"What are you doing here again?" Narcissa Malfoy bit out.
"I'm here to visit Draco," Hermione lied with a bright smile on.
Looking disbelievingly at Hermione, Narcissa reluctantly moved aside so Hermione could enter.
"Last door on the right is Draco's."
…..
"What do you want Granger?" Draco sneered.
"I just want to talk for a bit."
"I'm not in a talking mood."
"Well, you better be because I'm not leaving until I get some answers." Hermione stubbornly put her hands on her waist.
"I'll hex you and drag your body out."
"I'd like to see you try."
Both parties were reaching for their wands when a thud from the stairs stopped them mid-motion.
They both rushed out to see what had happened and were surprised to see a middle-aged woman lying at the foot of the stairs.
"Oh my. Are you alright?" Hermione went forward to help the lady get up. When she came in contact with the woman though, she felt an electric shock go through her. 'What was that?' she thought.
"I'm quite fine. Just fell down two flights of stairs. Nothing to worry about." Hermione wasn't sure if there was any sarcasm in her voice but she did a wandless healing spell on the lady just to be certain.
"Are you Draco's girlfriend?" the lady asked.
"NO"
"NO"
The lady laughed merrily at the young adults' quick reply.
By this time Hermione was starting to stare at this middle-aged lady. She looked so familiar. Hermione was about to ask the lady her name but Narcissa chose this time to appear at the doorway.
At first she looked in a state of panic but then she simply sighed and asked, "Isn't it about time you leave Ms. Granger?"
"I'd actually like to talk to your son a bit more." With that said she grabbed Draco by the wrist and yanked him back to his room. Closing the door behind her she turned to Draco and demanded, "Spill. All you know about the Menos family."
Draco looked unfazed and grunted, "Don't know them."
"Liar." She remarked.
"Don't call me a liar. Why do you care so much about that damn pureblooded family anyways?" He faltered and tried to cover it up with a "they're in all the dark arts books I've read" but she saw past it.
"You know where they are. I'm sure of it. Tell me."
"I'm telling you I don't Granger! You're annoying the hell out of me in my own bloody house." Draco fumed.
"At least tell me if they're still alive."
Draco paused for a few seconds before ruffling his platinum locks in frustration. "They're alive and somewhere in London. That's all I'm telling you. Now scat."
Hermione grinned and pulled her ex-enemy into a crisp hug before bounding out the door. "Thanks Malfoy."
….
Nothing interesting happened in the following week. Nothing at all. Hermione had never been one to enjoy the summer but this was beyond ridiculous. It was all Voldemort's fault. Who was he to just die and leave Hermione in boredom? Honestly, at least the past summers there had been action and fun. Dangerous fun but fun nonetheless. Hermione missed the good ol' days.
Now every time Hermione visited Ron and Harry they were always going on about Quidditch or playing wizard's chess. Both of which Hermione hardly excelled at. In other words, she felt left out.
The ministry did not accept applications until late August and so work couldn't really distract Hermione either.
She figured it was time to fall in love. That would cure her boredom. She began to formulate a plan. Where do nice guys gather? Library? Nah. Guys there didn't want to be disturbed from their reading. Police station? Guys there were certainly strong enough but she didn't want to lurk around that area. Mcdonalds? Noo. She wasn't into wide people.
Finally she decided to head on over to the mall. She tossed on a white and green striped tank top and a black skirt that reached mid-thigh. Then she applied some light makeup, combed her hair, and headed out the door.
Arriving at the mall, she was shocked to find Bear of all people. He was selling balloons apparently and did not see her until she was right in front of him.
Then there was a distinct pause in his movements as he stared at her. Shaking his head a bit to wake himself up, he handed her a pink balloon.
"Haha. Thanks bear. I feel young again." Hermione smiled at the bear. "Want to roam around the mall with me?"
The bear nodded and together they headed into Hermione's favorite store: Papaya Clothing. After an hour she was holding about seven outfits and headed to the fitting rooms.
"How does this one look bear?" asked Hermione in a light pink summer dress.
Bear gave a thumb up sign and Hermione went back in the room to try on the second outfit.
This one was a red and brown sweater with tight purple pants and immediately after coming out the Bear gave two thumbs down signs, shook his head, and covered his eyes. It was obviously quite hideous.
This cycle repeated until all seven outfits' fates were decided.
In the end Hermione only got two outfits.
They moved on to the mini arcade in the mall where they decided on a game of air hockey.
"Ok bear. Let's add some stakes to this game. Loser has to….kiss someone in this arcade!"
The bear looked nervous but nodded anyways. He wasn't going to let her know he'd never played such muggle games before. That would tell her too much.
"Ready, set, go!" and the game started. The puck went left and right and bounced off the side walls furiously. Hermione defended her goal amazingly well and the bear's powerful shots were deflected again and again.
Thirty minutes later the score was 6-5. One more point for Hermione and she would win. The bear tried even harder and soon the score was 6-6. The puck was moving at an incredible pace and then the bear screwed up badly. Real badly. He knocked the puck into his own goal by accident.
"Ha! I win" Hermione exclaimed. She beamed at the bear and tilted her head as if to say "Go on and do your end of the stake."
The bear looked around left and right. Then he looked past Hermione and began to walk in that direction. Hermione turned around to see who the bear was looking at and saw nothing but a wall. Puzzled, she turned around to look at the bear again and was surprised to find he was two inches away from her.
"…Bear?"
….
Two hours later Hermione was still complaining and occasionally smacking the bear on the head. "Yuck man! I still have bear hair on my mouth. You're gross bear. Finding loopholes is dirty!"
Bear calmly replied in a smooth voice, "it's not a loophole. You never said it couldn't be you."
Once again Hermione was shocked that the bear had spoken. He rarely spoke. She noticed that she liked his voice very much. It was soothing to hear.
"Bear. You're never going to tell me who you are, are you?"
"Nope. Not a chance."
Hermione could imagine the little smirk he wore beneath his costume and she scowled.
"You know who I am. It's only fair you let me in on who you are."
"Life's not fair. Get used to it."
"Hmph," Hermione said as she grabbed her bags and turned to go home.
"It was nice hanging with you bear but one day I'm going to find out just who you are."
…
That night Hermione was preparing to go to bed and kicking herself for forgetting what she went to the mall for, when an owl ran into her window.
She let the poor thing in and took the letter from its legs.
It was a short letter with five little words and it was unsigned.
I still love you Hermione.
Author's note: Hope you guys like my story so far and please review! I love suggestions and I'll send cyber cookies to people who give me feedback. Like for example, should Malfoy and Granger have an arranged marriage? =o review review!~
