Chapter 3-Returning Home

Disclaimer: I don't own any old HP stuff, but new stuff is mine. I think I've come up with a "fantastic" jingle for reviewing:

You know what you need to do…review!
Burn me, sting me,
Say anything to me.
Tell me what you think stinks or rocks.
And if your feet are bare
Because it knocked off your socks.
I'll tell you what you need to do…
You need to review.

Go ahead. Point and laugh.

Reviewers
Melissa, you were the first person to name the song quote I used!
The Future Mrs. Tom Andrew Felton: Thanks so much for your wonderful review!
Again a HUGE thanks, words cannot fathom my gratitute towards Lady Narcissa Black Malfoy for helping me.
IF I didn't mention you, don't worry I didn't forget you, just didn't have time to type up a thanks for you. :

ON WITH THE STORY!

Draco and Blaise entered the dark restaurant, and were immediately seated. After ordering their food, the two boys sat patiently sipping some hot jasmine tea.

'Ow, this tea is hot!' Draco burnt his tongue, dropped his porcelain teacup, spilling hot tea everywhere while Blaise laughed.

Blaise chuckled.

'Excuse me gentlemen, your meal is ready.' said the young waitress. Blaise checked her out. Lovely, lovely lady. I always liked Asian women. He winked. She smiled and left. The two boys dug into their sushi and soba and were quiet for quite some time. Blaise broke the awkward silence.

'So Drake… how's your mom?'

'Oh, she's fine. She went all "OH DRAKEY POO! I'M SO PROUD OF YOU!" on me when she found out I got head boy and then used me as a hanky. Why'd you ask?' Draco said.

'Oh, well I didn't know how she'd cope with your dad in Azkaban and all that.' Blaise said softly, treading carefully about this subject because he knew Draco was sensitive about it.

'She's fine. I bought her something,' Draco reached down to the package he bought at Fritzy's. 'See, my mum's got such an obsession with chocolate and wine, so I got her this. I might go to some designer store and get her something else'

'Nice man.'

'So do you think we'll beat those damn Gryffindors this year in quidditch?'

At the same time…

'Hermione! You're finally here! We thought you got lost. And we saw Malfoy. Did he try something funny? Where's the thing you bought for Rita?' Harry said breathlessly.

Hermione bent over, pecked Ron on the cheek and sat down next to him.

'Ok, no I didn't get lost, no I didn't see Malfoy, but he didn't do anything, and I had Mr. Fritzy send the package to my house.' she lied.

'Ha ha, see I told you she'd have it sent home.' Ron laughed.

'Yea, yea.' muttered Harry.

Hermione asked they guys 'Did you guy's order yet?'

'Yea, we got you ravioli in meat sauce.' Ron said, smacking his lips.

The boys eventually got of to talking about quidditch. Hermione's thoughts wandered once again, and a glazed look clouded her eyes. She was thinking about

Hermione's eyes flashed open, and the waitress that had obviously taken the trio's order (well just Harry and Ron's) had come to bring them their dishes.

'Oh this looks wonderful! What exactly is it?' Hermione asked.

'Oh, it is the Lobster and Shrimp ravioli in meat sauce.' the waitress answered impatiently.

She noticed Hermione was sitting extremely close to Ron, who she had her eye on earlier. Harry smiled, and she laid down the platter he ordered. Smacking his lips, he immediately grabbed his fork and began to dig into his lasagne. She bent over and gave Ron not only a dish, but a wink and a bit of cleavage.

He eyed the dish and the waitress. Harry noticed this but Hermione didn't because she was too busy rummaging through her purse for a gum wrapper. The waitress bent over a little further and got some of Hermione's meat sauce (A/N: ha-ha, after typing that I immediately thought of Dr. Evil and his meat helmets) on her chest. 'Careful, it's hot.' The waitress smirked.

'Yes, yes it is.' Ron stammered, covertly moving his hand to his crotchal area. Apparently she did not know that she had sauce on her chest, at least not yet.

Ha, serves her right, that little slut. Harry smirked. How can Ron behave like this when Hermione's around? In fact, how can he behave like this at all? God, I'd never ever think of acting like that ever. Ginny, ha, she'd have my head on a platter, seasoned and roasted. He's my best mate. That bloody wanker, when Hermione leaves, Ron and I are going to have a little talk.

The waitress winked and left, leaving Harry agitated, Ron horny, and Hermione clueless.

'Erm...good service eh?' Ron mumbled, obviously not wanting Harry to bring up what just happened.

'Yes Ron, excellent. Never been better, eh?' Harry's voice shook.

'Er, sure. Whatever you say Harry.' Ron gritted through his teeth. He tilted his head ever so slightly in Hermione's direction, trying to signal to Harry that she was no longer rummaging through her purse. Hermione glanced from Ron, to Harry and Ron again. Is there something going on that I don't know about? She thought.

She shook off the suspicious feeling and commenced to eat her food. Even before she was half way done, Ron and Harry had already finished. Harry took the lemon off his glass of water and bit into it. He glanced at his watch and said 'Mione, hurry up.'

'I'm going, I'm going.'

She crammed the last bits of pasta in her mouth and picked up her purse and bag from Fritzy's. The two boys put their money down on the table, Ron paid for Hermione, and they left.

'Where do we go now,' Ron whined. 'My feet hurt and I'm tired.'

'Ron stop being such a baby, we haven't been walking that much, and plus, you aren't wearing high heels so stop complaining.' Hermione snapped.

Ron mumbled about how men weren't supposed to wear high heels anyway, nobody forced Hermione to wear those shoes, and how she was PMS-ing and he'd never get any at this rate. Harry chuckled at this until he saw the look on Hermione's face. Let's just say that if looks could kill, Harry would have been completely obliterated, blown to smithereens, spontaneously combusted, whatever sort of painful death you could think of. They continued shopping for their books and supplies.

After a few hours, she bade the boys and apparated home. The boys walked in silence for a few moments while Ron glanced at the Quality Quidditch Shop's new line of keeper's gloves.

'Ron, what the HELL were you thinking back there?' Harry practically shouted.

'What are you talking about?' Ron said, clearly dumbfounded

'Back in Cerasaro's. Don't you dare tell me you don't know what I'm talking about,' Harry scolded. 'I saw you look at that waitress like a homeless person sees steak (A/N: and if they're a homeless vegetarian; Tofurkey). I can't believe you'd have the audacity to behave in such a way! If Ginny ever caught wind that I had ever behaved like that…lets just say I'd wish that Voldemort did me in.' Harry now out of breath, shone a brilliant vermillion that would have put a Quaffle to shame. Ron took a step back.

'Harry, I haven't the slightest as to what you're saying.' Ron stammered, now quite nervous that Harry had him figured out. (Lucky for him; Harry wasn't as bright as Hermione, so he wasn't quite there yet.)

Harry's eyes closed to dangerous slits of jade. 'If I ever get so much as a hint of you acting like this again, believe me Hermione will know, and I'll curse you so bad that your grandchildren will still be twitching.'

'Good bye, Ronald.' Harry apparated away, leaving Ron still horny and now more befuddled than before.

It was only eight but Hermione was exhausted. She walked in the front door, and her mum came to greet her.

'Oh honey, let me help you with those bags.' her mum said.

'Oh thanks mum. Here, I got you something. I hope you like it.' Hermione said as she handed her mom the fudge she purchased earlier.

'Oh Hermione honey, it's wonderful. What flavours did you get?'

'Um, well the fudge's flavour is supposed to change to the consumer's fancy. So what ever you feel like having, it'll change to,' explained Hermione. 'Ron suggested it.'

'Well he's got a good head on his shoulders; after all, he picked you.' Mrs. Granger said, tweaked Hermione's nose and rubbed her arm.

Hermione smiled. 'Well mum I'm pretty tired, so I'm going to take a long bath.'

'Ok honey.' her mom said, handing the bags back to Hermione.

Hermione lugged her things back upstairs. She met Rita on the way up

'Rita, move.' Hermione commanded.

'No. What did you get?' Rita questioned.

'Books, potions ingredients, the usual stuff.' sighed Hermione.

'You forget to tell me that you got mom FUDGE! Where's mine?' smiled Rita, knowing that Hermione didn't get her any.

'Oh, that's what I forgot…' Hermione slapped herself on the forehead.

'I knew it. Honestly, they call you the brightest witch and yet you forget your own family.' Rita said in an air of woe.

'Shut up Rita or I'll turn your hair into salami.' seethed Hermione.

'Fine, Fine.' Rita subconsciously touched her brunette hair, raking her fingers through it. Just as a precaution of course.

With much difficulty, Hermione kicked the door open to her room and dropped everything on her bed. Crookshanks jumped off the window ledge and sniffed hungrily at the package of rat tails that Hermione bought for potions.

'No Crookshanks, those aren't for you. Here.' Hermione conjured up a small dish of raw Atlantic salmon, lightly smoked to perfection. Crookshanks' tail swished in delight.

Mmm, salmon. Smart girl, Hermione. Oh, and she's put it in that fabulous dish too.

He devoured the fish in ten seconds flat and looked at Hermione for more.

'I'm not feeding you anymore; you're going to get fatter. They you won't fit into your cage.' Hermione chuckled. The ginger cat looked a little crestfallen, but was satisfied with the snack nonetheless.

'I'm going to take a bath now, and if I get a whiff of rat on your breath they're will be no more salmon for you.' Hermione warned. Crookshanks eyed the bag, but obeyed.

Ten minutes later, Hermione was soaking in a tub of warm, lavender scented water and layers of bubbles. The last sunlight of the day poured through the large window, casting a golden glow on the porcelain thrown (aka toilet). She had rose fragranced candles burning around the tub, illuminating the various bottles and bath things, and made shadows dance on the sea green walls like a dancer from the Russian Ballet. She scrubbed away all the day's stress and dirt until her skin glowed. The light floral fragrance began to lull her to sleep. Her eyelashes fluttered, and she momentarily fell asleep.

BANG, BANG, BANG!

'HERMIONE GET OUT OF THERE! I NEED TO TAKE A SHOWER TOO!' Rita shouted.

Hermione jolted awake. 'I'm coming!'

'Well hurry up! You're going to shrivel up like a prune!' Rita shouted again.

'Rita, hold on, and you don't have to shout, I can hear you fine.' sighed Hermione.

Hermione hopped out of the tub, drained the water and grabbed her apple green silk bathrobe and exited the bathroom.

'Bout' time!' Rita exclaimed.

After Draco and Blaise finished their meal they left to finish shopping. Draco bought all the books and supplies he'd need for the rest of the year, Blaise bought a wizard's version of playboy.

'Dude, I'll see you at school. Let me check out your common room.' winked Blaise.

'Sure man. Great to see ya.' Draco answered.

They did, once again, their little manly hug thing and both apparated to their respective houses.

'Mum!' Draco called out into the spacious manor.

Narcissia swept down the stairs in a pale blue dress and cried 'Oh my baby boy! How was your day?'

'Fine mother, here I got you something.' He handed his mom the gift basket.

'Oh thank you so much darling! You didn't have to!'

'I know, but I wanted to.' Draco said, hugging his mom. 'I saw Blaise today, we went to eat lunch at that new sushi place, and it was really good.'

'Oh! Lovely, we'll have to go there soon!' Mrs. Malfoy said.

'Well mum, I'm quite tired,' Draco glanced at his very expensive watch ' I think I'll go to bed now.'

'Alright dear.' Narcissia kissed her son's cheek and poked him along.

About half an hour later Draco slipped into his silk sheets. Draco looked out the window, gazing at the last rays of the summer sun, as was a pair of coffee coloured eyes.

Hermione had finally gotten dressed after being ousted from the bathroom by Rita. She brushed her long russet tresses to silky perfection while Crookshanks nestled himself on the little pillow designated just for him. As she gazed out onto the street glittering with cars, she thought.

Life was so much simpler when I didn't know about magic. All those muggles are perfectly happy not knowing that there's a whole other world out there. I wonder what I'd be doing right now if I hadn't gone to Hogwarts. Well, I know I wouldn't have a boyfriend, speaking of which, what the hell was going on in the restaurant between Harry and Ron? Harry seemed...pissed. Well I'll ask him what happened. Oh my god, I think he was gawking at the waitress! Oh no, now he's going to break up with me! Wait, it's natural to stare at other people even though one is in a relationship, right?

After brushing her hair, she plopped down on her bed and picked up Crookshanks, and pet him on the head. He purred contently. Hermione put him down and pulled back the covers of her bed. Subconsciously, she knew something was askew with their relationship, but like a stubborn pimple, it wasn't going to surface for a while. But when it did, it'd be ugly, hard to get rid of, and ruin one's day (I would know about this…)

OKAY! Review...if you hate it...TELL ME! If there's anything that I can improve...tell me. The more you review, the better the story.