A/N: Thanks for the reviews, everyone! I'm glad that you enjoyed their dinner date. I look forward to writing more of them.

Avanell: I checked out the "Sweet Justice" fic after you mentioned it in your review. I noticed some similarities too and just wanted to assure you and everyone else that they are purely coincidental! That is a lovely story though and I'm pleased to be compared to it. :)

CHAPTER NINE

A Little Complication

Hermione fidgeted with the hem of her sweater, unsure what to do with her hands. She tugged at a loose thread, spinning it between her fingers. An uneasy feeling twisted in her stomach. As she looked around the cluttered living room of the Burrow, Hermione silently thanked whatever force had compelled all the Weasley's save Ginny to leave for the afternoon. Although, a part of her hoped that Ginny would never return from the kitchen with the tray of tea she had gone to fetch. Hermione had come to talk about Draco, and she was quite apprehensive to see Ginny's reaction.

She had debated all morning whether or not she would even bother divulging her little secret. But she needed to talk to someone, to reason out what had happened the previous evening. Harry and Ron were not the people for that job. It required a woman's perspective. After pacing her apartment for some time, Hermione decided she would go to the Burrow, confess to Ginny, and then dissect her date—for she was now considering it a date—moment by moment. She spent every spare moment hoping against hope that Ginny would understand, and be able to look past the fact that it was Draco Malfoy himself they were talking about. Hermione knew that Ginny was much the same as Ron, but at the same time she was a girl, and could thus understand better than her brother ever could.

It had been a stroke of luck on her part that Ginny was the only one home. She wouldn't have to look over her shoulder every other moment to see which Weasley was listening in. Ginny had been surprised to see her, but excited too. She had inquired as to the reason of the unexpected visit, and Hermione had responded that she didn't need a reason to visit her dearest friend. Ginny had naturally been suspicious, but hadn't questioned further. She told Hermione to have a seat in the living room while she made a pot of tea.

And there Hermione sat, fretting over exactly how she would broach the subject. Unlike Harry and Ron, Ginny had no idea about her involvement with Draco whatsoever. At least telling her would bring them all relatively up to speed. So long as Ginny didn't mention the particulars of whatever they talked about today, things would go smoothly. Hermione knew this was wishful thinking at best, but she didn't want to admit it. Besides, there was really no use telling Harry or Ron about her date until she knew for sure what was going on between her and Draco.

Hermione's thoughts were interrupted when Ginny came back into the room, bearing a tray of tea and biscuits. She set the tray down on the coffee table and took a seat opposite Hermione. They both poured themselves cups of tea. Hermione had to be careful not to let Ginny see her hands nervously shaking as she brought the cup to her lips and took a calming sip.

"So Hermione, what really brings you by today?" Ginny asked, showing that keen perception that so eluded her brother Ron.

But Hermione would not give in so easily. "Can't I just pop in for a visit? We haven't properly hung out since we went shopping last month."

"Yes, but I know you Hermione. You have that look on your face that tells me your brain is working much too fast," Ginny said knowingly.

Hermione sighed. She sipped her tea, not quite ready to talk about it just yet. Whatever resolve she had when she left her apartment had dissolved like the sugar in her tea. She suddenly felt that there was no way Ginny could possibly understand, that she would scream at her until she ran out of the Burrow. Hermione mentally scolded herself; she was overreacting. Ginny might be hotheaded, but she was compassionate too.

Ginny watched her patiently, seeming to understand that there was something she wanted to say, but couldn't quite get around to it. Hermione was thankful. Finally, Hermione decided she was ready to speak. "Ginny, there is something I need to talk to you about."

Ginny smirked. "I know. So out with it then!"

Hermione took a deep breath. "Well, you know how Draco Malfoy is in my Healer program?"

"Yes…" Ginny said slowly. Hermione figured Ginny could already guess where this was going.

"The thing is…over the past month or so…we've—er—become, friends. We're partners in class, you see," Hermione explained lamely. Ginny merely raised an eyebrow, so she continued. "And, well, after Lucius Malfoy died last week we got…closer."

Ginny made an indelicate noise in the back of her throat, but she didn't interrupt. Hermione took another deep breath before continuing. "And last night Draco came over to my place…" Ginny's eyebrows shot up at this statement. "And we had dinner. And—er—well, I…rather enjoyed it."

Hermione looked down at her lap, then back up at her friend. Ginny was looking at her curiously, though silent. After a moment, Ginny spoke.

"So what you're telling me is that you and Draco Malfoy have had a date, and you had a good time?" Ginny asked, putting particular emphasis on the "Malfoy."

Hermione nodded hesitantly, trying to gauge Ginny's facial expression. The redhead was silent for a few moments more. They stared at one another across the table for what seemed like an eternity. Ginny set her tea down calmly, smoothed her hair, and then exploded.

"WHAT?" Ginny exclaimed. "Are you SERIOUS?"

Hermione winced and nodded again. She thought Ginny was going to ream her out something awful, so she prepared for the worst. Contrary to all her expectations, Ginny burst out laughing. Hermione was shocked and confused—she assumed there would be yelling at this point, not laughter. Though if this meant Ginny wasn't upset, then that would be a relief.

"I can't believe it!" Ginny practically shouted.

"Neither can I," Hermione admitted. "So you—you're not angry?"

Ginny laughed again. "No I'm not angry. I think you're quite possibly mad, but I'm not angry. Harry is always saying how Malfoy and the others deserve a second chance and all that. Guess it rubbed off on me."

Hermione permitted herself to breathe a sigh of relief. Ginny wasn't upset with her. Shocked yes, but angry no. Hermione couldn't even express in words how grateful she was to know this. It would make eventually telling Harry and Ron easier, that is, if there was going to be anything to tell. Hermione kept finding herself thinking ahead, assuming that there would be more dates between Draco and herself. She had to remind herself not to jump to conclusions; she didn't know what Draco was thinking.

"I think I might indeed be going a bit mad. It's like the world's been turned upside-down."

A shrewd smile crept onto Ginny's lips. "You like him," she said simply.

"Of course, otherwise I wouldn't consent to spend time with him outside of class."

"No, no. I mean you like him."

Hermione felt her ears being to warm. "Well, that's really what I've come here to talk to you about."

"Aha," Ginny said, smirking. There was a triumphant look on her face. "And tell me, why haven't you turned to my dear brother or boyfriend with this juicy bit of gossip?"

Hermione could tell that Ginny was teasing her. She knew as well as Hermione did that the two of them would not take well to the idea of their best friend having a date with one of their former enemies. Perhaps that's why Ginny wasn't showing her anger, if any existed at all. Because she knew how difficult it would be for Hermione to admit the exact same thing to her male friends

"Well, your dear brother discovered something that did not please him…"

Hermione reiterated the story of how Ron ran into Draco on the street outside her apartment, and then had a giant row with her. She also divulged the fact that Harry knew about her and Draco's friendship. (To which Ginny exclaimed, "That bastard!") Hermione urged Ginny that Harry and Ron could not know the extent of her and Draco's friendship. Ginny assured her that she would have to be an idiot to tell Ron and Harry before Hermione was ready to do so.

"I should have known there was something going on," Ginny said. "All last week Ron was being extra surly, and he had Harry were having hushed conversations whenever they thought I wasn't paying attention."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you right away," Hermione said sincerely.

Ginny waved her hand dismissively, as if to tell Hermione not to bother worrying about it. "So give me the details about this date," Ginny said excitedly.

Hermione smiled slightly. "Well, he cooked for me."

Ginny's eyes widened. "Malfoy can cook?" she asked, as if it were the most absurd thing she could have possibly imagined.

"Very well, actually," Hermione said with a laugh. "He made the most delicious French cuisine. And the chocolate soufflé he made for dessert…incredible."

Ginny shook her head in disbelief. "Isn't that something…" she said absently. "Now what about the rest of the date? What do you and Malfoy possibly have to talk about?"

"Well, we do have the same class after all. It's quite intensive, so there's a lot to talk about there."

"Oh c'mon, you must talk about something more interesting than that!"

"We talked about ordinary things. Family, friends, just general stuff. Though he did tell me I was welcome to visit him at his villa in Nice if he vacationed there this winter."

Ginny squealed with excitement. "How romantic! You're going to go, aren't you?"

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves here. We've had one date that I'm not sure he even considers a date. And have you forgotten that it's Draco Malfoy we're talking about? Are you saying you encourage this?"

"Whatever makes you happy, Hermione. If you say he's changed, I'll take your word for it. Though I must admit I'm skeptical, you look positively radiant right now. So I'm not going to question it, for now."

Hermione was mildly abashed, but she smiled anyway. "I am not radiant. I just had a good night, is all."

Ginny grinned wickedly. "Exactly how good a night was it?" she asked slyly.

"Ginny!" Hermione exclaimed. "It was only our first date. He was a perfect gentlemen."

Ginny looked disappointed. "So no kiss? Nothing?"

Hermione recalled how Draco had kissed her hand before he left, how sweet and perfect a moment it had been. "He kissed my hand when we said goodnight," she told Ginny.

Ginny looked surprised. "Malfoy—cute. Who would have thought?"

Hermione nodded; she had to agree, because she too never would have expected it. "There is something else I wanted to discuss," Hermione began. She described the best she could that brief but intense moment that had passed between her and Draco when she fell into his lap, hoping that Ginny would be able to make something of it that Hermione herself had not yet imagined.

"I don't think it was just the wine, Hermione," Ginny observed, a curious expression on her face.

"That must have something to do with it though, right? I mean, we hardly know each other…"

"I don't know. Maybe it was love at first sight. After seven years of knowing him. And hating him. Then not seeing him. And then kind of liking him."

Hermione stared at Ginny for a long moment, trying to figure out if she had actually said that bit of nonsense. "What an absolutely brilliant theory," she scoffed.

Ginny laughed. "Well I don't know Hermione, it's feelings. They're strange. You can't always come up with a logical explanation."

That there might not be a logical explanation for things never occurred to Hermione, whose life was governed by the logical, the reasonable. Perhaps it would not be so easy to figure everything out.

"I suppose I just won't overanalyze. We'll see what happens during the week. If he asks me out for this weekend, I'll take it as a good sign."

"Sounds logical to me," Ginny said.

"Honestly I can't even believe this. I sound like a fool," Hermione said, scolding herself.

"It's rather endearing, actually," Ginny replied. "I know I'm not the only one who enjoys seeing you out of your element. It's probably good for you."

Hermione made a face. Ginny and her other friends did so love to catch her in situations where she didn't have the answer or know exactly what to do. Ginny was likely to be very smug about the whole Draco thing for quite some time. At least, Hermione thought, she can't brag about it to Harry and Ron. She'd already sworn she wouldn't tell them. That thought comforted Hermione, if only a little.

"You know, if I wasn't required to think Malfoy is a smarmy git, then I'd say he's quite good-looking," Ginny said.

Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Don't let anyone in your family hear you say that."

Ginny rolled her eyes. "I know. But seriously, I saw his picture in the Prophet. They managed to photograph him while he was at Azkaban after Lucius Malfoy died. I must say he has the whole brooding thing down."

"Indeed."

"He looks like he's bulked up a little since Hogwarts. He doesn't look like a scrawny weasel anymore."

"That he doesn't," Hermione agreed with a laugh. "He actually looks quite handsome when he's smiling."

"Well you've always been strange. Most girls love the dark, tormented, misunderstood soul. You like goofy blokes. That's why you dated my brother and broke things off with Krum."

"Are you saying Harry is a dark, tormented, misunderstood soul?"

"Well, he was for a bit, wasn't he?"

"I suppose. But I don't go for goofy," Hermione protested. "Draco certainly isn't goofy."

"Well, Ron is."

"And as you know, Ron's and my relationship did not work out so nicely."

Ginny hmm'ed and nodded. "Perhaps you're right. Shame though. I would have loved to have you as a sister. Merlin knows there's a lack of females in the Weasley family."

Hermione smiled. "You have Fleur for a sister."

"I'll grant you she's all right now, but I'd much prefer you."

"Sorry, Gin. I don't foresee myself marrying into the Weasley clan."

Ginny smirked. "How about the Malfoy one?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Let's see if I get a second date before a marriage proposal."

"Why don't you ask him out, then?" Ginny asked.

"Call me old fashioned, but I'd like to be asked."

Ginny nodded. "Understandable. I'm sure he will. And when you do have another date. I want all the details."

Hermione didn't miss the suggestive tone of Ginny's voice. And she couldn't deny that Malfoy's soft kiss on her hand left her wondering about something more. She was about to reply, when the sound of the front door flying open, followed by numerous shouts, rang through the Burrow. A few moments later, Mrs. Weasley came bursting into the room.

"Fleur's having the baby!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide and cheeks red.

Ginny squealed and jumped up out of her seat. "Oh, how wonderful!"

"Is she at St. Mungo's?" Hermione asked.

Mrs. Weasley nodded. "Yes, yes. I just came back to tell Ginny, but how lovely to find you here Hermione. Let's all Floo there straight away!"

Hermione found herself quite excited. She had never known anyone who'd had a baby. And certainly had never been there the day of the birth. She started picturing what it would look like, and if Fleur would be right after all thinking it was a girl.

*****

Draco could hardly wait to get to class on Monday morning. He had spent practically the entire weekend thinking about his dinner with Hermione. It had been all that he'd hoped for and more. The more he considered it, the more excited he became at the prospect of having dinner with her again. Or just seeing her. When Draco realized that he was thinking these things, he felt embarrassed, despite being alone. He was not used to his feelings getting the best of him in any situation. But he couldn't help it; there was something about Hermione that made him forget all of his usual pretenses.

Draco had spent most of his weekend cooking—trying out new recipes for meals he hoped to make for Hermione. He was in good spirits, whistling and humming as he darted around the kitchen, grabbing this and that. Gertie was astonished; she had never seen her master in such a good mood. Draco assured the little house-elf that he was not in fact ill, just happy. Gertie seemed pleased.

After some consideration, Draco had decided that he would ask Hermione to have dinner with him again. Only this time, he wanted to be clear that he thought it was a date. After mulling it over and over, he surmised that Hermione had enjoyed herself, and would be amendable to having an official date with him. A nagging thought that he might be overestimating her interest in him popped up every so often, but Draco did his best to ignore it. He had long since learned that being confident was much more satisfying than fretting over every little thing. The doubts he had before about being more than friends with Hermione were quickly vanishing. He was amazed how one dinner could have changed so much.

Thinking back to that brief and odd moment where Hermione had fallen onto his lap, Draco smiled. He couldn't forget the look in her eyes, though it had only been for mere seconds. Something there told him that he wasn't just being silly, that she had some feelings for him as well.

And she was so easy to talk to. Draco had always felt starved for conversation with his peers. There never seemed to be any substance to what they were saying. It was all empty words and formalities. The only person he had even felt remotely challenged by was Blaise, but they quickly fell out of touch after Hogwarts. Hermione was clever and possessed a sharp wit. Draco found talking with her exhilarating. Draco found her fascinating even when they were talking about the most mundane of subjects.

Waiting for class to begin, Draco was practically bouncing in his seat. He had to exercise a lot of self-control to keep himself from smiling constantly. Every time he heard the door swing open, he turned expectantly. When it finally was Hermione who entered the room, Draco's stomach lurched, though not unpleasantly so. She smiled at him as she took her seat.

"How was your weekend?" Draco asked.

Hermione turned. "Oh it was lovely. Bill and Fleur Weasley had their baby. A little girl. She's adorable."

Draco had forgotten that Fleur Delacour married Bill Weasley. He felt a momentary pang of guilt; it was because of him that Fenrir Greyback had been able to get into Hogwarts and attack Bill. Draco forced himself not to think of it.

"That's wonderful. Although another red-haired Weasley brat might be too much for the world to handle."

Hermione made a face at him and refrained from sticking out her tongue. "For your information, Victoire has blonde hair like her mother."

Draco sighed dramatically. "What a relief."

"And how was your weekend?" Hermione asked.

"I tried out some new recipes. I think they're even better than my last meal."

Hermione stomach fluttered. Was Draco going to ask her have dinner again? She hoped that's where he was going with it. "Sounds great."

Draco was about to go on, when Healer Blarney began speaking. Hermione turned around, and Draco felt slightly disappointed. He had wanted to ask Hermione if he could cook her dinner again, but Healer Blarney had interrupted those plans. Draco resolved to ask her at lunch. The thought made it very difficult to pay attention during class. Even Hermione had a bit of trouble paying attention, the thought that Draco might be asking her to dinner again bouncing around in her head.

When Healer Blarney announced lunch break, Hermione and Draco both stood up from their seats immediately. Edwin looked over at Hermione, curiously, but didn't say anything. It had become so ingrained in their daily activities to have lunch together that Hermione and Draco left the classroom together without a word. Draco was briefly astonished at how comfortable it felt to be involved in such a routine, even if it was insignificant.

"So what kind of recipes did you try out?" Hermione asked, wanting to steer the conversation back to that topic. She wanted Draco to ask her, but she wasn't averse to a little prodding.

"Oh a little of this, a little of that," Draco replied casually.

"How specific," Hermione remarked.

Draco smirked. "Well, I want it to be a surprise."

"Oh?" Hermione's heart was racing.

Draco was nervous again, but he didn't let it come through in his voice or expression. "Yes, I was hoping I could cook for you again. Would you have dinner with me on Friday evening?"

Hermione smiled widely. "Yes, of course," she replied. Draco smiled in that way that lit up his face and made Hermione weak in the knees. "My place?"

Draco nodded. He was brimming with excitement, already looking forward to Friday. Once again, that floating sensation came over him and he felt like he glided alongside Hermione as they entered the cafeteria.

*****

"Zat Malfoy, he is vary good looking, non?" Sandrine commented to Hermione.

Hermione looked up from her book. She was on rounds that evening with Sandrine Lacroix, a French witch who Hermione had worked with before. She was intelligent and overall pleasant to work with. Although she had a tendency to gossip when Hermione was more interested in studying. Since there was nothing going on that evening, Sandrine had turned to her usual topic of conversation—their classmates. Hermione sighed to herself and smiled indulgently.

"I suppose," Hermione said carefully. She didn't know where Sandrine was going with this.

"Eet is his eyes, I zink. So mysterious."

Hermione nodded. "Yes, lovely eyes." She didn't feel entirely comfortable having this type of "girl talk" with someone she hardly knew.

"And a strong jaw. I like zat in a man."

Hermione nodded again. She thought of Draco's sharp, angular features, and how they suited him perfectly. His face often looked like it was carved of marble. Beautiful and perfect like a Greek statue. Thinking of him made her excited once again for their impending dinner date.

"The two of you seem to be good friends. Does he 'ave a girlfriend?"

Hermione felt a pang of jealousy. It seemed that Sandrine was interested in Draco. What hope did Hermione have against her, if she chose to pursue him? Sandrine was tall and willowy, with shining blonde hair and clear blue eyes. Hermione had become more comfortable with her appearance as she got older, but she couldn't help but feel shabby next to Sandrine.

"Oh—well, not exactly…"

Sandrine smiled. "Très bon!"

Hermione frowned. "I thought you and the others were all suspicious of him."

Sandrine shook her head, and laughed—a light, tinkling sort of sound. "Oui, at first. But he does not seem evil. Au contraire, he seems…misunderstood."

"I see," Hermione said coolly. She was becoming more annoyed by the second. She wanted to scream that she was seeing Draco, and Sandrine had better back off, but she didn't feel like it was her place. Her and Draco weren't officially dating. They hadn't even had their second date yet.

"Since ze two of you are friends, do you zink you could say somezing to him for me?"

"Oh, I don't think so…"

Sandrine pouted. "Why not? Do you not zink zat he would like me?"

"Well it's not that…I just—he appreciates forthrightness."

"Ah," Sandrine said, tapping a perfectly manicured finger against her temple. "Well zen I suppose I could speak wiz him myself."

"I suppose you could."

"You do not mind, do you 'Ermione?" Sandrine asked.

"Why would I mind?" Hermione said, her voice sounding a little more strained than she would have liked.

"I did not know if zere was somezing between ze two of you?"

"Well, you can speak with whoever you like, Sandrine. And so can Draco."

Sandrine looked at her curiously for a moment, then nodded. "Of course."

Hermione felt the sudden need to talk to Draco. The thought of him cooking dinner for Sandrine, making her laugh, kissing her hand…it was enough to put her in a foul mood. Hermione was not usually one for jealousy, but she felt it creeping up on her. She knew that it was irrational; Sandrine and Draco hadn't even spoken. But she couldn't help to feel that if they did, Draco would fall for her. Why did this have to happen now, when things were just starting to progress nicely? Hermione took refuge in her book, and pointedly ignored Sandrine for the rest of the evening.

*****

Hermione was anxious in class the following day. She kept glancing at Sandrine, waiting to see if she would make her move. Hermione felt ridiculous, but she couldn't help it. Draco noticed that Hermione seemed agitated, but he didn't question her. He watched her during Healer Blarney's lecture—she kept glancing to her right, and fidgeting with her hair. Draco wondered what could be bothering her. He hoped that it wasn't him, because he was very much looking forward to their date later that evening.

When lunch break came around, Draco was about to speak to Hermione, but interrupted by a tap on his shoulder. He turned and found himself facing a pretty blonde witch whose name escaped him.

"'Allo, I am Sandrine Lacroix. I do not think we 'ave been properly introduced." She thrust out her hand.

Draco regarded her for a moment, and then shook her hand briefly. "Draco Malfoy."

"Enchanté. 'Ow is it zat we 'ave not met before?" Sandrine asked, flashing (what Draco assumed) was her most winsome smile.

"We haven't had rounds at the same time. And there isn't much opportunity for socializing in class."

Sandrine nodded. "It is a shame zat we do not switch partners. I would very much like to work wiz you. You are quite skilled, from what I 'ave seen in class."

"Thank you. But I think the groups we are in now work extremely well, don't you?" Draco said, looking over at Hermione. Only she wasn't in her seat. Draco glanced around, and saw that she was leaving the classroom with Chambers. Disappointment settled in his stomach, and he wished that this witch would get on with whatever it was she wanted.

A frown creased Sandrine's lips. Draco could tell she was used to hearing what she wanted. "Oui, zey are satisfactory. But sometimes a change can be nice, wouldn't you agree?"

"Perhaps," Draco replied noncommittally.

Draco could sense Sandrine's frustration. The conversation was not going the way she had planned. Draco began to suspect what she was after, but he decided to feign ignorance. He wasn't interested.

"Zen perhaps lunch? If we cannot be partners at least we could get to know eachozzer a little better."

Normally, Draco would be thrilled that an attractive witch was asking him to lunch. But that was before he met (or re-met, rather) Hermione. There was something more there than just an attraction, and Draco wanted desperately to discover it.

"I'm sorry, I have lunch plans with Hermione."

"I see," Sandrine said. "Very well zen. I will see you around."

With that, she swept out of the room. Draco felt a little bad for being so curt, but he didn't want her to get the wrong idea. He left the room in a hurry, hoping that he would get to the cafeteria before Hermione was too engrossed in conversation with Chambers. He almost laughed aloud at the thought. But when he burst through the cafeteria doors, he found himself scanning the room nervously. He saw Hermione getting out of line with a tray, and it looked as if she was preparing to sit down with Chambers and some of their other classmates. He crossed the room in a few long strides and called out, "Hermione!"

Hermione looked up sharply and saw Draco coming towards her. She felt a swelling sensation in her chest, and was thrilled to see that he was not with Sandrine. She had been preparing herself for the sight of them walking into the cafeteria together, but she hadn't needed to, apparently.

"Draco," she replied evenly, trying to keep her excitement from showing in her face. She had picked up a thing or two from observing Draco's facial expressions.

"Not having lunch without me, are you?" he asked, a roguish grin forming on his lips.

Hermione permitted herself to smile. "It looked as though you might have other plans," she said, referring to Sandrine.

"Sandrine? No. Merely an obstacle."

Hermione was glad to hear it. "Shall we, then?"

Draco led the way to their usual table. They sat down, and fell easily into conversation. Draco completely forgot to eat lunch. Yet when the lunch period was over, he still felt full and satisfied.

A/N: I'm sorry if this chapter seems a bit dull, but I struggled with it. I know where I want the story to progress, but it's too soon for certain points. So this chapter was a lot of filler. I promise things will get much more intriguing. Blah, I won't ramble any more!

Also, I fiddled with the timeline of Victoire's birth a little to suit my purposes, but I don't think it changes much canon-wise.