Softly humming to herself, Hermione furiously scribbled on a long piece of parchment, stopped, scratched out a line and kept going. It was Thursday afternoon and she was waiting for Ginny to join her for lunch, hoping that she was finally going to hear some news of Ron. She was supposed to have her date, if you could call it that, with Draco tonight, but she was a nervous wreck. She didn't know if it was right to go, so she settled on making a list of pros and cons; a brainstorming activity that often helped her make great decisions. However, as the minutes ticked by Hermione found that she was still unable to choose, and was simply wasting her time at work.

Draco was completely maddening; showing up at her flat, making her forget everything and then not even having the guts to have sex with her. After he ran out, she thought about it all night, even coming to the conclusion that he finally remembered he found her repulsive, until she saw the way that he looked at her the next morning.

Shaking her head, Hermione dropped the quill and took a deep breath. She was Hermione Granger. She was not some dim witted girl like Lavender Brown, who spent all of her time pondering about which boys liked her, and whether her shoes matched her robes. She needed to focus on her promotion, she needed to make things right with Ron. Ron was the right choice, he was the safe choice. She could easily imagine one day having his children and the family she always wanted. Draco could never provide that.

There was also the fact that Ron was the only man that she had ever been with physically. Hermione always thought that it would be quite romantic to have one love. Plus, she was not some scarlet woman. She had goals, ambitions.

Goals and ambitions that she had put on hold to please Ron, she thought bitterly.

Before she could continue the internal debate she was having with herself, her office door burst open. "I'm here! I'm so sorry I'm late I was waiting in line to grab us some sandwiches for what seemed like ages," mumbled Ginny as she walked to Hermione's desk and began clearing space for the food. "What are you writing?" she added trying to peer down at the list that Hermione was now hastily trying to shove in a drawer.

Hermione turned red but replied. "Oh that? Work stuff you know. Thanks for picking up the food by the way," she stated, desperate to quickly change the topic of conversation.

Ginny pulled two wrapped sandwiches out of a paper bag and handed one to Hermione. "Sure thing. Are you okay? You look flushed."

Unwrapping her sandwich, Hermione took a small bite and chewed slowly. She was being silly, it was highly unlikely that Ginny saw Malfoy's name written across the top of the parchment next to Ron's.

"I'm great. Have you spoken to Ron?" she asked.

"Somewhat..." now it was Ginny who seemed shy. "He's still being a git honestly."

"Well what has he said?" pushed Hermione, feeling strange even having to ask. The whole situation reminded her of fourth year when she had to be a messenger between Harry and Ron.

"Oh Hermione!" Ginny dropped her sandwich and put her face in her hands. "As far as he's concerned you two broke up."

"I see."

She didn't know what else to say. She expected to feel a great sadness, or shock, but all that she felt was relief. Relief and anger that Ron was not mature enough to have an adult conversation with her. No matter what happened she still wanted for them to salvage their friendship.

"Sorry," she said, giving a little chuckle. "Sometimes I forget how truly incapable of talking about feelings Ron can be. Maybe this is for the best."

Ginny blinked. "Wow you're taking this rather well. I was terrified to break the news to you...and embarrassed of course. Having to do his dirty work."

Hermione blushed. "I don't know how to feel. A part of me is upset because I always thought that Ron was my future, but maybe I'm not the girl he fell in love with."

"What are you talking about Hermione?"

"Oh I don't know," Hermione laughed and waved her hand. "Just that all my life people have seen me as this bookworm who doesn't care about anything else. You know, Hermione Granger, the girl who can't ever have fun. The responsible one."

"Go on," Ginny urged.

Hermione sighed. "But there's more to me, and Ron...I don't know if he sees that. He won't open up to me. I have tried so hard. I have put my career on hold for him. I thought that we could both mourn together after the war, but he just seemed to push me away."

Taking a pause, Hermione thought again about their relationship. A single kiss had started it all, and then Fred had died and Ron had changed and she was unable to coax him into sharing anything. Draco had also changed, she thought, but in an opposite way, in the same way she had. They were both broken, and full of guilt, but also somehow stronger and more mature. She had faced her demons, and so had he.

"I'm okay, really Ginny, I am," she finally stated. "When Ron is ready we can talk about everything and hopefully remain friends."

Ginny nodded. "Just know that you're always family to me, no matter what. You're always welcome in our home and Harry feels the same way."

Hermione and Draco both agreed that it would be best to meet at a muggle restaurant. After all, neither of them were interested in any more attention, and Hermione absolutely dreaded the possibly of seeing her face splattered across the front page of the Daily Prophet. She could just imagine the headlines now.

"Hermione Granger breaks the heart of Ronald Weasley; seen canoodling with heart throb Draco Malfoy"

She pushed the thought away. Hermione hardly needed for anyone to know that she was already "dating", and Draco definitely could not afford the news spreading either. The Malfoy heir, interested in a muggle born? It was unheard of. She was sure that his father would disown him, especially now that there was an arranged marriage involved. Speaking of which, Hermione made a quick mental note to ask Draco if that whole fiasco was put to an end.

Getting ready was a slow process. She didn't want to do anything too special, yet thinking about the way that Draco made her feel suddenly pushed her to spend longer than usual frizzing out her hair, and even applying light make up.

In the end, Hermione settled on wearing a midnight blue dress that hugged her hips before flowing out. It had a lower neckline than she was usually accustomed to, but it was not as if she had much cleavage to show off. Anyway, she has purchased it weeks ago, in hopes of surprising Ron and thought that it was about time to put it to some good use. Her hair, which was usually pulled up in a low bun, she left falling around her shoulders, gently framing her face.

Satisfied, she quickly Apparated to a dark muggle street and walked briskly to the hole in the wall restaurant a block down that would give them plenty of privacy.

Once inside, Hermione was informed that the other party was already waiting for her at a table, and led through to the back. She was not surprised to see that Draco was already there, and easily spotted him sitting at a dim table for two, in the corner by a small window. He was wearing what appeared to be a muggle suit, all black, and was lazily gazing outside. When he heard her approach he turned his head and stood, his eyes widening.

"Merlin's beard Hermione," he whispered.