It took Hermione an age before she was able to escape the conversation of the breakfast table. The letter remained on her lap the entire time, the slight weight of the paper seemed to weigh more than a ton. It bored into her, reminding her of its presence and the fact that it was unopened. When she was finally able to escape, she darted upstairs and shut herself in her room, not wanting to be disturbed at all.

Crossing to the writing desk, she turned the letter over in her hand once more. Not wanting to risk damaging the contents, she picked up a silver letter opener and sliced the envelope open. With great care she pulled the parchment from the envelope. A burst of scent, sandalwood if she thought correctly, with a hint of cinnamon, erupted from the envelope and she inhaled sharply. The smell reminded her of the sender and a small ache grew within her chest. Careful not to damage the paper, she unfolded the letter and gave it a quick read. This she followed with a slower, more thorough read.

Dear Miss Granger,

I'm sorry for contacting you in the manner, however I feel this would be better than speaking with you in person. Perhaps a little cowardly of me but considering the events in which I am writing to you about, I know you will forgive the infraction. I feel I should apologise to you for the behaviour of my fiancé during our meeting last night. The outburst was unnecessary and her rudeness was rather shocking. I know why she reacted as she did and although she would never admit to it being the reason, she is threatened by our previous history. This is a reason, not an excuse, there is no excuse for her behaviour and as such, I feel I need to apologise.

Please accept my humblest of apologies.

Ever yours

Severus

She read the letter over again, running a hand over the ink and smiled. She read it a final time before tucking it into her drawer with a smile. She also wondered what their previous history was and how she would be able to find out without giving herself away. It seemed as though there was a lot more going on than she realised. Glancing down at the ring on her left hand, she shook her head. Why had she agreed to such a thing if her heart wasn't in it? Something she knew to be true was the fact that the thought of Krum didn't make her heart flutter.

She had to meet him later too.

The gentle knock on the door had her turn her head before she could think of writing a reply. "Come in!" she called. Lavender opened the door and giggled into the room. She was alone and she shut it behind her.

"Well?" she asked with a smirk.

"Well what?"

"The letter, what did it say?" Hermione pondered about not telling her, it was a private matter after all. On the other hand, she was keen to keep Lavender as a friend so she patted the stool next to her. Lavender walked in, a wide smile on her face and perched next to her.

"Do you want to read it?"

"Of course!"

Pulling it out of the drawer, she handed it to her friend with a little smile. Lavender took hold of it and began reading as though it was the most fascinating thing she had read in a long time. When she handed it back, her expression was one of curiosity.

"What?" Hermione asked.

"I wonder…"

"What?"

"I want to know exactly how ashamed he is of his fiancé for her conduct." She replied with a sly little smile. Hermione looked down at the parchment in her hands and wondered what Lavender was getting at. She shook her head in confusion.

"This letter, it seems as though he wanted to get in touch with you and this was merely an excuse to do so." Hermione pulled a bit of a face at the idea, which she knew was ludicrous.

"Don't be absurd," she said shaking her head.

"Look, we can test it this afternoon at the Picnic," she said. Hermione was a little wary of the smirk that appeared on Lavender's face but couldn't find a fault with her idea. "I'll strike up a conversation with the silly French girl and you can speak with Mr Snape."

"Is that a good idea?"

"Don't worry about Molly, she'll be watching Ginny like a hawk. You remember what she was like when we'd first starting attending these functions."

Hermione nodded along, regardless of what she knew and smiled. "Alright, but tell me something Lavender."

"Anything,"

"You're very keen to help me with my marriage, but what about you?" Lavender gave her a look as though she had gone a bit soft in the head and chuckled.

"I've been engaged to Ron for the last month Hermione," she said with a laugh, "Don't tell me you'd forgotten about that," she added. Hermione rolled her eyes, of course, how could she be so daft.

"Sorry Lavender," she chuckled. Her friend gave her an odd look before rising from the stool. Damn! She shouldn't have asked. She really needed to find someone who could help her without judging her. She needed to get up to date on what was going on.

"I'll see you in a bit Hermione."

Hermione nodded and she was left along once more.

The Picnic started a couple of hours later. A short carriage ride had them arriving at the rather grand manor house that belonged to the Malfoy's. She didn't need to be told that, the rather large 'M' on the gate gave it away. What they were doing holding gatherings for the general populous she didn't know, unless Pure-blood snobbery was something that had arisen in the modern day. She doubted it and knew there was probably a good reason behind this gathering.

They were directed to the large lawn in front of a summer house and encouraged to mingle with the people who were already gathered there. Lavender gave a squeak of excitement when she spotted the blonde haired crown of Draco. When they approached him, he looked them both up and down with approval and nodded, "Afternoon ladies," he said with a grin. Hermione returned it, he was identical to how he was at school in looks and by the judge of it, attitude as well. He winked at Lavender, who flushed a pretty shade of pink. Hermione merely rolled her eyes, which made Draco chuckle all the more.

"What is it Granger?" he asked. There was no formality to his words and her smile widened ever further.

"Your way of speaking, such a breath of fresh air," she said. He gave her an odd look but shook it off with a shrug.

"Not eager to greet your fiancé?" he asked. She grimaced a little and she was sure he had caught the look, "Take that as a no then."

"I don't even know why I accepted it," she muttered. Draco gave her a look that was scandalous and he shook his head.

"Merlin's beard Granger, don't say such things unless you want to cause a scandal!" he said. Lavender merely snorted.

"We all know her heart is filled with someone else," she said. Hermione tapped her friend on the shoulder, "What, it's true isn't it."

Hermione shook her head, at a complete loss at how to handle the situation. She looked from Draco's cool blue eyes to Lavender's soft ones. Her situation seemed to be closing in on her and she faltered. "Granger, are you alright?" Draco asked.

"No," she said. She pulled a fan out of her bag and began to cool her skin.

"Come on, you need to sit down," Lavender said.

"I just feel a bit woozy," she lied. Lavender and Draco guided her to one of the blankets and forced her to sit down. Lavender promised that she would go in search of water, leaving her alone with Draco for a while.

When she was out of earshot, he leaned over so no one could hear him and said, "You may have her fooled but not me, what's going on Granger?" he asked.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," she snorted, leaning back against a tree.

It was Draco's turn to give a snort and he rolled his eyes, "Try me." Hermione looked at the blonde and let out a sigh.

"Alright, but you have to promise not to laugh." Draco placed his hand on his heart and nodded. She took a minute to gather her thoughts before telling him everything. The bit with the time turner going wrong and how she had come to in the square yesterday, the part where she had discovered she was engaged to Krum when she had no feelings for him whatsoever, even the part where she knew nothing that was going on and was feeling desperately out of her depths.

When she finished, Draco looked at her for a long moment. She got the idea that he was going to burst out into peals of laughter, however, when he spoke, it was with a serious tone, "I'd say you were lying but no-one would bother to make up such a story," he said. "What are you going to do?" he asked.

She shook her head, "I have no idea, the Time Turner is broken and so it seems as though I'm stuck here for the time being."

"And you remember nothing?" Draco asked.

"Not a jot!" she replied.

He appeared to be considering something for a moment before speaking again, it made her wonder what was going on in that fair head of his, "I can help you," he said.

"I sense a but here," she said.

"Of course,"

"Well?"

"I will help you, fill you in on the past and such, but you have to help me find a wife," he said. She looked at him gone out, "Father is becoming insistent that I marry and sire children as soon as I can." He gave her a look of disgust.

It didn't take her long to think about it, she needed an ally. "Alright," she said with a quick nod. Draco grinned at her and held out his hand, which she shook readily.

"Right, so, what do you want to know first?"