A/N - Hey guys, next chapter and i hope you enjoy it. It ended up taking longer than i thought, with schoolwork taking up most of my time at the moment but i hope you enjoy it. BUT along to other business, i have been reading through the first couple of chapters and i've gotta say i was pretty ashamed with the stuff i read. I think (or rather hope) i've developed a lot as a writer throughout writing this story and now that i look back on some of my previous work i can't stand to let it just sit there like that. Now i don't want to go changing the entire setting and characters because that would mean you guys would have to go and read this all over again and that's a pain, so im just changing a few particular things that are really bugging me. The main thing is how horribly girly i made Hermione. It's much much too out of character for her and i can't stand it written like that, so i really have to change it. This includes things in the first chapter and second chapter making reference to how much she has 'changed' in looks and how she suddenly seems to be quite girly. There are only a couple sentences in each chapter about this, but im deleting them, or else altering them slightly to fit Hermione's character more. You'll hardly even notice them, but it might be a good idea to go and read over those little parts so you know what i've done. Also, and on a bigger note, i have half written a later chapter that is coming along really nicely, but depends on Hermione not buying a dress with Ginny at Diagon alley in the second chapter, so either read through that chapter again or forget she ever bought one.

Anyway, i'll stop rambling on now and let you read, but one little thing before i go;

This chapter of Opposite Attraction is hereby dedicated to;

wendy.darling

as a (very) late birthday present to her for being such an amazing and fantastic person in my life, and i hope we can be friends for years to come. You have no idea how much i value you as a friend, for all our late...late late late night chats and taking over DD with our Dramione obsessions and fights with pokey sticks. For all your wonderous help with my failing graphics and being the only one to tell me when im getting too big for my boots. For all your :B and Oo when you're being a dork and enough sense to admit when you ARE being a dork, and for all your fweeee's and glomps like whoa's when im feeling like crap. You always light up my day and understand me when no one else does, know i'll always love you.

Chapter 10 – You don't know me

Hermione stepped out of the taxi and paid the driver before heaving her trunk out of the boot and onto the sandstone driveway that led to her house. Staring up at it she smiled contentedly and walked up the drive with her trunk, admiring her mothers rose garden in full bloom. She reached the door and pulled it open with one hand.

A familiar woody scent filled her with memories and a calming sensation as she looked around the hall. 'Hello? Mum, Dad, I'm home!'

She heard what sounded like breaking china and a shrill shriek before she was smothered in a vicious hug that nearly knocked her off her feet. Feeling slightly dizzy, she patted her mother's back awkwardly.

'Oh my darling Hermione, my dear how are you! I've missed you SO awfully much precious, how could I have let you stay away from me for so long?!-

Draco smirked at the pair as Hermione tried to pry the lady off her. The woman was spluttering and muttering in a frantic rush so no one could understand a word she said. Like mother like daughter

'Hi mum' Hermione sighed, smiling and edging away from her clawing hands. 'um, yes mum hi….MUM!'

Mrs Granger stopped and rolled her eyes, stepping away from her daughter. Draco noticed that she had the typical bushy brown hair and petite figure as her daughter, but her eyes were dark blue, and her skin was much paler compared to Hermione's olive complexion. 'I'm sorry dear, embarrassing you like this in front of a friend.' She then looked around. 'Oh, that reminds me! Where is this young man?'

Hermione turned around awkwardly and motioned towards Malfoy. 'Um, mum this is-

But he had already stepped forward at her mention of him and inclined his head graciously. 'Malfoy, Draco Malfoy. It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Mrs Granger.

She raised her eyebrows, apparently impressed at his greeting. 'The pleasure is all mine Draco, please come in and leave your things here, someone will be along shortly to collect them.'

They walked into a side door off the entrance hall, Hermione in the lead, looking around. 'Where's dad?' she said, calling his name through the house.

'Don't bother' Mrs Granger said, shaking her head and smiling. "He's out on an emergency, some girl knocked out a few teeth while ice skating, I don't expect he'll be back until dinner time. In the meantime, why don't you give Draco the grand tour, ill have Elky take up his things-

'Elky?

Mrs Granger cringed as though her daughter's words had hit her like a ton of bricks. A startled look played about her eyes and it showed only too clearly that she had let slip something she had not meant to say.

'Who is Elky, mum?' Hermione asked interestedly.

Her mother turned slightly pale and tried to smile, thought the edges of her mouth twitched. 'Erm…who dear?

Hermione frowned and stated the name quite plainly, her tone sounding suspicious at her mother's off behaviour. She spoke every syllable clearly so her mother had mo choice but to hear them. 'El-ky'

Suddenly there was a slight 'pop' and a little creature appeared promptly in between Hermione and Mrs Granger. She turned around to face Hermione, large ears wiggling, and saucer-sized eyes looking bright and cheerful.

'Master called?'

'MOTHER!!'

Mrs Granger flinched and stared reluctantly into her daughter's face. Hermione looked at the little elf in horror, before staring fixedly at her mother, her eyes sparling with rage. Mrs Granger seemed to shrink under Hermione's gaze, and spluttered excuses to her as a student might do to a teacher after neglecting to do their homework.

'Oh Hermione dear you don't understand!!' She whined, edging nearer to Elky protectively. 'She had nowhere to go! She was cold, and hungry, and wanted work so what could I say? What would you have done, if a house elf had turned up at your doorstep in the icy cold with at 2'0-clock in the morning?? I couldn't leave her I just couldn't-

'You. Employed. A house elf.' Hermione said blankly, fixing Mrs Granger with a furious glare. 'After all my campaigns of S.P.E.W! Didn't you listen to me at all? Don't you KNOW my opinions on elf right?!?'

'Oh, but, I did listen Hermione dear!' Mrs Granger said earnestly. 'Every word! See, look, I've done everything I can to make Elky feel at home here!

Hermione was still glaring at her mother, but some of the rage in her eyes seemed to lessen, and she folded her arms across her chest. 'Like what' she said, coldly.

Mrs Granger seemed to jump at the chance to be able to explain herself and quickly placed a hand on the elf's shoulder, smiling awkwardly.

'Yes, well, we have offered her proper clothes-' Mrs Granger motioned towards Elky's smart little maroon uniform with a large golden 'G' on her left hip. 'Although she insisted on having a uniform. And I have given her the downstairs bedroom, you know the one off the dining hall, and she chose it herself! And…and she gets paid! It was hard at first to work out galleons and such but we eventually got the hang of it and she gets 7 galleons a week! and…'

Hermione opened her mouth to speak but her mother rambled on. She seemed set on telling Hermione everything positive before she got yelled at again. 'Wait Hermione there's more!' she stammered. 'She eats all the same meals as us, and gets days off whenever she likes, as long as she tells us before hand-'

'Mum, I…'

'No wait listen to me!' She pleaded, Elky biting her lip under Hermione's staring gaze. 'I know you don't like this idea but she has been such a helper around the house and-

'MUM!'

Mrs Granger looked up, surprised. Hermione dropped to her knees without another word to her mother, and stared at Elky. The little elf shifted uncomfortably but Hermione smiled at her kindly. 'Hello Elky. My name is Hermione.'

Elky stared up at her with large eyes fidgeted with her blazer nervously. 'Elky knows who you are, mistress. She had heard many good things about you.'

Hermione continued to stare at her and nodded. 'And how are you today?'

'El…Elky is very well, miss.' She replied, staring at her shoes. She suddenly looked up at Hermione in a scared sort of way, and began blurting things out left right and centre. 'Oh please miss, do not throw Elky out! Elky has nowhere to go and she likes it ever so much here! Mistress's parents have been much too kind to Elky, she owes them so much so she works hard to keep them happy. They do not insist upon this, but Elky enjoys the work miss! And-

But Hermione put up a hand to stop her and she bit her lip and once again looked down at her shoes, looking ashamed of herself. Hermione let out a small chuckle and peeked her head under Elky's gaze.

'All I want to know, Elky.' Hermione said softly. 'Is whether you are happy here.'

Elky looked up and nodded furiously. 'Oh, Elky is mistress! Elky would rather be here than anywhere else-

Hermione laughed and stood up. 'Elky, you talk far too much' she said. 'I guess the big lonely house does need one more inhabitant.'

Mrs Granger sighed in relief and Elky squealed and hugged Hermione, though only reaching her knees.

'But If I see even a hint of mistreatment by anyone...' Hermione's voice faded slightly as she sighed at her mothers face and shook her head.

Mrs Granger beamed at her daughter and left for the kitchen while Elky began levitating their trunks upstairs happily. Hermione stared after them for a few seconds, smirking to herself. It felt so good to be home.

She jumped slightly as Draco made a brief coughing sound, evidently to gain her attention. Hermione had completely forgotten that Draco was there. She dropped her amused smile almost at once. Feeling flustered she looked away from his expectant face and motioned for him to follow her. She led him up the stairs, rambling on as she went. 'Kitchens through there, and the lounge and library are down there.' She was pointing to door and corridors on the lower landing and murmuring direction in an extremely brief manner. Finally they reached the second floor and she hurried along a corridor to their let, passing door after door. Hermione soon stopped abruptly and opened a door to display a generously sized bedroom that only contained a large bed, a bookcase and a desk with what Malfoy thought was a square box of some kind, and a cupboard. Various other things were scattered around, around, most of which he did not know the name of. They all seemed to be muggle devices.

Draco stepped into the room and walked around, noticing his trunk standing neatly beside the bed. 'You'll stay in here. My bedroom is just opposite yours if you…erm…need anything, and the bathroom is just down the hall.'

Draco nodded curtly and straddled the chair next to the desk, swinging on it absentmindedly.

'I know you'll probably get bored here but I'm sure you can just-

'Granger, what exactly is this?' Malfoy interrupted, poking the computer and looking confused.

'Oh,' Hermione said softly, suppressing a smile at his naivety. 'It's a computer. Here, press this button.'

She pressed it and watched in amusement at Malfoy's eyes, widening as the screen lit up. Hermione had never really known how little wizards actually knew of the muggle world. Although she had never expected them to be experts, she had at least thought they would know what a computer was.

Malfoy now looked at the mouse, picked it up, and turned it over and over, as if to see if from every angle. It was coiling up the cord so much that Hermione feared it would soon unlatch from the computer. She took it from him and placed it back on the desk. She moved it around and clicked on the nearest program. It flashed onto the screen immediately and Malfoy retracted slightly into his chair in shock. Taking the mouse from Hermione, he moved it tentatively with his palm, as thought too much pressure might break it.

Hermione stared at him. This was probably the longest they had spent within close proximity without shouting an insult to one another. It felt very odd to her, as if something was missing in a routine she was so used to performing. Her eyes surveyed him as he began to run his fingers over the keyboard.

It seemed incredible to her that someone who had always prided himself on being a pureblood perfection of a wizard could be so amazed and speechless at a common muggle device. When she had been much younger, attending Hogwarts for her first few years, she had been insanely jealous of people like Ron who had grown up with magic all their lives. To her it was as if she had missed out on something utterly important, and that she would forever be catching up to receive the years of knowledge that Ron had so easily obtained.

She had never actually realised that people from all Wizarding families would miss out on so much of the rest of the world. She knew both world's, he only knew one. It was the first time she had actually ever felt lucky to be a muggle-born witch.

'Um…well, I'll leave you to get your things unpacked…Dinner should be ready soon so you might want to change into something more…comfortable.' Hermione said, suddenly feeling really awkward. She wasn't really sure how to talk to him in a normal manner, without sneered comments and shouted insults, as there had never really been any chance like it before. Part of her, a very strong part of her, wanted to snap at Malfoy or tease him for not knowing how to work a computer. The second part seemed to battle with her other side, debating that he was a guest in her household, his mother was a family friend, and that she should at least be as civil to him as she could. Then, there was a third small element, hiding away in a little crevice of her brain. It was small, yes, but it was still there, and enough to be annoying. It was that part that watched Malfoy's every move, how he walked with a kind of eerie grace, how his grey eyes flicked around to observe the scene every time he entered a room. It was that part, too, who kept whispering you never know, unless you try.

She came out of her slight daze to realise she had been staring at Malfoy for a good thirty seconds. Emitting a small cough, she broke his gaze and bustled out of the room hurriedly to go get changed, not noticing that she was being followed with a certain pair of eyes until she closed the door.

There was a small knock on Draco's door and a voice spoke through it, bright and cheerful. 'Draco dear, dinner's on the table!'

Mrs Granger heard muffled shuffling and a 'be right down Mrs Granger'. She smiled and walked back downstairs towards the dining room, picking at a small grease stain on her apron.

Draco opened the door and walked briskly down the stairs, jumping the last few, and entered a room on the opposite side of the hall. He has presumed it was the dining room, but he had been wrong, it was only the kitchen. Feeling a little lost, he looked around awkwardly to try and remember where he was supposed to go. 'Oh, dear, in here!' a voice called from his right. He looked and saw Mrs Granger smiling and beckoning him into the next room. He followed her and sat down quickly, noticing that Hermione had already seated herself opposite him. She was looking very pretty, with a royal blue top and a high ponytail. She wasn't looking at him, but staring down at her lap. He heard Mrs Granger say something and took his eyes off Hermione to glance at her mother. 'Sorry, Mrs Granger, didn't catch that.'

She smiled warmly at him and waved a hand dismissively. 'Such formalities Draco, really Mrs Granger is far too much. Please call me Amanda.'

Hermione watched as her mother conversed so happily and welcoming with someone she had considered her worst enemy for so many years. It was so unsettling, as if she half-expected him to jump up from the table and start hexing her at any moment. He was not normal, and not trustworthy. Never turn your back on a Malfoy, as Harry would say.

The worst part of it was that she had never seen him be more normal. Ever. She had always seen Draco Malfoy sneering at her from opposite sides of classrooms, hissing insults at her as they passed in the corridors. Now, there was nothing on his face to show that he was once that person. He talked graciously with her mother like it was the most ordinary thing in the world, eating the food on his plate with eagerness while happily smiling.

Smiling. Like it was something he did every day of his life.

And by god it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. She wanted to reach out and touch it; to be sure it was really there. She had never seen a smile like that. Perhaps it was the fact that she was surprised that he was actually smiling at all, or maybe because she so rarely saw it on someone like Draco Malfoy, or maybe both.

It captured her eyes for so long she must have looked like a gaping fish by the time they had finished dessert. It was only when her mother turned her attention to Hermione directly that she switched back on to the conversation in front of her.

'Really Hermione dear, you been like clockwork tonight. What on earth is wrong with you?'

She jumped at the words and looked up at her mother with a slightly surprised look on her face. Amanda stared at her expectantly and she stuttered. 'Oh, well, I'm just tired I guess. Maybe I just need a bit of fresh air and a good night's sleep.'

Amanda peered at her daughter suspiciously for a split second before turning back to Malfoy. 'I'm sorry dinner was so early tonight Draco, but I really thought Rodger would be home by now. I'm afraid he doesn't acquire the punctuality his daughter does.'

She smiled warmly towards the two teenagers in front of her before getting up and beginning to clear the table. Both Hermione and Draco made motions to pick up various plates but Amanda shooed them away. 'Don't be silly dears! It's your first night home, why don't you go show Draco the grounds Hermione? It won't be dark for another hour or two.'

Hermione tried to reply but Elky had already bustled in and began straightening chairs and collecting knifes and forks. 'Missus must go and take a walk while Elky cleans the table, will do her good to get out an about after the long ride home, Elky thinks.' And with that, the two were ushered from the room.

There was an awkward silence, and both were avoiding the other's eye. It ended with a slightly forced cough from Hermione. 'I better show you the garden then' She mumbled, motioning towards French doors to her right. They stepped through them and out into a low sun that shone brightly upon the ground now, gradually clearing it of the rain that had been left there a few hours before.

Draco looked around him and walked down a sandstone path, trying to distract himself with the scenery so he could keep talking to a bare minimum. It was very frustrating, as he wanted to say something, but couldn't quite work out what to say to her that wasn't an automatic insult. Instead, he busied himself among the garden, trying to find something, anything he could talk about.

Hermione clasped her hands behind her and walked a couple of metres behind Draco, so as not to get too close to him in case he found it a reason as to lash out at her. She was just about to attempt to try and make polite conversation, thinking that if he was going to drown her with unbearable comments she could at least kick him out, when they was an awed gasp and Malfoy snatched something up that had been leaning against the old shed.

'Is this-could this be-is this what I think it-Granger…how'd you get it?!?'

Hermione turned to look at Malfoy, who was now holding a gleaming broomstick in his hand, staring at it like it was bar of gold. She sighed and rolled her eyes. 'Stop gaping, it's just a broomstick.'

Malfoy's head jerked sharply up in her direction and he fixed her with a horrified stare. 'Just a broomstick. JUST a broomstick. Granger, do you have any idea what exactly you have here?'

'Not really, but I have a feeling you're going to tell me anyway' Hermione sighed, leaning against the wall, her arms crossed in a bored fashion.

Malfoy skimmed his hands over the wood of the broom. 'This,' He said, holding it up to the light as if checking for impurities. 'Is a firebolt. An international standard racing broom.' He gawped at the name on the handle before making a small sigh in realisation and amazement. 'And this isn't anyfirebolt, this is a firebolt 01! Do you have ANY idea how hard it is to get one of these? I mean, they aren't even out in the leagues yet!'

Hermione blinked at him and shrugged. 'I don't see what's so great about it really. I mean, it's just a piece of wood.'

Draco ignored her and continued to hold the broom like it was a most prized possession. 'Who…who's is it?' He asked, finally looking back up at her, his voice hoarse.

Hermione raised an eyebrow at him and smirked slightly. 'It's mine' she replied.

The look Malfoy gave her was a mixture of utter jealousy, incredulity and disbelief. He stared at her with his mouth slightly open, hands still clenched tightly around the broomstick. 'You-this is yours?!' He croaked.

'Mhm' Hermione said vaguely, picking up the large fluffy ginger cat that had just scurried across her path. 'Why, you want a go?'

Malfoy actually had to lean against the wall to stop himself falling over at these words. He nodded numbly, and without so much as a thankyou, shot off into the air with one kick of his feet. Hermione yelled after him to stay low enough so the trees covered him from curious Muggles but she doubted that he heard a word.

'How come you never rode this thing?' Malfoy asked several hours later, as they made their way back to the house, Hermione weighed down by several heavy books she had brought outside to read while Malfoy flew around.

'Oh, I don't know.' Hermione replied, shrugging and hitching the books more firmly into her arms. 'I never really got into Quidditch, it was always Harry and Ron who were the experts. I mean, I always watched when they were playing of course but I ne-

'Who gave it to you?' Malfoy interrupted, striding along behind her.

Hermione gave him a piercing look and paused before saying 'My dad gave it to me after he went to Australia for a business conference. He had heard an awful lot about Quidditch from Harry and seemed to think that if I had a broom of my own I would try out for the team.' She rolled her eyes and shook her head. 'Poor old dad, I feel sorry for him, without another guy around the house to talk about sports with, but I've never really been the sporty type.'

'You know Granger' Malfoy said in a loud voice. 'I think you need to get out more. Being cooped up in a library all your life can't be healthy at all, and-

'Excuse me' Hermione said in a slightly icy tone. 'But I am perfectly happy with staying in the library, in case you haven't noticed, I have a reputation to uphold!'

'Oh come on' Malfoy drawled, rolling his eyes hugely. 'I get good grades and I'm Head Boy, but you don't see me moping around bookshelves for entertainment, do you?'

Hermione turned around and flashed a dangerous look at him. 'I don't just want good grades Malfoy, and just because you can't be bothered to actually put in a little effort doesn't mean I shouldn't!'

Malfoy held up his hands in defence. 'Hey, it was only a suggestion! Just thought you might wanna live a little-

Hermione scoffed and resumed walking back to the house, glaring at him. 'I live just fine thankyou!'

Malfoy jogged up a few stairs to keep up with her. 'Look all I'm saying is that a Hogwarts you have a bit of a rep for being...

'Being what exactly?' Hermione snapped, stopping abruptly.

Malfoy surveyed her for a second before replying 'Well…for being a bit of a goody-two-shoes who doesn't take any risks for fear of losing her spotless record'

Hermione looked furiously and was just about to open her mouth to reply when he spoke first. 'That's just what they say! And…come on, how wrong are they? I bet you wouldn't even have a simple house party-

'How do you know what I would and wouldn't do? You don't even know me!' Hermione retorted.

Malfoy looked at her with an eyebrow raised. 'C'mon Granger, you, a house party? I would pay to see that. There is no way in hell that you coul-

'You so sure?' Hermione growled, leaning against one of the pillars.

Malfoy stared at her with a look of slight curiosity gleaming through his eyes. 'Alright then, I dare you to have a house party in the next two weeks, and 20 galleons says you'll chicken out.'

Hermione picked herself up from the pillar and hitched her books more firmly under her arm. 'Deal.' She said, flicking her fringe out of her eyes. 'My parents are going on a business trip this weekend anyway, be prepared to be 20 galleons poorer Malfoy.'

And with that, she turned swiftly on her heel and walked through the double doors and out of sight without another word.

Hope you liked it, please R&R everyone, and tell me whether you liked the changes to the previous chapters or not. Thanks for everything, talk soon!

Abs