Well, this isn't thee most exciting chapter, but it's all part of the plan..

HM pov

I rolled over, and buried my head deeper into my pillow. Today was my day to sleep in. No work today! Boy am I glad too, because I have a slight hangover from last night. last night, Draco and I kissed. it was so different from kissing anyone I had ever kissed before. I couldn't quite put a finger on how it was different, but it was.

I can't go back to sleep now. I sat up and looked at my clock. It was a little after nine. I decided to get up, and eat breakfast with Narcissa.

I showered, and dressed for the day in some black, comfy, yet cute sweats, and a black and red qudditich t shirt I had received from Viktor a couple months back. We still keep in touch through letters, and once a year he sends me a couple free tickets to a match.

I made my way down to the dining room, and sat down.

"Morning Hermione, what time did you two get in last night after the wedding?" Narcissa asked as I put food on my plate.

"I'm not really sure the exact time, but we weren't really out that late," I said uncertainly.

"Oh, well I trust that you two had fun. Did you get any good ideas from her wedding?" She asked hopefully. Narcissa was always looking for the next best thing for our wedding.

"No I didn't see any ideas, but I don't have the same taste as my friend Luna," I answered between bites.

"Oh, well last winter, my friend's daughter Lucy got married. They had the cutest center pieces," she started.

"Really? What were they?" I asked to be polite. The rest of the breakfast passed as she continued to talk about past weddings she'd been to, and how she'd improve them and incorporate them into our's.

After breakfast was done, we stayed a while and talked. I could tell she loved to have someone around the house to talk to, especially a girl. I noticed the Narcissa was like Mrs. Weasley in the way that she loved talking about wedding plans.

After two hours I excused myself to go to my room. I needed to sort through some of the stuff in my closet, that I had brought from my apartment. I was just organizing my robes by color, when I heard someone clear their throat behind me. I spun around quickly, only to see Draco. I took a calming breath, "Oh Draco, you scared me."

"Sorry about that," He said with a smirk, that didn't make him look sorry at all. I remember all those years when I thought that smirk was hateful, and rude. My how things can change.

Yeah, sure you are," I said sarcastically as I put the last couple robes in their place, "So what are you doing home?" I asked.

"Oh, you know, work was boring. The real question is, what are you doing? Please don't tell me you were color coding your robes," he said with a smirk.

"It's more like color sorting" I began sheepishly.

"Exactly my point, you need something to do when you're not working, and I'm not home. You probably already finished all the books in the library," he said with a smile and started to laugh at the defiant look on my face.

"Oh really, what did you have in mind?" I asked as I walked out of the closet briskly. I looked at the clock, wow it was already mid day. No wonder Draco was home. He was on his lunch break.

"I'm not sure. Some hobby or something. When I find one I'll tell you," He said as he started out of my room, "Ginger made lunch. Want to go get some?"

"Yeah, I'm actually quite hungry," I said with smile, and beat him through the door. "You shouldn't be skipping work, just because your dad is your boss," I joked as walked towards the dining room.

"I'm not skipping. Just because you never take a lunch breaks unless I make you, doesn't mean it doesn't exist for everyone else," he replied.

"Well, I'm just an over achiever, that likes to get ahead in their work. What would your dad do if you actually tried?" I asked with a smile.

"I do try," he said defiantly.

"I mean doing something outside of the box" I said with a smile. I had thought of this the other day, but I didn't know how to bring it up.

"What'd you have in mind," Draco asked.

"Maybe you could learn something from staying at a muggle hotel," I said as we went into the dining room.

He laughed as we sat down to eat. Narcissa was already sitting down.

"No Draco, I really think it would be a good idea for you to stay at a muggle hotel to compare. It would give you some great business ideas," I said with a smile as I took a sandwich off the plate in the middle.

"Are you serious?! I could never" he began.

"Why not?" I shot back.

"It's one thing to get along with Weasel. you're pushing it," Draco said between bites.

"I guess you're right," I said in an overly sad way. I turned towards Narcissa, "I guess I'll just have to go to Lena's wedding alone."

"You shouldn't go alone Hermione. Maybe the Weasley boy can go with you, since he's already met Lena," Narcissa said trying to hold back the smile, that I knew was behind her smirk. I had told her about how my childhood friend had contacted me, and wanted me to be in her wedding next month. She had suggested I mention it to Draco, but since she's a muggle. I didn't think he'd go for it. Plus, we would have to stay in a hotel, so we could be around.

"Wait. Whose Lena? And what about Weasel?" Asked Draco.

"She's my muggle friend from when I was little. She's getting married, but I have to stay in a hotel. your mum is right. I can't go alone. I'll just ask Ron next Sunday dinner," I said.

"There's no need to ask Weasel. I'll go with you. We can just apparate back and forth," he said with a look of concern.

"Maybe, if you really want to," I said as I finished eating. One thing at a time

"What do you mean maybe?" He asked suspiciously.

"Well if you don't want to," I said with a glance at Narcissa.

She was beaming at me. We had been talking about how she talked Mr. Malfoy into stuff through the years, and she had given me a few hints. Apparently I was passing.

"I really do" he said with an unconvincing smile.

"Well it's settled them," I said with a smile, and stood up. I was just going to head to the library to get a quick book, "See you after work Draco."

"Where are you going?" He asked looking confused and a little nervous.

"The library," I said as I headed out of the room. I opened the door to the library when I realized Draco was behind me, "Shouldn't you be getting back to work?" I asked.

"Nah," He said as he sat down in my usual chair, and put his feet on the side table.

"Comfortable?" I asked as I took a book off the shelf.

"Very," he said with a smile.

I sat down on his legs, and used them as a bench, "I bet your dad will be mad if you're late."

"He won't. So, I'm guessing you got that shirt from Krum," Draco said nonchalantly, but I saw him glance at the shirt when he was in the closet. I bet it's been bugging him.

"Yeah, Viktor sent it to me, so I had a shirt for his team when I go to the games. Apparently it looks bad if you don't have a team shirt on when you're in the box," I said with a shrug.

"Oh, so you go to games often?" He asked.

"Just once a year. I'm not much of a qudditich person," I said as I opened the book.

"So you write him often?" He asked.

I looked up and met his eyes. Why was he so curious? Was he? noooooo he couldn't be, oh but he so was, jealous. "On occasion," was all I said.

I could tell he wasn't satisfied with my answer, but I decided to keep him guessing. That was another rule Narcissa had told me about.

"Well, I guess I should get back to work," Draco said, so I stood up, and let him stand.

"See you when you get home Draco," I said as I sat back down, and began to read. well sort of. Before I knew it, I was lost in thought about last night and our kiss. Every time I thought about it, it seemed so romantic

I heard the door to the library open, so I turned to see who it was. Walking towards me was Lucius Malfoy. why does he still scare me so much? I mean he's going to be my father in law, and Draco says he likes me more than he liked Emily.

He nodded a greeting as he sat in the chair opposite of me, "I thought I might find you here," He said with a smirk.

I couldn't tell what that was supposed to mean, and why was he looking for me? "Yes, this is usually how I spend my days off from work," I said with a nervous smile.

"My son was late to come back to work. I figured when he said he was in the library, you were here too," he began and paused.

Oh my God! He's mad, "I told him to be on time, but you know how Draco is when it comes to following suggestions."

He smiled, "Yes, I do. The real reason I came here was to tell you we had an uninvited visitor last night. The alarm went off while you two were gone. Emily had tried to break in, but obviously failed. She did leave behind a bottle of cologne, which I had tested this morning. It was full of love potion. Narcissa didn't want me to worry you, but I thought you should know."

I looked down at my lap deep in thought. So, Emily wasn't done trying to get Draco back. what else would she do? "Thanks for letting me know," I said with a small smile.

He nodded, and stood up, "Now don't worry about this. She's not a bright girl. I bet she thinks the love potion worked, and is waiting for Draco to go back to her. Also the protective charms on this Manor are very complex, so she could never figure them out."

"I'm not worried … is Draco?" I asked.

"Honestly, yes. He's ordered Ginger to keep an eye on you. I don't think you were supposed to know, but I want you to know why she'll be around more often," He said as he looked around. His facial expressions were always so much like a mask. I could never tell what he was thinking.

"I can watch over myself, and he knows that," I said a bit angrily.

"I'm sure he does. He's just being extra careful,"

"He better be careful when he gets home tonight. I'm going to give him a piece of my mind," I mumbled.

Mr. Malfoy just smirked and stood up to leave, "I think, you'll give Draco a run for his money, and that's just what he needs."

I wasn't exactly sure what that meant, but I figured it was a compliment from him. I tried to get back to reading, but the book didn't hold the same interest. I looked at the clock, and decided it was time to get ready for tea.

I changed into white dress shorts, and a light orange top. My grandmas were probably going to blow my cover on my birthday on Friday to Narcissa. might as well look good for the celebration.

I walked down stairs, and found Narcissa in the kitchen telling Ginger how to decorate a cake. dang they already told her, and that meant Draco would find out soon too.

I don't particularly care for birthdays. Growing up, I hated how everyone would watch you as you opened the presents. I didn't like all the extra attention. I used to still enjoy them, but after my parents died. it just didn't feel right to celebrate. Sure every year my Grandma insisted on getting me a little something, and baking a cake, but beyond that I did nothing.

"Hermione, were you trying to avoid a celebration?" she asked.

I gave her a guilty smile, "Birthdays aren't my things. No one to share the attention with."

She nodded, "Well, you can get a head start to tea. I need to finish this up."

"Okay, see you there," I said and apparated away. I felt bad, but if I pretended to like big celebrations she'd throw me one.

…

"Haaaaaapppppyyyyy biiirrrtthhhdaaayyyy toooooooo youuuuuu!" They finished singing, so I blew out the candles. I smiled at the three women with me. Sure I wish my mum(s) were here, but this wasn't bad at all.

"Looks really good," I said as I cut the cake for us, and Narcissa poured the tea.

"Present time!" My Grandmum called as she pointed towards the doorway with her wand.

"You guys got me presents?" I asked in surprise.

"Do you think I would pass up my first opportunity to spoil my only granddaughter? I know I'm starting late, so that means I have some catching up to do!" She joked.

I laughed. Over the last couple weeks I had really started to get to know her. she was a nice old lady, and has a sense of humor. In the door came a huge plasma tv, dvd player, and a stereo.

"Thank you Grandmum! I bet Draco would even watch a muggle movie now," I said excitedly, and gave her a hug.

"It's my pleasure," she said with a big smile.

"Here's my present," Grandma said with a smile.

I opened up a box, and inside were a bunch of dvd's. From A Walk to Remember to X-Men, there was quite a selection.

"Thanks Grandma!" I said with a smile, and hugged her too.

"I wasn't informed your birthday was coming up until this morning, so I'll just let Draco handle the present from my family," she said with a secretive smile. so we have to tell Draco …

We continued to talk and drink tea for quite some time, but just before dinner time we had to leave.

"Bye, see you two next week," I called as I walked out the door. "Thanks again!"

I apparated up to the 'common room,' while Narcissa went to the kitchen to check on dinner. I had really gotten the hang of apparating in and out of the Manor to a specific room. I began to make my way to my room

"Well, well, well, if it isn't the birthday girl herself," came a sarcastic voice from behind me.

"Now Draco, I just don't like birthdays" I began to explain.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. My mum told me your birthday was on Friday once you left, so I went searching for the perfect gift. I think I've found it," he finished triumphantly.

"Really? What is it?" I asked nervously.

"You'll see tomorrow," he said with a smirk, and went back into his room to get ready for dinner.

…

"Draco, I will not go one step further until you tell me where we're going!" I said in exasperation.

"Well you don't need to because we're here," he said with a nod towards the shop window. I looked in to try and see what 'my perfect present was.' I was honestly a little nervous about this so called perfect gift.

In the window was a big cage with a litter of puppies. They were adorable boxers. One in the group particularly stuck out to me. He was one of the smaller ones. He was all light brown, besides he had white 'boots' on his feet, a little black around his nose, and white on his chest. He was also chasing after another puppy in a playful manner.

I took a step closer to the glass, and then looked back at Draco with a smile, "Do I get him?!"

He looked back at the window, "Which ever one you want is fine with me."

I gave him a hug and dragged him into the store. I had always wanted a dog when I was little. my parents always said no because my dad was allergic. When I went to Hogwarts a dog wasn't an option. We went over to the counter, and Draco said to the clerk, "I would like to buy one of the puppies in the window."

"One moment sir. You can go over there, but don't open the cage till I get there," He said distractedly.

We made our way over to the cage, and I watched my new puppy as I brainstormed a name. He was so cuddly, and playful. I just wanted to pick him up, and take him home.

The worker came over, "Which one are you interested in?" He asked in a bored voice.

"Him," I said as I pointed towards the puppy that caught my attention.

He reached in, scooped up the little guy, and handed him to me. The puppy looked at me curiously, and sniffed me shyly. He was so cute! I held him up towards Draco, "Look at this little face!"

He smiled, "Want to go look for a cage, and supplies for him?"

"Yes! We would, wouldn't we Doug?" I asked the puppy, and started towards the pet supplies.

"What did you just say? I could have sworn you just said" He asked.

"Doug? I did. That's his name. Will you hold him, while I pick everything out?" I asked sweetly.

He rolled his eyes, but took Doug as I picked out a cage for when we were out, a lime green collar to make him easy to spot, food, food bowls, a couple toys, a leash, and a dog bed for when he was older. We paid, and headed out of the store.

"Come on Doug, we're going home," I said as we began the walk back to The Manor.

Let me know what you think.

-Grace