A/N: Wow. It's been over a year since I last updated. The pressures of school took hold and forced me to join the dark forces of learning powers, where I had to put my story on hold. But something possessed me today to check it out and ideas began pouring through my head. So here goes…

Chapter Seven

Another Unwanted Encounter

Draco was forced to open his eyes as the obtrusive sunlight forced its way over the hill. Grumbling to himself, he rolled over, only to bump right into a sleeping Sita.

The previous night's events came rushing back to him as he stood up with a start. He remembered Sita's mother rearing up to charge, than Sita blocking him from the Horntail's angry talons…oh right, then he tripped over a rock behind him and passed out. If it weren't for the current pounding headache that over powered his mind at the moment he would of taken the time to openly laugh at himself.

He looked over to the far side of the pen and was startled to see Sita's mother staring at him with red angry eyes. But she just sat there watching, not bothering to charge. Apparently she had some sort of trust in him. Not wanting to stick around to see how far his luck would reach, Draco turned and began walking swiftly toward the gate, remembering it was still locked from the other side.

Cursing to himself he saw T.J. was running toward him, wand in hand and at the ready. He quickly unlocked the gate, pulled Draco out, than slammed it shut and murmured the same incantation to lock it again.

"What the hell do you think you're doing in there? How did you get in there? Why are you still alive?" he demanded, face turning red. Draco could clearly see the worried look in his eyes.

Choosing not to admit that he had nearly peed himself the night before he was so scared, Draco coolly answered, "I've been in there since last night because someone forgot to mention the incantation to this door here. But I'm just fine. Sita and her mum love me and trust me completely." T.J. was dying to wipe that smirk from his face.

"I don't believe you, that Horntail trusts no one. What makes you think I would believe that rubbish?" he retorted.

"Watch this," came the smart-ass reply.

Draco then climbed up to the top of the surrounding magical fence, cursing wildly to himself for not thinking of doing this the night before when it seemed so obvious. He knew that the fence had a spell on it to allow humans alone to touch it.

Upon reaching the top he called Sita over with his trademark whistle (you know, the one he uses just for her.) Hearing it she sprang up and trotted over, careful not to touch the fence as she reared up to accept his hand that was willing to pet her.

"Yes that's all well and good but I was referring to the vicious, red eyed, foaming at the mouth dragon over there." T.J. pointed, gesturing toward Sita's mother.

Draco gulped, but not wanting T.J. to get the best of him, he hopped down and jogged over to other side of the fence where the dragon still sat, following him with her eyes. Draco again climbed to the top, confident that the dragon would not be able to touch him because he had the fence on his side.

He again whistled, but this time it was shaky. T.J. smirked knowing the boy would do anything before he let his pride be ruined. "It's alright kid," he said, "No one's been able to touch her for years. She's too vicious. Now get down here so I can get you home, your mum is frantic."

Not wanting to give in, thinking it was a sign of weakness, Draco again whistled, this time more clearly. To his utmost bewilderment, and T.J.'s as well, the giant beast got up and made her way over to Draco, lifting her head slightly so he could reach out and pet her snout. He did so, earning a happy growl from the beast.

After picking his jaw up from off the floor, T.J. again called Draco over and they made their way back to the cabin where Draco would Floo out. Not wanting to admit he was wrong, T.J. decided to change the subject.

"You know, you really need to get your Apparation license, this nonsense of me picking you up every day is really getting boring," he mumbled.

"I know, my test is next Saturday, though it doesn't matter because school starts up tomorrow and I won't be working here anymore. And don't change the subject. I'll have you know I have no intention of letting you live that one down. Bow before me and my superiority!" he joked, earning him a swift kick in the shin from his friend and mentor.

Hermione now had everyone in the house positively terrified. The poor girl just could not stop

being sick. Molly had used some simple healing spells for sickness, going as far as using one for morning sickness, all of which did not work.

Arthur was about to call Hermione out of the bathroom to take her to St. Mungo's when she emerged, looking quite healthy and ready to take on the day.

Looking around at everyone's flabbergasted looks, she asked, "What's wrong? What's happened?"

"Um, you being sick happened Hermione," came Ron's intelligent response.

"What he means dear is that you've been up all night with what would seemingly be the flu," was Mrs. Weasley's worried response.

"The flu? What are you talking about I just went in to have a quick shower before we went to Diagon Alley," said a confused Hermione, again looking about the hallway at her extended family's worried expressions. What were they talking about?

Mrs. Weasley let out a small squeak, no doubt ready to faint with worry at Hermione's sudden lack of memory.

"Um Hermione a word if you please," said Ginny, taking control of the situation. Hermione hastily followed Ginny to her room, anxious to get out of everyone's stares.

"What is going on Ginny?" asked Hermione after shutting the door behind her.

"Why don't you sit next to me," said Ginny, not wanting to worry Hermione even more. "Um, Hermione, ever since you got back from Malfoy's you've been acting a little weird, which we paid no attention to as you did spend a day with the other He-who-must-not-be-named. I mean who could blame you? But anyway for the past five hours or so you've been periodically retreating to the bathroom where we heard you become quite sick, which in turn made me want to hurl but that's beside the point. Then right now you come out of there acting like nothing happened at all- well you can see why we'd be a little nervous on your behalf."

"Are you kidding me? Gin are you ok? I just woke up like 30 minutes ago then I got in the shower…do I smell bad or something? Are you guys just trying to be nice?" Hermione anxiously asked, knowing she probably would not like the answer.

"Okay looks like we have some temporary memory loss, or at least what I hope will be temporary. No Hermione, I'm not kidding with you. You've been up since like 4 this morning. You didn't have any dinner last night so it's a wonder you're able to hurl at all…"

"Okay thank you that's enough Gin! Look I believe you guys but as Merlin is my witness I just woke up and went to take a shower. Maybe yesterday shook me up so bad I'm choosing to block some things out…" came Hermione's nervous reply.

"Yeah I'm sure that's it. One look at Malfoy and that creepy mansion would send me running. Actually I lied. One look at Malfoy would send me running to his bedroom. Have you seen that boy lately? He is damn fine!" squealed Ginny.

"Ew no! And when have you seen him this summer?" asked Hermione.

"Well I haven't actually seen him, I just saw his picture in The Daily Prophet. Apparently they found some new breed of dragon and they're keeping it at this place in Scotland where Malfoy is working. It was just a side shot but it looked pretty good. Well, actually he was sweeping up dung, quite fitting job I might add, but you get my point." came Ginny's enthusiastic response.

"Er…right anyway maybe you should tell your family that I can't make it to Diagon Alley today. I'm still not feeling that well and apparently I've lost my mind."

"Oh stop it!" laughed Ginny, "but I will tell them. You should get some rest you're looking pale. Don't worry I'll get your books for you."

"Actually Narcissa Malfoy bought all me books yesterday. I'm expecting her to drop them off for me later. So no worries Gin, but thanks anyway," said Hermione.

"Narcissa Malfoy no kidding. Well this has been an interesting day and it's only," Ginny looked down at her watch, "9 o'clock. Well, toodles Herms, have fun. You're welcome to anything in my room…just remember to keep some incriminating evidence to yourself." With a wink and a wave the bouncy red head was out the door, explaining to her relatives that their friend was too sick to make the trip today.

Hermione sighed and laid down on Ginny's bed. 'I am a little tired' she thought. 'Maybe I'll just rest my eyes…'

"Draco Malfoy where have you been!" shouted a very annoyed Narcissa Malfoy. "I've been waiting the entire night for you, and I didn't get a wink of sleep! I was worried sick!

"Calm down mother I'm fine" came the curt response of the boy in question. "I was accidentally locked in an empty cage, but here I am, safe and sound."

"Hmph. Well, you're lucky you're cute," winked the elder Malfoy as she ruffled her son's hair. I have some shopping with the girls today so I'm expecting you to do some chores for me."

"Sure, anything for you. But would you mind if I got some sleep first?" asked the weary Draco. Being up all night with vicious dragons than suffering from a mild concussion can take a lot out of you.

"Actually I do mind. There is no rest for the wicked, I though I told you that when you were little," said Narcissa, clearly in thought. "Oh, never mind. Anyway I need you to tidy up your room, and give Hermione her books today."

"What?" came the angry shout from her son.

"Oh Draco your room isn't that dirty. It shouldn't take you but 20 minutes…"

"No mother I don't care about my room. You know how I feel about that Mudblood, what makes you think I would go out of my way to deliver her the stupid books?" asked a clearly infuriated Draco.

"Excuse me? Well for starters I am your mother Draco, and you will do as I tell you. And she is a nice girl, you're just choosing to look past that. Give up on the old times dear, your father is gone and you know I let his beliefs and traditions die with him. I will not tolerate those things in my house," said Narcissa, clearly disappointed in her son.

"Alright fine but I'm only doing it because you asked me too, and do not expect me to become best friends with her just because you happen to like the bit," Draco paused here after receiving an infuriated glance from his mother, "the girl," he finished boldly, daring another glance at his mum.

"Thank you Draco, I suppose I can live with that," she replied thoughtfully. "But really she is a nice-"

"Okay!" shouted Draco. "I get it but you must understand that we've been enemies since day one mother. You cannot expect me to put every nasty things she's ever done to me behind me. You know once she punched me right in the face."

At this Narcissa burst into a round of giggles. She attempted to stop after receiving a nasty glare from her son, but the look his eyes held- a look of utter amazement and disgust- made her snort in to her hand, then burst outright into full-fledged laughter.

After watching his mother practically fall to the floor for about 5 minutes he decided enough was enough and turned around and walked toward the dining area, grabbing Hermione's books from the table and marched over to the fireplace. Glancing again into the hall he saw his mother had indeed fallen to the floor and seemed to be rolling about trying to calm her laughter. Draco thought it was amusing, but knew his mother desperately needed friends.

He went to the fireplace, threw in a handful of Floo powder, stepped into the familiar green flames, shouted "The Burrow!" in a clear voice (he remembered that the Mudblood had mentioned her staying there earlier,) and vanished.

Hermione awoke several hours later that day to find that all the Weasleys, Harry, and Luna were gone, no doubt in Diagon Alley already. She stretched and walked down to the kitchen with every intent of quelling her noisy stomach that clearly wanted some food's attention.

Upon turning the corner she shrieked in surprise to find her mortal enemy sitting at the kitchen table, nursing a cup of tea. Beside him was a rather large stack of schoolbooks. Hermione had not yet forgotten their last encounter, and rather than being angry at his intrusion, she backed away in fear hoping that he hadn't noticed her, as he had yet to look up form his tea.

Just as she rounded the corner she heard a distinct, "I know you probably thought that was incredibly stealthy, but I'm not that stupid Granger. Get your ass back in here I have your stupid school books."

"Yes I see that," she responded, "so just leave them there and leave the way you came and I'll pretend I never saw you and continue my day as if it were pleasant."

"Sorry no can do. Besides, don't you want to thank me?" came an incredibly annoying voice from her enemy.

Grumbling, she made her way back into the kitchen. She eyed him warily before she went to the fridge and grabbed the nearest thing to eat, which just so happened to be some leftover ham and cheese sandwiches with a gallon of milk and two apples. Starving, she grabbed all of it and placed it on the table, completely ignoring the Slytherin as she began to dig in.

Draco curled his lips in disgust, not only because she was eating like it was her last day on Earth, but because she chose to ignore his presence. If there was one thing Draco hated more than the Mudblood herself, it was being ignored. Clearing his throat he stood up and made his way over to the fireplace.

"On second thought don't thank me. Just don't speak to me ever again while you're at it. I hope you choke on your sandwiches," he said as he turned to leave. He stopped when he heard her chuckling behind him.

Infuriated, he whirled around to glare daggers, but couldn't help cracking a smile as he saw that she had begun to choke on her ham, just as he wished. After a full 30 seconds of watching her, he decided he should do something. As much as he hated her, he couldn't have her death in his conscience. He loved his beauty sleep and he knew her dying would haunt his dreams.

Satisfied that he convinced himself that he was doing it for his good and not hers, he went behind the now purple-faced Hermione, wrapped his strong arms around her small waist and pulled her to him, attempting the Heimlich maneuver. To her immense relief and his immense disgust, the offending piece of meat shot out of her mouth and onto the table, where they both stared at it for a moment before they realized his hands were still around her waist.

Embarrassed, they both jumped apart and turned to glare at the other, prepared to throw an insult. But neither got the chance as the fireplace roared up and out stepped a dirty Ron and Luna. Upon seeing them Ron let out an angry growl and advanced on Draco.

But to everyone's surprise, Hermione stepped in front of him and put her hands up to fend off the angry red head.

"It's okay Ron, he was just leaving. He stopped by to kindly drop off my books," she stated calmly, turning to look at Draco and motioned with her eyes toward the fireplace.

Draco didn't need to be told twice as he turned and left without so much as a backward glance.

Ron turned to Hermione, planning to ask what happened when he saw she had already returned to the table and was calmly finishing her lunch. He decided not to ask, as he had a lot more on his mind at the moment. He couldn't get what his girlfriend had just told him out of his mind. He was going to be a father in six short months.

A/N: Gah! Longer than I intended but that's not necessarily a bad thing right? Anywho cliffhanger woo hoo! I hope you all enjoyed. I've read my story over form the beginning and have been taking notes to make sure I don't leave anything out in later chapters. I'm feeling very confident as to where this is going, so please stick with me! Thank you again to everyone who's Reviewed so far, you are very kind!