Draco really didn't want to be there, or at least that's how he made it seem as Pansy and Theo lead himself and Blaise through a crowd of people in the Gryffindor tower. Pouring himself a drink he looked around for Hermione.

"She's over there" Luna said appearing at his side, getting herself a drink.

Draco saw her from across the room, throwing her head back laughing at something Ginny Weasley had said. "I wasn't-"

"It's okay Malfoy, she was looking for you earlier too. Truth be told I think she likes you too although she won't admit it." Luna said before bouncing off back to her friends.

Draco sighed running his hands through his hair. He knew he had more important things to focus on than Hermione Granger, but he couldn't help himself. He looked up and saw Potters hand slide around her waist, pulling her to the side. Draco rolled his eyes and walked over to his friends, joining in their conversation.

On the other side of the room, Hermione had spotted Draco, which made her heart jump into her throat. Ginny continued telling a story about how she was mocking Cho Chang in between scoring points to distract her from the snitch.

"Hermione." Harry snuck up her on putting his hand on her waste, making her flinch. "Can we talk to you quick" nodding towards where Ron was standing against the wall.

"Sure" She said walking over to him, gaining her distance. Ron looked at Hermione nervously, making her roll her eyes "Look at him, he's already being weird about it"

"I'm sorry 'mione" he said in a soft voice "but it is weird!"

"But…" Harry interjected "He understands why you want to keep it quiet and promises not to say anything to anyone."

"I promise." Ron said "even though I don't understand it. Also, I know he's your partner, but you need to stay away from Malfoy as much as possible especially since he knows this information now too."

"I agree with Ron, he might try to take advantage of you Hermione." Harry said

"Thanks for the concern boys, but I think I have a handle on the situation. I'll talk to you both later." Hermione turned and walked away looking for Malfoy.

She spotted him wandering away from his friends looking out a window towards Hogsmeade. She grabbed two drinks and headed towards him.

"Surprised you actually showed up, Malfoy"

Draco turned to see Hermione next to him with two drinks "Partying hard tonight?"

"No prat, one of them is for you" She said handing him the drink. He eyed it and looked back at her "Relax, I didn't drug it."

"hey" he said putting a hand up in protest "for all I know you could be drugging me to obliviate my memory from last night, Princess"

She smacked his arm "If I wanted your memory wiped it would've been done already, and don't call me that"

Hermione leaned against the wall looking at Draco "What's on your mind Malfoy?"

"Just wondering if your boyfriend Potter was asking if I really beat you up or not?"

"One, not my boyfriend, and Two, no mention of you actually"

"Really could've tricked me by how handsy he was getting" Draco scoffed taking a sip of his drink.

"It sounds like you're getting a bit jealous Draco."

Draco rolled his eyes, but noted she finally called him by his first name "Jealous? Not in the least"

"Don't worry, it's cute" She stepped towards him, lifting her toes, planting a kiss on his cheeks "see you tomorrow, partner".

Draco blushed, watching her leave, knowing this wasn't going to be good.

Draco didn't want to seem obsessed even though he most definitely was. Although in his own mind he called it a healthy curiosity, but he didn't want to bring it up to Blaise and get thrown into the fire.

Draco's days went like this:

· Breakfast

· Class

· Lunch

· Class

· Library

· Dinner (or vice versa)

· Research for his task

· Research on Hermione

He wouldn't allow himself to get behind on his task, however he couldn't stay focused on it as his mind always wandered to what he did not know about his partner. Draco figured out that Hermione's brother, Alexander Grimaldi, was a keeper and Quidditch captain for Slytherin. Draco remembered watching him from the stands his first year in aw, and even tried to impress him with having his dad buy the teams brooms in his second year when he finally made the team.

Her Mother, the crowned princess, Maria graduated from Hogwarts with Draco's mother, Narcissa. Draco had a feeling that the two weren't friendly although they were in the same house and year. He knew his mother wouldn't take too kindly to someone with more power and influence than herself.

In a picture in one of the archived yearbooks, Draco believed he found her father, Carlo Forte, smiling at her mother in celebrating after winning the house cup at the end of term. Not only was he totally smitten with Maria, you could see how identical Hermione looked to her father when she kept her hair dark as her mother asked. It was almost uncanny how much you could see him in her.

He still had plenty of questions and knew that he'd rather embarrass himself with Blaise than with Hermione.

Draco sat curled up with a book in the Slytherin common room as Blaise sauntered in one Sunday evening.

"Malfoy." Blaise looked at the book and gave a confused look "The Art of training Owls?"

Draco took down the shimmer that covered the actual title - Dark Objects: perfect the use and control.

Draco closed the book and looked at Blaise "so Granger"

Blaise chuckled "I was waiting for the questions. Surprised you gave in this early."

Draco shrugged "why is her last name Granger? Why not Grimaldi like her brother?"

"Well obviously technically she should be a Forte like her father, but they, the powers that be, didn't even want her mother to marry him because of his mafia ties and made the children keep the Royal Families name. Then when it came time to go to Hogwarts, she didn't want to attention she got anymore and saw how different people treated her, so she took Granger."

"Why Granger and not her father's name?"

"There's a myth within her family that her great great great grandmother Eliza Granger was a muggle born witch to wealthy parents in Monaco. Eliza was married off to the crowned prince's younger brother, Alberto, in an effort to hide how "weird" she was so she wouldn't be hung for practicing witchcraft. In some mysterious freak accident Alberto's brother was killed and he ascended the throne."

"Freak accident?" Draco questioned.

"Well some people, Granger included, believe that she realized that her first born Son had magical powers early on, and wanted him to be on the throne. So, somehow she killed him and made it look like an accident, but no one ever could prove it."

Draco grinned knowing she took the name of a bad ass witch on purpose.

"How many people actually know that she's a Grimaldi?"

"As far as I know only myself, you, potter, Lovegood, and now Weasley."

"Interesting."

"I know I like to annoy you about it, but just saying the fact that she didn't obliviate you after you found out means she trusts you. She already threatened Potter that she'd wipe Weasley's if he didn't control him."

"If I knew she liked me so much I would've offered to obliviate Weasley myself" Draco chuckled.

"Malfoy. Whatever you do. Do not pull her into this. "Blaise said pointing towards his book as serious as ever "She will make whatever sacrifices to protect the people who matter to her. "