Chapter Two, The Trip To Hogsmeade

Dear Diary,

The trip to Hogsmeade is in a few hours, I'm not sure if I'm excited anymore. I have a strange feeling in my stomach that only increases in pain as eleven a clock ticks nearer. I'm supposed to be meeting Draco inside the Hogs Head; I made Harry and Ron promise that they would walk there with me, and stick close, just to make sure everything goes ok.

Breakfast in the Great Hall is starting in awhile; I guess I better head off so I can get to Hogsmeade in time.

Hermione hid her diary once again inside her school book, and placed it under her bed. As she walked out of the girls dormitory, she noticed Harry and Ron in a corner, whispering. It was obvious it was something they didn't want Hermione to hear, because as soon as they spotted her, they quit talking, and turned around to greet her.

"Hey Hermione!" Ron said as he pulled her into a hug.

"Hey guys, I was just heading down to breakfast. What were you two doing in that corner?"

"Erm…Nothing. We were just talking, don't worry about it. We were about to walk down there ourselves, Shall we go?"

Hermione gave them both a strange, confused look, and walked towards the Portrait hole.

The three left the common room together, and headed towards the Great Hall. Hermione was so absorbed in her own thoughts about what her day with Malfoy was going to be like, that she completely forgot to skip over the vanishing step in the staircase. It took a good five minutes before she could get her foot out again. Once in the Great Hall, they headed immediately to the Gryffindor table. Hermione made sure not to look anywhere near the Slytherins. They found a place to sit next to Ginny, Neville, and Luna.

"Hello" Said Luna in a dreamy voice as they sat down.

"Hey Luna" Hermione replied as she grabbed a piece of toast.

"I heard your going to Hogsmeade with Malfoy. I thought you hated him."

Hermione looked at Ron, and she noticed his face had suddenly turned a reddish color.

Could he be jealous?

Hermione caught herself looking at Ron with a satisfied feeling.

Why am I doing this? Do I WANT to make him jealous?

"Erm, yeah. He invited me, I mean, who knows, maybe he has changed…"

Ron finally burst. "MALFOY, CHANGE? Yeah right! It's Draco! He's always been a self concerned prick, he could never change. You're too good for him mionie."

Everyone's eyes were now on Ron. His red face quickly turned pink from embarrassment.

"Common Ron! Anyone could change; you just have to give them the chance."

"Yeah, maybe, but not him. He couldn't, look at him; his father is a Death eater, as well as his grandfather. And we all know his mother is on you-know-who's side."

Hermione frowned and looked at her plate "Ron, just give him a chance." She looked up at his eyes. "Please?"

"Fine, but if that bloody ferret lays one hand on you, he's dead!"

Hermione laughed and stood up.

"Should we head out?"

The others stood up and they all left the Great Hall together. They all walked out onto the grounds. It was a warm, sunny, summer day. It was one of the best days they have had in awhile, as it had been raining a lot lately. They all seemed to get happier as they walked towards the horseless carriages that would carry them to Hogsmeade.

"Choose one, Harry" Luna said in a more cheerful voice than usual.

Harry walked around a bit; almost every carriage was already full. At last, he found an empty carriage.

"Over here, guys." Harry yelled to the others.

They all crawled into the carriage. Hermione ended up sitting next to Ron. She was looking at his hand lying on his knee longingly.

Maybe I should just grab it…

Just then the carriages started moving. They were all excited about going back to Hogsmeade. None of them had been sense last year. They sat in silence; everyone seemed to excited to talk. After a few minutes in silence, they could see the outskirts of the village. Once the carriages had stopped, they all got out.

"Where should we go first?" Neville asked.

Hermione looked at Ron and Harry. "Erm, we already have plans…maybe we could catch back up with you and Luna later."

"Oh yeah! I forgot about you fancying Malfoy! Try not to snog too much…"

Hermione rolled her eyes at Neville, hopping he didn't offend Ron. "Let's go."

Hermione, Ron, and Harry slowly made there way towards the Hogs Head. It was a long walk from where the carriages had stopped. Once they were outside of the shop, Hermione felt her stomach quench.

"Well, I guess I'll go in now. You two come in later, but don't sit to close. I don't want him to suspect anything."

Hermione took a deep breath, and walked into the shop. It wasn't very crowded, there were only a few people sitting at the bar and a few in booths. Hermione looked around for Draco, and she saw him in the very back at a booth by himself. He looked up at her as the door chime rang. She smiled at him and quickly looked down at the floor as she made her way to the back of the pub. She sat down across from Draco, and she looked up at him, but to her surprise, he looked sad and upset. He was looking her straight in the eyes and he smiled.

"Hermione, I'm in love with you."

A/N: Well, What do you think? How will Hermione react to Draco's proposal? Will she tell him she loves him too? Find out in the next chapter of, Pieces Of A Broken Heart!