Hermione Granger sighed with happiness and she entered Diagon Alley. Hogwarts would finally be starting in less than two weeks, and until then, she would be staying at the Burrow with Ron, Harry and the rest of the Weasleys. She pulled out the slightly crumpled piece of parchment with her letter and book list on it, pausing only slightly to shine and admire her Head Girl badge, before deciding where to go first.

At least one pair of dress robes

That was the first thing she needed according to the list. Sure, she had had dress robes before for the Yule Ball, but she knew that students attended numerous parties in their final year at Hogwarts, and besides, over the summer her figure had developed significantly, so her robes from the Yule Ball would be a little tight in some key areas.

"So, first to Madame Malkins", she said to herself.

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Colored robes in every fabric and design possible lined the sides of the store, and in the middle of the room was a small desk, an old witch sitting behind it reading 'Witch Weekly'. Hermione coughed to get the woman's attention.

"Erm... excuse me..." She began, "I need some..."

"Dress robes? Hogwarts seventh year? Of course dear, follow me, there are some young wizards getting fitted also" The witch bustled off to the backroom, Hermione following at her heels.

"Just stand right up here dear, and I'll fetch you some robes."

Before Hermione could ask for periwinkle blue, her favorite color, the witch added

"And what color... ooh I know just the shade and the design!" and she hurried to the racks of robes at the front of the shop.

"Well, well, well" An all-too-familiar voice drawled, "If it isn't the filthy little miss-know-it-all Mudblood."

Hermione turned to see Draco Malfoy coming out of the men's section of the store carrying 4 sets of Slytherin-green dress robes over his arm. He had grown over the summer, finally becoming taller (Hermione guessed he was about Harry's height now) and slightly more muscular, but his face still bore the same evil and condescending look he held whenever he saw Hermione.

"Well, well, well" She answered, "If it isn't the death-eater's son, or should I say, prisoner's son?"

As soon as Hermione had finished her sentence a wave of regret and remorse filled her. It was all over The Daily Prophet that this summer Draco's father had been caught harboring 10 other death-eaters under their drawing room floor, as well as priceless dark artifacts that were linked to Voldemort's reign, and because of this, he had been sentenced to life in Azkaban. While this had been joyful news for Hermione and her friends (Harry, who had awoken with his scar in burning pain due to Voldermort's anger about the whole situation, had been the first to know), she was sure it had taken it's toll on Draco. For a second after she had insulted him, Hermione was sure that she had seen a look of hurt cross his face, a look of embarrassment and shame even, and now she felt badly about it.

"I'm sorry Draco," She began, "I didn't mean fo..."

"Save it Mudblood," he sneered, and stalked out of the store. Hermione flushed red as she scolded herself. How could she even think a monster like that could have feelings besides hate? How could she even feel sorry for him? She was still angry when the old witch returned bringing with her 2 periwinkle blue and 2 lilac dress robes.

"I would have just bought you the lilac dear, but the young man leaving said your favorite color was periwinkle."

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Ohh, I guess that was a cliff-hanger... This is my first Harry Potter fan fic, and don't worry, there will be more plot and stuff in later chapters, cuz I understand that if Hermione and Draco randomly started making out in the next chapter it would be wierd and out of character, as they hate each other... Anway, please read and review!!

-drstrangelove007