Chapter 12

Hermione and Draco awoke the following morning to the smell of a delicious breakfast; they headed down the stairs to find their parents sitting at the table waiting for them.

"Good morning children," Lucius and Narcissa greeted.

"Good morning," they greeted in unison. The family sat down to eat and overall it was silent except for the sound of the silver on the china. There were bits of conversation pertaining to how the children slept and when they planned to go back to school. The children decided that going home before lunch would probably be best simply because of Harry and Ron, it was best to keep them from asking too many questions before Hermione was ready to come out with the news.

After they finished the family let the children go pack their bags, when they were done, they went down to the sitting room to relax with their parents before they went back. They talked about anything that the children wanted to do later on in the year or even that summer. Nothing was set in stone but it was good to have an idea.

"Mother?"

"Yes Baby?"

"Can you and I have a girl's day?"

Narcissa wanted to cry, "Of course, when?"

"Why don't you two go around during one of the Hogsmeade trips?" Draco suggested.

"Draco, the boys won't let me do that, I haven't missed a trip since third year!"

"Then get Severus or McGonagall to give you 'detention" Draco suggested quoting the air.

"Ok well….. That is brilliant!" Hermione stated.

"You aren't the only smart one."

"You're right, I will be the brains and you can be the butt?"

"You are such a…" Draco reached Hermione and started to tickle her. "Brat."

Hermione was laughing uncontrollably, "I know but that's why you love me." Draco started laughing too and when he couldn't stand anymore, he collapsed next to her on the couch, Mother and Father watched the scene and smiled. This could work quite well.

Hermione and Draco finally departed at eleven, just before lunch at Hogwarts, they flooed into the Headmaster's office where he seemed to be waiting for them.

"Welcome back Mr. Malfoy, Miss Granger."

"Hello Headmaster," Hermione greeted.

"I trust your trip home was eventful?"

"As eventful as possible sir," Draco said.

"Good now I trust that you and Miss Granger will be heading to Lunch?"

"Yes sir, actually I was wondering if I could have a word with you, and Professors McGonagall and Snape." Hermione said.

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled, "Of course, Mr. Malfoy, if you will excuse us please," Draco nodded and left the office, "And I will summon them both for you." With that, he went to the fire place and flooed both professors. Eventually, they were both in the office.

"Hermione how was your trip home?" Minerva inquired.

"Wonderful, they are really different at home."

"As most people are Miss Granger." Snape said.

"Yes well, I am sorry if I didn't anticipate that from my biological family Professor." Hermione said almost glaring at him.

"So what is it you wished to talk to us about Miss Granger?" Dumbledore asked.

"Well sir," Hermione looked down at her hands, "My mother and I wanted to spend a day together, and it was suggested that we go during a Hogsmeade trip."

"Ok Miss Granger, so how does this affect us?" Snape asked.

"Severus don't be rude, she is after all your godson's sister," Minerva said glaring at him.

"No that's alright Professor, he has a right to know, anyway, My family and I want to keep this information on the quiet side for as long as possible, so I was wondering if one of you could give me detention on one of those Saturdays so that I don't have to hear Ron and Harry whine that I don't get out of the library enough."

"Well Miss Granger, it seems that your two goons aren't the only one that have that thought," Snape said."

"even so professor, I don't want to come straight out and say that oh yeah I can't go out with you to Hogsmeade because I am going to shop with my mother, oh yeah by the way, I am Draco's sister, is that a problem," Hermione said sarcastically.

"Ok Hermione, we get it, you don't want to tell the boys until the time is right, so Severus, which one of us should give her detention?"

"Well in all honesty Minerva, you rarely give Hermione detention as it is, so it would be more believable if I gave her detention instead of you."

"Seems plausible, what do you think Hermione?"

"Works for me, so what am I going to be charged with Sir?"

"How about being a smart ass like your mother?"

"Ha-ha."

"Severus!"

"What Minerva? Oh I get it you think Cissy is this sweet innocent girl who got caught up in her family's legacy right? You might want to rethink that, she broke my nose on two occasions because I proved her wrong, and that woman has a tongue on her that can cut like a knife."

"Did you ever think that you deserved whatever Narcissa did to you?"

"Ok professors, can we get back to what I am going to get in trouble with? Then you two can go back and debate about my mother."

"Ok how about out after hours?"

"Sir, I have only had points taken for that."

"Think about me catching you out every night next week?"

"Seems plausible, ok yes let's do it."

"Hermione, you can come to my office after hours and then that way it will be more believable for the boys."

Hermione nodded, "Thank you Minerva." She got up and hugged her mentor and then she departed from the office to the Great Hall.

"Albus, I think it would be best if someone accompanied her as well, it's not that I don't trust Narcissa but with the rise of Voldemort, I want them both safe."

"I understand you perfectly Minerva, now would it be you or Severus that accompanies her?"

"Albus, I would rather not spend a Saturday away from students to be spending it with a bunch of giddy girls while they shop."

"I can do it Albus."

"Ok then I will take your duty at the trip next Saturday."

It was settled and the group left for lunch.

In the great hall, Hermione sat with the trio that she always did and she prepared herself for the questions, no sooner did her butt hit the bench did they speak.

"Hermione, where were you last night?" Ron asked.

"I had to go home, it was a family emergency."

"Is everything ok?" Ginny asked.

"It is now; I just had to go take care of a few things."

"Oh so you are ok then?"

"Yes Ron I am fine, thank you." And with that the topic fell to the usual topics.

"So are you excited for Hogsmeade?" Ginny asked.

"Aren't I always?" the girls laughed while the group ate.

After dinner, Hermione snuck off and wrote to her mother that they were clear for the day together.