I'M BACK! Not sure when the next chapter will be out, 'cause I'm getting my math marks, and my mother said if I get seventies I should say by to all my electronics, and since I know what my grades are, I've said good-bye to my things, and am currently cleaning my room in hope she'll overlook my seventy-fives.

This is currently un-beta'd because I wanted to get this chapter out right now in the likely event I get grounded. Once my beta finishes editing, I'll switch this to the edited version.

Read, Review, and Enjoy!

"Hello Mrs. Williams!" the petite school secretary greeted cheerfully.

Hermione had noticed that everyone in this small town seemed to be too damn cheerful all the time. It wasn't normal for people to smile so much. She had come to the elementary school that day to drop Damon off, and to meet with the principal to discuss Damon skipping into the next year. Draco had stayed at the house in case McLaggen called, since he had a feeling he would.

"Good Morning," Hermione racked her brain for the secretary's name; Natalie, Tanana, oh that's it, Natasha! "Natasha. I'm here to see Mrs. Morrison."

"Oh, yes! Just take a seat, she'll be here in a few minutes; she's taking care of something with the teachers." Natasha gestured to an empty chair.

"Thank you." Hermione said, and took a seat.

She decided that since she was waiting for the principal, she should try to find out more about Natasha.

"It's so beautiful out here," Hermione said, "so much, brighter and cleaner than Cambridge."

The young secretary lifted her head, and smiled. "Isn't it? I lived here my whole life, and I've only been to the city a few times. I couldn't believe how different it was compared to here. So you're from Cambridge?"

Hermione smiled, "Yes, we moved down hair after my aunt died, and left us her book store. We're not sure what we're going to do with it, but we've wanted a change in scenery for a long time, and this happening gave us that chance." She stored the piece of information she'd made up in the back of her mind to tell Draco.

"Oh! Edna's Corner Books? I was so sad when I heard she passed away; she was a truly wonderful lady. It's the only bookstore in town, you know. If you're planning on selling it, I know a few people in town that would be interested."

Hermione let herself smile, "I'll be sure to tell you if we decide to sell it."

The young woman opened her mouth to speak, but then the principal walked in.

"Hello Mrs. Williams! I assume you're here for Damon?" she nodded, "Just step into my office, please."

Hermione stood up, and clutching her purse to her, stepped into the powerful woman's office.

"I hope that your day has been fine so far?" Mrs. Morrison asked, taking a seat in her chair, and gesturing for Hermione to take her seat across from her.

"It has thank you, and yours?" Hermione replied.

"Just a few mishaps in the playground, but otherwise fine." She smiled, "So, have you and your husband come to a decision regarding Damon's year?"

"Yes, we have actually. Damon said that he wanted to go ahead, and we completely agree with him. He's a very smart boy, and he deserves a chance to excel in whatever he likes."

The principal nodded her head, "Of course! He's a wonderful boy. I have the forms you need to fill out right here, and then you are free to leave. I'll have the guidance consular, Mrs. Johnston; take him to his new class."

"Thank you." Hermione said, and took the pen that she offered.

Once she had finished filling out the forms, she shook the woman's hand, and left with a small smile on her face. She waved good bye to Natasha, and walked out of the school and into the parking lot. She decided to go the grocery store; not only would she be able to buy the weeks food, but she would be able to scope out the town more.

Hermione drove until she reached the nicely sized store. She quickly got out of the car, and walked inside. A cool wave of refreshing air conditioning hit her; it was then she realised how hot she felt. She grabbed a cart, and walked up and down the aisles, quietly grabbing what she needed.

"Hello! You must be Carrie Williams! I'm John Graham, I'm the owner of the flower shop next door to the book store!" An older man practically shouted at her.

Hermione was startled, but quickly regained her composure. She took the man in. Golden brown hair; warm hazel eyes; and a slightly crooked smile with a dimple on his right cheek. She made a mental note to research this man when she got home.

"That's me!" she faked a smile.

"You're probably wondering how I know who you are! I was great friends with Edna, and she also raved about her beautiful niece; she never said you were this gorgeous."

Merlin, this idiot is actually flirting with me. "Oh! She was always one of my favourite aunts; my son loved her because of all of the gifts she sent him."

"You have a son?" his face dropped for a second, but then returned to its flirty smile.

Yes, I do, now back off creep. "Yes, a wonderful son, and an amazing husband." She faked a dreamy look on her face.

She saw his face drop, but he kept a smile on his face. "It was very nice to meet you, feel free to stop by the shop if you have any questions about anything!"

"Of course!" Not. "Have a nice day!"

With that, he turned, and pushed his cart down the aisle, and disappeared. Hermione let out a sigh. She guessed that she should've been somewhat used to this by now; after the War, she had received many offers for dates, and even a few marriage proposals. It creeped her out, to say the least; she was best friends with Harry Potter; she didn't see how that made it acceptable for people to send her marriage proposals.

Hermione finished her shopping quickly after that; she didn't want to risk running into another creepy person. She only made small talk with a mother in the snacks aisle, and all she got from that conversation was that kids tended to like regular chocolate chip cookies over triple chocolate cookies.

As she drove back home, she made mental notes about the towns layout; the grocery is next to the pet shop; an Italian restaurant is near bakery; the sports shop is near a music store.

By the time Hermione reached home, she had memorized most of the stores on her route home. She stepped inside the house with her bags, and locked the door tightly behind her, making sure the deadbolt was in place. She set her bags down on the kitchen counter, and walked to the study, where she was sure Draco was.

He was there, just like Hermione expected, going over the case files. He smiled slightly, and gestured for her to come over. She pulled up a chair to his desk, and she grabbed a stray file.

"McLaggen flooed just after you left; he said that we have to work at the store for a week or two, and then sell it. That way, we'll get to know some people, and develop relationships before selling. Selling will give us an excuse to stay home more often, and after we sell, I'll become an online security expert, that works from home."

Hermione nodded her head as he talked. "Okay, have you come up with any suspects?"

Draco shook his head, "No one as yet, but there's a barbeque down by the beach next week, and we were invited. We'll see if we notice any one acting differently there."

"We were invited to a barbeque?" Hermione asked.

"Yes. Someone from the town dropped by before you came back, and welcomed us. She told me then that this barbeque was an annual and everyone came. It's an end of summer thing; like a last outdoor activity until the colder weather settles in."

"Great. We should read through these again; see if we missed something." She said.

"We've gone over these more times than I can count; I doubt that we missed anything."

"Then one more time won't hurt."

"Fine."

Sighing, they each grabbed more files, and set to work.

I hope you guys enjoyed! School's been crazy, and I am now the only one of my friends who has never had a boyfriend. FML. All the lovey-dovyness around me is making me sick. I find it weird though that my BFF would ask me for advice with her boyfriend, even though I'm the one who's never had one.

Review!

~Shaki