Oh... Valar... Earlier I was bemoaning the fact that I had no inspiration whatsoever for this fic... and then I came and checked my stats and I was utterly blown away. ONE HUNDRED reviews! This is the first fic I have EVER had make it to the triple digits! I am just in awe of you guys, you all are totally awesome! This unworthy one humbly begs your forgiveness for the incredibly long delay!

Many, many, many, many thanks go out to my reviewers!

Karana Belle, elijahsbaby1981, flying-piggy-123, Crazy Luver, Invisible Voice, iluvschool, firefoxgirl, and legolasandmeforever!! Especially firefoxgirl, who was my 100th reviewer! Kudos!

Now... On to the fic...

Div

)Hermione's POV(

It's been a week. An entire week. I've been stuck here an entire week. I can't help but wonder about Draco. I mean, I haven't seen him since that ball...

Either way, I've practiced a bit with my wand, trying to control how much power I put into my spells. I wasn't necessarily successful at first, a flaw which resulted in a tree exploding into virtual dust, and a twig being turned into an EXTREMELY pointed needle. I mean, very pointed. Sharper than a mithril blade pointed. Sharper than a neurosurgeon's needles sharp. So sharp I had to turn it back into a twig in order to pick it up and not cut my fingers to ribbons.

Well, those among other things. I did do helpful stuff, though. I repaired some cracks in the palace walls, some murals were restored to perfection, and I even attempted to make the ceiling in the Great Hall like the one at Hogwarts. I wasn't entirely successful, but the stars do seem to have a bit more of a twinkle.

I've discovered that with this highly boosted magical ability, I don't really need to say incantations, just... well, I suppose it could be called communicating telepathically with my wand. It takes a bit more concentration, which is hard when I'm also trying to control the amount of power I put into it, but it's worth it. I can do spells that I don't know the incantation for, like the Great Hall's ceiling.

It's quite fascinating, really. I've been learning more about Elvish culture and such. Dinner is always a spectacular sight. Everyone is always dressed formally, and there is always live music playing in the background. As a result, people are often dancing, weather its supposed to be a ball or not. Its really amazing. I've learned at least three Elvish folk dances.

Once we get back to Hogwarts, I'm going to have to talk to Professor Dumbledore and see if we can organize a themed ball this year. Wouldn't that be amazing?

I wish Harry and Ron could see this... I sighed, trailing off into thoughts of my two best friends.

"Dreaming of Potty and Weasel?" I heard a sneering voice behind me.

"Malfoy! What—how? What are you doing out of your room?" I whirled around, shocked.

"That Thrandull person let me out for a bit. I have to be back at the room soon enough, but for now I'm free."

"Great..." I muttered with another sigh. "So I'm to be plagued with you for the afternoon?"

"Well, I'm sure a normal human would call it 'graced with the presence of the almighty Draco Malfoy', but what you said works as well, I suppose." Draco said airily. I couldn't quite tell if he was joking or not, so I remained silent.

"I'm going to a walk." I said abruptly, standing up and walking towards the palace doors.

"I haven't been outside for a while." Draco said, following me. I stopped.

"Why are you following me?"

"Because I don't know the way out, dummy."

I stopped and gaped.

"Dummy?" I asked bluntly. Draco nodded, and I burst out laughing. "DUMMY! The great Draco Malfoy calling someone dummy!"

"Shut up." Draco muttered. I finally managed to calm down enough to make my way outside.

Wait. When did I start calling him Draco in my mind?!

)Draco's POV(

The idiot muggle-born. How dare she make fun of my choice of derogative words?!

... Alright, admittedly it wasn't the best comeback...

But she didn't have to laugh!

What am I thinking? This is insane. I've been trapped in this hell-hole for the past week, and now I have to follow Granger to escape! It's stupid. And I'm usually more eloquent that this.

I'd say I needed help if it wasn't a well known fact that Malfoys never need help.

And now I'm talking to myself and attempting to justify myself to myself... That made little sense...

Geeze. Some fresh air will do me good...

Div

I'm really sorry, I know it's incredibly short! My sincerest apologies if this does not meet the standard you apparently have come to expect of me. If it totally sucks I'll go back and redo it later... But until then... Dewa Mata!