A/N: Let's begin with I own nothing except the words I've strung together and the humor that you may or may not find endearing. ;)

Chapter 4: My Enemy's Enemy is my Friend

It had been three days since the mid-morning meltdown in the presence of Minerva and I still turned scarlet every time she would give me a sympathetic smile. She had sent out owls to all those seeking the position as my assistant, informing them that unfortunately the process was being delayed due to massive amounts of paperwork and cases needing to be dealt with. This gave us three days to carefully consider our five candidates.

In all, the five remaining candidates for the position were as follows:

Cho Chang

Ivan Miller

Natalia Abelardo

Kieran Kraja

Jenna Brown

Personally, my favorites were Ivan Miller (I believe I have stated my reasoning for this) and Kieran Kraja who was at the top at his class at an American wizarding school on the East Coast somewhere. Natalia Abelardo was my next choice, she seemed very collected and easy to get along with, and she also spoke four languages which would help me tremendously. The top five were all wonderful candidates, and yes, I must even include Cho in this because she had a greater knowledge of ministry politics which again, would serve me greatly. Jenna Brown came from a school out in New Zealand but she didn't seem as collected as the rest, she seemed to be very dramatic and a little too carefree for this ambiance.

I was sitting curled on my couch with Crookshanks lazily purring on my lap as I looked over all five of the files. Crookshanks lay against the cool windowsill which gave rise to a starry silhouette of London's glory which took me aback every time I gazed at it. Malfoy, or the 'lone guitarist' was no where near my worries, I had decided to stop going to the jazz tavern to not have my ego bruised again. I had also stayed away from that street altogether in case any more of Jonathan's friends decided to drop by the tavern to see if they'd spot me. I began considering moving out of my flat to somewhere new. A new neighborhood where I wouldn't have to clash with my past and start out as a new and less neurotic Hermione… a change in atmosphere was what Harry and Ron both agreed would be best for me. Though, they didn't think a change in atmosphere would make me any less neurotic.

I had begun leafing through the Daily Prophet for cozy flats the same day of my mid-morning meltdown and to my surprise found one located right in High Street Kensington, where the neighborhood was beautiful and quite selective. I was sure I could afford such a place with my salary. Considering I had been saving up money for a move like this since I first was hired.

Ron and Harry's mouths went agape when I told them of my discovery of the lone guitarist's true identity. The boys took the night off when they heard me balling on the other line of the receiver and came to my rescue… making me change out of my sweats and into something worthy to wear to a pub. I think part of Ron's drink fell onto his sweater when his mouth went wide open from the shock of Malfoy's capability to do anything artistic. We opted for the Leaky Cauldron on the night of my meltdown, nothing even remotely close to a jazz tavern would be acceptable. They were so sympathetic they bought three rounds of drinks and even took me for ice cream that same night to make me feel better. According to Harry, ice cream can solve all of life's problems, including my meeting with Malfoy.

Harry had promised to see if he could find out what Malfoy had been up to for all these years. Being an auror, he could access things like this for me. I, who also held a capability to find something like this out chose not to, seeing as how Minerva knew this whole ordeal already.

Dropping the files onto the floor as I giggled madly thinking of the reaction on Ron's face at the pub and the way his drink spilled onto his sweater. I was getting away from my objective; I picked up the files and looked them over. I had decided that very afternoon that if Cho got the position I would do everything in my power not to care. If that plan backfired then I would stuff myself silly with ice cream to help my problem go away, though I know well enough Harry's theory was ludicrous.

Crookshanks came over and licked my hand; I nodded knowing he was hungry. I walked into my kitchen and looked for his cat food when I realized I had forgotten to buy his food. Apparently, leaving mental notes in my head was no longer working for me. Groaning, I hauled my coat and scarf and looked for my old trainers to walk two blocks to the store which was still open now at a quarter to nine.

I hurried out of my flat and towards the store also remembering I was out of milk and was in desperate need in for another bottle of shampoo. I cursed myself for being able to remember cases, investigations and reports but not items I needed at home. Finally walking into the store and down the isles that were arranged by their generic uses I found the isle containing pet food. Scanning the brands with faces of happy fat cats plastered on the covering, I thought about idiotic ways advertisers tried to make a sale. Finding the correct brand and flavor, I heaved the bag into a cart and made my way to the isle filled with hair products. Now scanning for my shampoo I heard a fake and feminine giggle coming from the isle next to me. I tried peering over to see the culprit knowing that sound from a mile away. Sure enough as I peered over I saw a stalk of bleach blond locks and almost maroon colored lipstick.

I gasped silently; it was Annette Nicole and Jonathan in the other isle. I could not believe this! All week I had been dealing with constant misfortunes. Here I had thought seeing Henry and Rose was the worst of my troubles and an isle away was my ex-fiancée and his bleach blond busty wife who was expecting child! I was fuming as I grabbed the bottle of shampoo and looked for a way out of the store. I heard her giggle coming closer to me and with unknown agility I never knew I possessed, I grabbed the nearest box of hair dye and pretended to be engrossed in the specific shade and the millions of herbal extracts that made it "healthier" for my locks.

They were out of view and now I just had to find my way to the milk and pay my three items and run safely back to my flat where Crookshanks would await me with a large appetite. I peered around once more as I sprinted to the refrigerated section where the milk was stored. As I was about to claim a victory, I slammed into something dark, hard with a masculine scent. It hit me; I had just bumped into someone. I rolled my eyes as I tore myself off this poor man.

Looking up to him to begin to formulate an apology, I couldn't help but grit my teeth when I saw who he was. Malfoy! Again! What the hell was he doing in my neighborhood again? I highly doubted a Draco Malfoy would even consider living on this side of town… a lone mansion was no where nearby. I closed my eyes to collect my thoughts before I would do the unthinkable and use physical violence against this man. Before I could finish this thought, I heard the fake giggle and my eyes dilated wider than humanly possible.

Malfoy grinned, clearly enjoying my inner-struggle and my loathing every minute I was in this infernal store. He grabbed my wrist and pulled me closer to him as the two walked into our isle, acting as if we had been embracing. I could smell sandalwood and I briefly wondered if that was his natural scent or cologne of some sort. Men shouldn't smell that good naturally. You hate the man, remember Hermione. Right. I contemplated hitting him in the jewels and running but decided to watch this play out, I didn't need to be kicked out of another business in my neighborhood.

Jonathan and Annette Nicole stopped short, realizing who I was. Jonathan was fixing his glasses and Annette Nicole giggled her fake and feminine laugh that made me cringe, unconsciously making a fist with the hand Malfoy had grasped.

Malfoy grinned and spoke for the first time that evening.

"Hello Jonathan," he said smugly.

"Malfoy," Jonathan answered back with a flicker of anger in his tone.

For the meantime, I was safe from view…being held captive in Malfoy's arms kept me safe from being recognized. For a second, I thanked the powers that be for Malfoy and keeping my identity safe from my ex and his bleach blond wife. I also thanked the powers that be that I decided to wear my hair straight today, another bold Hermione move…my trademark curls would not make me an easy target to spot tonight. At the same moment, Malfoy's hand moved from my wrist to my hand and he clutched it. Ah, I was beginning to see the picture; he wanted me to play along. I mentally grinned as I complied and pretended to be engrossed and loving in his arms. It really wasn't too hard, I could only move in closer to him. Yes, there was sense of inner-loathing from the part of me who was still a teenage and awkward Hermione. Here I was in the embrace of the boy, uh, man who used to make fun of me till he ran out of snide remarks (which was rare).

The other part of me was quite content. I knew that Jonathan never liked Malfoy, in fact, I remember he would cringe every time I mentioned his name when having a flashback of life at Hogwarts. I smiled to myself, this would be interesting. I slowly turned around pretending to look lovingly into Malfoy's eyes. The look on Jonathan's face was even more hysterical than that of Ron's.

"Hello John," I said, making sure to be very close to Malfoy.

"Her—Hermione?" He managed to stutter.

"I see you've met Draco,"

"Oh darling, do introduce us properly," Malfoy said grinning maliciously.

"You're right, I'm so rude. Jonathan, meet my…"

"Fiancée," Malfoy interjected.

He had put a ring on my finger without my knowledge. He must have slipped it in when I first took his hand. As I looked at my hand I tried to not look surprised. The size of the rock was larger than the massive pendant my grandmother used to wear. I smiled and braced myself for what I was about to do, I kissed Malfoy on the cheek lightly and continued to fake that loving gaze. Meanwhile, Jonathan looked like he was about to hurl, his wife looked on curiously apparently not getting the picture. I tried to stifle a laugh and failed horribly.

"Fiancée, Hermione, we just broke up a month ago, you can't be engaged to this lunatic? It's ridiculous, its impossible, and its insanity!" Jonathan sputtered.

"Yes, much like your sudden marriage, Jonathan." I said coolly.

"Well, let's not upset the other customers. Darling, get what you need and we'll be going then," Malfoy said.

With that, I triumphantly seized the milk and walked with his hand in mine and toward the check out line. Continuing our act, Malfoy paid for my items and walked out of the store with me until we had crossed the street safely and out of view. He finally let go and looked at me with one arched eyebrow.

"YOU dated that loser? Come now, Granger… I would think you could do better!" he said eyeing my expression.

"Yes, well after a few drinks he didn't look half bad. Impaired judgment I'm afraid. How did you know I was running from him?"

"I heard some rumor that you had dated the fellow after you threw that drink on me the other night at the jazz tavern." He replied lazily.

"How the hell did you know where I was?" I asked quizzically.

He put his hand in my coat pocket and before I could utter another word he pulled out a button. To say he had a sly look on his face would be an understatement.

"You charmed a button to track me?"

"I've learned many things of muggle devices this is a magical GPS if you will. Quite helpful, really."

"You've been following me? And here I was thinking I should apologize for my behavior the other night but you've made it quite easy for me to rebuke that!" I seethed.

He narrowed his eyes, I wasn't sure if he was serious or joking. Was he capable of such a thing? "Enemy's don't apologize to one another, Granger. You know that."

"Yes well, wait! Why do you hate Jonathan? I'm sure it's not for the same reason as mine."

"The idiot worked for me years ago. You've heard of Emerald Inc.—I started out that company independently, the sodder took millions from my company. How do you think he's been able to keep his foolish independent work and still have a cushiony lifestyle? I fired him yet all traces of what he stole vanished and could not lock him up in Azkaban for it."

I had to blink a few times to really grasp what I had just heard. My ex-fiancée was a con artist on top of a liar and a cheater. Oh you do know how to pick them, Hermione.

"So you took an opportunity when you saw it and wanted to get back at him?"

"My, Granger…what happened to that wit of yours? I thought you were one step ahead of the game but it seems not. Don't you see that my meeting you again after all these years is not coincidence? You're ex stole millions from my company… I'm willing to get back at him and since you; someone from my past also would want revenge… I would imagine we could work together to accomplish that task, wouldn't you agree?" he said smoothly.

"So you've been FOLLOWING ME? I yelled coming to the door of my flat.

"Naturally, I needed to see if you were angry enough at the man to seek revenge. After you threw that drink at me and exploded, I knew you were."

"You haven't changed a bit, Malfoy… still interested in revenge and seeking to overthrow whoever tries to burst the perfect bubble that is your life." I snarled.

"I am making you a proposition, Granger. Help me take down the man who put us both to shame. The first step has already been planted, that ring on your finger means that everyone in London will think that you and I are an item by tomorrow morning. I propose that you move in with me at my home, to make everyone think that we are together. Next, through your relationship with Jonathan we can move in, find out things about him, most importantly where he's hid my money and what other sorrid things he's been doing. Together we can ruin him. What woman would like to find out that her fiancée left her for some bleach blond bimbo (who's actually procreated, might I add) and who can't even string a coherent sentence together?"

"You can't possibly be serious?" I said my mouth agape, much like Ron's.

"My enemy's enemy is my friend, Granger. Remember that…" he said taking my keys and opening my door for me and then leaving me alone with a heavy bag of cat food and an open mouth. Either my sanity in itself is unraveling or my world is being turned upside down. Merlin, it has to be a little of both.