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Chapter 6-Truth or dare?

Hermione's time at Malfoy Manor passed more quickly than she had expected. Though she missed her own children she enjoyed spending time with young Scorpius and she quickly slipped into an easy routine. When she wasn't at work she spent time with the charming little boy who seemed to spread sunshine in his wake and then in the evening she would join Malfoy and his heir for dinner until such a time as Tiggy would take the younger Malfoy to his bed. That was the time of day that both unnerved and excited her. Malfoy intrigued her he had somehow morphed from the demon of her childhood in to the semblance of a demi-god. The more she got to know him the more she liked him and it scared her.

She had discovered that far from the belligerent bigot she had expected Draco Malfoy was cultured, articulate and refined in a way that she found alluring. Had he been any other wizard she would have openly admired him but she had had to school herself, remind herself of his dark past. Remind herself he could not be trusted.

Two weeks into her stay Malfoy announced what would be a disruption to their easy routine.

"I will need you to accompany me to dinner tomorrow night," he began to explain, "I have important Japanese clients I need to impress and I need your help to convince them I am trustworthy."

Ah! Hermione thought, so that is your game, you need the reputation of the Golden Girl to hide the tarnish of your own name.

"Would that be appropriate?" she challenged, "I am after all someone else's wife."

He smiled as if he had expected this and already had the answer.

"I will introduce you as my associate. There will be no suggestion of impropriety." He reassured her.

"Then why?" she questioned

"You know why," he replied raising an eyebrow at her as if to suggest that it did not become her to play dumb.

"You think my reputation will enhance your own?" She concluded.

He merely nodded in acknowledgement of the truth.

"Alright," she acquiesced, "what do you need me to do?"

"Just be there and be your usual beautiful, brilliant self," he told her, "and try not to share too many of your inner most thoughts about me."

Draco had meant that as a joke, believing that her inner thoughts were derogatory but he was intrigued when she blushed. What are your inner most thoughts Granger? He wondered, that they would make you blush.

"Wear something nice," he said as a parting shot as she rose from the dinning table to go to her bed. Her face fell.

"I …" she began

"What is it Hermione?" he questioned cautiously.

"I sold the more elegant pieces in my wardrobe to try to pay off Ron's debt."

So that you wouldn't have to come to me, Draco read the sub-text clearly.

"I will have something sent over," he told her as if it were nothing,

"No, I couldn't…"

"It would be my pleasure," he insisted.

Hermione hung there biting her lip clearly having some internal debate with herself.

"Please," he begged her, "it would mean nothing just part of a business transaction."

She still hesitated;

"You can't buy me Malfoy," she suddenly rounded on him. He realised belatedly that she felt cheapened by the offer.

"I did not mean…" he began, "you really don't trust me at all do you?"

"Would you expect me to given our history?" she asked him candidly.

"No," he told her honestly.

Though he knew he risked her wrath he had an evening dress sent to her none the less. He hoped she would wear it. The dress was accompanied by a carefully thought out and conciliatory note that included a word Malfoy's rarely used-'please.'

Draco intoned a silent hallelujah when the following evening Hermione appeared wearing said garment. He cautiously thanked her, worried that it might have cost her some measure of pride to wear it he made sure she knew how beautiful she looked even if she had transfigured the colour from green to red.

Draco smirked to himself, he knew he was pushing it sending a green dress but he knew it would suit her. The gown was elegant and modest. Its broad shawl collar wrapped her shoulders but gave a glimpse of her golden skin and the line of her exquisite neck and collar bones.

Draco took his time to admire how beautiful she was as he stepped forward to help her on with her cloak. From his height he was well placed to admire the slight swell of her breast below the expansive yoke. For a moment he lost himself in thoughts of burying his face at her throat.

"Are you ready?" she asked snapping him from his reverie.

Draco cleared his throat, "yes," he said holding out his arm for her to take "shall we?"

Against all Hermione's expectations the evening was a pleasant one. Draco's Japanese guests were charming and though they were thrilled to meet a war heroine Malfoy didn't milk her status for all it was worth. They made a surprisingly able team, able to reassure Draco's guests of the stability of post war Wizarding Britain. Hermione suspected that was what she was really there for a show of unity to ensure the Japanese were aware there was no future threat of war. After all how could there be when a Death Eater and a Mudblood were prepared to sit down together. So Hermione served her part perhaps now she thought he will let me go ?

"Would you like a night cape?" he asked as they reappeared within the manor.

"I don't know it is late," she told him.

"I just wanted to thank you," he told her looking crest fallen

"Was it worth a million galleons?" she asked still not answering his question

"Possibly more, but that it not why I wanted you here if that is what you think," he told her.

Hermione looked shocked that had been what she had assumed.

"I wanted to get to know you Hermione but it is difficult when you don't trust me."

She didn't say anything.

"I believe I have a solution to that," he told her indicating that she should lead the way to his study. Curious Hermione took the hint.

Once inside the study Draco motioned for her to take a seat. Two large high back leather chairs sat by the fire Hermione took the one nearest to the door.

Hermione looked away for amount but then was arrest by a sight she had not expected to see.

"What are you doing?" Hermione demanded in panic. She had watched as Draco had loosened his tie and removed it but he hadn't stopped there.

"I'm removing my clothes," he told her quite brazenly.

"Then I think..." she began getting to her feet

"There is no need for you to leave." He told her quietly.

He had removed his shirt now; Hermione's eyes looked across the plains and angles of his torso. He had to be using some glamour charm no one had skin so fine and unblemished. He looked little a Lalique figure, white like frosted, polished glass. This could not be real, she told herself, he could not be doing this.

"Tell me the truth Hermione," he demanded, "when you look at me what is it that you see?"

Exquisite, beautiful, fucking sexy, glorious man, all of these words crossed her mind in response to his question. All of them words that she knew she should not be thinking. Shite, she inwardly concluded.

"You're mad," she told him, "please put your shirt back on."

He sighed, but didn't do as she had asked.

"You know Hermione; you never were a good liar."

"What?" She stated as if her question was some form of denial.

"Do you know what it means to be a rich man?" He asked the apparent change of subject confusing her. It was clearly a rhetorical question because he didn't wait for a response. "It means no one ever tells you the truth. I thought you of all people would be honest with me." He sounded almost disappointed.

"You want to know what I think about you half naked?" She asked him incredulously.

"I want you to be prepared to tell me the truth." He explained patiently.

"And in return you will tell me the truth of why I'm here?" She scoffed.

"I think I am seeing the problem here." He began to explain. "We don't trust each other."

Well as if that isn't entirely obvious, Sherlock, she thought keep her sarcastic words to herself.

"Perhaps you're right but that is hardly surprising." She actually said.

Then I may have a solution.

"Yes?"

"Truth or dare Granger?"

"What, we are not back at Hogwarts Malfoy." She said dismissively.

"No you're right, we're not because this would never be allowed," he told her conspiratorially as he held up a vial of liquid.

"Veritaserum?" Hermione recognised the highly regulated potion immediately. "Where did you..."

"The privilege of manufacturing potions for the ministry Granger is that I get to keep my own supply."

"And you intend to use it on me?'

"No, Intend to use it on me!" He told her to her astonishment.

"How do I know that it isn't a placebo?" Hermione asked wearily.

"You don't so, I would encourage you to join me but you don't have to, it's entirely your choice."

Hermione considered him for a long moment. She had no real secrets that would harm her, although she realised if he asked that question again she would be humiliated by her response.

Sensing that she was wavering, on the edge of a decision, Draco spoke again:

"Take just a drop so you will know it is real and I will ask only one question."

"One question you have not already asked." She insisted.

"Agreed."

He walked towards her then in two quick strides and she could feel his breath on her face.

"Hold out your tongue," he directed.

"You first," she said cautiously.

He smiled at her like a cobra, whatever else he had become in the years since she had last interacted with him he was still every inch a Slytherin.

"Of course," he tipped back the vial leaving mere dregs of the potent potion behind, "now your turn."

Hermione held out her tongue as he placed his hand on her shoulder to steady her. She felt the cold drip as it landed on her tongue and swallowed, suppressing the shudder that ran though her, uncertain if it was from the serum or because he stood so closely.

"Do you still love your husband?" He asked her. This was it his one question, she had thought the answer would be easy. Had it not been for the serum she would have instantly said 'yes' but the word wouldn't come and as the silence lengthened something sparked in his eyes, something that looked very much like hope.

"I don't know," the words finally forced themselves from her lips and she realised, sadly that it was the truth.

Author's note

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What questions will Hermione ask Draco? Well obviously you have to wait and seem:)