A/N: Sorry for the delay. I know two weeks is really long for me but, sadly, my laptop has passed on. I basically wrote this entire chapter on my iPad then converted it to Word on my work computer. Therefore, it might not be up to my usual standard since editing was not very practical, but I tried. I don't plan on writing any more of this until I get my new laptop so there may be a delay again. At least this chapter is long for you! Yay!

Oh! And some happy news I just have to share. I just bought my tickets for Coachella! This will be my first year going and I am so so so so so SO excited! :oD

Alright, that's it. Keep strong, carry on …

Later that morning, Hermione arrived at her favorite coffee shop exactly two minutes after Draco. He was starting his work at the Ministry that day and they decided it would not be too out of character for them to meet for coffee beforehand. After all, they were just picking it up.

Even though it was still early, the coffee shop was already packed and Hermione had to push through the line to get to Draco.

"Looks like we're picking up for the troops," said Draco once she arrived. "Colby and Alex both asked for something."

"Did they text you?" she asked with a smile.

"You know they did," he said, smiling back.

"I'll get something for Teddy and Harry, too, then."

"And what about that Mc-Lacking-your-skills?" Draco sneered.

"I've never gotten him anything before," said Hermione. "Too personal."

"Haven't you worked with him for fifteen years?"

"Yes, and I have worked very hard to keep that line between coworker and friend firm and in place. I won't be tarnishing it now by being nice."

Draco glanced sideways at her and smirked. "Good."

When they got to the front of the line, Draco took it upon himself to do the ordering. A cappuccino for Colby, something extremely complicated for Alexandra and two black French roast coffees for him and her, no room for cream. He let her take over the ordering for Harry and Teddy.

When they were standing by the counter, waiting for their drinks, Hermione had to ask, "How did you know how I take my coffee?"

Draco cocked an eyebrow. "Black?"

She nodded. "And French roast."

"I assumed French roast because it's the strongest brew they have here, and why would I dare venture a guess at how much cream or sugar you take?"

"Most people at least would add a little -"

"You don't water down or sugarcoat anything in life, Granger. Why would the way you take your coffee be any different?"

Hermione could not help but smile. "It was still a good guess."

"I know you better than you think I do, Granger. You're not exactly hard to read. In most aspects, at least."

Hermione's smile grew. She knew what he was referring to.

Once all of their coffees were ready, they gathered them up, Draco carrying his and a coffee carrier with their four extras while Hermione carried hers and a few pastries they had picked up. When they got outside, Hermione was helping Draco readjust his hold on the carrier when a camera flashed in their faces. They both grunted.

"Is this really that interesting?" she asked the person that had taken the photo.

They lowered their camera and smirked wickedly. "My editor seems to think so, yes."

Hermione and Draco recognized the man instantly. He was the one Draco had paid off. "You again," he said with narrowed eyes. "I thought we were rid of you."

"If you want to pay me off completely then you're going to have to do better than three-thousand Galleons," said the man. "But, as it is, I won't be accepting a Knut of your dirty money from here on out."

"And why is that?" asked Draco.

"Because not only did you destroy my photo of the youngest Potter drunk off her arse, but you also destroyed two of my personal favorites. One of the two of you disappearing behind the shield of a Disillusionment Charm, and another of you walking out of it several minutes later holding hands. Tell me something, Mr. Malfoy, just what were you doing behind that charm for all of that time?"

"Not what you're implying, I assure you," Draco lied, putting his arm behind Hermione and attempting to guide her away.

The photographer stepped in their path. "I don't believe you. Something is going on here, something story worthy and I'm going to be around every corner you turn until I find out." He lifted his camera and flashed it in their faces again.

"Yes, the pureblooded chauvinist, Draco Malfoy, falls for the muggle-born mother of his son's future bride. I can see why that headline might interest you," Hermione scoffed. "But all you're going to do here is waste everyone's time, including your own. Mr. Malfoy and I now work together and our children's union has caused us to reach an understanding. That is the only story here."

Hermione pushed her shoulder into the man and walked on with Draco just behind her. He smirked and winked at him as they walked off.

"The nerve of some people," said Hermione as they headed towards the Ministry.

Draco nodded in agreement. "I will make some calls and get rid of that pest."

"No, don't bother," she said. "Anything we do will only aggravate him more. We'll just have to be too dull to publish."

"Granger … He just took a photo of us carrying coffee and it will undoubtedly be on the front page tomorrow. How more dull can we be?"

Hermione frowned. "Fair point."

The two of them walked towards the Ministry, taking the old telephone booth down to the atrium. Since Draco was officially working there, he did not need to get a guest pass and they were able to head straight for the lift, which was empty when they got on. The doors started to close.

"Hold the lift!" someone shouted.

Draco pressed the button to reopen the doors.

Theo rushed in, smiling when he saw both of them standing there. "Hi." He walked in and stood next to Hermione. Seven people walked in after him. It only took the presence of Bentley and Annette to let Hermione know this was the entire English National Quidditch Team. Annette was glaring at her, per usual.

"Hermione!" Bentley said brightly. "Already such a lucky morning."

She smiled. "Hello, Bentley. How are you?"

"Great! Today's the day we're sort of raffled off to the teams and sign contracts. After the World Cup I am expecting a great increase in my revenue."

"Best Beater in centuries. That's what they say," his teammate Simon said sourly.

Bentley was not fazed. "Yep! That's what they say!"

The doors started to close but a hand caught them and pushed them back open. Ron blushed when he saw Hermione standing between Draco and Theo. He stepped in with Harry just behind him.

"Oh, Harry! I brought you a coffee!" said Hermione, searching through the cups Draco was holding. "What's this one?" she asked, pulling the cup sleeve down. "There's a lot of writing."

"Alex," she and Draco said together.

"No, that one's Colby's," she said, looking at another. "Speaking of which, did the two of you not come in together, Annette?"

The lift started to close again but someone outside pressed the button. Cormac stepped in, turning as red as Ron when he saw where Hermione was standing.

"No, he didn't," Annette said simply. Coldly.

Alexandra ran in just as the lift was closing again. Someone grabbed the doors and ran in behind her. Tobias could not hide his sneer when he saw Theo was standing beside Hermione again.

"Here it is," said Hermione, finally handing Harry his coffee and then giving Alexandra hers.

"Thanks," they both said.

One last person slipped in smoothly just as the doors shut. "Well, look at all of you riding the lift in unity," said Blaise with an amused grin.

"Blaise, what are you doing here?" asked Draco.

"I have some business with the Minister."

"Sorry I didn't get you a coffee, Ron, but I didn't know you were going to be here this early," said Hermione.

"S'alright," he said, eyeing Theo from the corner of his eye.

"You knew I was going to be here this early," said Cormac. "Where's mine?"

Hermione ignored him and kept looking at Ron. "Mind if I ask why you are here this early?"

Ron blushed a little while Harry smiled beside him. "Go on and tell her, mate."

He looked around the crowded lift. Everyone was watching him.

"Tell me what?" she asked.

"I …" Ron's blush brightened when he locked eyes with Alexandra, who was the only one not even trying to hide the fact that she was paying attention. "I got the job as Vice Head of the Auror Office. I start today."

Hermione's eyes widened. "You did?"

He nodded.

Suddenly, she let out a loud squeal of joy. She jumped up and down and pulled Ron into a hug. Blaise smirked and glanced sideways at Draco, who was trying to hide his displeasure since he knew Blaise was not the only one watching him closely. Annette was right there with him. Cormac scoffed, causing Alexandra to look right at him. He went white and turned away quickly.

"Oh my gods! Ron, that's fantastic!" shouted Hermione. Then she stopped and smacked his arm. "You arse! Why didn't you tell me this at the train station yesterday?"

"I didn't know then. Kingsley only came by my place yesterday evening. He said he wanted me to get started right along with this revamping we're doing to the department." He glanced at Draco.

The lift opened and Tobias practically ran out of there.

"You're really happy for me?" asked Ron once the doors closed again.

"Of course I am," answered Hermione. "I know how hard you've been working for this. Here." She dug through her bag of pastries. "Have my croissant as a congratulatory gift!" She pulled it out of the bag and held it out to him.

"That's all right," he said. "But I would like it if you came to this small party that Ginny is throwing for me at the Leaky Cauldron on Saturday." He blushed as he asked.

"Saturday," repeated Hermione as she put her croissant back in the bag. "I …"

"If you can't I understand."

"No, it's not … I mean, of course I …" She gulped and tried hard not to look at Draco, who she already knew expected her to spend the entire weekend in his bedroom with him. "Yes, I would love to come, Ron. You've earned this."

Ron smiled. Draco did not.

The lift opened again and the Quidditch team members headed for the door.

"We still on for lunch tomorrow?" asked Theo as he exited with them.

"Yes," answered Hermione, trying hard to hold on to her smile.

"Does that mean you're free today?" asked Bentley.

"Umm …" Hermione lost her words for a second as she felt like all eyes were on her. "Sure," she finally answered. "Noon."

"I'll meet you at your office," he said, smiling brightly at Harry as he exited, obviously still a little star struck.

The lift started up again and everyone was silent. To avoid looking at Draco or Ron, who were both so clearly angry, she glanced over at Blaise. He whispered something to Alexandra but she ignored him and stepped away. He looked a bit miffed about it, especially when she was the first one out when the lift opened, followed quickly by Cormac.

"Later, mate," said Blaise as Draco passed him. "Granger. I'd ask you to meet for lunch while I'm here but it seems your schedule is filling up rather quickly." They locked eyes and he smirked. She rolled hers and walked away.

When she got to her department, Alexandra already had her briefcase open on Teddy's desk while Draco handed him his coffee. Hermione dropped the bag of pastries on his desk, as well.

"Malfoy, will you come into my office for a second?"

Draco followed her, shutting the door behind him. Hermione immediately turned around, pinned him against the door and kissed him. Draco cupped her cheek in his available hand and stroked it.

"Just in case you weren't sure," she whispered before kissing him again. "I wanted to remind you that you're all I want."

Draco smiled against her lips. "That might possibly go down in history as the most awkward lift ride ever."

"Yes, we'll have to try and get in a little earlier tomorrow."

Draco nodded, continuing to kiss her like he never wanted to let her go.

"Work time," Hermione whispered, unconsciously licking her lips as he began to harden against her.

Draco nodded again, closed his eyes and tried hard to think of anything to bring himself down again, a task proven quite difficult with the scent of Hermione's perfume invading his nostrils.

"Merlin, I want to fuck you right now."

Hermione smiled and kissed his neck. "Tonight. After work. I'll have to head home to pick a few things up first but I'll head over right after."

Draco nodded for a third time, his cock not softening as she continued to stand against him.

Hermione chuckled and kissed him one last time before walking away and putting her purse inside of her desk drawer. She opened her file cabinet and pulled out the information she and Cormac had been gathering for improving the Auror Office. That would be their sole goal this week.

"Are you ready for this?" she asked Draco as she walked back over to him.

He was biting his knuckles with his eyes clenched shut. "You shouldn't have bent over when you went into that cabinet."

Hermione laughed.

Draco opened his eyes and kissed her. "I don't think you fully understand what it is you do to me."

Hermione smiled and put her hand on his cock. "Put that thing away before you poke somebody's eye out."

Draco laughed. "Yes, mam."

He stepped away from the door and Hermione opened it. Draco gave her arse a squeeze before they walked out.

Colby had finally arrived, looking disgruntled as he sipped on his coffee and mindlessly watched Alexandra do something on Teddy's computer.

"How fast do you type now, Alexandra?" asked Hermione.

"Seventy words per minute," she answered. "I plan to reach eighty by the end of the week." Alexandra printed something out and grabbed it. "Thank you for letting me use this, Mr. Lupin. I am still waiting for management to approve my purchasing one."

Everyone looked at Draco.

"I already told you, Alex. You have to write a proposal just like everyone else. Your higher position does not exempt you from the rules."

"But my higher position prevents me from having time for such trivial tasks."

"That's why I gave you an assistant," said Draco. "Use him."

Alexandra grunted.

"Are we ready then?" asked Cormac, walking over from his office.

Alexandra stood and put the paper she had just printed on a clipboard she grabbed from her briefcase. "My checklist," she said, noticing Hermione's curious eyes.

Colby made no attempt to move. Draco put a hand on his shoulder. "You all right, mate?"

Colby slowly turned his head to look at him. He blinked, then smiled. "Yes, fine. Just didn't get much sleep last night. Let's do this." He followed Cormac toward the Auror Office.

Alexandra hung back and whispered to Draco and Hermione, "I wonder what that bitch wife of his did now."

Hermione could not help but wonder herself. She did not trust Annette, not in the slightest, and she knew it was only a matter of time before something in that relationship came crashing down.

Hermione stood near Teddy's desk, noticing how closely he was watching Victoire as she talked with Draco. He had brought her to the Ministry that morning to catch her up to speed on everything, wanting her to keep an eye on the research team when he was not in the office.

"Do you not like Victoire working for Mr. Malfoy, Teddy?" asked Hermione, writing down some notes on her parchment before handing it to him to type out.

"No, I do," he said unconvincingly. "Well … I mean, she certainly seems happy there, especially since he's been giving her more responsibility."

"Then what's the problem?"

"How are you so sure there's a problem?" he asked, looking at her.

Hermione raised her eyebrows.

"Oh, right. That mother's intuition of yours." Teddy gave her a half-smile. "It's just … He's awfully charming, don't you think?"

"I suppose he can be," said Hermione. Though, it definitely was not his charm that drew her towards him, but it did not hurt on the few occasions when he actually used it on her.

"Vickie says all the woman in her office gush over him. They all want to be the next Mrs. Malfoy, but he's not interested in any attachments."

Hermione shrugged. "So?"

"So … There's nothing less detached than going after a woman who is six months pregnant."

Hermione could not hold in her laughter. "I'm sorry," she said when Teddy looked coldly at her, "but even you have to realize how ridiculous that sounds. Not only would Malfoy never do that, he already has his pick of women, but Victoire would never cheat on you. She loves you, Teddy."

"Yeah … You're right," he said. "I just can't seem to shake this feeling that the closer we get to parenthood, the more distant she seems to be getting."

"I'm sure that's not true …"

"Hi, honey!" Victoire jumped into Teddy's lap and gave him a kiss. "So Mr. Malfoy just left for a lunch meeting and he said I can take mine so -"

Teddy's eyes lit up. "So you want to go to that Dim Sum place you were craving the other night?"

"Oh … No," said Victoire. "I mean, I would, but I have a million errands to run before I head back to the office. I thought you could walk me out."

"But when are you going to eat?" asked Teddy, his bright eyes fading.

"I don't know. I figured I would just pick up a sandwich on my way back."

He frowned. "Do you need help with your errands at all?"

"No, honey, I'm fine. Just walk me." She stood up and pulled Teddy with her. "See you later, Aunt Hermione!"

Hermione waved before going into her office and grabbing her purse. She was actually Draco's lunch meeting and supposed to meet him at his office since this was the first day all week they were both available for a rendezvous. She touched up her red lipstick in her compact mirror and cast a charm to keep it in place before heading out the door. She had a plan today and her lips needed to look perfect.

When Hermione got to Draco's office, he was already standing by the fireplace waiting for her. She ran into his arms and kissed him hard, pushing him back towards his desk until the backs if his knees hit his chair. She shoved him down.

"Every night this week you've had me in your bed and all you can think about is sex," she said. "Well, today I want something different, Mr. Malfoy."

Hermione continued to kiss him while her hands undid his trousers. She pulled out his cock and smiled mischievously before dropping to her knees. Her eyes looking up and locking on his, she slowly circled her tongue around his tip. Draco groaned, his fingers clutching tightly into her hair. Hermione licked him from base to tip, smiling one last time before taking his whole cock in her mouth. Draco watched closely as her bright-red lips moved up and down.

"Oh, fuck, Hermione … You know I love the red when your mouth is around my cock."

She pulled off and smiled. "I know."

Draco used his thumb to stroke the corner of her mouth. She kissed it, followed by a kiss on his cock's head. Then she was sucking it again, her eyes looking up and watching him moan as she pleasured him. The sight was so gratifying that she found her spare hand slipping into her dress and stroking her clit.

Draco smirked as his breath deepened. "Yes, baby, keep doing it just like that."

Hermione's heart quickened. He had never called her that before.

She increased the speed of her mouth, as well as her fingers on her clit. As she began to moan, the vibrations on Draco's cock only turned him on more. He kept looking into her eyes, fighting off the urge to drop his head back. His hand clutched tighter in her hair as she moved faster still.

Hermione moved the hand that was stroking the base of his cock down to massage his balls while she took him even deeper. While she was not an expert at this, she had definitely seen a vast improvement in the last few months.

"FUCK! Hermione!" Draco screamed as his breathing became erratic.

He tried to move Hermione out of the line of fire but she held on tight, continuing to suck him off until his cock was limp and his come was in her mouth. She pulled off slowly, eyes still on him as she swallowed in one deep gulp. Then she licked his tip one last time, cleaning off any drops that she had left behind.

Draco growled like an animal before picking her up and tossing her on the desk. He bent her back and pulled her panties aside, shoving two fingers inside of her while hungrily feasting on her clit. Hermione had already been so close that it was only a matter of minutes before she was coming.

Draco standing and Hermione sitting up, they met for a desperate kiss that only left them wanting more. She grabbed his cock again and started stroking.

"Remind me never to skimp on the foreplay again," said Draco with a laugh.

"Shut up and get hard for me," she demanded.

Draco smirked and ran his hands up her thighs. "Whatever you say."

On the ground floor of the building, Victoire was struggling to open the glass doors with her hands full. A man walking out hurried to grab and hold it for you.

"Thank you, Mr. Dunn," she said, giving him a bright smile.

Mr. Dunn nodded and hurried out.

As soon as he was gone, she narrowed her eyes at the receptionist and marched right over to her. "And no thanks to you, Kelly."

Kelly looked up and smiled. "Oh, Victoire! I didn't see you there."

"Like hell you didn't," said Victoire, sticking her tongue out at her before walking towards the lift. She struggled to press the button.

"What's that you've got there?" Kelly called after her.

"An orchid," she called back. "To brighten my boss's office." The doors opened and she stepped in, winking at the jealous witch before struggling to press the button for her floor.

Victoire actually was not finished with her errands yet. She definitely still needed to pick up food, but when she saw that orchid while picking out flowers for her desk, she knew she had to get it.

When the lift doors opened, Victoire hurried forward and put everything on her desk before she could drop it all. She had picked up a ton of folders, labels and just about everything else she could grab so she could start organizing the extra tasks Draco had given her. She was extremely eager to get started. Never in her life had she been so excited about a job before.

Once everything was down, Victoire dumped out her old, dead flowers, then went into the kitchen to clean out the vase before putting her new ones inside. Her aunt Hermione had always told her every home looks better with flowers and this was her second home now.

When that was done, Victoire looked at the orchid on her desk. She hoped she was not overstepping her bounds by getting it for him, but his office was just so drab. She looked at the closed door now. Of course she was not supposed to enter without his permission, but he was presently not there. What harm could it do to put the orchid inside as a surprise for when he got back?

Victoire picked up the flower and headed for the door. She opened it without a second thought and walked in.

Victoire screamed and nearly dropped the orchid when she found the office was not empty. Draco was snogging some woman hard as she sat on his desk, straddling him between her legs, both of their shirts partway undone. She knew the back of that head instantly, her heart skipping about ten beats when she saw it.

They both turned and looked at her, their eyes wide and their faces flushed.

"Aunt Hermione!" she screamed.

"Fuck, Mrs. Lupin, get out!" shouted Draco, turning red with fury, or quite possibly embarrassment as he tried to zip up his trousers without her seeing anything.

"I … I'm sorry," she said, tears building up in her eyes. "Oh, Merlin!"

Victoire ran out and slammed the door. As soon as she was gone, Hermione jumped off of the desk and straightened her outfit.

"Dammit, Malfoy! Why the hell didn't you lock the door?"

"I wasn't bloody thinking about it!" he shouted. "No one knows I'm here and she's supposed to be at lunch. Why is she FUCKING here?"

Draco stormed towards the door.

"Draco Malfoy, don't you dare yell at her!" snapped Hermione as she stormed after him.

Victoire was sitting at her desk in the front office, staring mindlessly at the orchid on her lap.

"Victoire!"

She looked up when she heard her name, gulping when she saw Draco standing there. He rarely ever said her given name, and never with such malice. "Yes," she said in an almost whisper.

"What are you doing back here?" he demanded.

"I …" She gulped again. "My hands were full. When I was running my errands."

Hermione stepped up behind her and put a hand on her shoulder. She jumped, not registering who it was until she turned her head.

"You know the rules. Under no circumstances are you to ever enter my office."

Victoire nodded her head frantically. "I know, I'm sorry, I -" And then she was crying, sobbing uncontrollably onto the orchid. Hermione kneeled down to try and look into her eyes as she rubbed her back.

"Vickie, are you all right?" she asked.

Draco crossed his arms and looked around uncomfortably. He knew she loved her uncle but this was ridiculous.

Victoire nodded and looked up at Draco with wet eyes. "Are you going to fire me?" she asked through her sobs.

"What?" said Draco, pursing his eyebrows. "Of course not. Why would you think that?"

"Because I broke one of your rules," she said with a sniffle. "I've heard stories of you firing secretaries for less."

"As a final straw, maybe," said Draco, "but only when previously proving themselves incompetent. I wouldn't dare fire you. You're the best secretary I have ever had."

Her wet eyes lit up. "Really?"

"I don't give praise where it is not deserved."

She smiled.

"Wait, Victoire," said Hermione, who was still crouched down beside her. "Is that all that's upsetting you?"

"Yes. Why?" she asked. And then she blushed as the memory came flooding back to her. "Oh. Right. That." She bit her lip. "Well … I'm not exactly shocked. The two of you have been spending an awful lot of time together, even if it is just 'work'." She snickered. "I'm probably more ... Oh, what's the word? Revolted? No, that's not right. But something akin to it. I've barely seen you and Uncle Ron share a kiss before and I'm fairly sure you were doing more than kissing in there."

Both Hermione and Draco blushed. Victoire laughed.

"So you're not angry?" asked Hermione, refusing to look her niece in the eyes.

"Of course not," said Victoire. "You weren't happy in your marriage, Aunt Hermione. I saw your separation coming long before it ever happened. Most of the family did. And Mr. Malfoy is … Well, you made an excellent choice of rebound."

She winked at Draco but he lowered his eyes to the floor, looking upset about something. Only Hermione noticed.

Victoire paused and bit her lip again. "But I can't imagine Rose will be too happy. Not just because the, uhh," she looked at Draco, "man in question is her honey's father, but she still has high hopes that her mom and dad will get back together. Surprisingly, Hugo is the more grounded one in this situation. I guess there's a first for everything."

Hermione sighed. "I figured as much." She looked up at Draco and frowned. "This isn't forever, what we're doing. Just until the wedding."

"No judgment!" said Victoire, holding her hands up and waving it off. "Do whatever makes you happy."

Draco tore his eyes away from Hermione, eventually staring at the flower on Victoire's lap. He pointed and asked, "Is that for me?"

"Oh!" She jumped up and held it out to him. "Yes. I thought it might brighten your office a bit. Make it look friendlier when you have potential clients come to visit. You don't have to worry about keeping it alive. I'll do it!"

Draco took the orchid and gave it a good look.

"I thought it was manlier than just flowers."

"I like it," he said.

Victoire smiled proudly. Then she looked at Hermione climbing to her feet. "Oh, Merlin! I completely forgot! I still have a million other things to do before my lunch is over!" She grabbed her purse off of her desk and kissed Hermione's cheek. "I'm stopping by that sandwich place on my way back. Do you need me to pick you up anything, Mr. Malfoy?"

"Just my usual would be great, thanks."

She looked at Hermione.

"Nothing for me. I have to be heading back soon."

Victoire nodded. "Oh!" She opened a drawer in her desk and pulled out a folder. "I took the liberty of writing out that proposal for the printers that Ms. Eld has been bothering you about."

She handed it to Draco, gave him a bright smile and headed for the lift. "I'll be back shortly." She paused. "But not too shortly." The lift opened and she stepped inside, waving at the two of them as it closed on her.

As soon as she was gone, Draco headed into his office. Hermione followed him and made sure to put a Locking Charm on the door as she shut it behind her.

Draco dropped the folder on his desk, then gave the orchid a good look before scanning the room for a spot for it.

"That end table by the window is nice," said Hermione.

Draco walked over and put it there. He slid it around the table until he decided the dead center was the perfect place. Then he turned to find Hermione still standing by the door. He put his hands in his pockets and slowly walked over to her.

"It would be nice if all of your family's reactions were like that."

Hermione scoffed. "I'm sure that was the best of it."

Draco reached her, hesitating for a moment before taking her into his arms and cradling her head in his chest. They stayed there for a moment, breathing each other in.

"I like you, Hermione."

Hermione stiffened.

"And if our circumstances were different I am certain I would have already asked to take you to dinner and make this public."

Her hands clenched into his arms.

"Would you have gone to dinner with me?"

Hermione pulled back and looked into his eyes. She smiled softly and nodded.

"Good." Draco kissed her. "I don't like it when we talk about this being temporary. I know it has to be but, until that day comes, I don't want to think about it. So don't go saying it again."

Hermione smirked and kissed him back. "All right."

Draco lifted her up and carried her back over to the desk. "Now, where were we?"

It was surprisingly easy to get back into it, even after their small interruption.

When Hermione got back to her office, she could not hide the smile on her face. Draco liked her. It had been such a long time since she had this giddy, butterflies in stomach feeling. It was like she was a teenager again, falling for someone for the first time. Only, she had never had that. All of that time she had only ever liked one person. Sure, she had tried to fake it with Viktor Krum that one year, and with Cormac that one regretful night, but her teenage years were never as they should have been.

But now … Now she had that chance. And with someone she never would have expected. Someone she wished she could go to dinner with, hold his hand, kiss in public. Why was it that she had to find Draco now? When he was just out of arms reach.

Draco sat on the side of his bathtub, watching as Hermione touched up her makeup in the mirror. She had come over the night before and planned to stay the entire weekend, her things already invading his bathroom counter. It was nice to have a woman's touch in his home again. It was one of the only things he missed about Astoria, but he was well aware that if all he missed about his ex-wife was her clutter then it was probably best it was over.

As he watched Hermione get ready, he could not help but feel this horrible twisting mess in the pit of his stomach.

"I don't understand why you're going to this thing."

"I've already told you," she said. "Just because Ron and I are separated doesn't mean I care for him any less. He's worked hard for this promotion. I'm proud of him."

"But I thought one of the main roots of your problems with him was that he was never around because he was working so hard to get it. Shouldn't you be bitter?" asked Draco.

Hermione sighed. "No. To me it just means that it wasn't all for nothing. He got what he wanted."

"Yes, and now he has a set schedule to try and win back what he lost."

Hermione looked at him in the mirror and frowned. "I don't know what Ron's intentions are but that's not why I'm going. I'm being a friend, Draco. Nothing more. I'll only be gone a short while and then I'll come straight back here. Maybe you should grab a drink with Blaise or Theo. I'm sure they'll find some means to distract you. It won't even be like I'm gone."

Draco took a deep breath and looked away from her, staring very intently at a tile on the floor.

Hermione ran her fingers through her hair, fluffing it out before turning. She watched him for a moment, and then walked over and stopped in front of him. "I'm going now."

Draco did not move.

"Do I not even get a kiss goodbye?" she asked, raising her eyebrows.

He did not answer.

Hermione huffed. "Fine. I'll see you later."

She headed for the door but, before she reached it, her wrist was grabbed and she was whipped around. Draco cupped her face in his hands and pulled her in for a hard, passionate kiss. He pulled away from her slowly, his lips still lingering above hers as he opened his eyes to look into hers. He whispered, "Don't take too long."

Hermione smiled. "I won't. I only plan on being there maybe an hour."

She kissed him again before walking into his bedroom and grabbing her purse. She looked back at him one last time and blew him a kiss before Disapparating.

Draco sat in his bedroom in silence, trying to read but constantly being distracted by the numbers changing on the clock. First it had been twenty minutes, then forty. An hour since Hermione left came and went. Then another fifteen minutes.

Draco jumped up and began pacing around the room in a panic. She was not here, with him, like she promised. She was there, at that pub with her bloody husband, congratulating him, hugging him, talking to him, maybe even reconciling with him …

He clutched at his hair in a fury. It was all too damn much. He could not take it any longer.

Without thinking anything through, Draco Apparated down to his drawing room and used the Floo to go to Blaise's.

"Fucker, where are you?" he shouted, his voice echoing through the large entryway.

A door opened down the hall and Blaise stepped through, clad in a silk robe and slippers while he sipped on a glass of brandy. "Nice to see you too, Draco," he said, taking a sip of his drink. "What is it?"

"Get some fucking clothes on, we're going out."

Blaise cocked an eyebrow. "We are? I didn't think your little missus - or is it mistress? - let you come out to play anymore."

"She has no control over me," said Draco in a horrible attempt to mask the truth. In fact, she had all control over him.

"I can see you're distressed," said Blaise. "So I suppose I'll humor you. Give me five minutes, I have something in my room I need to get rid of."

Draco waited in the entryway while Blaise wandered off. After three minutes, the door to the main part of the house burst open and a young girl ran out crying hysterically as she carried her heels in her hand. She paid Draco little mind as she Flooed the hell out of there.

Exactly two minutes after that, Blaise walked out looking as smooth and debonair as ever.

"So where are we off to?"

Draco grabbed his wrist and Disapparated the two of them out of there. When they landed, Blaise looked around, raising his eyebrows when he saw where they were.

"The Leaky Cauldron, Draco? For real?"

"Yes," Draco answered. "What's wrong with it?"

"Forgive me if I'm wrong but isn't there some sort of event going on here tonight? A celebration of some sort that we heard some witch who looks magnificent in a pencil skirt get invited to. I think you understand what I'm getting at."

"Is that tonight?" asked Draco with a smirk.

"Cut the bullshit, you know it is," spat Blaise. "Why are we here, Draco?"

"I wanted a drink."

"So we've come to a place we never go, on a night when all of your son's future family will be here. Something we know to be true because we were standing right fucking there when your continuing mistake was invited by her estranged husband."

Draco's smirk faded. "Are you saying you're not going to come in with me?"

"Well, of course I am," said Blaise. "Personally, I can't wait to see how this plays out. You're weaving a complicated web, Draco."

"Save me your lectures, I know what I'm doing."

Blaise cocked an eyebrow. "Do you?"

Ignoring him, Draco walked towards the pub's entrance. Blaise laughed before hurrying to catch up with him. "This is going to be fun."

When Draco stepped inside, he was able to spot the Weasleys' party instantly. Loud and chaotic, a sea of red hair flooded the entire back section of the pub. Ron was in the center of it sharing a drink with his brothers and sister. Hermione was a bit harder to find. But he did find her. Sitting at a table in the corner, sipping on an ale while chatting with Harry and a young couple, the boy's back to him but immediately recognizable by his white-blond hair.

Hermione laughed at something Scorpius said, her eyes lighting up as she did so. And then they looked up, landing right on him. Her laughter faded quickly.

Harry said something that caused Scorpius and Rose to turn around. Draco darted for the bar before he and his son could make eye contact.

"I can see this is going great already," said Blaise, sitting on a barstool and waving his hand at the barmaid so she would come over.

"Draco Malfoy, I didn't expect to see you here again."

Draco looked up to see Hannah standing on the other side of the bar. "Mrs. Longbottom, what a pleasure."

"Oh gods," said Blaise crinkling his nose. "You mean that Headmaster Bigbottom actually snagged himself a wife?"

"He did," said Hannah, narrowing her eyes at him. "Actually, I'm glad you came back in here, Malfoy."

Draco raised his eyebrows. "You are?"

"Yes, I wanted to apologize for my rudeness the last time we met. It was uncalled for."

Draco blinked.

"I've spoken to Hermione several times since and she actually speaks quite highly of you, making me think that perhaps I judged you too quickly," she said. "I know you and my husband did not exactly get along in school, but I was hoping we could put that all behind us. Start fresh."

"I suppose we can," said Draco, still a bit thrown off by this. "And what does your hubby think of this?"

Hannah chuckled. "He'll probably just stay out of your way," she said. "He's here right now if you'd like me to call him over."

Hannah looked behind them and raised her hand. Draco quickly stopped her. "No, no, that's quite all right."

She smirked. "I was just messing with you. The year just started, he won't be able to get away for at least another two weeks. But how about a round of drinks on me? For you and your ... friend." She narrowed her eyes at Blaise again. He just smiled.

"Sure," said Draco. "Whatever firewhiskey you recommend."

"Coming right up."

Hannah turned towards the bar and pulled out a bottle. While she was pouring, someone came up behind Draco and said, "Dad."

Draco turned to see Scorpius standing there. Alone.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

"Just having a drink with your uncle Blaise," he said, picking up his drink as Hannah set it in front of him.

"I'll see you later, Malfoy," she said before hurrying off to help other customers.

"Okay," said Scorpius. "But why here?"

"We were feeling reminiscent," explained Blaise. "Used to sneak in here a lot when we were underage." He laughed and swallowed half of his firewhiskey.

Scorpius lifted his eyebrows. It was obvious he did not buy the lie, but what he was actually thinking Draco could not figure out. "Well, do you want to come over? Everyone's celebrating because Rose's dad got a –"

"Yes, I heard," said Draco. "I think we'll pass."

Scorpius frowned. "Do you ever plan on talking to him?"

"Sure I do. Most likely about money when he realizes his little princess's dream wedding costs significantly more than he can afford, and in small sentences so that he'll be able to understand -"

"Dad! He's not an idiot!" snapped Scorpius. "Now that summer is over we are going get really serious about planning this wedding. We're all having brunch next weekend. I already have to deal with you arguing with Mom, don't be starting something with Rose's father too."

"Actually, it started when we were eleven."

Scorpius turned bright-red.

"Relax, Scor, I'm only joking," said Draco, giving his son a wink. "I'll cooperate." As long as Ron sat on the exact opposite side of the table as Hermione. Otherwise he would ... Oh, he did not know. Kick him or something.

"Good," said Scorpius, returning to his normal, fair color.

"So how are you liking your new job, Scorpius?" asked Blaise, taking a smaller sip of his drink. "As good as you expected?"

Draco scoffed and mumbled, "It's a bloody joke," before turning back to face the bar. He propped his elbows on it and leaned forward while sipping his drink.

"Just because it's not the one you thought I should pick doesn't mean it's a bad job."

Draco was about to dispute that when he noticed movement in front of him at the bar. He looked up to see Hermione there mixing a drink. A lot of butterbeer and a teeny tiny amount of rum.

"Scorpius, could you do me a favor and bring this to Rose, please. I have a few more requests I need to mix up."

"Yeah, sure," said Scorpius, taking the drink from her. He gave his father one last disappointed look before walking off.

"Stealing booze, Granger?" asked Blaise, watching closely as she played bartender.

"No, Zabini, one of the benefits of being friends with the landlady means I get to do pretty much whatever I want."

Draco chuckled.

Hermione looked up and stared coldly at him for a moment before going back to what she was doing. "You shouldn't be so rude to your son. From what I heard from Bill, he's doing quite well at Gringotts. They're very happy with him."

"Of course they are. He's overqualified for that shit of a position."

Hermione huffed. She stopped what she was doing, looked up at him again and crossed her arms. "What are you doing here, Malfoy?"

"Just having a drink with one of my oldest –"

"Bull," she said. Leaning forward, she harshly whispered, "You're seriously here checking up on me because I took slightly longer than an hour?"

Draco pulled out his pocket watch. "Approaching two."

"Oh, so that's why we're here," said Blaise, laughing as he took another sip of his drink.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Honestly, I don't know what I'm supposed to do about your jealousy at this point. I've done nothing to provoke it."

"Except come to your ex-husband's party." Blaise smirked.

Hermione pursed her brow. "He's not my ex-husband, he's my current one, and I'm proud of him. And it's not like I'm snogging him in the corner or something. We finished that just before you got here."

Draco began to shake as his hand tensed around his glass, nearly breaking it.

"For Merlin's sake, Malfoy! I'm joking," said Hermione, grabbing his hand and easing his grip on the glass. "Lighten up. It's a party."

"Hermione, could you be a dear and get me two butterbeers for Teddy and Victoire?" said an older woman, stepping up to the bar.

Draco glanced sideways at her. She did the same.

"Sure." Hermione grabbed two mugs and went to a keg to fill them with hot butterbeer. "I'm impressed that Teddy's still keeping up with this no drinking thing while Victoire's pregnant. Do you think he'll make it?" she asked, handing both mugs over.

"I think he will," said the woman. "He's always had very strong determination." She glanced sideways again. Draco kept looking forward. "Come back over soon, Hermione."

Hermione smiled. "I will, Andromeda. Just mixing a couple of fruity cocktails for the men who can't handle their alcohol." She winked and Andromeda laughed before walking off. "You do know who that is, don't you?" she asked as she went back to mixing her drinks.

"With a face so similar to her sister's, how can I not?" said Draco.

"Then why didn't you say hi?"

"I've never met her before," he said, taking another sip of his drink and coming back empty. "Why would I?"

"To be polite," said Hermione, grabbing a bottle of firewhiskey and pouring him another glass. Blaise shook his, demanding his own refill.

Draco glanced over his shoulder and watched as Andromeda gave Victoire and Teddy their drinks. Victoire saw him and waved enthusiastically. He gave a nonchalant one back.

"Why is she waiting on Victoire?" he asked.

Hermione laughed, thinking he was joking. He was not.

"You're serious?"

He said nothing. Just waited.

"Teddy is her grandson, Malfoy, who she raised like a son after his mother died in the war."

Draco blinked, his mouth dropping open slightly. "Wait. So my secretary's growing lump is -"

"Technically related to you," finished Hermione, giving him a smile. "Yes, it is."

"The things you learn on a 'spontaneous' night out," said Blaise with a wide grin.

"Excuse me, weren't you on the cover of that magazine?" A witch maybe in her late twenties leaned against the bar between Blaise and Draco, standing incredibly close to the latter.

"Wizarding Life," he said, leaning away from her. "Yes, I was."

"No, not that one," she said, giggling as she tapped his nose. "Witch Weekly. With all of those different women. You, sir, have a reputation."

"Damn right he does," said Blaise, laughing as Draco leaned further and further away from her.

Hermione took a deep breath, gathered up her drinks and walked away.

Draco turned to watch her as the woman continued going on about something. He watched as she walked right up to where Ron and Harry were talking, handed them each a drink before keeping the third for herself, and as Ron wrapped his free arm around her, his hand stopping on her arse. At that moment, the rage took over.

Hermione moved out of Ron's grip quickly and walked away, pretending she was going off to join someone else's conversation. Her eyes shot over to Draco. Watching her. Of course. He chugged his drink and slammed the glass down, turning towards the witch who was still trying to get his attention and leaning in incredibly close. She laughed as his arm started to creep around her. Hermione's eyes shot to Blaise, whose forehead was crinkled in confusion. He caught her eye and shrugged.

"Aunt Hermione."

Her eyes focused and she saw Victoire standing in front of her.

"Is something wrong?"

Hermione shook her head, looking at Draco once more before putting her drink down and bolting outside.

Victoire followed her with her eyes, then turned to see where she had been looking. The moment she saw Draco lean in and kiss some slag's neck, a fury she had never felt took over.

"Draco, what are you doing?" asked Blaise, standing up from his seat and attempting to create a wedge between Draco and the strange girl.

"Whatever do you mean?" said Draco, giving his friend a smirk.

Blaise reached into his pocket and pulled out several Galleons. "Darling, go get yourself a drink and give the men a moment alone, will you?" he said, handing her the money.

The woman took it. "Don't you go anywhere," she said, tapping Draco's nose again before walking off.

"Seriously, Draco, what the fuck are you doing?" spat Blaise as soon as she was gone. "Did we really just come here to fuck with Granger? Remind her exactly why she should have never gotten involved with you in the first place?"

Draco tensed. "No, I -"

"You're fucking up. That's what you're doing. She didn't come here to rekindle her relationship with her bloody husband. For some unknown reason, she's in to you, and she's not the kind of woman to play your childish games. If you're done with her then, by all means, continue what you're doing."

Going white, Draco said, "I'm not done with -"

"Then stop this foolish shit and go home. Now."

Before Draco could respond, someone had his arm and was pulling him away. Victoire dragged him around a post, swung her arm back and smacked him hard.

"Ah!" screamed Draco, clutching at his face.

Victoire had one raging, nostril-flaring moment before she threw her hand up to her mouth and gasped. "Oh my gods! Mr. Malfoy, I'm so - you know what, no! Losing my job was worth that. How dare you touch another woman like that in front of my aunt! I don't know the terms of your temporary relationship, but I highly doubt that was something you're allowed to do! How could you?" She crossed her arms and stomped her foot, not noticing as Teddy moved around the post so he could seeher. He stood there motionless.

Rubbing at his face, Draco said, "I didn't ... I mean, I wasn't going to -"

"There you are! I thought I told you not to go anywhere."

The woman from before threw her arms around Draco's neck and kissed him flat on the lips. It was obvious by the stench coming off of her breath that she was already quite drunk.

Victoire grabbed the woman by the shoulder and yanked her back. "We're talking here!"

As Draco wiped his mouth, he noticed a figure standing by the door. It was Hermione, and her eyes were displaying an emotion that he had never seen in them before. Yes, they were angry, but it was more than that. It was hurt, betrayal, and something else he could not pinpoint.

Without a word to anyone, Hermione marched towards the back room of the pub where he knew the Floo was. Luckily, none of her friends or family seemed to notice her slip right by them. He vaguely felt the woman still grabbing at his arm, so he shoved her off and pretended to walk toward the loo, slipping into the back room unnoticed.

"Malfoy manor," Draco heard Hermione say as she was sucked away. He gulped and followed.

When he arrived at his home, Hermione was standing a few feet away from the fireplace with her back to him. He slowly stepped forward, reaching his hand out to touch her when he got close enough. She smacked it away before it even made contact.

"Don't fucking touch me!"

"I didn't bloody kiss her, Hermione. She came up to me and -"

"Yes, I saw, Draco. Unlike you, I can tell the difference between someone who wants to be touched and someone who doesn't. But she probably wouldn't have done it if you weren't kissing her neck earlier." Hermione turned around, showing him her wet eyes and blotchy cheeks. "Why did you do that?"

"Because I saw your fucking husband touch you."

"And that gave you the right to feel up another woman right in front of me?"

Draco gulped, his stomach twisted and his throat raw. "Was it not you who reminded me just last week that we only said no sleeping with anyone else? I didn't break any if your bloody rules."

"No, you just disrespected me. Like I'm nothing to you."

His entire body tensed.

"Am I nothing to you, Draco?" she asked, the tears in her eyes spilling over.

Unable to move, Draco kept her gaze and forced himself to croak out, "No. You are something."

"Well, you have a funny way if showing it." Hermione pushed past him and headed towards the fireplace. "I'm going back to the party."

Draco tried to grab her wrist. "I'll come -"

"No!" she snapped, yanking her hand away. "You stay here."

The threatening tone in her voice let Draco know that he had no choice but to listen. "When will you be back?"

"I don't know. Later. Just ... bloody read or something until then. Don't follow me," she said sternly.

Without another word, Hermione Flooed away. When she arrived back at the Leaky Cauldron, she looked around until she spotted Blaise still sitting at the bar. She went and sat next to him.

"I've been abandoned, haven't I?"

Hermione nodded. "I've forbidden him from coming back."

Blaise chuckled. "Let's see how long that sticks. But it's all right. I had my eye on something at the end of the bar, as it is."

Hermione turned to see a witch who looked even younger than Victoire smiling at him.

"Word of advice, Granger. Get out while you still can. Draco's not the type of man a woman like you should get involved with. He's only going to disappoint you in the end. Just ask his ex-wife."

Finishing off his drink, Blaise winked at her before walking off to join his witch.

"Do you need another drink, Hermione?"

Not even realizing she had been staring blankly at a spot on the bar, Hermione looked up to see Hannah smiling at her.

"Firewhiskey, please."

Hannah poured her a glass and Hermione finished it all in one sip.

"Another."

After Hermione left, Draco found himself pacing around the manor until he eventually did find himself in his small library, trying to distract himself with the latest book by Kendall Sheehy, one of his favorite modern authors. Unfortunately, he was unable to focus and just shut his eyes, hoping to forget about where Hermione was and if she was angry enough to seek vengeance for his mistake. Because that's what women did. Sought vengeance.

Draco was somehow able to fall into a sleep so deep that he did not even hear when the alarm signaling someone arriving by Floo triggered. Hermione Apparated to his bedroom before wandering the halls looking for him.

His eyes opened the moment she walked into the library, her shoes already vanished but her legs still staggering a bit. She was clearly drunk.

Hermione looked at him sitting there for a moment before climbing into his lap, curling into a small ball as he wrapped his arms around her.

"Draco ..." she whispered. "Why do you want to hurt me?"

"I don't," he said, squeezing her tighter.

"Then why did you?" she asked, tears falling from her eyes and seeping into the fabric of his shirt.

"I didn't mean to. I ... Hermione, I don't know what I'm doing."

Hermione looked up at him, her hands clinging tightly to his chest. "What do you mean?"

"Before my wife I only ever had one girlfriend, and I never liked either of them very much. I only ever dated Pansy because she was there and did whatever I told her, and Astoria was chosen for me."

"So ... you've never even loved anyone before?" she asked, her hazy, wet eyes watching him so closely. Deeply.

"No," he answered honestly. "I wouldn't even know how to do that."

Hermione sighed and put her head back on his chest. "That's sad."

She closed her eyes and so did he, breathing her in and finally happy to have her back in his arms.

"Draco ..." she whispered several minutes later.

"Yeah."

"I'm adding another rule - No, not adding. Just altering."

He reached up and stroked a hand through her hair. "Go on."

Hermione looked up at him again and brought her hand up to his cheek. "No one else. At all. And if you ever do what you did tonight again there will be no third chance."

Draco smiled. "All right."

He leaned in to kiss her but she shot herself back. "Not with your tainted lips! At least brush your teeth first."

"Whatever you say." He wrapped his arms underneath her, lifting her up with him as he stood and Apparating them to his bedroom. He laid her down on the bed and said, "Just give me a minute, doll."

Hermione smiled. "Have we reached the phase of pet names in our relationship?"

Draco laughed. "Guess so."

He brushed his teeth quickly and hurried back out to her. When he reentered the bedroom, Hermione was on her knees in the center of his bed completely naked. "Ready to make it up to me?"

Draco smirked, tearing off his clothes before jumping onto the bed to join her. Finally, she was right back where she should have been the entire night. With him. And her lips had never tasted so sweet.