Chapter One- Flirtations

"I can't believe I let you talk me into this."

Hermione sat across from a grinning Harry and stirred her drink. Harry and Ron had recently decided that her job at the ministry was holding her social life captive and was in desperate need of rescuing if she wasn't to end up a spinster. Just this very evening Harry apperated to her home only to find it empty. Imagine his lack of surprise when she was found amid a pile of paperwork in her office. Hermione had gone on to become a medi-witch and was hoping after this last bit of training to go into research. She was just looking over some of her note when Harry quite literally decided to "pop" in and drag her out to this new club to meet Ron.

Club Artemis was the newest place to be for the young wizards in London, anyone who was anyone could be seen living it up at the club in these post war times. The line was long, the drinks expensive, and not just anyone could get in. Of course they didn't have anything to worry about being a part of the golden trio. There wasn't a place in town who wouldn't bend over backwards to accommodate the great Harry Potter and his friends. The music pumped through the air and the energy that seemed to materialize from nowhere gave Hermione the distinct impression that the place was alive.

"You wanted me to talk you into this, you have been letting me talk you into things for 12 years now, you are not so innocent Hermione Granger." Harry said as he smiled at someone behind her. "Hey Ron!"

Hermione turn stood and greeted the redhead with a hug and a smile. Now that the quidditch season was over he would be home a lot more, which was nice, she hated that the three of them didn't have as much time for each other anymore. It was the one drawback to growing up.

"So are you going to dance with me this evening?" Ron asked as Hermione pulled out of his embrace.

"I thought you hated to dance."

"I said I couldn't dance, and that no longer matters. I find that when you are Ronald Weasley, keeper for the Chudley cannons, it doesn't matter what I do, they still love me."

Harry and Hermione took turns rolling their eyes before the three of them began to laugh. Just then Hermione spotted a group of young witches pointing and making their way over. "Incoming!" she announced. Taking this as her cue for an exit she made her way to the bar.

After ordering her drink, Hermione took time to observe her two boys. They had both grown up to be very fine men and she was proud of them both. Following the defeat of Voldemort, the three of them had taken a much needed vacation and then returned to wizarding England to finish their studies. Harry was now one of the top Aurors in England and was often called to other parts of the world to assist in investigations. Hermione was happy for Ron as well; he had been recognized as a war hero in his own right and had gone on to become a keeper for the Chudley Canons, his favorite team. He had finally escaped the shadows of Harry and was basking in his own limelight. She loved them both and was happy that their friendship had carried on into their adult years.

"So what are you drinking?" an attractive wizard sitting next to her asked. Hermione was not unattractive by any means, but she was always surprised when she received male attention. Up until recently she hadn't really the time for a relationship. Sure, she had been in a few relationships, but found that after awhile, most men left claiming they could never be Harry or Ron. Didn't they understand that she didn't want that, she already had them; she wanted something different from her boyfriend.

"I'm not really sure; I am not much of a drinker. I just have the bartender surprise me."

"Well why don't we get you another surprise." He said with a wink. "You're Hermione Granger aren't you?"

"Yes, I am, and you would be…"

"Oh I am sorry, the name is Patrick." He replied as he offered her his hand. Hermione subtly gave him the once over and decided that with his athletic build, dark brown hair and piercing blue eyes, Patrick wasn't a bad looking fellow. They struck up a conversation and he ordered a couple of more drinks. The evening was going great until an inebriated Patrick ruined the moment.

"I have never been with a muggle born before, is it true that you guys are wild in the sack?"

"Excuse me?" Hermione was outraged. Sure since the war she hadn't really had to deal with outright prejudices, however she was finding that it was much more unnerving to deal with the stereotypes that were associated with her being muggle born. She stood to leave, but before she could escape, Patrick grabbed her hand.

"Come on; don't get offended, I was just asking a question."

"Well it was a very stupid question, now if you would be kind enough to remove your hand." She started looking around the room for her boys, unfortunately, they were across the bar. She was going to have to get out of this one herself. Patrick's grip had now tightened around her arm and he showed no signs of loosening up. "Let go of me" she said in a low growl.

"Oh, don't be like that, I know what you want."

"I believe she wants you to let go of her arm." Hermione turned and locked eyes with two pools of liquid steel. "I think it would be best if you were to grant her her wish." He said as he turned away from Hermione and stared the other wizard down. Patrick knew when he was defeated and let go of her. He mumbled his apologies and stumbled away. Hermione was dumbstruck as she regarded her high school adversary.Did Draco Malfoy really just rescue her?

In their seventh year, a few months before the battle, Draco made it clear that he was not a follower of Voldemort. Don't get it wrong, he made it clear that he wasn't following that old coot or potty into battle either. Draco had wanted only one thing, respect, he had lost it after his father had gone to prison, and he had worked extremely hard to get it back. The diligence he had put into his work could only be outdone by the beauty in front of him. After the war, the Malfoy assets were frozen, and after the conviction of both of his parents, he was left virtually penniless. His friends had deserted him and he was alone. With the small amount of money that he did have left, he started a small investment firm. It was then that he realized that blood didn't matter, the friends he had acquired made him realize that everyone, pure of blood or not, was just working to get by. In three years, his small firm had become one of the largest in wizarding Europe, and Draco was back on top again, only this time with a different outlook on life.

"I believe the term is thank you."

"Thank you" she managed to say, still a little shocked.

"No problem, that guy is a jerk; he is in her all the time harassing young witches. I can't stand him."

"How come you helped me?"

"I would have done it for anyone."

"Not me."

"I just did."

"You know what I mean."

"No I don't"

"You hate me."

"Correction, hated. You were a stuck up, prissy know it all."

"That's not the reason."

"Oh, that…well I like to say that I was just a little misguided back then, besides that was school, aren't we grown-ups now?"

"I guess I see your point." Hermione replied after a moment. Although she hadn't seen Draco since graduation, she had heard about his transformation. She still had no intentions of starting a friendship with this new Draco no matter how cute he was. What?

"So, why don't I buy you a drink..." seeing she was about to protest, he quickly added, "You know like an I'm sorry I was an ass, lets put the past behind us drink?"

"I don't know I should really find Ron and Harry".

"They look kind of busy to me." He said nodding his head in the direction behind her. She turned to see her two best friends faces firmly attached to some young witch.

"So it seems they are." She said with a smile. Hermione turned to Draco and in a serious tone replied, "I will accept your drink Draco, but no funny business."

Having received their drinks, the two set off to find a table that wasn't occupied so they could talk. Hermione was surprised that the two of them were hitting it off so well. They talked about everything, their jobs, their hobbies, their dreams, they actually had quite a bit in common, including the fact that they were both single. It was amazing what a few years of maturity could do for a guy. Soon Hermione found that the new Draco was quite nice, charming even.

"It's too bad you were such a pompous ass in school, you were pretty cute." She wasn't drunk; Hermione had never been one to bite her tongue, why would she start now.

"You thought I was cute huh?" Draco asked with a smile. He was really happy that he had decided to talk to Hermione. He had never hit it off so well with a woman before. She was smart, funny, determined, and beautiful. He had always felt bad for the way he had treated her in school and had even come close to finding her to apologize a few times.

"Oh come on, YOU thought you were cute. You probably still do." They both laughed at the comment.

"Well you aren't so bad yourself you know, even in your prim attire. I would love to see you in something else"

"Oh let me guess, you bed right, you are going to have to try harder than that." Hermione said with an arched eyebrow.

"I meant clothes, you know something casual, but now that I know that's an option…" Hermione blushed, she hadn't meant her comment to come across like that.

"I only meant…" she couldn't finish her comment however; Draco's soft lips had just found their way to her perfect pout. It was a short, sweet kiss that left Hermione speechless for a moment, in that moment; Draco took the time to whisper in her ear.

"Let me take you to dinner next week."

"Are you serious?" Hermione asked as she pulled out to look him in the eye. She was having a great time with Draco, but she hadn't expected him to ask her out.

"You're the one that told me I would have to try harder if I was going to get you in bed; I figure taking you to dinner is a nice start." He said with a flirtatious smile. "No, I really have enjoyed our time together this evening, and I find myself attracted to you, I was assuming you felt the same?"

"Well there is an attraction, but…"

"No buts, let me take you to dinner next week, you aren't going to make me beg are you?"

"No…"

"Good, how about Wednesday at seven." Draco said before she could protest anymore, it was a tactic he had used with indecisive clients; don't give them the chance to say no. Hermione knew what he had done, but decided to let it go. She was having fun with him; it was obvious that the animosity they had had for one another had dissolved with age. There was no harm in going out with Draco Malfoy.

"Alright Draco, that sounds okay to me."

"Great!" Draco's face lit up the moment she accepted the offer. Hermione was defiantly unlike any of the women he had dated in the past. He was thankful that she had given him a chance and would have to work hard to impress her.

"There you are Mon!" Harry said as he neared the table with Ron in tow. It wasn't until they reached the table that they recognized who she was sitting with. Hermione and Draco were met looks surprise before the sly grins crept across the two boy's faces. Ron was the first to speak.

"So here we are thinking that you had left and we find you cuddled up at a dark table with Malfoy here. Hello Draco." Now one might wonder why Ron hadn't immediately made a scene upon the discovery of his best friend in the clutches of Draco Malfoy. It was a well know fact that Draco had helped Fred and George go from one shop in diagon alley to over 150 shops world wide. Fred and George were now a wizard household name. In fact Draco considered Fred and George to be pretty good friends, thus eliminating any contempt the two had held for each other. Harry didn't see the point in harboring any spite with anyone once the war was over. He now just wanted to get on with his life.

"Hello Ron, hello Harry."

Harry nodded and extended his hand. "So what are you guys up to, getting along I hope?"

"Getting along great, in fact, Hermione just agreed to let me take her to dinner next week." Upon his announcement, Hermione blushed deeply. She knew that things were ok between the four of them, but part of her could help but feel like she had betrayed Ron and Harry in the smallest way.

"Well you better take her somewhere nice, you might not get her out again, getting her to come here tonight was like pulling teeth." Harry said giving Hermione the silent reassurance that he was not angry.

"That's our Hermione though, all work and no play." Ron teased.

"Someone has to keep you two in line" she said in defense.

"That's right and it's our job to make sure you let loose every once in awhile. Anyways, its late, we are leaving, are you coming or should we call you tomorrow." Ron asked with a huge smile.

"I am coming, just give me a minute ok."

"Not a problem, bye Draco." Ron said.

"We will just be outside. See you Draco" Harry said. The two of them made their way to the door so they could give their friend some privacy, both of them thinking that it would be funny if Draco turned out to be just the thing Hermione needed.

"So should I floo you" Draco asked after the boys were out of earshot?

"Ya, I would like that." She replied with a smile.