The next morning I awoke, still on the couch but lying down on the cushions. I threw the blanket that was on top of me onto the floor and got up. Man, I was stiff; teach me to sleep on the couch.
I went into my room and changed into my bathrobe and a pair of pajamas since I was still in the same clothing from last night. I didn't feel like getting ready yet. I went into the kitchen and started to make breakfast. Sausage and pancakes for today. I started another pot of coffee and started to mix the batter.
I heard Draco come out of his room and plop himself into a chair. He was in his red silk pajama pants and white t-shirt again. "Sleep well?" I asked as I poured him a cup of coffee.
"Better than you." He smirked.
"Yea, I fell asleep on the couch. No big deal. I fall asleep watching television all the time." I said putting the hot cup in front of him.
I finished cooking breakfast and put it on the table. I heard a tapping and turned to see another gray owl at the window sill. I opened the window and it dropped a newspaper on the table. It flew back out and I saw the note that on top of it.
Hermione and Draco,
Good work. Gawain
"Huh. It's from Gawain." I said as I picked up the paper. Then I saw what he was talking about. On the front page, there was a huge picture of Draco and me kissing. The headline was screaming, "Has tragedy turned into romance?" I looked at the first line of the article, "The murder of Narcissa Malfoy apparently has a silver lining. It has brought former golden trio member and ex-death eater into an unlikely whirlwind romance." I couldn't read anymore and threw the paper at Draco.
He picked it up and I saw him raise an eyebrow. "Well, mission accomplished, I suppose. Although, it would help if you wouldn't wince when I kiss you. I can't believe what I'm doing to my reputation." He said as he put the newspaper back down on the table. I rolled my eyes and I looked at the picture again. It did indeed seem like I winced as soon as his lips touched mine.
"I was just surprised. I'll be better prepared next time." Next time. Ugh. Just the thought made me want to vomit a little bit. I looked at the clock and realized we had to be back at the Ministry soon. "We have about an hour 'til we need to be at the Ministry."
Draco glanced at the clock and then stood up. He put his dish in the sink and walked out. I heard the bathroom door close. I picked up my dish and put it in the sink. I scorgified all the dishes from the last two days and put them in the dish rack.
I went to the living room, picked up all the bags from last night and brought them to my room. I went to the bathroom for a shower and then looked through my bags of new clothing. I picked out a blue sweater and jeans. I put them on and looked in the mirror. It was amazing how much of a difference expensive clothes make. I grabbed my new hair supplies and put a squirt of sleekeazy in my hands and ran it through my hair. I brushed my hair out which gave me soft waves and then I put the hair smoother through it which made my hair soft and shiny. I grabbed my wand and put it in my back pocket.
I went back into my living room and waited by the fireplace. Draco came in and looked at my outfit. "Well, at least you look presentable now." He said as he grabbed some floo powder. I figured it was the closest thing to a compliment I would get.
We walked into the conference room in the Auror Department and everyone was already seated.
"Wow, Hermione! You look great!" Angelina said when she saw us enter.
Everyone turned around to look. I could tell by the looks the guys were giving me that they agreed.
"Yea, 'Mione." Ron said while nodding his head.
"Thank you, thank you. I have managed to make Granger here look decent. And I thought it couldn't be done." Draco said as we took our seats.
I glowered at him. "Thank you, everyone. Let's get down to business, shall we?"
"Well, it seems you already have." Seamus chuckled as he threw today's paper at me. The picture of Draco and I kissing stared at everyone around the table.
Ron and Harry looked distinctly uncomfortable while Angelina and Seamus just smiled. "Yes, well, it was a staged picture." I explained. "We were in the restaurant and saw the photographer sneaking around. And besides, Gawain told us to be look like a couple."
"But not snogging him!" Ron exploded.
"Ron, it's my assignment. It's my job. I'm just doing what I was told I have to do." I said as I looked down at the picture. Well, it was believable, that's for sure. "We need to discuss the security plan for tomorrow night." I said trying to quickly change the topic.
"Right. What time does the ball start, Malfoy?" Harry asked.
"8 o'clock at the Notts'." Draco said. "It will probably last until midnight."
"Okay, we will set up a perimeter around the Notts' at 7:30 and we'll stay until we see Hermione leave." Angelina said. "Harry and I will be in the woods next to the house the entire time. Seamus and Ron will be here if we need them. Hermione, here's a coin we can use to keep in touch." She handed me a coin that I recognized. It was the same type of coin that was used to call DA meetings. "It's small enough to fit anywhere. And please make sure to keep your wand with you at all times."
I nodded and put the coin in my pocket. "Draco bought me some robes to wear, so I'm sure there will be a place for my wand." I said, happy that he bought me a robe and not a dress. Robes always had a place to put your wand and a small pocket that you can shrink anything to fit into.
"Angelina and I will stop at your place before we head to the Notts' to make sure everything is ready. Expect us over around 7:15." Harry said, looking at me. "Is there anything else we need to know, Malfoy?" Harry said as he turned his attention to the blond boy.
"The Notts' will probably have taken down their apparition wards so that the guests can get in. I say if anything goes wrong, it'll be in the first hour. It's going to take that long to see whether or not they accept Granger. If they don't, you'll hear a commotion. So Granger better play her part well." He said as he looked at me. "My job will be far harder, though. I mean, everyone wants to be close to me." He smirked.
"Yeah, whatever Malfoy." I said, reverting back to his last name. "If you pretend to like me well enough, your friends will buy it."
Everyone nodded at this. "Hermione, if anyone seems like they're targeting Malfoy, we need to get him out right away." Seamus added. "Remember, someone may try to kill him. We don't know."
"I know. I'll keep an eye out." I said. "Let's meet Monday morning to discuss the information I gather from the ball."
"Yeah, I think that's a good idea. I want at least one day off." Ron said. "So, are we done here?"
"I think so. Draco and I need to go through some things today. We'll be in my office if you need us." I said.
Draco shot a look at me. "Like what?"
"I need to know the backgrounds of all your so called friends. So I know what I'm looking for." I said.
Penny popped her head into the conference room. "Lunch has been brought into the office today. Would you like it here in the conference room?"
"Sure. Thanks Penny." I said as she left and quickly returned with a tray of sandwiches and drinks. Harry, Ron, Angelina and Seamus all grabbed sandwiches and left. Draco and I decided to stay in the conference room. We ate quickly and didn't attempt any type of conversation. We left as soon as we were done and went into my office.
I sat behind my desk while Draco closed the door behind him and sat down. "So, what do you need to know?" He said with a bored look on his face.
"Let's start with Blaise. What do I need to know about him?" I said, as I grabbed my notebook and quill.
"Well, he's the closest thing I have to a best friend. I don't think he'd try to kill me. He wasn't even a real death eater. I see him every few weeks. He can't keep a girlfriend. He still lives with his parents. And he works as a lawyer." He said as he looked at his fingernails. "He should be easy to get along with. You aren't the first person I've brought home that he won't approve of. But he usually keeps his opinions to himself."
"Ok, let's talk about Pansy then." I said cautiously.
Draco sat up. "Why?"
"Because we're going to her ball and you even said she would be scrutinizing me." I argued. "Now, tell me what happened, and what I can expect from her."
"No need to be so bossy." He sneered at me. "All you need to know is that we broke up so she could be with Nott. She married him. Boo hoo for me."
"So why will she be scrutinizing me?" I asked.
"Come on Granger. Use that brain of yours. She wants to know who replaced her. And she knows me better than most people. She'll be able to tell if we're real or fake. So, try not to flinch every time I touch you." He said like I was a dunce. "And I'll try not to want to vomit when I touch you."
I rolled my eyes. "Yea, whatever. What about Theo Nott? What do I need to know about him?"
Draco shrugged. "He's Theo. He works for his parent's company. He's been in love with Pansy since Hogwarts. Pansy has him under her thumb."
"Ok, who else will be there?" I said trying to make a list of all guests and possible suspects.
"Gregory Goyle I imagine. I haven't talked to him since we left Hogwarts. Millicent Bulstrode will probably be there as well." Draco paused for a moment looking like he was thinking. "I believe the guest list also included: Malcolm Baddock, Marcus Flint, Daphne and Astoria Greengrass, and Miles Bletchley." He said ticking them off his fingers. "I'm sure there are more but I don't remember."
"Okay and what do we know about them?" I asked writing down the names.
"Bulstrode is Pansy's best friend. The Greengrasses are probably married but I don't remember to whom. I haven't talked to Goyle since Crabbe died. Flint is a profession quidditch player. And I have no idea about Baddock and Bletchley." He said succinctly.
"Well, I guess that'll have to be good for now. This is a good list of people." I said looking over my notes.
"Good. Can we get out of here now?" He said getting impatient.
I looked at the clock. "Well, it's almost dinner time. We're supposed to go out to dinner tonight so why don't we go back to my place and get ready?"
"Sure, fine, whatever. I just don't want to be at the Ministry any longer." He said as he got up and strode to the door.
We floo'd back to my place and as soon as we stepped into the living room I saw a couple of owls sitting on my window sill. I walked over and let them in. They flew to Draco and he took the letters from him. They flew out the window and he read over the letters quickly. I heard him sigh.
"Who are those from? The Ministry needs to be kept aware of your correspondences." I said walking over to him.
He threw the letters at me and sat down on the couch.
Draco,
Is it true?! Are you really dating that mudblood? Merlin's sake, Draco! You could do so much better! Are you bringing that thing to my ball tomorrow? What has gotten into you?! Please tell me the Daily Prophet was lying.
-Pansy
Draco,
Serious? Are you really dating Granger? Didn't know you had it in you. Guess I'll see the two of you tomorrow. Looking forward to it.
-Blaise
I put the letters on the coffee table and sat on the loveseat. "What are you going to do?" I asked looking at him intently.
"Well, I'm going to write Pansy back and tell her that I am indeed going to bring you and I suppose I should defend you...a little. Blaise doesn't need a reply. We'll see him tomorrow. He doesn't sound like he buys it though." He said as he put his hand through his hair.
I grabbed some parchment and a quill from the coffee table and handed it to him. I saw him write a quick message and he threw it on the table like he was disgusted. I picked it up and read it.
Pansy,
No, the newspaper isn't lying. I am dating Hermione Granger. Who is good enough to be my girlfriend is my own prerogative. We will both be attending your ball tomorrow night. Try to refrain from insulting her.
-DM
I looked at the neat handwriting and realized that he was at least slightly annoyed by Pansy trying to butt into his personal life, real or fake. I handed the parchment back to him and he folded it up and waved his wand. The Malfoy seal appeared on the parchment. He got up and went into his room. He returned with a beautiful gray owl and opened the window. "To Pansy Nott." He ordered and the owl flew away.
"Leave the window open for when he returns." I said as he turned from the window.
He nodded his head. "Let's just get ready for dinner." He said as he disappeared back into his room.
"Where are we going?" I called out before he closed the door.
"Wear something nice." He said as the door clicked shut.
I walked into my room and realized all my clothes were still in bags. I grabbed my wand from my pocket and waved it at my bags. All the clothes neatly sorted themselves either into my closet or dresser. I walked over to my closet and looked at a few of the dresses we had bought the other day. Since I had no idea where we were going, I decided that the best bet was one of the little black dresses we had bought.
I grabbed the black dress from the closet and held it up. It would do. It was a halter top that fit snugly along my torso and flared at the bottom. I put it on and looked in the mirror. It looked pretty good. I grabbed a pair of black high heels and went into my bathroom. My hair still looked pretty good from the morning so I just fixed it up a little to make it a little wavier. I grabbed some lip gloss from the cabinet and applied it to my lips.
I looked into the mirror again and decided I looked good enough for a dinner. Not too dressy but it would be good for a nice restaurant. I heard Draco's door open and closed and figured he was ready. I grabbed a black purse and put my wand inside.
I walked out into the living room and saw Draco standing in front of the couch. He looked good wearing dark pants and a dark blue button down shirt. His hair was brushed with a part on the side. And he had a blazer in his hand. I grabbed my black pea coat and walked over to him. He grabbed my arm and I side along apparated with him.
We landed in front of a restaurant that was full of people. It was obviously a wizarding restaurant since I saw a mix of muggle clothes and robes. "Where are we?" I asked as he steered us towards the host.
"Paris." He responded without looking at me.
I gasped. Paris?! I always wanted to go to Paris. The next thing I knew we were being escorted to a table out on the patio that had a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower. Draco pulled out my chair for me and then sat on the other side of the table. The host handed us menus and walked away.
"Why did you take me to Paris?" I asked a little confused.
"Because anyone who is anyone is in Paris on a Friday night. We will most certainly make the news." He said as he put down the menu. "My family is well known at this restaurant."
I looked through the menu and put it down as our waiter approached our table. "Can I get you something to drink?" He asked.
"Our regular wine." Draco answered. "And I'll have the rack of lamb."
The waiter then looked at me. "Oh, um, I'll have the chicken breast in a burgundy wine sauce." I said as I handed him back the menu.
"Very good." He answered. The bus boy came up behind him and poured our wine. I guess Draco was a regular here. They both walked away and I looked at the scenery while I took a sip of the wine.
I noticed people looking at us as they walked by. Or maybe I should say, I saw people looking at Draco. I looked over at him to see that he was also looking at the scenery. "This place is beautiful, Draco." I said, a little loudly so people could hear me.
He looked at me a little startled and then realized people were watching. He put his hand on the table palm up and said, "Yes, I really enjoy it here."
I put my hand in his and I could see the people whispering. Just then, I saw a short brunette woman walking towards our table. "Excuse me. I'm sorry to bother your dinner but I work for Witch Weekly. Would you mind if I asked a few questions?"
Malfoy looked at the witch with an annoyed expression on his face. "Well, we're not too fond of this intrusion on our dinner." Malfoy sneered. "But, I suppose if you're quick, we can answer a couple of questions."
The woman looked surprised that he agreed but decided not to waste time. "So, are you two really dating?" She asked taking out a quill and notebook.
"What does it look like?" Draco answered impatiently. "Is that all you have?"
"No no." She said quickly. "How long have you two been dating." This time she looked at me, probably hoping to not get on Draco's nerves.
"Only a few days, honestly." I answered. "We reconnected when he came to the Ministry after the death of his mother." I saw him flinch at the mention of his mother.
"Ok. I know you two don't have a real friendly past. So, how did you reconnect?" She prodded.
"Hogwarts was 5 years ago. We've both changed and we really enjoy spending time together." I answered trying not to sound like the answers were rehearsed.
"Last question." Draco said looking annoyed.
"Alright." She said looking at her notes. "How serious are you two?"
Draco attempted to smile. He was half successful. "Serious enough that I would take her to Paris on the busiest night of the week and grant an interview to you." He answered snidely.
"Do you consider her your girlfriend?" She asked point blank.
"Yes, yes, she's my girlfriend. Now your time is up." Draco said as he dismissed her. She nodded her head, mumbled thanks and turned around. As soon as she left I saw a scowl appear on his face. "I hope we solve this case soon. I don't know how much more I can take of this."
"I know I know." I said. "Good job, though. You managed to sound like your obnoxious self while admitting to liking me."
The waiter then arrived with our food and we started to eat. "We should probably take a walk afterwards." I said as I looked out at the tower. "We'll look like we're taking a romantic stroll."
He nodded his head without looking up from his food. I had never been to the Eiffel tower. So I figured I might as well take advantage of the situation.
After dinner, we walked out of the restaurant and on to the street. "Where do you suggest we walk?" Draco asked looking around.
"Let's go to the Eiffel Tower." I said as I started to walk towards it.
He came up beside me and grabbed my hand. As we walked, I couldn't help but think how weird it was that I was walking in Paris hand in hand with Draco Malfoy.
We got tickets for the lift and went all the way to the top. I walked over to the railing and looked out at the city. It was beautiful. Draco stood next to me and awkwardly put his arm around me. I tried to not look uncomfortable and moved his arm to go around my waist.
I looked over at Draco and saw him looking out at the city, too. I figured I needed practice for the ball so I tried to look like a believable couple. I scooted over to him to get a little closer. I felt him stiffen but he didn't move away. I turned towards him and he looked at me. I bit my lip a little and he seemed to understand what I was trying to do. He turned completely towards me and looked down at me. I took a deep breath and took a step closer to him. I wrapped my arms his neck and looked up at him. He bent down and we kissed. It was a nice sweet kiss, one I would've sworn Draco was unable to pull off. When I pulled away, he looked a little surprised but quickly recovered. I saw a wisp of a smile cross his face but it was quickly gone. He then turned back towards the city but put his arm around me again, this time not so awkwardly.
After 10 more minutes of enjoying the view, we decided to go back home. We went back down the lift and got back on the streets of Paris. We walked hand in hand to the apparition point that was near the restaurant.
Before I knew it, we were back in my living room. "Thanks for the dinner." I said to him as we walked towards our rooms.
"It was nothing, just playing my part." Draco said as he went to his room. "G'night Granger."
"G'night Malfoy." I said as I walked into my room and closed the door. I got into my pajamas and went to bed. My mind started to wander and I thought about how we were just playing our parts for this investigation. After tonight, I had renewed faith about our ability to act like a couple. Maybe we won't get caught tomorrow, after all. I closed my eyes with a small smile on my face and fell asleep.
~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~
A/N: So, I spaced out when I made Remus head of the Auror Department. Apparently, I had forgotten he was dead...so I went back and changed it to Gawain Robards. According to wikipedia (and wikipedia knows everything), he took over the Auror Department after Rufus Scrimgeour. Sorry for the glaring error. :-) Hope you're enjoying the story. -Chrissy
