-A/N: I've been neglecting the story for a bit. I think that this chapter was a bit of a let down, but it's just a set up. Anyway… I have a bit of a writer's block on My Guardian Angel, but as soon as I get some ideas going, I promise I'll update!-

-In a silver car-

Brad had both his hands on the steering wheel in front of him. He hadn't changed that much. Can anyone change a lot in just under a year? Hermione frowned. Things wouldn't, and couldn't have changed. They had been friends for what, more than ten years? A year couldn't have changed how they felt about each other, and yet, the air between them was so different.

"Still the ever-thoughtful girl, eh?" Brad looked around and flashed a quick smile. His smiles were so toothy, so goofy and yet so reassuring. It reminded Hermione of Harry's smiles, in a way.

"Oh, I was just thinking about something." Hermione looked down at her hands, which were in her lap. "Things have changed, haven't they?"

"You think so? Things seem to be the same to me. I'm Brad, you're Hermione. Things can't change that much…" Brad's voice died away.

"It's just that, well, what happened between us and after that…. I'm sorry I left so abruptly after that night. I just… I couldn't imagine things working out like that."

"You mean us dating?" Brad had his eyebrows raised.

Hermione sucked in her breath and held it for a few moments. She couldn't meet Brad's eyes. It wouldn't have been worth it anyway, he always had his eyes on the road in front of him. Brad had always been a cautious driver.

"Hermione, I respect that you didn't want to continue dating. I think I understand too, but… Let's just enjoy the weekend. Okay? Your mum thinks that you've been neglecting your father and her," Brad said.

"Really? Well, I haven't been calling them because I've been so busy with work."

Hermione looked out the window. They were nearly there. She could see the suburb that she had grown up in. Memories came rushing back to her.

-Flashback-

It was a bright sunny day, surprisingly. It had been raining so heavily the day before. Hermione had taken the chance of a nice day and decided to spend a short time on the swings in the park nearby her house. Although she had a lot of homework and still hadn't finished her Potions essay, Hermione decided to risk the time.

Hermione ran the last few steps to the swings and claimed it her own. Small children were playing on the playground next to the swings, their mothers chatting away together. Unknown to Hermione, a boy was creeping behind her. It was not until the boy tickled her from behind, did Hermione recognize him, and it was Brad.

"It's been so long since I saw you, Hermione. I don't know why you have to board at some unknown private school." Brad took the swing next to Hermione and sat down.

"Well, you know my parents, they want me to go to a good university," Hermione said carefully. Brad was a muggle, he did know about magic and even if he did, things may change for the two best friends.

"It's good that you're here then. I thought I might not have caught you before you go back to your school."

"Oh Brad, I would have come by before I went…"

Brad cut off Hermione, "You never say goodbye. I wish you wouldn't have gone to your school. I miss you so much when you go. Are we even best friends anymore?"

"Of course we are Brad! Don't ever say such things!"

Brad smiled. "Well, just checking then. I hope we always stay best friends then."

"Always Brad, always."

-End Flashback-

-Back in the apartment-

"I'm telling you! I saw her kiss a man! An unknown man, once more!" Harry furiously punched a cushion on the couch next to him. Ginny, Luna, Ron and Draco looked at him strangely from the opposite couch.

"Was it a friendly kiss, or a you-and-I-are-such-an-item kiss?" Ginny asked calmly.

"How am I supposed to know! Does it look like I know all about Hermione! If I knew what sort of kiss I was, would I be like this!" Harry continued to punch the cushion.

"Harry, if you continue to mutilate that cushion, the seams may very well break. If it does so, there may be quite a mess. May I advise that you vent your anger in some other way?" Luna said placidly.

"I'm not angry!" It seemed Harry had taken Luna's advice but was clenching and unclenching his fists convulsively.

"Any idiot can see that you're angry. One would question why you're so angry." Ginny blew at her fingernails.

"I'm telling you, I'm not angry!" Harry's face had now taken on a very red tinge.

"Potter, you had better not be undermining my girl friend. When she says you're angry, you're angry. Got that?" Draco's voice had turned poisonous.

Harry sat down on the couch in a huff and placed his head in his hands. An audible sigh could be heard. "I don't understand why Hermione would have kissed a man. I mean, why!"

Ginny stood up and shook her skirt out. "Well, I intend to find out. Are you with me?" she directed her question to the four people who were staring at her.

"Ginny, my dear, how do we do that?" Draco asked with one of his delicate eyebrows raised.

"My dear Draco, shame on you. You were a Slytherin too. We spy on her of course!" Ginny's announcement was met with a shocked silence.

"How do you suggest we spy on her Ginny?" Ron spluttered.

"Think of it logically, my thick brother, she would have probably gone to her parent's place because it's for three days. If she had been staying at some unknown man's house without telling us who that is… well, does that sound like Hermione? I think not. She's at her parent's house so we go there and try and spy on her every movement. With any luck, we may even be able to join in, since her parents like all of us. So?"

"What a brilliant mind you have, my dearest!" Draco stood up next to Ginny.

"Why Ginny, you certainly have become a Slytherin. The Sorting Hat would be able to confirm that," Luna said dreamily. She too stood up and pulled a shocked Ronald up with her.

"Bu… But…. We… Can't…." Ron stuttered.

"Don't be silly, Ronald dear, it is very possible and do stop stuttering. Stuttering makes you sound ever so unintelligent," Luna waggled a finger at Ron.

"Harry?" Ginny asked.

"Well… as long as she doesn't get too close to that guy, I'm game!" Harry's fist started its twitching again.

"Well, that's settled. Who wants to drive?" Ginny smiled.

-A/N: So there we are… Thank you to all those who reviewed! So appreciated! I am so honored! I have… just a little more than 40 reviews! I love you all! (No really, I do!) Thank you so, so much! I should also add, I've been naughty; I didn't send this to my beta so I might get rebuked. If I've made so many mistakes, please forgive me!-