Hello readers, I would like to thank you for the attention you have given this story so far, for me it is really a big deal, it gives me so much confidence to get everything written down and posted out for you all :) I really hope you are enjoying my story. I would also like to thank my first reviewer!

danisnape, I have to agree with you, there aren't a lot of stories for his paring but, the ones out there are pretty awesome! I hope mine is as good as theirs. I'm really glad you are enjoying the story. I have few more chapters written up they just need a little nit picking and then I should be able to get them out ASAP :)

Make a list of all your friends- Observer Drift

Saturday morning came around the corner and Hermione awoke with a bit of a sore head from the alcohol from the events of the night before. The brunette gingerly climbed out of bed and walked into her bathroom, she proceeded to take a hangover relief potion and then got in the shower. After her shower she wrapped herself in a white fluffy towel and went to make herself some breakfast.

Crookshanks had wondered into the kitchen and intertwined around her legs to show her that he had arrived.

"Morning Crooks, would you like some breakfast?" Hermione bent down to tap in on the head. He let out a purr and she took that as a yes.

The brunette opened the cupboard and pulled out his cat food. She poured it in his bowl and let him eat. Hermione was going to have a fruit salad, she preferred making food the muggle way, it was how she was brought up and her mother had taught her to cook from a young age. The muggle born could make almost anything she put her mind to.

Once Hermione had eaten her breakfast she walked back to her bedroom and made her bed, she was a tidy person, and not one thing was out of place in her apartment. Hermione dried her hair and left it long and straightened it, she then put on some light makeup and then chose some clothes to wear.

Since it was the weekend Hermione didn't have to dress so formally, she put on a simple short white dress that flowed out at the waist, but it wasn't too much. She accented it with nude heels and a silver ring on her middle finger.

Today Hermione had planned to take a trip to Daunts book store. She wasn't looking for anything in particular. Since it was mentioned last night she decided to go down and check it out. The brunette hadn't been for a few weeks.

Secretly Hermione was hoping she may bump into a certain pure blood. Narcissa had been on her mind from the moment they had accidentally met in Flourish and Blotts. She didn't think Narcissa was into her that way, but at least she could still look at her? And talk to her? That wasn't wrong was it?

Grabbing her bag Hermione set off and walked to Daunts, of course she could apparate away from the muggles and still get there, but Hermione enjoyed walking, especially when it was a warm sunny day. The brunette stopped off at a Starbucks and bought herself a coffee before arriving at Daunts.

Hermione had been browsing the bookshelves for a few minutes before stumbling upon Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, it had been a while since she sat in Daunts and looked though a book, and so the muggle born took a seat and fell into a deep read unintentionally.

Reaching out without looking she took her coffee from the table and took a sip, her face almost contorted as she tasted someone else's Tai Latte, she was embarrassed and shocked she set the cup back on the table and looked up to see if the person next to her had noticed.

"I see you don't like Tai Latte Miss Granger?" Came the words of none other than the person she had been hoping to bump into.

Hermione smiled and shook her head, great; she had just taken a sip of Narcissa's drink, how charming. "Sorry Ms Black I wasn't looking what I was doing." How long has she been sat there?

The brunette advanced and took her own drink; she moved it closer to her so that mishap couldn't happen again. Well if that wasn't a conversation starter she didn't know what was.

"What are you reading?" Hermione kept her book open on the page she was reading but looked over at Narcissa's.

The younger witch was now even closer to Narcissa. The older witch could smell her perfume. Narcissa smiled down as she closed the book to show the inquisitive woman. "The tragedy of Othello, brilliant so far, has you read it?"

Hermione shook her head "No but I might have to in the future, if you say it's good it must be." Hermione smirked as Narcissa looked at her with an amused look.

"What makes you say that?" Narcissa did wonder what the witch meant, was this a compliment?

"Well for someone of your stature to read muggle novels, it must be a good read." Hermione was joking of course, but she could see Narcissa looking at her trying to work out if it was an insult or not. "I'm joking." The brunette added and smiled.

"Oh you were being sarcastic?" Narcissa raised an eyebrow, she didn't get sarcasm as well as others, but that's what she got for being brought up with Toujours Pur as her family motto.

Hermione nodded and laughed, bless her she looks cute when she's confused.

Narcissa smirked and looked down at Hermione's book, "so what are you reading then?"

"Great Expectations. Have you read it before?"

Well now it was Narcissa's turn to throw a jibe, she chuckled "No but I'm sure someone of my stature wouldn't read a muggle novel."

Hermione laughed and shook her head, "now you get it."

The two witches then continued in amiable silence as they carried on reading, Hermione had wanted to carry on talking, but she hadn't a clue what to say, hey Ms Black you're terribly hot and seductive, I can't get you out of my mind. Hermione went through it in her head and decided that in the time she had taken to say that Narcissa would look at her in disgust and run off.

The brunette remembered her appointment at Malfoy manor, she was due there Monday to pursue him about the misuse of magic on a muggle artefact, well it was her expertise, and she wondered whether to bring it up to Narcissa, had he dabbled with these kinds of things before? Screw it Hermione ask, it is for work.

"Ms Black?" Hermione looked up from her book as the older woman turned to her.

"Yes?"

"Can I ask you a question? It's about your ex-husband." Tread carefully.

"What do you want to know about him?" Narcissa was curious to why Hermione had asked this, her ex-husband was under Auror surveillance all day every day for the rest of his life. He had just scrapped getting out of Azkaban, but he was still a muggle born hater and still ready to defy the ministry again. This is the reason Narcissa could no longer be with him. She had struggled through the war, and she wasn't about to struggle for the rest of her life.

"I have a meeting at Malfoy manor Monday afternoon. Apparently one of the Aurors seems to think Lucius is dabbling with the misuse of magic on a muggle artefact. We both know he hates muggles, muggle borns, probably even half-bloods, but I am going to find out what he's up to. They say he has been using an inanimate object that they haven't seen before." Hermione took in Narcissa worried expression, did she know something?

"Look Miss Granger, I know you see Lucius as well a coward, but he can be dangerous, I would be cautious going to the manor." Narcissa didn't' like the fact Lucius was still acting up, the war was done, couldn't he pull his head out of his arse and see that by now?

"He has Aurors on him twenty four seven, there's nothing to be worried of, only if he is devising magic on a muggle object, he could be trying to hurt muggles in general." The brunette didn't understand Narcissa's sudden words of caution. Lucius was and always would be a coward, Hermione remembered when she was tortured in the manor, that night Harry and Ron had saved her, the platinum blonde had even forgot he didn't have a wand! He was a stupid arse.

"Well he always did stupid things over the years, Tom Riddles Diary is the only muggle object I remember him being remotely interested but Tom himself had bewitched it. I don't think Lucius would have the sense to. Cant the Aurors check it out?"

"I'm afraid they wouldn't know what they were looking for, it is my job to assess these things." Hermione could send one of her members of staff, but she hadn't stepped into the manor since she was tortured, she thought it would give her a little sense of closure.

Narcissa looked at her sceptically for a moment. The brunette was hell bent on finding out what her ex was up to. But Narcissa didn't want her walking into this blindly. Aurors where there on the grounds. Damn her feelings making her feel protective of the woman.

"Don't look at me like that! I've been doing this for almost five years remember?" Hermione smiled playfully, if she knew she would worry the pure blood she wouldn't have said anything. She just wanted an excuse to talk to her.

"Be careful Miss Granger." Narcissa smiled and stood up, "I have to meet Andy for lunch, so I'll—see you around." The platinum and black haired witch turned around and left the shop, she had left the book on the table next to her empty cup.

Did she just say I'll see you around? Didn't I say that to her last night? Hermione grinned and picked up the book Narcissa had left, she took it to the counter with her own and bought the two. She was going to read Othello just to toy with the pureblood.

Hermione left Daunts and head for Diagon Alley. The brunette was going to go to the Weasley's joke shop, she heard Ron sometimes worked there on the weekends so she decided to go visit him.

Upon arriving at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes Hermione stepped through the door to find a number of children messing around. There where girls at the love potion fountain, boys messing around with the electronic shock shakes and then she saw Ron demonstrating quality Weasley goods!

"Hermione! Welcome, have you come for some jokes?" The ginger smiled as he noticed his best friend walk in.

"Well you said last night that you barley see me so I decided to turn up." Hermione walked over to him as he finished dealing with the customers.

"You know, I really like working here, I was thinking about packing in being an Auror and helping George full time." Ron put down the goods he was showing.

Hermione gave him a sceptic look and crossed her arms. "Really I thought you loved being an Auror?"

"I do, I did, I just can't see it going for, I mean Harry's head Auror and he'll stay head for years. I can't progress in Harry's shadow. Plus its way more fun working here." He threw her a cheesy grin.

"Well whatever makes you happy Ronald." Hermione smiled and placed a hand on his arm. To say they weren't a good match for a couple they certainly fit well as best friends. Hermione felt like she was actually closer to Ron than Harry and Ginny. It was Molly that often scared her away.

"I'm due on lunch in about five minutes do you want to go grab a drink in the Leaky Cauldron?" His face looked pleading and Hermione didn't have anything to do.

"Of course." The brunette nodded and waited for Ron to get his things sorted.

The two friends made their way to the Leaky Cauldron. On entering Hermione's eyes caught a glimpse of that famous platinum and black hair as she walked over to find a seat. Narcissa was a cross the room with her sister Andromeda.

Andromeda Tonks looked the spitting image of Bellatrix Lestrange, her sister, she had luscious black curls and half lidded eyes, hell even some of the faces she pulled made Hermione think she was looking directly at the sadist.

"Butter beer 'Mione?" Ron asked as he stood to go to the bar.

"Yes please." Hermione nodded and then turned her eyes back to the Black sisters. She was seated in a booth towards the back of the pub; this gave her a clear view of everyone, including her target. She watched briefly as she saw Narcissa laugh and smile with her sister. It was great to see that they had made contact with each other again.

If anyone else who didn't know them saw how they were acting it would've looked like two sisters who were best friends, laughing and joking, having a decent conversation. Hermione found Narcissa even more appealing because of this; the older witch seemed to be able to almost completely forget her past.

"Here you go." Ron put her drink down on the table and sat down. "Who you noseying at?"

"What? No one" Hermione laughed it off; damn she had to be careful next time. "So how's Lavender?"

"She's already planning the wedding and we haven't even been engaged two minutes." He chuckled and took a sip of his drink.

"Oh jeeze! That quick?" Hermione stared down into her drink; it was so 'Lavender' like to plan a wedding straight after getting engaged.

"Hmm, she's down in Diagon Alley with mum today, but she hasn't been to visit the shop."

Great. "Oh really, that's a shame." The brunette shot him a smile before slowly shifting her eyes to Narcissa, Merlin Hermione this is kinda like stalking.

"Gives me a bit of peace and quiet anyway!" He laughed and took a gulp of his beer.

Hermione and Ron had been talking for at least forty five minutes, they had discussed work, Hermione's meeting due at Malfoy manor, he had acted all protective and offered to go with her, but the brunette had told him it wasn't necessary. Hermione had made a point of saying she could look after herself after all these years, and that there were Aurors on sight anyway, it was becoming a deja vu moment, and she had already had this with Narcissa earlier. But she couldn't understand why the older witch was worried for her. They did barley know each other after all.

The brunette was reminiscing with her best friend about their Hogwarts days when there was a screech coming from by the entrance of the pub. A very angry Lavender Brown followed by a puzzled Molly Weasley. Lavender dashed up to Ron and Hermione's table.

"Won Won, what do you think you're doing?" The blonde shrieked causing the whole pub to go silent and all eyes came upon the table. Molly just backed away not wanting to get involved.

"Sorry Love?" Ron was a little red from embarrassment, but he was completely in the dark as to why Lavender was so furious.

"We have just got engaged and now you're running back to—to her!" Lavender pointed at Hermione.

Hermione just shook her head, was this really happening? The brunette had even been to their bloody engagement party. She had never seen eye to eye with the blonde but there was no need for this. Ron and Hermione were just friends, and that's how it would say.

"Lav calm down, Hermione and I are just catching up over a drink, and I'm on my break." The ginger was looking more and more nervous as he saw Lavender's expression change to hell hath no fury- like a woman's scorn.

"She's trying to steal you away again!" Exasperated with anger Lavender turned to Hermione. "Can't you get your own man? I haven't forgotten about how you stole him away when we were at Hogwarts!"

"Oh for the love of." Hermione rubbed her temples. The girl's screeching was almost giving her a headache. "Nothing is going on Lavender, I attended your engagement party for Merlin's sake, Ron and I will always remain friends."

"I saw the way you looked at him last night!"

Oh here we go. "Stop being such a petulant paranoid child and get over yourself!" Hermione was quickly losing her temper and it didn't help that the entire pub was watching.

"I'm childish? I'm not the one trying to steal someone else's fiancé." Lavender glared down and stood with her hands planted on her hips.

"Stop embarrassing yourself Lavender." The brunette was having just about enough of this, there was no clear argument, it was just poor old 'Lav Lav' wanting to cause a scene, she always had to be centre of attention.

"I'm not the one sat having a drink with someone else's man!"

Hermione had finally had enough she threw her hands up in the air and stood up. Ron flinched as she got in Lavender's face. "You know what." Hermione pointed at her "you better hope you don't fuck this up for yourself, because if you hurt him, I will be the one you're answering to." With that Hermione barged past the stunned blonde knocking her with her shoulder and stormed out of the pub.

The brunette was vexed, as if it wasn't embarrassing enough to have someone as foolish as Lavender Brown try and speak down to her, and build a mountain out of a mole hill, was Hermione unable to have a quiet drink with her friend? Clearly. Hermione rested her hand on the stone wall of the pub as she tried to calm herself down.

Hermione wasn't usually a hot head when it came to arguments. Or she didn't used to be, but after the war Hermione couldn't help but lose her temper. The brunette had sort to see someone about it but as she got busier with working for the Ministry she just let it sit in the back of her mind.

Inside the Leaky Cauldron Lavender had sat herself in Hermione's spot, she was pale with fear, never once had she heard Hermione Granger, golden girl, speak like that. Nor had any of the other witches and wizards that had occupied the pub that day.

Whispers were heard as the pub began to recover from silence. Narcissa was stunned at the out-come, she had never seen the witch acted that way, she wondered if she should go looking for her, it was clear that Weasley and his mother were trying to get Lavender to talk.

"Well I never thought I'd see the day Hermione swore." Andromeda chuckled as she looked at her sister's confused expression. "Good on her, that Lavender Brown is a right nuisance. Clearly Weasley's chosen the wrong bride."

"Hmm, excuse me Andy." Narcissa stood up and smoothed out her dress.

"What? Narcissa where are you going?" The youngest Black was shocked at her sisters sudden act.

"Well it's clear that Weasley is rooted to his seat, I'm going to check if she's about, see if she's alright." Narcissa smiled at her sister's bout of confusion and headed for the door.

As Narcissa shut the door behind her she saw Hermione stood with one hand on the wall she looked as if she was staring at the floor, the pure blood noted that the witch looked as if she was trying to calm herself down, Narcissa gingerly stepped round to face Hermione.

As she came into the brunette's line of sight, the younger witch raised an eye brow to her before clearing her throat, "can I help you?"

From the tone of her voice Narcissa comprehended that she was still angry. "Would you like to take a walk?"

Hermione's eyebrows knitted together in a frown as she tried to suss out what Narcissa was doing, settling on the fact the older witch was probably trying to be friendly she pushed herself up from the wall. "What about Andromeda?"

"Oh she'll be fine, I told her I was coming to see if you were alright, it doesn't seem like Mr Weasley can escape." Narcissa gestured for them to walk.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "fine." Jesus she's trying to be nice, you know, the woman who you constantly dream about fucking. Get with it woman.

"So do you want to talk about what just happened in there?" The pure blood clasped her hands together as she walked down the path with Hermione.

"Well as you can see Lavender's a paranoid bitch, she's always been that way." Hermione rubbed the back of her neck as she pulled her hair to one side.

"Hmm, Andy said she thinks Weasley has chosen the wrong bride." Narcissa was comprehensive she didn't know how Hermione actually felt about the ginger, she wondered if she missed being with her Hogwarts love.

"The thing is Ron and I are just friends, yes, I understand that we did go out, but, it felt wrong, I love Ron as a brother, just like Harry. Ron and I could never be in a relationship, it doesn't work."

Well that answered Narcissa's internal question. "Well Miss Brown doesn't seem to be able to get that into her thick skull."

"Tell me about it. She's always had a problem with me, I deal with her because Ron loves her, if I had it my way she would be bombarded across the country." Hermione tucked a hair behind her ear, the two witches had walked down to Amanuensis Quills.

"Ah you don't mind if we go in do you? I am in need if a new quill." Narcissa smiled as she stepped to the door.

"Oh no of course." Hermione followed her in.

As Narcissa was being greeted by Mr Hawks, the shop owner, Hermione decided to wonder around and look at the quills, there were some beautifully stunning designs, and she came across one that was unusual, it was black, but as you got nearer the point it turned into a sort of mow berry colour. With a gold tip. Hermione decided on buying it. She could use it for her paperwork at work.

"Oh yes these are very rare, and rather pricey, I hope you don't mind?" Mr Hawks said as he served Hermione.

"No I don't mind." She mumbled as she paid a total of one galleon and 12 sickles. Bloody extortionate.

Narcissa had bought what she came for and was waiting by the door for Hermione, she kept in check that her anger had subsided, but now the younger witch was mumbling to the shop owner. The platinum and black haired witch wondered what was next to come.

Hermione smiled politely as Narcissa held the shop door open for her and they both exited. Hermione put the paper bag witch held her new quill in, and placed it in her bag. "You can go back to Andromeda if you want, thanks though for, checking on me?"

"I hear you and Andy know each other you can join us if you want?" Narcissa was hoping she would.

"No thank you, I'm going to go home, thanks though." Hermione took out her wand and left Diagon Alley. Narcissa noticed Hermione was very skilled at apparition the woman hardly made a crack.

Narcissa made her way back to the Leaky Cauldron where she found her youngest sister eating what looked like soup. She resumed her seat and raised a perfectly shaped eye brown.

"Have we not already eaten lunch?"

"Well yes but I'm still hungry. Plus I didn't know how long you'd be with Hermione. Is she alright?" Andromeda asked as she spooned another mouthful of soup in her mouth.

"It would seem although I'm not so sure. I think she just wanted a quiet drink with Mr Weasley." Narcissa had a cup of tea placed In front of her by Tom the land lord. The two sisters had a tab which they paid for weekly.

"Hmm well you seemed quite eager to check on her." Andy smiled and brushed a curl out of her face.

Narcissa took a sip of her tea "what's that supposed to mean?"

"Well I didn't know you knew Hermione."

"I don't." Narcissa said almost too quickly.

"Oh well what is going on then?" Andromeda Tonks had a look of suspicion in her eye, Narcissa was able to hid her emotions from many but not her sister.

"Nothing, I bumped into her at the engagement party, and that's how I got speaking to her. Don't give me that look Andy." The pure blood looked at her sister with the up most distempered look.

"She's a good woman, you should get to know her, maybe she'd be a good match for Draco?" The black haired witch continued eating her soup, she hadn't realised the raw nerve she had struck with her sister.

"I don't think she's Draco's type." Narcissa added sipping her tea, she was exactly Draco's type. But the older Black sister didn't want that to happen. It couldn't happen.

"Draco came around to visit Teddy this morning, he explained how he couldn't believe his eyes when she had walked in and he caught sight of her." Andromeda really was digging her own grave.

Yes well that makes two of us. "Oh," Narcissa had to think of the right words before continuing. "He didn't mention it to me."

"Of course not you're his mother, it would be awkward!" The younger sister laughed.

"Why would it?" Has she sussed me out? Narcissa flushed a little but kept herself well reserved.

"Well it's not like he could just come out with 'mother I fancy the girl I tormented in school for six years and now I like her.' Can he?" Andromeda did her best to imitate Draco's voice and ended up making herself laugh even more.

"It's not attractive to laugh at your own jokes Andromeda." Narcissa sniggered as she stared at her sister. Even as children Andromeda was known to have an unusual sense of humour. She often humoured herself.

"Oh stop being so uptight!"

The two continued to laugh and joke and pull digs at each other. Narcissa still kept the thought of Draco fancying her forbidden fruit.

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