Hermione's assistant Abigail knocked respectfully at her office door.

"Come in," Hermione answered, all the while preoccupied by the parchment scroll she was reading.

She only looked up when something hit her desk with a gentle clunk.

The enormous bouquet of flowers was impressive, simply impressive. A rainbow's assortment of rare mixed flowers, each more varied and exotic than the next completely blocked Hermione's view of her amused assistant.

"These just arrived for you, Minister. They've cleared security."

Hermione stood, her mouth agape at the sight. She reached for the card as she said absently, "Thank you, Abigail."

Abigail left with a little grin on her face, it had been entirely too long since anyone had sent her boss flowers in her opinion.

Hermione bent close to the flowers and inhaled their heady sent. The flowers were beautiful, and she couldn't fathom who would be sending her such a ridiculously extravagant treat and she wondered pessimistically who wanted something from her now.

The card quite cleared up that little mystery.

Granger,

I enjoyed myself the other night. I hope you did as well. I'd like to see you again, but I'll understand if that's not something you want.

Most sincerely,

DM

Hermione didn't quite know what to think. She had enjoyed herself with Draco. He had been fun and attentive, with courtly manners that she had only ever been the recipient of once in her life when she had worn a periwinkle gown and been on the arm of Viktor Krum. And if she were to be completely honest with herself she had enjoyed herself more with Draco in that one evening than she had in years with Ron.

She sat down in her chair, the flower's card in her hand. Her emotions torn. If it had been anyone other than Draco Malfoy she wouldn't have hesitated to say yes to another chance to see them. But it was Draco, and she knew that there wasn't a person in the wizarding world who would understand if they saw them together. She had to decide.

She pulled her chair back closer to her desk and picked up a fresh piece of parchment.

Draco grinned as he read the short note that the little owl had diligently delivered. He gave the little fellow a gentle scratch before reaching for a parchment and sketching out a map.

Hermione didn't not exactly what to expect as she stood at the door of the…, well, mansion, that was Draco's London home.

She nervously smoothed her dress, wishing suddenly that she had gone out and gotten something new, something expensive, instead of wearing her favorite simple brown sheath, the one she like because it matched her eyes. Finally she plucked up her courage and lifted the heavy door knocker.

She was surprised when Draco himself opened the door. She expected a servant or house elf given his wealth and status.

He was dressed more casually that she had ever seen adult Draco Malfoy - just simple black trousers and a maroon dress shirt with its neck button undone and sleeves rolled up just so. He looked as relaxed and comfortable as she was nervous and insecure.

"Granger! You found it all right?" he said with a warm smile. She couldn't lie, it was nice hearing him say her name so excitedly.

"I did. Your directions were impeccable."

He gestured over his head as if reading from a invisible marquee, "Draco Malfoy, Mapmaker Extraordinaire."

It was such an oddly playful thing for him to do and she couldn't help but giggle.

He laughed along with her and stepped back so she could enter. "Come in, Timly has been cooking all afternoon and is completely preoccupied in the kitchen or she would have gotten the door."

As she stepped inside she asked, "Timly?"

He shut the door and helped her out of her cloak. "My house elf," at her slight frown he amended, "my free, well-paid and well-looked after house elf. She's been with me since my son was born. She is very excited to be cooking for the Minister of Magic."

Hermione smiled. "I can't wait to meet her."

He offered her his arm chivalrously and chuckled, "Why does that not surprise me? Come on, I'll give you the grand tour."

The mansion was not at all what she expected on the inside. She had it in her head it would be a dark and foreboding place like the horrid Malfoy mansion she'd been taken to during the war. Instead she found lavish rich warm woods and light, creamy walls. Gentle artworks of sunny moving landscapes and ocean scenes were tastefully hung, the furnishings and drapery in deep navy and gold.

She walked around the grand salon, enjoying the art and antiques in the room. She could tell that most were enchanted in some way or another but she had no sense of dark magic. Not an iota.

The mansion had a homey, welcoming feel to it, despite its size. She thought that Astoria must have put a lot of effort into making it so.

Hermione turned to see Draco watching, an expectant look on his face. She threw his own words back at him with a smile, "Not what I expected, Malfoy."

He shook his head and chuckled. He held out his hand, "Come, I've saved the best for last."

Gamely she took his hand, trying not to notice how warm it felt or the casual strength it held or the way if just felt right in hers.

Hermione wasn't the only one struggling to not notice. Draco had to work not to let the surprise show on his face as the warm tingling sensation he had first experienced in the bar completely engulfed his hand that now held hers. He didn't quite know what to make of it. He had never experienced anything like it with any other woman he had ever been with.

The hallway was long, with tall windows that would let in copious amounts of sunshine during the day. There were several suits of armor in between the windows.

As they approached the first one Hermione shrieked and scrambled for her wand as the armor performed an elaborate bow and a hollow voice boomed out from within it, "AT YOUR SERVICE, MILADY."

Draco was in stitches and Hermione didn't know whether she wanted the hex the armor or Draco or both.

Finally Draco contained his mirth and said, "Sorry, I totally forgot about that. They're harmless."

Hermione stepped closer to the armor and peered into its empty helmet. "I almost blasted it. Scared me half to death."

"They only do that with new people. Say this: Until we meet again in another life, Sir Knight."

Hermione looked skeptical but repeated the phrase. The armor straighted back into its straight steadfast position and stilled.

She chuckled and turned to Draco. "Was this what you wanted to show me?"

"No. It's actually the room at the other end of this hallway."

With a little grimace she asked, "They're all going to do that, aren't they?"

They ran the gamut, silencing noisy armor along the way and finally made their way to the end of the hallway and a wide door.

Draco opened the heavy oak door with a flourish. "I seem to remember you liking the library a lot."

He pulled out his wand and flicked it, a small ball of white light flying into the dark room before them. The ball floated from chandelier to chandelier, lighting up the entire enormous room. A room that was floor to ceiling in book laden shelves.

There were several comfortable chairs for reading as well as a big reading table right in the middle with stacks of fresh parchment and quills at the ready for note-taking.

Hermione stepped into the room, her mouth hanging open as she looked around in awe.

She ran her fingers reverently across the spines of a shelf full of books. She saw titles ranging from Quidditch to dragon keeping to healing. Some of the books were newer, contemporary works, others were old, so very old.

She turned towards him, a wide, happy smile on her face. "This is amazing, simply amazing."

"I thought you'd appreciate it. And just for your own… piece of mind, there's no dark magic to be found here, actually there isn't any in the entire house."

She stepped closer and said honestly, "I didn't think there was. Not for a moment. Your home is beautiful and warm."

"You really think so?"

"Absolutely. Astoria did a lovely job with it all."

Draco's ears reddened a bit and he looked away nervously.

"Did I say something wrong?" Hermione asked, seeing his reaction.

He met her eyes and admitted. "Astoria has never been in this house. Neither has anyone else other than some workmen, my son, Timly, and now… you."

"Really? So… so all of this is your doing? Your choices?"

"Yes. I bought the property a few years ago, it had been owned by a dark wizard up to his ears in gambling debt who was more than willing to sell it to me for some quick gold. I stripped it to the studs getting rid of every evil little jinx and hex he had on it and rebuilt it all. I kept it private, my own… safe haven for me and my son. And once I decided to divorce, I made it my home. That's why I sent you the map, it's warded to be hidden. You can apparate to the front door now that you've been invited in."

"Wow. I feel especially honored to be here for dinner knowing all that. Your first official guest."

He reached down and took her hands in his. Giving them a little squeeze, "I wanted you to see this, Hermione. See… me, I guess.

Hermione squeezed back and replied gently, "I'm starting to see, Draco. And…," she started but clammed up at the last moment.

"And?" he prompted.

"I like what I see."

tbc...