A/N I'm back.

I can't expect you to remember this story, it has been more than year and a half (bloody hell, that's a lot) since the last time I updated. My honest apologies for the long wait. I can only hope you'll give me another chance.

In previous chapters Hermione struggled with her feelings for Draco, got drunk because of it and Ron was angry with her even though they split up long ago.

The six chapter will be the last one. I can assure you, there won't be a long wait for the end.

A couple of weeks passed after the drunk-incident in Hermione's flat. During the time she had not spoken to Ron nor heard of him and it was ruining all her daily routine. She had to buy a cup of coffee herself, not to mention that it took her several days to find the same spot where Ron used to get it. None other place known to the witch, who drank muggle-made beverage, could make better coffee. And, of course, it wasn't just that. She missed his silly talks about everything and nothing at the same time, she missed his effort to cheer her up, to make her laugh or that sparkle in his eyes as he looked at her. Draco wasn't like that, he didn't try to affect Hermione in any way, but he did. And she didn't know whether it was a good or a bad thing.

How could she find attractive two so different persons, who seemed to have nothing in common at all? Though Ron was a romantic interest from the past and she felt only brotherly love for him now. And now, actually, might have been the best time for a "dancing devil" on the mind, in Ginny's words. It was a time of peace in Magical world and a little bit too calm for particular bushy-haired witch who had helped the famous Harry Potter since her first year at school and fought in great battles.

"That's there Draco steps in — a dangerous secret romance–"

"Except it's not a romance, Ginny!" Hermione protested as her friend jumped to conclusions.

"Yet, my dear friend. Yet." She said straight faced.

"Oh, just stop it. I've told you so you would make me come back to my senses, not-not this!"

"No, you stop it. You hadn't seen Ron's face after your little slip or… maybe you had, but you just can't remember, " she winked. "We've buried all hopes for you two getting back together. You know, if I was sure you and Ron were done, I would have made you start dating again sooner." Hermione was grumbling all the time she spoke, but it made no effect on the witch. "And if you choose Malfoy, we'll be OK with it, though I can assure you, you are worth so much better."

"I'm not choosing anyone and nothing is going to happen, for the God sake!"

"Yeah, yeah. Have you heard of that Granger who goes to bars and drinks all night?"

"Gin-"

"No, no, no! Now, we are gonna make a plan." She smiled cunningly whilst Hermione sank into a chair.

The plan was simple. They needed to know whether the feelings were mutual or not. Ginny asked lots of questions about how he acts being near her, but it brought them nowhere. The problem was that Hermione couldn't look objective into the situation; she denied any possibility that he might have fancied her. Though she had to agree they were spending a lot of time together even after the work and he was the one to suggest meeting up for a butterbeer and stuff like that. And still, Hermione could hardly imagine him having an interest in her as a woman, not just a friend.

"Oh, Hermione, not everything is logic and follows rules… Love might be the most illogical feeling of all, you have to follow your heart at this." Ginny smiled.

"Love?" She sniggered. "Shut up, Ginevra, just shut up." In seconds Hermione was hit with a pillow.

He felt tempted to get something he couldn't have. He was scared of these feelings, what mess they would cause if he chose to reveal it. But it was getting harder with every day not to stare at lips he dreamed of. And he saw her stares too, except it might have been only his imagination playing with his mind out of desire. Young wizard had to consider, that so many things could go wrong if he just asked Hermione on a date. She could turn it down, misunderstand, get angry, and he shivered from a thought of this. He would not put their friendship in danger. Speaking of danger, there was always a question of his family; most likely they would kill them both. There was also Astoria, his soon to be fiancée and a wife someday. Everything was already agreed on; he signed it himself without hesitation, because he never had thought of what could it truly mean to be interested in someone as he was in Hermione.

Red haired witch was filled with enthusiasm for an unexpected affair. Knowing Malfoy all those years she was not a fan of him, but considering his very much changed behaviour and the way Hermione spoke about him, she was sure this was heading to quite something interesting. And here Ginny was, enjoying it like a romantic show on telly, except she didn't own that thing and knew very little what it was. If those two start dating for real, I don't want to be near Harry or Ron when they find out. It's gonna be epic! And when they finally break up, it will be a great laugh that Hermione ever even thought of such a thing. Hermione and Malfoy? Well, it sounds… ridiculous. Though I can understand their crush, he has something, I dunno what exactly, charisma maybe? And Hermione is perfect, any bloke could fall for her. The only problem is how to move out of sight Astoria, for a while at least. I doubt this romance would last long…

Lost in her thoughts Ginny entered Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. Mum was fast to tell her that George and Angela had broken up, so she wanted to check how he was doing. Even though it was a joke shop she did not expect to hear her brother's and some witch's laugh echoing so loudly in the place. As she walked closer to where they stood, she saw George holding something that must have been his new WonderWitch product and talking to a petite dark haired girl. Whilst George was too concentrated on what he was telling to the girl, she probably sensed someone standing behind and turned around to face Ginny.

"Oh my, Ginny Weasley! I haven't seen you in ages." She said wearing a rather broad smile.

A dumb smile, Ginny thought. "Well, hello, Astoria. What a surprise."

"Hey, sis, what brings you here?"

"You, of course." She rolled her eyes. "Mum told about Angie."

George lowered his gaze at the exact moment Astoria raised her eyes to him in curiosity. Then, she smiled and looked at Ginny again.

"This place is amazing, you have a wonderful brother."

That exaggerated sweet voice was about to make Ginny sick, but she managed herself. "Thanks. I hear your boy-"

"Oh, a pygmy puff!" Astoria shouted and tripped like a little girl near the puffs. "My favourite colour!"

"She is pathetic." Ginny muttered.

"I think she is nice, hey, don't give me that look. Astoria is one of the best clients."

"She is?"

"Yeah, her nephew loves our stuff and she comes to buy it for him."

"What? Daphne Zabini has no children."

"Don't act like you know everything about everyone, sis." He ruffled her hair.

"Whatever, I'll wait in your office."

This unexpected meeting gave Ginny confidence as well as suspicion. In her words, Astoria was dumb as a rock, so she hoped, there was no need to worry about her frequent visits to the shop. She still felt like there was something odd in it, but at the time Hermione's love life was more important, it had to be only a matter of time before Malfoy realised what a mistake his relationship with Greengrass was. The petite witch might have the good looks, but she couldn't ever compete with Hermione's strong personality, beauty inside and out, not to mention her intelligence. The redhead planed on encouraging her friend to make this realisation for the particular wizard come faster.

"Are you sure it's a good idea?" Hermione asked with a frown. She was standing in front of mirror while younger witch tried to smooth her unruly hair.

"Of course, black is classic." She chuckled.

"No, Ginny, I'm not worried about the dress… or maybe I am." She quickly looked herself up and down. "Anyway, this arrangement, what if–"

"Hermione, please, would you stand still for a moment? Thanks, and you can thank me tomorrow. I'll wait you here at midday, that'll be enough for you to get back, right?" She could see Ginny's wink in a reflection of the mirror.

"Mrs Potter, I've never thought we would come to this, but I must admit that your brothers were right. You are annoying."

"Aw, I love you too, my dear. Look, I know you are nervous, but if Malfoy continues to pretend he is not into you after your date, then he's bigger moron than we all think he is."

"This is not a date! He thinks you and Harry are coming too, you set this up yourself–"

"Sure, and Malfoy agreed to eat dinner with us in a muggle restaurant, because he's secretly in love with Harry."

Hermione shook her head smiling, it was impossible to argue with red-haired witch.

"When I think about it, maybe it is true. This past week any time I'd come to your office, he was there. Probably, he hoped that Harry would come to visit you!"

"Lucky me, Harry is married."

"And lucky me, my friend is going to seduce the man who threatens my marriage."

"Ginny–"

"Trust me when I say I've seen enough." She said decisively.

"But what about Astoria?"

"Forget her, he will dump her sooner or later anyway. I may not like Malfoy too much, but even he can do better than Greengrass."

An incredulous sigh came from the smart witch as she finally understood there was no way out of this date, Ginny would force her to go if not with magic then bare hands, and she had no wish to know which was worse.

Walking in the restaurant Hermione tried to hide uneasiness with a smile which changed to an honest one as soon as her eyes found the blond man already sitting at their table. It seemed like with every step near him her heart was pounding faster with excitement. Maybe, Ginny's right… she thought.

Draco smiled and stood up, but at the exact moment she noticed that something was not right. Only when she turned her head opposite to him, she understood and her heart stopped beating. She feared to think how different her face expression must have looked now.

"Hey, Hermione. I hope you and your friends won't mind that I invited Astoria to join us." She barely heard him, his voiced seemed too far. "Where are Potters, by the way? I thought, you'd come together."

She coughed trying to shake the shock away. "They aren't here yet? I–I've got held back and didn't have time to reach them."

"I'm very glad of an opportunity to finally meet you in less official environment, Hermione. This is going to be a delightful evening." The beautiful women on her left smirked as she sat down near her.

"Yes, indeed." Sure, nutter, I've dealt with far worse and survived.

"My fiancé is so fond of you, I think, we could be good friends too, don't you think?" She said sweetly.

Why Draco looks so uncomfortable and embarrassed. Wait, fiancé? Who's her fiancé?! This, probably, was the moment Hermione learned she was quite an actress. She laughed silvery. "You've got engaged, congratulations! There's the champagne?"

"I'll get it." Draco quickly left the table.

There was a feeling that he just couldn't sit here anymore and needed to get away, but why and what it was Hermione had no time to think about.

"They are not coming, are they?"

"What?"

"Oh, please, Hermione. I see through you." Astoria said in such voice that caused shivers to the brave witch.

Wonderful. Someone will be dead tomorrow at midday.

To be honest I had this and some of 5th chapter written for a while. I didn't want to upload it and be gone for whatever amount of time again because I didn't know there to go with the story... or I did know, but I just couldn't get myself to write it down. I had planned all kind of stuff to happen, but it didn't seem to work and I was stuck. I'm sorry.

- Elia (WillNotTell)