**Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Harry Potter the amazingly talented JK Rowling does…I just enjoy playing with her characters.

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Chapter 7:

Draco usually relished working Saturday's at his apothecary as he was usually single, but today he found his mind wandering to Hermione as he wondered what she was doing. The night before had been more than he had dared to hope for during his time with her. Yes, he knew that part of the deal was for them to sleep together but he had never planned to insist on it. He wanted her to want him without the pressure of the deal. She knew he wouldn't force her into anything she wasn't ready for.

That's why he let her set the pace the night before and why he'd laid awake for hours after she left recalling every detail before he conceded in taking care of his stiff problem on his own. He knew he was acting ridiculous because he could barely concentrate on work let alone get the image of Hermione clad in just her bra and jeans out of his head. She'd not only tasted better than he'd imagined, she'd felt utterly perfect underneath him. Her petite lean body molded perfectly to his as she wrapped her leg around him and ground her pelvis against his. Draco ran a hand down his face as he tried to think about the paperwork before him and not about the way her back arched against his palm as he…

A loud ruckus and raised voices drew him out of his musings and just as he stood from his chair to see what the problem was, the door to his office flung open and Ron Weasley came waltzing in. Ben was right behind him breathing hard "I'm so sorry Mr. Malfoy, I tried to stop him but he insisted upon seeing you."

"It's alright Ben, I appreciate you trying to follow protocol. I'll take it from here if you would please close the door" Draco asked before Ben nodded and shut the door on his way back to the storefront. "What are you doing here Weasley" he said rounding on the red-head sitting languidly in the chair across from him. He was dressed in jeans and a quidditch jersey from the Chudley Cannons. Draco forced himself not to roll his eyes at the obvious cry for attention. As if he doesn't have enough women throwing themselves at him he thought.

"I hear you're dating my ex-wife" Ron stated with a half-smile and malicious glint in his blue eyes.

"I'm well aware you and at least half the wizarding world know that I'm dating Hermione. What's your point? Are you here to threaten me to stay away from her? You and Potter going to defend her honor?" Draco said his grey eyes flashing as he spoke in an even drawl while trying to keep his temper in check.

"Her honor?" Ron laughed and Draco clenched his fist under the desk. "My ex doesn't have any honor, you see the only reason she's sank so low to be with you is because of your money. It has nothing to do with you" he said as he leaned forward over the desk.

"Excuse me?" Draco said as he raised a challenging brow. He didn't appreciate being insulted by quidditch player who only made it through school on the coattails of his friends.

"She's money hungry, it's part of the reason we divorced" he said casually as he leaned back further into the chair, propping a foot up on Draco's desk. "You see I could have taken care of her but she insisted on working, because no matter how much money I brought home it wasn't enough. Well, I got tired of her greediness and cut her off." He chuckled at his own lie and Draco worked hard to mask his emotions. "Anyways she was pissed that she didn't have access to all my galleons and then her mom went and got sick. I told 'Mione I'd help out if she stopped working and took care of her mother and daughter like a proper witch but she refused. She wanted to work and keep the measly salary she made while I paid the medical costs.

"She tends to tell people what to do and expects them to jump when she snaps those little fingers. Well I didn't, I figure if she wants work then she can pay her own way. Naturally the medical bills piled up and when she couldn't get a knut from me, we divorced. Now that her mum's gone she's in over her head with bill collectors and no one left to help her." He raised his hand and gestured to Draco "Hence why she's after you, she's desperate to pay those bills and figures if she lets you slither between her legs that you'll pay them. I just thought I'd be a nice guy and let you know what kind of woman you're dealing with."

Draco sat there with a cold mask of indifference upon his face as he assessed the lout before him. Anger coursed through every nerve in his body and he had to actively remind himself that weaselby was not worth a one-way ticket to Azkaban. He twisted everything that'd happened in their marriage to make himself look like the victim of a money mongering witch, when in fact he was a lush who hated to share. No matter his feelings he had to keep in control, he refused to lose Hermione due to a prison sentence.

"I see" he finally said as he watched Ron leaning casually in his chair with his hands clasped over his midsection as he twiddled his thumbs. "Just so I understand this correctly, you're telling me that Hermione is only after money…right?" Ron nodded with a satisfied smirk on his face. "Hmmm. You see, I have a hard time believing you because she has yet to ask me for a knut during the time we've been together."

"She's probably biding her time until you're wrapped around her finger."

"I'm a Malfoy, we don't get wrapped around a witch's finger" he said with a narrowed gaze. "Still this greatly contrasts what she's told me of your marriage…"

"I bet it does" Ron said with a snort.

"So, the fact that all she wanted was her daughter during the divorce isn't true?" he carefully.

"Well of course she wanted Rosie, I'd have to help pay for stuff if she had majority custody" Ron argued.

"I thought you only covered her schooling" Draco responded in the same cool detached voice.

"Because I refuse to let her have any control over the money I provide."

"Let me know if I have this right your ex-wife didn't ask for a single knut in the divorce, didn't argue you on only paying for your daughter's schooling, and continues to work a low paying job trying to get out from under medical debt that you refused to help her with while you were married." Ron shrugged and nodded in agreement unaware of the simmering rage lurking under Draco's mask. "Yet you sit here telling me she's after my galleons when it's clear she never asked for yours, even though she could have taken half in the divorce per wizarding law without a prenuptial agreement." Ron's smile fell as he realized his mistake.

"She couldn't afford to fight me in court, my lawyer made sure she didn't see a knut outside of Rosie's schooling" he snapped angry that Draco wasn't buying his lie.

"You're an arrogant fool. You don't think Hermione and I have discussed your marriage and divorce? You don't think I'm aware of your party habits or the fact that she only wanted her daughter and nothing more from you? Or the fact that as her husband you should have helped her with the medical costs for her mother rather than punish her for choosing to work. She's the brightest witch of our age and you wanted her to stay home playing the dutiful doting wife rather than having her own career. You wanted to control her and hated the fact that she wouldn't let you.

"You think you can come into my place of business and tell me that she's only after me for my galleons in a half-arsed attempt to break us up? All because you want to exercise some form of control you think you have over her. No, I don't think so. You see Hermione hasn't asked me for anything, and if some day she does that's between she and I. Unlike you I take care of the women I care for, I let them make their own choices, and I don't control them" he growled out.

"Ha, like you genuinely care for 'Mione. You're probably only using her to better your own reputation by dating a war hero. I'll let you in on a little secret you probably don't know yet Malfoy, she'll probably break things off sooner than you think because of the amount of control I have in her life. So, I wouldn't push my luck if I were you."

"Oh, you mean because you've threatened to take her back to court and strip her of custody to Rose?" Ron's face went slack from shock at his words "What you think she wouldn't tell me about you going to her office and making a scene?" Draco chuckled darkly and set his elbows on the desk with his hands steepled before him. "She tells me everything weaselby and after we spoke last night I contacted my lawyer. He's already working on building a case against you…"

"There's nothing he can hold against me, I'm an international quidditch player!" Ron interjected.

"Yes, which makes your schedule erratic while attempting to raise a child. Courts like to see stability when it comes to children. But your job aside, he's also gathered quite a number of photographs of you and a variety of women partying late into the night; even a few of you breaking the laws of indecency all around London and various parts of Europe. I realize you and Potter pay the Prophet to keep your sordid details out of the gossip columns, but they held onto the incriminating photographs and with the right number of galleons my lawyer was able to procure them" he smirked as Ron's face paled.

"That's a lie…you couldn't have…" Ron stammered.

"Oh, but I have. Like I told you I protect the women I care about and I won't stand for you blackmailing Hermione. You want to go to court, fine we'll go…but I honestly don't think it'll play out in your favor. Do you really want to risk losing the two weekends a month you get to see your daughter?" Draco asked as he leaned forward.

"You bastard" Ron growled.

"No, you're the bastard for coming in here trying to screw with Hermione and I's relationship. Let me tell you how this will play out in your favor. You're going to leave me apothecary and go back to your normal everyday life except now you're going to leave Hermione alone. Concentrate on your work, on your daughter, and whatever slag you're taking out this week. Just leave our relationship alone and stop trying to control Hermione."

"Like hell I'm going to stand back and let you get close to my daughter!"

"Fine, then we'll see you in court" he watched as the gears continued to turn in the weasel's mind "either way the choice is yours." Ron snorted as he ground his teeth and glared into Draco's cold grey eyes.

"I don't see why I should bother wasting my galleons, Hermione will probably leave you before long anyways. You've not changed one bit since school, you're still the same evil little git you were back then" Ron sneered at Draco before standing and crossing to the door. "Enjoy the little time you have with her Malfoy, she'll be gone before Christmas" he laughed as he slammed the door behind him.

Draco exhaled slowly as he leaned back in his chair. It had been hard work not to lose his temper throughout the entire conversation and he praised himself on not using an unforgivable. Smirking to himself he responded to his lawyer's letter and asked him to continue compiling a case against Ronald Weasley. He had a feeling Ron would follow through on his promise if he and Hermione didn't break things off within the year and seeing as he was a Malfoy…he refused to lose. What Draco didn't tell Ron was that they were also tracking just how many of his weekends he skipped with his daughter, or how often he left her with his mum so he could go out partying with his teammates.

The blonde smiled as he stroked his chin and contemplated the look on Weasley's face when the court ruled in favor of Hermione. Thinking about her, he glanced at the clock and grumbled that it was barely noon and he still had six hours before he'd see her.


At quarter til noon Hermione apparated to the Burrow to meet with Ron. They met there to exchange Rose because it was neutral territory and Molly and Arthur had forbidden them to argue in the house. Hermione was grateful for the rule because it was usually Ron who would attack her with a series of snide remarks attempting to rile her up. She was nervous as she approached the familiar backdoor, Rose clutched in her arms. Just as she stepped onto the bottom stair the door opened wide and Molly Weasley stood smiling in the doorway.

"Hello sweetheart" she said as she reached for Rose and ushered Hermione inside. "How are you?" she asked the four-year-old.

"Hi gramma" Rose said as she wrapped her arms around Molly's neck giving her a bear hug. "I'm good! I had a bath before I came over today. Mummy said I'm staying with daddy tonight but I'd rather stay with you, gramma. Can I? Can I please stay here? James and Victoire could come over and we could eats ice cream and play hide and seek…" Molly laughed and shook her head.

"That's up to your father. As for James and Victoire they're already here and playing in the living room with grandpa. Why don't you go ahead on in and I'll whip up some lunch here in a bit, okay?" she said while smiling at her.

"Okay gramma!" Rose said before placing a wet kiss on Molly's cheek and scrambling to the floor. Her little legs dashed across the hardwood before she disappeared into the other room leaving her mother and grandmother laughing in the kitchen.

"She's just precious" Molly said to Hermione.

"That she is," she agreed as she stared at the empty doorway "Ron said he'd be here by noon to get her."

"Yes, he said he tried last night but you refused" Molly raised an eyebrow "but that doesn't sound like you. What happened?" Hermione frowned at Ron's lie before divulging the truth.

"Ronald stopped by my office yesterday screaming at me for dating Draco and informed me he had a date so he couldn't take Rose last night. Apparently, his date wouldn't let him take her home so he floo'd me at ten o'clock, drunk and demanding I let him come after Rose" she scoffed. "Like I'd let him take her while he was drunk?" she shook her head and noticed Molly's pursed lips.

"That sounds like him, so he threatened you to break things off with the Malfoy boy?" she asked, clearly fishing for information, as she turned back to the island and resumed cutting the various vegetables for salad.

"Naturally, he wants to take me back to court" she growled. "He plans on using the ex-Death Eater card to win custody of Rose, it's disgusting." Molly tsked as she continued slicing some onions. Hermione told her nearly everything that Ron had said in the office, only leaving out the whore parts to keep Molly from having heart failure.

"He smashed your bouquet? That boy! I swear I don't know what's wrong with him, his father and I never raised him to be like that. I'm sorry you had to deal with his temper dear. If you like I'll have a talk with him."

"It's not your fault Molly, he's just angry with me for dating. I think he hoped I would remain single the rest of our lives while he traipsed around town with every single witch out there. And that's what really gets to me. I've never once said anything about his conquests or how he's skipped out on weekends with Rose to gallivant around Britain instead. Yet he has the audacity to show up to my work and scream at me for being involved with someone else" she shook her head in anger as Molly watched her pace around the kitchen.

"Can I ask you something Hermione?" Molly said tentatively after a few minutes.

"Of course," she replied.

"Does Draco treat you the same way as he did in school? Or even others around you like he did when he was a boy?"

"No, he's honestly changed Molly. He's been nothing but a gentleman to me this entire time and outside of a rude maître d he hasn't been disrespectful to anyone."

"Good. Does he make you happy?"

"Very" she admitted without hesitation causing Molly to smile.

"Then that's all the matters dear. If you say he's changed then I believe you and if he makes you happy that's all that matters. I've been to his apothecary and he has done really well for himself, even if Ron takes you to court I don't think they'll punish you because of Draco's past misdeeds."

"Thanks Molly" Hermione sighed with a smile before popping a cherry tomato into her mouth. She missed being able to talk with her like this, ever since the divorce they're relationship seemed strained. Mrs. Weasley couldn't quite get over the fact that Hermione wanted to work and blamed her for the divorce. That aside the two women got along, especially when it came to Rose…but for the past six months they avoided discussing the divorce as it would always end in a fight.

"I don't see how you can side with her mother" Ron's voice cut through the air from the kitchen doorway. Both women's heads snapped up at his words "She's dating a known Death Eater, the nephew of Bellatrix Lestrange…the witch you killed mother is the same one that tortured Hermione while Malfoy stood there and did nothing. Do you remember that 'Mione?" he said through narrowed eyes, venom dripping from each word. "Do you remember how Malfoy stood there and allowed his psychotic aunt to carve that disgusting word into your arm? Remember how you screamed" he asked in a low malicious voice as Hermione fought back tears.

"That's enough Ronald" Molly said, her face pale as she stared at Hermione in shock. "Is it true that Draco just stood there?" she asked in disbelief.

"How dare you bring that up" Hermione bit out to Ron before turning to Molly "yes he stood there…but only after he lied to protect us. He knew who we were and he told the Death Eaters that he didn't. If he had tried to stop her they would have killed him" she choked back as a few tears slid down her face. Horrific images of Bellatrix and her knife swirled within her mind.

"Hermione, I understand he was just a boy…but if what Ron says is true how can you be with him" Molly asked in her motherly tone. Hermione clenched her jaw, this was what Ron was trying to accomplish. He wanted everyone to be against Draco and to only consider the past…not his present.

"He's not the same person he once was, he's changed, he's…"

"Bullocks Hermione" Ron argued "he's the same prat we went to school with, the only difference is now he's slithered his way into your mind and into your bed in an attempt to convince you he's changed. He only wants you to better his own reputation, as soon as he's done using you he'll drop you for a proper pure-blooded witch" he spat. Molly gasped at Ron's vicious accusations as Hermione stiffened as though he'd slapped her.

"Ronald" Molly chastised "you shouldn't…"

"No Molly, it's fine Ron has made it abundantly clear for over two years that he doesn't think I'm a proper witch. It's amazing how you and Draco have changed so much since school. He for the better, you…the worse" Hermione said in a flat voice.

"No 'Mione, it's you who've changed. I never would have pegged you for stupid but it's pretty obvious by the choices you make. Any other witch would have jumped at the opportunity I offered you, instead you'd rather be with a snake like Malfoy" he bit out as he glowered at her.

"Burn in hell Ronald" she said before heading for the door.

"Hermione" Molly called.

"I'm sorry Molly but I have to go" she said as she turned the knob.

"Honey, wait…" she started as she followed Hermione onto the steps "Ron means well he just says things the wrong way dear. He's only trying to look out for you, can't you see?"

"Please stop making excuses for him Molly, he's only ever looked out for himself. I'll be back tomorrow evening for Rose" she said before heading across the yard to the edge of the wards to disapparate. She made it to her bedroom before she collapsed into her pillow and started to cry. She hated how Ron could get to her and just when she'd been having a good conversation with Molly.

She tried to push the image of Bellatrix from her mind as she sobbed, but all she could see behind her closed eyes was her wild black hair and twisted smile as she raised her wand and cried out crucio. Ron had gotten his wish to torment her when he brought up painful memories of her past. He may have had to listen to her screams that day but he didn't understand what it felt like being under Bellatrix's knife.

As the tears streamed down her face she wondered if Draco knew what it was like…judging by his actions that day he seemed to know what she was feeling. She recalled his tear streaked face as he stood in the corner refusing to meet her gaze as he trembled in fear. Hermione recalled watching him as his aunt tortured her since he was the only person in the room who didn't look at her with malice, the only one who seemed to care that a young girl was being tortured on his drawing room floor.

Hermione dried her eyes and resolved to ask Draco about it at some point. She didn't want to open old wounds but she was curious to know if he understood her pain because he'd lived through it. Glancing at the clock she noted she still had several hours before they were to meet before the opera. Refusing to stay in bed any longer she got up and began cleaning the flat.


Draco stood in front of the mirror adjusting his silver tie when he heard the doorbell ring. He listened as Nixie greeted Hermione and led her into the living room to wait for him. Smiling to himself he took one last look in the mirror as he pulled on his suit jacket and buttoned it. He'd followed her directive and wore a silver tie and matching waistcoat with his expensive two-piece black Armani suit. Flicking his wand and murmuring orchideous he conjured a single white rose and hid it behind his back before heading down stairs.

Upon entering the living room, he made to greet Hermione but found the words stuck in his throat as his eyes fell upon her. She was dressed in a form fitting emerald green lace gown with tapered cap sleeves, a sweetheart neckline, tailored waist, and trumpet skirt which covered her shoes. Draped over her arms was a silver wrap which matched the clutch in her hand. Her hair and makeup were flawless and she only wore a pair of stud earrings, accentuating her bare slender neck.

Draco swallowed hard as his eyes traveled down her bodice and back up to her guarded brown eyes. He could sense she was nervous and he knew he wasn't making it any easier just standing there staring. "Hermione" he said, finally finding his voice "you look stunning. Who knew Slytherin colors would look so fetching on you" he said with a wicked grin as he closed the distance between them. A deep crimson blush stained her cheeks as she averted her gaze.

"Thank you" she whispered as he leaned in and kissed her cheek. "You clean up well too Mr. Malfoy" he raised an eyebrow at her teasing tone.

"Very funny Hermione" he shook his head, attempting to suppress a smile.

"Oh, please I can tease you, you already know you look dashing" he smirked and pressed a chaste kiss against her lips.

"Thank you" he drawled in his familiar arrogance. "Honestly though" his voice turned serious "you look absolutely breathtaking" he said as he handed her the rose. Her brown eyes lit in surprise and softened as they fell on him.

"You're just full of surprises Draco" she whispered before stepping forward a little and leaning up to kiss him. His hands found her waist as hers rested on his shoulders. The kiss deepened and grew more feverish with each passing moment, causing Draco to break away before he lost control. Hermione whimpered softly as he pulled away and bit her lower lip as she stared up at him with yearning in her eyes.

"We're going to miss the opera if you keep looking at me like that" he said as he attempted to steady his breathing. Her cheeks colored but she couldn't suppress the smile that graced her features. "We really should go" he said as he dipped his head and captured her lips once more.

"Yes, we should" she murmured against his lips as he backed her into the nearest wall, giving into his desire to run his hands over the sides of her bodice. Her fingers threaded the hairs at the nape of his neck as she moaned against his lips. Desire coursed through their veins and soon they lost themselves in each other.

The moment Draco began trailing his lips down her neck, Hermione caught sight of the clock hanging above the fireplace. "Draco" she said as she snapped out of her lust filled haze "we're going to be late." Reluctantly he pulled back and noted the time before chuckling.

"I suppose I can't convince you to reschedule?" he asked as mirth danced in his silver eyes.

"I didn't take two hours getting ready only for you to take me to your bedroom" she shot back with wicked grin.

"Can't say I didn't try" he retorted before pulling back, straightening his jacket, and offering her his arm. As he tucked her arm in his, he apparated them into the wizarding ticket office at the theatre before leading her to his box. They made it just in time to see the red velvet curtains pull back and the opera begin. Hermione was enraptured by the music as the opening scene unfolded before them. Throughout the play Draco watched her, noting how her eyes never wavered from the stage and the variety of facial expressions that crossed her face. Every so often she would lean over and whisper some tidbit or fact about the lives of the characters portrayed before them.

At intermission Hermione gushed about the beauty of the play and the ornate design of the theatre. Draco answered as many questions as he could as they stood to stretch their legs. Hermione excused herself to use the loo and he went to purchase some refreshments. She walked down the slopping hallways to the lavatory and before long stood washing her hands.

A petite looking blonde stood behind Hermione dressed in a low cut strapless sapphire dress with a split that exposed the top of her thigh. "So, you're Draco's latest conquest" the woman sneered making Hermione jump in surprise.

"Excuse me?" she said as she reached for a towel to dry her hands.

"You're here with Draco Malfoy, I saw you with him in his box" her voice was accusatory. "He brings a new date each time he comes here, then he takes them home uses them until they reach mutual satisfaction, and then sends them on their way." Hermione assessed the witch before her, quickly realizing she was one of his jilted conquests.

"You speak as though from experience" she said coolly. A knot of discomfort had settled in the pit of her stomach as she looked at the young woman before her. She knew Draco had a sordid past, knew he never kept the same girl around, hell he'd told her in his office he enjoyed being a bachelor and had every intention of going back to it once they were done.

"I'm one of the few who's seen his bedroom more than once" she said in a tone of superiority. "Just know that after you've reached mutual pleasure that he'll ask you to leave. His number one rule is to never let a woman stay the night." Hermione went to open her mouth but the woman held up her hand; "Don't bother trying to contradict me or claim it's different with you. Draco Malfoy has no intention of settling down and least of all with a single mom."

"I never…"

"Never intended to settle down with him…good at least you understand your temporary just like the rest of us. I'm not sure how he smooth talked a war heroine like yourself into his grasp but I promise you this" she took a step closer to Hermione "you mean nothing to him. You're just another notch on his broomstick." With that she turned and sashayed out of the bathroom leaving Hermione alone with her thoughts.

Closing her eyes Hermione tried to push the conversation from her mind, but all she could think about were the biting words that he didn't care. What was it Draco had said that day in his office 'a mutual agreement for mutual satisfaction'…mutual satisfaction…she couldn't help but wonder just how many women he'd repeated those words to. The phrase played over and over in her mind as she thought back over the last week. They'd gone to dinner once and spent two pleasurable evenings together in his home and until the most recent conversation she'd had every intention of going back with him tonight to finish what they'd started earlier.

However, hearing the truth spoken from another's mouth made her shake her head in disbelief. They'd barely reconnected and in less than a week she'd nearly given him everything he'd wanted. She knew that with their deal he wouldn't discard her right away like the blonde, but in the end he'd still show her to the door. Blinking back tears she reminded herself that this is what she'd agreed to in order to absolve her debt. But could she consciously climb into bed with Draco and leave her emotions at the door?

She had already let her emotions in when she ran to him yesterday. It had been so long since she'd had someone to confide in, someone she felt close enough to that she hadn't thought twice about reaching out to him. Cursing herself she took a deep breath and resolved to abstain from getting closer to Draco Malfoy because he was only temporary. By getting closer she ran the risk of getting hurt and that was something she couldn't afford. She needed time to detach herself from him emotionally and learn to leave it all behind before they slept together. Feeling calmer she left the lavatory and made her way back to his box with a forced smile on her lips.

"Hey I was starting to worry about you" he whispered as he stood for her to sit.

"Sorry, there was a line" she lied before directing her gaze to the stage "what did I miss?" she asked through a tight smile.

"Not much, just Cleopatra attempting to seduce Julius" he said with a smile as he draped his arm over the back of her shoulders. Draco noticed instantly the way in which she stiffened before nodding in response. He had watched as she reentered the box and sensed a change in her demeanor. Her smile was forced and her eyes were guarded once more. It put him on edge as he wondered what had gone wrong in the minutes they'd been apart.

He spent the rest of the opera watching her. She no longer openly laughed or gushed over the minute details of the characters or even pointed out the historical inaccuracies like she had during the first half. Instead she sat quietly and watched the actors upon the stage. Her shoulders remained stiff and she even pulled away when he trailed his thumb over her shoulder. As the play ended she stood and clapped with the rest of the audience before they made their way back to the hidden wizarding entrance.

Draco trailed behind her, his hand resting on her lower back as he guided her through the crowd. As they stepped through the hidden barrier Hermione turned to him with another forced smile. "Thank you for bringing me here Draco" she said in a polite voice "I had wonderful time."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it" he responded, deciding he'd ask her what was wrong when they arrived back at the house. "Are you ready to head back?" he asked hoping she'd open up and tell him what he'd done wrong.

"Oh, umm" she swallowed and looked down at the clutch in her hands "I'd rather not go back to your place tonight, I'm rather tired" she said. He could hear the shift in her voice and knew she was lying, but didn't understand why.

"Okay" he said unsure of what to say or do. He was worried that if he tried to kiss her she'd pull away and embarrass him in front of the other patrons. "I understand. Will you join me for brunch tomorrow?" he asked grasping for time to build up the courage to ask what was wrong.

"No, I'm sorry I have to pick up Rose and get things in order at home for the week ahead. Plus, I thought you were supposed to join your friends for Sunday brunch" her tone was light and casual but he could sense she was pulling back from him.

"Hermione" he couldn't take it anymore "is everything alright?" Surprise momentarily flickered in her eyes before the shutters went back in place.

"Everything's fine Draco, honestly I'm just tired and I'd like to head home and rest." He watched as her smile faltered and she bit her lip nervously.

"Okay" he leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers and was initially relieved when she didn't pull away. But the relief quickly dissolved when he realized she wasn't kissing him back. He pulled back slightly and gently placed a kiss on her forehead, squeezing his eyes shut for a moment before releasing her. "Have a good night Hermione" he whispered in her ear before stepping away. Her eyes gleamed with unshed tears as she blinked and looked away from him.

"Good night Draco" she whispered in response before disapparating for home leaving a hurt and confused Malfoy behind.