Hermione longed to go to Diagon Alley... She had not been there since it had come out that she was a pure-blood. She was currently staying with Malfoys; she hadn't wanted to go back to her muggle parents. Besides her, both Thorfinnn and Antonin were staying at the Manor. Narcissa had thought that, as their godparents, offering her a place to live while she got to know her father was the least they could do.

Hermione walked toward the fireplace and reached for the floo powder. She heard footsteps somewhere behind her. "I am just going to Diagon Alley, Narcissa. I haven't left the manor in a while, I am starting to feel a little cooped up."

The laughter she heard told her it wasn't Narcissa. When she turned, Thorfinn was leaning against the door frame.

"Do you really think I am going to let you go to Diagon Alley alone? Only to get attacked when you set foot there?"

She looked annoyed. "I can take care of myself, Thorfinn. I have survived a war, I'm a big girl," Hermione replied, not bothering to keep from giving him an eye roll.

"I know you have, we all did. But you are something else now. As a pure-blood princess, you need to understand the need for an escort."

When she didn't reply, he added, "It's either me or I can get your father. Your choice. Though I thought maybe we could have a lunch date." The last bit held something of a pleading tone.

She took a deep breath and narrowed her eyes at him. "Fine, you can come. But you can't hex anyone."

He laughed. "I do have a little bit of self control," he said, grabbing her right hand with his left one and scooping up some floo powder.

Once they arrived at Diagon Alley, Hermione took in her surroundings and smiled as she saw children running around. She was so happy that these children were going to be able to have a happy childhood and not worry about fighting a mad half-blood set on wiping out muggle-borns.

From their place on the street, she could hear the owls happily hooting as children came out from the pet store with their new familiar.

Thorfinn looked at her. "Okay, beautiful, where do you want to go?"

Hermione looked up at him, having almost forgotten his presence. "Um... bookstore first, then I better get some new robes or Narcissa won't be very pleased," she told him with a smile.

"I should have known you would want to go to the bookstore first. And you are right, Narcissa would be very disappointed if you don't get something more… fitting."

Hermione rolled her eyes, but she said nothing as she led him into the bookstore. As soon as she walked in, she smiled and took a deep breath: it smelled of new books and parchment, scents that were always very comforting to her.

She turned to Thorfinn, realizing that he, too, had a pleasant smell: sandalwood. She enjoyed his smell more than she should have.

Hermione blushed at the sudden thought and hoped that, despite his smirk, he hadn't noticed... He was about to say something when he heard someone say something when a blond head came bounding into view.

"Hermione, how lovely to see you. And this must be your fiancé," Luna said dreamily.

"Luna, I'm glad that you are still talking to me," she told the other witch as she gave her a hug.

"Why would I not talk to you? It's certainly not your fault that you are a pure-blood or that your fiancé is a giant Death Eater."

Hermione laughed. "It was so good to see you! Do you think we could get together sometime? I miss talking to you."

"I would love that."

When the Ravenclaw was about to walk out, an idea came to Hermione's mind. "Luna, do you think we could do an interview for the Quibbler? About me?"

Luna was beaming. "I would love to give you an interview, let me know when." The blonde skipped out the door.

Hermione was laughing again. As she stepped further into the store, she turned halfway towards Thorfinn.

The look on his face was priceless. "I thought you didn't like the article."

"Oh, I hated the article. But if we do an interview with the Quibbler, we can share our side of the story."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"No, but you are doing it."

"Spoken like a true pure-blood princess."