Chapter 5- Fireflies

"Ugh, damn Nimbus!" yelled Draco as he continued to kick off from the ground. Draco hadn't ridden it since he took off from the train station all those years ago. He took the slick, black broomstick, broke it in two over his knee, and threw it on the ground in anger. Draco then looked at the broken broom, mumbled, "Reparo!" and it went back to being one solid, not working broomstick.

Draco got on the broom again, and attempted to kick off from the ground, and then finally gave up. "Well, looks like we're walking…" mumbled Draco as he carried the broom into his shed. It'll be better that way… he thought as he stared at his old broomstick.

Draco looked down at his watch, and realized that Hermione would be there in about an hour. Draco quickly shaved, then showered. He put on clothes from when he was younger, around eighteen (when all he did was party in order to get Hermione off of his mind), which was a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt that read, The Weird Sisters: Live in Concert.

Draco looked himself over and grinned, this is how he wanted Hermione to see him, regardless of the fact that he had broken up with her, and forgetting the fact that she was engaged.

Draco looked at his watch again, and sighed. "Ten of three, ten of three, any minute now…"

Draco tidied up the house in the spare time he had. Although he definitely could use one, Draco chose not to use a house-elf because he knew Hermione had always hated the idea of enslaving elves in order for witches and wizards to relax. Draco then poured two cups of coffee, and laid out milk and sugar so that Hermione could make it how she liked. Draco then picked up the book of sonnets he was reading the day before, hoping to give off the impression of being casually prepared.

Then there was a knock on the door.

Hermione exited her bathroom, wearing her favorite satin robe. She then magically dried her hair, and put it back in a high pony-tail. Hermione then chose to wear a light blue skirt and a white blouse. Hermione checked herself over in her mirror and smiled.

I dunno why, but I'm so excited! she thought. She then grabbed her little white purse and headed out the door, but then suddenly, she stopped.

Hermione walked back into her room, and shut the door. She then sat down on the bed, and closed her eyes. Hermione knew what she was doing was wrong, she knew that she had a fiancé who was clueless to the fact that Hermione was even here, let alone on her way to visit her ex-boyfriend from her school days, obviously wanting something, knowing she would get what she wanted soon enough.

But I want to go, I need to go… thought Hermione as she grabbed her purse and walked out the door. She left the muggle motel, and walked behind a tree on the street. With a loud crack, Hermione disappeared on the spot, and landed right in front of Draco's house.

Hermione put on a large smile, and walked quickly up to the front door of Draco's home, and knocked.

Draco then came to the door, and Hermione could tell he had gotten ready just for the occasion. He looked young, like she remembered him. The only thing that seemed as if it wasn't supposed to be was the scar on his chin. Hermione held out her hand for a shake, and Draco grabbed her hand and responded with a gentle nudge.

"Hello, Hermione," said Draco. "Hello…" sighed Hermione. She stepped in the house, and waited for Draco to show her whatever he wanted to show her.

"I thought we could have something to eat before we go, my Nimbus isn't really working, and I don't want us to get tired…" said Draco nervously. Hermione smiled, and said, "Okay…"

The two sat down on the couches, exactly where they had sat the day before, and sipped coffee. The two talked of how Minister Bagman was doing, about their school days, and about the possible appointment of Ernie Macmillan for the Defense Against the Dark Arts post at Hogwarts.

"I mean, after all, he was in the Order of the Phoenix once he had come of age, and he was always very bright in school…" began Hermione."I'm sure he'll do a fine job as a Professor."

Draco nodded, and agreed absent-mindedly. He then suddenly looked at the clock above Hermione's head, and realized it was just about time to show Hermione the surprise he had for her.

"Come on, Hermione, I think it's about time for us to head over to the middle of the woods, you're going to love this…" began Draco as he stood up and guided Hermione to follow him out the door.

The two had been walking for a good fifteen minutes, and Hermione began to look slightly winded. Draco smiled at this, and couldn't help but chuckle, because it reminded him of times at school. "What are you laughing at, Draco Malfoy?" asked Hermione.

"Oh, nothing, I just thought about the time when we were in our sixth year at school, when we had to run from Filch after getting caught snog- er, you know, being where we weren't supposed to be," said Draco, blushing slightly. Hermione giggled and sighed.

"Yeah, we had fun at school, didn't we?" Draco nodded and continued to lead Hermione toward the surprise.

The sun had just finally set, and he knew it would be perfect. Draco couldn't see the moon, and he realized that the clouds outside were stormy. Draco smiled at this, because there was something about Hermione only he knew.

She loves the rain.

When the wo started to near the area where the surprise lay, Draco quickly looked at Hermione and said, "Close your eyes."

"Draco, that stup-"

"Just close your eyes, Hermione, trust me. You'll love this."

Hermione did as he was told, and Draco guided Hermione by placing his hands over her eyes, and leading her to the spot.

When they entered the clearing, Draco grinned at the surprise, and lifted his hands off of Hermione's face.

"Can I open my eyes?" asked Hermione.

"Yes, go ahead…" sighed Draco. Hermione lifted her eyelids, and never saw a more beautiful site.

The trees were filled with fireflies. Hermione had never seen anything like it, and she grinned. It was as if the tree wasn't even there, and that it was replaced by a gigantic light.

"I've never seen fireflies act like this before…" began Hermione.

"I know, I never understood why they did this either, but I was always glad that they did," whispered Draco.

Hermione continued to stare at the fireflies. "I've never seen anything so beautiful before…"

Draco continued to watch Hermione's face glow in the light of the fireflies. "Me neither,"