Draco had paid attention to the fact the school was open. It was a big deal for both his betrothed and his mother. And as much as a ship's father wants to be overly pleased with it, Lucius would do anything to please his Queen. Draco admired his parents' love; it was better than all those whose marriages were unhappy, one-sided or forced. Like he would be. As much as he loves Pansy as a friend, they will never be happy with the arrangement and never see each other as more than friends.
The more he thought about it, the more he wanted someone he could make smile the way his parents smiled at each other. Someone he knew he would miss when she wasn't beside him, someone he could live with and who would love him back just as much.
It was almost funny to him; before, he couldn't care less, but now? Now that he couldn't have that, it was all he wanted.

The following day, the girls were welcomed to the grounds. They were informed that they would go anywhere but inside the Castle unless invited in by the Queen. Expect Pansy, who could be invited in by the King or Prince Draco.
For the day, they could go wherever they wanted to, and they were told this is what every weekend would be like. They would have five hours of schooling five days a week, but the rest of the time (before the 10 o'clock curfew) could be spent however desired. As much as Hermione wanted to spend her entire day in the manor's library, her cousins, Lady Ceara and Lady Rosaline, dragged her, informing her it would be wiser to get to know everyone. After all, they would all be stuck together for a long time.

There was a noticeable division between the varying ages. All those 12-13, 15-17 and 20-21 huddled together. It is easier to befriend those around your age in most cases. Though Hermine did wonder if Hannah's (age 20) and Elizabeth's (age 21) arose after the engagement between Hannah and the Prince of Northumbria, Neville, last summer or if they were friends beforehand.
Seeing some of them interact was interesting, considering some of the ladies had never met. Rosalind went off to Lillian and Violetta whilst Ceara linked her and Hermione's arms. Ceara guided Hermione to everyone else. They were all so friendly, though Pansy's concern was reasonably vivid across her face. Hermione knew exactly what it was about Draco.
"Grangers," Pansy said, approaching Ceara and Hermione. "How are you both?" Ceara was unquestionably pleased to be treated equally to her cousin by someone higher than herself. "Brilliant, absolutely brilliant, how are you?" Pansy had decided that Ceara was an odd child. "I'm... great." she replied, trying to implicate the facts; she had no interest in talking to Ceara and required Hermione. Hermione rolled her eyes at the unsocial Princess and excused them, allowing Ceara to speak to people who'd enjoy her company, such as Lady Luna.
"What's the problem?" Hermione asked.
"I'm not sure what you mean?"
"Well, you clearly wished it talked of me privately. Why?"
"Where did you get that impression?"
"From how you talk to me, can you please just get to the point?"
"Ha, okay, I wanted to see how long I could keep that going before you were annoyed."
"Why?"
"Anyways, Draco. We need to figure out how we get you two to interact."
"If you can get him out here, I can attempt to talk to him. Honestly, I don't know how well this plan will go." There was a lot of doubt, even with Pansy, someone overly sure Draco was falling for Hermione just because there was much to take into account. Like, would King Lucius agree? If it all worked out, Draco and Hermione would need the approval of Lucius and Richard. Richard? There were no issues there. He only wanted his daughter to be happy. But Lucius, whilst Draco admires his dad and they have a great relationship, the King's lust for power can take over. He was far too greedy to see the reality of things sometimes.

Fortunately for Pansy, she didn't need it to make Draco leave the Castle. He did that upon his own free will. The two girls saw him approach from the corners of their eyes.
Luna saw her cousin, Draco, and decided to go say hello. She dragged along her newfound friends, Ceara, Rebecca and Susan. Since the ladies had decided they were as important as everyone else while on these grounds, minus the King, Queen and Minerva, they surrounded him and started questioning him. "What are you doing near the manor?"
"How ginger do you think you'd go if you scrubbed your hair in urine?"
"Wow, yeah, it's so blonde."
"So, we hear you like Pansy?" Those were just a few things that Hermione and Pansy could make out from the four girls. Luna was the only one who didn't say anything despite her idea to talk to him. She just hugged her cousin. Hermione assumed the two didn't see each other that often, just considering the Malfoys' track history and what the Lovegoods are like. She smiled over the scene, and Draco looked at her. He started to see more clearly where Pansy was coming from; Draco wanted to cause that smile was one he wanted to be the cause of and see as much as he could. Pansy, watching this scene unfold, smugly smiled at herself with pride. This was only the beginning, and it certainly comforted Pansy's worries.

Eventually, Draco escaped the 15/16-year-old girls after hugging Luna back. He approached Pansy and Hermione. He stood beside Pansy, placing his arm around the back of her waist, bringing her in so that he could stand beside her and act as the loving fiancé he was supposed to be. "Hello darling, how are you?" Draco kissed the top of her head once he stopped speaking. Pansy eyes widened at Hermione, one because she wanted to save, but also cause she didn't expect that level of romance right now. "I'm doing just fine, just getting to know everyone." Pansys slowly removed herself from Draco, who she assumed to be acting like this, either in an attempt to make Hermione jealous or to work on his acting skills. "I need to go talk to my cousin, Violetta." Pansy was gone with that. It was a shift excuse, and Panys stood beside her cousin and some of the other younger ones, not saying a word. Draco's face was a little sour as he watched her do nothing before he looked back, being face to face with Hermione. "Hello."
"Hello again. How have you been since the last time we met?" Hermione asked, just trying to be friendly. Being friends was definitely the first step after fears of the two disliking each other for little reason. "I've done a lot of reading."
"You can read?" Hermione said, her voice riddled with sarcasm.
"Ha, funny, of course, I can. I was my mother's first student, after all." He seemed so smug about that fact Hermione couldn't help but let out a small smile at his outstanding obnoxiousness. "Yet, I plan on being the best."
"I imagine you will; you are outstanding," Draco said, paying little attention to what he was saying or even doing. He had looked at her deeply; there was so much affection and want in his gaze. Fucking hell, she thought to herself. It made her feel mentally weak, something new to her. "Thank you." She said, her voice softer than previously. She didn't expect any of this, her feelings, or what he was doing and saying.