Down on the Farm

Day 10 and 11: Home Again

The next morning Draco and Hermione were sitting in a small café waiting for their friends. They were leaving today and they were going to say their goodbyes.

"Hey," Andi and Kris said sitting down. The others had said goodbye the day before at laser tag.

"Hey," mumbled Hermione, Draco just nodded his head.

"I can't believe you guys are leaving already," Andi whined.

"Yeah it sucks," Kris added.

"I'm gonna miss you guys so much," Hermione said flinging her arms around them in a tight hug. Next Andi and Kris hugged Draco who sat there like a statue before patting their heads. Soon everyone had tears in their eyes, except Draco. After all he is a Malfoy.

"Uh, Granger? Sorry to be Johnny Rain Cloud here, but we do have a plane to catch," Draco's new favorite movie was National Treasure.

Andi and Kris giggled through their tears as Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Okay, let's go," Hermione said standing up. Everyone gave quick hugs and promises to write and talk online soon.

Draco and Hermione sat on a plane as it prepared to take off. Since they couldn't turn their iPods on, Hermione was trying to work up enough courage to talk to Draco. What do I say? She asked herself.

Uh, what you want to? Her voice responded.

I don't know what I want to! (Voice 1)

I can't help you there, (Voice 2)

All this time you've been telling me what to do and now - when I actually want you to tell me what to do - you decide you can't! What kind of cruel person are you? (Voice 1)

The kind that can't tell you what to do, (Voice 2)

I hate you! (Voice 1)

Love you too, darling, (Voice 2)

It's now or never, Hermione thought to herself.

"Uh, Draco?" There, she did it.

"Yeah?" Draco responded obviously expecting something big if Hermione was going to "waste" his time by talking.

"Never mind," Hermione said and Draco sighed.

It took another five minutes for Hermione to work up her courage again. Draco was going to put his headphones on when, "Draco?"

"What now?"

"I just wanna know; why do we fight so much? It seems that as soon as I start to think we might actually be friends, I mess up. Or you close up and throw me out. I just don't understand." Finally, she'd been wanted to say that for a long time.

"I don't know. Habit?" Draco shrugged. What is she doing? Draco asked himself.

Trying to be friends, his voice responded,

I get that, why? (Voice 1)

Because she wants to be your friend? (Voice 2)

You are no help at all! (Voice 1)

Just doing my job, (Voice 2)

"No seriously," Hermione said.

"I am being serious. We've been going against every little thing the other has said for years. And because of that it's hard for us to agree on anything anymore," Draco elaborated.

"That makes sense, but I'm willing to try if you are."

"I am."

"Good."

Both turned on their iPods and just enjoyed the flight home.

"It's so good to be back," Hermione sighed as she flopped down on the couch.

"Yeah I know," Draco agreed, sitting down in a chair. He abruptly sat back up and headed for the stairs.

"Where are you going?" Hermione asked.

"I gotta send Blaise an e-mail."
"Okay," Hermione said turning on Pirates of the Caribbean re-run and snuggling into the couch.

Draco sat down at the computer and started typing.

Hey Blaise, what's up? Who and what have you been doing? Life on the farm, (Merlin that sounds gay,) is going pretty good. Me and Granger have been at each other's throats on and off since I got here, but it could be worse. At least I don't have to stay with the fucking boy-who-lived. Well I have to go eat. See ya.

-D

Draco sent the e-mail and headed downstairs for lunch.

Draco entered the kitchen to see Drew getting out stuff for hotdogs.

"Want a hotdog?" he asked.

"Sure," Draco answered not really knowing what a hotdog was.

"Go find Hermione and tell her we're eating soon," Drew said and Draco hurried upstairs.

Hermione was just sending an e-mail to Kris when Draco ran in.

"Yeah?" she asked logging off the computer.

"Drew told me to tell you that we're eating soon," Draco said.

"What are we having?" Hermione asked standing up to follow him down the stairs.

"Hotdogs, whatever they are," Draco said.

"Yes! Uncle Drew makes the best hotdogs," Hermione said as the reached the stairs.

"Which are…?" Draco trailed off waiting for her to finish.

"Hotdogs are, well you see. Okay I don't really know what they are exactly but they are made out of pork and beef. They taste really good too," Hermione tried to explain.

"O-kay, sounds delicious," Draco said not really believing it.

"Trust me, you'll like it," Hermione said as they walked into the kitchen where Aunt Nancy was gathering up some paper plates.

"What's going on?" Hermione asked.

"We're eating outside once the hotdogs are done," Nancy explained. "Just grab yourselves something to drink and come on out," with that she was out the door.

"What do you want to drink?" Hermione asked.

"Uh, just a water thanks," Draco answered.

"'Kay," Hermione grabbed two waters and handed one to Draco. "Follow me," she led him outside onto the deck where the table was. They sat down right as Drew put the plate of hotdogs down.

"Smells great Uncle Drew," Hermione said.

"Thanks, now eat up," he replied handing her one.

Hermione piled her hot dog with stuff and got some watermelon and carrots. Draco just looked at his like it had two heads. He gave Hermione a "help me" look and she took pity on him. "Okay here's mustard, ketchup, relish, and onions. You can put whatever you like on it and then you eat it like this," she said taking a huge bite. Draco followed her lead and a surprised look crossed his face.

"This is good!" he exclaimed.

"Hey, what do you expect, I made it," Drew said with a smug look on his face.

"And everything you make is amazing dear," Nance said pecking him on the cheek. Hermione made an "ewww!" face and everyone laughed.

After lunch Hermione decided to teach Draco how to play basketball. He had been bugging her about what the hoop in the front yard was for so she decided it was time he found out.

"I don't understand, you only get two points for putting this ball through that hoop?" Draco asked.

"Yes," Hermione answered exasperated. Draco just didn't see the point in the game.

"Okay, let's play," Draco said taking off with the ball. He shot and scored; too bad he forgot to dribble. "That's two-nothing baby!" he yelled in excitement.

"Not exactly Draco, you traveled," Hermione explained.

"Of course I did, right to the basket," Draco responded.

"No you can't run with the ball unless you're dribbling, remember?" Hermione was so close to losing her patience.

"That's a dumb rule, dribbling is hard," Draco whined.

"It isn't an easy game," Hermione said grabbing the ball and sinking a three.

"How come you're so good?" Draco asked.

"I play on a team every summer," Hermione answered. "I'm the point guard."

"Wait there are positions too!?" Draco asked shocked.

"Of course stupid," Hermione was a bit upset now.

"This game is hard," Draco said.

"It's no harder than Quidditch," Hermione said.

"It is and you know it," Draco told her.

"Fine it is and you just don't want to learn so let's just shoot around," Hermione said trying her best to avoid conflict.

"Okay," Draco responded and they started to shoot around. Right as Draco was starting to get better; Nancy called them in for dinner.

"Can we play again tomorrow?" Draco asked.

"Sure, I think you're getting the hang of it," Hermione said.

That night they watched National Treasure – Draco's request – with Nancy and Drew. Hermione fell asleep on the couch, while Draco fell asleep leaning against it. Once the movie was done Drew made a move to wake them up but Nancy grabbed his arm and stopped him. She shook her head and said "Leave them." She couldn't wait until they realized that they had fallen for one another.

They next morning Draco woke up and his back hurt. Sleeping in an awkward position can do that to you. He looked around and didn't see Hermione. That's odd, he thought as he walked into the kitchen and poured himself some Cocoa Puffs, the greatest muggle invention ever in his opinion.

"Hey," Hermione said walking in to the kitchen. She pulled open the fridge and grabbed some yogurt. She was wearing running clothes.

"Where were you?" Draco asked.

"I went running," Hermione answered as if this was normal.

"Okay," Draco answered but he was thinking Why?

Hermione ate her yogurt and went to take a shower. Draco finished his Cocoa Puffs and went to check his e-mail. Sure enough there was a new one from Blaise.

Hey Draco, I thought Granger had killed you or something. As for your question I've been practicing for Quidditch and as of now there is no girl in my life. Crazy I know. Hope you and Granger start getting along. See ya.

-B

That's weird. No girl? And he wants me and Hermione to get along? That guy's taken too many bludgers to the head. Draco didn't have too much time to ponder that thought though, because he was going riding.

I should owl Ron and Harry today, Hermione thought after her shower. She went to her room and sat down at her desk. Now, what to write?

Dear Harry,

That was as far as she got. What should she say? After that phone call what could she say? Finally after much thought – and a lot of wasted parchment - she had it.

Dear Harry,

How's you summer been? Have you done your homework yet? Even started it? Any news on anything? Have you told Ginny yet? Everything here's fine as long as I don't kill Malfoy.

Love,

Hermione

Now for Ron. What could she say? At the end of 6th year Harry had told her that Ron liked her. She didn't think Harry would lie about something like that, but she also didn't think that Ron liked her. They fought all the time! How does that constitute as liking each other? After a few wasted pieces of parchment she had it.

Dear Ron,

What have you been doing? Fred and George aren't picking on you too much are they? How's their business doing? Well, I've been working on my homework have you even started yours yet? See you soon.

Miss You,

Hermione

She sent the letters off with her owl, Anya. She then went riding.

"Race you back!" Draco yelled.

He and Hermione had met up on the trail and were now headed in.

"You're on!" They broke into a gallop.

They tied the race but both believed they had won. They took care of the horses and headed in for lunch.

After a quick lunch of Ham sandwiches Draco asked Hermione to play basketball with him. "Okay, let's go!" Hermione said grabbing her basketball and heading outside.

Hermione taught Draco more about the game and felt like he actually wanted to learn. After a few hours he was ready to play one on one. They played a game to 20 and Hermione won 20-6. Draco was really trying but Hermione was fast. The second game Hermione won 20-10. Draco was slowly but surely improving. The best he did all day was scoring 14 points to Hermione's 20 before it was time for dinner.

They went in to the house all sweaty with big smiles on their faces. Basketball does that to a person. They ate hamburgers for dinner and then took showers. They were both tired and decided to crash early. Draco collapsed on his bed and was instantly asleep. Hermione tossed and turned so she grabbed a book and fell asleep to Hogwarts' a History.

A/N: So? These days were too short separately, but together they are really long so you're spoiled now. All I have to say is don't expect long chapters like this a lot, they will be few and far between.

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