I'm scared, I'll admit it. After everything harry told me why wouldn't I be? We're stood outside the gate to the burrow. I watch as harry pushes the gate open and walks to the front door.

"you coming or what Hermione?" Harry called from infront of me. It jumped started me and I moved my feet, following him, slowly.

he pushed open the front door and she heard the familiar chaos coming from inside. It brought a smile to her lips. She was halfway to the door when a familiar woman pushed the door open.

"Hermione dear!" She called as she met me half way and pulled me into a hug. "We've missed you."

"I've missed you too Mrs. Weasley." This earnt me a light slap on the shoulder.

"you know to call me molly." She pulled away and took my face in her hands. "You look as beautiful as ever."

"Thanks molly." I could feel my blush rise over my cheeks.

"mum stop embarrassing her and let her get in the house. Plus I think something is burning."

"Oh no." She ran inside.

"Hermione granger."

"George weasley." I grin at him he looks no different. Same ginger haired lanky frame.

"good godric you look good woman." This earned a laugh from me.

"and you said your mum was embarrassing me."

"bring it in granger." He opened his arms for me and I willingly walked into them wrapping my own arms around his waist. "It's good to see you."

"you too." I give him one last squeeze before I pull away.

"you best make an appearence; everybody is waiting." He swung an arm to the side motioning for me to go first.

I take a deep breath and walk into the house. As I do the kitchen erupts with noise and cheers. Everyone stands up and comes to greet me. I notice there are two people who don't. Malfoy and Ron. Even Ginny comes and gives me another hug. My eyes drift to Ron. He has a look on his face I don't recognise. It's like a mix between anger and joy, it's strange. Malfoy is just standing leaning against the counter with a butterbeer in one hand and his other in hus pants pocket, just watching me as everyone buzzes around me.

for some reason it makes me uncomfortable but I can't take my eyes away from his and his eyes don't leave mine. That is until molly came bustling infront if me asking if I wanted a butterbeer. I nod yes. I wish there was something stronger but I know there won't be for Ron.

I'm sitting there through dinner catching up with everyone. all throughout dinner I feel Malfoy eyes on me. I don't know what it is but I refuse to look at him. I'm samdwhiched in between harry and Ginny who keep leaning behind me to hold hands and whisper to each other.

after dinner I need to get away for a minute it's been a long time since I was in a crowded room like this everyone so close. Sure she had been to parties and clubs but this was different. Everyone was so close and, I know it sounds wierd but, close. I hadn't been in a room with so much love since I left. It was kind of stifling.

so after dinner I made my excuses and said I need a walk. I had made it half way around the house and was about to walk away towards a near by lake when I hears a voice behind me.

"overwhelmed?"

"What do you want Malfoy?" I dont turn around I carry on walking.

he jogged to catch up with me. "Just seeing if your ok."

"I'm fine." I still refuse to look at him.

"you want some fire whiskey?" That's when I turn and look at him.

"youve got fire whiskey here?" I'm not sure if I'm appalled or happy.

"yup." He pulled out a flask from his back pocket. "Do you want some?"

I stare at him for a second before I grab it from his hand and unscrew the lid. I feel the burn and it feels good. "It's a good vintage." I hand the flask back and notice his eyebrows arch.

"you know fire whiskey?"

"Yes." I say walking away towards the lake again. He starts to walk along side me taking a swig himself. "I met a wizard in Germany who liked his fire whiskey. It's all he would drink I suppose I picked it up."

"you enjoyed your travels then?" He asked handing me the flask again.

"I did." I take another large sip. "But maybe I shouldn't have left. I should have been here. My friends needed me."

"I think they are stronger than you give them credit for." He smiled at me.

"not Ron. I just wish they had told me what was happening." I took another sup before handing the flask back.

"what? So you could come straight back home and end your trip?" He laughed. "They weren't about to do that when they knew how much you needed to get away."

"Ron needed me more." We had reached the lake and I sat on the floor looking out at the sun beginning to set. Malfoy sat beside me. It suddenly hit me who i was talking so openly with. "Why are you here anyway?"

"I was invited." He can't be this obtuse, can he?

"you know what I mean. How have you ended up as Harry's best man?" I look at him. He's resting his elbow on one of his propped up knees.

"I helped gin with Ron in the pub that time. When we got him back everyone was fussing around him they got him to bed and next thing you know molly's hugging me and asking me to stay for tea." He rubbed his hand along his face. "I love the way they are so close. They sat around the dinner table and acted like I was a friend not a Malfoy. Harry took me aside and we talked. Next thing you know I'm invited to tea almost every Sunday and it's like I'm part of the family."

I watch him as he talked he had a smile on his face as he talked about the weasleys. "What about your family?"

He laughed. "They don't like my new direction in life let's put it that way." He took a large swig from the flask now.

"I'm sorry." And I was no one should have to go without their family.

"it's ok." He looked at me then. "You do look good granger. That year away did you good."

there was something in his eyes. I felt myself blush and I quickly looked away. "A lot can happen in a year."

"true." I could feel him still looking at me. "We should proably get back."

"your right." He cleared his throat. He stood up before I did and offered me his hand. I look at it for a moment before I take it. The bit of fire whiskey has made my head a bit fuzzy. I'm loosing my touch. I wobble slightly and he pulls me to him to steady me and my hands automatically press against his chest as he wraps his arms around me.

i look up at him my breathing suddenly rapid. He looks down and brushes his fingers lightly across my cheek as he moves a piece of hair away from my cheek. I swear he's about to kiss me and I don't know how I feel about it. But I'm saved.

"Hermione? Draco?" It's Ginny. I push back away from him as fast as I could. I throw a quick glance his way and, is that hurt or confusion on his face. Because that's what I feel, utter confusion. "What are you guys doing here?"

"I needed some air." I say. "Malfoy also had something a little strong than butterbeer."

"ah Draco's flask." She laughed. "Any left?"

He smiled and handed her the flask. "Not much, granger here drinks like a fish."

"not hermione." Ginny laughed. "The Hermione I know couldn't handle her drink."

"a lot changes in a year." I look at Malfoy because we spoke at the same time. I'm shocked but he laughs.

"ok that was wierd." Ginny says. "Anyway harry, George and I are going die a drink if you guys fancy it."

"I'm in." I say without hesitation.

"me too." Malfoy said.

we entered the leaky cauldron and I gasped. "What the?" I'd stopped dead in my tracks.

"I know right?" Harry laughed from by my side. "Hannah abbot took over a few months back she's completely changed it."

"I can see that." I looked around taking in my surroundings. It was a far cry from the old dingy pub it used to be. Everything was modern. Shining surfaces and neon lights. There was even a stage and a dance floor.

"here." I looked down and saw a glass with fire whisky in it. I look up and see Malfoy looking down at me. "Big change isn't it?"

"you can say that again." I laugh.

"big change isn't it?" I give him a look. "Sorry that was stupid. That's the best she has. And she has a fine collection."

"everything has changed." Im beginning to feel to feel slightly melancholy.

"Hey. No sad face. Were here to celebrate you being home. There's a band on tonight."

"any good?" I ask trying to keep my mind away from all the changes.

"not bad actually. You remember theo not?"

"Slytherin from our year?" I ask and he nods.

"it's his band."

"Theodore nott has a band?" I look at him. "And they're good?"

"yup and that's not the only thing." I look at him, waiting. "He's seeing Luna."

"Luna as in Luna Lovegood?" He nods and I down my fire whiskey in one go. It is good. So much for keeping my mind from changes.

"yeah and if you think potter and gin are ridiculously I'm love, wait till you see them two. It's disgusting." He laughed. "I also know he bought a ring last week."

"ok I need more drink." I turn and head to the bar leaving Malfoy standing there. I don't look up when I reach the bar I just say my order. "three of your best fore whiskey please."

"Well well if it isn't Hermione granger." I look up to find the smiling face of Hannah abbot.

"Hey Hannah." I smile. "Youve done wonders with this place."

"Thanks it's my baby." She laughed as she turned to the back wall where the fire whiskey was. She places the three glasses infront of me. "Ice?"

"One cube in each please."

"Why three? The only other person I know who drinks my top shelf is Malfoy." She laughed.

"one is for him the others for me." I take the first glass and sink it in one. "Struggling a bit with all this change."

"yup there's has been a lot of that." Her attention was taken by someone else. "Speak to hermionen Hermione."

I take the two glasses and look for Malfoy. Seriously this whole thing is messing with my head. I see everyone sitting at a booth not far from the stage and head over.

I sit next to Harry and push one of the glasses to Malfoy. He grabs it and lifts it my direction to say thanks.

The next thing I know I'm engulfed in a bush of blonde hair. Luna.

"Hermione!" She was hugging me so tightly my air supply was nearly cut off. "I'm so glad your home."

"Thanks Luna." I manage to squeeze out. She finally let go and I take a deep breath.

"Wait till you hear Theo's band Hernione. They are so good." She jumped and clapped her hands on the spot. "My Theo plays the guitar and sings."

"That's great Luna." I take a sip of my fire whiskey. "How long have you been together?"

"Almost a year." Her grin almost split her face in two. "I'm so lucky Hernione."

She danced off then. Wow, I mimed to Malfoy. He nodded at me.

I watched as the band set up with Luna helping. They couldn't go five minutes without bouncing over to him for a kiss. I shook my head and turned back to the rest of the table.

To my astonishment I didn't have a bad time. I actually enjoyed myself. But I do have to say maybe it was the drink. I danced with everyone even Malfoy at some point I think. And so my first day back wasn't so bad in the end even with all the news and shocks I'd had today.