Author's Note: Alright, thanks to everyone who's reviewed… you guys rock! So, here's the next chapter, I hope it's long enough for those of you who were looking for longer chapters… and, as always… let me know what you think! Ciao!

The next few months until Christmas were surreal. Draco was unbelievably nice, Harry was never around because he was incredibly busy with Quidditch, Ron was unbearable. It was as if the whole perspective had shifted around. If someone had asked me if Draco would replace Ron as one of my friends – as loosely as the term was used – I would have called them completely insane and in need of a trip to St. Mungo's.

¤ ¤ ¤

"Hermione, did you get the homework done for Advanced Astronomy?" Draco called over to me from his table at breakfast.

"Of course!" I called back. "Did you?"

"Of course!" He grinned and went back to his toast.

I shook my head. So very odd.

¤ ¤ ¤

I saw Harry on my way to Potions and we fell into step together. "So, how's the team this year coming?"

He shrugged, looking tired. "They're alright. The new beaters are coming along fine. They're no Weasley twins but they're coming along. It just takes up so much of my time. I mean, I haven't really seen you outside class in ages, Hermione. I'm sorry."

I shrugged back, smiling. "Don't worry about me, Harry, I'm fine."

He frowned. "Yeah, I heard you've taken to hanging out with Draco more and more lately…"

I sighed. "Been talking to Ron then? It's nothing. It's odd. I mean, Draco has hated me since I came to this school and now he's changed and I don't know why but that's alright. I mean, I'm alright with him being nice to me. Even if it is to get something for himself, I really don't care as long as it doesn't affect me. He's even better to Neville now."

"I don't trust him, Hermione. Just watch yourself."

"I will. Thanks though." We walked into class and he went over to Ron and his cauldron while I made my way to the front to where Draco was waiting with a smile.

"Question five was hard, wasn't it?" he asked, shifting over on the bench to make room for me.

I plunked down my books. "Yes, it was."

We started to work, cutting things up and mixing them into the cauldron. Today we were creating a sleeping draught.

I had to admit Draco and I made a good team, we were the top two of our year and our minds worked similarly – I cut up a set of beetroots and handed them over, not even looking up but knowing his hand was right there to take them.

About halfway through the class, I looked up to find him watching me as if he wanted to say something. "Yes?"

He shook his head. "Nothing."

"Come on, Draco… spit it out…"

He shrugged. "Well, you see, my father has gotten me tickets for the opening of Sunny Imbroglio's new opera this weekend, and well, I had originally thought to bring Pansy but seeing as I don't really speak to her anymore, I was wondering if you would like to go with me… as friends," he added quickly, as I opened my mouth to protest. "I know that you are with Oliver Wood. It's too bad that I didn't reform a year earlier… but no matter, I would rather have you as a friend than nothing at all…"

I nodded. "Well, Draco, I will have to think about it… it's a beautiful offer but I just can't decide right now…"

"I know. It was just thrown at you… take all the time you wish… but I shall need a decision by Friday as the opera is on Sunday and I need to make travel arrangements…"

"Okay. Thanks Draco. Now, I need the mirkweed."

"Of course!" He handed it over, distractedly.

I cut it up methodically, wondering what I was going to do.

¤ ¤ ¤

It still plagued me when I left potions, waving goodbye to Draco. Harry and Ron were in deep conversation so I had no chance of talking to him about it. Even if Ron and I had been friends, I still would know his answer. 'Draco Malfoy, Hermione? He's dirt, lower than dirt, he's disgusting and vile and wrong.' Maybe before this year I would have agreed with him but Draco had changed… maybe actually grown up.

I was a bit apprehensive about talking to Oliver about it. I mean, he had a right to know what I was doing and it wasn't as if I were going behind his back on anything, Draco and I were just friends and it was going to stay that way. But on the other hand, I wouldn't want him to know about nothing. He didn't want to know all about all my friendships so why would he start now? I felt torn – what if I told him and it blew way out of proportion and then became this huge deal in our relationship even though it was nothing? But on the other hand, what if it was a huge deal afterwards and he yelled at me because I hadn't told him… but it shouldn't bother him because it was nothing so therefore he didn't need to know about it.

And it was just as friends. Draco knew about Oliver and therefore would not do anything out of line, judging from his behaviour lately.

So it was decided… I'd go with Draco to the opera… merlin, it sounded so old

¤ ¤ ¤

I checked myself in the mirror one more time, making sure that nothing was out of place. I wanted to look presentable in front of Draco's parents. I knew that his father disapproved of me. I knew that his father actually probably hated me. I didn't know why he had allowed me to come. Draco must have really pushed it.

That made me suspicious. Draco could have brought any girl that he wanted to this opera, yet he asked the one person that he knew his father hated. Was this a personal attack on his father? I didn't want to be in the middle of anything.

I shook my head, careful not to shake my hair loose, and went out to meet Draco.

We'd gotten special permission from Dumbledor to go out tonight and Draco's personal coach waited at the gate.

Draco himself was dressed up in a simple black tuxedo, looking rather dashing, with his normally slicked back hair gel-free and loose, falling into his eyes and forcing him to toss his head back to get it out. It was pouring out so he was holding an umbrella at his side.

"Hermione, you look beautiful!" he called, as I walked down the stairs.

"Thanks, you look handsome as well…" I said, smiling. Although I would give a million Dracos just to have one Oliver waiting at the bottom of this staircase for me…I thought to myself.

He held out his arm to help me to the carriage while holding the umbrella steady so we wouldn't get wet. "Milady?"

I allowed him, fear mounting in me as we walked down the path arm in arm. There was no way that Draco thought that this wasn't a date… "So I heard from Oliver today-" I started.

He helped me into the carriage then got in beside me. "The opera is going to be lovely," he cut in. "My father got us the best seats. They'll meet us at the opera house…"

I nodded, suddenly wishing I'd told Oliver about tonight.

¤ ¤ ¤

"Mother, Father, this is Hermione. Hermione, my parents, Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy."

I felt the urge to curtsey to them but fought it, settling for a nod and a shake of the hand. "How do you do this evening?"

Lucius smiled, more of a smirk. "Good and yourself?"

"Good."

"Shall we find our seats then?" Narcissa asked her husband.

He nodded. "But of course…" They started away and he looked back, saying, "Have fun you two…" And then they were gone, leaving us to find our seats.

"This way Hermione…" Draco, said, taking my arm as we followed an attendant to our seats.

I looked around frantically. What was I going to do?

¤ ¤ ¤

We were seated in the first set of seats, where we would have a perfect view of the opera.

Draco seated himself close. Now was the time where I would have to tell him, again, that I wasn't with him.

"Er, Draco?"

He turned to me, eyes bright. "Yes, Hermione?" I expected him to say darling or something equally as crazy.

"Well, you see, I'm a bit mixed up… I mean, I thought we were friends…"

"We are friends…"

"Just friends."

He furrowed his brow, looking at me quizzically. "What?"

"When I accepted your invitation, I thought we were coming here as friends."

"We are…" he said, innocently, a little too innocently for my taste.

"But it doesn't feel that way," I said slowly. "I mean, your parents and they way you're acting…"

He laughed lightly. "I'm not acting any old way, Hermione… Now, shush, the curtain is rising…"

The opera started and I started to enjoy myself, despite not being able to shake off the awkward feelings.

About halfway through, I felt his hand cover mine and whispered furiously, "Draco!"

"What?" he replied calmly, not taking his eyes off the opera.

"Your hand!"

He closed his eyes, sighing. "Oh, Hermione. Come on. Forget about Oliver Wood. You two won't be together soon anyway. He's going to be so wrapped up in Quidditch that he'll forget all about you. When's the last time you heard from him? A week, maybe? Two? It isn't realistic. You and me, we're real. Head Boy and Head Girl. That's real, that's right. So, why don't you stop fighting it and forget all about that muscle head and enjoy your time with me?"

I yanked my hand away. "What? That's all you wanted me for? Because I would elevate your position in school? Because that's the way that it goes?" I was angry, no, I was furious. "Well, forget it. And forget you! I cannot believe I fell for all of this, all the being nice, the helping me. I should have known you wouldn't suddenly change from being an egotistical, self-helping, jerk to a nice guy. You're just like your father!" I stood up, ignoring the scathing looks and the noises of disapproval. "This is over. I'm leaving."

He chuckled. "Where are you going to go, Hermione? How are you going to get home? You have no money and no way of getting back to Hogwarts… You have to stay with me…"

"No, I don't…" I stormed out.

¤ ¤ ¤

I got outside before realizing that he was right. In a matter of seconds, I was soaked through to the bone and started to shiver, the rain ruining my hair and my dress and running into my eyes and down my cheeks to mix with my tears. What was I going to do?

"Hermione?"

I swung around, fists raised, ready to belt Draco in the mouth. Instead, Oliver stood a few feet away, water running down his face and into the collar of his suit. He looked concerned and ready to go back inside and knock Draco's head off.

"Wha- what are you doing here?" I sniffled, moving towards him.

"Harry told me about Draco..." He slid his arms around me. "So, I came…"

"I wanted to tell you…" I sobbed into his jacket, glad that he was here.

"I know, it's okay…" He rubbed a hand up and down my back.

"I should have…"

He pulled me away. "Yes, but it's okay. You're okay now… so let's get out of this rain… I've a flat here in London, it's not much but it'll do for now..." He wrapped an arm around me as we ran towards the nearest taxi.