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Accepted



Hermione hastily dropped her Flourish & Blotts shopper when the owl swooped down towards her, carrying a letter with the university seal. She caught the parchment in a swift movement that would have done a Seeker proud, and breathlessly broke the letter’s seal.



Dear Miss Granger,



We are honored to inform you that you have been –



“EEEEEEEEEE!” Her impulsive outburst mingled with a shout from the other side of the street. Looking up, she saw Draco Malfoy, jubilation in his face and an identical letter in his hand. His smile didn’t fall when he caught her eye. 



She smiled back.



Brunette



She’d often wished for an interesting hair color – red like Ginny’s, or blonde like Luna’s. Hermione’s hair was simply brown and rather boring, in her opinion.



At St. Viviane’s, every other witch appeared so polished, while Hermione continued to be the mousy Gryffindor bookworm. She had no time for dating, or so she told herself, so it was just as well.



After she caught Malfoy secretly toying with an errant curl as they studied on the quad, she decided maybe she’d been wrong. Judging from the look he wore, Draco didn’t seem to think her hair was boring at all.



Candy



“Malfoy, give it back! My mum sent that!”



“Ah, but Granger, I’ve never had the opportunity to sample Muggle toffee. Perhaps it’s completely different from normal.” His smirk only incensed her.



“Accio toffee…wait! Why won’t it work?”



“That’s for me to know and you to – arrgh!” 



They toppled to Hermione’s dorm room floor. Hermione struggled to retrieve the bag from Draco, until she noticed. Her face flushed pink. “Draco.”



His grip went slack and he dropped the bag. “Hermione, I -- ” 



A brief caress of his fingers on her cheek, and the toffee was forgotten as their lips met.



Dead



“Why are we here again?” Ron groused in a whisper.



“Because ‘Mione loved Crooks and we love her, even though that cat was a right old bastard,” Harry reminded him.



They stood in the garden of the Grangers’ home, watching as Hermione and Ginny carefully tamped down the earth over Crookshanks’ little grave. Harry looked past them, at the silent figure standing on Hermione’s other side, his pale hair gleaming in the morning light.



“And why is he here?” the red-haired wizard muttered.



“Because,” Harry sighed, removing his glasses and pinching the bridge of his nose, “he loves her, too.”



Entertained



“Oh gods, Draco! More!” Hermione arched her neck as he planted hot kisses along her soft skin. 



Draco lowered her onto the parlor sofa, his voice husky. “Merlin, Granger, I can’t wait.” 



Their clothes were half off when a figure darkened the doorway. There was the sound of a clearing throat.



“Shite! Um – Father! Hello!” 



Hermione hastily began buttoning her shirt. “Mr Malfoy – “



“I told you so!” hissed a voice from behind Lucius. They saw Narcissa’s blue eyes peering over his shoulder. “Hello, Draco darling. Miss Granger, how lovely to, er, see you…”



Lucius’s lips twitched the slightest bit.



Friendship



“So you had an argument, and she stormed out?”



He groaned. “Merlin, Pans, I’m such an idiot!”



“Yes, you are.” She rolled her dark eyes. “Talk to her. Say all the things you were too immature to say when we used to fight. She’ll come round – she’s crazy about you, Circe help her.”



“Do you think so?” His face was uncharacteristically anxious. 



A wave of affection for her first love filled Pansy. “Yes, I do. Don’t worry, Draco.” She put her arms around him, and he gratefully hugged her back.



Draco smirked. “My, what would Theo think?”



“Shut it, Draco.”