Hello! How have you all been, then? Good I hope. From now on, I will be writing my author's notes in bold, due to a request that was made. So I hope you appreciate it. I must say, I HATE VIRUSES! They suck! My computer has been absolutely screwy lately. Like I said, Viruses suck! Ya know what else sucks? Well, I'll tell you. Every time I write a story, it seems to be an invitation for new story ideas. And, if you write, you know how you just want to stop and begin to write that one, even if you're in the middle of another one. Even though the temptation is great, I shall resist and continue on with this story until I am finished. So, enough talking, on to the story. I shall see you at the end of the chapter!

Chapter 7 : Middle of the Night

After an awkward start, they began to talk about school. It was a safe subject for both of them, seeing as it didn't involve anything personal. Soon though, Hermione found herself telling of the adventures she had gotten into with Harry and Ron.

"So, anything exciting happen during third year?"

"Hmm…oh no, nothing interesting. Now, in fifth year-"

"You're lying! Come on; tell me what happened in third and fourth year. Please?" He made his bottom lip pout out, and made puppy eyes at her. She laughed, and said

"I don't really think you'll like what I have to say about you in third year." She gently warned him.

"That's okay. Just tell me."

"Oh, fine, but you can't get upset about anything I say, okay?"

"Yes, yes, fine, get on with it!" He said, eager to hear it.

"Ok, here goes. It really started with Buckbeak. Hagrid brought him to class one day, and they really are quite nice, but very proud too, and I thought it was a bit much even though I didn't say anything. Harry and Ron get really upset about that kind of stuff. So anyways, Harry had just gotten back from riding him, and I don't know, maybe you were mad he was getting a lot of attention for it, but you just strode right up to Buckbeak, didn't bow, and insulted him. And, being a very proud Hippogriff, he started to attack you. I was so – I mean, everybody was worried about you, but his talon just got your left arm a bit. Madame Pomfrey fixed it right up, but you really took it way out of proportion, was really a big baby about it. So, you complained to your father, who's on the school's governing board, and they had a trial, finally deciding to put him to death. I was so mad at you, cause it really was your fault, if you had just listened to what he was saying. The night that Buckbeak was supposed to be executed, Harry, Ron, and I were on our way to Hagrid's hut, to comfort him and all, when we found you with Goyle and Crabbe, trying to get a picture. I slapped you that night. It felt really good, you have no idea. Harry and Ron were shocked of course, and I do believe you were as well. I don't think anybody had dared to hit you before. Buckbeak ended up getting away, and now he's safe." Hermione decided to just tell him that, leaving out the part with Sirius, because, after all, she had done it with the time turner.

"Wow. I can't believe you slapped me." He was silent for a moment, taking it all in.

"Look, I know I sound really mean, but you were really hurtful back then, especially to me. I'd never hit someone like-" He cut her off with an exclamation.

"AHA! That's why I don't like anybody to touch my face. That must be it, on some level I must remember that slap."

"What?" She said, absolutely baffled.

"I don't like people to touch my face. Like ever. Just last month, I was over at a friend's house – we were playing basketball – and I scratched my face. His mom came out, ya know, tried to fix it up, but I wouldn't let her touch my face. I just don't like it. So I figure, on some unconscious level, I remember you slapping me. This is Great!"

She was silent for a moment. Then her face lit up.

"That's right! If you remember it on a subconscious level, then it's more likely you'll remember everything!" At this, her face changed almost imperceptibly, and when she spoke again her voice was slightly different. Of course, Draco noticed. After all, he didn't spend all that time with her staring at her feet. "This is wonderful, Draco. I'm really happy for you."

Draco was about to say something, when he heard Cecelia screaming. They both bolted to the door, Draco first, Hermione following closely at his heels. As they clamored down the stairs, Draco tried not to focus on how close Hermione was. When they reached the landing, they found Cecelia, crying in her mother's lap, and Dumbledore softly apologizing.

"Oh, Professor Dumbledore, hello. Thank you for coming, I'm sorry, I should have specified where to apparate, to avoid this." She was about to go on, but fell silent when he raised his hand.

"It is quite alright, Hermione. I am just sorry to have scared the little one." He smiled sweetly at her, and she ducked into her mother's shoulder. Meryl stood, and excused herself, saying it was time for bed. Tom was standing in the doorway of the kitchen, stunned. Draco went over to him, trying to get his attention. Finally, he just punched him on the arm. Tom snapped out of it, and looked at Draco.

"Ryan, you should have seen it, he just came out of nowhere. I sure wish I could do that."

"Tom, are you alright? Do you want some water?"

"No, no. I'm fine. Can you do that, Ryan? Just POP out of nowhere?"

"Uh, no. Not yet anyway. I plan on learning."

"This is great, you can just POP in here whenever you want to see us!"

"Well, not really. He had to pass his apparition test first, and then you can't apparate straight out of Hogwarts, you have to wait till a Hogsmeade weekend comes up, and then he has to have Professor's permission." After seeing Tom's disappointed look, she quickly added. "But still, that'll be much faster than traveling the muggle way, and he can always come home for Christmas Break."

"Oh, that would be wonderful. But only if you want to, of course." Meryl said from the bottom of the stairs.

"Ah, good evening. I am Professor Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Howgarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Meryl Banks, and this is my husband, Tom. We're so glad you could come on such short notice. Please, have a seat."

"Thank you, it was no trouble at all. I came as soon as I got Hermione's message. I am guessing you have questions."

"Yes. Ryan's just told us of this whole thing tonight, and we were absolutely shocked. The children were excited and awed, and Hermione's told me a little bit about it, but yes, I'm afraid I do have questions about this."

"That is to be expected. Please, ask away."

"Well, I am quite curious about Ryan's family, and about your world in general."

"Draco, or Ryan, is an only child. I am not yet completely sure of why someone has done this to him. His father is currently in Azkaban, a wizarding prison, and his mother is somewhat of a socialite in certain circles. We have concluded that someone has cast the 'oblivious' charm on him, making him lose all memory, though we are not yet sure why this happened. The wizarding world has a government, just like any country. There are three different schools in Europe, Hogwarts included. There are also schools in America, but it is my personal belief that Ryan would do the best at Hogwarts. The familiar sights and sounds might very well help him remember what he now cannot."

"I see. Well, Tom and I have talked, and as much as we would love to keep him here, that is the decision we came to as well. I was wondering, if you knew his birthday? It's been on my mind since he first became a part of the family."

"I do believe its August 17th."

"Oh, it's coming up. We'll have to have a party."

"Right, well, um. Hermione, would you like to come to my room?"

"Oh, um, sure."

"Meryl, we're going upstairs."

"Okay, dear." Meryl and Tom were wrapped up in what Dumbledore was telling them.

Draco and Hermione headed upstairs, and into his room. He sat on his bed, and Hermione decided to sit on his desk chair, as she couldn't get those horribly misinformed thoughts out of her head. Didn't they know that it would never work? Didn't they know who they were? Obviously not, as they wouldn't go away. They sat in silence for a moment, and then Draco surprised her with a question.

"What's your most girlish thing?"

"What? What do you mean?"

"Well, I don't know. You're not very girly, and I find that girls that aren't very girly have like, an obsession with one thing that's very girlish. Makes sense, right?"

"Well, yeah. How would you know that? Are there many girls that aren't very girly at Swanton?"

"Not really. Most of them are preps – very girly – and then there's the goth-punk chics. There's a couple of girls that really like to read, but they're nothing like you. You're completely different from any girl I've ever met."

Hermione didn't know what to say to that. So, she just avoided it altogether.

"Lip gloss."

"What?"

"My girly obsession is lip gloss. I have about five things of it in my bag. Nobody at Hogwarts really notices it, cause they all think I'm not girly enough for it."

"Really? How could they not? Your lips always look good." Did he just say that? Oh my, how would he know, unless he looked at my lips? Maybe he… No, that's impossible. I'll just ignore it. Hermione was silent for a moment, and Draco asked another question.

"What's your favorite flavor?"

"My favorite flavor, hmm… It would have to be… sour apple. I love it. It's sweet, but tangy too, just the right balance."

"Sour apple. Really?"

"Yeah. So, how were you planning on disguising yourself? Dumbledore did tell you able that, right?"

Draco was glad for the change of conversation. When he started talking about that, he had no idea how much it would effect him. Sour apple was his favorite too. For the same reason, in fact. He briefly wondered how it would taste, mixed up with the taste of her own mouth. He quickly dropped the thought when he saw Hermione looking at him expectantly.

"Sorry, what? I zoned out."

"It's okay. I said, how do you plan on disguising yourself, for going back to Hogwarts?"

"Oh, I haven't really given it that much thought. I was thinking of going like, all out gothic. Ya know, all black clothes, black hair, and combat boots. The whole nine yards. I'd leave my eyes the same, cause it'll look really cool, with everything else so dark. What do you think?"

"I think that'd be very interesting to see. And your skin is so pale, I think it would really help with the look. Nobody would think Draco Malfoy would ever do that. You'd have the perfect cover. The only people who'll know who you really are is Harry, Ron, the teachers, and myself. They can all be trusted. I wonder what house you'll be sorted into?"

"Well, what about you? You haven't told me what house you're in."

"I won't tell you until I know what house you're going to be in. I don't want to influence you in any way."

"Come on, that's not fair."

"Yes it is. I'm tired. What time is it?"

"It's… nearly eleven. Why?"

"Nearly eleven? We should get to bed. I have to start getting back into the Hogwarts schedule. Goodnight."

Hermione got up, and walked towards the door. She stopped for a moment when she heard Draco's voice from the bed. By the time she turned around, Draco was very close. Close enough to kiss, in fact. He was just about to lean down, when there was a knock at the door. He stepped back quickly, and a second later, Meryl walked in.

"Hermione, I came to give you a blanket. Your Professor left a little while ago, but he left a note. I left it on the couch."

"Oh, thank you. I was just coming down. Goodnight, Draco." Meryl left, and Hermione went after her, looking back at the door, with a slight blush over her cheeks. She nodded, and then closed the door behind her. Draco stared at the door. She had blushed, which meant she was flattered, right? Which meant she liked him, right? Right. Draco sighed, he sure hoped so. He got ready for bed, and didn't fall asleep for another few hours. It was a long night for both of them.

Well? Do you absolutely hate me now? I hope not. I just have this perfect vision of their first kiss, but I felt the need for a little bit of something. Well, the next chapter is gonna be fun to write, it's gonna be a real party, ya know? Pretty soon, they'll be going back to England, and we'll find out why Draco ended up loosing his memory. Ohh, I can't wait! I'll get to work on the next chapter as soon as my hands recover from all this typing.

Swift! BAM! Vamoose! arah