First encounter-2

Hermione followed Draco all the way to the third floor. He stopped in front of a statue of a hunch back witch. It has one eye and a book in hand. The witch's attire seems to be of Medieval period. While Hermione is assessing the statue for a clue of its identity, Draco tap the back of the statue with his wand and incant "Dissendium", the statue's hunched back open up to reveal a secret passageway leading down a short, cool stone slide. 

To say that she is shocked would be an understatement. Just two months ago, she is a normal anti-social girl who loves to read books. Now she is like those main characters in mysteries novel. Who would have thought that she who is always called the 'sucker' or 'teacher's pet' would willingly break hundreds of rules with a boy of her rival house. While descending the passageway, the darkness cause them to stumble a few times.

'Lumos'

A simple spell came in the time of their need on the tip of their wands.

They walk land in a very low, very narrow earthy passageway that twisted like a rabbit's burrow, rising after an hour or so and reached a large, worn stone staircase after ten minutes of steep ascent. There are over two hundred steps on this staircase, and then she is surprised when their head hit the hard, cold trap-door. This trap-door led into the cellar of Honeydukes, and matched the dusty floor perfectly.

The cellar of the shop was full of wooden crates and boxes, with a very dusty floor and a large wooden staircase leading up to the main shop. In the cellar, one could hear the opening and shutting of the sweet-shop door, as well as the tinkling of the bell above it signifying that the shop is still open with customers going in and out.

"So how do we get out here? Otherwise we will be treated as thieves" Hermione asked worryingly.

"Don't worry. You will see" Draco gave her his signature smug smile. Hermione want nothing more then to punch that face in that moment.

He begin to walk directly to the stairs, ready to walk out in a fair manner.

'Crazy' She thought messaging her head. Here she thought that she will refresh her mood but this idiot is going get both of them into trouble, great.

She expect Gryffindor to be deducted 20 or 30 points while Slytherin to be 50 or 70 points.

'Anyway I am just an accomplice, this guy is the main perpetrator'. A voice broke her out of her reverie.

"Oh dear Draco, how do you come here?" A female voice sounded.

"Just a little trip for some relaxation" came the wizard in question's voice.

"No wonder he is trying to act cool" Hermione quickly understood the ins and outs of this matter.

" Oh isn't this the Malfoy boy. Thanks to your idea we made a lot of money last time" This time a hoarse middle age man's voice came over.

"But what are you doing here. You are in the first grade and are not permitted to be here, right. If you get caught, a lot of points will be deducted from your houses" said Ambrosius Flume, the owner of this store when he noticed the little witch.

" Oh you seem to bring a special 'friend' here in Halloween. Don't worry we will not disappoint you. We have a batch of new goods, would you like to try it?" Ambrosius said with a knowing smirk.

"We are not like that" Hermione said bashfully.

"Oh I understand. The relationship between youngsters is so complex nowadays" He said with a bemused chuckle. These two come in together secretly on Halloween here and looking at the colors of their uniform, they are of opposing houses. Who are they trying to fool, this is definitely a forbidden love story.

"OK enough with the talk, let's look around" Draco interrupt in between trying to diffuse the situation seeing Hermione's face don't look so good.

The Flume couple then begin to ask their types and favorite sweets while recommending some of their own. There are shelves upon shelves of the most succulent-looking sweets imaginable. Creamy chunks of nougat, shimmering pink squares of coconut ice, fat, honey-coloured toffees; hundreds of different kinds of chocolate in neat rows; there was a large barrel of Every Flavour Beans, and another of Fizzing Whizzbees, the levitating sherbet balls etc.

Hermione is dazzled by seeing so much confectionery. The muggle ones don't look so appealing and appetizing.

" You can't be satisfied by just looking, can you?" Mrs. Flume ask her.

" Can you give me the prices of these candies" She ask the older witch.

The witch in question reply, "You don't have to worry about that sweetie. Your 'friend' over there has already paid".

The only response of Hermione is a raised brow and a questioning look at Draco.

The blond wizard replied nonchalantly, "Maybe next time".

She shrugged and said casually, "Allright". She has now begin to get use to his antics.

Actions speak louder then words. Hermione's sparkling eyes and wide smile proves that coming to Honeydukes is the right decision.

Seeing the sweet tooth of the gryffindor, Draco asked with a coy smile, "Want more candies?"

He get his reply with a shaking head from the witch.

"Are you sure?" He again ask with his usual teasing voice.

" Do you think I can eat all of them alone? You think I am a glutton" She ask accusingly.

" I am not asking about you. I mean your friends or your doormates. Believe me they will like this gesture of yours" He explains calmly.

" But I have no friends to share with and my roommates ignore me" The witch mumble quietly.

"So I am nothing. You hurt me now Granger. I am sure Theo and Blaise will be sad to hear that you don't consider them as a friend" He said with mock hurt while stressing on her last name.

"You git" She elbowed him playfully. Yes, that's right. She has some people here who acknowledge her.

"But you know if you try, you can make friends with your roommates. It will not be easy, you have to compromise your time, habits. But you know it's worth it" He said as if talking to a child.

"If you say so" she said weakly.

"Well what about those two human face trolls. Will you take their share?" He ask curiously.

"Why should I? They don't care about me. Ronald especially does not like me and is very outspoken about it" She said in a down tone.

" Hey don't you understand, they are idiots.

They will come around in time. I bet those two will apologise to you in today's party. And I think you should have a friend circle of your own in your house. It will be beneficial for you"

'And me too' he thought.

"So what do you think, should I accept it?" She looked at him.

"It is your call. I am sure you will make the right decision. After all as much as I hate to say this Potty is our savior while Weasel is from one of the oldest pureblood families. If they offer you an apology, it means the sorting hat is correct, that they are Gryffindors for a reason. It takes courage to accept your mistakes, you know" He said with a smile, not his smirk during this time.

"Let's wait and see. But should not give those nicknames to them and even ridiculing Ronald's financial condition" Hermione come into her usual lecture mode which made Draco run for his dear life. No way in hell he is hearing her nagging.

"Nope, not gonna happening" He said turning his head backwards while running.

"I will make you" She huffed catching him.