A/N: I can already tell theres some speculation as to how this will be 'almost the death of her', but really, I'm not sure if I had any earthly idea what I was talking about myself. But you shall see.....

June 25, 1998. Day Seven, 4:00PM

I sighed. How ridiculous. "You really didn't have to." We were out behind the Manor on a large patio. There were bundles of dead flowers and plants stacked upon each other. Draco was just showing me my new dress he wanted me to wear. A periwinkle blue, very light fabric with tiny rhinestones, beautiful of course, but 150 Galleons? I fanned myself even though we were under the umbrella, it was still so hot for June, it felt like it was 101ยบ!

"You almost would have gotten yourself killed, going out into Diagon Alley by yourself!" I exclaimed at a beaming Draco. He just gave me a sideways look and put the dress up to my chest, and I sighed, looking out at the yard.

"My mother loves to grow things, of course my Dad didn't have it, but she kept a secret garden," He said quietly. I nodded, looking at all the small plants. They all looked sad, for they were browned and drooped. He walked along the other side of the manor and I followed when I saw..did my eyes deceive me?

"It's nothing but a compost heap now," he said, pointing. "Over there, next to the pool." My eyes widened. I was right.

"Excuse me? It's at the peak of summer heat and you have a pool?" I asked, bewildered, staring at the clear, glossy surface of the pool. It was above ground, and wasn't very deep, but was clean.

"I don't have anything to swim in," he shrugged. I gaped at him, then looked back at the dress that laid on the patio chair.

"You're incredibly rich, with no children or a wife and you can't go out and buy swim things?" I asked. He shrugged for the third time. I grinned, I was feeling a bit reckless today..and no one was here to watch..so maybe....I looked at the glossy surface again, and clenched my jaw in anticipation.

Before I knew it, I was diving headfirst into the pool. I hadn't expected it to be so warm, and shivered slightly, but came to the surface, water blinding my vision of a flabbergasted Draco, both amused and shocked. The water up to my chest, which was a reasonable height. I couldn't believe it; Hermione Granger, doing something spontaneously? Well, I was a grown woman, and I could make my own choices, as I had told a bitter and jealous Ron the night before. I was gliding back, doing a backstroke and looking up at a clear blue sky.

"Come on, Draco!" I laughed. "Have a lit-" Water splashed in my face, submerging me in the pool. I saw bubbles and lots of white and blue until I saw a pair of legs standing on the bottom of the pool. I kicked my legs and my black hair covered my face, sunlight peeking through them like gold. Draco was standing there, laughing, also amused.

"Didn't see that coming-" Before he could finish that sentence, I dove at him, wrestling him underwater. Underwater, he seemed to panic for a second and fought back as I tried to keep him at the bottom, but before I could, I was already floating up and so was he, so it seemed like we were spinning upwards. I heard laughter again, but couldn't see Malfoy with my hair in my face again. Although when I pushed it back, his lips met mine.

Of course, it had been a while since we've kissed, but then I realized how great it was. Slow, but incredibly passionate. I pulled him closer to me and he did the same. I could care less if the neighbors stopped and stared. When I let go, he seemed to still stay near. I smiled in content and did a slow, easy backstroke when I heard it.

"I love you." My feet flew into the air, and water filled into my mouth as I went underwater in shock. But my instincts kick in and so did my feet, bringing me back to surface. Draco was pulling me up with a panicked look on his face.

"What did you say?' I asked, breathless.

He folded his arms. "What do you think I said?" I rolled my eyes.

"Typical man," I said under my breath. "I think you said you loved me."

"Yes, I did." he replied.

"Are you sure you love me?" I asked. "I mean..when I first got here..."

"What?" he asked, getting defensive. "Think I'm not capable?"

"No, but...no." I said firmly. "But as soon as I walked in , you didn't seem like a loving person." He looked away for a second, obviously not believing me, and grabbing the edge of the pool, jumped out, walking away.

"Draco, I..." But he was already gone. I sighed. My and my big mouth. I also got out, not caring how the prickly dry grass poked at my feet as I went back inside. I was about to go through the side door inside, but then looked out longingly at the sidewalk. Maybe it'd be nice to go on a short walk.....

I looked down, pulling out my wand and dried my clothes, making me warm again. Tugged at the fence and not being able to unbind the spell that kept it closed, I took the Muggle way and just hopped over. Nothing happened, and I laughed to myself. Draco's parents were so Anti-Muggle, they didn't even think about what Muggles can do too! I strolled onto the sidewalk and grinned. Obviously, everyone must've thought this place was abandoned, for it's outside appearance seemed to counter with the Shrieking Shack, and there were a bunch of homes built along side this place.

I pulled a rubber band out of my jeans pocket, pulling my long black hair into a ponytail and walked on the sidewalk in front of the suburban houses that reminded me of my own so much. I turned a corner and gasped in delight. there was a park with teeter-totters, swing sets, merry-go-rounds, and jungle gyms. Looking around, I blushed and strolled over casually until I felt the inner child in me pull towards the swings. I sat down and immediately began taking off swinging, feeling the wind blow through my hair.

"CLAIRE!" I heard that nearly made me fall out of my seat. I saw Draco running towards me, worried.

"Where did you go? I was worried, I thought you had been kidnapped!" he said, rubbing his hands together.

"No, I'm fine, I hadn't been abducted,"I said, reminding him the actual word for someone my age. I took his hand and quickly, we walked back to the house. I looked up at him and he looked quite relieved at this point. I smiled. He really did care about me.

"You know what I said before, about you not loving me?" I asked curiously. He nodded and I stopped to lean up and kiss him. he didn't seem to be a stunned. Well, a little, and I just smirked. "You just proved me wrong."

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I smiled greedily. I couldn't believe I was being resorted to stay up in a tree, but this was worth it as I looked at the black haired girl and Draco Malfoy through Muggle binoculars.

"I've got you now." I laughed quietly. "Don't think you can hide, Hermione Granger...you are who you are! And Mr. Malfoy? You should been seeing Dementors as you rot in Azkaban!"

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June 25, 1998. Day Seven, 7:45PM

"Weren't you the one who said you were 'in hiding?'" I asked while putting on the earrings.

"Yes, but these are close friends," he said. "They all know if they were to tell anyone my whereabouts, I

"Who?"

"Uhm...colleagues and one of my best friends," he said nervously. "One of which is...Blaise Zabini." My eyes widened. Blaise Zabini-I thought he was a convicted Death Eater. "And no, he's not a Death Eater." He said, being able to tell what I was thinking.

"Oh," I said uncomfortably. "I wasn't-"

"You were going to ask," he said, straightening his tie. I thought he looked cute like this: His in his dress robes, black bow tie, and I could tell he was excited, for his grey eyes shined happily and his face was happier and less pointed. His hair was longer than it had been in school, surely, and for a second it looked like he was trying to grow his hair like his fathers. I shivered at this thought and went on curling my hair with my wand. He looked over curiously.

"How do you do that?" he asked. I grinned at the small curl that bounced on the side of my face.

"I looked in a book about a heating charm. I tried a couple things and if you say the spell a couple times with your wand not upwards, but downwards, your wand begins to heat up. But it only lasts depending on how many times you say said charm," I said as if it were common sense. I mean, who wouldn't understand it? He stared at me for a second, then chuckled, looking back into the mirror, straightening his tie.

"What?" I asked, curious what he was laughing at.

"Sometimes, the way you act, you're the spitting image of Hermione Granger," he laughed. i tensed and gave a nervous smile. "But of course, I love you, and not Granger." He kissed my forehead and went off to look for his shoes. I looked in the mirror and curled my hair. Everything's fine...just fine...but how long could I tell myself that before I..crack?

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June 25, 1998. Day Seven, 8:00PM

"Wow." I gasped in awe. His house was...well..he lives well. His house was nearly twice as big as Draco's, but not nearly as tall. there were stone pillars, making for a huge front porch. It was more of a large mansion than just a house as Draco told me. There were glass fountains outside in front, and bushes cut into shapes so they looked like hippogriffs. I mean, the fountains themselves were glass! I saw the dark man, wearing thinly rimmed glasses and dress robes like him clap him on the back.

"Draco," he said, beaming.

"Ah! Blaise!" They shook hands before Draco turned to me. "Ah, this is Claire Terversa, my girlfriend and former maid."

Blaise kissed my hand and I rolled my eyes, but blushed and giggled flakily. "How do you do?" I smiled largely.

"I do very well, Ms. Claire," he said. Draco stared, his face livid, but he had a warm smile.

"Right. And I believe it's your 19th birthday?" Draco asked casually, and Blaise hushed him.

"Please, Draco, not in front of the ladies," he said with a wink at me, and I gritted my teeth, fighting the urge to roll my eyes but I just did the same fake giggle, making a mental note to get inside of the house.

"Well, if you don't mind, Mr. Zabini-"

"Please, call me Blaise," he said.

"Right, Blaise, I forgot to eat at home, are there any small snacks inside?" I asked politely.

"Yes, we were about to go inside and listen to some music, there will be dancing, drinks, food and all of that," he said, gesturing us to the doors. Draco took my arm and I looked around nervously. I had never been to any fancy places like this and was shocked at the inside; mostly white marble or quartz with gold accents. I gasped at the many candies there were: Peppermint Toads, Ice Mice, Licorice Wands, Chocolate Frogs, Fire Imps, and a glass bowl of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans.

"Wow, I had not idea that he liked so much candy and was so....classy!" I said, marveling at the ice chimeras that blew fire and roared.

"Yeah, he's spectacular, isn't he?" Draco said rather bitterly, popping a handful of Fire Imps in his mouth absentmindedly. I winced; I had read about those, ad the accidents they caused. All of a sudden, Draco went into a frenzy, fanning his tongue. But every time he opened his mouth, fire blasted out like a mighty flamethrower. I watched in shock and my brain wasn't kicking in. Blaise saw us and grabbed a cup of mead, pouring it down his throat over the embers, but it just got worse.

"Alcohol is flammable!" I exclaimed.

"Well, I'm no Potions teacher!" he exclaimed back. I looked around and sighed. What kind of man doesn't have any water present? And that's when I saw the Peppermint Toad hopping around. I grasped it and put a comforting hand on Draco shoulder.

"Hold still!" I said soothingly into his ear, and I threw it in his mouth. He swallowed it whole, shuddered, then fell back into a chair, wiping his brow. Everyone was staring at me in shock and my face flushed when I heard applause from someone in the back. Then, the whole crowd was clapping at me. My face still red, I blushed again, did a small curtsey, and kneeled down to Draco, taking his hand in mine.

"Are you okay? Oh, and be careful. That Toad makes you feel like they're hopping around in your stomach," I added. But Draco was too embarrassed and his face was covered in so much smoke that he just looked away, muttering.

"You could've just used the Water Charm," he muttered.

"I forgot! And all that hair would be bloody toast if I hadn't put a stop to it!" I said indignantly. Then, something snapped in my mind.

"I'll be in the bathroom," I said suddenly and hurried off down the hall. I had just remembered why I was there; to get inside information. I walked along the corridors when I decided it would be best to put a Vanishing Charm on myself since the Invisibility Cloak was forgotten. I stalked through the darkened hallways. Which one would be Blaise's? Then, I saw it.

"Blaise" was written in curly golden letters on the door. I smacked my forehead; and why hadn't I thought it had his name on the door before? I pulled out my wand.

"Alohomora," I said softly. The doorknob glowed, and opened swiftly. Carefully slipping in, I closed the door behind me, and flipped the lights. It was like Draco's room, but different. Everything was quite matching green and silver("Typical Slytherin," I said in a hushed voice,) including the beds, and dressers. I started with the closet, and found nothing but clothes and shoes. I turned around and I looked at the window. Sealed shut. So I guess he hasn't been sneaking out-at least not this way. I ducked under the bed and saw two large, wooden boxes. I took the first one, and it had a latch on it of silver.

I opened the latch with ease, and I saw a grimy, dusty picture of a very old and dark man, looking like Blaise himself, smiling broadly. There was a woman next to him, also dark, wearing a green party dress and pearls, her long brown hair in a beautiful bun. She was smiling also. They seemed to be in some sort of lush garden. I realized then these were Blaise's parents.

Were they dead, killed by Voldemort's Death Eaters? Or did they go on the run? If Blaise had been having all these expensive parties, he must have been cleared a long time ago. But why couldn't Draco come out and-That's right! He tried to kill Dumbledore! I shoo these thoughts away and closed the box. I took the other one, and I gasped. Not only was it different because it was mahogany wood, but the latch was a snake. I tried pulling it open when the snake began to grow longer and lunged at my hand, biting it swiftly. I groaned softly, trying to hide my pain as it's fangs went deeper and deeper into my skin.

"Oh, God, I'm dying," I thought as everything went blurry. The snake was probably injecting some arsenic into my blood. I began to droop again the bedside.

'A nap would be really good right now, just a go-No, Hermione, stay strong, you know the curse," I told myself strongly, and I pulled up my wrist with some effort, and pointed it at the snake.

"Incendio," I said weakly, thinking of the first spell that came to mind. The fire made the small snake hiss until it started to burn to ashes, dead. I pulled away my hand and gripped my wrist, trying to drain out the poison that was there. When this didn't work, i closed my eyes, things getting blurry again, said 'Evanesco."

I growled in pain as I felt the poison being spit apart from my blood and into my wand. I stopped, fearing it would get to my blood also. I opened the box warily, for things had still become blurry. I pulled out a scroll from the box, and as my eyes tried to regain focus, saw a scroll with Latin scribbled messily on the parchment. I began to regain strength and made a duplicate and tucked it safely away in the side of my dress. Then, getting back up, I heard footsteps. I turned to the door and was about to head out.

I heard a male voice mutter a curse from the other side of the door, and the doorknob glowed. I panicked, and ran to the other side of the room, wand ready. But I heard footsteps and a loud pop. I sighed with relief and tried opening the door, but the doorknob wouldn't budge.

'Alohomora," I said softly, but the doorknob did nothing. I panicked; I was locked in a man's room!

"Claire, where are you?" I heard Draco yelled.

"I'm-" I began, but stopped. What would he think if I was in his best mate's room? I closed my eyes and tried to Disapparate. When I opened my eyes, I was in the bathroom.

"Yes!" I said under my breath and walked out, and saw Draco, grinning broadly.

"Where have you been?"

"Bathroom. Feeling better, I suppose?"

"Now that I've found you," he said. I bit my tongue, looking up at him. For a former arch enemy, he was so sweet. He took my arm and we walked back into the large living room. Everything was shined on upon by the glass chandelier that hung in the middle of the ceiling. I smiled, for I had got what I needed. I heard a loud clang, and i looked up to see Blaise standing on a balcony above his front door.

"I prepared music, so be free to dance," he said simply, and stepped down. Draco turned to me and I blushed.

"No, I don't dance," I said, blushing more, ad backing up. He had a pleasant look on his face and he looked up above me, horrified.

"What?" I asked, looking up. I saw a bright orange flash and the next thing I new, the large, glass chandelier was coming down on me.

A/N: DUN DUN-never mind. I am so sorry for the wait, the day I wanted to post this, the 9th of April, I don't know why though, it wouldn't let me upload my document. But it gave me time to start on my next chapter, so I guess it's a prize for the long wait. So, review.