'We are both pleased you have chosen to ask us for our permission first. Yes, the main focus of the trip is for the 'pure-blooded' wizard to experience muggle world. So of course, our answer is yes. Please understand we can't be responsible for any lost belongings, as you are to take care of transport. It's excellent you two are getting along, and we must admit those are of the reasons why we paired you together. We hope you enjoy the trip.

Sincerely,
Headmaster Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall.'

Draco and Hermione looked at each other.

"You haven't unpacked, have you?" Draco asked. He had brought his suitcase to his room, but hadn't unpacked.

"No," Hermione said shaking her head. "I was busy making lunch." Draco nodded, and walked into the hallway where Hermione's suitcase was sitting.

"Well, I'll get my suitcase then." He said, going up the stairs. As soon as Draco disappeared onto the upstairs landing, Hermione's heart thudded as she landed her head on the banister with a thunk. She was going to have to go to Malfoy Manor. To that horrible, cruel place. Hermione's stomach was tying itself into knots as Bellatrix's face flashed into her mind. She was back into that familiar memory, where the Cruciatus Curse was being inflicted on her. Hermione could already feel familiar burning waves of pain in her arm, but it all dispersed as she held her hands up to her face, gripping it.

"It's not nice for me, either." A voice said from the banister, popping Hermione's bubble. She looked up at Draco and didn't say a word until he had walked all the way down the stairs, lugging his suitcase behind him.

"Do you have your license to apparate?" She said in a surprisingly clear voice.

"Of course." Draco replied. His tone was scathing, but the smile he sent after took the bite out of his words. Hermione was relieved that Draco didn't make a big deal out of her fear of his house, and even empathising with her. He held out his arm, and Hermione looked at him.

"A bit slow on the uptake, aren't you? We need to apparate, Granger." He said in a bored tone. Hermione rolled her eyes, took her suitcase, took his arm and then sent him a look. He smirked. "Oh, come on, I know you've been dying to touch me after that tube ride."

"And you need to shut up." She retorted. Draco sniggered, before Hermione felt the familiar, odd feeling of apparating.

~.~.~

They were both now standing in the entrance hall area of the house. Hermione let go of Draco's arm and looked around. The floors were marble, the walls were a cold, clean white. In front of them was a magnificent staircase that split off into two, leading off. Draco looked at Hermone.

"I'm sure you don't need an introduction." He said grimly. Hermione just glanced at him. "Come on, I'll show you your room, and all the rooms in between." Hermione nodded, and followed him up the stairs. They both travelled up the right section of the main staircase and into the room that was joined to the left section of the staircase (Point being that both staircases lead to the same room. It just seemed fancier to have two staircases). They appeared in a magnificent room, filled with plush sofas and tables.

"So what's this room called?" Hermione asked Draco. He shrugged.

"I'm not really sure. It's a sort of lounge, I suppose." He replied. Hermione nodded slowly, and they continued out of the door and into the hallway. He gestured to the room on neighbouring the right of the lounge and opened the door. Hermione gasped. There were windows covering one side of the room nearly as tall as the wall slathered in cream paint, and the ceiling was impossibly high. Several bookcases lined the room, as well as a large glass table and richly coloured sofas. They both fully walked in.

"The Great Room." Draco said. Hermione looked at the room again and then turned to him.

"It's funny; this house feels nothing like what it was when I was here when Voldemort was here." Hermione mused, more to herself to Draco. "Maybe it's just the room where Bellatrix..." She didn't finish, and Draco didn't prompt. They walked out of the room and went to the room neighbouring the Great Room. Draco opened the door. Hermione was surprised this room was more dull than the other's she'd seen already. A large oak table was the centrepiece of the room, with chairs lining it. The dining room. They didn't walk into this room. Draco pointed at the door at the far end of the room.

"That's where the kitchen is." He murmured. The room was a creamy grey with silver trimmings; the floor was a dark wood, and a few small paintings hung on the wall. That was as far as it went. Draco closed the door, and was about to open the neighbouring one when he paused.

"What?" Hermione asked. He looked at her.

"This is the room where Bellatrix.." He left the rest to Hermione. Hermione took a deep breath, pondered the possibilities, and nodded. She instantly regretted it when she caught a glimpse of the room. A glimpse was all it took for her senses to override and her stomach to drop. She turned away, her breathing shallow. It was bad enough having memories, but to see it again... She heard the click of a door, and a touch on her arm.

"I say we go to the next room." Draco muttered. He looked at Hermione who cleared her throat and nodded. Draco opened the next room, and Hermione's face brightened. She could instantly tell this was the ballroom. The main colours were white and light rosy pink. Gold, silk drapes hung from the windows. She walked into the centre of the room and marvelled, while Draco followed.

"Do you like it?" Draco asked. Hermione nodded. Before she could speak, she suddenly felt Draco pull her towards him, before she was twirled round. He stepped forward, held her waist and dipped her back. Hermione couldn't do anything but look at him with a shocked face. Still dipping her forward, he leant his face towards her. For some reason, she didn't pull back. He grinned.

"Feeling better?" He asked, looking down at her. Hermione just mutely nodded her head, before Draco gently pulled her back up and let her go. Before she knew it, she had broken into smiles. That had definitely felt weird, but the exhilarating spontaneous ring it had given her made her grin. Draco watched her and chuckled.

"Last room of the ground floor." He said, closing the door to the ballroom. He opened the door opposite (the room to the right of the lounge). This room was quite small, but richly furnished. The walls were a deep emerald green, the trimming was silver. Hermione assumed it was Slytherin themed. There was an ebony wood table with a few draped chairs around it, matching the walls.

"The parlour." Draco introduced. Hermione nodded, and they made way for stairs going up to the first floor.

"So where's your mother?" Hermione asked.

"Holiday. She's still in shock after hearing my father was in Azkaban, and going for a long holiday to take her mind off of it seems to do the trick for her." He replied, looking at Hermione.

"But she's just leaving you on your own!" Hermione said, shocked. Draco just shrugged.

"She's assuming I can take care of myself. Which I can." The last sentence had an edge to it.

"I know, I was just-"

"I know." Draco said in a light tone, glancing at her. Hermione looked down at the stairs, but felt a little better that she hadn't put Draco in a mood. They appeared in a hall, and Draco gestured to both of the nearest doors.

"Your room." He said, pointing to the first door. "My room." He said pointing to the door next to it. "Bathroom suite. The other rooms are just my parents, and then the servant quarters." He said pointing to the last door, before the hallway rounded the corner.

"Wait a second," Hermione said, holding up a finger. "How come I have to have my room right next to yours?"

"Because," Draco replied. "The rest of the guest rooms are used by the servants."

"Elves." Hermione corrected. Draco rolled his eyes, and then checked his watch, before his eyes widened.

"Merlin, that tour must've taken ages. It's already dinnertime." Draco said, surprised. Hermione was shocked. "Put your suitcase in your room, and then we'll get down to the dining room. I'm going down now. Do you know how to get there?" Hermione nodded. While Draco went down, she opened the door to her temporary room, and was taken aback. The walls were a lilac colour, with dark indigo trimming. The drapes that hung from the large ebony window were indigo, the hem a navy blue. All of the furniture was ebony coloured; the wardrobe, the dresser, the bedside table, the bookcase, the chair, and her bed; which had, again, an indigo duvet with silver patterns dancing up from the bottom. There was also a door connecting her room to Draco's. Ugh. She set her suitcase down, and it looked extraordinarily out of place in this beautiful room. With one last lingering look, she closed the door on her bedroom. Of course, curiosity got the better of her, and she just had to take a peek at Draco's room. She knew she'd be in deep if he were to come back up, so she only opened the door halfway and took a look in. Of course, the whole room was Slytherin themed. A few Quidditch posters adorned the walls, all of them moving. She leant on the door, and it felt peculiar to imagine Draco lying on the bed, or at the desk doing summer homework. Hermione closed the door with a click, and made her way downstairs.

Opening the dining room door, she saw Draco turn his head to look at her.

"Sit down," He said to her, gesturing to any of the seats. He was sitting in one of the seats in the middle of the long, rectangular table. "The elves are bringing food." Hermione rolled her eyes, and then took a seat opposite Draco.

"What're we eating?" She asked, brushing herself off. Draco shrugged.

"I don't usually choose. They just bring the food." He replied. Hermione took a moment to look at him. It was actually quite extraordinary how easily she'd slipped into this friendship of some sorts. Draco looked up at her staring at him, and she looked down. The kitchen door opened, and two elves came in with steaming plates of food.

"Master Malfoy." One said, bowing at Draco before putting the food in his place. He responded with a curt nod.

"Miss Granger, welcome to the Malfoy household." The other elf said. It bowed, before putting the plate into Hermione's place.

"Thank you very much. I do hope you don't mind serving me while I'm here." She said politely. The elf looked taken aback.

"Of course! It's my pleasure, after all." The elf responded. It bowed deeply, before opening the kitchen door, and both elves vanished inside. She looked back at her food to see Draco looking at her.

"What?" She asked, before looking down at her food, which looked absolutely delicious. It was a few slices of roast beef, along with a mixed salad and dressing. To be fair, it was a lot better than Hermione's meal.

"You're really kind to the house-elves." Draco said simply. She looked up sharply.

"Well why shouldn't I?" She retorted. Draco sighed, knowing if he continued it was going to be an argument.

"Granger, it's their job." He said, looking at her. She rolled her eyes.

"And isn't it said that they respond the best with kindness and respect?" She said, raising an eyebrow. Draco shot a look at her that said 'okay-whatever-smartass'. She smiled smugly, knowing she had been right. She lifted her fork and started eating. The food was absolutely divine, before she suddenly remembered something she'd been wondering for years.

"Hey, I've been wondering if I should ask you this," Hermione said, and Draco looked up. "What was it like growing up here?" She watched Draco pause, and then put his cutlery down.

"Well." He said, before he propped up an elbow, and while leaning on it, looked at Hermione. "I don't want to sound like a pity case, but I reckon I didn't have one of the best childhoods." Hermione didn't know whether she should prompt him or not. She wasn't sure whether she was quite ready to hear this, but before she could say anything, Draco was already continuing. "My father treated me like a pet. My mother only intervened when necessary. I was like a rag doll. Scrubbed clean, put into suits, and my fate was sealed as the heir of Slytherin. I didn't even have my own room. I was actually kept in the cellar." He paused to emit a bitter chuckle. "This was my father's method. Make him scared out of his wits. Make him lose his mind, so that you're the first thing it clings onto. I wasn't aloud outside, unless I was being forced to learn how to ride my broom. I didn't have any luxuries unless I was being clothed by my mother. My father was the one who I looked up to. I wanted everything he had, I wanted to be him. His status, his power. I was beat if I stepped over the line. I didn't have any freedom. Although, it seemed like I wanted it that way. I was brought up believing all the wrong things." He paused, and looked directly at Hermione. "That's what it was like growing up here." Hermione's hands were shaking, and her mind was reeling. It took a few moments before she could stammer anything out.

"I'm sorry." She said quietly, looking at Draco. She was still shocked he was able to smile, yet he did. She continued to eat, but her throat seemed to still be closed up.

"It's made me who I am." He said simply. "You shouldn't be sorry, anyway. It's my parents' fault that you went through all those years of torment." Hermione paused, and tried swallowing.

"Well, some of it maybe. Not all." She said, looking at him. He looked back confusedly. "I'm sure you wouldn't have liked me anyway, even if you'd been brought up differently."

"No," Draco replied, and Hermione looked up. "I'm definitely sure I would've. And who's saying I don't like you now?" He finished with a challenging stare. Hermione just looked down and finished her meal. It was a good time later the elves came back in to clear the plates. She'd found a new found sort of respect for Draco.

"So what now? It's only..." She paused and looked at her watch. "Seven thirty." Draco looked at her and grinned.

"Wanna see the garden?" He asked. Hermione shrugged, and nodded. He got out of his seat and gestured to her. She got out too and followed Draco back into the ballroom.

"Is the garden here?" Hermione asked. Draco nodded.

"It's at the back." He said. Sure enough, when you got the very back at the end of the room, there was a large glass door. He opened it, and Hermione's eyes widened. The garden was giant, the grass and shrubbery was green and fresh. There were flowers lined in the beds, and it made it look like a waterfall of colour.

"Wow." Hermione uttered. Draco turned to her.

"That isn't even the best part." He said, and then pulled on her arm. "Come." She followed him uncertainly, and then got why he was so excited. Out of site, there was a patio and on it was a gigantic swimming pool round the side of the garden. It was still surprisingly warm for this time of the year, and she turned to Draco.

"You have a swimming pool?!" She asked in disbelief. Without warning, Draco gathered her up in his arms and in an instant, jumped into the pool. The wave lapped over the side, and Hermione surfaced, gasping for air.

"You fucking git!" She yelled, punching Draco's arm. He took no notice, and instead glanced down, and whistled.

"Wow, Granger. Never knew you had it in you." He said, smirking at her. Hermione looked down at her chest. She was still in her school blouse. It wasn't white anymore, but rather transparent and sticking to her wet skin, exposing her laced black bra. She crossed her arms over herself furiously.

"You pervert! How dare you!" She shouted, splashing water at Draco, while trying to hide her exposed body.

"Hey, stop!" Draco said, laughing. Hermione continued ruthlessly.

"Not until you apologize!" She yelled threateningly. Out of nowhere, Draco hands laces around her wrist, and he leaned over to her. Hermione's whole body was still, and the waves dispersed.

"Okay, Hermione." He murmured dangerously. "I apologize for seeing your incredibly sexy underwear." Hermione didn't say a word, before pushing him back into the water.

"Ugh. You idiot." She said disgustedly. Draco laughed, before getting out of the pool, and offering her a hand. She slapped it away and made her own way out of the pool.

"I'll get towels. Since you're, ahem... Fully exposed."

"You-" Before Hermione could do anything, he dodged out of her way and went into the house. He reappeared a moment later, carrying thick fluffy towels. He handed one to Hermione smirking.

"I actually suggest you take your shirt off," Hermione raised an arm to punch him, but he held up his hands. "You're never going to dry off like that!" Hermione narrowed her eyes.

"If you even try to-"

"I swear I won't." He said, a grin breaking over his face. Hermione shot him a look, before walking a good distance away. Balancing the towel on her shoulders to cover her back, she undid the buttons to the shirt and peeled it off. She gathered the towel around herself tightly, and walked back to the deck chairs, glancing at Draco, and then at the sky.

"The sun's setting." She murmured, settling back into the chair.

"I can see you know." He replied sarcastically. She rolled her eyes, and then turned to him in the deck chair.

"Why the hell did you throw me in anyway?" She asked, perplexed. He looked back at her.

"I just wanted to see your reaction." He said plainly.

"What else did you think I'd do? Run into your arms?" She said rolling her eyes. Draco smirked.

"Now that I would like to see." He teased. Hermione just raised an eyebrow, and turned herself back to the magnificent sky. There was now navy morphing into the sun set, and they both knew in a matter of minutes the sun would be replaced the moon.

"Should we go inside? It's getting cold." Hermione murmured, turning to Draco.

"Let's wait until the stars are up." He replied, quietly. They both silently waited. The sky slowly changed. It was almost like it was decaying, how the black sky was seeping in, and the sun was slowly settling down as if it was on its deathbed. Hermione sighed, and she saw her breath condense in the air. It was getting chillier by the minute. The stars were now starting to get dotted in the sky, and the moon was making its grand appearance. For some reason, this sunset somehow seemed significant to her, like she was just seeing the beauty of it now. The sky was pitch black, and it was completely cloudless. The stars were perfectly pinpricked into the sky, and Hermione glanced at Draco. He looked back at her.

"I think we should go now." She said, sitting up. Her hair was now half dried, and she itched to just flip the towel she was wearing and towel-dry her hair. And then she slapped her head. She could use magic! Sitting up, she took her wand and flicked her wrist, muttering an incantation. Hot air instantaneously washed over her deliciously, and she was dry. She repeated the same motion to Draco, and he nodded his head in thanks.

"It's still pretty early, but do you want to go to bed?" He asked.

"I'm actually pretty tired already, with all these surprises." She said, shooting a look at Draco. He just sniggered.

"Okay, calm down Granger. It's time for beddy-byes!" He crooned.

"Don't you beddy-bye me!" She snapped, hitting Draco's arm. They bickered all the way up to their rooms.

~.~.~

"Just knock on the door in your room if you need me." Draco said, leaning on his bedroom door.

"Like I will." Hermione sniggered. "Night then. You better not creep up on me while I'm changing, or I'll kill you." She finished threateningly. Draco leaned over her.

"Well, that's a shame. Just means you'll have to be extra careful, won't you?" He murmured, and then leaned back and snickered. "Night." They both opened their doors and disappeared inside. Hermione opened her suitcase and dragged out her nightclothes. Shedding the towel, she changed, continually glancing at the door. She only heard a few bumps, but other than that, nothing. Hermione opened her duvet and slipped into the bed. It was warm and soft, and the pillow was soft and downy like feathers. Stretching out her tired limbs, she settled her head on the pillow and slept.

"You filthy little mudblood!" Bellatrix said, bending over her and flicking her wrist. Hermione didn't notice until the end that the scream was hers. "Why won't you tell me?! You're the scum of the earth! You don't deserve to live, do you hear me!?" The pain was now white hot, and Hermione's head felt like it would burst.

"Please..." She begged, and her throat scratched. Bellatrix's face loomed over hers.

"What're you pleading for? Pleading won't get you anywhere." She hissed, and now Hermione was sobbing, as she curled in a fetal position. She wished the pain would have fluctuations, and that way she's recover in the gaps. But this pain was burning, and always constant. She just wanted it to end.

"This way you'll know you're a mudblood..." Bellatrix said, and her wand flicked again.

Hermione woke up screaming, tears spurting down her cheeks. Why was it only that memory that was getting replayed?

"Hermione!" Draco shouted, and she heard the door swing open. She looked up. Draco was there. She instantly hid her face and wiped her hands across her cheeks, but Draco already knew she'd been crying. She felt ashamed that she was crying over a simple memory, while Draco had been so much more than her from the start.

"I'm sorry. It's okay, I'm fine." She muttered, turning away from him, but Draco grabbed her shoulder and turned her back round.

"I'm not blind Granger." He said, taking his hand away.

"I said I'm fine! Leave me alone!" She yelled, glaring at Draco.

"Dammit Granger! Why can't just admit that the war's affected you?" He shouted. He looked at Hermione and faltered, lowering his voice. "I'm just trying to help." Hermione looked at him for a second, and then lay back onto her bed on her back, staring at the ceiling. Draco pulled up a chair and sat down.

"I'm sorry." She said. "But right now, I just need some sleep." Draco nodded.

"Go to sleep then." He said simply. Hermione turned her head to look at him.

"Go back to your room then." She retorted automatically. Draco gave her a look.

"No."

"Why?"

"I'm not going until you're asleep." He said. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Malfoy, go away. I'm serious." She replied.

"Just do it!" Draco snapped. Hermione glared, and then turned away from him. She felt weird at the feeling of Draco's eyes on her, but she tried to ignore it. A few minutes later, she was almost on the brink of falling asleep when she heard Draco get up and walk around the bed to where she was. She tried to keep her breathing as natural as possible. She had to assume he was kneeling, since she could heard him sigh, his breath fanning onto her face. A hand came up to cup her face, and it took Hermione everything to not pull away. Why is Draco Malfoy touching my face? His hand slid up into her hair, circling round her ear and back to her cheek. His hand was warm and smooth, so when he took it away, Hermione instantly frowned at the absence. She heard Draco give a light chuckle, before the hand came to her face again.

"Night Hermione." He said, and once again his hand was taken away. As soon as Hermione heard the door click, her eyes snapped open.

She had trouble sleeping that night.

A/N: That was all for you! :D And ooh, Draco's warming up, isn't he? DZAuthor AKA DZMom, I took your advice and wrote a similar scene! I AM SERIOUSLY HOPING THAT WASN'T TOO OOC. Since I've been dying to write that. Also, here's the plan I used for Malfoy Manor if I confused any of you:

black_ink_drips/Malfoy%

I slightly altered the 1st floor, however. VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION. PLEASE READ! Do you want Hermione to fall for Draco first, or Draco for Hermione? This is pretty much a VERY crucial question in the plot to come. Please answer!

Thank you so much for reading! I love you all!