I really need to get into a more consistent pace with these stories. Sorry guys. Anyway… I like where the story is going and hope you do too.

….

She'd been staying at the cond for longer than expected now, but it just was beginning to be comfortable. She even called the place "home" yesterday, but soon corrected herself. Well it was homey until he kissed her.

Hermione woke up, and was in her bedroom in Salem. She tried reading a novel, but couldn't get through the first page. Instead she thought about the kiss. It didn't feel bad, it almost felt good, and that's what scared her the most. How was she supposed to continue? The Apothecary still had weeks of work to do, and she couldn't even get out of her room, let alone have a conversation with him. This was going to be a disaster.

She was about to write a letter to Ginny, when she realized that she had nothing new to wear. She'd gone through all the clothes that she had brought. Maybe she could travel back to England and sort herself out before getting back to work. After finally getting up the nerve to leave her room, she walked out to the kitchen, but he wasn't there. The living room was empty, so she kept looking until she found him in the library, reading a letter.

Before he could say something, she stated, "I think I should go back home and get more clothes and such. This stay was longer than I planned."

"Hermione," he started, "if this is about-"

"Don't call me that. We aren't anything more than business associates."

His expression fell, and she knew that he was upset, but that did not stop her. "If we must continue work, please let me sort some things out." She kept a harsh tone, and watched as his face fell a little. They had only been in Salem for a little over a week, but their relationship over that week had changed drastically. They had broken boundaries: from talking about her torture to messing around as friends, something was different between the two of them. But it scared her. This was Draco Malfoy. He was rude and bullied her and her friends for years. He was a former Death Eater… and she kissed him!

He sighed before answering, "If you must, I can arrange for transportation. I can meet with European potion masters then."

"Thank you," she sighed. This had gone much more smoothly than expected.

They both stared at each other for a while. Each seemed to be thinking of the events of the previous night. Malfoy opened his mouth to say something, but before he could, she interjected, "I'll start packing. Can we leave tomorrow?"

He paused before answering softly, "yes."

.

As promised, the next morning they walked down to the place in which they arrived, and again had their bags checked before portkeying home. Although he tried to make small talk, she was distant, but they agreed to meet at her office in three days.

Hermione started by scheduling plans to meet with Ginny. When Mrs. Weasley heard about that, she invited Hermione over for a big family dinner. Hermione felt good to be a part of the family, but she definitely wasn't going to talk about her current events if Ron or Harry were there. She loved them, but if they heard that she'd been staying at the same place as Draco Malfoy, who knows what would happen.

…

After packing what seemed like her entire wardrobe, she got dressed to see the Weasley Family. It was nearing Christmas time, so the house was decorated in reds and greens, but she wasn't feeling festive. When she got to the door, she was greeted by Mr. Weasley, and as he led her to the family, he asked her about light bulbs. She had missed him.

When she got to Ginny, they went into a separate room and she told her all about Malfoy. Hermione went over the Apothecary, and the school, and the old lady that told them that they looked like a couple, but she couldn't tell Ginny about the kiss or her nightmares. She would have to save that for later.

"Wow," Ginny responded. "That must have been awkward. Is it weird talking to him? Is he the same Malfoy we remember?"

"No, Draco has changed." At the sound of his first name, Ginny stared, and Hermione realized her slip. "Malfoy," she continued, "is doing a nice job at getting the business started, and though we don't get much regular talk in, I can tell that he's gotten better."

.

After that, they made it to the rest of the family, where she was greeted by Harry. Ron had already started eating, and was being scolded. When he looked up and saw her, he joined in a hug, and everyone sat down. Harry started telling a story that happened at work, but Hermione wasn't paying attention. She was still focused on the kiss.

After Harry said a joke that Hermione didn't hear, George realized that she wasn't getting much attention, and tried to draw the conversation over to her. "What have you been doing lately at work, Hermione?"

Trying to stay vague, she told the table that she's working on a project with a client by helping him set up a second business in Salem. She hoped that that would be enough information for them. Thankfully, Charlie butted in, telling everyone about a dragon species that a friend was tracking in America.

Before she left, Mrs. Weasley asked about Hermione's parents, and she assured the curious mother that they were both doing fine. Hermione made a mental note to visit them before she left again.

.

When she, got home, she called her mom and promised to meet her for lunch tomorrow. Just as she was hanging up, there was a tapping on the window, and she saw Draco's owl outside.

Quickly saying goodbye to her mother, she rushed to the window, and grabbed a letter as the bird flew away.

She opened it up, finding his elegant scroll.

Hermione,

I had to return early to receive a shipment.

I enclosed a portkey.

I'll see you soon.

- DM

Sure enough, at the bottom, there was a small bag with a portkey inside. At least she wouldn't have to undergo another portkey in front of him. Those things always made her want to scream.

.

The next day she met her mother for lunch. Her father was pulled into an emergency root canal treatment, and couldn't be there. Since Mrs. Granger knew little about the wizarding world, Hermione had no problem opening up to her about the current situation. She stayed quiet until the end, and Hermione was able to tell her the full story, even the things she couldn't tell Ginny. It was so nice to have such an understanding mother, she thought.

"And he just kissed you? And you two haven't said anything about it? Now that's just awkward if I may say so."

"Mom, I just don't know what to do."

"We'll do you like this boy?"

"No, of course not. He's the one who treated me so awfully all those years at Hogwarts. I just don't understand. And his aunt is the one who tortured me. His family had an allegiance to Voldemort and… Well I don't know."

"I don't know darling. By all that you've told me, he does seem to have changed. Honestly, I think you should at least trust him. You never know."

"I don't know. I'll see."

"And don't forget to update me, Honey!"

"Of course, Mom. I love you." She could always rely on her mom to be honest with her, but soon she would be back in America, and would have to deal with Draco Malfoy face to face, and there would be some important decisions to make, about the business and about them.

.

It came faster than she wanted. After finally adjusting to the time difference and getting comfortable back home, she returned to Salem, and with a few weeks worth of clothes, just in case.

As she arrived at the place, she could hear voices inside. She knocked and was greeted by Malfoy and two women, probably mother and daughter, both gorgeous.

"Draco!" The older one exclaimed. "This must be the lady you were telling us about. It's a pleasure to meet you, Hermione. My name is Nancy, and this is my daughter Elizabeth." She spoke with a large smile, but it seemed genuine.

"We were just telling Draco about our Christmas party," Elizabeth explained. "You, of course, are welcome to come."

"We'd love to have you there," Nancy said. "A friend of Draco is a friend of ours!"

Draco smiled, but it was more of a grimace.

Hermione responded, "Thank you so much for inviting me. I'm sure I can stop by." Although her mind was completely against the idea, she didn't want to be rude.

.

The girls left shortly, leaving Draco and Hermione to themselves. After a few seconds, Draco broke the silence saying, "you don't need to go to the Christmas party if you don't want to go. And about a few days ago… and the kiss…" He could barely seem to pull words together. "It meant nothing. It was a mistake. Let's just forget it happened."

Part of her wanted to stick with that, but she knew that she wouldn't forget it, and the look on his face told her that he wouldn't be forgetting anytime soon.

…

Happy New Years to everyone, and I hope everyone has a nice safe night. I have many more chapters planned, and hope that you guys liked this one! As always, please let me know what you think; your comments give me life and help me write.

I hope all of your resolutions come true!