"Ms Granger, here is the salad you ordered. And Mr Malfoy, your sandwich."

Hermione thanked the waitress and immediately plodded her fork into the green mesh. She could feel Malfoy's gaze set upon her.

"Are you not going to eat?" She asked him politely.

He smiled, "Of course I am. I'm just… watching you."

"Watching me? Why?" She laughed.

"It's a hobby of mine. Observing people. It's like bird watching, only more interesting. Soon, you learn to decipher their secret code."

Hermione looked up quizzically, "Secret code?"

"Yes. Everybody has one. It's the link to their behavior, their persona, their individuality. I can sense it when I watch you."

"And what do you see?"

Malfoy smiled, "I see strength. I see vibrancy. I see the joie de vivre of your life."

"And is that all?"

He looked at her, almost sadly, "I see a change. A monumental change that will lead you to make the most important decision of your life; and it may be the cost of your loved ones. Constant vigilance, Hermione, is that what he used to say?"

"Moody?" Hermione replied in a timid voice.

"Constant vigilance. I can feel it coming." Malfoy said, his voice steadier than hers.

Hermione smiled at him and put down her fork, "I didn't know you were too keen on Moody, after the incident with the ferret!"

Malfoy laughed, "I'm not the kind of person who takes things too seriously, Hermione; a laugh is a laugh. And then it's over."

"Just like that?"

Malfoy nodded, "Just like that."

Hermione shook her head, "Wow. Malfoy."

"Call me Draco."

"…Draco."

She looked at him closely, leaning across the table. Her face was inches from his, "You've changed."

"Yes."

"So much."

"Yes?"

"It's…" Hermione prodded her salad, "It's unbelievable."

Hermione finished her salad and checked her watch, "We better get back now, and finish the interview. It's late."

Malfoy looked at his untouched sandwich, "Alright. Better now than never."

The two of them stood up, and walked through the door of the restaurant, heads spinning with dreams of their future.

"It's cold, Hermione, do you want my coat?"

"It's okay, I'm fine, really. It's not too far from here anyway."

Malfoy stepped at took off his coat, "It's about freezing out here, and you are not wearing anything. Now put this on."

"Oh, alright. If you insist." Hermione said, and smiled as she put on Malfoy's heavy leather coat. It was warm, and smelt of sun soaked hay. They carried on walking towards the end of the road. Hermione had her hands clenched tight in the coat pockets, not daring to speak out her thoughts. She felt warm inside, as if the sun had touched her and forgiven her for her wrongdoings. They carried on walking. It was a complacent silence, a merciful surrender that refused to deliver their reflections.

"It's just over there." Hermione said to Malfoy as they reached the group.

"I know." He answered.

"Pat! Over here! Let's get this over and done with." Hermione shouted, reaching over for her gear.

"There you are, where have you been? I've sent the whole crew out searching for you! You could've gotten lost!" Pat retorted to Hermione.

Hermione laughed, "Nothing, Pat, there's really no need to be worrying about me, I'm old enough to talk to strangers, now, aren't I?" She looked over and smiled at Malfoy, "Those sweets aren't so poisonous anymore."

Pat sighed heavily, "If you say so. Just make sure it doesn't happen again, I'll call the others. You and Mr Malfoy get ready, alright?"

Hermione sat down on her table and began to apply her make-up. The radiance shone from her face once more and she felt it.

"Draco! Come here! What would the viewers think if I was wearing your coat?" Hermione laughed.

Malfoy leant over to the place Hermione was sitting and whispered, "Let them think."

Hermione gasped and smiled wanly at Malfoy, "Are you ready?"

"I'm always ready, Hermione." Came the soft reply.