Yep I'm back! It's my last year of uni which mostly consists of prac work and assignments. So basically I'm working but not getting paid for it. In fact, I'm paying to be able to work for no pay… crazy, I know.

Does anyone even read this? I mean, I've got the story all planned out so I'm going to (eventually) write it all out & post it. It's just I sometimes wonder if it actually is read by others. Meh. Don't really care either way. It'll just be nice to actually finish something for once. I always start things but often stop, not necessarily quite, just stop.

Anyway, on with the story of Seraphina, Draco, Ginny, Harry and all their friends!

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Chapter Nine:

Smaller students got out of the way of the witch who was angrily walking through the halls. With her unruly curly hair, and the angry glint in her eyes, you would be forgiven for thinking her just slightly mad. Everyone knew that that day, Hermione Granger should be left alone and not bothered. Hermione was determined to double her efforts in her class work after hearing rumours from James that Draco Malfoy was coming second to her in a number of classes. Whilst she kept telling herself that rumours were not to be listened to, there was a small part of her whispering that most rumours come from a shred of truth.

Unfortunately for the rest of the Hogwarts population, this whisper was winning the race to Hermione's brain. Which led to her being rather harsh with point deductions and detentions if she was annoyed by younger years.

She had had the majority of her valedictory speech planned since third grade. But now, if Malfoy kept up with doing well in class, she might not be valedictorian?! She had even been snappy with Harry and Ron when they had asked her what was wrong. Part of her was blaming them for this catastrophe. Why, if they only decided to do their own work for once, without asking her for help, she'd have been able to put more effort into her own. She was, however, neglecting to remember that she had never once in her life handed in work that she hadn't felt was 100%, and as such, couldn't really place any blame on the boys.

But it was in this mind set that Hermione was making her way to the library after dinner. She was determined to double her efforts in her work and reclaim her title as 'Smartest'.

Entering the library, she went straight to the bookshelves to look for any books she may have previously missed for her History of Magic assignment. Passing Forgotten Wars and Battles of the Hidden Isle by Tabitha Grenwich and 100 Reasons to Study Folklaw by Gregory Grundle, Hermione reached the end of the shelves and, about to turn and scour the titles behind her, she almost dropped her book bag. There to her right was the Slytherin study table. Complete with the usual four Slytherins that occupied it. What shocked her though was the unusual additions. If told only a year ago that Ginny Weasley, Colin Creevey, Luna Lovegood and Jasper Clover would be sitting at a table with the ruling Slytherins and talking with them, she would have given whoever said such nonsense detention for a week for wasting her time.

Her natural curiosity piqued, Hermione couldn't resist gathering her Gryffindor bravery and stepping out towards them. The first one to notice her was Pansy and, noticing the girl's attention, the others at the table soon turned to face her.

"Hey Hermione," Ginny said cheerfully. "Studying?"

"What else?" Hermione replied good naturedly. About to ask what on earth was going on, a different person spoke next.

"Would you like to join our little study group, Granger?" Malfoy said looking calmly at her. Just as if he was asking Theodore Nott or some other Slytherin friend to join. And all the Gryffindors had to agree that his face simply exuded sincerity.

"Ah… Sure." Was all Hermione could make out. After going through a war, such an unexpected event left all her senses on alert. Cautiously walking to the table and making sure to sit directly opposite the Slytherin Prince. It seemed that no one knew quite what to say in this situation.

"Well I never thought that I'd see Hermione studying at the same table as Malfoy." Ginny said. Still staring at Draco as if seeing some new, before invisible feature.

"Oh I did." Luna dreamily said. Resulting in Blaise, Pansy, Hermione, Colin, and Jasper to turn shocked expressions on her. "They're just so alike that it was bound to happen eventually. And anyway, they both get swamped by Kimpilly woxles and everyone knows that they can identify friends."

"What are you working on?" Seraphina asked from between Blaise and Jasper.

"History of Magic." Hermione replied, pulling out the said work that was giving her such a headache. "I've got it just about finished but just know that I'm forgetting something and don't know what! It's becoming rather tedious actually. I've gone over my notes and looked through the books countless times."

"If you don't mind," Sera began, looking at Hermione almost tentatively, "I could have a look at it for you." And she carried on quickly, seeing the look on Hermione's face. "I swear that I've finished my own. And I've already read through Draco's, Blaise's and Pansy's today so I'd probably have a good idea on what, if anything, was missing."

Colin looked at Hermione's still stunned face and gave her a gentle kick from under the table. "Wha-? Oh! Um. Well. If you're sure it wouldn't be a problem, I'd appreciate that. And I trust you when you say yours is already finished. Thank you."

So the students at the table passed the work along between the two witches before going back to their forgotten work and conversations before Hermione had joined. Ginny, Luna and Draco were discussing the different situations that people were facing in the aftermath of the war; Colin and Jasper were working on their own work; and Blaise and Pansy appeared to be having a heated discussion over whether the Italian stock market would be the best place for investments or if investing in private, local companies would be of greater benefit. Soon enough Hermione was part of the debate between Italian or local investments.

"You've missed the comparison with the Icelandic war of Sprites and Gnomes." Seraphina eventually said, looking up from the work she had been reading over.

"Oh no! Those were the notes that Ron ruined when he spilled his pumpkin juice! And Professor said that books on that were so rare Hogwarts doesn't have any!" Hermione cried, getting stressed and agitated.

"Well then, I suppose there are some benefits to joining a study group that has access to three private, extensive libraries." Pansy tossed in with a cheeky glimmer in her eyes and a hint of a smile.

"She's right. We've got about five books that mention that war between the four of us." Draco added, beginning to sift through the pile of books on the table. Before pulling out the ones he'd been looking for and handing them over to the Gryffindor. "Here they are. Except I found Nvaardk's Recount of the Third Great Sprite War to be the best. He covered everything that the others do so that would make research a lot faster for you."

"You know," the bushy haired girl said, looking around the table. "I don't think I've ever had help studying before. And I'm not saying that this is a bad thing."

"Well of course you haven't." Colin said, looking up from his own work. "Harry and Ron just play exploding snap or wizard's chess all the time-"

"Which is not very helpful when you're trying to finish an assignment for Snape, I'll have you know." Ginny said to Pansy.

"-and then they just want to copy someone else's work because theirs is unfinished and they've left it too late-" he continued.

"I don't know why, but they even tried passing off my work for theirs last year." Jasper added to Draco. "Stupid really. As if a teacher wouldn't recognise work that was meant for a fifth year instead of what a sixth year should do."

"-and it's not as if they've ever read a text book that wasn't about quidditch. So they really would have no clue about any proper, intellectual discussion you'd try to have." Colin finished and was silent for a moment before his eyebrows creased over his baby blue eyes and he added. "Well, not unless it was about capturing evil wizards, quidditch or the like."

"If you want to study here again, you are welcome to join us, Granger." Blaise said, peering at the witch with his brown eyes before reaching for a book from the pile in front of Sera and beginning to read. Just as Ginny and Colin were about to return to their own work, they looked around at the other Slytherins present and were happy to see that none of them appeared as if they didn't want Hermione there.

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That Saturday saw numbers of students flock outside to enjoy the free day in the little warmth that the sun was giving on the clear day. Luna had managed to persuade Jasper, Colin and Ginny to agree to the idea of a picnic under their favourite tree by the lake and as such, the four were prepared for a relaxing afternoon of food and fun.

Jasper, wearing blue jeans, a long-sleeved striped purple and orange t-shirt and a thick blue woollen scarf, had been delegated the task of bringing books for all of them. One of the reasons that the four had struck a friendship was his love of books and the passion with which he spoke of them. He'd had a near-perfect run of choosing books for his friends that they enjoyed. Colin, also wearing blue jeans and a thin red jumper, carried a picnic basket filled with food that the house elves had happily prepared. Reaching the tree, the two joined Ginny and Luna, already engrossed in a girl's conversation about what type of dates they would like to go on.

"I think the most wonderful thing would be if we would just spend our time doing completely normal things, just by ourselves, enjoying each other's company." Luna said, her bright blue eyes in stark contrast to the bright orange ribbon tied in her hair. It was, for once, the only real colour that she wore as the rest of her outfit was composed of neutral tones; a pair of black leggings, a loose tan shirt, tan sneakers and plain black studs.

Ginny wore her old, greying pair of white jeans, navy blue t-shirt, grey cotton scarf, navy flats, and tiny blue earrings that looked like bows. "Yeah, I get what you mean; being in a relationship with someone who just accepts you for who you are would be nice. But I still think the perfect date would be where I get spoiled. Oh and the most romantic thing I've heard of is where one person leaves a scavenger hunt for the other with little gifts, flowers, or love notes along the way and then at the end there's something really romantic. Like a sunset picnic."

"Ok. Let's change topic now that we're here, please." Jasper said as he sat down beside Ginny. "And besides, I reckon keeping it nice and simple with watching a Quidditch match would be fun."

"Did you say Quidditch?" Ron asked from the other side of the tree, standing where he, Harry and Hermione had just come from the school. "Harry and I were thinking of a small game of two-on-two since the weather's so nice. How 'bout it? Harry and Jasper against me and you, Col?"

Ron stood there wearing baggy blue jeans and a green t-shirt with a print of a lion on it. He carried a quidditch ball box while Harry and Hermione carried two brooms each. Harry was in a pair of black jeans and a red Gryffindor top, whilst Hermione was in a brown skirt, light pink jumper and sported a tan beanie on top of her fly-away curls.

The two younger boys stood up while Hermione sat with Luna and Ginny. "Sure. What were you thinking; just a quaffle? Or with a bludger as well?"

"Let's just start with the quaffle and see where that goes, eh?" Harry suggested as he passed the spare broom he was holding to Jasper.

Conversation turned to mundane topics such as which shops had the best sales on and what Ginny should buy Fleur and Bill for their baby shower after their announcement of expecting a little Weasley. After deciding that a gift of little jumpsuits arranged into a 'peas in a pod' manner from Ginny and Hermione insisting on knitting some little socks and hats, Luna turned the conversation in a new direction.

"I've never had so many friends before, you know." She said as she lay back, looking up at the sun stretching down through the leaves above them. "I like it when we study with Sera and the others. They're always very nice."

Ginny picked at some grass. "It's fun isn't it? I mean, I never would've thought that Slytherins could be so normal and friendly. I think we were all lucky with the way things ended in the war. Yes there are scars and people are still hurt, but from it we have new friendships and others are more free than they were."

"Yes, it is rather strange how things have turned out." Hermione added from where she sat. "I see what you were getting at that first night; Seraphina really is a different type of Slytherin. And she really has changed their whole house, prefect duties are much easier now without Slytherins going out of their way to start fights or bully younger years."

"I still don't see why no one expected you and Draco to get along though, Hermione. And now you two are always swapping notes and ideas." Luna said, referring to the infrequent times that the Gryffindors had joined the Slytherins to study, always at the same spot. It wasn't something regular and Hermione went less often than her friends, but they had been a number of times. And on each occasion, treated the same way that the Slytherins treated one another. She might not admit it out loud to anyone, especially not Ron or Harry, but even Hermione was starting to think of the four Slytherins along the lines of tentative friendship.

"Well I wouldn't say that we-" Hermione began feebly before Ginny interrupted her.

"Yes you do. Don't try to deny it. Draco's been so different this year. I mean if anyone said that he'd be happily studying with a Weasley, and muggleborns only last year, I'd have had them admitted to St Mungo's."

Hermione looked shrewdly at her younger friend. That was again that Ginny had spoken of Draco in such a complimentary way. Luna however simply smiled cheekily at the comment made by her Gryffindor friend. Just as Hermione was about to question Ginny on what she thought of Draco however, the three were disturbed by a sudden rush of air which caused some of the tree's leaves to fall. When the three looked up, they saw Ron hovering just above.

"Don't suppose you could chuck up a few bats and loose one of the bludgers, aye?"

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An elbow in the ribs from Pansy to my left brought me out of my latest daydream of the afternoon. I'd been thinking about the way the sunlight hits Red's hair. It's only the seventh time that she and her friends have joined us, four weeks after the first time. Not that I've been counting.

…Oh who am I kidding? Certainly not Blaise. Or Pansy. Or Sera. Those three have been the biggest prats ever since I told them I fancy Red. Every day it's nagging about when I'll ask her out or if I'm going to degrade myself and sing her a silly love song. And Paul McCartney was wrong. People are sick of silly love songs. They're stupid and will never ever pass my lips.

"Everything ok, Draco? You've been quite unfocused." Sera innocently asked from where she was sitting with Luna and Jasper. And yes. Shocking as it may seem, we have progressed to a general first name basis for everyone who studies here. It's just too odd when you call half the group by first names and the other half by last names. And have your goody-goody sister calling everyone by first names. Not that she's all that holier-than-thou. She is putting the spotlight on me after all.

"Quite fine, darling." I replied with only a slight undercurrent of warning that she'd be able to pick up on, asking her to drop it. "Probably didn't get enough sleep is all."

"They have potions for that you know." She persisted.

"Sera." I ground out before continuing in Japanese, just for the sake of ensuring complete secrecy. "Just drop it will you? I'll do something when I'm ready to. And besides it was you who pointed out that she wouldn't agree if I just suddenly asked her-"

"No." Blaise interrupted. "We said that without giving her reason to believe you were different she wouldn't accept. They've been studying with us for weeks now and you've shown that you're a different person, Draco."

"Oh just shut up, the lot of you!" I finally cried, sending all three of them death glares simply for good measure. But even I had to admit that they were right. I was being a woos. Even though I'd admitted I have a crush on Red, I wasn't doing anything about it. Even though I've gone on plenty of dates with girls before, I've never been nervous. And the fact that I am now is frightening. But I've decided to gather my man-balls and ask her out tomorrow.

I was the first to leave our study session that afternoon and just ended up wandering slowly through the bookshelves, slowly making my way to the doors of the library. So caught up in my planning of the perfect way to ask Red out, I didn't notice the other person who'd came from the bookshelves to my right, also heading for the library doors until we collided. They were smaller than me and were knocked off balance, about to fall backwards. Reflex took hold and I grabbed their waist, stopping their fall. It felt like time stood still when looking in those chocolate eyes that my brain had already memorised as those belonging to Red.

"Draco! Sorry 'bout that, I wasn't really paying attention."

While I was fully aware that Red was waiting for some sort of reply, it was as if my brain, shocked from the sudden appearance of the object of my thoughts, was in overdrive and blank simultaneously. If it wasn't for my strict upbringing, I'm positive that I would be standing here looking like a fish groping for air while I searched for words. As it was, I just stood there staring blankly at her.

"Ah… What are you still doing here anyway? You left like, ten minutes ago."

Silence. C'mon Draco! Say something! You've talked to her plenty of times! Had full on debates and discussions on lots of topics! How can you be tongue tied!

"O-kay then." She said, her gaze beginning to awkwardly flicker between me and anything else. "Well. I'll see you later I suppose." She gave me an awkward, concerned look before walking past me.

Anything! Say ANYTHING! She's walking away and thinks you're retarded!

"Do you want to go out with me?"

What? WHAT?!

"What?" She said, spinning back around to face me, her head tilted to the side slightly in confusion. See, even Red doesn't understand what the heck just came out of my mouth. Crud. This is why I was planning it out! So it wouldn't be awkward.

"Ah. No. I…"

"You just asked me out."

"Did I?"

"Didn't you?"

"I suppose that would depend on what your answer would be."

She was silent for a second, looking me up and down in an analysing manner. "If I said 'no'?"

"Then nothing."

"And if 'yes'?"

"Well a yes might entail a day with me at Hogsmead, getting to know each other better."

Another moment of silence before I saw Red get a mischievous glint in her eye. "Then yes." She turned away again and began walking down the corridor.

"Hogsmeade is in four days." I called after her.

"I know," she called back.

I grinned. "Meet you in the Great Hall at 10:30 then!"

She waved her hand in acknowledgement without turning to look back.

Dang but Red is cool. And I have a date with her. A date I have four days to plan for. And no doubt, an older brother to deal with also. Unless all six of them rock up at the school. Then I'd be planning for my funeral rather than a date. I'll just have to hope for the best then.

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I mentally went through my checklist for my date with Red again. I'm planning a date that is hopefully the perfect mix between casual with no pressure, but still romantic enough for it to be a proper date and hopefully lead to more in the future. Pansy, Sera and Blaise have been adding their two cent's worth in. And with their seal of approval I'm starting to relax a bit more and just look forward to Sunday. Now only two days away.

It was about eight at night and the halls were pretty quiet. I was just returning to the dungeons from the attics where I had been sourcing out possible material for my date. Not many knew about the attics at Hogwarts but they were a fabulous place. They were a warren of rooms upon rooms filled with old stuff from students and teachers centuries past. They stretched across different levels with ladders, staircases, corridors and crawlspaces linking them up. Basically the attic was like that room in the Room of Requirement where people go to hide things but bigger, better and slightly more organised. Blaise did however to get lost in them for two days straight in second year though. Since then we spent time going through them mapping them out.

Walking down the fifth floor corridor towards the set of stairs that would take me straight down to the first level of the dungeons, two figures stepped out of the dark shadows that lines the walls and into a patch of moonlight streaming through one of the windows.

"Potter. Weasley. What an unexpected surprise." I said, barely managing to contain the customary drawl which I've used to address them for years now. While I don't hate them or anything, I never really have, I'm not too sure that they don't still resent all of my actions and behaviours in past years.

"We need to talk, Malfoy." Weasley said, gesturing to an old, unused classroom between themselves and me.

I was silent for a moment, looking at them and assessing them. No drawn wands at the moment. I suppose I've been expecting this anyway. May as well get it over with. I calmly walked into the room and sat on one of the dusty desks closest to the door. You never know.

When the two Gryffindors had followed me in and shut the door, I was pleased to note that neither locked the door or cast silencing charms. Either this is a good sign for me or they're just plain stupid. I'm not too sure which. "How do you manage to always pop up unexpectedly, by the way? I wouldn't mind knowing whatever trick you two use myself."

"We're here to talk about Ginny, Malfoy." Weasley said, cutting to the chase.

"And what is it about your sister you wish to discuss, Weasley?"

"Don't play dumb, Ferret." The red head spat. I hate that nickname. That was one of the most traumatic experiences of my life. And I've been hugged by Voldemort. "You asked Ginny on a date. Cancel it."

I raised an eyebrow and assumed a relaxed position on the desk, looking over the two of them. "No." That's all the reply he's going to get.

He can't honestly have thought that he'd be able to get me to cancel my date with Red, did he? I know he's intimidated others away from pursuing her but really, not to sound too stuck up but, we're talking about me here. Draco Malfoy. I never have done anything Weasley has told me to and I don't plan on starting. No one tells a Malfoy what to do. No one. Not even overprotective older brothers who have hot, nice, smart younger sisters. I don't care if he's still riding on a high of adrenalin after winning that Gryffindor-Hufflepuff Quidditch match, he should've thought this through.

"You think-!" He started before I cut him off.

"You think that I don't plan on treating your sister with the utmost of respect, care, attention, and reverence that she deserves?" I questioned him. "You think I look at her and not see the incredible person she is? You think I would want to darken her spark or hurt her? If you think any of that, then you're an idiot. And as much as I would love to say so, Weasley, you really aren't an idiot. If your sister decides to date someone that is her decision. While I respect that you feel the need to protect her, I feel the same way about Seraphina, you do not have the right to determine if she dates nor whom she dates. The job of a brother is to be there for when shit hits the roof and vengeance needs to be payed. Now stop wasting all of our time, I have plans I need to finalise for Sunday."

I made it to the door before a voice caused me to stop. "You treat her right, Malfoy." Potter said quietly, looking right into my eyes. "Because as you said, if her heart is broken and shit hits the roof, You'll have a hell of a time avoiding the vengeance of her brothers and me."

Returning Potter's steady gaze I simply nodded, spared Weasley another look, and left the room. I'm pleased with how that turned out actually. I was positive that I'd be walking away with either a few bruises or a nasty spell at least. Seems they've learnt some level of restraint.

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So what do you think will happen on the date?

Happy with how Ron and Harry dealt with it? I felt there was just no way the Ron JK Rowling created would ever let his little sister date Draco Malfoy without doing/saying something.