Draco didn't know why he enjoyed stalking the paranoid Granger.  Really.  Perhaps it had something to do with the fact he now knew she was Head Girl.  Perhaps she had put a spell on him that made him follow her like a lovesick puppy.

Scratch that.  Malfoys were never lovesick puppies.

Or, the last and most likely reason, he was simply bored out of his skull.

Stupid parents, he thought viciously, his mind conjuring up the image of his mother and father tanning on a beach in the Caribbean.  And so generous to ditch me here without a second glance.  Of course, he had been coming alone to the Hogwart's Express by the time he was a third year.  So it wasn't that he disliked being alone…

…He just disliked bored.

And bored the boy certainly was.  He had been wandering through Diagon Alley for the past week, dreading the week that still remained before he had to be at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters for his second-to-last trip on the Hogwart's Express.  He couldn't look at another Potions textbook and the mere thought of ice cream made him queasy.  So, with nothing else to do, he had set out into the lonely Diagon Alley streets, searching for adventure.

Instead, he found Hermione Granger in a clothing shop.

Yes, she was a Mudblood.  Yes, she was probably the snobbiest and most know-it-all seventh year yet.   Yes, she had slapped him years ago.

But, he reasoned (somewhat pathetically) he was bored.

So he followed the unsuspecting girl deeper into the store.  He peered over racks of glowing hats to watch her uncertainly touch the dark material, the tops of her fingers sinking into the plush fabric.  He recognized her determined face set in as she snatched it off the rack and marched into the changing room.

And of course, he followed her there.

She didn't even notice him leaning against the wall.  She was too busy peering anxiously at herself in the gold-framed mirror.  That wasn't… insecurity, was it?  Impossible.  Miss "I can do anything you can" Granger never doubted herself.

Draco took this prolonged minute to examine his mortal enemy.  He still remembered his first sighting of her: Wild, brown frizzy hair spouting off in every direction, big front teeth sticking out of a mouth that never shut, an almost painfully thin frame, and big, brown eyes taking in everything from a small face.  Those eyes were the only things that hadn't changed, he noted, studying Granger.  Though she hadn't really grown, she had filled out and that Muggle problem of not eating no longer came to mind when he looked at her.  Her teeth she had fixed somewhere between fourth and fifth year, and the hair had calmed down.  All in all, Granger had become almost respectable looking.

"Lighten up!" she commanded herself, pulling Draco out of his musings on anorexia, teeth, and big, brown eyes.  "Accio!" she whispered, her badge floating out of her bag and settling itself into the folds of the robe.

Draco felt sick.  Granger was Head Girl?  Anger and disgust washed over him, coming out in the form of words.

"Just had to show off, didn't you, Granger?"

And then, of course, they had a sparkling and witty exchange, leaving the poor janitors a mess to clean up.  His icy eyes had frozen her in place as his stroked his gaze down her body, enjoying the blush that crept over her cheeks.  You ain't seen nothing yet, he communicated telepathically to her, before closing his eyes and Disapparating away.

And that pretty much brought Draco to the present, where he relaxed in the sun at a small café after his brief meeting with Granger in the bookstore.   He pondered on his next move to tracking his prey down.  Sipping a butterbeer, he rolled the sweet, warm liquid around on his tongue before letting it slide down his throat, a comfortable and cozy feeling spreading over his body.  "Find her at dinner," he said out loud, suddenly struck by his next move.  With a grin, he downed the rest of his drink and stood up.

Better watch out, Granger, I'm coming for you.

AN:  my goodness, I didn't expect a response for this fic.  It was only to alleviate my own boredom… but hopefully it's amusing some of you out there.  Um, another chapter should be out in a few days… thank you for the reviews!

To my recent reviewers:

Erica: *laughs* I don't know where I'm going with this either.  Hopefully I'll find out before everyone else!

Kate:  Good timing!  The reason I took an eight month hiatus is because… *looks around guiltily* I actually forgot this fic existed. Bad me.

Wingwind:  is this chapter long enough for you?