It was around lunch time when Hermione and Draco were in Privet Drive. Hermione saw an old man was walking towards them, but as yet, he hadn't seen them. She pulled Malfoy off the path, behind a bush and tapped his head with the wand. She did the same to herself and felt a shiver go down her spine. From now, they were invisible.
They walked back onto the path, and to make sure it worked, Hermione waved at the old man, but he had no reaction. She jumped up and down, but he still didn't flinch.
Hermione nodded to Malfoy and they made their way to Harry's old house. They walked up the garden path and without knocking, opened the front door. Hermione saw Harry's Aunt sitting in a chair, with their fat son next to her, eating a plate of chicken. Vernon was coming into the lounge room, but his eyes flicked to the front door that appeared to have opened on its own accord.
Hermione and Draco quickly moved out of the large man's way as he walked over to the door and shut it, a deep frown on his face. Hermione and Draco made their way up the stairs silently, and found Harry's room.
Hermione crossed to Harry's desk, which was empty of objects and opened a draw. It was empty. Hermione tried all of the draws but found nothing. Draco was looking at the plain walls that were once decorated with pictures of Hogwarts. He opened the cupboard doors and found nothing. He tapped the back of the wardrobe, searching for a hidden compartment. Nothing.
Hermione crossed to Harry's old bed and looked under it but still found nothing.
"I don't think anything is here Granger." Malfoy mumbled.
Hermione sighed. "No. Well let's try the ministry."
She was about to apparate when Draco spoke. "Why didn't we do that to get in here?"
Hermione opened her eyes. "Because I've never been here before." She said then disappeared with a pop.
The two of them were still invisible when they entered the Ministry of Magic. They were careful to not bump into anyone as they made their way across the foyer and crammed into a small elevator that was empty apart from a young wizard who looked like a young Percy.
Hermione held her breath as she slyly hit the level for Auror offices. She leaned into Malfoy as the Percy look a like stepped back a little. The Percy look a like didn't notice, but when the elevator jolted into movement and stopped one level before he told it to, he frowned. The doors opened, revealing a very busy level of Aurors who were scurrying around. Hermione and Draco silently left the elevator and followed the cubicle labels until they finally found 'Harry Potter.'
They hurriedly went inside and began searching. After ten minutes, Malfoy pulled out a letter from a secret draw in Harry's desk.
"Granger."
Hermione hurried over to him and examined the letter.
It had 5 words on it:
East London, 5 o'clock tomorrow.
Hermione looked up at Malfoy. "A contact of his?"
Malfoy shrugged. "Maybe."
"Well it doesn't matter- that was a few days ago." Hermione sat down in Harry's desk chair and looked around the office. "Maybe we should try Ron's office."
"You can, but I'm going to east London." Malfoy said, returning the letter to the draw and straightening his coat.
"Why?" Hermione asked, frowning.
"Because there may be something there- someone may have seen Potter meet with the person." Malfoy knew that if there were any wizards or witches in that area then Harry's appearance wouldn't go unnoticed. Even if they hadn't seen him, Malfoy could find other ways of finding a trail.
"I guess so…" Hermione sighed as she stood up. "I hope Harry didn't cover his trail."
She doubted it, and so did Malfoy, but neither said it as they headed to the office door, down the corridor and crammed into another elevator. In the elevator with them was two older men who were talking. When Hermione heard her own name, she listened intently and elbowed Malfoy in the ribs to get his attention.
One of the men, with a stubby beard, was mumbling to his companion who had no beard, but long scruffy hair. Both of them carried folders, and both looked like their conversation was one of great debate.
"I know what they're saying," the bearded man was saying, sounding exasperated. "But I do not believe that Hermione Granger had anything to do with Harry Potter's disappearance."
"Maybe not." The other said. "But I did hear a rumor."
"A new one?"
"Yes. Apparently, she was 'involved' with a death eater, and he persuaded her to set a trap for Mr. Potter."
"Where on Merlin's beard did you hear that?"
"One of the aurors who followed that death eater to the hospital and Miss. Granger saved his life."
"Coincidence. That girl helped Potter to fight He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. There is just no way that she would betray everyone."
Hermione felt glad- well at least someone believed she was innocent. Now she just had to convince the rest of the wizarding world. Piece of pumpkin pasty.
"I couldn't believe that the Minister was following Potter's work so closely- had men tailing him all the time, simply because he was afraid that Potter may not be able to save himself if he was attacked. What absolute rubbish."
Hermione shared a look with Malfoy.
"Indeed." His companion agreed. "That boy defended himself long before the Ministry was on his side."
At that moment, the elevator doors opened, and they all stepped off into the foyer. Without needing to discuss it, Hermione and Draco continued to follow the two men. They ended up outside the Ministry, in a small café that the men obviously thought was safe to continue their conversation.
"I did hear something rather interesting" one of the men said after they ordered from a plump waitress. "Apparently Miss. Granger was in Azkaban- but she escaped!"
"No!" his friend looked confused. "I heard she had fled the country to be with her death eater companion who defied the Dark Lord."
Hermione snorted. "Oh please."
Neither man heard her. "Well which ever story is correct, Miss. Granger has made herself a very valuable ally."
"What are you on about?"
The plump waitress had returned and sat to coffees down on the table and walked over to serve a young couple. Hermione and Draco, who were sitting only one table away from the two men had to scurry out of the way as the young couple went to sit down on top of them. The two of them breathed in, scooted around the waitress and stood near a crowded table of people, who had already been served. From here, they had a much harder time hearing.
"Well if Miss. Granger saved that death eaters life- regardless if she was taken with him, then he owes her. He owes her his life."
Hermione had picked up a menu as they were standing where they were, but she dropped it. The people simply put the dropped menu to a gust of wind, but Malfoy looked at Hermione and couldn't read her expression. But it was a mix between pure horror and realization.
Her mouth opened and closed repeatedly as she turned to Malfoy. "Great."
"This could come to our advantage." Malfoy whispered, then turned back to the men who had continued to talk.
"If that gets out, it will only serve to help people come to a conclusion that she's a betrayer."
"They will only believe that when the evidence surfaces."
"You don't think that the Ministry wouldn't plant it just so they can finally claim to be right?"
"Maybe they will, maybe they wont. Who knows."
"Miss. Granger is smart, it wont take her long to prove her innocence."
"Well I over heard someone the other day saying that they think they know where Mr. Potter was a few days ago."
"Where?"
Hermione and Malfoy got closer so they didn't miss a word.
"Apparently he met a contact of his- one who had turned spy for him. Mr. Potter apparently told Mr. Weasley to keep away, but I don't think he liked being second. Weasley had followed Potter to East London, where he met someone in a park. Weasley lost track of them."
"Then what?"
"Well Mr. Weasley met up with Potter later on, then they both disappeared."
"So why isn't the Ministry searching for this contact?"
"Oh, they are, but they also know that the two of them were meant to meet Miss. Granger. No one knows if they met or didn't meet."
"I don't know who to believe at the moment." The bearded man muttered. "But at the moment, it's something that I can longer talk about- I have a meeting in ten minutes."
The two old men finished their coffee then paid the bill and headed outside. Hermione and Draco followed them, but went a different way, heading down a deserted ally way. Here, Hermione upturned a blue crate and sat down. She took the spell off them. Draco sat down on an old chair, and sighed.
"So we learnt that you have the debt of a Death Eater, Potter did apparently meet someone in east London in a park, and that people are speculating your loyalty."
Hermione nodded. "What now?"
"Well I know I said that I wanted to go to east London but I'm too tired and my head is buzzing. I need somewhere to rest and think." Malfoy ruffled his hair.
"Hotel?"
"No money."
"My apartment?"
"Are you asking me to stay the night?" Malfoy asked, smirking suggestively at her.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "You wanted somewhere to sleep. Make of it what you will."
"Oh, I'll make something of it."
Hermione stood up, and gently nudged his leg. "Well come on then." She said then began to walk back up the ally way, and along the streets of London. Malfoy quickly caught up to her, but they soon found themselves in a very crowded market place. Hermione grabbed Malfoy's hand, and kept him close as they began to fight their way through the throng of people. They looked like an awkward couple, but Hermione tried not to think of that- especially since she was taking him to her house. She was determined to have him sleep in the lounge room, and lock her bedroom door with a blockade of spells.
Oh Merlin, what was she getting herself into?
They had left the market place but the streets were still very crowded. Hermione kept walking, and Draco, who was ignorant to her uncomfortable state, just strolled along, like he held hands with her all the time.
"Will your apartment be safe?" Draco asked as they stopped at the curb and waited for the green walking light.
Hermione shrugged. "I don't know. But I hadn't registered my apartment with work- no one knew where I lived. It was something at least that I took from Harry. Always cover your tracks." The light turned green, and they began walking across the road. "I listed my emergency address as the Weasleys."
"Smart thinking." Malfoy said as they passed an old lady and her friend. The old women gave them a sweet, 'oh look at that- how cute' look. Malfoy, who was used to this, just gave them a nice smile, squeezed Hermione's hand and continued on his way.
"What?" Hermione asked, thinking that the squeeze of the hand was to get her attention for some reason.
"Just a pair of old ladies."
"Ok…"
"Giving us the adorable couple look."
"And you've had that all the time I bet."
"As a matter of fact, there isn't a day that goes past when I don't get it."
Hermione hit him on the shoulder, but a small smile played on her lips. They stopped at a small money shop, where Hermione drew out all of the money that she could. Malfoy, having only wizard money, wasn't much help as he needed to get to Gringotts, and at the moment, they didn't know if that was safe. Hermione then took Malfoy to a small corner shop where she bought some food.
It took them another ten minutes to reach Hermione's apartment where they approached it carefully, on the look out for any person that may be watching it. When they both were convinced that the apartment was safe, Hermione led Draco into the foyer, into the elevator and into her apartment.
She gave Malfoy a quick tour, then put the food on the kitchen counter and put the kettle on. "I think that before we do too much more, we need to get both our wands back."
"They would be kept somewhere in the ministry." Malfoy said, sitting down on the couch and popping his feet on the coffee table.
Hermione made two cups of tea and handed one to Malfoy before she sat down on one of her cozy armchairs. "Good then we can find those tomorrow morning before going to east London."
Malfoy nodded. "Sounds like a plan. What's for dinner?"
Hermione shrugged. "I'll think of something."
Malfoy drained his cup, then stood up. "Well while you do that, I'm going to have a shower."
"Ok. You know where the bathroom is. I can wash your clothes while you shower."
Malfoy smirked. "Right." He walked down a corridor and seconds later, Hermione heard the door shut. She stood up and headed into the kitchen and began to boil some water.
A moment later, she saw Malfoy had dumped his clothes out side the door in a small pile. As Hermione didn't trust what the wand could do considering it wasn't hers, she decided to use a washing machine. Ever since she had moved into the apartment, Hermione had rarely used magic to do house hold chores.
Hermione ended up cooking pasta with a tomato source, and when it was just about ready, she put Malfoy's clothes into a dryer. The pants had gone back to black and white stripes, but she was sure he wouldn't stand for it. He of course still wasn't out of the bathroom. Hermione wondered what it was like to know that you, a male, spent more time grooming yourself then the entire female population put together. She had just put some of the pasta into a bowl for herself when Malfoy finally came out of the bathroom, towel around his waist, hair wet and messy.
"You're clothes are in the dryer." Hermione said, refusing to look at him. She took her bowl and sat down at the table.
"Cool." Draco left, and returned ten minutes later wearing the pants and nothing else (he had turned them completely black). He grabbed his own bowl and sat down opposite her.
"How do you plan to get back into the Ministry unnoticed and steal our wands without someone noticing their missing?"
Hermione shrugged. "There will be a way. There is always a way."
"Did you read that somewhere?" Draco asked, raising an eyebrow.
"It's just something I heard people say." Hermione said off handily. "I hope we find some leads tomorrow, otherwise I don't know what to do."
"We'll find something." Malfoy said.
"I still don't understand why you agreed to help."
"Maybe if I help you to get Potter back on his golden thrown," Hermione gave Malfoy a dirty look, but he continued. "The people will back off from me, and some respect will be returned to my family's name. Besides, its not like I have anything better to do."
"That's true. So it's all about what's best for you." Hermione said, looking curiously at him.
Malfoy nodded. "Yes- I could say the same for you as well."
"I suppose, but I also want Harry back."
"Oh of course you do- the golden trio returned to it's former glory."
"You can never grow up can you?"
"I am a boy at heart."
Hermione shook her head. "Wasn't there at least one time in Hogwarts when you weren't bent on picking on us?"
Malfoy pretended to think. "Well you weren't on my mind when I was asleep."
"That's a relief." Hermione said, as she finished her food. She stood up and carried the bowl to the kitchen sink. "I also think that tomorrow we should think about going to Gringotts."
"Are you insane?" Malfoy asked, bringing his bowl into the kitchen behind her.
"More then likely," Hermione said, turning around. "But we need money if we are to continue to search for Harry and I don't know where that search will take us."
"What if they know about the escape? I don't think we'll be allowed to just wonder in."
"I got the impression from the men today that not many knew of our escape."
"But I'm sure they told the bank." Malfoy said, sitting himself on the kitchen counter. "Couldn't risk is getting money and fleeing the country."
"Maybe, maybe not." Hermione said, shrugging. "Besides, I don't think the minister is on very good grounds with the goblins anyway."
"That's true but do you think they will help us?"
"I guess we will find out tomorrow." Hermione said, stifling a yawn. "Anyway, I'm going in for a shower then to bed."
"Well I'm going to watch some T.V. it's the one thing that I've truly missed during my imprisonment."
Hermione shook her head, got her pjs then made her way to the bathroom where she stood under scolding hot water for ten minutes. Her head was on fire as all the facts she knew flashed before her eyes. It was all too much. What had she done to deserve this? Honestly!
Hermione jumped out of the shower, dried herself off and got dressed in long flannel pjs and a singlet top. She brushed her hair, then went out into the corridor.
She could hear the t.v on, but when she went to her bedroom, she found the door was closed. Hermione frowned as she opened the door then her gaze fell on her bed, where she saw the lump of a body. Her face dropped and she glared. How dare he! He had stolen her bed!
Malfoy heard Hermione come in, but pretended to be asleep.
Hermione, absolutely fuming realized she had two options- the first was to ignore the little voice in her head, that shouted "No" and climb into the bed beside Malfoy. Of course, she would put a blanket wall between them, but because Hermione had even thought of it, she knew that option was a no go. The second option was to get a blanket and pillow and camp out in the lounge room.
Well, Hermione thought. He wasn't getting away with this. She grabbed a pillow that Malfoy wasn't using, then walked to the end of the bed, where she hid a smile as she grabbed the thick blanket, and pulled it off with force. Malfoy was left with only the thin sheet as cover.
"Oi!" Malfoy shrieked as his body was assaulted with a freezing wind.
"What?" Hermione asked innocently. "There are other blankets in the corridor cupboard."
"So why didn't you get one of those?" Malfoy asked savagely as he tried to wrap the thin sheet around his body, as though that could warm him.
Hermione shrugged. "I prefer this one." She said. "You can keep the bed. I'll be in the lounge room if you need anything." Hermione sighed in satisfaction as she left the bedroom, dragging her prize. She could hear Malfoy grumbling as she closed the door behind her and headed out into the lounge room. She turned the t.v off and moved the coffee table out of the way. Hermione grabbed a good fold up mattress from a cupboard, laid it out, put the pillow and thick blanket down, and collapsed on top, curling up under the blanket.
She was immediately immune to the cold draft that was in her apartment, and within seconds she was sleeping soundly.
Hermione woke up relatively early in the morning, and rolled over to whack her head on the coffee table. She groaned, rubbed her now thumping head and rolled back over to scream in shock.
Sitting on the couch, bowl of cereal in hand, a large smile on his face was Malfoy. Hermione knew the prick was smiling because he had seen her whack her head.
Bastard, Hermione thought, sitting up. Then she remembered how she had stolen the warm blanket off him. Hermione grinned at him. "How did you sleep?"
Malfoy's smile slipped off his mouth. "Did you know how itchy those blankets are?"
Hermione shrugged. "I never use them. Did you sleep at all?"
"Barely."
"You will be fine." Hermione said, refusing to feel sympathetic.
"I'm sure I will."
Hermione got to her feet, and got her own bowl of breakfast.
Within the hour, they were showered, dressed and heading out the door.
"We'll try Gringotts first, then the ministry." Hermione said, as they walked into the elevator.
"I don't think so. I vote the ministry first, then Gringotts." Malfoy said, leaning against the wall.
Hermione sighed. "Fine."
The elevator began to move but stopped seconds later and Mrs. Coleman ambled into the elevator. She spotted Hermione and Malfoy, and a large grin appeared. "Why Miss. Granger, who is this?"
Hermione inwardly groaned, but she smiled. "This is my-"
"Boyfriend," Malfoy cut in, snaking an arm around Hermione's waist who tried not to flinch. "Jake Aarons." Hermione tried to look natural in the arms of 'Jake Aarons'. Malfoy had heard the name last night on a late night soap show.
Mrs. Coleman's eyes widened. "Boyfriend?"
Hermione smiled.
"Well, Jake, I am Mrs. Coleman, a neighbor of Hermione." Mrs. Coleman offered her hand, which Draco shook.
Hermione was watching the level indicator on the elevator door, telling the damn thing to hurry up.
"I'm sorry to say, but I've never heard Hermione mention you before."
Malfoy shrugged casually. "We only recently started going out." He could feel Hermione tensing under his arm but he continued to talk. "And I have to say, she makes my world-"
"Tread carefully." Hermione whispered to him, pinching his hand that was sitting comfortably on her waist but Mrs. Coleman didn't hear her. Draco continued to grin at her, then finished his sentence.
"Sparkle. She makes my world sparkle."
Hermione tried not to roll her eyes and gag. Oh Please.
Mrs. Coleman seemed taken. She looked like it was the most romantic thing she had ever heard. "How did the two of you meet?"
Oh for the love of Merlin, Hermione thought, and was very close to slapping her forehead. She didn't feel like answering but Malfoy had already concocted some kind of tale.
"Was it at the hospital?" Mrs. Coleman asked.
"Yes." Draco said. "My mother was in an accident and Hermione was the doctor who was tending to her."
Hermione looked at him with disbelief. Oh come on, as if Mrs. Coleman would believe this rubbish. But unfortunately, the woman's eyes were wide and she seemed taken with the tale.
"Hermione was someone who I could count on. Once my mother was clear, and out of hospital, I asked her out on a date. The rest, as they say is history."
"Oh, how lovely!"
Hermione nearly sighed with relief as the elevator doors opened and they stepped out into the foyer. She tried to wriggle out of Malfoy's grip but Malfoy kept her close as they walked across the foyer. Mrs. Coleman followed them outside, then smiled.
"Well it was nice to meet you Jake Aarons." Mrs. Coleman said, shaking hands. "I will see you later Hermione."
Hermione smiled, then they turned and went their separate ways. Malfoy released Hermione when they were around the corner. She immediately stopped walking and hit him on the shoulder. "What the hell was that Jake Aarons?"
Malfoy smirked at her. "I was simply covering myself. Do you think I should have said that we were on the run, looking for someone who has gone missing?"
Hermione looked at the ground. "No. but you could have said you were a friend."
"As if a female these days lets a guy stay over their apartment without there being some kind of romantic connection."
"Friends stay over each others house you know." Hermione mumbled.
"A guy never stays over a girls unless he is her brother, he's gay, or there is a romantic connection."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Of course you would come to this conclusion."
"Trust me," Malfoy said, sighing. "There was no way that Mrs. Coleman would have believed anything else that I said."
Hermione was already over arguing. "Fine whatever."
"You know," Malfoy said, as Hermione stared to walk again and he caught up to her. "Maybe that could be our cover."
"Excuse me?"
"Well a cover. A relationship. I'll be Jake Aarons, and you can be…Sam Gale."
"I don't think so." Hermione said, folding her arms across her chest. "I do not want to pretend to be your girlfriend."
"Come on, not many get that honor."
"Shut up." Hermione said.
"You don't like the name? How about Roxanne Rockova."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "It's not happening Malfoy."
"That's Aarons now."
"Oh for the love of-"
"Come on. We can put illusions on our selves."
Hermione hated to admit it, but unfortunately, she thought he was right. "We'll have to change back before we go into Gringotts."
"Done in a matter of minutes."
Hermione had stopped walking and was looking at him, trying with all her might to think of another way. A man was looking curiously at them.
"Come on baby," Malfoy said, raising his voice a little. "Don't leave me now."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "For Merlin's sake, do you ever quit?"
"I love you."
Hermione blinked, then realized what he was doing. At least three people had stopped walking so they could hear how this dramatic romantic moment will end.
"I don't know. You want me to change everything about me." She said, raising an eye brow as Malfoy grabbed her hand. She was right- he did want her to change, but not so he would love her.
"You don't have to change anything you don't want to honey." Malfoy said. It was only those two who knew the underlying conversation. Everything they had said had a double meaning. "We need each other if this is to work."
Hermione rolled her eyes, then slowly nodded. "Fine. Whatever."
Malfoy really didn't want to do this, but he had to end the scene. He leant forward, and pecked Hermione on the cheek.
Hermione, who was trying not to blush, coughed. "Well come on. We have to go."
They began walking quickly down the street, leaving a few confused Londoners behind them. Hermione pulled out the wand, turned them invisible again and they made their way into the Ministry. They crammed into the elevator, and picked a floor at random. When the doors opened, they decided this wasn't the correct floor, and went to another one. This one they explored but couldn't find the wand storage. It took them nearly two hours to find the room.
Hermione leant against the wall as Malfoy jiggled with the lock on the storeroom. After a few moments, the door unlocked, and they both slipped inside.
"That was slick." Hermione said, closing the door. "Where did you learn to unpick locks?"
"Well I cant always use magic to sneak into girl's bedrooms." Malfoy said, smirking as he looked at the room.
"That's more then enough information." Hermione said. The room was relatively small, stocked with shelves that had loads of wands in rows, one on top of the other. "Will they know we're in here?"
"I doubt it." Malfoy said, running a finger along the shelves, reading the labels. "They couldn't have magical sensors because of the wands are in here."
"Oh." Hermione scanned the labels. 1900- 1920's collected wands. 1920-1930 collected wands. The labels went all the way up to the present year. Hermione and Malfoy found the right shelf then began pulling handfuls of wands down to search. Malfoy ended up grabbing the wands, looking for the right ones, and handing the wrong ones to Hermione.
Suddenly the door opened and Hermione nearly dropped the collection of wands. She and Malfoy quickly stuffed the wands back on the shelves. As the man came around the corner, Hermione and Malfoy pressed themselves against the shelves, desperately trying not to breath.
The man was searching the shelves, looking for something. He came extremely close to Hermione, who pressed into Malfoy to try and get as far away from him. The man was only centimeters away from her shoulder, and Hermione was sure that he was going to touch her. She closed her eyes, anticipating it, but it never came.
After a tense moment, the man left and Hermione took a moment to recover. She took a deep breath then slowly stepped away from Malfoy. They continued searching for their wands for another ten minutes but before they found their wands, Hermione, who was holding all of the wrong wands, reached forward and picked a strange looking one off the shelf. It was around 30 centimeters long, a white color, with strange markings on it.
"Look at this." Hermione said, setting the other wands down.
"That's nice." Malfoy said, not looking at it. He gave a happy shout when he finally found his wand. Hermione put the odd looking wand away and began searching for her own wand and found it ten minutes later. Hermione used her wand, loving how it felt like she had got back part of her soul that been lost, and created clones of both their wands so no one would notice they were missing. They pocketed their wands, put the others back on the right shelf and silently left the room.
It took them around twenty minutes to leave the Ministry, having to be particularly careful in the elevator as it was crowded with morning people. After a few minutes, they were back outside, in the crisp air of London streets, and planning their train ride to East London after Hermione said their trip to Gringotts could wait. They safety removed their invisibility protection spells then they made their way through the crowded streets and clambered onto a train. After they managed to snag two seats, Hermione sat next to the window, she took her jacket off, and sat it on her lap. Malfoy was next to the isle, and was getting looks from three women his age, who were smiling and giggling in his direction.
Usually, Malfoy would have gone over to begin flirting, but for some reason, the so called 'mission' he was on made him realize what a jerk that could make him. Of course, he may go on a date with one or two, get a few numbers, maybe a one night stand, promise to call but he never would. By that time came around, he would have found another 'entertainment.' However, even though he had just come to a realization, it didn't mean that he wasn't going to have a little fun. After all, he knew what it was like to be jealous…he didn't see why he could make someone else jealous. As an added bonus, he could increase Hermione's uncomfortable state, and that was always amusing for him.
Hermione, who was watching things go past out the window, jumped when Malfoy leaned over and grabbed her hand. His voice tickled her ear when he whispered.
"Go along with me."
"Pardon me?" Hermione said, not sure why she hadn't tugged her hand out of his.
"Just go with it." Malfoy repeated, then leaned forward, pretending to kiss her neck but she was so glad he wasn't. After a moment she saw the three girls he was teasing and saw the deep looks of disappointment on their faces. Hermione definitely wasn't comfortable being the tool to annoy somebody but hell, what could she do.
It wasn't long before the girls were so aggravated, that they got up and left, heading to another compartment.
"Erm, Malfoy? They've gone." Hermione said when Malfoy didn't stop. It was strange because he wasn't actually touching her.
"Oh ok." Malfoy sat back in his seat and released her hands.
Hermione now felt empty and cold. She brushed the feeling off and scolded herself, saying for Merlin's sake, he wasn't even touching you. Hermione kept herself as far away from him as possible throughout the rest of their train trip.
When finally their stop came, Hermione was the first to stand up, and quickly put her jacket on. They hopped off the train and headed up some stairs until they were back out in the sunshine.
Malfoy stopped walking and pulled Hermione back. "Stay here for a minute- I'm going to get directions."
"What?"
"Stay here." Malfoy repeated then quickly walked up to a small magazine stand with a middle aged looking man, with a pot belly, and bushy black beard. "Good morning." Malfoy said cheerfully.
The salesman grunted in response. He looked at Malfoy and raised an eye brow- apparently he thought Malfoy looked like a brat.
"Could you tell me where the nearest park is?" Malfoy asked, trying to brush off the rather cold greeting.
"What?"
"The nearest park- Can you tell me where it is?" Malfoy asked again. After a moment he didn't say anything, so Malfoy thought of another approach and tried to sound nice, even though this guy was annoying the Merlin out of him. "Well is it within walking distance?"
"Mate, why do you need to know?"
Malfoy tried to keep his temper in check- though it wasn't working. "Look, see that pretty little thing back there?" he pointed to Hermione.
The salesman nodded, smiling at Hermione who was worried about what the two men might be saying. For all she knew, Malfoy could be selling her as a wife or slave.
"We are spending the day wondering all parts of London, and I have a surprise for her." Malfoy began, surprised at how easily lies came to him. "I need to find somewhere nice to propose to her- and I was thinking that the park would be perfect. Can you help me out?"
The salesman was still looking at Hermione and smiling, but when his gaze went back to Malfoy, all niceness slipped away. He sighed, then drew Malfoy a map. "You can walk."
As Malfoy snatched the map and walked back over to Hermione, the salesman shook his head and muttered. "Poor thing. Hope she says no."
Malfoy gabbed Hermione's hand, telling her to act along, and only let her go when they were around the corner and out of site.
"What was that all about?" Hermione asked as Malfoy glanced at the hand drawn map and started walking.
"Just got some directions."
"Yes, but what were you two talking about?" Hermione said, catching up to him as they waited to cross the road.
"Manly things."
"Of course you were." Hermione mumbled doubtfully but she let the subject drop.
Ok, there's another chapter! Now, I don't live in London, I'm not even on that continent, so I just made most of these places up ok? So if there isn't a park in East London, well…there is now. Thanks for baring with me.
Well to find out what happens next you need to R&R. PLEASE- I'm beginning to think this isn't grabbing anyone's attention.
Aj.