For the rest of the evening, Draco had reluctantly told his 'past' with Hermione Granger. Cade laughed at him a few times, although the first time he mentioned the word 'mudblood' he was frowning. Draco assured him that he stopped thinking that way a long time ago, after witnessing a torture and eventual murder of a Hogwarts professor who encouraged all of the students to look upon muggles as their equals on his own dining table. He also made sure to tell Cade to continue regarding him as Dane Mackenzie.

When the couple left his place, he felt a little lonely as was the usual case after he spent time with the two of them. He gazed at the cottage, a faint light from the bedroom was the only light that was on and he assumed that Hermione was reading. He sighed.

He had counted on not being able to sleep this night but surprisingly, he slept long and deep. He woke up promptly at five the next morning feeling well and rested.

Last night's events had brought the image of his parents to mind. He flushed guilty, realizing that he hadn't wrote to his parents for two whole months now. He had received a letter about a week ago, but he hadn't bothered to reply.

Getting up from the bed, he immediately left his bedroom and went into the study that was right across from his bedroom. Sitting on the desk, he grabbed a parchment and his quill.

Mother and Father,

I apologize profusely for not having penned for a while. Business has kept me busy - I have just completed a project approximately two weeks ago - a townhouse - it is my biggest one yet. The new owners are positively thrilled with it. Also, I have been approached by a muggle real estate agency. Yes, I know you two are not thrilled but I will and continue to do business with them despite your opinions. They have proposed to sign a contract with me to build a series of houses they want to develop. Although I feel a little skeptical about their offer. Rumour has it that there's a new scam going on in the muggle world about selling houses falsely. I will have to do a background check on the company first.

I also have a new tenant; she moved just as I finished my previous project. Things are going well with me here. I also wish to spend the evening with you in a few weeks' time, particularly on the day of my birthday.

Until then, please fill me in of everything that's going on with the two of you. I will wait for your reply. If you two are busy when you receive this letter, please keep Salem until you can pen a reply.

Yours truly,
Draco

His decision to see them on his 27th birthday was last minute. He figured he owed it to them for not seeing them the last two years. He also didn't say he would be coming alone. He would drag Cade and Lisa with him to London for moral support. Smirking at the thought, he sealed the letter and walked over to Salem, his owl, to send him off after feeding him a handful of treats. After that, he proceeded to get ready to go to his office.


Clemency Homeswas a sole proprietorship business. Lisa had come up with the name just for fun. He really didn't care what to name his business just as long as it had one. 'Clemency' sounded a little catchy so he went along with it. The office was small and was nothing special. It was located in Little Starling, a significantly bigger town than the Little Dunwoodie not too far from the latter.

His hobby had been to sketch but he only did it when he was bored. He could sketch people and animals although not quite as well as buildings, houses and such. When he was sketching on his own, he came up with unique designs. That was why four years old into the business, he had managed to snag just about 20 customers. His designs varied; Victorian with a twist, Gothic with a modern touch, Tudor revival with a Japanese influence, faux chateau style cottage, and so on and so forth. He also did a little interior designing if needed. His interior decorators waited for his approval before finishing a room or waited for his opinion for starting on a room.

His staff consisted of 20 people. Himself, one accountant, eight sellers and the rest are either construction workers, interior decorators and support staff. All of them were either residents of Little Dunwoodie or Little Starling. By starting Clemency Homes, he provided careers for witches and wizards to take on careers that weren't very common in their world, unlike in the muggle world.

Lately, they were sought out by many home buyers or home owners who wanted to renovate their homes. Little Starling was an older town and a bigger town, but they were open to changes unlike Little Dunwoodie whose residents were complete and total traditionalists, which was why his office was held there.

He was also known in that town because of the muggle pickup trucks he used to get to Little Starling.

As he had mentioned in the letter to his parents, he was approached by a real estate muggle agency who built mostly condominiums. The company wanted to partner with Clemency Homes.It would be a great opportunity, but seeing as he and his staff used magic to build these houses it would prove to be rather risky, even if they sometimes used muggle equipment.

Clemency Homes was discovered by the owner of the muggle real estate agency through one of his clients. The client (a muggleborn) had thrown a house-warming party and one of the guests was the owner. The house was located in Penzance.

His parents had been appalled when he told them of his business. They had, of course, expected him to either invest in a numerous businesses or involve himself in the Malfoy Apothecary where he didn't have to actually work.

"Draco, darling, surely you must be joking..."

"You are talking complete nonsense, Draco! It's tradition! It's the way things are since Septimus Malfoy!"

"Mother, Father, then perhaps it's time to start a new tradition."

They sputtered indignantly, but eventually they let it go, saying that it must probably one of his 'rebel cases'. Every time he visited them at the Manor, they continued to indulge him. But two years ago, his father demanded him to return home and stop his 'nonsense' of living away and this 'construction shenanigan'. Needless to say, he left and didn't correspond with them for a while.

"Good morning, Dane," his receptionist, Vera Dimanche, greeted smilingly as soon as he walked inside the office at promptly seven in the morning.

He was told that receptionists were supposed to be attractive because it would increase the chances of landing a deal, or something like that. So he purposely hired Vera for her good looks: flaming red-gold hair, small titled nose, full rosy lips, sparking green eyes and a voluptuous but trim figure. But she proved to be more than just good looks; she was also efficient and had excellent communication skills. She charmed the daylights out of every person who walked inside that door.

"Good morning, Vera," he said, smiling back at her before strolling down the hallway and onto the office at the blunt end of the hall.

Only he, the sellers, Vera and the accountants were to work that week. There were no pending projects since they only took one project at a time. For the next five hours he worked on a few sketches interior and exterior; they were just ideas. He also went over the muggle real estate agency's proposal letters, their background, and everything else.

Truthfully, he really did enjoy his work but the foundation of his skills left much to be desired. It really started back in his sixth year when he was repairing the vanishing cabinet...

Sighing, he moved away from the documents and drafts from his desk. No matter what he did in life, he would always be taunted by his past.

He came upon the words of an American poet recently... "In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on." Robert Frost his name was. If there was one thing he loved about muggles, it was definitely literature. They knew how to inspire people.

He looked up when a knock sounded on the office door. "Come in," he said.

Vera peeked in. "Mr Alastair left a message that you should drop by their place tonight. They're throwing a little dinner party and that you should bring everyone - meaning us - with you."

"So it's a big party then?"

"Aren't the parties of the Alastairs always are?"

He laughed. "You do have a point. Well then, why don't we wrap up everything here right now? I'm sure we'll have plenty of time to finish it later this week. You can go tell the others."

"You're just too good to work for, Dane Mackenzie." Vera winked at him before closing the door after her.

He should go for someone like Vera - pureblood, quick-witted, uncomplicated, beautiful and incredibly sexy. He knew that if he tried enough, he could have her. She already liked him, but he wasn't exactly sure what the depths of her feelings are, seeing as she was always flirting with him. But then again, flirting was second nature to her. She also had a habit of kissing him on the cheek.

But that wasn't the point. The point was that why was he wasting his time pining for the one woman he could never have? Maybe it was just human nature to want that one person we could never have. Hermione Granger was the forbidden fruit, therefore making her irresistible to him.

He looked up when Vera knocked again. "Yes?"

Vera peeked her head in long enough to say, "The others can't make it. So I guess it's just you and me."

Draco nodded. "It's fine. I'll be finished in an hour, I just need to look over these documents then we can go."

An hour later, Draco put the documents back into their folders and pinned the drafts on the corkboard behind him. He locked his office before walking out. Vera's desk was already neat and she was putting a new coat of red lipstick.

"Ready to go?"

"One minute," Vera said and then she laughed. "Sorry."

"It's fine, we'd probably go in too early anyway."

Vera nodded and pressed her lips together to even out the coat of her lipstick. She dropped the tube of lipstick in her purse, fluffed her wavy red-gold hair one last time before standing up. "I'm ready."

They walked out of the office. Draco locked it behind them. She paused as they stood in front of Draco's truck. "Ohhh," she moaned. "We're going to ride that muggle car, aren't we?"

Draco grinned. "What?"

"I think it a little strange. Why not just apparate?"

"You knowwe can't apparate in Little Dunwoodie," he reminded her. "Unlike here in Little Starling."

Vera grimaced, her lips seemingly plumper in a pout. "Oh, that's right. I completely forgot," she giggled. "How long will it take until we get there?"

"Thirty minutes or so. I could make it fifteen minutes but I don't think you'd appreciate me making my truck fly like a broom."

"Oh, Merlin no!" She cried, her eyes wide in horror. "I'm only 24. I have a whole life ahead of me."

Draco laughed and pulled her by the arm. "Come on, you big baby." He opened the passenger door for her, but didn't wait until she got in to go around the car and onto the driver's seat, unlike what he had done for Hermione that day when they were in the main street of Little Dunwoodie.

Soon they were on the way to Little Dunwoodie. Draco drove faster than he usually did, not particularly enjoying the company of his employee. He was on friendly terms with her, but he separated his professional life from his personal life completely. Their conversation were mainly on general topics such as the weather, a few travel spots, etc.

They arrived in the Alastair home less than half an hour.

The Alastair home was a Victorian country house with an air of grandeur. The large rooms with high ceilings, the rural vistas and a few acres of open ground combine to create a magnificent family home of distinction. Draco completely felt at home every time he came here because it had been once a home to him for approximately six months.

The gates opened on its own, recognizing his magic and presence. This wasn't Vera's first time to come to their place, but every time she did, she still gushed over its classic elegance and splendour.

Although Malfoy Manor was bigger and its garden was more vast, it was nothing compared to the Alastair's home...

He parked the truck (he used the red one today) just a few feet from the gate, underneath the shade of trees where he usually parked, beside Cade's black sedan.

"Just pull that handle on your side to open the door," he told Vera before he opened his side of the door and hopped down. When he closed the door of the car, he turned around and immediately caught sight of Lisa walking towards her... dragging Hermione by the hand behind her.

Smiling a little ruefully, he waited until they reached him. "What's the occasion this time?"

"The Alastair clan is complete today."

"All eight siblings?"

"Applicable spouses and children included."

"Excellent!" Draco grinned. He looked at Hermione. "Hello Hermione," he greeted softly but she merely looked away from him.

She looked exceptionally beautiful today wearing a muggle loose-fitting silk dress of pale yellow, her brown hair pulled back in a loose pony tail with a few wisps of curls escaping its confine, her face bare of any makeup except for mascara, a hint of blush and rosy pink lipstick and her feet were adorned by beige flat strappy sandals.

"Merlin, I am never going to get used to these muggle vehicles," Vera said as she came around the truck to stand beside Draco. "Hello Lisa! It's good to see you."


Hermione stiffened at the sight of the gorgeous woman who was standing beside him so familiarly. An unfamiliar feeling filled her entire being as the woman smiled up at Draco and he smiled back.

"Vera!" Lisa exclaimed, her smile slipping a little. "Glad you can make it."

Vera turned her wide green eyes to Hermione. "Hello, my name is Vera Dimanche."

She forced a smile on her face. "I'm Hermione Granger. Nice to meet you." This Vera could only be Dane's girlfriend...and the humiliation she felt yesterday due to her brazen actions had come back on full force.

Vera tilted her head to one side. "Likewise."

"I'm going to greet everyone," Draco announced.

"I'll come with you," Vera said quickly.


He nodded once and he walked off with Vera.

He pretended to listen to Vera's gushing about the Alastair home as they went. He didn't even notice when Vera linked her arm with his.

His thoughts were elsewhere.

They were with a certain brunette who was giving him the cold shoulder openly.

With that knowledge, he felt a sinking feeling in his stomach.


Hermione covered her resentment by assuming a blank expression. Lisa growled softly on her side and Hermione turned to her friend. "What?"

"I don't like her."

I hate her, her mind said, but didn't dare say the words out loud. "Come on." Hermione wrapped her arm around the younger woman's shoulders.

Sighing, Lisa leaned against Hermione's form as they walked around the other side to slip inside the kitchen through the back door.

Four out of eight Alastair siblings were married. She also found out that Mr and Mrs Alastair, Cora and Isaac, had a peculiar sense of humor as they named their children in alphabetical order: Alessia, Boyd, Cade, Dorothea, Elijah, Flora, Gavin and finally, Hanson. Although it was conspicuous because the alphabetism of their names weren't according to age. From oldest to youngest: Elijah, Hanson, Flora, Dorothea, Gavin, Cade, Alessia and Boyd.

Hermione was only able to figure it out when they were introduced to her according to their names. After everyone had shared a laugh over that, she was introduced to the spouses of the married siblings: Elijah's wife, Hyacinth. Hanson's wife, Frances. Flora's husband, Xavier. Dorothea's husband, Sylvan. There were also a herd of children but she couldn't remember who was whose.

They were such a friendly and open family that she didn't even feel a fleeting moment of awkwardness. She felt like she belonged. It was like the Weasley clan, but there were no flaming red hair were in sight.

...well, except for one. Hermione was unable to stop herself from staring at the woman who didn't leave Dane's side not for one minute. The party was now in full swing two hours later. Half of the town was practically in attendance. She was introduced to many people - possibly everyone.

"Having a good time?"

She jumped a little because the deep masculine voice was so close to her ear. She turned to smile at the handsome Gavin Alastair who had been very attentive to her ever since they were introduced to each other that afternoon. "Yes," she said. "Everything and everyone is so wonderful."

Gavin was Cade's older brother only by two years. He was handsome; dark brown hair which he kept neatly trimmed, blue eyes, strong, angular jaw and a devastating smile. It was unusual, but each and every one of the Alastair clan were good looking. Gavin smiled back at her. "Then what are you doing here in the corner all alone?"

"That's how I usually am at parties," she confessed. "I'm not exactly outgoing and I avoid parties most of the time. I'd rather spend an evening at home with a book—"

"In front of a roaring fire while drinking a cup of tea?" Gavin cut in smilingly.

"Yes. No parties for you either?"

"Nope. Except for family gatherings such as this. It is rare that we are complete, but when we are, we celebrate."

"Hmm," she murmured, nodding.

"Let's dance," Gavin suggested suddenly.

"Dance?" Hermione laughed. "No way! Look, l there's no one else dancing. We're going to look like a couple of idiots."

"Come on, Hermione," he urged. "If we dance, everyone else will follow." His eyes were pleading, despite the roguish grin on his face.

She found that she couldn't resist that and she sighed in defeat. "Oh, alright—" The rest of her words were cut off as Gavin pulled on her suddenly in the middle of the garden where the party was held. Blushing deeply as he took her in his arms, she raised her put her hands on his shoulders. They started to sway to the slow music that was heard all over the open land.

"Relax."

"I can't. Everyone's watching!"

He laughed huskily and pulled her closer. If it was possible, Hermione blushed even more. Gavin was devastatingly charming and he knew the right buttons to push. Unfortunately, her thoughts were elsewhere, but considering that hewas with someone else already, maybe if she tried, she could stop thinking about him.

Gavin remarked in her ear that they were now joined by a half dozen pairs in their impromptu dance floor. She pulled away from him to see what he had told her was true and she laughed which promptly faded into oblivion as she caught the eye of her landlord who had his arms around the voluptuous Vera. She drew a sharp intake of breath at the intensity of his gaze over Vera's head.

She looked away quickly and back up at Gavin's face, forced a smile on her face. "I need to go to the loo."

He looked surprised at first before bursting into laughter. "You are too funny, Hermione Granger. Here you are dancing with a man who is handsome as sin and you need to pee? Go." He hugged her for a second before he let go.

The smile on her face disappeared the minute she turned around. She wanted to run but that would just draw some of the people's attention.

"Boyd and I are disappointed you're not coming with us today..."

"Figure it out for yourself..."

"We've been dancing around each other for too long..."

"I want you, damn it! I want you..."

"I'm trying to do the honourable thing here..."

She waited until she got her composure back before she went out of the bathroom. She felt calmer when she walked out of the door. She would just do her best to ignore Dane Mackenzie and enjoy the rest of the evening in Gavin's pleasant company.

Back outside, she was surprised to see Vera dancing with another man. Dane was on the other side of the garden playing with the children. There were about eight children; three between the ages of 8 months old to 2 years old and five between the ages of 3 to 6 years old. Why was it that a man was made more attractive when he was good with kids?Growling softly with frustration, she walked over to where Lisa, Cade, Gavin and Dorothea were conversing.

She managed to stay away from him for the next few hours. Gavin stayed by her side almost all evening and kept dragging her onto the 'dance floor'. Although her eyes always found themselves in Dane's direction. He only socialized with the Alastairs or Vera. She also discovered that Vera rather like various male company. Dane didn't seem to be bothered.

The party was concluding around ten in the evening, considering it was a week night. She found herself in a circle with Cade, Lisa, Vera and Dane.

Hermione yawned unexpectedly while the others conversed. "Oh," she slapped a hand over her mouth. "I'm sorry. It's not the company, I assure you."

Lisa giggled. "Gavin must have worn you out."

"Yeah," Hermione muttered sarcastically.

"He seems awfullytaken with you," Vera commented. She moved closer to Dane and looped an arm around his. "Don't you think so, Dane?"

"It seems so," Draco said tightly.

"How long have you two been together?"

"I only met him just this afternoon, Vera." Hermione tried to keep the exasperation from her voice.

"Really?" Vera looked surprised. "Well, I do hope you get together soon. You two make a great couple."

An uncomfortable silence fell in the circle. Hermione's eyes lifted to meet Draco's expressionless gaze.

"Well," Cade's cheery voice broke through the silence. "I think me and my lovely fiancé ought to call it a day. You'll take Hermione home, won't you, mate?"

"Naturally," Draco muttered before Hermione could open her mouth to protest. He turned to look at Hermione. "We have to take Vera home first. That alright?"

Hermione tried to hide a frown. "Of course."

After their goodbyes to the entire Alastair clan plus Lisa, the three of them walked to Draco's car. Draco opened the doors for Hermione and Vera before climbing on to the driver's seat.

They drove in silence as they left Little Dunwoodie, much to Hermione's surprise.

"Where are we going?" she couldn't help but ask.

"To Little Starling. It's where I live," Vera asked from the passenger seat. "It's a couple of miles out from Little Dunwoodie."

"Oh." She leaned against the backseat as she gazed into the window from the back. Vera started to engage the man in conversation and she closed her eyes, drowning out their chatter. Surely this was torture? She was riding in a truck, lusting over the driver while his girlfriend was sitting beside him?

She opened her eyes when the motions of the truck stopped and she sat up in her seat to see Vera grinning at her from the front. "Poor thing," she cooed. "It's nice to meet you, Hermione, I'm off." Hermione returned her sentiments half-heartedly before Vera turned to the man sitting beside her. "Thanks darling. I'll see you tomorrow." Her voice was husky as she leaned forward to kiss him.

Hermione looked away immediately before she saw anything. She was forced to move onto the passenger seat when Vera got down from the truck. She pretended to sleep on the way back to Little Dunwoodie.

When they got back to the hill, she faked a yawn when he turned to her, still frowning. "What a day," she said when he opened his mouth to say something. She quickly got down from the truck and ran to the cottage.

An unwelcome gloomy feeling settled on her as she climbed the stairs and into the bedroom. She was jealous when she had no right to be. He's with Vera Dimanche,was the last thought on her mind as she fell into a restless sleep.