Mira slammed her book bag down on the bed and stared at Hermione dumbfounded.

"Draco?….DRACO MALFOY!" she screamed, obviously in shock. "You're going to meet Draco Malfoy, Prince of Slytherin, master of all that is evil and disgusting, at Hogsmeade… tomorrow?"

Hermione sighed and nodded her head as Mira fell back onto the bed in disbelief.

"Come on Mira," Hermione coaxed, "I'm going to get enough of this from Harry and Ron, which is kind of why I haven't said anything about it yet, so I really don't need it from you. I mean, no one seems to have realized it, but Draco's changed…something about him is… I don't know… different now. We're friends."

Mira swallowed and nodded her head.

"OK…I guess you're right, I obviously haven't noticed this 'change' in Draco…but I believe you. Come on, I'll help you find something to wear".

Hermione sat on the bed and watched as Mira got up and began to sort through her closet. There was something about Mira Dean that always made Hermione feel a little intimidated. She was easily one of the prettiest girls at Hogwarts with her long auburn hair and big grey eyes, but there was something that stopped her from becoming just another one of the pretty, popular girls who was with a new guy each week. Mira was smart – she didn't dumb herself down for boys like so many of the other girls did, and she was kind. Plus she was the best seeker Ravenclaw had ever had, much better than Cho Chang was. And even though almost all the wizards at Hogwarts had a crush on her, she paid them no attention. In fact, Hermione only knew of one boyfriend that Mira had had during her time at Hogwarts, and that was during sixth year. Oliver Wood had come back to Hogwarts during his off season at Puddlemore United to help coach the Gryffindor Quidditch team and help out Madame Hooch. Mira had met him while flying over the grounds (she had been a chaser then because Cho was still seeker), and despite their age difference, it had been love at first sight. Their relationship had ended just before the summer, not only because it would have been impractical to continue with the whole thing, but also because it was technically forbidden, being that she was a student and all. Mira never talked much about the whole thing, but Hermione suspected that she still cared for Wood.

"Hermione? Mione?" Mira's voice brought Hermione back to attention.

"Sorry…what?" she asked. Mira held up a grey sleeveless shirt with silver sequins around the neck and a short black blazer. "I was thinking maybe this top and blazer with jeans?"

"You don't think it's too dressy for a day-date? Plus the shirt's kinda low…"

Mira laughed. "That's why I picked it! I think it's perfect. Besides, I thought you said this wasn't a date…"

Hermione blushed. "You're right, it's perfect."

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Hermione tugged the grey shirt over her flat stomach and looked in the mirror.

"Are you sure I look okay?" she asked Mira for the 3rd time that day.

"Yes!" Mira rolled her eyes and grabbed Hermione's purse, "You look great! Come on, we'd better go or we'll be late" Hermione shrugged into the blazer and followed Mira, taking one last look in the mirror before she closed the door.

Downstairs, the front hall was crowded with students excited for the first visit to Hogsmeade of the new year. Hermione spotted Draco in the corner of the hall standing with Crabbe and Goyle and looking rather disinterested in whatever they were saying. Suddenly, he turned his gaze on Hermione and mouthed, "1:30, three broomsticks". Hermione gave him a small smile and nodded her head, trying to ignore the nervous butterflies that we building up in her stomach.

"What was that all about?" Ron stood behind Hermione, Lavender clutching his arm protectively. His eyes darted from Draco to Hermione suspiciously. "Is he giving you trouble?" he asked. Lavender gave Ron a filthy look, obviously annoyed by the attention he was giving Hermione.

"I'm sure everything is fine," she cooed, flashing Hermione a fake smile.

Hermione laughed nervously. "Yeah, Lavender's right, everything's fine. We're just meeting up later is all."

"Meeting up later? You and Draco!" Ron asked incredulously.

Hermione grabbed Mira's arm and started backing away, "Yep, you know, head boy and girl stuff…ok well we'll catch you later I guess. Have fun today you guys."

Ron looked confused. "Hermione, wait!" he called, "Don't you want to come with me and Lav and Harry and Ginny? I thought we were all going together and we haven't seen you for ages!"

"Uh…no it's ok, you guys have fun," she yelled back over her shoulder and began the long walk down to the horseless carriages with Mira.

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Entering Hogsmeade was an amazing feeling for Hermione. She had always loved the small, quaint town, not only for its beauty, but also for the memories she had of it. Memories, she reminded herself, that mostly included Harry. During the couple of times she had actually allowed herself to have "girly" thoughts (as she had deemed them), she often thought about having her wedding (which was usually with Harry in her daydreams) in Hogsmeade. She smiled now at having such an embarrassing thought.

"Wow, looks like you're very excited for this not-date with Draco," Mira remarked, obviously taking Hermione's smile to mean the wrong thing.

"What…no. I was thinking of something else." Hermione blushed for what seemed like the 50th time that day.

"Well, you deserve to be happy Hermione."

Hermione looked at Mira. "So do you, you know. I mean…has there been anyone? Since Oliver?"

Mira looked down, averting her eyes. "No," she said too quickly. "No one." She tugged at her skirt. "Actually, you know what?" she added, still avoiding Hermione's gaze, "I um, have to go…I'll catch up with you tonight though. Good luck with Draco!"

Before Hermione could respond she was gone, running down the path. Hermione cursed herself for bringing up the Oliver subject. How could she have been so insensitive? It was clear that Mira still had feelings for him. Oh well, she would apologize tonight, but for now, she had to meet Draco for their "not-date".