A/N: I know, I know. This update is like 3000 years late. I deeply apologize. But things have been crazy at work and they're about to get crazier. Luckily I've got the next chapter mostly finished, so I hope to update again within the week as usual. Your feedback and support is really what pushes me to write, and it's how I improve and figure out the different things you guys like to see in stories, so don't be shy and leave a comment ^^ I want to give a big THANK YOU to everyone who has favorited, commented and followed so far, it truly means more than you know. If I can make just one person smile with my stories, then that's all I need. As always, thank you for reading, and please, enjoy~

Everyone had gathered at the bottom of the Gryffindor stairs, so that they could all head out to the lake at the same time. Hermione stood with Draco on one side, and Ginny on the other. As the group began to move, Ginny deliberately slowed her pace, bringing Hermione with her. "Hermione! We have a serious problem," Ginny hissed, once they were far enough from the regular group. Draco wasn't too close by, a few paces ahead, but Ginny spoke with a hushed tone regardless. "What happened?" Hermione asked, somewhat worried but dismissing it, concluding her friend was over-dramatic anyway. "There is a giant hickey on your neck."

"W-what?" Hermione's hand reflexively shot up to her neck, trying to cover it up. Ginny cackled. "I'm kidding, jeez. I didn't think you'd get so nervous. Can't blame you though. I bet you two lip lock nonstop."

"Oh put a sock in it Ginny." Hermione huffed, quickening her pace to meet Draco, and slipped her hand into his. He looked down. "Well hello there," he said. "Hey," she said, smiling up at him. "You know," he began, looking at the group walking in front of them, "I'm a lot smarter than to leave you out in public with a love bite." Her cheeks flushed and she nudged him as they walked. "You heard that?" He nodded.

"She scared the crap out of me."

Draco chuckled. "You worry too much."

The group laid out a few blankets, claiming their spot in front of the lake. The atmosphere was beautiful; warm and sunny but with enough shade to relax. "You're too tense," Draco told her, peeling his shirt over his head.

"I'm not," she insisted, watching him, "I just want us all to…" her voice trailed off, as she stared at his toned chest. It was just as impressive as the first time she had seen it.

"All to?"

She shook her head, "Um, get along."

It had gotten very quiet. A few of the boys had run ahead to jump in the lake, but the girls had stopped, loitering around Hermione, trying to catch a glimpse of Draco. Ginny sat down next to her, sighing. "What I'd give for Harry to have shoulders like that…good lord." Hermione's face flushed.

"Ginny! The water's great! Hurry up!" Harry called, already in the lake. She rolled her eyes. "I'm coming I'm coming! Hold you horses!" Then, turning to Hermione, she muttered, "That boy is so impatient, honestly." Hermione laughed.

With Ginny gone, Draco took the opportunity to sit next to Hermione. "You really not gonna get in?" he asked. She shook her head. "I'm fine with my book," she insisted, "but go on ahead." Draco scrunched up his face. "If you think I'm gonna go prancing around with a bunch of Gryffindors when you're not involved, then you're poorly mistaken, my dear." He said, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. "Well then why'd you agree to this stupid thing anyway?" He shrugged. "We were invited. It would've been rude to say otherwise." She shook her head, laughing. "Ok, from now on, I'll choose which Gryffindor events we go to."

"Fair enough," he said, kissing her cheek, then sprawling out on the blanket.

"Are you just going to sit there the whole time?"

"Well why not? I can work on my tan." He grinned.

"You're going to burn," she said, bored, opening her book.

He sat up, putting his hand over the page and lowering the book. He shook his head at her. "Tsk, tsk, Granger. No confidence in me at all."

She giggled, "Stop that, I want to read."

"You'd rather read than talk to me?"

"Yes. Now leave me alone."

She should have known, especially by now, that Draco Malfoy would only take this as a personal challenge. He smirked wickedly. "Fine Granger, I'll leave you be." She watched him stand up, and make his way over to the lake. She wondered if he would actually try and engage, or just tan closer to the water.

"Who's up for a chicken fight?" he called. Ginny jumped up high from in the lake, raising her hand. "Me! I love chicken fights! Harry and I will challenge someone!"

"I'll go!" Cho shouted.

"Great." Draco grinned, "Harry and Ginny versus Cho and I."

Hermione watched the two teams form, and couldn't help the bubbling anger she felt when Cho got up on Draco's shoulders. After one round, Cho toppled over, but Draco caught her so that she was only half-submerged in the water. Hermione put her book down and took off her dress, leaving everything on the blanket and walking over to the lake.

"Hermione you look hot!" Ginny called out.

She blushed a deep red. "Can I play?"

Draco smiled widely at her, "How about Cho and I versus you and Ginny?"

Hermione's hands involuntarily formed into small fists. "How about Cho and I trade?"

Ginny coughed awkwardly. Cho looked from Hermione to Draco and hobbled over to Ginny. "Yeah, that sounds great." She mumbled quickly. Hermione walked into the freezing water, jealousy nipping at her skin as she made her way to Draco.

"I thought you were just gonna sit and read," he teased.

"If you think I was gonna let Cho sit on your shoulders any longer then you're sadly mistaken."

He chuckled, crouching down so she could get on his shoulders, "That's my girl." Something about the way he said that made Hermione's heart skip a beat. Yes, she was his girl. And no one, not even Cho bloody Chang was going to change that.

"Honestly I don't know what you're so nervous about. Just relax."

"Relax? I'm about to have dinner with a bunch of Slytherins."

"I had breakfast with a bunch of Gryffindors."

"You're much more carefree than I am!"

Draco scratched his chin, nodding, "This is true."

Hermione twirled her fingers around nervously. He caught them. "Hey now. Deep breaths. You'll be fine. You're with me, remember?" He smiled at her genuinely, and part of her melted inside. Though they had been together for a decent amount of time now, it still felt so surreal. Draco Malfoy was her boyfriend. And she was happy. And he was happy. And more than anything, that's what counted.

The couple made their way into the dining hall, and Draco sat her down right next to him, so that their legs touched. Nearly everyone looked at her, but said nothing. She could feel her cheeks burn. Draco cleared his throat. "For those of you who don't know, this is Hermione Granger. She'll dine with us on occasion from now on." His voice was very authoritative, something she was new to hearing. It was a pleasant sort of sound, and it rang true with his title of Slytherin's Prince.

"Well then, any friend of Draco is a friend of ours," Blaise said, "Welcome to our not-so-humble table." He smirked. Hermione smiled politely and thanked him.

"Do you like Quidditch Hermione?" Pansy asked, sipping her drink.

"Watching it, yes of course. Playing it is a different story," she laughed.

"Your boy used to play," she said, nodding over at Draco.

"Not just play, dominate!" Blaise said, patting Draco on the back.

Hermione laughed, "Yes, so I'm told."

"We should get back on the field one day," Blaise suggested.

Pansy made a face, "You mean you used to play, Zabini?"

Blaise tossed a piece of bread at her, "Oh shut it Parkinson! I was one of the best players and you know it." Pansy laughed, tossing the bread back at him. "You're such a twat, Blaise."

Draco leaned over to whisper in Hermione's ear, "Don't mind them. They're always like this."

"So, Hermione," Blaise began, "What's it like having muggle parents?"

"Um, well, I have nothing else to really compare it to. They love me and support my endeavors as a witch, so I can't really complain."

"What do they do for a living?"

"Oh, they're dentists."

"They tend to people's teeth." Draco added. Hermione nodded.

Blaise cocked his head to the side, looking at her. "Sounds kind of curious."

"Muggles tend to be." Pansy said, taking another sip of her drink.

"Some more than others," Hermione added, giggling.

"And both your parents do that?" Blaise asked. Hermione nodded.

"Will you join them?" Pansy questioned.

Hermione shook her head. "Probably not. It's something I've never had much of an interest in. And besides, being a dentist requires a certain degree of muggle schooling."

Pansy's eyes widened. "That sounds dreadfully boring." After taking a few bites, she added, "So what do you want to do, then?"

"My plans are to be an Auror. I applied for an internship at the Ministry not too long ago, but…we'll see how it goes."

Blaise laughed, "Typical Gryffindor. Wanting to be an Auror."

Pansy rolled her eyes. "Like your aspirations are so big. What was it again? 'Be rich?'"

"It's a foolproof plan!"

Pansy groaned, then turned to Hermione. "I'm sure you'll get it. You're smart and all."

"T-thanks." Hermione said. She was surprised at how easily the Slytherins had accepted her into their circle. And it seemed to her that they were being genuinely kind to her, not just for Draco's sake. It was quite the pleasant surprise, but she couldn't help but feel somewhat ashamed at how her friends had treated Draco earlier that morning.

Draco nudged her. "You didn't tell me you applied for an internship."

She tucked her hair behind her ear shyly. "Well, it's not as though it's official or anything. I guess I just wanted to wait to see if I was chosen."

Draco smiled down at her. "Well, I'm rooting for you."