Chapter 3
"Blaise, where are you?"
"I'm in here!" The pair heard little ways ahead.
Draco had yet to let go of Hermione's hand and she was blushing so hard she feared she might never return to her normal pale shade.
"Blaise, I would like you to meet Hermione, Hermione this is Blaise Zabini."
"Hello Hermione."
"Hi." Hermione crept behind Draco, reluctant to come into full view of the dark boy in front of them.
Blaise smiled a toothy smile, something that always made girls feel safe with him, but it seemed this girl felt threatened by him.
Hermione just shook her head, still not moving from behind Draco.
"She's just very shy Blaise, I've figured out the easiest way for her to get comfortable is with books, so… Hermione," he turned to her, "would you like to see my collection of books?"
Her eyes brightened instantly at the prospect of seeing more books and she smiled very prettily at him, his smile he thought possessively. He smiled back in reply and they walked to his bookcase.
His collection was smaller than hers but she didn't recognize any of the titles, Babbity Rabbity and her crackling stump? The Wizard and the hopping pot? Hogwarts: A History? (That particular book sounded dreadfully boring to her.)
"May I please borrow The tree brothers? It sounds really interesting to me."
"Yes you may Mi."
"Thank you Draco."
"So… Hermione, Draco here told me you like magic. Want to see a trick?" Blaise leaned toward her, winked and straightened again. Hermione nodded her head furiously and smiled at the strange boy, Draco looked on in jealousy as Blaise took Hermione's hand.
"Close your eyes Mi." Blaise whispered in her ear, Hermione blushed but complied with his request.
"And open!"
Blaise was holding a single red rose in front of her face; "Thank you Blaise, but what happened to my usual bouquet of poppies?" She asked as she took the flower from her friend's hand.
"Wait." Blaise took the rose and placed it in her ridiculously curly hair.
"Blaise, when are you going to show Mi some new tricks? You've been 'conjuring' flowers for her since we were what? Six?"
"Seven, Dray. I'm certain we were seven when we met." Hermione thought back fondly on the day she first met Draco and shortly thereafter Blaise.
"I can't believe it has been three years since then. And now you are both leaving me." She sulked for the umpteenth time.
"Mi, please, don't be sad. We'll write to you every week, we promise. And we'll see you every holiday."
"But it won't be the same. We've been best friends for years and what if… What if you forget about me?"
Blaise and Draco wrapped Hermione in their arms, holding her in a familiar embrace. Silent tears ran down her face while her boys swayed her softly.
"Blaise," Narcissa called "You're mother is here to pick you up dear. Have you finished your goodbyes yet, sweetie?" She looked at the display of love and smiled softly, they really will miss each other.
"I shall be right with you Mrs Malfoy."
"Blaise, I will miss you so much." Hermione turned in their arms to link her hands across his neck. Bringing him closer to her she whispered; "Keep him safe."
"I will. I'll miss you too Mi." And louder, "Goodbye Draco, I will see in a couple of weeks."
"See you Zabini." Draco nearly growled; "Mi, you know I will never forget you. How can I ever forget about my future wife?"
"Oh Dray, you always say that. But what if you meet a new girl? Someone more pretty than me? Maybe someone smarter?"
"You are the girl I will marry one day. I vow to you Hermione Granger, I will make you my wife."
Hermione was used to Draco talking about them marring one day, he's even chosen a name for their first child, for a boy Scorpious and for a girl Rosalie.
"Yes Draco."
Going home that night had been harder than any other night she had to leave. For this was the last time she would see her dearest friend for close to five months. She wished with all her might for Christmas to come quickly this year.
When Emma had dropped Hermione off at home she was not expecting her parents to have visitors. Hermione ran into her mother's study, tears falling freely again and threw herself at her mother.
"Dray… gone… might meet… I want to… And promised… wife" She was blabbering on into her mother's chest.
"Shh honey, what is the matter? Did you and Dray say goodbye tonight already?"
Nodding her head she looked up at her mother, "I don't want him to leave me, I'm scared mum."
"Don't be scared, love."
"Ahem, I do not wish to disturb you madam, but I must speak with your daughter. I am sure she will have questions after I tell her the news."
Hermione was surprised and a little embarrassed that this man had seen her break down. Who was this oddly dressed man?
"I apologize, sir. This is my daughter, Hermione. Sweetheart, this is Mr Smidd. He has some interesting news for you." Mrs Granger motioned for the man to speak.
"Miss Granger, it has come to our attention that you are a muggle-born witch and you are invited to attend Hogwarts School of Witch Craft and Wizardry."
"Hogwarts exist?" Hermione asked in awe.
"Yes Miss and you are invited to attend. Here is a list of school supplies and books you will need," Mr Smidd handed an envelope containing thick parchment with elegantly written words of congratulations in green ink. "I will be escorting you to Diagon Ally on the 1st of July to purchase anything you need, including a wand. Do you have any questions?"
Little Hermione was practically jumping in her seat, there were so many questions she wanted answered, "Is it true there is a giant squid living in the lake next to Hogwarts? Will I have to learn how to ride a broom? I am terribly afraid of heights. Is Dumbledore still the Headmaster? Will I be sorted into Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw? I hope I get in Ravenclaw."
"Miss Granger…" Mr Smidd swallowed thickly, "How is it that you already know so much about Hogwarts School?"
Hermione looked sheepishly at the man, "I read Hogwarts: A history about ten already, it's my favourite book."
"And how did you come across said book Miss Granger, muggles, like yourselves, should not have any prior knowledge of Magic."
"My friend lent it to me and he got me my own copy for my tenth birthday, it's a first edition, leather bound copy. It's my most prized possession."
"And who is this friend of yours?"
"Draco Malfoy." Hermione smiled sadly, she already missed her friends.
"Oh!" Mr Smidd let out an almost girlish squeak; Jane could not help herself and laughed a little too un-ladylike. Mr Granger was not so successful with his own attempt at stifling a coughed out laugh.
"But the Malfoy's are evil! They hate muggles! They must be tricking you somehow, do you have investments with Malfoy corp. That would explain why he tolerates your company. Malfoy hates losing money almost as much as muggles and –"
"Mr Smidd, our Hermione and young Draco have been the best of friends since they met a couple years ago. Mrs Malfoy and my own dear wife have been like two peas in a pod as well as Lucius and I. And we will not stand for you insulting them while under this roof. Good day sir, you do not have to worry about picking Hermione up for school supplies, we will ask Narcissa and Lucius to accompany us to Diagon Ally."
"But… But…"
"I think my husband has made it clear to you sir, please leave this house at once." Mrs Granger stood from her seat to personally escort the plump man outside her home.
"Is he gone Mama?"
"Yes dear and don't you listen to that foul old man. He does not know the Malfoy's as we do. Now off to bed with you, my little magical darling. I will ring Cissa and arrange a time to go shopping."
"Send my love to Aunt Cissa, good night Mother, Father."
"I will."
"Good night dear!"
"Oh George, I am so relieved! All those strange happenings! And now we know why! Oh gosh, I can't believe Cissa is a witch! But I should've known, no one can cook food like hers without magical aid."
"And I think I need to have a good long talk with ole Lucy. It's unnatural how many holes in one that man got last time we teed off. But what wonderful news! Our darling is a witch! Do you understand what that could mean for us?"
"George! You will not be using our daughter to cheat in golf! And that is final."
"But sweetheart! Think about –"
"I said no George."
"Yes dear. Could you please had me the phone, I would like to be the one to phone the Malfoy's first if you don't mind."
Handing the phone to George, Jane thought about everything that has changed in the last 24hours. She was certain that Hogwarts is the mysterious school Cissa is sending Draco to and that means her Hermione is also going to be away at school for months on end. The house was going to be deathly quiet without Hermione's… well, silence. The up side of all up sides of this is that her little girl will be going to school with her dear friends. The only friends she has ever been able to make.
And they're boys!