Hermione,

I'm sorry it took so long to respond. My father destroyed me over the letter. Yes, I did have that nightmare that you're talking about. I have it quite often actually. I was wondering why it ended so differently, mostly because it's an actual eve- nevermind. But I understand the emotional connection, I started feeling it last year, though I don't have anything interesting like you do to let me know. I would love to talk more about this, but we can't do it over letters, my father will just intercept them. I'm going school shopping soon, maybe we can meet in Diagon Alley, find somewhere hidden so my parents won't see us. Meet me at the alley next to the entrance to Knockturn Alley during shopping around noon.

From,

Draco.

Hermione held the letter to her chest with a smile. Who knew, Draco is actually a sweetheart.

She got out of bed and began to get ready for the day. She put on her Hogwarts sweater and Gryffindor tie in preparation for going school shopping. She hoped that her and Draco would happen to go shopping on the same day.

"Ready mum?" she fixed her hair into a half-up style.

"Yes, darling, let me just tell your father that you're ready. Go ahead and wait in the car," her mother went down the hall towards her bedroom.

Hermione's heart was racing. Why would she have such of a strong connection with Draco? She rehearsed what she was going to say when she saw him. How would she even be able to get him alone? She had only been to Diagon Alley a few times and didn't know it well enough to know where there would be a hiding space. She hoped that Draco would know it better than her.

Draco? Really Hermione? She thought to herself, He's the complete opposite of you! You silly little girl. Even if something would happen between you two, he would obviously want to hide it from everyone. Gryffindor and Slytherin, pure blood and muggle born, there's no way it will work between you two. Maybe it's not too late to back out. Maybe Draco will have already forgotten all about it. No, he needs my help. He's terrified of his father. I'm starting to wonder if that dream was an actual event that he was simply remembering in his sleep—no father could be so cruel to his child though, not even the likes of Malfoy.

Her parents got in the car and began the drive to London. She thought more about her secret crush on Draco. Harry and Ron could never find out, they hate Draco with a burning passion. She slept the rest of the way.

Draco nervously got ready, he hoped that Hermione would be going to Diagon Alley today. He stared in the mirror and rehearsed what would happen. He smiled at himself, "Come on, I know a place." His smile quickly fell, "Too obvious. I have to make it seem like something I would do. Hmm." His face fell into a sneer, "Over here, mudblood! I've got something for you!" It pained him to have to treat her that way, but knew he had to in case he got caught.

His father pried the bathroom door open with his wand, "Who were you talking to?"

"No one. Myself. Practicing," his head dropped in shame.

"Practicing? For what?" Lucius lifted his left eyebrow inquisitively.

"N-nothing. Just going to teach a mudblood a lesson," Draco assumed his normal personality, hoping his father would fall for it.

"Hmm, interesting. Well alright then, just don't get caught," and with that he left.

Draco let out a huge sigh, that was close.

He walked down the marble staircase, shoes echoing with every step, to see his mother and father discussing something. He decided to stop and listen.

"Your son is an abomination," Lucius hissed.

"Excuse you, he is not. So what he has a thing for that Potte—" Lucius shushed his wife with his wand.

"Come down, Draco," his gaze shifted to Draco, "We've taught you time and time again that it's rude to eavesdrop. Do you need another lesson?"

"No sir," Draco said through gritted teeth.

"That's what I thought. Let's go then, get your floo powder," Lucius grabbed a handful of floo powder as did his wife.

Draco grabbed some with a shaky hand. He watched his father step into the fire place and clearly state "Diagon Alley." His mother followed suit. Draco took a deep breath and followed her.

Suddenly, he was in Diagon Alley. He looked for his father's unmistakable hair and rushed to meet him.

"I trust you have your list of school supplies, Draco," Lucius said and before Draco could even answer, he responded with "Good. I'll be heading to Knockturn Alley. Come Narcissa," Narcissa lightly caressed Draco's face before catching up with Lucius.

Draco was alone in Diagon Alley for the first time, and it couldn't have been a better opportunity. He quickly began looking for the wavy-haired girl. He walked into Flourish and Blotts and looked between the books. He decided to buy his school books while he was there. While waiting to check out, he spotted a family of red-heads. Weasley. Maybe she's tagging along with him. He purchased his books and hid behind a stack of books close to the Weasley family. They were arguing about which twin would get the new book instead of the only second-hand book that was left. Draco thought it to be a petty argument and that any pure-blood family should have a well enough paying job to pay for all new books. He wasn't sure if that was him or his father talking.