She sighed as a stray chestnut curl fell over her face just to the side of her nose, her hair never seemed to stay up. Regardless of how many pins, hair ties or headbands she used it never seemed enough, her hair always managed to fall across her face. Short of using magic that was, but it seemed such a pointless exercise given it was just work and the hours it took all those years ago to make it perfect for the Yule Ball.

Blowing it out of her face, she hastily she continued to heat the milk in her hands, bouncing the jug lightly to the tune of the radio. She knew it was a pointless job working in a coffee shop, but the muggles around her made her forget about her problems, they were just simpler. As she heated the milk she began to think to herself, Hermione Granger smartest witch of her age working in a muggle coffee shop for less that $15 an hour. She scoffed as she poured the lattes for her current order, she could be in the Ministry, with magic and the people she knew putting that mind of hers to the test and yet here she was.

The bell on the door rang as he entered, and immediately Dracos senses filled with the bitter smell of coffee and the buzz of muggle radio. He nearly cringed on the spot as the so called music came into focus, why did his business partner have to pick a muggle cafe of all places to convene a meeting. He made his way to a table in the corner of the room the eyes of nearly every woman on him. He knew he was good looking and was one hell of a player, but lately he seemed to be experiencing a dry spell. Lately, when he was with a woman he seemed to go though the movements, but none of the women seemed to make him feel anything.

Jolted from his thoughts a black leather briefcase made its way in front of him, sliding lightly across the table, behind it a tall man with dark hair before him smiling down at Draco.

"Glad to see you found the place okay, given your sense of direction you'd probably end up at the strip club around the corner" Blaise smiled down at the disgruntled Draco.

"Which corner and do they accept Gallions?" Draco said dryly, looking around "Merlin, why did you have to pick a muggle coffee shop of all the places... " Draco shuddered as another pop song played on the radio.

"Two reasons" Blaise chuckled "One, no prying eyes or ears here, no one to monitor our conversations without the ministry taking care of it first, and well as for two.." Blaise covered his mouth in order to prevent a burst of laughter as the waitress made her way to them.

"Hello, what may I get for you?" she smiled politely, but noticing who was before her, her cheeks paled and her lips went still.

"Reason two" Blaise smirked at Draco, who was now glaring furiously at him, his grey cold eyes locked on Blaise. "I'll have an espresso Hermione, and for Draco?" He paused, a sly grin on his face.

"Nothing, you would probably poison it " Draco sneered at Hermione, shifting his glare onto the brunette before him.

Gaining back her tongue she retorted promptly "I wouldn't waste good poison on the likes of you"

His glare intensified, she always had an effect on him. "I'll have a cappuccino, skim milk and don't you dare burn the milk"

Scribbling down on her notepad the order she smirked, leaving the blonde man to ponder about what she would do to his drink and why she was smirking.

"I'm going to kill you" The words were like ice and as if his were like fire Blaise retorted

"She is single, you're single, and you are getting cranky lately. Are you not getting laid enough? Because if that's the case the strip club may have been a better venue choice"

The banter between the two suited gentlemen was getting into full swing as Hermione returned with their drinks, placing them accordingly she smiled and gleefully went to new customers in the shop, looking back to see the expression on Dracos face.

Confused Draco looked down at his coffee before looking up glaring.

"What?"

"That bitch" Draco sneered, pushing his coffee so Blaise could see the word 'weasel' written across the top in chocolate. "No wonder she seemed so cheerful"

"You know, if you were nice to her, she would probably be nice back"

"Doubt it, we have a history of this" He started to drink his coffee, getting more annoyed at the quality of the coffee, not surprised given who made it. "Now let's hurry up and get out of here, I can feel my IQ lowering." He added as he finished his drink.

Almost in a fit of laughter Blaise pulled out his wallet, leaving $40 on the table, getting up and ready to leave.

"What's this?" Draco looked at the amount and then back at Blaise in slight disbelief.

"Her tip" He grinned back at the pale blonde man who was now standing "She makes good coffee, what can I say?" Gesturing to Draco, who began to make his way to the door "And she insulted you so it's gotta be worth at least triple" He grinned as he waved goodbye to Hermione from the door who poked her tongue out in retort leaving the man to chuckle to himself as the two men made their way down the pavement.