I woke up with a headache and trying to work out last night in my head. Ron would be furious, and I knew I'd have to deal with Ginny and Harry soon, but I just wasn't ready to face that yet. I also remembered Draco continuing our so-called 'date' and found that strange. I got up, dressed and ready to go before I realized what had happened. Draco Malfoy had kissed me. Well, on the cheek I guess, but he had been very flirty! How was I supposed to face him and Ara now? I walked into the kitchen to make some breakfast and found Draco's Owl outside the window with a letter and small package. Letting it in, I took the letter from its leg and unraveled it as quickly as possible.

Hermione,

Sorry about last night. I don't know what I was thinking. Attached is an apology I hope comes in handy on your next date.

P.S. Please come check on Ara.

-Draco.

I grabbed the package and noticed it seemed fairly light. Giving the owl it's treats so it could leave I turned to sit in my kitchen. I eyed the package carefully and opened it with even more care. I opened it and stood up in shock. When I came to I immediately dropped the gift. Draco Malfoy has sent me lingerie. Not only lingerie, but a deep green and silver number that had lace all over and thigh high stockings. I noticed a slip of parchment fall from between the pieces and picked it up off the ground.

I happen to like Slytherin colours on you. Keep the necklace too.

I had to sit back down. This was all getting too much. I knew Draco would be waiting on me today, hoping I would visit his daughter. Unfortunately I also knew that Ara needed to be checked on. I ran upstairs to shower and get changed. I chose the most basic clothing I could while showing as little skin as possible. I didn't want to tempt Draco... Malfoy I corrected myself. I did not need a repeat of last night. Perhaps I was being a little too cautious, I mean it is Malfoy, and he doesn't date women like me. So I figured he'd probably want to blow over this as much as I did. I was wrong.

Walking the pathway up to Malfoy manor brought back some memories I'd rather not have. I tugged on my sleeve to be sure my scar was hiding. Mudblood. I didn't need the reminder that the Malfoy family had never treated me well. And that made me curious as to why Malfoy was being so... kind to me. Probably for his daughter. I rang the doorbell and waited. I held my breath as the doors opened revealing a smirking Malfoy.

"Good Morning Malfoy. Is it OK if I check on Ara now?" I tried to keep my voice as calm as possible. I noticed Malfoy's smirk faltered a little but I figured his pride took over and it was almost as if it had never happened.

"Malfoy is it now Granger?" Malfoy waited for a response but I didn't give one. This was a professional visit. If he wanted to discuss last night it would have to be at a different time. Hopefully way in the future. "Ara is upstairs in her room playing. I'll walk to there." Malfoy motioned for me to enter his home so I did, being very careful not to turn my back on him. The manor was amazing. Through the door was a large foyer with rounding staircases to the immediate right and left. Behind the stairs there were two hallways leading opposite directions and immediately across from the front door were two very large doors leading to presumably a very large parlor as they would call it. I was lead to the left and up the staircase. Malfoy lead me down a hallway and opened the fifth door on the right. "You'll find Ara in here. Please come find me if you need anything or when you are finished." I nodded and entered the room. It wasn't quite as large as you could imagine for a manor however it was still a large bedroom for a little girl. Ara stood up and ran to me as soon as she saw me.

"Dr. Granger!" I smiled and opened my arms for a hug. The little girl was obviously doing a lot better.

"Ara! How are you doing today?" She had always been one of my favourite patients.

"I'm doing well, thank you. And you Dr. Granger?" So formal for such a young girl. Maybe Malfoy was raising her in the same fashion he was.

"I'm doing well also. I was wondering if I could to a routine checkup on you today Ara?" The little girl nodded vigorously and hopped up on her bed. I grabbed my wand and started muttering some spells, I checked Ara's stomach, intestines and arm and breathed a out in relief when I found it was all clear. "Looks like you're very healthy Ara, I'm glad to see that!" I smiled at her.

"Does this mean I don't need anymore checkups?" the little girl asked me.

"It does! It means that you can do everything you did before." I thought this would be good news to the little girls ears but it wasn't.

"But I want to see you still! My daddy told me he got to go out with you yesterday and it's not fair! I want to play with you too!" I kind of laughed when she implied that her dad had played with me. I guess, in a way, he had.

"Well you'd have to ask your dad for that and I know he is a very busy man Ara" But at the mention of it being her father's decision she ran out here door with me trailing behind. "Ara? What are you doing?" I really needed to start running more.

"I'm asking my daddy if I can play with you too!" I mentally hit myself for even suggesting this. I just didn't want to be the bad person and say no! I really enjoyed Ara, but with Ara came her father, and with her father came confusion. I was lost in my own world chasing this little girl when I hit something hard and grabbed it trying to stabilize myself. What I hadn't realized is I had run right into Malfoy and now we were both toppling over. I fell underneath Malfoy and for a moment I was transported back to my front door last night. He had stopped himself from falling completely on me and by doing so had his hands on either side of my body. His mouth was dangerously close to mine and I could feel his hot breath on my lips. His eyes were dark and I was lost. Why did he have to be so hard to resist? The only thing that broke us apart was a little girl.

"Daddy! Get off of Dr. Granger! You're hurting her!" He was hurting me alright. Just mentally. How could I ever figure out what was going on with him if he kept getting so close to me. Malfoy stood back up and helped me up as well. "Daddy. Dr. Granger said I could play with her like you did if you say yes! You hear that Daddy? I can play with her too!" Ara was so excited. She must be missing girl time with her mother not around. Draco's eyes glinted with laughter as he looked back to me.

"Play with Dr. Granger as I did?" I could hear the laugh in his voice. "Well, I'm not so sure about playing with Dr. Granger. I feel like that's reserved for adults." I blushed. I wasn't ready for this conversation. "But I suppose we could all go for ice cream soon?" Draco looked at his little girl now.

"Thank you daddy! Dr. Granger, what's your favourite ice cream?" I had never seen a little girl so happy.

"Mines pumpkin juice from Florean Fortescue's, what's yours Ara?" I was grateful for the conversation change.

"Mines vanilla with sprinkles! Mmmm..." She seemed to be dreaming about it. "I'm going to get my shoes, then we can go!" And before either Malfoy or myself could say 'not today' she had left the room. I turned back to Malfoy and wondered how it was that I had found myself alone with him.

"So, what about after ice cream you and I get a little play time in of our own?" Malfoy wriggled his eyebrows. "I mean of course, another date. This time just the two of us." I reacted before I had thought.

"Is this because you hope I'll get use out of your gift on my next date Malfoy?" I really didn't want to discuss this but he seemed to give me no choice.

" Maybe, but I guess I'd have to see if I'm lucky enough." Malfoy leaned in close to my ear and whispered "But for both our sakes, I hope I am. I could really show you a good time" I was shocked at his audacity! Who just says those things! And of course, I was blushing again. Before I had time to retort however because Ara came running through the doors.

"Are you two going to stand there all day or can we go yet?"

And so, we left the house. The three of us. What in the world had I gotten myself into?

Glimpse of next week:

"Granger, just go out one more time with me. I swear I'll be on my best behaviour." It was hard to resist him when he acted in such a way.

"Just like you were last time right Malfoy? On your best behaviour?" I went to turn away from him and go home but he grabbed my arm and twisted me back. His piercing blue eyes entranced me.

"I promise." And for a moment I believed him. That is until he pushed me into his door. "But I promise nothing about tonight."