A/N: Thanks to all those that reviewed, I think the first chappy totally sucked now. I hope people won't judge the entire fic by the first chapter cry.

THERE WILL BE A LITTLE SPOILER FOR THE HBP IN THIS CHAPPY.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or the characters except Hermione's "real" parents.

Chapter 3: Stars

"So you mean mudblood Granger isn't a mudblood anymore, nor is she a Granger." Draco Malfoy said after a long moment of trying to understand. His sharp mind feeling quite dull at the moment.

"Yes Draco, I expect you on your best behaviour tonight at the ball." Lucius Malfoy stated, "Oh yes, you also need to apologize to Hermione Leclaire for all of the rude words, actions you might have said or done in the past years. As you know perfectly well, the Leclaires are important business partners of mine."

Draco sneered, "I doubt she would forgive me. She would probably stay as far as possible from me."

"Draco, I'm only saying be polite, gentlemanly, is that that much to ask?" Lucius asked but was more of a command, "I do not want her to go telling her parents how terrible our family, especially you, is to her!"

"Yes, sir." Draco muttered, and then adding under his breath, "Although it that's too much to ask."

A sharp pain suddenly spread from Draco's thigh. Wincing, he apologized to his father. Lucius' cane was merciless, and Lucius kept it at his side at all times.

"I heard that," Lucius growled, "If I see Miss Leclaire distressed or discontent then you will pay for it. Do try to befriend her as much as possible though."

Draco nodded, smirking, definitely full of plans, and then left to dress.

"Oh darling you look absolutely exquisite!" Hermione's mother exclaimed as Hermione waltzed into the room in her little black dress. Her hair under a spell and amazingly smooth for the first time ever since the Yule Ball in her fourth year.

"Who will be there?" Hermione questioned, smoothing out the dress as she sat down.

"Oh, just most of the Pureblood families in Britain," Hermione's mother said, "There aren't much left amazingly, the Weasleys aren't invited though. Such a shame, but as you well know the Malfoys despise them."

Hermione nodded, then got up as his father said to get into the carriage.

The ride there was uneventful, but to Hermione's utmost surprise, the Malfoy Manor was larger than her own house. Perhaps it was half the size of Hogwarts, which was truly surprising.

The Leclaires got out as a valet took the carriage. Oddly, the Malfoys came out the door to greet them.

"Josh! Angie!" Lucius said, his voice full of fake happiness.

Narcissa Malfoy and Hermione's mother exchanged kisses on the air beside their cheeks.

Hermione stood there out of place while the adults talked a little. She waited for about two minutes when Lucius turned to her.

"This must be Hermione!" Lucius said with a teeth bearing smile, "Pleasure to finally meet you. Your parents were so worried they would never find you again!"

Hermione curtsied and said "Mr. Malfoy, indeed, I am glad to be with my parents and to learn that I am not a muggleborn."

Narcissa gave her a sincere smile, "Oh yes, it must have been terrible for you to part with your muggle parents wasn't it. We are terribly sorry for our distaste of your muggle life. But I assure you, being pureblood is very rewarding."

Hermione nodded, smiling and acting along.

"And oh what wonderful teeth you have, was it true that your muggle parents were dentists?" Narcissa went on.

Hermione and Narcissa went on exchanging a polite conversation until Hermione's parents told her to go mingle with the others.

Hermione walked around excusing herself, feeling out of place and quite awkward when suddenly a screech came out of nowhere.

"MUDBLOOD WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?"

Hermione laughed to herself, she knew that voice anywhere. Turning around to retort back, she saw Draco hurrying to them.

He bowed to Hermione and then excused himself and Pansy as he dragged Pansy away and watching Draco mutter furiously into her ear.

They came back, Pansy extremely red with a little embarrassment, quite a lot of annoyance and mostly defeat.

Pansy muttered an apology and hurried off. Hermione's face lit with amusement and she watched Pansy run off and walked straight into a dancing couple while she was muttering to herself.

Draco knew she was beautiful. He noticed since their fourth year. Whether or not he liked it, he was attracted to her. The Yule Ball took a beating to his self control.

Even the subtlest changes in her he would notice. That filthy mudblood mocked him with her perfection. Her perfect body, her perfect grades, her perfect friends. He always competed with her in every subject, although always coming up second. The only thing he beat her in was the fact that he was a pureblood. Although now, he couldn't help but allow his hormones take control. After all, where do you find a smart, beautiful, pureblood all in one?

Tonight at the ball, dressing in that black dress showed off parts of her body that she hides under her robes all the time. If you didn't see her in anything other than her robes you'd swear she was a bear or something.

Perhaps it was only the fact that she carried a huge backpack and had books in her hands all the time. Today, without the books, the bag, the robe, she was stunning.

Damn hormones.

"I'm sure she wouldn't bother you again." Draco commented, turning back to Hermione.

Hermione smiled, "It would have been funny to see how she would have said if you haven't stopped her though."

"I was only trying to help you know." Draco said, slightly bemused.

"Yes, I know" Hermione replied, "Why are you being so civil towards me?"

Draco had to think a while for an agreeable answer, "It's because you deserve to be. I'm sorry for the snide remarks I've said to you before, I was wrong."

Hermione was taken back with the reply. When ever did Draco Malfoy learn to apologize? There is a first time for everything.

Suddenly, Hermione's head snapped back as someone tapped her shoulder. She turned around, and like a magnet, she hugged him.

"I've missed you Blaise!" Hermione smiled, finally letting go.

"As I have you, milady." Blaise Zabini smirked, leaning down and kissed Hermione's cheek.

"Hello Blaise," Draco looking displeased, his foggy gray eyes became cloudier.

"Oh, hey Drake," Blaise said, not noticing the blond becoming steadily annoyed.

"When did you two become smitten?" Draco asked as if it was the most simple question in the world.

Hermione's face was getting redder by the second. Completely opposite of Hermione's reaction, Blaise pulled Hermione closer.

((A/N: This is the spoilers part, it tells you about a teacher in HBP. Do not continue if you haven't read HBP yet and don't want me to spoil a professor's name.))

"Oh, a little inter-house friendship shouldn't be considered 'smitten' should it?" Blaise laughed, "And if you MUST know, you know Professor Slughorn's little club called the Slug Club? It's for all the witches and wizards that he thinks would go a long way. Potter is always trying to get away from him you know? Well anyways, Hermione is in it also, we got chatting and we became friends."

Draco fumed silently, even though Blaise was one of his closer Slytherins, he didn't like the fact that Professor Slughorn didn't bother inviting him to the Slug Club. Surely Draco Malfoy would be important enough to join the Slug Club. Draco told himself that Slug Horn's getting old and joining a useless club is completely pointless.

((Ok… the spoiler is over.))

Blaise turned to Hermione, "Would you like to dance, milady?" Bowing lowly and then taking her hand.

Hermione nodded, smiling, showing her perfect teeth.

The pair waltzed away, leaving a very confused and annoyed Malfoy.

Draco stalked off in the opposite direction. He walked up next to his father, still a scowl on his face.

"What's wrong Draco?" Lucius asked.

"Blaise is here."

"Since when was that a problem? You are best friends are you not?"

"Apparently he and Miss Leclaire are infatuated…"

"Indeed? Well that's good." Lucius said boredly, "Now if you please Draco, I need to speak with the Zabinis. Unless you are jealous of your best friend… then use your friendship to your best advantage. Malfoys do not get jealous."

"I'm not jealous, just annoyed."

His father shook his head and then walked off to a group of chatting wizards.

Draco smirked, indeed, sometimes friendship actually paid off.

The song ended, Hermione was laughing at something Blaise whispering in her ear.

Draco coughed as he walked behind her. Her laughter taunting him and edging him on.

She turned around and glared at him.

"Would thy lady like to dance?"

"Not particularly, no." Hermione rolled her eyes, not looking at him but at Blaise.

"Don't worry Hermione, go ahead. I'll go get us drinks. Draco is my best pal after all, he wouldn't hurt you." Blaise offered and winked at Draco, "Why don't you guys meet me outside in the garden."

She nodded, funny how obedient she is with her friends. Draco did not like being bested once, but bested by Blaise, his best friend, in getting a girl that he couldn't even talk to without starting a dispute. He will get her.

Hermione had noticed Draco a long time ago. Noticed how horrid he was, how he enjoyed taunting people, how he smiles when someone gets frustrated by him. How his hair lies flat on cold days and somehow sticks up sometimes on warm days. How he always smelt like peaches, which was quite odd, but every time he would walk by him she could smell his scent.

Damn him and his need to be so… perfect. Sure she was a perfectionist herself, but at least she does it for a good reason, she's aiming for the top. He's just aiming to be better than her.

"So… shall we?" Draco bowed, and took her hand.

Hermione huffed, "Just because Blaise is your best friend doesn't mean I have to be any nicer to you but… fine."

Draco led her out into the garden, the stars twinkling down on them. She sat down on the bench swing. Looking up at the night sky.

"I used to sit here and stare at the stars everyday when I was younger." Draco said, his face full of regret.

"Used to…?"

"My father found me once, told me to stop daydreaming and that stars are for hopeless dreamers. I never came out to watch the stars again."

A prolonged silence swept over the two again.

"I wonder what's taking Blaise so long." Hermione muttered.

"Missing him already?" Draco sneered.

She shot him a glare, and to Draco's utmost shock, he felt ashamed. Damn her and the ability to make someone wither with guilt.

"I know what'll keep your mind off him…"

"What?"

"Dance with me." It was more of a request than a command.

She smiled looking down, it was so dark, most people wouldn't have notice, but Draco did.

Draco smiled, "Couldn't resist me huh?"

Draco Malfoy, smiling, that is something you don't see everyday. He took her hand, and kissed it and then pulled her up into an embraced dance.

If anyone from Hogwarts saw them, one would have fainted at the mere sight. As the music went on, the space between the two got closer.

"You know, you really do have a beautiful smile." Hermione said in his arms, slightly dazed.

"Yes, that's what made me so fond of mirrors."

Hermione laughed her carefree, happy laugh that she hadn't used in what seemed like weeks.

Slowly, the music was dying away. Draco leaned in, his face mere millimetres away from hers. His dark, stormy eyes seemed to have lightened, their eyes exchanging emotions.

They were still getting closer, eyes closing…

"DRAKEY-POO! WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING WITH HER!"

A/N: Okay, done. What do you think? Cliffie! Please go review now. I'll get the next one up probably next week.