A/N: First of all, thank you to everyone whose reviewed, much appreciated. Secondly, if there's anyone who I haven't replied to their e-mails or reviews, I'm sorry! My boyfriend surprised me with a holiday for our anniversary =D and when I came home my laptop wasn't working so I couldn't update! Hope you like it, though I'm kinda blocked as to what to write so any advise would be brilliant! =D

Chapter 9

"DRACO LUCIUS MALFOY! GET YOUR NICE ARSE OUT HERE!"

With his usual smirk, Draco emerged from his bathroom to find a furious and red in the face Hermione, standing in the middle of the bedroom.

"Firstly, thank you for the compliment, I agree completely, though I would have chosen a different adjective."

"Shut up Malfoy!"

"So, what a pleasant surprise." His sarcasm was reaching another level.

"There's nothing pleasant about this visit Malfoy. How dare you go behind my back and write letters to my son?"

"He's my son too Hermione," Draco lost all the sarcasm, replacing it with a seriousness.

"That's not the point! The point is, I never told Aidan about you or about us. You just decided to contact him without…"

"He contacted me."

"What?" The shock on Hermione's face was evident to which Draco prevailed.

"He wrote me a letter." Saying this, Draco retreated to his bedside table and returned by her side seconds later with a small bundle. Throwing them in her hands, he beckoned her towards them.

One by one she read each letter, each time thinking what Draco replied with. Sinking down onto the sofa, she placed her head in her hands.

"Urgh, everything is just so bloody complicated!" Hermione said in frustration.

"Look Hermione," Draco started but she cut him off, not wanting him to see her in a role different to the strong independent woman she'd hoped to be around him.

"Forget it! I've got to go!" She stood up and headed towards the door when Draco stopped her.

"Wait, when do I get to see him?"

Hermione turned to look at him and sighed. "I don't know," and with she disappeared.

---

It was early August, the last few days of the summer sun shining down on them. Hermione entered the kitchen to find everyone talking in excitement.

"What's going on?"

"We're having a party to celebrate our 5th anniversary," Ginny exclaimed, jumping up and down. "It was Fred and George's idea."

Hermione looked at the twins who were grinning mischievously. They both winked at her and in an instant she knew something was going to go wrong for her.

"Our anniversary is next week so there's a lot to do. Hope you don't mind Hermione, but I want you to plan it, you're good with these things."

"Of course I will, just let me know how you want it planned out."

As the girls talked detail, the boys gathered around the corner.

"Are we actually going to do this?" Harry asked glancing at Hermione.

"We have to, and come on, who can say no to that pretty face!" Fred said pointing at Aidan who had his puppy face on.

"Come on uncle Harry, pretty please?"

"Fine, but don't let Ron know, he'll kill all of us, including you Aidan!"

"Right come on," Aidan walked towards his mum and aunt, the other's following.

"Aunt Ginny, I think you should have a party with masks, it'll be fun!"

"You mean a masquerade?"

"Yeah," Aidan gave her a big grin hoping for her to agree.

"I don't know, that sounds kind of weird for an anniversary party!" Hermione jumped in. Aidan's grin vanished and he looked at Harry for help.

"I think it's a good idea. It's different from all the other boring parties."

"I agree with Harry here. I think it's a brilliant idea."

"Well if you both like it then who am I to think otherwise!" Hermione grinned.

"Yay!"

"Harry I want you to do the guest list and the invitations, ask Ron for help. Fred and George you're responsible for the fireworks and stuff, take Aidan with you and me and Ginny will do the rest. Oh and Molly, will you be able to do the food?"

"Of course dear, leave it to me," Molly said and disappeared behind her cookbook.

Heading out of the kitchen, Hermione passed the twins. "You better not be up to anything!" She said threateningly. The boys just smirked.

"Us? Never!"

She left them smirking.

---

Draco woke up a few days later to find a familiar bird pecking at his window. Opening the envelope, he read the contents and smirked.

"They are good!"

---

"So everything is set out for tomorrow night, have you decided what you're going to wear?" Hermione asked as she got Aidan ready for bed. Ginny stood in the doorway.

"I don't know whether to go for the blue or the gold."

"Blue!" Aidan shouted from under the covers.

"Well blue it is then! Goodnight Aidan."

"Goodnight aunt Ginny, goodnight mum."

"Goodnight," Hermione whispered before the two left.

"The more important question is what you're going to wear?"

"I don't know, I haven't had time to go and shop. I'll just see what I've got in my wardrobe and fling it on." Hermione said, not bothered.

"What? No way! We are going to find you something gorgeous to wear."

"Really, I'm not fussed."

They were in the living room, where Harry was reading a quidditch magazine.

"Harry, will you tell her that she should wear something brilliant for the party?"

"Ginny's right Hermione, you need to impress!"

"Fine if that's…wait impress who?"

Realising he'd been caught, Harry tried to cover up. "Erm, no one I'm just saying, figuratively." hoping she hadn't seen him hesitate, Harry retreated upstairs.

"Great, we'll go for a quick shop tomorrow."

"Ginny, I don't think we'll have time."

"Mione, everything is basically done. We'll have plenty of time, don't worry. Goodnight." Ginny assured Hermione and followed after Harry.

"Then why am I worrying?" Hermione asked herself.

---

The next day, Hermione and Ginny went for a quick shop around in London.

"Ginny just pick the first thing you see, no fuss!"

"Shut up!"

After roaming around for an hour, Ginny found nothing she liked.

"Ginny, shouldn't I be choosing?"

"No! If I left it to you, you'd probably end up wearing just a towel."

"That wouldn't be that bad!"

Hermione and Ginny turned to find Draco standing behind them, with his usual smirk.

"It's rude to eavesdrop Malfoy," Hermione glared at him.

"Then you shouldn't give people a chance to eavesdrop!"

"What are you doing here?"

"It's a free world Hermione, I can go anywhere I please."

"I meant muggle London smart-ass!"

"I like muggle London."

"But it's muggle!"

"Not everything's how it was years ago, even you've changed," Draco said, pointedly.

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

"Whatever you want it too!"

"Wow!" Ginny, who'd been quiet the whole time, finally uttered a word.

Hermione glared at him and began walking away from him, pulling Ginny along. Draco followed, much to Hermione's content.

"You're such an ass Malfoy!"

"I think I have a rather nice one, I believe you agree to!"

"Urgh!"

They entered the nearest clothes shop and Hermione urged Ginny forward.

"Pick one so we can go!"

Rolling her eye's, Ginny wandered off leaving them alone.

"Why are you really here Malfoy?"

"I'm shopping Granger," he said and shook his bags to prove it.

"No I mean here, following me."

"Oh you're not that important for me to follow you, I was going to come here anyway."

"You really are an ass," and with that she left to find Ginny.

Ginny was busy looking and asked Hermione to join in. It was her dress after all, she might as well have a say in it.

Hermione went through each dress and then put it back on the rail, nothing jumping out to her.

Several minutes later she came across an emerald green, strapless dress, puffed at the waist with silver beadwork on the bodice. It was beautiful.

Before she could do anything, Ginny called out to her.

"Mione, lets go, we're getting late."

"But the dress?"

"I've ordered it, they'll deliver it tonight before the party. It needs a few alterations that's all."

Sighing, Hermione left the shop with Ginny leaving an amused Draco behind.

Picking up the green dress, he moved to the counter.

"Hello, what can I do for you Mr. Malfoy?"

"The dress that redhead just bought, she asked to replace it with this one," Draco said with his natural charm.

"Of course sir, but there's quite a difference in the price," the woman said.

"No worries, just charge it on my name."

"Yes sir, right away. I'll have it delivered later this evening."

"Thank you," Draco left the shop with a smile on his face. It'll be fun tonight.

A/N: Hit me with what you got, preferably with a review! ;]