Personal Space

Sherlock was taller than what Hermione had expected. His eyes gave him away as he scanned the party absorbing everything yet skipping over her bored by his surroundings unseeing what was practically right in front of him. Hermione knew he would make an appearance tonight, after all she had left the invitation in such a tempting way knowing he would not be able to refuse a face to face 'chance' encounter with the woman in the phone. His weakness was easy to see and she knew exactly what she needed to do to get him on her side. Hermione had just not expected him to be quite so exquisite.

His attention was demanded by a couple at his side, Hermione recognized Dr. John Watson. The woman holding on to Jon Watson's arm could only be the doctor's wife, Mary. The wife was more than her sweet demeanor suggested the woman had killed before it was written on her face as blatantly as text in a book. John Watson, however, was a doctor no matter how many lives the soldier had taken at the core the man was a healer, and a protector.

"What may I ask could be so fascinating about muggles? You are staring at the dark haired one like he is a tasty treat." Her dance partner whispers in her ear, the sting in his tone causing her to smile.

"He's the most beautiful man I have ever seen." She answers honestly uncaring how the ferret would perceive her statement.

"Then perhaps you should shift your gaze to me. I am incredibly gorgeous." The snake hisses and Hermione turns her attention to the blonde she is dancing with.

"Malfoy, you are not my type. I am only dancing with you because you coerced me into a one dance deal, that doesn't mean I have to enjoy it."

"Oh, Granger, I am everyone's type. Blonde, pouty lips, stormy gray eyes, incredible body, overly generous. Think of how much I donated to the revision of Hogwarts and to this muggle children's hospital thing." Draco Malfoy bragged, his hold a bit too possessive.

"I can't avoid thinking on it since you keep bringing it up." Is her response. Hermione's attention drifting back on Sherlock as he makes his way to where his brother stands chats up the Prime Minister. It is perfect timing as the music ends, Hermione pulling out of Malfoy's embrace before the final note finishes. "You should go find your date, now, before your betrothed runs off with a muggle who has deeper pockets than you, think of the scandal."

Draco's indecent growl does not registering with Hermione as she dismisses him, makes her way over to the group of powerful men across the room. Forcing herself to not acknowledge how nervous she is for this introduction.

Hermione can only watch as John nudges Sherlock's shoulder interrupting the detective mid statement his mouth still open when he turns in the direction that the doctor is pointing and Sherlock Holmes's blue eyes connect with her own brown ones. The two of them staring each other down as Hermione makes her way across the room. She refuses to look away as his intense stare divulges into inappropriate. Hermione forcing herself not to blush. She keeps herself focused not allowing the silly girl to be flattered, or the grown woman to be insulted. She simply keeps her face neutral reaching out and taking a flute of champagne from a waiter taking a drink to keep herself from fidgeting.

The Prime Minister smiles when he sees her, holding out a hand which Hermione takes purposefully looking away from Sherlock to give her full attention to the Prime Minister. "Ah there she is…Hermione, dear, I don't think you have met Mycroft Holmes or his brother, Sherlock." The Prime Minister introduces the brothers. Mycroft smiles indulgingly but it does not reach his eyes. Sherlock is still staring her down in an almost catatonic states.

"Nice you meet you." Hermione response forcing herself to look back at the detective, pushing her half drank glass in Sherlock's direction. He takes her glass without a word still staring at her in an unnerving way drinking the contents before passing the glass off to John.

"It's my pleasure," he tells, finding his voice as he takes her hand and kisses it. Hermione smiles indulgently taking a step closer. She tries to pull her hand free but his grip tightens. He never looks away from her face. "If I'm not mistaken this is where you persuade me to cooperate with your organization." he smiles at it is almost Hermione's undoing.

It is rare to find such a tempting man, but Hermione is made of stronger stuff, she is not some silly girl.

"I will warn you I am not a man easily seduced no matter how allure you are in that pink dress and pearls." Sherlock tells her and Hermione can feel her insides flare at his chauvinistic words.

"I very much doubt that, Mr. Holmes, seduction comes in many forms." Hermione explains with a sweet smile taking another step towards him willing to play. "If you cooperate with W.I.M.P. I will show you incredible things; magic, mystery, angles and demons, a whole world of possibilities that you have scarcely imagined...But I will warn you- do not make the mistake to assume that we need you. I simply though you might want to play?"

And this was the siren call that Hermione knew Sherlock would hear, temptation of flesh was wasted on a man like this. His weakness was the same as hers: He wants to know it all and to the point he wants to understand it.

Knowledge was his temptress.

Sherlock's expression was completely candid before he quickly and unsuccessfully forced a frown in attempt to cover up his excitement. Then Sherlock spoke three little words confirming he was up to her challenge, "Dance with me." It was not a question but it was said in a husky tone, and Hermione observed his pupils dilate as he pulled her to his side, his arm wrapping around her waist with such casualty it was almost like she had belonged there her whole life. His other hand grasp hers tightly, his fingers firm as they slid down to her wrist like a caress. Hermione smiles comprehending his ploy, but she is unable to slow her pulse as he twirls her around and takes the lead, guiding her through the familiar dance steps.

"You are dressed far less vulgar than I had anticipated, pink hardly seems becoming on a woman that can break and enter without leaving a trace." Sherlock states like want he just said was not rude. He adjust them, just so, pulling her closer to him. He looks down at her his breath on her face, it smells of champagne. "I had anticipated something far more auspicious than a little girl, with plaited hair and a crippling complex of failure. You seem far too young to be liaison of an international secret."

"Or perhaps you are too old to be frolicking around London playing cloaks and daggers with an army of one at your side. An old dog unwilling to learn new tricks." Hermione smiles in response, refusing to show she was insulted. Instead shifting her hand so it is on the back of his neck, she was all too willing to prove that she was capable of being his equal. "You are welcome to your deductions. After all I have witnessed firsthand how your preconceived views skew actual facts. Blinding you to truth. May I ask are you not fond of women in general, or do I just rub you the wrong way?" Hermione makes sure to allow her smile to reach her eyes while Sherlock glares darkly at her.

"I very much doubt you are a woman at all, but it is not a single gender that I find appalling lacking. It is how most women rely on emotion and feeling to guide them in life, resulting in silly outcomes that do more harm than good. They are, I have observed, called the weaker sex for a reason. Men on the other hand, for the most part, are quite capable of thinking logically, unless a woman is involved."

"Know from experience?"

"Ah are we talking about exes, then could we touch on the finer points of the red headed shop keep?"

"Yes Ron. Lovely man, one of my best friends, one of my worst boyfriends. I'm sure our love lives would be vastly entertaining most of my exes would tell you I'm insane. What would your say about you? I would guess that it wouldn't be that you are extremely modest."

"How observant, I am informed that is not one of my finer virtues but I am sure that anything you can do, I can do. Perhaps even better." He arrogantly declares.

Hermione laughs. "Oh? Then you wear these heels for the rest of the evening. I would love to see you waltz in them."

Sherlock smiles again.

The silence between them is comfortable and it is apparent that Sherlock is thinking about something. Hermione closes her eyes focusing on the music as he leads her. When she opens her eyes he is staring at her with a bemused expression.

"Let's dance all night, just the two of us. Then I'll take you back to my flat and share all my secrets with you, Miss Granger, after all why steal something when it can be offered freely?"

"Perhaps it is the temptation of the forbidden." She tells him her double meaning making his eyes narrow in on her.

"I am looking for a new flat mate." He blurts out, it sounds like an offer of some kind.

"I'm not sure…?" She can't put into words what she thinks she is hearing, because it was absolutely absurd that he would be asking her to move in with him.

"Oh, you understand exactly what I am suggesting. You could be my new handler. John went and got married, my flat is very spacious, two rooms. And I have my own lab…" He is trying to make the arrangement sound tempting, but Hermione can't get past the fact that a bloke she just met was asking her move in with him.

"Mr. Holmes." Hermione starts to spell out the illogical conclusion behind the pure ludicrously of his suggestion.

"Sherlock…if we are going to live together you should call me Sherlock." He sounds incredibly sure that the arrangement will work.

"I never said I was going to live with you. Besides, I'm living with Harry."

"Yes and when he purposes to his girlfriend," Sherlock shrugs. "The offer is an open one. If you find you need a place."

Hermione is shocked, she simply is uncomprehending. But then this was Sherlock Holmes, she had heard about him and what he was able to observe but this was the first time she had witnessed his brilliance first hand.

Harry had been looking at rings for weeks now.

"I…" She did not know what to say.

"Here." He says letting go of her long enough to fish into his pocket and pulling out a key offering it to her. "From now on nothing of mine is forbidden. You had it right; we can share. What is mine is yours. Why make enemies of those that should be friends?"

Hermione stares at the key like it is offensive and somewhere along the way everything had gotten horribly twisted. Hermione had never anticipated this. "And what is mine is yours? No, Mr. Holmes you don't get to mock me. You're not nearly as mysterious as you pretend."

"Very well impress me." He tells her taking a step back from her holding his hands out to the sides. Hermione is frowning. "Pease, if you are as clever as they claim- read me. Let us clear the air, so that each of us comprehends what the other is capable of."

"Doubtful this is your best idea. Worse than you suggesting me to room with you." she looked affronted.

"Why is it such an awful thought? In the shadow of absurdity you have proven that you can out smart me! Now I only ask to see the proof with my own eyes!" Sherlock shouts causing many people to look over at them with reprimanding stare.

"No." Hermione concludes her head held high, her voice stern but barely a whisper.

"No? Why not? Are you afraid you will show yourself for what you are?" Sherlock mocks.

"I don't have to prove anything to you. I will not play your little game, because you miss the entire purpose of making the deduction, Mr. Holmes." Hermione sternly explains.

"It is my game, therefore how could I possible not know the purpose of something I invented?" Sherlock asks.

"It is about finding the person not the pressure point." Hermione declares making Sherlock frown.

"How sentiment just like a woman. Filled with weak emotions looking for meaning in a higher purpose. Perhaps it is your gender that I detest, hissing her lies, selling her body and using her mind only in a struggle towards power that she has no idea how to control. Finding the person, Ha! I had thought you were different, braver, sensible... I did not even know I was lost."

"Course not, most people don't know when they are. And the ones that know they are lost seldom stop to ask for direction, because it is too embarrassing. You, however, are not lost. You are undoubtable exactly where you have been the majority of your life; like a mouse on an exercising wheel going around and around, with no end in sight...in a maze of your own creation." Hermione spells out, at wits end with the insufferable man.

Sherlock laughs, "Then tell me: who am I?"

"You are Sherlock Holmes. Every one of your flaws are so deliberate it is perceived as self-destruction, but you do not fool me. Your bruised ego aside I comprehend even this game. Your tells are so blatant and practiced that I am surprised no one has called you out on them before. Everything you do is so that you can be free of sensor, breaking down every expectation that your loved ones have of you so you are free to do anything you need without the complication interpersonal relationships. There are bad people. Truly awful monsters that slip between the fingers of justice, so that is where you hide, a man capable of anything to protect those he is loyal to...you are truly a beautiful man, clever and brass. Yet you have missed the key component within the game you play…and ultimately this is why you cannot see past your world of two, resulting in the stunted emotional growth of a juvenile delinquent."

"And what component is that, Miss Granger." Sherlock asks sounding amused by her deduction.

"It is not about destruction, it is about salvation. Understanding a person and why they are who they are; only when you find them can you then save them, or destroy them. And it is a man with both, logic and emotions in balance that can know in which way to act."

"And what would you know of destruction. A woman child, as innocent in temperament as she is in appearance." Sherlock asks loudly looking intrigued by her words.

"Don't make the mistake of thinking me a child. Or of trying to preserve a falsity of innocence that you believe still lingers somewhere behind my comely face. I may look like an angel but my temperament is not angelic. My emotions are not a weakness, they are my greatest weapons, because if my loved ones are threatened or injured I will not be broken, but renewed in vengeance and my wrath is not as forgiving as my empathy. I love just as fiercely as I hate, and do so without fear clouding my judgment." Hermione yells back and Harry is suddenly at her side.

"Hermione, come." Her best friend coax her away from the detective standing within arm's reach looking at her like she is the most fascinating person in the world.

"Then what is it you fear?" Sherlock asks moving to block their way.

"Oh Mr. Holmes a clever man like you will have to figure that out." She tells him as she stares at him unwilling to move, Harry again pulling at her arm.

"I look forward to it." Sherlock declares, then his lips on hers. One hand at the base of her neck the other slipping the key in her left hand and then he is walking away and Hermione is trying to catch her breath as her best friend pulls her through the audiences that had gathered to watch her and Sherlock like their argument was the highlight of the evening.

Hermione is sitting in a plush chair at home, she can hear Harry in the kitchen. There were many points of the evening that Hermione was confused about. The biggest one being the key that rested securely in her pocket. Hermione understood the kiss- had been a ruse to put her off kilter, and had momentarily worked. Not because the kiss was mind blowing but because it was an act contritely to Sherlock Holmes' personality. It was just illogical; such an intimate gesture, particularly for a man of logic. But then Sherlock was not above doing what he must to get the results he wanted. Lies and games, his honesty harboring along the fringe of withholding evidence. And that is why she understood the kiss for what it was- he was trying to tempt her with his own preconceived value in his looks. He was smart enough to know he could not appeal to her with false chivalry, or an admiration of kindred spirits in the pursuit of justice.

No, Hermione could all too easily follow his thought process down the rabbit hole. She had, after all, called him beautiful and he took her pulse, and she understood he would misinterpret those signs as physical attraction attempting to bend that knowledge to his advantage. Only Hermione had also observed that vein along his neck, and his own pupil dilation when he spoke to her, signs he was not nearly immune to her charms as he claimed. But physical attraction is not enough to turn Hermione into a malleable giggling girl any more than it could cause Sherlock to play nice.

Still he was willing to play and somewhere along the way him inviting her to share a flat, made sense in his twisted logic. And that is when it hit her, the whole reason of his ploy. Clever man, Hermione thought as she pulled the key out and examined it.

After all what better way to keep an eye on a threat than to keep them within sight.

At this realization Hermione was almost flattered. That Sherlock Holmes saw her as an adversary.

"I know that look." Harry cuts into her thoughts placing a cup of coffee in front of her, taking the chair beside her.

"You are going to try and fix him aren't you?" Harry asks, the implication that it was Sherlock of whom, he spoke did not need to be put into words.

Hermione smiles, and shrugs. "No… There is no fixing a man like that. He is perfect just the way he is, well he could use some work on sincerity."

Harry raises an eyebrow. "Then you are going to handle him, get him to play nice?"

"Oh, Harry. Where's the fun in that? You know how I love the players, and Mr. Holmes loves the game." Hermione states wistfully twirling the key in her hand. "Tell me, when are you proposing to Ginny?"

"Don't know, why?" Harry asks sounding concern.

"Because I think it is time I give you your space."


A.N: Sorry about the slow update for this chapter. They weren't wanting to play nice with each other and so I decided to go with it instead of forcing them to get along, and then the tension was so thick that I was trying to keep them from tearing each other to pieces before chapter four. Enjoy and I will update as often as I can manage. Thank you for reading.