Neither of them moved a muscle. Still standing in the doorway, Hermione kept trying to speak, but she was at a loss for words. Even Draco was speechless. His first thought was to cast a memory charm on Granger then run out of the damn muggle apartment as fast as possible. But he knew he had to swallow his pride, and at least talk to her. He opened his mouth to speak, but then both their heads whipped around as the elevator sounded from down the hallway. They watched as a man walked towards them, his muggle eyes studying the two former enemies in the doorway.

"Ms. Granger." he nodded to Hermione as he walked past. She nodded in return, then with a groan grabbed Draco by the arm and pulled him into the apartment. He gasped at the sudden contact, and the manner of it, but Hermione ignored him. Releasing him and shutting the door, Draco took the opportunity to flatten his now wrinkled shirt. He looked up to her thin frame leaning against the closed door - was she really wearing only a bathrobe?- and decided to tell her off. How dare she touch him! But she beat him to it.

"What the hell, Malfoy."

He glared at her, "Excuse me. What did I do?"

"Well, ferret, not only did you wake me up, but you managed to make me look like a slut in front of a Mr. Fredrickson. He might be a complete snob, but he also happens to be the owner of a very prominent muggle newspaper.

Draco smirked, "How did I..." But again she cut him off.

"Speaking of muggle newspapers," Hermione grinned suddenly, "How did you come to answer my add for a flatmate? I suppose that is why your here, after all."

Draco glared at her, "I have my reasons."

Hermione snorted.

"What about you?" Draco shot back, "Aren't you supposed to be basking in the glow of the golden trio?" Hermione's grin faded, "Why are you hiding in muggle London?"

"You haven't been reading the Prophet lately, have you?" Hermione said quietly, "Because if you had, you would have seen that I have been in it just as much as you have, Malfoy. And I have been under just as much scrutiny from those nosey reporters."

Draco paused, "Why?"

Hermione ignored the question. Tying the robe tighter around herself, she waved her hand nonchalantly;

"So, do you want to see the place?"

"What?"

"You came her for a reason, Malfoy." She pursed her lips together as if holding in a smirk.

Draco didn't answer. Did he still want to see the place? Part of him screamed yes, and the other part said no. As of last night this had been the answer to his needs, and he could "move forward" with his life, as his mother had so delicately put. But....Granger. He wasn't sure he could stomach the idea of living with one of the Golden Trio. Even if she too was in hiding. Living in muggle London was enough of a leap if you asked him, but sharing a flat with her was asking a little too much.

"So, ferret, are you gonna decide or can I go back to bed?"

Draco glared at her, "Fine."

Hermione nodded her head sarcastically, "As you wish."

Draco rolled his eyes, but turned when she pointed behind him.

"This is the common room. The fireplace has Floo access, but I try not to use it all the time. They get suspicious if I never am seen leaving or entering." Draco nodded absently, trying to not drool; the place was amazing. Not that he would tell Granger that. The common room had dark stained wood floors, with large velvet furniture, and long red silk drapes. The fireplace was majestic, carved delicately out of white marble. The floors had an arrangement of thin oriental rugs, and their were several black bookcases lining the far wall between the two large windows. Their was a thin silver box on a table near the fireplace that Draco didn't recognize, but wreaked of muggle technology. All in all, Draco could see himself living here.

"Well, Granger," Draco tied to play it cool, "This seems a little fancy for your taste."

She rolled her eyes and led him through a large open doorway.

"This is the kitchen, and as mentioned it has both muggle and wizard capabilities. Not, "She glanced slyly at him, " That you would ever use them."

Draco straightened,and met her eye, "I cook now."

Hermione actually looked surprised. He ignored her and glanced around the large kitchen. In the center their was a large oak table, the floor was still the dark wood, but had an extremely large carpet covering the majority of it. The rest of the kitchen was tiled with multicolored tiles like a mural. It gave off a festive feel. Once again, some of the appliances confused Draco, but he was still impressed.

Leading him through another open doorway, Draco saw it was a short but wide hallway. It was painted in an olive green with gold trim, and the paintings on the walls varied, some waved at him as they passed, while others remained frozen. Hermione pointed out the first door as her office, the next as the bathroom, and at the end of the hall, on opposite sides, were the bedrooms. Hers was on the right, and she led him into the empty one. It was bare compared to the rest of the flat, but was a nice size that had possibility. It had a majestic king size bed, and a small dresser and mirror. The walls were a noble blue, as were the comforter and pillows.

"You can change the wall color if you like, and feel free to add a desk or chair or something. It does have a nice walk in closet, "Hermione pointed to the left, where Draco saw an oak door in the wall, " and that's basically it..."

Draco nodded, but decided to avoid answering the obvious question;

"Why?"

She glanced at him, "Why what?"

"Why are you renting this in the first place. It doesn't seem like you need help with the rent."

Hermione pursed her lips together, "I just don't like living by myself."

Draco nodded slowly. He wasn't sure how to respond to that. They were both quiet for a moment, and finally Hermione spoke;

"Um, I will leave you here to think for a moment. I will just be getting dressed."

She didn't wait for a reply, just hurried out of the room. He heard her door close, and Draco finally took a deep breath. Glancing around the magnificent room he knew he was in trouble.

This was better then anything he had expected. It was almost like living in the Manor again. And Draco had secretly agreed with her, he didn't want to live alone either, especially in muggle London. School and War had been over years ago, but could he live here, with Granger, permanently? What if Potter and Weasley were always coming over? And what if -God, forbid - the wizard press should find out? It would not look good for an ex-death eater to be living with one of the Golden Trio. He went over and sat on the bed, wondering how he would ever tell his mother.

Their was a light knock on the door and Hermione stepped back in the room, she wore a light blue linen skirt and a white button up shirt. Her hair was brushed, and she smiled cautiously at him.

"Look, I am sure this is not what you were hoping for. And honestly, I didn't expect anyone to ever answer the add..." She shook her head, "But I want you to know that the past is behind me, and as long as the press doesn't find out I'm sure we could work this out."

He glanced at her, "You think so?"

His voice came out more bitter then he had wanted.

"I believe that people change, and so that is why I am giving you this chance. I am offering you this -if you want it- despite...despite that scar on your arm."

Draco clenched his teeth, this was what always had annoyed him about Granger. She was so damn nice. Nobody was that nice.

"Move forward" his mothers voice echoed again in his head, "You don't need to follow your father anymore". Draco grimaced, his father would have murdered him on the spot for even considering this. But, he closed his eyes remembering, Lucius was dead now.

Opening his eyes Draco Malfoy looked up at Hermione. She had been staring out the window, and she smiled as he stood up from the bed.

"Yes," he said, and she glanced at him, "I will do it."