Chapter 5

Disclaimer: I do not own anything pertaining to Harry Potter, just my interpretation of what would happen between Hermione and Draco!

Draco and Blaise returned to their lives in the wizarding world. Blaise enjoyed the trip, but really missed Astoria. They had a very happy reunion when he returned. Draco returned to his work as Auror for the Ministry of Magic the day after returning from the States. He had emailed Hermione and could not wait to hear from her. He could not get over what had happened in only two days. He planned on sending her more flowers and could not wait for them to see each other again. When he arrived at work, the first face he sees is Harry.

Harry smiled and asked, "How was the trip to the States?"

Draco replied, "You would not believe me if I told you."

"Wait a second, Hermione is in Dallas and Ginny mentioned something to me about her being some sort of cheering person for an American football team! Did you meet up with her? Did she hex you?" Harry started laughing.

"Not quite, Harry. I actually had a great time with her. She is an amazing woman, I was just too immature and dumb to realize that when we were Hogwarts."

"Okay, Draco, what exactly happened? You gave her so much hell at Hogwarts and she detested you. Ginny will not believe this. We have been meaning to try to visit her, but something always comes up. Hermione has been here a few times, but I was never able to see her. She only stayed for a few days and it was mostly with her parents. We email each other and sometimes we talk on the phone, but she mainly communicates with Ginny."

"So you have no idea what she looks like these days, Harry?" asked Draco.

"Well, I assume she is the same old Hermione. I guess I view her as one of my mates. She is like a sister to me."

Draco happened to have the photo of him and Hermione that was taken when she was dressed in her Cowboys cheerleading outfit. He pulled it and showed it to Harry. Harry whistled.

"Whoa, who is that beautiful creature with you? Don't tell Ginny I said that!"

Draco raised his eyebrows; he could not believe Harry did not recognize his best friend. "Harry, that's Hermione!"

"No way, mate. There is no way in hell she would go out in public dressed like that! The Hermione I know is so conservative and straitlaced! Man, she was not kidding when she said she was going to America for a change! I bet Ginny knows about this and did not want me to see the pictures. Maybe she thinks I would disapprove, but more power to Hermione, she looks fan-fucking-tastic, for lack of a better word! Did you get to spend time with her?"

"Yes, she had dinner with Blaise and me. We caught up on everything since Hogwarts. It was a great time; I cannot wait to see her again. Well, I suppose I should get caught up on paperwork. I am sure there are new assignments to take care of." Draco felt uncomfortable discussing Hermione with Harry. They got along well and work together, but he is not sure how Harry was going to take knowing what exactly had happened between him and Hermione.

Harry nodded and smiled. He did not press further, but he definitely saw a spark in Draco's eyes when he spoke of Hermione. Something told him that Draco and Hermione shared more than dinner. He and Draco were friends now, but Draco is a Slytherin! He was going to have interrogate Ginny about what exactly his old friend was up to in America.

Hermione returned to her routine, but still felt heaviness in her heart. When would she of all people, have missed Draco Malfoy? Work was the same and she still enjoyed her duties as a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader. She and Draco emailed and sometimes they spoke on the phone, but it was difficult to work with the time difference. It was a strange occurrence, but time in the wizarding world seemed to go faster than time in the muggle world. She loved her life here, but started to analyze it. Before Draco, she was content with how her life was going. She was not even sure she wanted to return to the wizarding world, but with all that happened she was uncertain about this.

She returned home from work during the week and started preparing her dinner. She prepared a Caesar salad and apple slices. She liked to follow a healthy diet. She was grabbing a bottle of water from her refrigerator when her cell phone started to ring. She smiled when she saw Ginny's name and picture flash on the screen. She answered the phone and asked, "And to what do I owe this pleasure of you gracing me with your voice?"

Ginny laughed and replied, "I miss my best friend and wanted to catch up. I feel like I am such a shitty friend, it has been weeks since I spoke to you! What is going on with you? By the way, how's Draco?"

"Oh ho, I knew there was an ulterior motive. Inquiring minds want to know, eh?" Hermione giggled as she said this.

"Please, you know that is not the only reason I am calling. Harry is freaking out on the pictures of you in the cheering outfit, he was a bit miffed I never showed him, but I wasn't sure how he would react. He took it pretty well; he still cannot believe it is you. But, he is still wondering what all went on with you and Draco."

"You don't beat around the bush, do you Gin? Look, we had dinner and caught up. I was shocked to see him and Blaise, but it went really well. I enjoyed my time with them, considering they are Slytherins! It was very pleasant."

"Isn't Draco gorgeous? I swear I did not think it was possible for him to be even sexier than when we were at Hogwarts, but he is such a babe!"

"Gin, you are an engaged woman!"

"Oh, relax. I am only stating the obvious. I would never be attracted to him, but you have to admit the guy has everything going for him. I am glad that he changed for the better. He really was an insufferable git when we were younger!"

"He is easy on the eyes, I must admit. I could not get over how charming he and Blaise were. Once I got over the shock of seeing them here, we had a great time." Hermione thought she was doing a great job of hiding her true feelings about Draco.

"Spill. What really happened with you and Draco? Harry saw something in his eyes whenever he mentioned you. He was also carrying around the picture of you and him from the game. Harry thinks he is really taken with you."

"Alright, I slept with him, okay! Gin, those two days with him were incredible. I cannot stop thinking about him. Sometimes I wonder if I am mental, Draco Malfoy of all people! He was so kind and gentle. We have so much in common. Oh Merlin, I have no idea what I am going to do. I love it here but I am starting to miss him so much. I have no idea how this would work."

"Wow, let me grab my jaw off the floor! You and Draco, that is awesome! Hermione, he has really changed and as far as I know, he has not seriously dated anyone since Pansy Parkinson. I don't think you have to worry about them reconciling though, Pansy has come out as a lesbian. Go figure. Back to you and Draco, I need to let this sink in. You know I want all the details!"

"What am I going to do about this? I feel so torn because my career is here and I really was considering staying in the muggle world. Draco has changed my perspective on everything I believed was certain. As for what he was like in bed, I never kiss and tell, ha ha!"

"I will get it out of you, scheming little minx! I was also calling to let you know that Harry and I have set a date and I want you to be my maid of honor."

"That's great! Of course I will be you maid of honor, thank you! When is the big day?"

"We decided on March 15th. It is November, so I have a few months to prepare everything. I already have my dress, can you believe it? It is being altered at the moment, so I will have it way before March. That leaves bridesmaid dresses. Will you be able to get away for a few days of shopping in London?"

"I don't see that being a problem. It is great working for family. Aunt Bunny is going to be so excited to hear that you and Harry have finally set a date! Let me check the calendar. I had planned on taking a few weeks off in December to visit my parents, so would that work? It won't interfere with my cheerleading, an alternate will take my place."

"That sounds perfect Hermione. I cannot wait to see you, it has been too long. How about we have my bachelorette party too? We will have such a blast! Life moves so fast, I really have missed you. Only a few weeks and we will see each other!"

They spoke for about another hour or so, mostly talking about wedding plans. Ginny tried to bring up Draco, but Hermione would deflect it.

Hermione returning to visit the wizarding world again? Hmm, what will happen! Hope you are enjoying the story and this chapter wasn't too boring. I am setting up the next Dramione meeting! Thank you for reading and please review, appreciate it!