Chapter 7

Hermione apparated outside to her neighborhood area. She wasn't ready to be contained inside yet; she wanted to walk and be left alone with her thoughts. She felt so awful! How could Ron do this to her? It felt like any time now something would make her break into pieces. Ron was her stronghold sometimes. Harry and Ginny had each other and now who did she have?

She gave a sigh and started walking to her own door. She walked up the steps without even looking up. She didn't notice who was right in front of her.

"You know you're a witch right? You don't have to walk up to your front door," said a voice in front of her.

Hermione jumped having been completely startled out of her thoughts.

"Uh! Draco! You nearly scared me half to death! Do you enjoy doing this to me? Never mind please don't answer that question," said Hermione.

She heard Draco chuckle and she turned and threw him a look.

"And yes I do know I'm a witch. Sometimes I think people use magic way too much," said Hermione as she moved to unlock her door. She opened her door and Draco followed her right in without even being invited. Draco went right over to her couch and made himself comfortable.

"Oh and please make yourself at home. Especially after you were… oh yeah… not invited!" said Hermione.

"What's got you all wound up?" asked Draco, "And don't say me. I haven't done anything."

"Yet," said Hermione as she threw her keys onto the table and sat down in an armchair, "It's nothing. I don't really want to talk about it."

"Ron? Again?" asked Draco.

Hermione just ignored him and pretended to read a magazine that she found lying next to her.

"So that's a yes. Let me try to guess…"

"No. I'd rather you not. If you must know the Ministry's Ball is coming up. Ginny got her invitation and I was standing right next to her," said Hermione.

"So? You're a free woman. You can go with someone else," said Draco.

"It's not that either! It's… no. You just don't understand," said Hermione. She stood up and went into the kitchen to make herself some tea. Draco got up and followed her.

"Try me," he said.

"That night was supposed to be… special," said Hermione, "And now everything is a complete disaster." Hermione completely expected a sarcastic and unwanted remark but when it didn't come she looked over at him.

"I'm sorry," he said simply as he looked at her as well.

"That's it? No sarcastic remarks or anything?" she asked and then she winced and put a hand over her mouth, "Now I'm sorry! Here you are trying to actually be nice and then there's me screwing everything up. This whole situation has just… ruined me! I'm not myself if you can't tell."

"I might have noticed a bit," said Draco smiling at her, "It's ok. I understand."

"Thanks," said Hermione.

"I am sorry though. You do look kind of crushed. And you were right I was going to say something but changed my mind after just watching you," said Draco.

"Well thank you again for refraining," said Hermione.

"So what now then?" asked Draco.

"With the ball? Nothing. I'm just not going. I don't need people talking about me behind my back if I either show up alone or with someone else and I don't want to ruin Harry and Ginny's night," said Hermione.

"That's such a Hermione thing to do," said Draco.

"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Hermione.

"It's not bad it's just not great either. You should take advantage of the situation and do something different," said Draco.

"Like what?" she asked.

"Personally, I think you should find the sexiest wizard alive and take him and show Ron that you don't care and you don't need him," said Draco.

Hermione smiled as he said that," And where would I find the sexiest wizard alive? Witch Weekly?"

"Not to be cocky or anything… but you're looking at him," said Draco confidently with his smirk.

Hermione laughed out loud this time. Draco frowned at her.

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean that to be rude. I just got the picture in my head of you and me going … it's funny if you really think about it. I mean Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy? It's funny to think you're even in my kitchen discussing this with me in the first place," said Hermione.

"What's wrong with it? I'll find you an appropriate dress to wear and I'll just me and everyone will be jealous of you. And I'm sure it will attract the attention of the Weasel," said Draco.

Hermione paused and thought about it.

"You know he hates me most out of anyone in the world. How would he feel if he saw you there on my arm?" asked Draco.

The idea was more and more appealing to Hermione. It was absolutely true.

"Wait, what if he's not there? Then everything will be a complete waste!" said Hermione.

Draco frowned again, offended at that statement.

"No, not a complete waste! We can have a perfectly good time but you'll be with me… the paparazzi still follow me around everywhere I go. Even if he isn't there he'll see us," said Draco.

"Huh," said Hermione thinking it through, "Ok. I'll go with you. But I'm finding my dress."

"No you're not. Either I find the dress or we're not going," said Draco.

"Why? I can find a perfectly…"

"No you can't. If you find something it will no doubt ruin everything," said Draco.

"Will not!" said Hermione stamping her foot in frustration.

"Did you really just stamp your foot? How old are you? Maybe there are a few other things we need to work on," said Draco lifting an eyebrow at her.

Hermione couldn't help but laugh at herself. It was entirely too true.

"Ok fine. You're right I shouldn't have done that but if you choose a dress I have to have final say! I don't think I trust you enough not to find something to cover everything that needs to be remained covered if you catch my drift," said Hermione.

"Trust me. You'll appreciate what I find you," said Draco.

"I surely hope so," said Hermione.

Draco smiled at her and Hermione happily smiled back. Who knew she could actually be friends with Draco Malfoy? And enjoy it?

"So why did you come over? I know that's not the reason," said Hermione.

"I was just bored," said Draco.

"Bored? And you came to me?" asked Hermione.

"Sure. Why not?" asked Draco while shrugging his shoulders.

"You don't have some… blonde groupie or somebody more interesting?" she asked.

"Blonde groupie? And no. Your situation is far too interesting to resist," said Draco smirking again.

Hermione just rolled her eyes but then smiled.

"So what did you want to do? I don't really have people over that often anymore…" she said.

"You have a TV don't you?" asked Draco.

Hermione's eyes widened in shock, "You know what a TV is?"

"Oh don't give me that. Yes even purebloods enjoy a little TV every once in a while. The muggles have interesting movies," he said.

"Wow. I'm genuinely impressed over here. I have lots of movies. You choose one. I've seen them all," she said.

Draco nodded and followed her over to the movies. Hermione didn't have that many, or so she thought but she had plenty he was interested in. Hermione went over and sat in her armchair with her favorite fleece blanket. Draco made himself comfortable on her couch and they settled in to watch their movie.

See... all Dramione. Makes up for last chapter right? :)