After the mixed group had gone, I was left to write a letter to my parents about where I was going & what I would be doing there. I tried to make it sound like it was a big deal that they just started or that I hated it. It was harder that I thought it would be for me to come up with a story that seemed plausible. I was still packed for the school year so I had no packing to do & I didn't have any goodbyes I wanted to say so I was safe there. Following the rules would be more difficult.
While I was writing my letter, Dumbledore was going thru the rules I would have to follow, "Be polite, no magic, at all, follow their rules, don't look for fights, don't draw any more attention to yourself then you can help, don't cause problems. I'm hoping it won't take long but if it does, write in your first letter how long you think you will be away. We will send you homework for both of you & will expect that as well as updates. Hopefully it won't take all year, so do remember that you have O.W.L.s this year. When you return you will be tested in all of the material, so please study diligently. Without further ado, come with me to Hogsmeade & we will go along to the Grangers' home."
I folded my letter & sent it off to my parents & left before I could think of another argument to make. When we reached Hogsmeade, Professor Dumbledore told me, "Take my arm & we will be going."
As soon as I had a hold on his arm he apparated across the ocean to America where the Grangers were apparently living. The house we were in front of was a two story building with a lot of noise & light coming from it. Dumbledore was already walking up the path to the house. I thought that the fool that opened the door to someone as odd looking as him at this time of night was an idiot but it was Hermione herself that opened the door so I quickly dispelled that thought from my head. "Professor! Hello! What are you doing here?"
"May we speak to your mother?"
"Of course, Professor, come in."
"Mum! There's someone here to see you!" Her mother came down, hair just as bushy as Hermione's, & a smile just as bright as hers too. I honestly do not understand muggle clothes, but I knew that I would never see my mother in clothes so cheap & colorless.
"What brings you here Headmaster?"
"It seems that we never received word on Hermione's withdrawal from Hogwarts. We came to make sure she was well."
"Hermione's fine. Her aunt isn't well at all, however. She's very ill & takes comfort out of having Hermione near. The doctors say that she will die soon & that they can do nothing so we are focusing on making her last hours joyful & comfortable. Hermione didn't get her owl this year with the supply list, so we couldn't reply that she wouldn't be going this year. Sorry to worry you."
"No problem, Mrs. Granger. However, we would like to leave Mr. Malfoy here with you until Hermione returns. That way there will be no rumors that she is injured or unwell. We can put it out that it's a trip, a privilege, that few receive. Hermione & Draco here are our brightest students. Though this year was a bad year for this, because O.W.L.s are this year, I'm sure that they can pull through with flying colors anyway. It is alright that Draco is here, right?"
The fool woman answered before thinking, "Of course, Headmaster. It would be delightful to house such a student." All the while Hermione was shaking her head at her, with a warning that came too late. The headmaster chuckled when he saw this & as he stood up to leave before she could ask Hermione why not he said, "I'll be sending you your trunk shortly." Seems he's sneakier than I thought.
With a pop he was gone, just as Hermione was complaining, "Why mum? Malfoy's horrible!"
"Don't speak like that in front of our guest. Show him to the guest room, I need to call your aunt & tell her to expect him with you tomorrow. I assume that you are in the same grade as Hermione, Mr. Malfoy?"
"Yes, ma'am," I said, already following my orders of 'be polite'. & maybe if I was polite to her mum, Hermione might like me better. As soon as I saw her face I knew that I would have a fight on my hands as soon as we were away from her mother. I prepared myself for her blowup as I followed her to the guest room.