A/N: Thank you to:

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: Boy your username was hard to get right! Thank you for your review: I'm sorry I didn't: but I have a feeling you'll like this chapter...

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Enjoy...


Chapter 3

"Hermione!"

Hermione sighed, her eyes rolling upwards before mentally counting to ten. Reluctantly, she turned around to meet the furious face of none other than Ron Weasley, who had stopped in front of her, fuming.

"You went on a date with Malfoy?" He demanded, glaring at her harshly, his fists curling at his sides. "Draco bloody Malfoy?"

Hermione inwardly groaned. Damn you, Harry James Potter.

She hesitated when he looked at her, obviously expecting her to apologize, but she stood her ground. "Yes, Ronald. I did. Keep your voice down."

"Why? You don't want people to share your embarrassment?"

Something in her snapped sharply when he said that. She lifted her head to meet his furious gaze with a cool air, her eyes narrowing until they were mere slits. "No, Ron, because this is the Ministry and the only embarrassment anyone is going to experience is you for your ridiculous naivety and insistence to yell over the smallest thing."

"I'm not yelling!" He yelled, his face slowly turning red, causing a lot of people to stop and whisper to their colleagues, pointing at the pair. Hermione raised an eyebrow at his contradiction, trying to bite back a laugh. "And it is not the smallest thing!"

"Good morning." Came a lazy, but loud drawl.

Ron swung around just as Hermione gasped. Draco Malfoy stood directly behind Ron, looking coldly at him for a few moments before turning his head to look at Hermione, his expression instantly warming when his eyes fell upon her.

"Hermione," He added quietly, now intent on ignoring Ron as he pushed past him, walking closer to her. "How are you?"

She gave him a small smile, shooting a warning glance towards Ron. "Good, thank you. How are you?"

"Good." He replied shortly, before checking his watch; Hermione swore he looked reluctant as he did so. "I'm afraid I have to leave you though, I have a meeting."

She nodded, cautious of Ron's glare towards their direction. Malfoy had stepped a little closer, his large hand gently resting on her waist as he stood next to her, his mouth barely grazing her ear.

"Meet me at lunch in the cafe?" He murmured questioningly, his warm breath tickling her lobe. She discreetly lifted her hand to squeeze the fingers that were clutched gently around her waist, signalling her agreement, her eyes carefully looking forward to remain neutral. He smiled to himself before discreetly pulling away his hand and walking away.

"What was that about?" Ron snapped when he was out of earshot. Yet Hermione was too at peace to bother fighting. Something about the exchange with Malfoy had calmed her, putting all her angry energy to sleep. She only looked at him, almost in a pitying manner.

"You know what Ronald? It's none of your business. I'll see you later."


"What the hell is your problem?"

Malfoy glanced coolly upwards, before turning back to his pile of documents as he examined them. "I think I could ask you the same thing, Weasley. What do you want? I'm going to go on my lunch hour."

"I know, to meet my best friend."

"Yes," Malfoy commented drily, packing away his things. "I'm going to go and do exactly that. So what did you want? Or are you just here to complain some more?"

"Stay away from her, Malfoy." Ron threatened, taking out his wand to reinforce his point. "Or else."

Malfoy snorted before walking past him to store away his files in his cabinet. "Or else what, Weasley? Don't try acting big and smart with me. I'm going to go and meet her whether you like it or not. It's not my problem you're not over her."

"O-over?" Ron repeated, spluttering. "I-

"-Yes, Weasley. I know all about how you two were once engaged. It's obvious she dumped you and not the other way around. It must've hit you real hard when you realised what you lost." He couldn't help but smirk at him, looking him over critically. "She's too good for you anyway."

And with that, he left, leaving a very shaken looking Ron, who looked as if he was ready to tear him in pieces.


"Granger."

"We're back to using surnames then?" But Hermione was smiling and took her seat opposite him. "Very well, Malfoy. What did you want to say to me?"

He raised an eyebrow at her. "Say?"

She only looked at him, a little baffled. "Well yes. Why else would you want to meet me for lunch?"

"Maybe," He set down his menu, leaning forwards with a smirk on his lips. "Because I like your company, Granger."

There was a short pause and Hermione's face warmed a little at his words. He stayed in his position, leaning on his arms, his face upturned to analyse her face with great interest. She looked back at him, not knowing quite what to say in reply.

"Malfoy…"

"Order something," He pushed himself back, swiftly picking up the menu, his thin eyes focused on it. "You must be hungry."

She looked at him curiously, trying to assess his mood. He seemed to be a little on the edge.

As if he had read her mind, Malfoy looked up, softening. "I'm sorry," He sighed, scratching the back of his neck. "Stressed out morning."

"Want to talk about it?"

He managed to hide his smile quickly enough. "It's nothing. How was your day?"

"Busy," Hermione commented before putting down the menu. "To be honest, I've lost my appetite."

"You have to eat something."

She wasn't used to him like this. Hermione had never seen his caring side up until these past few days: never even known it existed. She could do nothing but smile at him a little, which, slowly: he returned.

"You can always share with me," Malfoy offered suddenly, starting to stand up. "I'll get us something. Don't refuse, Granger." He added when she opened her mouth, smirking when she closed it and sighed. He walked off, leaving her to only giggle under her breath like a crush-struck teenager.

It was strange, she thought to herself as she looked out on the busy, crowded street, her eyes somehow trained to find couples holding hands, or hugging happily. It was strange that Hermione couldn't help but smile all the time now, even though she felt stupid for doing so. It wasn't as if Malfoy was her lover. Or that they were even friends. Well... she didn't exactly know what they were now. Perhaps attraction is a better word. But it sounded so meaningless.

She knew he must mean something to her if she couldn't bring herself to throw away his letters, or at moments think of him whenever she paused from her work, or before she went to sleep.

She blinked a couple of moments and suddenly, his figure came into focus; that soft hair falling delicately over his eyes as he walked. She looked him over and couldn't help but admire him: he was always simply dressed, but so damn beautiful. He wore a plain, crisp white shirt, his top button undone casually, showing a little of his smooth skin. He was carrying a paper bag and she furrowed her eyebrows in bewilderment when he approached her. Why was he carrying a bag when they were right outside a cafe? And then it hit her; he had left to get her, out of everything she could eat-

"Fish and chips," He announced happily, setting it down on the table between them and handing her a cardboard chip fork. "Dig in."

She was a little astonished. "Draco Malfoy, having fish and chips? What happened to caviar?"

"Oh, shut it Granger."

But she could hear the laugh at the back of his throat. She looked around a little uneasily. "We'll get in trouble. This isn't from this café."

He only winked at her, munching on a thick chip. "Live a little."

"Malfoy-

"Risk it for me," He interrupted, his handsome smile appearing back on his face. "And if we're caught, I'll confess, begging for mercy on my knees."

She couldn't help but burst into a happy peal of laughter at his words, stabbing her fork through a large chip before he could reach it. His mouth dropped open in protest and she winked at him, putting the chip in her mouth. His eyes narrowed.

"You went too far, Granger."

She shrugged lazily, her eyes glowing, causing Malfoy's insides to hiccup. He bit his lip a little to control himself, before chuckling.

"Bring it." He informed her, his fork poised and at the ready. Hermione laughed, before mimicking his actions.

"Oh, it's on, Malfoy."


"Had fun?"

Hermione sighed, walking past Ron to put down her handbag on her desk. "Ron, I'm not in the mood to argue."

"Not in the mood to talk about how chummy you looked?"

She swung around, her mouth open. "You were spying on us?"

He didn't answer her; but the answer was obvious. "Ron!"

"It doesn't matter anyhow," He snapped, stepping towards her. "He's not the guy you think he is Hermione. He talked to me the same way he always has-

"-What are you going on about?"

Silence. Hermione let out a long sigh. "Ron."

"He talked about us. How you dumped me. How you were too good for me."

Hermione stared at him, lost for words. His back was turned to her now, his shoulders slumping at the memory. She had never felt so hopeless. Her hand slowly stretched out, aiming to rest on his shoulder, but it crawled back towards her, dropping to her side.

"Oh Ron." She sighed finally, biting her bottom lip a little.


"Malfoy!"

Malfoy looked up, not failing to smile when he saw who was approaching him. "Why hello there, Granger. Jeez, what's happened to- Granger?"

She had stopped in front of him, her eyes narrowed, breathing heavily as if trying to control the building anger inside of her. Malfoy stepped back a little, his hands out in mock defence, until he realised she was serious and his smile swiftly eroded.

"Hermione, what-

"-Why did you say that stuff to Ron?" Her chest was like a rapid wave; moving up and down heavily, unable to remain calm. Her toffee brown eyes were darkening as she spoke, leaving Malfoy torn between intrigument and confusion. "Why did you tell him I was too good for him?"

He was taken aback, blinking rapidly a few times as he took her words in, but recovered, meeting her with a very calm gaze. "Because it's true."

"No it isn't-"

"-Yes it is," He interrupted, stepping closer to her, his own brilliant grey eyes dusky with passion- as they always were when he was near her. "Yes it is, Granger. You know it is. You don't deserve a little rat like him."

"Malfoy-

"-The only reason I refrain myself from punching his smug little face is because it'd upset you."

Hermione stopped trying to talk, astounded by his words. Slowly, she felt herself drawing closer to him, pulled to him as if their stomachs contained invisible magnets, hanging onto his every word.

"I wouldn't… I wouldn't ever want that." He finished quietly in admittance, observing her reaction carefully.

She only blinked at him. His head has come down until his forehead was pressed against hers; She wouldn't dare lift her head. Her breathing had become shallow and ragged, matching his own. His rough hand brushed hers but before she could do anything he had grasped it, his thumb stroking her soft skin gently.

"You shouldn't of said anything," She murmured, trying to summon up her anger again, but failing when his warm fingers travelled up her arm before his hand closed around the back of her neck, pushing her face upwards so their eyes connected.

"Yes I should of." He asserted simply, before bringing his mouth down over hers.


A/N: Can I just say, that as annoying as this can sound, reviews really do mean a lot. I appreciate everyone who has done so so far, but I notice a lot of people just put me on alerts and I never hear from them. So reviews really would be appreciated: but thank you anyway, if you have, or if you have put this on your favorite list. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter.