Hermione's thoughts had been so focused on her host family that she hadn't even noticed the approach of one of the few potential allies she had in the entire world. Shielding her eyes with her hand from the glare of the sun, she stared up at Draco Malfoy for at least a beat or two before she nodded her head. With a friendly smile that still felt strange to see sent in her direction, he sat down on the step next to her only centimeters away.