"I must say that when Miss Granger contacted us saying Narcissa Malfoy was interested in creating a perfume, we felt this was an opportunity we couldn't pass up!" said a flamboyant and rounded wizard with great exuberance. Narcissa gave him an aristocratic smile as she sat across his desk, basking in his praise.

Sedgwick Simkins was the head of the fragrance department for Wanton Witch Enterprises. Nearly every hair charm and beauty potion came from their labs and the trend of celebrity scent had even reached their doors.

"Yes well I just love 'Celestial', the fragrance you did for Celestina Warbeck. I only hope you can do the same for me, Mr. Sedgwick."

Narcissa's endeavor to be more than a trophy wife proved to be more than fleeting. Ever the efficient employee, Hermione set up the meeting with Sedgewick.

"Oh yes! Absolutely, Mrs. Malfoy!"

Her smile quickly disappeared at the sound of that hated surname.

"Narcissa!" she corrected with a snap that bordered on crazed.

Sedgwick looked terrified enough to wet his bright purple chinos.

"Just Narcissa is fine. I'm trying to become one of those single name entities," she stated more softly, trying to regain her composure.

"Right," Sedgwick said nervously, letting out the breath he'd been holding in, "Well, that's a wonderful idea!"

"Well of course it is, it came from my head didn't it?" she asked as though it were the most obvious thing in the entire world.

Narcissa left no time for Sedgwick to reply, which was fortunate as he lacked a response.

"Now, I want a scent that says 'I'm a sexy, seductive, independent woman. I can take on anything! Nothing can hold me back! Especially a sniveling ingrate of a husband who carries on vow-breaking affairs while doing business for You-Know-Who in Egypt!"

By the time she was finished, her normally alabaster face was completely red and Sedgwick got the distinct impression that they weren't talking about scents anymore. His only response was a raised eyebrow.

Once again, Narcissa slowed her seething and took in a deep breath to regain self-control.

"Well, I'm not sure how to capture that last part in a scent…." Sedgwick started cautiously, not wanting to upset his prospective business partner, "However, 'sexy' and 'seductive' we can do."

"You're just the witch we need to take our fragrances in a new direction. We want to embody style and sophistication while sneaking in just a hint of sex and scandal," he said with a wide grin and a waggle of his finely groomed eyebrows.

Narcissa reciprocated his smile with a squeal of approval and offered her hand. Sedgwick wasted no time in shaking it.

"Mr. Sedgwick, I believe we have come to a perfect understanding."


It was Draco's first night out in London and the theme was excess. For him, anyway. Hermione found herself sitting across from a very inebriated Draco, while she was nursing only her second, and most likely final, drink of the night.

"I really think you've had enough," she stated with a hint of annoyance.

"You know, I really have to disagree with you, Herman," he slurred.

Hermione had discovered that the different sides of Draco had different names for her. The ass-wipe she knew at Hogwarts called her 'mudblood.' The somewhat matured Draco she was just discovering called her Hermione. Drunken Draco called her Herman.

"I need it, you know, liquid courage if I'm to go up there and sing my heart out."

Hermione looked over to the stage where a buzzed muggle was doing a fantastic job of butchering Total Eclipse of the Heart.

"Onceuponatime……there was lime in my life, but now I'm gonna fallin' apart. Nothin' I can dooooooo total ecplipse of the haaaaar!"

Hermione let out a small chuckle and turned back to Draco.

"I suppose it does help, but if you don't adopt some moderation you'll be projectile vomiting 'liquid courage' all over the audience."

"So? That'll just make it an interactive show!" With that, Draco slammed down his drink and went to give his selection to the emcee.

In the conversation they shared on the way to Murphis Karaoke, Draco revealed he was very unfamiliar with muggle music. He'd only been exposed to some of the muggle bands his mother secretly listened to whenever the Voldemort-lovers weren't around. Hermione just knew this would be one of the more interesting things she'd see.

The emcee took the stage and Draco stood to the side, terrified at what he'd just agreed to do. He looked over to Hermione, as if to ask her to rescue him, but he was only met with a smile and an encouraging lift of her glass.

"Alright ladies and gentlemen, I ask you now to put your hands together for the song stylings of Draco Malfoy," the man smirked at the odd name.

"Draco would like to dedicate this song to Herman."

Hermione rolled her eyes as she clapped along with the rest of the patrons.

The music started up but Draco stood frozen looking at the screen. If you had asked a wizard, they would have guessed he'd seen the reflection of a Basilisk.

He only had a few measures before he had to sing and his heartbeat was quickly outpacing the tempo of the song. His liquid courage seemed to be failing him, but the courage he got from looking over at the smiling Hermione was more than sufficient. For some reason, he was incredibly proud that he was responsible for her present happiness and only wanted to make it more abundant. He resorted to the time-tested method for men to woo women; making a complete ass of himself.

He grabbed the microphone. This was it.

"If you start me up! If you start me up I'll never stop!"

Draco's paralysis had healed and he even added in chicken-like neck moves that would make Mick Jagger proud.

"I've been runnin' hot. You got me tickin' gonna blow my top"

Hermione let out a bawdy laugh as Draco sent a wink and pelvic thrust her way. Her mouth was frozen in a wide grin as she watched the young Malfoy thrust, gyrate, and sing—horribly. He was dreadful but Hermione couldn't have been more pleased than if it were Pavarotti on stage.

"You, you, you make a grown man cry. You, you make a dead man come. You, you make a dead man come!"

As the song neared its end, Draco was even sporting pouted lips in true Rolling Stones fashion.

Draco was greeted with thunderous applause and laughter. Hermione quickly stood to join in, but her knees buckled at the earnest smile he was giving her. She quickly returned to her seat. She felt light headed and was sure it wasn't because of any drinks or rushes of blood to the head. Somewhere between sleazy pickup lines and drunken karaoke, Draco Malfoy had weasled his way under her skin. Such a feeling was exhilarating, jubilant, even joyous. So, naturally, this terrified Hermione. Harry's words of caution were quickly flooding her mind and she felt she had somehow woken up from a dream to find herself deep within enemy territory. This was a bad idea.

"Hey Herman! You okay?" he asked her with an overzealous pat on the back.

"Um, yes, we have to go now," she said rather quickly without looking up at him. She knew this was utterly ridiculous but she had a feeling if she looked into his eyes she just might fall, and heights had always terrified her—whether from broomsticks or love.

Before Draco's slowed mind could find a response, he found himself being pulled out the door.

"Hey! Wait, we were having a good time?" he asked as he stumbled to keep up with Hermione's determined pace.

No answer.

Once outside, the shock of the cold night air served to sober Draco up—a little.

"Wait, what the hell is going on? What's wrong, did I piss you off or something?"

Hermione continued to drag him to the alley between the karaoke bar and another building. She swept the area in search of any muggles.

"Okay, the coast is clear for you to apparate back home. This was a terrible idea, tomorrow is your interview and you need your rest to be ready."

Draco inwardly groaned at the return of cold, lawyer Hermione. He really missed Herman.

"Well….well what about you? Come back to the manor with me," he breathed, taking her hand and pulling her close.

Hermione jumped back as though she were bitten by a snake.

"No! Er…. I mean, that wouldn't be a good idea. I'm just going to go back to my flat…it's just a block away," she said trying to smooth away the awkwardness her rejection had created.

Draco just looked at her with a mixture of hurt, confusion, and anger. This combination created one of the blackest scowls Hermione had ever seen grace his face.

"Fine," he said ever so softly, but ever so coldly. He quickly turned away from her and took several large and angry steps. He didn't need distance to apparate but the Malfoys had a pension for the dramatic.

"Draco, please don't be like this," she sighed. This was for the best, it just had to be.

She didn't get a response, though. Only a loud clap of thunder and the distinct feeling she'd made a mistake.


"Would you like something to drink?" Lucius asked Jasper, entering the parlor.

"I don't drink, remember?"

Lucius was a bundle of nerves. He felt as though he were walking on eggshells and fucking up his second chance was a mere crack away.

"Right, of course. Please have a seat."

The situation was so similar to the last time they had spoken in private, yet Lucius sincerely hoped the outcome would be immensely better.

"Can I ask why you've changed your mind? I'm not going to assume for one minute that it was some noble behavior of mine…I'm very much in the wrong here, what made you want a reconciliation?"

Jasper studied his father, thinking of his truthful answer.

Well, I've noticed that the wretched son you've wasted such a life of privilege on is quite enamored with your lawyer, and fucking that up for him would prove to be quite entertaining. I also realize that my continued presence would only drive your family even further apart. You know what they say keep your friends close, but, keep your enemies closer.

What Jasper said went much differently.

"I've lived a life with a torn family and I wouldn't want to put anyone else through that. And to be fair, you're not completely at fault. Looking back I see that I flew into your life acting like a petulant child."

Jasper was proud of his smooth answer, but was also a bit annoyed that it too could pass for the truth.

"Well, you're a better man than I."

Jasper took in a deep breath, ready to say something when he was interrupted by a thunder clap that sounded from the front hallway.

Both men stood up quickly to investigate the sound and were surprised to see Narcissa Malfoy wearing a deathly glare.

Overcome by emotion, Lucius opened his arms to embrace his estranged wife.

"Cissy!"

SLAP

Lucius had expected a hug, so he was sorely disappointed to receive a different kind of gesture.

"It's not Cissy! It's Narcissa! And I have a few things to discuss with you, but I'm not doing it with him around," she huffed, pointing at Jasper with all the malice and contempt she could conjure.

Jasper smirked at his small victory in the war against the Malfoys.

"I'll just be going then. I'll get in touch with you later, father," he said pulling Lucius into a big bear hug.

Lucius was surprised and Narcissa was fuming.

"Um…right, okay," he replied, patting Jasper on the back.

Narcissa was quick to the attack as once the shutting of the door signaled Jasper's departure.

"Moments like those are just so touching, especially when you probably don't know where your legitimate son is," she seethed, her tone drenched with venom.

Lucius wanted to say something back, but the truth was, she was right. Where in hell was Draco?


It was two a.m. and Hermione had only accomplished a total of twenty minutes of unsatisfying sleep. Her mind was playing the night over and over again. Each time she thought of it, her body found a new position, as if to purge the thoughts from her brain.

It couldn't be done though, so the banging on her door was a welcome change as it tore her from her previous train of thought.

Instead of wondering whether or not she'd done the right thing, she could wonder who the hell was at her door at this hour in the morning. She certainly hoped it wasn't Narcissa again.

She opened it and found herself wishing it was Narcissa instead of her son. Now she was literally face to face with the person keeping her awake.

"Draco what are you doing here?"

"You left tonight because you're afraid of what you feel. For me."

"Is that supposed to be a question?"

She wrapped her robe tighter, uncomfortable under Draco's unfaltering stare.

"No. It's the truth. The question is why you won't admit it."

Hermione searched desperately for an out.

"Draco, you're drunk."

"No I'm not! Well…..I'm sober enough to know that I want to say this and drunk enough to actually say it."

Firewhiskey was strong on his breath.

"And what is that?" she asked, fearing his answer.

"I have feelings for you and I know you have them for me! Just fucking admit it!"

Hermione was dumbstruck and left fumbling for something to say—anything but the truth.

"I don't have time for this," she stated shutting the door. Her attempt was thwarted, though by Draco's arm forcefully pushing it back open.

"So much for the fucking Gryffindor courage," he spat.

Her hand swung back, ready to strike. Luckily, Draco had found himself in a similar situation with Hermione and he saw it coming. Hermione only grew angrier as her hand was caught in his strong grip. She opened her mouth to say something particularly nasty but found herself forcefully pulled into his body and claimed with a raw and passionate kiss.

This was insanity. Dangerous. It had to stop, but Hermione could only think that his kiss tasted of Firewhiskey and felt like fire.

A/N: Well I think this was better than the last chapter. I hope you enjoyed the karaoke scene- if you're not familiar with The Rolling Stone's Start Me Up, listen! Anyway, they kissed! And of course it happens in the middle of a fight. Please please review! They keep my writing spirit alive!