Chapter Two: Welcome to Miami

At 2:45 pm, Hermione awoke to the sounds of a shrill alarm blaring.

Head still buried in the pillow, she blindly groped for the off button on the piercing screech. Instead of hitting the alarm off completely, she switched on the radio and heard the beginnings of a rock song. She listened for a moment as she got her bearings. She had never heard the song before, but decided that she liked it after a listening to a few lines. Bleary-eyed and slightly disoriented, Hermione slid off the bed and stretched with a yawn. Hermione then scratched her head and shuffled off to the front door to get her abandoned baggage. Dropping the heavy suitcase on the bed, she unzipped it and began to pull out different articles of clothing. Being the organized witch that she was, Hermione chose where each thing was to go.

Hermione opened the closet doors and began to place her shoes neatly inside. She left a pair of white sneakers out, because she wanted to wear them when she went out later. She paused to listen to the guitar riff that came after the second chorus and, with a smile, decided that she liked this band.

Hermione did a little random jig to the song before closing her closet doors and heading back over to the suitcases. She selected an outfit to wear and separated it from the rest of her things. Carrying a stack of shorts, shirts and skirts, Hermione made her way over to the dresser and pulled open an empty drawer. She began to pile the clothes into the drawer, bouncing along to the music.

Hermione continued to put clothes in drawers, and with each passing moment, she became more awake and exhilarated. She couldn't wait until she got out into the city.

To Hermione's mild disappointment, the song ended and the radio personality came on the air, informing all the listeners of the name of the song and the band. Hermione committed that to memory because she liked the song. She was almost finished with her unpacking when another song came on with a bouncy beat. She finished up her packing while dancing around the room. When the song had ended, she was nearly done. She decided that she'd finish unpacking later and she grabbed her change of clothes and skipped to the bathroom, humming.

Hermione showered quickly, changed and walked out of the bathroom to the laundry room. She dumped her dirty clothes on the floor and looked around quickly.

I need detergent and fabric softener… she thought to herself, before she walked back out and towards her bedroom. She pulled on socks and a pair of white sneakers. She then moved on to her make up, jewelry and hair, which didn't take long at all. When she was done, she waltzed over to the full length mirror in the corner of her room and looked herself over. Hermione had chosen a white shirt with a jean vest over it, and a jean skirt that stopped at about mid-thigh. Her hair was let down and it fell a tiny bit past her shoulders in bouncy, playful curls. Around her neck was a silver and diamond butterfly necklace. On her right wrist were a silver watch and a silver charm bracelet. On her fingers were a few rings and a in her ears, a pair of silver hoop earrings. She turned to the left and the right, checking herself, making sure that she looked good. When she was satisfied, she chose a purse and piled her phone, make up, money and other essentials into it.

Hermione looked at the clock and saw that it was 4:15 pm. She cast one last look at herself in the mirror before leaving her room and walking to the garage. She flicked on the light, and smiled. Sitting quietly in the garage was the American car that her parents had bought for when they came to stay and needed a source of transportation. It was probably the second or third one that they had bought for the summer, since they usually switched if they found one that they liked more. A sea green Altima SL was practically calling her to drive it. She was so happy that her parents had thought about her Muggle life, even when she was living a witch's. A few days before Christmas Break, Hermione's parents had pulled her briefly out of school and had her take her driver's test for her license. She passed with flying colors and returned to school, excited and anxious for when she got to return home and drive.

Pulling the car keys off the hook on the wall, Hermione lifted the garage door open, shut off the light and climbed into the car. Although they had the car for over two years now, it was still perfectly clean and looked unused. The only thing missing was the new car smell. Hermione started the car and revved the engine. She pulled out of the garage and down the short driveway. She hopped out of the car, closing the garage door and locking it before jumping back into the car and pulling away.

Hermione navigated her way out of the neighborhood and got on the highway. Though it was her first time actually driving here, she remembered all the routes that her parents had taken when she was with them. She switched on the radio and searched for the station that she had been listening to in her room. When she found it, she turned up the radio and listened to the song that was playing. She didn't understand a word of it, since it was entirely in Spanish, but she like the beat of it. The only word that she was able to decipher was "gasolina," because it sounded like "gasoline." She assumed that that was the name of the song, because it was said repeatedly. She tapped on the steering wheel to the beat and continued to drive.

The sun was beginning to set and it wasn't as hot outside as it was earlier that afternoon. Hermione opened the driver and passenger side windows and felt the warm, humid breeze rush in. Wondering where she should go first, she thought about what she needed to get accomplished. She needed food, laundry detergent and dish detergent. A few movies would be nice too. A few new movies would be nice too. Stopping at a red light at an intersection, Hermione glanced at the sky and saw that it was beginning to get dark. She decided that she would go to the mall and indulge a little, then go to the twenty four hour grocery store after. Turning up the radio to a song that was, coincidentally, singing out the lyrics, "welcome to Miami," and bobbing her head to the beat with a smile on her face, she pulled into the parking lot of the mall.

She quickly pulled into a parking space, shut off the car and got out. The humidity of Florida was nothing like the cool, wet weather of England. She kind of liked the change. When she entered the mall, she was hit by a blast of cold air. She shivered a little since the evening weather outside wasn't that hot to begin with.

Hermione breezed through the store, not stopping for anything until she got into the actual mall. She smiled as she took in all the stores and squeezed her purse, as if making sure her money stayed put until she was ready to spend it. She walked at her own leisure, peering in windows and occasionally stopping to examine an outfit or a pair of shoes. She didn't want to spend all her money so soon, on account of the fact that she still needed to buy the essentials. So instead of satisfying her hunger for stylish clothing and pretty jewelry, she decided to first satisfy her hunger for food. Strolling about, searching for somewhere to eat, something caught Hermione's eye. Lolling about in a somewhat bewildered fashion was the same blonde-haired, mystery boy from the airport. He was still dressed in the T-shirt and basketball shorts and sneakers, but this time there were no sunglasses on his face. Hermione casually walked closer to him, pretending to look at the displays in the store windows. When she was in a position where she could see his face, she snuck a glance. She realized then and there that she knew him from somewhere. She got closer and closer until she was able to see his eyes. Silvery grey. Then she was able to put the puzzle together. The resulting picture shocked her.

His white blond hair, the silver-grey eyes, pale skin and sharp features jogged her memory instantly, but she couldn't believe it. The chances of him being here were the same as the chance of Voldemort dressing in drag and going on to be a singing sensation. In other words, there was no fucking way. He hadn't noticed her and turned around, his back facing her. She squinted slightly, as if making sure and she stepped tentatively closer. As she did, she could hear him muttering swear words quietly and angrily. There was no doubt now. Hermione recognized that voice that melted boys' pride and girls' hearts. That voice that cut like a knife when accompanied by one of his quick-witted, snide remarks and famous smirks. That voice that belonged to—

"Malfoy!" Hermione blurted out incredulously. He spun around, startled, fear flashing across his face. That expression quickly morphed into disbelief.

"Granger!" Draco said in answer. Hermione knew that everything was going to change for the summer. For better or for worse? She didn't know, but at the moment she was leaning heavily towards the latter.

Welcome to Miami… she thought bitterly as found this being the most twisted welcome gift Fate could ever present to her.