Assignment 1. Part 1


Disclaimer: Don't own it...
"Very funny," Hermione choked out when she regained her voice. Malfoy smirked.

"Who would have known what you've been hiding under your robes all those years," he drawled teasingly, "I'm truly amazed Granger. Who would have thought that you actually have a figure?"

"Well maybe if you had looked and had bothered to actually notice I was there, you would have realized sooner," Hermione pointed out huffily.

"But now I know about it Granger and there's no hiding underneath your robes anymore," he said, raising an eyebrow suggestively.

"Sod off," Hermione snarled, striding across the room and slamming the bedroom door behind her.

Grinning, Malfoy accepted the fact that he would be the one sleeping on the couch tonight.


Malfoy groaned tiredly into his pillow as a knock jarred him from his dead sleep. Lifting his head from the mountain of pillows he had amassed on the tiny couch, Malfoy squinted to see the skinny red numbers on the microwave. He groaned when he finally made them out; it was only 9:30.

I still have another half hour to sleep, Malfoy thought grouchily, so why the hell is someone at the door now?

Rolling off the couch, Draco rubbed the sleep from his eyes and stumbled across the room towards the door. Without even bothering to look through the tiny peek hole—who the hell needed it anyway?—Draco threw open the door and grunted a muffled "what?" at whoever was on the doorstep. Squinting, Draco realized who it was.

The crazy red-headed girl he had met in the store.

"What do you want?" Draco groaned, stepping back as she invited herself in.

"I brought some breakfast!" She chirped sweetly, making a beeline for the fancy kitchen.

Oh, so gorgeous, Marie sighed inwardly, taking in both the apartment and the boy in it.

Blinking the remaining sleep from his eyes, Draco turned to get a good look at her. He had only seen her during work and he was bound to be distracted then, but now, well, now he had all the time he needed to give her a good once-over.

I suppose she's cute, Draco mused to himself after a more thorough examination. She was wearing a very tiny black skirt which showed off her obvious affluence, which Draco took to be a good thing. And paired with her white collared shirt and matching kitten heels her beauty was undeniable.

She looked good.

But she wasn't what Draco wanted.

"Who the fuck are you?" He snapped with more venom than he intended, wincing as her face fell.

"I'm Marie," she said simply, then, as an afterthought, "you know—Hermione's friend."

"Hermio-Granger has friends?" Draco wondered, surprised at how easily her name had started to roll off his tongue. Blaming it on the hour, Draco shrugged it off and turned back to Marie who was smiling prettily.

"You're funny," she cooed approvingly, holding up her bag, "I brought breakfast for you two." She reached into her bag and brought out three croissants which still looked warm.

"Great!" Malfoy said, grabbing the bag, and hungrily taking one out.

"You're welcome!" Marie squealed brightly. Malfoy nodded through bites of the pastry.

Jeez—we're gonna have to work on his manner, Marie thought inwardly.

Hermione opened the door and peered out.

"What the hell?" she whispered.

She walked out of the bedroom and into the living room where she was immediately accosted by a scantily-clad Marie.

"Mione!" Marie called, pulling her into a tight hug. Confused, Hermione stood there limply, letting Marie embrace her.

Malfoy, who was too busy eating his croissant to come up with something witty, just smirked at Hermione, who shot him an annoyed look.

"What...err...what are you doing here?" Hermione asked finally as Marie pulled away.

"I came to say good morning to you guys!" Marie explained, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Marie flounced over to the couch and plopped down gracefully, signaling for Draco to take the seat beside her. With a confused glance to Hermione, Malfoy did as he was told and cautiously took a seat as Marie immediately began spouting off about how she had managed to get some kind of premiere tickets for a movie coming out soon. Malfoy was nodding his head, even though he didn't know what a premiere was, and keeping his eyes trained on Hermione.

Hermione, tired as she was, walked to the kitchen and called out,

"Coffee anyone?"

"Yeah" Malfoy said, Marie, looked at him, her eyes full of admiration. She edged closer to him, and Malfoy swallowed.

Hermione watched with disinterest, turning around so she didn't have to witness the embarrassment Marie was surely enduring, throwing herself at a guy like she was.

Marie is so desperate to have him! Why? Hermione thought, she must have noticed what an arrogant prick he is…

"Malfoy!" Hermione yelled out suddenly as her eye caught the clock, "You have fifteen minutes until you have to get to work!"

"Shit," he murmured, although inwardly he was thankful for a reason to move away from Marie.

"Oh no, no, no," Marie said, a smile playing over her mouth "I arranged with Jacque for you to be excused today!"

"What?!" Hermione and Malfoy screamed in unison. "You can do that?"

"Sure…I have the right connections!"she smiled. "And this way we can all do something together."

By all, Hermione figured, she meant herself and Malfoy. There was no way she would be invited to join them. Hermione looked to Malfoy for help but he merely shrugged noncommittally.

"Sounds good to me."

"Maybe, we could go to the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower," Hermione hinted heavily, raising an eyebrow at Malfoy, who seemed confused until he realized she was talking about doing one of the assignments.

"Yeah sure! Sounds really—romantic," Marie purred.

Grinning at the grimacing Malfoy, Hermione continued to stir the coffee.

"Me and Hermione need to drop in at the office for a second though," Marie said. "Oh, and Mr. Riley wanted you to meet someone Hermione," she added.

Frowning, Hermione gave Malfoy his coffee and settled in the chair across from the couch.

"Well, I should probably get changed then," Hermione said, walking towards the bedroom.

Flicking through her clothes, she pulled out a skirt, thick tights, and a thick woolly jumper. She added a French beret as extra accessory, along with a blue and white scarf. Bunching everything into a ball, she walked into the living room, where she could see Marie rambling on about something, and Malfoy, pretending to listen while surreptitiously glancing around for Hermione. When he caught sight of her he raised his eyebrows pleadingly.

Sighing, she called across the room,

"Marie, can you come check if my outfit is okay?"

Marie, who sprang up when she heard the word outfit, left Malfoy, who was now sneering at Hermione, to stand up, and get his own clothes from the bedroom.

Shoving Hermione into the bathroom, she put the outfit on the floor as Hermione quickly took a shower. Slightly uncomfortable with Marie standing right outside the shower, Hermione hurried to get a towel wrapped around her before she left the privacy of the shower.

Stepping out, she heard Marie squeal something about "dying to do your hair".

Cringing, Hermione watched as Marie rummaged around the cupboards, finally extracting a curler and a straighter.

"Um—isn't my hair curly enough?" Hermione wondered. Marie smiled, wielding the hair tools like battle weapons as she approached Hermione.

"Yeah—but it's like ugly curls, I'm gonna make them pretty," Marie explained. Hermione groaned but said nothing as Marie approached.

"Don't worry, I've done this a million times," Marie said comfortingly as Hermione tensed up. Then, after a minute, she added, "Do you think Draco likes me?"

Hermione paused, not entirely sure if now was the right time to tell her that Draco's affections for her didn't seem to be as strong as her own. She was, after all, holding a burning iron an inch from Hermione's scalp.

"Maybe," Hermione offered uneasily, her eyes trained on the flatiron.

"So, like—what's up between you two?" Marie pried, glancing down at the squirming Hermione.

Hermione coughed uncomfortably. How was she supposed to tell Marie that they hated each other since the beginning of Hogwarts, which was a school for witchcraft and wizardry, and that they were here to prepare for their lives after they finished school?

She couldn't, that's how. Fortunately, before Hermione could even begin to formulate a logical response, Marie cut in again.

"You guys aren't dating are you?"

"God no," Hermione said, though she was surprised by the pause in her tone.

"Good."

Eager to change the subject, Hermione asked whether it would be wiser to go to the Eiffel Tower or to the Louvre first.

"Well, the Eiffel Tower is more romantic at night, but far busier, so you're better off going there," Marie instructed knowingly. "Voila!" She added with a smile.

Hermione looked into the mirror and stifled a scream.

"It looks HORRIBLE!"

"I know, but now I'm gonna curl it!"

Not particularly sure if the result of curling it would be much better than what she had just seen, Hermione sat back down and let her do it.

"Oh, and the outfit's fine," Marie said.

"Oh, thanks!" Hermione smiled, getting an approval from Marie, was a good thing, in Hermione's opinion.

"No problem! You know we go out on Friday's, so if you want to come with?..." she asked.

"Sure" Hermione replied, not entirely sure who we included.

A few minutes later, Marie told Hermione she was done.

Looking in the mirror, Hermione found that she looked almost exactly the same, but her hair was a little less unruly, and a little more—pretty? Twirling one of the long strands, Hermione quite liked the new change, and thanked Marie for it.

Barging out of the bathroom to head towards the office, Hermione and Marie yelled at Malfoy (who was actually standing waiting for them at the door) to hurry up. Grabbing her bag Marie and Hermione proceeded to drag Malfoy out of the apartment, running down the hall to the lift. Jabbing at the button, he clambered inside.

Once inside the elevator, Hermione glanced to her feet self consciously as it was obvious Marie was trying to maneuver her way next to Draco.

Hermione chose to ignore them.

"Run! We are so late!" Marie yelled as soon as the door opened and the trio raced outside into the early morning sun, sprinting down the sidewalk at breakneck pace. Hermione stumbled to keep up with Marie and Malfoy who easily outran her.

Ahead of Hermione, Draco called out,

"What happened to your hair?"

"You noticed?" she panted, struggling to keep pace with her two companions.

"Yeah, looks less crap then usual."

"Thanks to me!" Marie quipped.

"Yeah—she changed it for me." Ahead of her, Hermione heard Draco mumble something unintelligible and chose to ignore it, not entirely sure whether it was a compliment or not.

A few minutes passed in silence as the trio completed the final few blocks to the office and, dashing inside, Hermione and Marie dove into their seats just as Mr. Tomlinson, and Mr. Riley entered the room. Trying to control her breathing, Hermione bid them good morning, same as Marie.

"Ah, Miss. Granger, there is someone I would like you too meet in my office," Mr. Riley said, a knowing smile playing on his face.

Marie grinned broadly, nodding encouragingly for her to follow Mr. Riley. Just as Mr. Tomlinson left, staring evilly at Marie, Draco entered the room.


"Miss. Granger, this is Pierre, Pierre this is Hermione Granger."

Hermione gaped at him.

He was so hot!

"I take it you received my message yesterday, Miss. Granger?" Mr. Riley asked, noting the distinct blush that had flushed across Hermione's complexion.

"Yes," she mumbled.

"Well, here is your partner! You two will be sorting out a little legal documentation for me, and although Miss. Granger has no experience, I'm sure you can handle it, right?"

Smiling sweetly, Hermione nodded.

"Hello," Pierre said, shaking Hermione's hand, and kissing her on the cheek. "It's a pleasure to meet you!"

Blushing furiously when he kissed her, Hermione reminded herself it was a normal greeting in France, and not because he felt anything for her. She just wasn't used to it.

"Likewise," she said.

"Well, Antoine I have to go, but we'll be in touch," he winked at Hermione.

Hermione noted, that he was on first name terms with Mr. Riley. Which was quite odd, seeing as he could not be that much older than her…he must obviously have quite a high status too be able to call him 'Antoine', which, was definitely an asset, in Hermione's opinion.

"Bye!" she smiled

Stepping out of the office, he closed the door.


Draco, who had been watching the scene unfold through the glass windows at the sides of the door, immediately noticed the attraction between Hermione and the mystery guy and was slightly disturbed by the knotting in his stomach. He assumed it was disgust.

Still though, Draco felt the need to talk with the man.

"Hello," he said, stepping in front of the guy as he walked out of the office.

"Um...hello," Pierre said, confused. Draco stuck out his hand though he was in no mood for pleasantries.

"My name is Draco Malfoy."

"Pierre Louis."

"You like her?" Draco asked, skipping all remaining formalities and jerking his head in Hermione's direction. Pierre smiled, nodding his head.

"I see—boyfriend?" He guessed with a knowing smirk. Draco balked.

"No!" Pierre didn't seem convinced, but shrugged anyway.

"Oh, well yes then—she seems nice."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Look, just don't—don't mess around with her," Draco said with as much intimidation as he could muster. The boy smiled as if he knew something Draco didn't, but Draco ignored him. It wasn't as if he liked Hermione or anything. He just didn't want to witness Granger messing around with some guy right in front of him. He grimaced the thought of seeing a Mudblood making out with a Muggle. It was enough to turn his stomach completely.

Slightly put off by Malfoy's comment, Pierre simply stood there, not entirely sure about what to say.

Marie, who was watching everything, stepped in.

"Pierre!" She squealed, kissing him on the cheek. "How are you?"

"Ah! Marie; Je suis très bien des mercis, et toi?" (I'm fine thanks, and you?)

"Je trop; Draco vraiment gentil, il est juste un bit fatigué" (I'm good; don't worry about Draco he's nice, he's just a bit tired.)

"Je vois. Toute la réunion vers le haut pour vendredi?" (I see. Well I guess I'll see you on Friday?)

"Naturellement!" (Of course!)

"Hermione sera-t-il là?" (Will Hermione be there?)

"Oui, oui!" (Yes, yes!)

"Well, goodbye then!" Pierre smiled, kissing Marie.

"What the fuck?" Draco snarled, angry at being left out, "You guys think you can have a private conversation right in front of me!"

"Well, yes." Pierre said, leaving the room with a nod and a wave.

"Asshole," Draco murmured under his breath.

Marie ran towards him, tossing her arms around him comfortingly.

"Aw, Sweetie, it's okay!" She cooed lovingly. Draco cringed.

"Don't call me that."

"What, Sweetie?"

"Yes!" Stupid goddamn Muggle!

"All we said was that you and Hermione are really nice people!"

"—well thank you!" Hermione said, interrupting their conversation, "I can't wait to get started Mr. Riley!"

And with that she closed the door to the office.

"Hey guys, ready to go?" Hermione asked, "Why are you sulking Malfoy?"

"Because you're pissing me off."

"Loosing your touch," she noted. Then, before she could say anything else, Marie pulled her close.

"Do you like Pierre?" Marie murmured, though her tone was demanding. Hermione smiled.

"He's cute," Hermione admitted, allowing her girlish fantasies to take over her normally-level thought processes. Marie giggled in agreement and the two whispered for another moment before Draco cut in.

"I think we should be going," he said sharply. He was already noticing Hermione's change in personality, now that she had been around Marie, and that she was in her 'natural' muggle surroundings. He wasn't too sure if this was actually a negative change though…

'Chill!' Hermione smiled. She was quick to notice that he hadn't been so keen on the outing before.

Walking out, Marie began to hail a cab until Hermione cut in. The assignment was to get there on foot, not have a car take them.

"We can't go on a cab," Hermione pointed out, nudging Malfoy for confirmation.

"Yeah—we can't," he agreed after Hermione's elbow connected sharply with his rib. Marie looked confused.

"Why not?"

"Draco's, uh—scared?" Hermione offered, deliberately ignoring the angry glare Draco's eyes were burning into the side of her head.

"Poor you!" Marie cooed loudly, "Of course we can walk!" She didn't sound too happy about it though.

"Well, you can always take a cab by yourself and meet us there," Draco suggested. Marie looked thoughtful, torn between leaving Draco and saving herself and hour's walk. In the end, she decided that leaving Draco was the lesser of the two evils.

"I suppose I'll take a cab and meet you there. I need to collect a few things for a dinner tonight," she decided, though Hermione didn't trust the mischievous gleam in her eyes. Draco however, remained oblivious.

"Ok then!"

Calling goodbye to Marie, who was now sitting in the back of the cab, and waving furiously at them, Hermione turned to face Malfoy.

"So…" she asked, "any idea how long of a walk it's going to be?"

"Well, Marie told me that it would take one, or maybe two hours from here…' he sighed.

"Oh…" she said, sounding disappointed.

"Great. I'm going to be spending my only free day, stuck with you" Draco said, in a harsh tone.

And do you honestly think, Hermione wasn't thinking exactly the same about Malfoy?


A/N: Heyy! Ok, so...the original plan was too update one HUUUGE chapter on Friday, but after discussing it with my beta (pink-levicorpus, check out her fic's too!) we decided...too give you half the chapter now, so that it wouldn't be too long on Friday! However, I'm not entirely sure if I will still update this Friday (it will take a lot of encouragement and persuasion on your behalf :P ) so, I hope you enjoy this for now!

Oh, just need to clear up on a few comments, and mistakes!
1. I meant to put 'madamemoiselle' instead of 'madame', because that means married women, and, I'm pretty sure Hermione isn't married! (thank's for spotting that!)
2. I meant to put 'secutary', not 'sectary'...
3. I got the name 'Mr. Riley' from a reviewer ;-)
That's all so far, but if you need to know anything else...let me know!

I have a question for everyone...::drum roll::

How long should this fic be?

Lol, that's it! Pleaaase review, and thanks SO much for everyone who did!!! Kisses x
Remember, this is only the first
half of this entire chapter...!