A/N: Happy Gabi? lol Ok this chapter and the ones succeeding don't exactly swtich POVs, but the reader just sees it from all points of view; you'll know when it shifts...for now. Have fun!

Thanks to Gabi: "Its the best youve written!...gave me chills..." Love ya sweetie (lol ij)

Chapter 3: In The Car

After Malfoy left, Hermione laid down on the cushioned seats in an attempt to sleep. Her mind, however, wondered at Malfoy's character shift. The whole time she had known him, she had never seen him without a malicious glint in his eyes; yet when he spoke with her just now, it was almost as if he feared her...

She was not a stupid girl; she knew there was little for him to fear since his father was one of the richest, most powerful men in Britian; but she also knew who his father was, and whatever he feared, it was home-grown. Whether his fear was her finding something out, her seeing something, or her just being there, she could not decide.

Her chest filled with a new emotion for him: sympathy. Shocked though she was, she had reason for it. For now, she thought, I will go along with him...for now...

The train stopped hours later, whistleing to annouce its arrival. Hermione, who had fallen asleep, rose, grogy and stiff from her sleeping position.

Remembering what DracoMalfoy!had said, she located her bags and headed out of the train. She heard the various tones of Ron, Harry, and Ginny, Ron's little sister, calling for her, but she had to ignore them. Straight to the limo, She told herself everytime they called.

She saw it: long and black; she peered closer at the paint: it glised slightly, like it had a layer or black film on it; what spell would Mr. Malfoy want on his limo? She went towards it, just as she was supposed to, and her luggage disappeared; she started, then realized it probably went into the trunk of the car. She looked around to see if anyone noticed, then remembered that no one would care; this was still a magically cloaked area. She opened the door and slid in.

The interior was a dark, velvet green. Lights came from the ceiling and various points on the doors, making the would-be cave-like well lit. The seats were the same velvet green, set in two benches opposite from each other; the cabin could fit about six people sitting, and more on the floor, she calculated.

The cabin also featured a compact-disk player, miniature fridge, champgne chilling, and other technical features. Considering the Malfoy's loath of Muggles, they approved of their technological advances.

She debated whether or not to introduce herself to the driver. Guessing on the type of person Mr. Malfoy would hire, she decided aginst it; plus she neweven before being toldthat she could trust no one even near a Malfoy.

She looked out the car window to see Harry, Ron, and Ginny, their faces filled with distaste at...her? She felt a pang of lonliness as their cold eyes bore into hers. What have I done? It's not my fault!

Suddenly, the opposite door opened and Malfoy flew in; a second later the car started and they were off. "Good, you listened." He said in his usual tone. "Raim, the driver, is taking us to a store; you will find five dresses, with shoes, a new wardrobe with mixing peices, your puff you call hair will be taken care of"

"Malfoy, why must we get this stuff done?" She shot at him.

"Because for the next month you are a Malfoyor at least near us enough to be asscioated with us." They both hated Hermione being called a Malfoyit was an insult to both of them. "And we have parties, and go to them, and we cannot look plain or ugly at anytime."

"Well then how are you a Malfoy, you're uglier than Goyle!" Which was not the least bit true: a) Goyle was a very ugly man and b) Malfoy was gorgeous, just not to her...sorta.

Malfoy sneered, but did not comment, "Another thing, Granger, you must be polite to me, my family, and our friends, no matter what they say or who they are." His tone was severe with urgency and supressed malice.

"Fine," She said sharply. She had no choice; she feared what they would do to herr if she didn't, and knew it wouldn't be a good idea to upset themnot that she liked this. She looked outside the window absently, her legs crossed towards it as if the window had all of her attention.

Draco stared at her, cursing her for being Head Girlout of all the girls in their year, she was the worst, and the most obvious choice. He shook his head; but look where she was going: to his home, where she would find no comfortnor would heand he wondered at what a rage his father would be in now that a Mudblood was coming home. He shuddered at his father's rageit would be his, Draco's, fault, he knew it. He quickly critique her, hoping that her transformation for Mudblood, to Lady Mudblood would be swift. Counting in her abbrasive attitude and loathing for himself, plus her impossible hair, he guessed around three days of work. Great...! He felt like he had to say something; she tried to hide it, but thanks to his mother, he saw her fright and sadness. He had to say something. "Look," his tone wasn't harsh, but it was friendly either, "I know this sucks for you, and me, but right now I am your only protection"

"From what? I need protection from you?" Her voice stung, but it was an honest question.

"Yes, Granger, unfortunatly, I am the only one within a one hundred mile radius of the Manor and anyone who knows a Malfoy, you can trust." Well me and my mother, he thought, ...maybe...

"I can trust you?" She asked her mind set in incredulity.

"Yes, Granger, ironically. You've met my father, and have only seen my mother; you know my friends, and theirs. Do you think for one moment hat any are going to care what happens to you over the next month?" He raised his eyebrows, he was honestly trying to get her to understand.

"And you care?" She looked him straight in the eye, looking for a lie.

"Yes, I do." She was unnoticibly shocked when she found no lie in his deep grey eyes. She felt yet another emotion towards him: equality. "Unlike them, its my hide that Dumbledore can effect if something happens to you; not to mention Potty and Weasel." He rolled his eyes; they posed no threat to him magically, they were just to nosey for his comfort. "So you can write them, once a week, secretly. Your room is next to and connected to mine." At her wide eyed look that he knew a compliant would come from he added, "Again, my ass hangs if you do something stupid; you have to be watched Granger; and will be: by me and others."

There was something he wasn't saying, but he would not, at least for now, she resigned. She nodded and sighed. She had to go along.