Chapter 1

"Are you excited to see Draco, Pansy?" Hermione asked, with a sly grin. The two girls had met up at Hermione's Manor a few hours earlier, and hadn't stopped talking since. Currently they were taking a walk around the grounds of the manor, waiting until it was time to Floo to Draco's. The four friends were all meeting up to go to Diagon Alley together, escorted by Draco's parents, because apparently they weren't old enough to go by themselves.

"Oh, hush, you! Ever since I told you I had a small crush on him, you won't shut up!" Pansy said, blushing.

"It was just a question!" Hermione retorted, still smiling, "He's been out of the country almost all summer, I'm excited to see him!"

"Fine, I suppose I'm a little excited." Pansy admitted, brushing her dark hair out of her eyes.

"Well, good," Hermione said, grabbing the girl's arm in excitement, "because it's time to go!" Laughing at the excitement that her friend tried to suppress, Hermione began dragged Pansy back up to the Manor.

"Do you lot want anything to drink?" Draco asked, after the four friends had caught up. "Dobby!"

The four friends sat in silence, waiting for the house elf to appear. It became obvious that it wasn't going to a few moments later.

"Honestly, I don't know where that elf has been." Draco said, shaking his head.

"It's alright, mate, we ought to be getting to Diagon Alley anyway," Blaise told him, "d'you know if your father is ready?"

"I suppose I can go ask him," Draco stood up but just as he did, both of his parents strode through the door.

"Are you kids ready to go?" Lucius asked and the Slytherins all nodded, standing up to join their friend.

"And you all have your supply lists?" Narcissa checked, looking around at the four of them.

"Yes, mother." Draco said, rolling his eyes.

"Let's be off then," Lucius said, and walked to the fireplace. He stepped inside and grabbed a handful of Floo Powder, "Diagon Alley!" Hermione watched as he disappeared. She then waited until it was her turn to Floo, and dropping a handful in the fire she called out, "Diagon Alley!"

She tried to hold her breath as she flooed, not wanting to inhale any soot, and moments later she was joining her friends in Diagon Alley.

"Merlin," Blaise complained, "We need every Gilderoy Lockhart book that's been written. The new professor must be a big fan."

Pansy rolled her eyes, "Is there not a witch in the world who's a big fan of that tosser?"

"I think his books are a load of bollocks," Hermione cut in, "they're hardly even informative, he just rambles on about himself."

"Narcissa, take the girls and Blaise on over to the bookstore, will you? Draco and I have an errand to run." Lucius asked, before sauntering off with Draco behind him.

"Before we go to the bookstore, let's stop by Madam Malkin's. I promised your mother I'd make sure you got new robes, Blaise. I'd like to get Draco some as well. The both of you are growing taller each day it seems." Narcissa said, with a fond smile, before walking off toward the shop. The three friends quickly followed behind her.

After spending all of twenty minutes in Madam Malkin's (being hurried by Blaise, who hated robe shopping), they all headed toward Flourish & Blotts. Narcissa insisted that Blaise by the robes requested by his mother. Narcissa picked up a few for Draco as well guessing on the size—figuring that if they didn't fit, Draco could wait until he grew into them.

"I don't see Lucius and Draco yet, so you three just go and get your books and I'll keep an eye out." Narcissa told them. Hermione led the way, heading first over to the L's, to find Gilderoy Lockhart's books.

"They come in a set, at least." Pansy said, rolling her eyes, as she gestured toward a packaged set of Lockhart's books.

"Holidays with Hags, Voyages with Vampires? Who came up with these titles, they're absolute rubbish." Blaise said, looking over the books. Hermione shrugged.

"How much are we going to learn this year with these books anyway? Should be an easy class." Pansy said.

Blaise and Hermione nodded in agreement and the friends all picked up a complete set before heading to get the rest of their books.

"I don't see Draco yet. I wonder what's taking him and his father so long. Should we just get in line?" Pansy asked.

"I wonder why you're so concerned where Draco is," Hermione whispered, as they headed up to the line.

"Hush," Pansy muttered, glancing at Blaise, "he'll hear you."

Before Hermione could reply, Blaise came to a complete stop in front of them.

"The tosser's signing copies. This is going to take ages." He complained.

"No it won't," Hermione disagreed, "follow me." The three Slytherins pushed to the front of the group, where a frazzled shop worker was watching over the signings.

"Excuse me," Hermione began, tapping the woman on the shoulder, "we don't have any desire to get our books signed," she put the coins necessary on the counter, "so here's what we owe you." Pansy and Blaise quickly followed suit, putting their coins on the counter as well. The worker nodded in acknowledgement, before turning back to the crowd.

Blaise started laughing as they walked away, "I'm glad you thought of that." He said, "We would have been waiting for an hour at least."

Hermione smiled, but before she could reply she noticed Lucius and Draco standing at the entrance of the shop. Lucius was talking to an older redhead, surrounded by a group of red headed children.

"Weasleys," Hermione murmured, "Should we go see what's happening?"

"Oh yes. Draco's father hates Arthur Weasley, I don't want to miss this."

The friends walked up to Draco.

"Dear me," Lucius was saying, "What's the use of being a disgrace to the name of wizard if they don't even pay you well for it?"

Hermione cracked a smile at that, watching as Lucius examined a very old and worn copy of A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration.

That's odd, who in their family needs a first year book, Hermione wondered, but her question was answered when she saw a very small, red headed girl standing next to her father, holding a second hand cauldron.

"We have a very different idea of what disgraces the name of wizard, Malfoy." Arthur said, darkly.

"Clearly," Lucius replied, casting a glance at Potter, who Hermione had just noticed was standing there as well, "Here, girl, take your book. It's the best your father can give you." At that, Lucius placed the book back into the girl's cauldron with the rest of her things. Hermione couldn't help but notice that the book looked bigger than it had a moment ago. Had he actually picked up two books and I just didn't realize, Hermione wondered, or did he add something? Assuming she was just imagining things, she followed Lucius and her friends out of the store.

"Did everyone get everything they need, then?" Lucius asked, briskly.

The three friends nodded, but looked over to Draco.

"Mother's in line with my books now." Draco told him.

"Alright, well we'll wait for her here then." Lucius replied.

Blaise and Draco started up a conversation about Quidditch, when Blaise noticed that Draco was carrying an extra parcel—a new broom. Pansy half-heartedly joined in on the banter, while Hermione inched over to Lucius.

"Mr. Malfoy," Hermione began, "I couldn't help but notice.. did you put something in that Weasley girl's cauldron?"

Lucius looked down at her, his pale eyes assessing her, before smirking slightly.

"You're as observant as your father," he said, quietly. "Yes, I did add a little something extra to her cauldron."

"May I ask what it is?" Hermione wondered.

"All in good time, Hermione. Once Hogwarts starts, I believe you shall be able to figure it out."

Author's Note: Got the first chapter up faster than I thought! I hope you all enjoy and review! Next chapter will be up in a week or so!

Thank you for everyone who reviewing asking me to continue this, and to two people who actually asked to translate the story into different languages. I'm glad you all enjoyed the last fic! :)