A/N: No valid excuses this time. I was actually procrastinating with this chapter. Honestly, I did not know what to write! Either I'm not inspired enough or probably just lost momentum when I had uploading problems with the site. Either way, I apologize for the wait. I do have to warn you though, I don't like this chapter so you probably won't either. But it's just another chapter away for some more Draco/Hermione interactions.

I do not own Harry Potter.

Hermione sat in front of her vanity, brushing her hair repeatedly and scrutinizing her appearance. She was never vain or cared too much of how she looked even in her years as a teen, but today she wanted to look pretty for him. She was never one to use her magic to enhance her look so she used muggle means; dabbed a little bit of blush on her cheeks and smeared lip gloss over her full lips. Hermione wasn't ugly as people would remember her back in Hogwarts; rather she was a late bloomer who grew beautifully as the years passed. Of all the changes that came as she grew older, what she loved most was how her hair was no longer uncontrollably bushy. Sure, it was still hard to manage, but a little hair product and religious brushing it became smooth, wavy ringlets. Now that her hair had been tamed, it seems the rest of her body came into order as well. She had a slender built with legs that go on for days. Her skin was flawless and her eyes were like never ending pools of rich, creamy chocolate. She had her fair share of compliments about her looks, but she never really cared about it, until this moment.

She smiled at her reflection just at the thought of seeing him again. And she was going to see him again, he said so himself that they would. Today perhaps? Was he going to drop by the clinic again? Merlin, she was turning into one of those love-struck girls that irritate her so much. Love was such a strong word, but she was positive about feeling something. Just thinking of Draco gave her feelings that she never had with Ron and to think that they were together on and off for several years. It wasn't just in her imagination anymore; he was here, he was tangible and the possibilities were endless.

She gave her reflection one last look, gathered her purse, exited her cottage and put her wards in place.

It was a sunny morning and she was in an exceptionally good mood despite the semi-disastrous first date they had last night which she totally takes responsibility for. Her curiosity will always get the better of her and right now Draco was a complicated puzzle to solve. She thought hard about it last night, her compulsive need to know everything and uncover all mysteries or a chance for her heart to heal and know love again. She figured she'd used and abused her brain all throughout her years and maybe this time, her heart would get a say in her life. She realized that she'd wasted so much time with Ron, forcing what was not right between them that it probably was her fault why things ended up this way. She doesn't want to ruin this chance with Draco, doesn't want to push him away and yet, she almost did last night. And just remembering the events brought back that nauseous feeling.

She shook away her thoughts and took a deep breath of the fresh morning air. She didn't care anymore; didn't care if she ever found out what happened to Draco. She wanted him and she was just content to knowing him just as he is now. Maybe he'll remember on his own or maybe never, but she promised herself that she will never use legilimancy on him again. She 'tsked' and scolded herself for resorting to such means. Being around Harry and Ron for all these years had this influence on her. She was still, after all a goody two shoes.

She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't even realize that she had arrived at the clinic already. Eva was at her usual spot behind the counter when Hermione came in.

"G'morning 'Mione!"

"Good morning to you too."

"So how was your date."

"I told you it wasn't a date."

"That smile on your face says otherwise." Hermione could feel the blood rush to her cheeks. She didn't even realize she was smiling like an idiot.

"So what happened? Tell me all about it! And don't skip any details."

By this time, Eva was able to drag Hermione to sit down beside her on the couch in the small waiting area. It seemed like there was no escaping this redhead. Even though she only met Eva two days ago, she felt like she'd known Eva a long time. She felt like she could trust this witch.

After a couple of minutes, Eva was able to squeeze everything out of Hermione. She was a little hesitant about telling the bad parts, but it seemed Eva knew where to poke. It was as if she could read Hermione.

"You did what?" Hermione cringed at Eva's raised voice.

"Would you be less angry if you knew it was a lost cause? I didn't get anything."

"Still you knew better 'Mione. That was totally out of line."

"I know…I'm sorry."

"Just don't do it again, okay? Like I said, just have fun and get to know him. No shortcuts!"

Hermione smiled a little and nodded her head in response and they were silent for a moment.

"Hey Eva?"

"Yeah?"

"Why are you so overprotective of Draco?"

"Draco's my best friend. We go way back-"

"Wait! What?"

"What?"

"You said you and Draco go way back…but didn't you just meet him two years ago?"

"Uhhh…yeah, but what I meant with that is, ever since that day, we've become best friends and I always have his back as he has mine."

Before Hermione could voice out her doubts, the clanging of the bells announced the arrival of a patient. Eva was quick to attend to their patient without another word to Hermione.

They had more patients today that came in for check up and more minor problems which kept them both busy. Eva avoided Hermione the whole time, keeping contact to a minimal. She made sure that she was busy with something so as to avoid talking to Hermione. Knowing Hermione, she probably wouldn't stop asking questions until she got what she wanted, especially her slip of tongue earlier that day. Eva had a secret, but she knew that Hermione wasn't ready to hear it yet.

Although busy, Hermione had been preoccupied with thoughts of Draco to notice Eva's change in behavior. She was counting down the minutes to the end of her day and she had one more patient attend to. As out of character it was for her to have some boy on her mind, she knew that the faster she finished up her work, the faster she would get to see Draco again.

Her last patient was a young witch who broke her arm when she fell off climbing the tree. Hermione escorted her both with her mother to a private examining room. The little girl was crying and holding tightly her mother's arm while trying to protect her injury. Hermione tried to get her on the examining table, but she only cried harder and hid behind her mother. She squatted down to level herself with the girl.

"Hi. My name is Hermione. What's yours?" No response from the girl but it seems Hermione has her attention.

"Can I tell you a secret?" She nodded shyly, no longer hiding behind her mother.

"When I was a little girl, just a couple of years older than you are now, my friends and I always got into trouble. We used to do silly things in school and always manage to get ourselves hurt."

"What did you do when you got a booboo?" Hermione smiled at the girl and lifted her up to the table.

"Well, we go to the medi-witch in school and she'll fix us right up and then we'd be okay to go play again."

"Did your booboo hurt?"

"Yes, it did, but only for a while. After we took the potion, we'd be good as new. So, are you going to show me your arm so we can fix it and you can go back to climbing trees?"

"I don't want to climb trees anymore. I don't want to get a booboo anymore."

"Well, maybe you can find something fun to do other than climbing trees."

"Okay…" She was still a little doubtful. She didn't want anybody to touch her booboo.

"Don't tell anybody, okay? But I'm really, really good with healing charms. I'll fix you up in no time."

At that, she extended her injured arm for Hermione to examine. It was bruising at one area, but it didn't seem to be completely broken. She cast a spell, similar to the effects of an x-ray, to determine the severity of her injury. Hermione smiled knowing this was simple enough to heal.

"It seems like you didn't totally break your arm after all. Just a hairline fracture." She went to retrieve something from the cupboard.

"Nothing a teaspoon of Skele-grow can't fix. Its gonna taste really awful, but if you drink it, I'm going to give you a lollipop. Is that a deal?"

"Okay!" She exclaimed, giving Hermione a big, toothy smile.

Hermione had given her mom homecare instructions while she enjoyed her lollipop.

"Thank you, healer Granger. You seem to be really good with kids."

"I guess I had a lot of practice. I used to volunteer at the children's ward in St. Mungo's after the war. And I have a lot of friends with children."

They were headed out of the room when the little girl came back and pulled on Hermione's hand.

"Thank you! I'm Amelie, by the way. Bye!"

"You're welcome. Don't get into trouble, okay? But if you do, come and see me." Amelie waved good bye and she was left in the room for a moment. And in that moment, she had totally forgotten about Draco. Instead, she remembered about her friends, about how she missed hanging out with them everyday especially when she babysat James or the other Weasley kids.

'Was I right to just walk away?' She asked herself in her mind.

'Maybe I should go back? Maybe Ron and I could still fix things…'

'No! absolutely not! You don't love him and he doesn't love you. He'll just hurt you again. What's the point of going back only to pretend to satisfy those around you. They will never understand. You need to think about you too.' Another voice in her head had said.

'But was it worth leaving everything behind?'

'You won't be gone forever. You just need time.'

"Yes, time…it heals all wounds, right?"

She was interrupted from her mental debate when she heard a soft knock from the opened door. Eva entered looking a little worried. She approached Hermione and leaned on the examining table beside her.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, I was just thinking about home. I miss my friends and I'm a little sad that we didn't part in good terms."

"I'm sorry to hear that. Do you want to talk about it?"

"No, not right now anyway. But I'll tell you when I come to terms with it, okay?"

"No rush. Just remember that I'm your friend too." She raised both her hands in an I-surrender-motion. Hermione noticed an envelope she was holding.

"What's that?"

"Oh! I almost forgot. Draco left this for you while you were with a patient." Eva handed the envelope to Hermione and she hurriedly opened it to read Draco's letter.

"What does it say?"

"Oh…" was all she could say, disappointment written all over her face.