"What is it?" Draco's voice interrupted Hermione's thoughts. She shook her head. Still unable to adjust. There was something very strange about seeing Draco Malfoy, hot headed pureblood, hater of muggles, wearing transformed muggle clothes sitting in a small tucked away muggle diner. When he had ordered her to lead him anywhere, she had not actually expected him to follow.

"Nothing." She finally managed. Silence followed. He looked bored. After struggling to think of something to say she opted for bluntness. "What are you doing in Muggle Studies?"

"Had to start somewhere." He stated carelessly. Silence. More silence. Looking irritated he rose. "Right, now if we're done here-"

"Wait!" Draco paused. "You're leaving?" Hermione asked.

"Well, I see no further reason to stay and suffer this unbearable silence."

Hermione couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed. Was she not interesting enough? Not good enough to have a conversation with? "We're already here." She said hotly. Then more gently, "Won't you eat first?" He looked back to her and gave an exasperated sigh, but sank back to his seat. Hermione smiled to herself and ordered for the two of them. Draco sat and watched her. What was he doing here anyway? He could just go home rather than waste his time eating a meal here with Granger. He shuddered inwardly. Why of all people was he with her?

They sat there awkwardly, neither knowing what to say. Hermione shriveled inwardly. What could have possibly compelled her to ask him to stay? She hadn't actually expected him to, but now that he had, what could she possibly say to keep him there? Her eyes scanned the room for inspiration when he spoke. "so..." she looked to him. "It seems you've managed to find a job in the wizarding world. I'd have thought you'd be helping your father in denting muggles." he said snidely.

"He's a dentist." she snapped back annoyed. "And of course I have." She drew herself up straight. "I'm a wizard." He coughed and looked away, muttering a quick 'hardly'. Hermione narrowed her eyes. "Excuse me?" Draco was saved the labor of making some excuse by the arrival of the bus boy, come to deliver their food. "Thank you very much." Hermione said to the boy, giving him a polite smile. The boy blushed and scurried away.

Of course this went unnoticed by Draco who smirked and gave a snort. "Looks like you've got an admirer Granger. Who'd have thought?" Her eyes narrowed to slits. "I mean really," he continued, encouraged by her reaction, "Little bushy haired, buck toothed bookwort Granger. A suitor, and a mere muggle bus boy at that." He picked up his fork, waving it for effect. "It's just perfect." Hermione felt the anger boiling up within her. I knew this would happen, she thought bitterly.

"I'll have you know I've had several admirers." She spouted instinctively. "And I also happen to currently be in a relationship." Malfoy snorted and led his fork to his plate.

"With who? Weasel?"

"That's right," Malfoy surprised himself by stabbing his fork down harder than he had intended to, but quickly regained his composure. He noticed with satisfying relief that this seemed to go unnoticed by Hermione who continued, "and I would prefer you not call him a weasel. He's ten times the man you are and a loyal friend." she finished hotly. Malfoy, unable to think of a response shoved a forkful of food to his mouth. Hermione plowed on, "I mean during the entirety of the war Ron was out there in the real world in the face of danger to help protect thousands of people and fought off curses, death eaters and monsters alike." she paused to take a breath.

"You know, this muggle grain isn't all that bad." he interrupted truthfully. Hermione taken aback at the sudden change in topic crinkled her nose in confusion.

"You mean butter noodle."

"Bless you." Hermione's brows raised. "Not hungry?" Draco asked gesturing to her plate. Flustered and confused Hermione mechanically took a sip of her soup. Draco sighed inwardly. The mere mention of Weasley irked him. They finished their meals quickly with only the sound of silverware against dishes to fill the silence. Malfoy insisted he pay offering an annoying comment about his vast wealth, shoving an annoyed Hermione's hands away. He stood at the counter looking back and forth between the cash register screen and the wad of foreign bills in his hand. Hermione gawked at the wad and after some moments dug out her own cash again and thrust it at the cashier before pushing a protesting Draco out of the restaurant and onto the deserted street. "What do you think you're doing?" He yelled spinning around.

"Honestly Malfoy. You offer to pay and don't even know how much money you need to give? And you can't go around holding that big wad of money around. You'll be robbed." Draco only gave a shrug and hermione gave up. "Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow then." She called to Draco's already retreating back. She sighed and turned away.

"Oh Granger," he spoke before he could stop himself, his back still towards her. She paused. "Tonight was... fine." He finished lamely. Cursing himself mentally, he apparated away before he could hear her response. She stood surprised and turned to face him, but he was already gone.