Chapter One: A Different Side To A Slytherin?

Nicolette Granger was the cousin of Hermione Hespera Granger, who would be going to Canada to visit said cousin. Nicolette lives in Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada. Since the age of four, Hermione has wanted to go to Canada. Now, 11 years later, Hermione is finally getting her wish.

Hermione and Nicolette often exchanged e-mails talking about their planned out adventures. One of Nicolette's recent e-mails was telling Hermione about their neighbourhood.

Dear 'Mione,

Since you are going to be spending most of you summer in Canada, your gonna need sum background info. Our next-door neighbours only come to Canada for the summer. They, like you, live in the United Kingdom. I thought it was so kewl when they like told me that. The family consists of a mum, a dad and a completely outrageously HOTT son. Holy shite. I need to put on sunglasses when I see him, that's how hot he is! But damn, he is what you call F-I-N-E! Anyways, I gotta go, mum is literally kickin' me off the of the computer. See yas soon, l8r babe!

Hermione sent back an e-mail saying that the plane left in the morning and she would see her cousin tomorrow night, at 7:00 pm her time. Which meant lunch time for Hermione. So she would probably be very hungry when she got off the plane. Hermione hit send and went to do some last minute packing.

-.-

"HERMIONE!", someone shouted from behind her.

Hermione turned to see her cousin, Aunt Mary and Uncle Ben smiling and waving. Nicolette was waving frantically, her long chesnut hair flowing behind her as she jumped up and down.

Hermione ran over and was immediately enveloped in hugs.

The headed out of the moshpit in the airport, and headed to the car for the 3 hour drive home to Cold Lake from Edmonton. Nicolette and Hermione started to talk non-stop, about everything. Uncle Ben, Aunt Mary and Nicolette had decided to take Hermione to the best restaurant in Edmonton, Tony Roma's, which was in the West Edmonton Mall.

After a delicious dinner they began their journey home to Cold Lake. The three hours in the car wasn't that long, but long enough. Although Hermione was enjoying the scenery pass by on the way, it got a bit boring after a while. She noticed that Alberta was a bit flat and towns were far and few between. That is to say, until they reached Smokey Lake where there were giant pumpkins. Hermione was fascinated, but wondered why in the world Canadians would have the largest pumpkins? Shouldn't it be the world's biggest beaver or something?

When the finally reached Cold Lake, Hermione was surprised at all the teenagers leaving the schoolyard.

"Today was the last day for exams.", Nicolette informed her.

They drove to their house, which was a beautiful Victorian house, with the 'Cold Lake Mansion' right beside it. She assumed that was where the 'boy who I have to wear sunglasses just to look at' lived.

They headed inside and Uncle Ben, Aunt Mary and Nicolette immediately started to ask her questions of the wizarding world. After answering about a zillion questions, Hermione retired to bed.

-.-

Hermione awoke to the delicious aroma of bacon and eggs in the air. She quickly got dressed in a electric blue one strap tank top and a pair of hip huggers. She headed downstairs and was sent out onto the patio with Nicolette. Nicolette had just hung up the phone and turned to her cousin.

"What do you want to do today?", Nicolette asked Hermione.

"Dunno.", she said. Her jaw dropped as she added, "Oh my god, I am starting to sound like Ron!"

Nicolette giggled as a voice behind them said, "I'll talk to you later, dad!"

The voice sounded oddly familiar to Hermione and the face she saw when she turned around was even more familiar.

Hermione turned around and her eyes narrowed as Nicolette's opened wide.

"That's him, the guy I was telling you about!" she whispered.

"Malfoy," Hermione hissed, but Nicolette wasn't paying attention.

"Hey Nico-," Draco stopped in mid-word as his gaze dropped onto Hermione. "GRANGER?" he asked in disbelief.

"That's my name, wouldn't mind if you wore it out though."

"What's going on? Do you guys know each other?" a confused Nicolette asked.

"That's one way to put it," Draco answered, still looking at Hermione.

"Nicolette, this moron is a wizard. Did he ever tell you that? He's the Slytherin scum I told you about."

"He can't be the Slytherin scum. You said he hated muggles, I'm not a witch and he doesn't hate me, does he?", she asked.

"I don't hate you Nicolette, trust me. Granger only knows one side of me, and thats the Slytherin side."

"Oh, and there's another side to you?" Hermione challenged.

"Yes, as the matter of fact, there is."

Hermione laughed in amusement and went to get a drink. How the hell was she going to cope all summer living next to her arch nemesis?

"How come you never told me?", Nicolette asked Draco.

"I would have, but its against the rules. How do you know Grang- I mean, Hermione?" Draco asked her in curiosity.

"She's my cousin. Remember I told you that my father was born in England? He moved here after University."

"Oh, alright then. Small world I suppose, isn't it. It's just a bit strange. I didn't expect to be running into Potty's best friend."

"Potty?" Nicolette asked.

"Erm... nevermind. What are you and Hermione doing today?"

"Oh, on a first name basis now, are we?" Hermione asked with venom in her voice as she returned to the patio.

"Well I can't very well call you Granger, can I? You are both Granger's."

"Well, shit." Hermione sighed in resignition. In all honestly, she never really wanted to be referred to as Granger. You're meant to be called by your given name, and that's how she always prefered it.

"Malfoy's always win," the blonde boy gloated, his blonde hair shining in the sunlight. "You should really know this by now Hermione."

"Watch it, ferret boy."

"Ummm... Ferret boy?" Nicolette was confused.

"Tell her and die!" Draco warned Hermione.

"Well, I'll die, she'll have a kick out of this one. Last year at school, Mal-"

"Draco," he corrected her. "I have a name. Use it."

"Whatever. Anyway, last year at school, Draco was bugging Harry and a teacher came along and turned Draco into a white ferret, then started to levitate him. Up and down. Never thought a Malfoy could make such a hilarious show to anyone except the Slytherin's!"

Nicolette was on the floor she was laughing so hard.

Once she had calmed down a bit, Nicolette said, "Draco, your blushing, what a nice kirby colour!"

"What the hell is a kirby?"

"Never mind!" the girls said together.

"Lets go to the beach." Nicolette suggested.

"Why the beach?" Draco asked.

"Listen Mr. Ferret, we, as in Hermione and I, are going to the beach, if you don't want to go. Fine, don't go."

"Fine. I'll go," he surrendered. "If I don't, mum will make me do my summer homework."

"Ha ha, I finished mine on the plane!", Hermione teased.

"Shut up, shut up, shut up!"

"Shutting."