As a member of the Golden Trio during her stay at Hogwarts, Hermione was well aware that time was a funny thing. In a month's time so much can change and so much stays the same. In that span of time she could find herself forming dangerous plans to save the school, yet still having to deal with the emotionally unavailable Ron Weasley. She had long since put those things behind her, yet time's quirky behavior still seemed to be following her.
The month that followed the fateful kiss did not break precedence. Narcissa's perfume, 'Narcissence', was selling out in stores all over the wizarding world. Draco's cover story for Witch Weekly had just hit newsstands, and Jasper had gone from a pain in the ass to ass kisser. If Hermione had to witness anymore father/son bonding, she'd hurl. In the midst of all this change was the continuation of Hermione and Draco's delicate dance titled, 'We're-awkwardly-pretending-that-the-drunken-kiss-didn't-happen-while-both-of-us-are-wanting-to-acknowledge-it-yet-afraid-the-other-party-doesn't-feel-the-same-way.' All in all, her days were filled with meetings with the Malfoys that consisted of sidelong glances filled with longing.
Hermione was currently sporting one of those looks, only this time it was directed at the cover of Witch Weekly. She was thumbing through it while waiting for Harry to meet her for coffee. Draco had performed perfectly. She watched him closely throughout the entire interview and was quite impressed at the answers he produced. If she hadn't fed them to him herself, she would have guessed he had truly meant it….because surely he didn't, right?
"Oh Merlin, don't tell me you're reading that tripe?" Harry joshed with a wink as he sat down.
Hermione looked up from the magazine and playfully stuck out her tongue.
"You're late, Harry Potter!"
"Yes, well, I see you found a use of your time," he smirked, referencing the magazine.
"I'll have you know that this brilliant plan of mine was just that—brilliant! The scandal is completely forgotten and Draco's reception has been nothing but positive….maybe a little too positive," she finished quietly.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
Hermione slumped back in her chair and her eyes took on a soft sadness.
"Well…Witch Weekly has only been out one week and already Draco has been swarmed with idiot witches, sniffing at his fortune now that his reputation has been redeemed."
"And what does that have to do with you?" Harry asked in a tone that revealed he was already aware of the answer.
"Well, several weeks ago we sort of…."
The end of her sentenced was muffled by the coffee mug she strategically brought to her lips. Her gaze was also set on anything but Harry's.
Harry crossed his legs and leaned in, "What was that, Miss Granger?"
"We sort of kissed," her eyes were still averted.
"You WHAT?"
Harry's bellow attracted the attention of the tables around them.
"Would you calm down? It's not that big of a deal," she shushed.
"Not that big of a deal? I figured you had started falling for him, but you actually kissed him?"
"Well, he kissed me, and I am not falling for him!"
Harry rolled his eyes. Hermione was usually spot on in all of her analyses, so it was blatantly obvious whenever she was a million miles away from the truth.
"Liar, liar, sensible skirt on fire!" he said, gently tugging at her skirt under the table.
She slapped his hand away in a huff.
"Wait a minute….this happened a month ago? What's happened since?"
"Nothing," she groaned, not wanting to admit it.
"NOTHING? Merlin, Hermione! How can you do nothing? What happened to the 'take charge' Hermione?"
It was very odd, Hermione wished for nothing at more at that moment than to be a turtle. Perhaps a hermit crab or a clam would work—anything with a shell she could shrink into.
Harry eyed his friend carefully and a knowing smile claimed his face as his intimate knowledge of her very soul gave him accurate insight.
"I think I understand what's going on here. You're always confident because you always know everything….so now you must be in a foreign territory; the unknown. You're not sure if Draco genuinely feels for you, so you're afraid to act upon it. Am I right?"
His evaluation couldn't have been more accurate, and the verbalization of it made Hermione nervous. As long as she could keep her true feelings inside then there was the slight possibility she wouldn't have to deal with them. However, now that it had been said, there was no avoiding it.
"Fifty points to Gryffindor," she sighed with a chuckle, "Why couldn't you have been this insightful back in Hogwarts?"
"Eh, I figured I'd let you feel like the smart one," he smiled, "So, he kissed you….but you're not sure how he really feels about you?"
"Well…yes! I mean, he did tell me that he has feelings for me, but at the time he was sort of under the influence. Then of course there's his history of being a playboy and while I was beginning to feel that he was starting to be genuine, in sweeps Jasper and now it seems Jasper is trying to play games with me! So, now I don't know if I'm in the middle of some stupid rivalry!"
"Jasper? Who is…..wait, the half-brother? HE'S going after you now? You're life has become some sort of soap opera!"
Hermione would have laughed at his comment, but was occupied with the sight of Jasper making his way over to their table.
"Well, if that's true, you're about to join the cast. Jasper is coming over here, right now!"
Hermione was once again wishing for that shell but found herself out of luck as Jasper waved in acknowledgment at her.
"Well, well. Imagine running into you here. And with the famous Harry Potter, double the pleasure," he smoothly smiled, revealing a perfect line of white pearls.
"Mind if I join you?"
Hermione was about to come up with a poor excuse—perhaps she left her flat on fire and had to go—but Harry interrupted before she could get it out.
"Not at all, please have a seat!" he said, taking in much joy at making Hermione squirm. It was so funny that he didn't even mind the kick he got from underneath the table.
"Fantastic," he stated as he sat down, once again revealing that perfect smile.
"Narcissa, your career is taking off, your family is enjoying a triumphant comeback, and your home is beautiful! How do you do it?" the reporter asked as the Malfoys were bathed in the flash from the photographer.
They were being photographed and interviewed for Homemaking Magic, a magazine featuring 'fabulous homes and fabulous families.' Publicly, Narcissa had decided to play the role of loving wife, nurturing mother, and fabulous witch. It garnered more respect. That, and even the masquerade of a happy family gave her some comfort.
"Well, I just want to be an example for all the witches out there. We can have it all! With that in mind, how can I not?" she answered, snuggling into Lucius' embrace. The readers would eat that right up.
Their private life was a completely different story. Narcissa maintained her distance and they had shared little more than a brush of the hand when he helped her move back in. Public displays like this only proved to be more of a dagger in Lucius' heart. How cruel it was that the wizarding masses could enjoy the image of the happy Malfoy family, and he couldn't.
"Lucius, are you proud of your wife's new ventures?"
"Absolutely," he replied, the earnestness in his voice heavy.
Narcissa looked up at him with a glimmer of the love that was being hidden, but only for the briefest of moments. She quickly went back to her cheesecake smile for the cameras.
"And Draco, rumor has it that every single witch is clamoring for your attentions. Is there a lucky girl that has caught your eye?"
Yes. Yes, a million times yes. She was fiery, and smart, and kind, and sexy in a wonderfully unaware kind of way. The words he thought swelled within his chest, begging to be voiced.
"No. Not yet anyway. I am looking, though."
Those words killed him.
Narcissa squeezed her son's knee, her motherly intuition picking up on her son's silent torture.
The remainder of the session went perfectly. Once again, the Malfoys had come across as the shining example of a happy family. So, naturally, they were all miserable.
"So I hear there are a lot of witches lined up for my dear brother," Jasper mentioned casually, completely hiding the malicious intent of the statement.
Hermione's face drew into a slight scowl, just as Jasper had anticipated.
"Yes, I suppose," Hermione said tightly.
Harry looked back and forth between the two, as though he were watching a tennis match.
"Hopefully he'll find a good one out of the bunch. Settling down would be good for him."
"Ah, but I see you remain unattached," she retorted.
"I'm looking to amend that. I just need to find the right person," he said, his ice-blue stare settling on Hermione. Her face grew red and Harry got the feeling his presence had been forgotten.
Harry decided to change this by raising the stakes of the conversation.
"So, Jasper, who do you see settling dear Draco down?"
Hermione was about ready to hex her friend into oblivion.
"Well a long term relationship requires a match of depth and intellect. So…if you know any single houseplants, tell them to owl Draco."
Harry let out a generous laugh and Jasper shared in his mirth. Hermione only crossed her arms.
"There's more to him than he let's on, you know," she said over their laughter.
"No, you're right, I merely jest," Jasper smoothed. Insulting Draco while avoiding pissing off Hermione was a tricky line to walk. It would take just the right amount of finesse. Lucky for Jasper he had just that.
"He's a good man, but he lacks direction. But, I can't exactly judge. My work is so consuming that I need someone who shares my passion," he said, slyly turning the conversation over to himself.
"What line of work are you in?" Harry asked, genuinely interested.
"I'm in the Muggle/Wizard Relations Department in Egypt. We're working towards acceptance and understanding on both sides. Of course, my somewhat bleeding heart nature also gets me wrapped up in side projects, like Witch's Rights and the conservation of endangered magical creatures."
Hermione's icy demeanor melted slightly and Jasper was quick to take advantage of the defrosting.
"I was telling Hermione before I really admire her work….outside of the Malfoys. I just hope that passion hasn't been lost."
"Actually," Hermione huffed, "I've been focusing on a new cause this past month….well not new exactly, rather rekindling an old passion of mine."
Harry and Jasper looked at her with great expectancy.
"Well, with all this added income I have the facilities to really make an impact in the house-elf cause."
Harry's eyes grew wide, "You're starting SPEW again?"
Jasper looked confused, "SPEW?"
"Long story….it was this group I started back in school for the promotion of elfish welfare. I think it's time to give it a go again."
Hermione blushed under the gaze of Jasper. He'd probably think this a silly and impossible cause.
"You should have seen the SPEW badges," Harry said laughing, "Let's just say the movement didn't take off."
Jasper turned to Hermione, "I actually find that such passion at a young age is quite refreshing. It's truly a sad situation. Generation after generation of elves are born into the belief that a life of servitude is the only option and wizards are only too happy to take advantage of this. It's just so easy to say 'oh but they like it!' when really, they've been given no other opportunity."
Hermione brightened considerably, "Exactly!"
Hermione and Jasper had sparked on their similar interests and Harry looked on with curiosity. He couldn't put his finger on it, but there was something about Jasper that made Draco seem like a more viable option.
"I can't believe he still looks as good as he does. I would have thought he'd look like a troll after all the Malfoys had been through," Pansy Parkinson stated as she flipped through the pages of Witch Weekly.
After the war, Pansy had been quick to disassociate herself from her old Hogwarts flame. Being involved with a former Deatheater would do no good for her status and that was her main concern. It was this philosophy that had Pansy once again gaining an interest in Draco Malfoy.
"Did you hear that the Granger mudblood is working for them now as their lawyer?" Daphne Reddenhurst (formerly Greengrass) replied lazily. They had formed a common bond as gold diggers and they were currently lounging in the sauna that was one of the many amenities of the Reddenhurst mansion.
"Pooky met with the lot of them a few weeks ago," she said, fanning herself with a towel.
Pansy returned her attention to the cover of the magazine, "Maybe it's time I pay darling Draco a visit," she said with a wicked grin.
A/N- Soooooooooo…..there was a heat-up and then a cool-down between Hermione and Draco. Don't be too mad!! What good is a love affair without torment and strife?? And Pansy is back!! Let me know what you think, I love the feedback it keeps me going! Please review!!!