Chapter 4: Diagon Alley
A/N: Hi everyone! I'm really sorry for such a late update. School has been crazy because it just started and it was hard to find time to write. I promise to be faster with updates from now on. I'm super happy that I'm finally posting. Beware this is a long chapter, but I hope it makes up for being so late. I hope you like this chapter. It's my first chapter with Hermione POV and Draco POV. I love and appreciate when you guys review, hit favourite and hit follow. I hope you do one, two or three of these because it makes my day. By the way don't worry Ron is still a good guy and still very much our lovable Ron. Sorry for all the talking enjoy chapter 4.
Hermione POV
Harry, Ginny, Ron and I are at the Leaky Cauldron finishing up our lunch. So far we've gone to Gringotts, the Apothecary, Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment and Quality Quidditch Supplies. After lunch we only have to go to three more shops before we go meet Molly.
"I wonder if we'll run into Malfoy soon." Ginny says. I've been wondering the same thing ever since Molly told us that he would be here today.
"I hope not. Hell I hope I barely have to see him back at Hogwarts." Ron admits.
"Ronald enough! I understand how you feel, but this needs to end. You need to grow up. We're adults now and you need to act civil even to people you dislike." I say with a sigh. Whenever Malfoy comes up in conversation Ron goes on about how he hates him.
"Hermione's right Ron it's time to let things go. I'm not saying you and Malfoy need to be friends. Hell you don't even have to like him, but we're not kids anymore." Harry adds.
"I know I know it's just…not going to be easy." Ron states solemnly.
"Hey cheer up everyone this is our last year. Our first normal year where we get to be kids for the last time. It's going to be amazing I just know it." Ginny insists after we've been silent for a couple of minutes.
"Gin's right this year is going to be the best! Come on lets head to Scribbulus." I declare.
'A few minutes later'
"What in the world is this secret class that requires a notebook, diary, and colour change ink? I'm a guy I don't write in diaries!" Ron explains and throws his arms up in the air.
"Boy would I pay to read what you'd write in a diary." Ginny laughs.
"Shut up Ginevra!" Ginny glares at Ron and stops laughing.
"Come on we need to find dear Ronny a diary." Harry comments as he and I keep chuckling.
Ron continues grumbling as we walk to Scribbulus Writing Implements.
As we enter the shop I see shelves throughout with many items on them. The shop is brightly lit and full of what looks to be Hogwarts students buying school supplies. In a corner of the shop I see a younger looking man at the counter waiting for customers to come pay. The four of us buy the things we need, and then we leave.
"Where to next Hermione?" Ginny asks me.
"Madam Malkin's for new robes. Molly had them ordered yesterday morning, so all we need to do is pick them up." I reply and we continue to walk.
Once we enter the shop Madam Malkin comes over to greet us. "Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny it's wonderful to see you all," she says joyfully. "Your robes are ready for you to take."
"Thank you." We all say to her before she goes to grab our robes.
She comes back and hands each of us our robes. "Is there anything else you would like?" she inquires.
"No thank you Madam Malkin." Harry responds politely.
"Have a great day." Ron says to her as Ginny and I say goodbye. As we make our way out of the shop I end up right in front of Draco Malfoy.
"Hey Granger." He says without malice only kindness.
"Hi Malfoy." Well this is strange. Is it just me or is he actually being nice to me?
"Hello Potter. Weasley. Weasley." Malfoy greets them civilly.
They all respond politely although Ron not as much. I then notice Daphne Greengrass and Blaise Zabini behind Malfoy.
"Come on boys let's go. We'll meet you at Flourish and Blotts Mione." Ginny says with a bright smile. "Bye Malfoy. See you around Daphne. Zabini." With that she pulls Harry and Ron away. Why did she leave me with Malfoy?
When I turn back to Malfoy I notice he's wearing a Head Boy badge on his shirt. "I'm sure you're surprised I made Head Boy."
"Actually not really. I kind of expected it." I reply honestly.
"I'm definitely not surprised that you're Head Girl." He says kindly while looking at my badge.
"Oh thanks." I say not sure how to talk to Malfoy when he's being nice.
"You're looking good Granger. Much better than the last couple times I've seen you." He tells me. The last part coming out quieter than the rest.
"Um yeah thanks Malfoy. Well I better get going."
"Yeah. See you around Granger."
"Bye. See you at Hogwarts Greengrass. Zabini." Greengrass and Zabini say goodbye and then all three of them head inside Madam Malkin's. I decide to head over to Flourish and Blotts.
God that was so strange. Well I guess him being nice is better than him acting like an arrogant prat. This is going to be an interesting year.
Once I get inside someone drags me behind a shelf of books. "What the hell-?" I then see Ginny in front of me. "What was that for?" I ask her.
"What do you mean? I want the details! What happened with Malfoy?" She questions me eagerly.
"That's why you dragged me. What's the big deal he and I talked? He was surprisingly nice, but that's it."
"That might be all it is to you, but I want the details. Okay start from when I left."
"Once you guys left I noticed his Head Boy badge-"
"Oh my god you guys are going to be living together!" She interrupts.
I sigh and then I continue to tell her what happened.
"Wow he really is different. I mean Mum and Harry said so, but…"
"You needed to see it for yourself?" I ask trying to help her find the words. Thankfully she has calmed down.
"Exactly! Is that how you felt?"
"Yes I mean it's not like I didn't believe Harry and Molly but I needed to see it for myself." I answer.
"How do you feel about having to live and work with him?"
I take a second to ponder her. "I'm not sure, but if he keeps acting like he did today then it will be fine."
"Speaking of fine… Malfoy is pretty hot don't you agree?"
"Gin it's Malfoy we're talking about." I can't believe she just said Malfoy is hot. I mean it's Malfoy!
"Come on it's not like you don't find him attractive." Okay maybe he's somewhat attractive. Stop! Don't even go there.
"Speaking of good-looking what do you think about Zabini?" I ask and wink at her. Hopefully this will end the Malfoy discussion. I wonder how Malfoy feels about us having to live together.
Draco's POV
As we enter Madam Malkin's I can't stop thinking about my conversation with Granger. Of course she was shocked I was being nice to her she probably didn't know I knew how to be nice. Does she still hate me? Well she was being nice also and didn't leave right away maybe she doesn't hate me anymore. Maybe Mother was right maybe Granger is a forgiving person and maybe we can become friends. Since when was Granger so attractive?
"Mate!" Blaise's voice breaks through my thoughts.
"Huh…what?"
"Draco are you okay?" Daphne asks me.
"Yeah sorry. What were you two saying?" I ask trying to concentrate.
"We were just saying that you should get some new robes. You've grown quite a bit recently." She responds.
"Ah yes that's a good idea."
"Drake you alright? You seem kind of flustered." Blaise asks me.
"Yeah yeah I'm fine just thinking about…things."
"Granger perhaps?" Daphne questions me.
"What do you mean?" I blurt. How did she know?
"Oh come on I know you better than you think I do."
"She's right Draco. It's kind of obvious." Blaise agrees as he looks through a rack of robes.
"I can't help it. I keep thinking about the fact that we're going to be living together and our conversation. What if she still hates me?" I admit while I look through the selection of robes beside me.
"Draco I'm sure she doesn't hate you. Honestly I don't think she ever has." Daphne says.
"You can't actually think that she doesn't or never has hated me. I've been horrible to her ever since we met. I'd hate me, okay I already kind of do but that isn't the point." I reply as we all walk up to the counter with the things we picked.
"Drake maybe Daphne is right. I mean she was being nice to you today. Of course she was surprised you were being nice but she kept talking to you. Maybe just maybe she doesn't hate you. She's not your biggest fan but still." Blaise adds as we leave the store and start walking to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour.
"Plus unlike Weasley she talked to you and was nice to you. She even stayed when her friends left. Think about it this way Potter and Ginny are civil to you so they probably are fine with you. Weasley at least really dislikes you or hates you. I don't think Granger is either of those." Daphne says.
"What you two are saying makes sense. Maybe you guys are right. I think I should talk to her when I see her on the train."
"I think that's a good idea. Maybe being honest with her will help. You don't have to tell her everything, but maybe a bit will help you." Daphne offers. That's a good idea. I wonder what I should say to Granger.
Once we get to Florean's we sit down and a server comes over. "Hello, what would you guys like? We all order and then he walks away. After the war ended Florean's was reopened by Florean's daughter Lindsay. It looks just like it used to be. Bright, cheerful and full of people as always. I found out from Mother that Florean was killed by Death Eaters for information that he wouldn't give up. I didn't know him, but when Daphne, Blaise and I came by he would always come over and chat with us.
"Wow I can't believe this will be our last year of Hogwarts." Blaise says.
"I know it's been my home for so long I can't imagine not being there anymore. I wonder which Slytherin's are returning."
"Well I heard that Millicent, Tracey, Nott and Parkinson." Daphne replies. I can tell she's not pleased about Nott and Parkinson returning by the tone in her voice.
"Ugh why in the world are Nott and Parkinson returning. Seriously just when I have hope for this year." Blaise grumbles.
I chuckle before I say "Well I'm just glad she hates me now. Much better than her wanting me. I felt like she was stalking me." The server comes over with our orders and we begin to eat.
"She was so annoying. God just the sound of her voice drives me insane. I'm just glad I don't have to pretend to like her." Daphne responds before she has another bite of her parfait.
"So mate how are you feeling about being Head Boy. I can't believe you get your own room."
"I'm feeling pretty good about it. I'm just nervous about how everyone is going to react especially the Gryffindors. I can't wait to have a room to myself."
"Draco I'm so happy for you. No more worries you just get to enjoy your last year at Hogwarts like a normal teenager." Daphne says happily.
"Yeah mate it will be nice to see you happy and laid back all of the time." Blaise comments.
"Same here. I just hope this is a calm year. Hey Blaise are you going to be trying out for Chaser?"
"Probably. Are you team captain?" Blaise asks.
"I don't know, but I doubt it. With being Head Boy I don't think I will be. I'm guessing Potter will be captain and seeker again and both Weasleys will be on the team. It will be a big help if you join."
"Speaking of Potter I heard he and Ginny broke up in June. I was really surprised, but at least they are still friends." Daphne adds. I can tell by the smirk on her face that she is up to something.
"They did!" Blaise blurts. Ha look at that I was right he does have a thing for She-Weasley.
"I knew you liked her. Surprised you didn't hear already. Mother told me a bit after it happened."
"What how did you know?" Blaise questions.
"Oh come on Blaise how could he not know. You look at her all the time plus she was the only Gryffindor girl you would go out of your way to talk to." Daphne comments.
"You both knew. I thought I was hiding it well. Do you think I have a shot?"
"Mate I'm sure you do. Why don't you just talk to her become friends with her before trying anything." I answer.
"He's right. Maybe becoming friends first will be a good start. If she does like you back and you end up dating, you do realize you'll have to deal with her brothers, right? If you're friends first maybe that will help get them to back off," Daphne suggests.
'About fifteen minutes later'
"How is your Aunt?" Blaise asks me.
"She's doing well. Mother and I were over the other day for lunch. Teddy's growing up really fast and Mother is really enjoying getting to see them so often. It's refreshing having normal relatives. Aunt Andromeda wants us to come for dinner the day before we go back to Hogwarts."
"That's great Draco. Teddy's so adorable maybe Blaise and I can come over soon to visit them." Daphne says. Blaise nods his head in agreement.
"I'm sure Aunt Andromeda would like that. I'll ask Mother when she gets here."
"How did your Mom react when you found out that you're Head Boy this year? I can just imagine her running about the house attempting to bake. Remember when we were ten and she tried to make Christmas cake. That was such a disaster." Blaise says as he chuckles at the memory of my Mother attempting to make a cake for the first time without magic. Father was out-of-town on business and she decided she wanted us to have a special Christmas together. Daphne and Blaise were sleeping over and then she decided she wanted to make a cake without help from our house elves. She had said "It can't be that hard if Muggles can do it with no problem." and boy was she wrong.
"How could I forget?" I respond with a laugh "Yes she was excited and decided to make my favourite treacle tarts. She's being learning how to cook and bake. She managed to convince the house elves to let her pay them for teaching her."
"What did she say about Granger being Head Girl? I'm guessing she had expected it as well." Daphne asks.
"Yes she did and she said she thinks it is the perfect opportunity to mend fences. I just hope she's right especially when Granger and I will not only be working together but living together too."
"Speaking of Granger getting to live with her is pretty great. I mean who knew how hot Granger could be."
Daphne hits Blaise's arm. "Ouch, what the bloody hell was that for?"
I laugh as she says "For being such a pig you arse!" She glares at Blaise before she continues. "Anyways I think your mom is right Draco. I think talking to her on the train is the best way to start things fresh. A new start for us all."
What can I say to Granger to try to get her to understand that I'm not the guy I used to be? That I'm just me just Draco. I wonder what living together will be like. Hopefully if we don't become friends were at least civil. I do have to admit Granger does look hot. Less shy bookworm and more like sexy bookworm. Stop just stop you can't think that way! It's Granger. I'm going to be working with her I can't think about her like that. I wonder how Granger feels about us living together.
A/N: Thanks for reading my fanfic! I hope you like it so far. Oh if you ever want to know my progress on how the chapters are going on my profile in bold there is a part with the title "Their New Beginning Chapter Progress" which will say in the middle of writing, almost finished writing the chapter, or chapter sent off to GinnyGinervaWeasley for editing. I love all reviews whether it's constructive criticism, or to say how you're liking the fic. Hopefully the length of this chapter didn't bother.
Love you all!
DracoHermionelover98