slytherin," said Harry, "I wouldn't mind if they didn't go."

"But, maybe that was the purpose of the trip," said Hermione.

"I don't get it," said Ron.

"Well maybe they wanted to see how two different house students got together," said Hermione thinking.

"Maybe," said Harry thinking about how he was going to bring up the topic of Malfoy. He was very curious what happened with him on the trip or if he hurt Hermione in any possible way.

"Beats me," said Ron shrugging.

"So how was Malfoy?" said Harry trying to remain calm.

"Fine, we basically ignored each other, said Hermione. She felt horribly inside for lying to her best friends but just didn't think that it was the perfect time to tell them yet.

"Harry breathed a sigh of relief. "Has he hurt you in anyway?" Harry asked as he tried not to blush.

"No, Draco didn't hurt me." When she spoke his name Hermione had to force herself not to smile as broadly as her mouth obviously wanted to. She looked at her feet.

Harry immediately got that distinct feeling and knew that Hermione was hiding something from him, but knew it could also be that she was just exhausted. It sure had to be a long weekend and being stuck with Malfoy. Being stuck with Malfoy surly would cause anyone serious strain. Harry felt relieved and decided to change the topic seeing how Hermione looked somewhat uncomfortable, "Pansy started her own newspaper," said Harry studying Hermione's face to see her reaction. It was just as he and Ron had expected her mouth hung wide open and she shrieked, "WHAT?"

"Dumbledore already gave her permission to start it," relied Ron in a voice which made you think that he gave up hope a while ago.

"What's with the long face Ron? Dumbledore must have given her permission to start it for a good reason," stated Hermione wondering if what she just said was true.

"Er…yeah it's for a project. She will include the moon's position in the atmosphere and say how she predicts it will affect different people or something like that," said Harry, "Or something with Divination."

"So then why are you worrying?" asked Hermione hoping that they wouldn't have a good response. But, boy was she mistaken.

"Look at this," said Ron handing her over a copy of Pansy's first issue. Hermione looked through it. In big, bold, fancy letters were Pansy's Paper. Then as Hermione read on she found articles on the moon and stars, about the history of Hogwarts, Quidditch, ECT. Everything looked fine, that is until she turned to the last page, the gossip page. Hermione read the article in shock. It was a short yet very effective article about Neville and his parents. Hermione, Harry and Ron were the only people who knew about the condition of Neville's parents who were in St. Mundos. The article told everyone about it. Hermione threw the paper on the table and asked quietly, "How did she know?"

Both wizards shrugged.

"Er…how did he take it?"

"Bad, he was really upset and naturally Crabbe and Goyle gave him a tough time," said Harry.

"Cheer up 'Mione he is fine now," said Ron. Hermione smiled at Ron and suddenly a look of panic ran through her. "I better review my notes I have been away from class all week and…," Hermione's voice trailed off as she went through her binders reading over her notes. Ron and Harry rolled their eyes.

At first, to Ron and Harry, Hermione being gone wasn't that bad. Sure they missed their bright, fun, lively and clever best friend but it was also like a mini holiday. No Hermione to push them to finish their homework days before it was due or to push them to start thinking of topics for their final essays. But, that also meant no Hermione to correct their homework or to whisper the correct answers under her breath to Ron during Potions class. They missed her so much when she was gone and felt her pain knowing she was with Malfoy. Harry then realized that's why Hermione didn't want to talk about Malfoy. She probably couldn't wait to get away from him- why would she want to talk about him now that she finally was free?

*****

Draco was sitting down surrounded by a bunch of people all curious about his trip. He answered all the questions as politely as he could. Finally, Pansy said, "Are you glad to finally be rid of that know-it-all Granger?"

Automatically Draco answered, "No…err I mean yes, of course I am." Draco then stood up and said, "I'm tired and I just spent a long day on a train. I'll be in bed." He turned around and left without noticing the curious looks everyone was giving him.

After Draco's long nap it was time for Potions. Draco got together his belongings and entered class. But being in class with Granger was pure hell. She was with her good old friends; the golden-trio was reunited. A look of disgust appeared on Draco's face when he thought how she bared to spend so much time with them. Yet, apparently she did. In the halls she was chatting away with them laughing and smiling just as she always done. She moved on. Yet Draco couldn't seem to go back to his old ways. It was especially difficult when she was around. He couldn't reveal anything when he saw her but when he did, his heart seemed to urge him to go over and talk to her. Draco swore under his breath, Damn it!

For the rest of the day Draco got better at ignoring her and took out his bad temper on her fellow Gryffindors. He was doing well until he accidentally bumped into her in the hallways. He knew they said in New York that they were going to end their 'relationship' so he said in his normal cruel voice, "Out of my way mudblood." The look on Hermione's face made his heart ache but he wasn't going to be the weak one to come crying back to Hermione. No, she was going to be the weak one begging him to take her back.

A/N- I broke 200 reviews! THANKS EVERYONE! Yup they are back at Hogwarts. It's pretty long and I hoped you liked it! Next chapter is going to be so amazing. I have so many good ideas. Here is the preview:

NEXT CHAPTER: Ginny questions Hermione about her relationship, Pansy seems to notice a change in Draco and develops a plan, Harry and Ron get curious, and Charm tutoring sessions between Malfoy and Granger start as planned.