Monday morning found her hunched over a conference room table with Theo and Blaise. The long oval desk had papers haphazardly strewn over it and notes jotted down on any spare piece of parchment they could get their hands on.

They were constantly asking for "that one piece of paper I just had" and they would shuffle through it all again.

Hermione asked on no less than three occasions if it might be worth it to stop and organize their files to which they had both waved her off. Apparently, they thrived in this chaos.

She did not.

She had piled her hair on top of her head in a messy knot, a nervous habit and after about 30 minutes on her feet, she had kicked her heels off and now stood in her pencil skirt and blouse, barefoot.

She jotted something down and then shoved the quill into her bun, afraid she might lose it amongst the junk that was littering the table.

"So, the raised tax on Dragonhide goods? How much did we anticipate that to generate each year? Could we propose that we allocate those funds towards the Sanctuary?" Hermione asked, brushing a loose curl behind her ear.

"Brilliant, Granger. Truly. Ok, hand me that parchment," Hermione made a face and handed over her notes to Theo. He scribbled on the bottom his thoughts and she scrunched his nose.

He was sloppy. She didn't like sloppy.

"Shit, I've got to run out," Blaise said staring at his timepiece, "I forgot I had a meeting with the hen."

"Hen?" Hermione tilted her head.

"You so aptly named Lady Greengrass the Mother Hen last time, I thought it was appropriate enough to stick," he winked at her and she blushed in good natured fun.

"Drinks tonight? Theo?" Theo nodded absently and Blaise's eyes fell to Hermione, "Granger? Drinks? We can go over this mess one last time?"

"Oh, um, sure! Sure, ok," she stammered.

"Most brilliant witch of our age, my ass," he grumbled to himself and she couldn't help but have a laugh, "Tonight! Hawthorne! 6:00!" he had his cloak in his hand and was pointing at Theo and herself and jogging out the door.

Blaise Zabini had to be the most charming son-of-a-you-know-what that she'd ever met. He was horribly crass and abrasive but somehow it added to his allure. Not that she would ever see him in a way other than an oddball friend or rather, acquaintance, but it was interesting to watch him.

The Floo roared to life and Theo cursed.

"Shit," he hissed, "Is it really after lunch already? I've a meeting with the Prime Minister of Romania. Can you run into Draco's office and grab me the file I placed on his desk? It's labeled Dragonheart."

The Floo alerted again, flaring up in a green flame.

"Please, this call is so bloody important. I just placed it there this morning, it's on the right corner, ok? He won't mind."

Hermione grimaced as Theo turned towards the Floo with a bright, "Prime Minister! How are you?!"

She took one last look and bit her lip.

She padded barefoot out of the conference room and peeked about the lobby. No sign of any blonde haired snakes ready to slap her hand for snooping.

Her hand paused over his door knob and she took in a sharp breath, gathering all her courage.

His office was tidy. Nothing like the train wreck the boys and her had created in the conference room. The colors were rich and she was surprised not everything was draped in emerald colored fabrics and silver furnishings.

Mostly, things were grey, but accented with gem tones that felt lavish and his desk was a deep cherry color with a shiny finish.

On the corner of his desk… was no file. She cursed to herself and heard Theo laughing obnoxiously, stalling time and asking about the Romanian Minister's wife.

She groaned and walked around his desk. There were no obvious files lying about, nothing that caught her eye and she certainly wasn't about to start snooping through her ex-lover's desk.

She grumbled to herself and turned to leave when the corner of a moving photograph caught her eye. It was slid underneath a desk calendar that took up nearly his entire desk and it gave her pause.

There was something about it that struck her as so vaguely familiar she couldn't quite place it and without giving it much thought her hand reached out and slid the photograph from its hiding place.

It nearly took her breath away and she felt her throat constrict.

There she was, laying back on the fresh sheets of her hotel in Cartagena. it was the first photo she took, the one she laid on her nightstand and had almost sent to her friends. But she had changed her mind and decided to send them one of her in the sun. It was the one she thought she must have left or tossed or misplaced.

But it was here. Safe. In Draco Malfoy's office. She swallowed slowly and held the photograph in two hands. Why had he taken it? Why was he storing it here?

A throat cleared from the doorway and her eyes darted up guilty.

Draco was standing there, his chin tucked down and staring at her with an unreadable expression.

"Help you, Granger?" he spoke in a low tone.

"I, um… I was looking for a file. Theo sent me in here for it. He said it's marked-"

"Dragonheart," Draco finished and held up a file that he had already been holding, "I took it with me to my meeting so I could go over his notes."

Theo appeared over his shoulder, "Bloody hell! Are you two trying to make me look like an idiot to this man?! Granger, where's the file?" he asked annoyedly.

"It's here, mate. Solid notes. I had no issue," he never took his eyes off Hermione and that blasted photograph. In her mind she was trying to think of a spell that would vanish it from her hands and put it back where it belonged, but it was too late. He knew what she was holding.

Theo snatched the file folder from Draco and walked back to the conference room.

"I should go," she clipped and realized she was still holding the photograph of herself. She set it down on the corner of the desk and moved quickly to leave, her bare feet seeming even more inappropriate now than they had a few minutes ago.

His hand shot out and gently grasped her forearm as she passed him and she gasped at the sudden and unexpected touch. She had almost forgotten how his skin felt against hers and it brought back a rush of memories she tried so hard to lock away.

He turned his face towards her and inhaled deeply.

"You can take the photograph, if you want," he whispered and she felt his breath brush the loose curls on the nape of her neck that had come loose from her top knot.

"Why on earth do you have it, Draco?" tears welling in the corners of her eyes; eyes that were fixed on the floor.

She could see one side of his face pull up from the corner of her vision, "Just wanted to be able to see you."

The vulnerability of his confession left her wanting.

Married. Married. Married.

"You can keep it," she gulped and left him standing there in his office as she returned to the conference room.

Theo was in the middle of his conversation and she sat at the table covered in parchment. She stared at the pieces of a design that might be her undoing. She was beyond walking through fire, she was dancing with it. She didn't know how to back out now and she wasn't sure she wanted to.

She didn't want to be Draco Malfoy's mistress. Not in the slightest. But she wasn't sure she didn't want him in her life at all. Maybe there truly was a way to keep him as a friend. To lock up the feelings that were constantly pulling her down and enjoy a casual, working relationship with him.

But then, he entered the conference room, jacket off and rolling up the sleeves of his button up. He loosened his tie as he approached the table and ran a lazy hand through his hair.

She laughed to herself and shook her head.

He looked at her with confused eyes and mouthed, "What?", completely oblivious to his affect on her.

She shook her head and smiled to herself. She began organizing the papers in front of her, Theo and Blaise be damned.

They had worked straight through lunch and Hermione was starving. She needed to head back into work to finish a few things but she decided to stop for some take away.

She rounded the corner to a small cafe and popped in quickly. She ordered a salad and leaned against the counter, waiting on her order.

The morning left her drained. Not only were they preparing a massive presentation, but she also couldn't help but feel like Draco siphoned energy from her, leaving her with none left for herself.

She wondered if that chemistry that surged between them would ever dull. She hoped, in time, that they could work together as needed without issue.

She looked up as some motion caught her eye in her peripheral.

"Ginny?" she asked, surprised. Ginny didn't look so hot… Her skin was pale and her hand was ghosting over her lips, "Are you feeling okay?"

"Hermione," she smiled weakly, "I'm alright. Just feeling a bit nauseous, actually."

"Oh no! A stomach bug? You didn't eat here did you?" she laughed, "I just ordered something…"

"Oh no, I'm sure it's something I ate earlier. How are you?"

"Doing okay… just left Malfoy's office."

"How's that going? I can't imagine it's easy working with him normally… given your set of circumstances, I'd say it's impossible."

"Sometimes, it feels that way. Other times, I feel like I just want to be near him… even if it's as a colleague. I don't know…" she gulped, feeling insecure in her confession.

"It's ok… for it to feel complicated in a way you can't really understand. Just be careful… I'm not sure you were meant to be someone's mistress. You deserve better."

"Oh, nothing like that, Gin. I just feel… sad. Anyway, enough about me! How are you? How's the team?"

"Teams great! I'm getting some actual play time and practices are tough but I love it. I know Harry's jealous," she grinned.

"I bet!"

"You still need to make it to one of my games! I'm not giving up!"

"You know I don't like Quidditch," she made a face.

"Yes, but you like me!"

"Take out for Her-mi-one," the clerk called out, managing to butcher it, even though he sounded it out.

She rolled her eyes, "That's me! I'll see you, Gin!"

"See you."

Hermione couldn't shake the feeling that something was up with her dear friend and made a note to check in with her tomorrow.

She entered the Hawthorne and approached the Maitre'D, "Hermione Granger, I'm meeting some associates?"

"Of course, Miss. Please, just this way."

The dining room was surprisingly busy for a weeknight and she thought she recognized a few former classmates, not Gryffindors, up near the bar. The host led her effortlessly through the crowds to a table near the center, where not two but three men awaited her presence.

That had been foolish of her, not to assume that Draco would be joining them as well.

"Your party, Miss," he nodded elaborately and gestured towards the table.

"Thank you," she smiled warmly at him and Theo and Draco both stood to pull her chair, but Draco beat him to it by a fraction of a moment, "Gentlemen," she greeted the table, "Thank you," she said as Draco took his seat again.

"Granger, what are you drinking?" Blaise asked, never having moved from his seat.

"Oh, just a butterbeer is fine. Thank you."

All three of their eyes widened so large they looked at risk of their eyeballs just rolling right out of their heads.

"You're not having a butterbeer," Blaise finally retorted, "Anything but a butterbeer. You're not 15, for Merlin Sake," he was leaned back in normal relaxed pose, one arm rested on the arm of the chair and the other swirled a rocks glass of some presumably very expensive amber liquid.

She narrowed her eyes at him, "I don't care. Butterbeer was an easy choice, if you care that much, order whatever you like."

The waitress walked over and Blaise opened his mouth with a wicked glint in his eye but Draco spoke first.

"A bottle of your finest Champagne," he paused and looked at Blaise, "Make it two, please."

Both Blaise and Hermione snapped their heads to him.

"It's a compromise and also, we're celebrating," he grinned at the three of them.

"Celebrating?" Hermione's brows drew together.

"As of today, after Theo spoke with the Minister of Romania… we officially have the backing of the majority of delegates at MEU. Our proposal should pass," his eyebrows lifted and Hermione saw actual joy touch his eyes.

She squealed and clapped her hands together before reaching out to him. As if it were a habit, he opened his palm to her and took her hand and squeezed it briefly. It had been only a moment but Blaise missed nothing and his eyes tightened.

"I can't believe this," she gushed and quickly released her hand, Draco noticing the slip as well and sitting up straight in his chair, "Thank you all. From the bottom of my heart, I couldn't have done this without you. When do we present?"

Theo spoke next, "Thursday, just before the Dragonheart Gala. We will be able to bring to them a fat check, a beautiful proposal and a hell of a media story. Hey, sounds just like your marriage, Draco. Except the proposal part," Theo ribbed him and Hermione and Draco stiffened.

She felt Blaise's calculating eyes on them, watching their every move.

The Champagne arrived and the first round slid down their throats easily and the next was poured… and the next.

They had moved on from the topic of the MEU and instead were trading Slytherin stories as Hermione almost doubled over in laughter.

They all gave Draco a lashing for losing his virginity to Millicent Bulstrode, which seemed to be an ongoing joke amongst them. They laughed at how Blaise had managed to light his own pants on fire during a dare and when they started to tell a story about Theo he reminded them that he had enough dirt on them both and they all shared a look, a laugh and then shut their mouths.

The first sign of his true Slytherin nature at work.

At first Hermione felt so odd amongst this very strange collection of men, but somehow after a few drinks, she forget that it had ever been weird in the first place.

On several occasions Draco and her shared lingering glances and she would feel a familiar blush climb up her neck.

They were just deciding if they should do just one more bottle when suddenly Theo and Blaise cut the laughter short and sat up straight. A ribbon of tension settling between the pair.

Hermione was confused as she looked over her shoulder to see the younger Lady Malfoy approaching the table.

She was wearing expensive robes with a giant diamond necklace that almost resembled costume jewelry it was so intricate, but Hermione knew it wasn't. Her golden hair was done in loose waves with one side pinned back with a diamond pin.

She looked stunning. Stunning and… unamused. Her mouth was drawn into a pucker and one perfectly manicured eyebrow was lifted high onto her forehead.

Draco looked at the three of them, unaware of his wife quickly approaching and made some jab at them that she didn't hear.

Well she couldn't hear.

She couldn't hear because the buzzing in her ears from the adrenaline was so intense that it felt like someone had injected a vial straight into her veins.

Finally, after so long that it was becoming painful, Draco looked over his shoulder. It was a frantic darting of eyes then as he panicked and looked at Hermione and she looked at Blaise and Blaise stared back at her wide eyes.

"Draco, dear," Astoria said sweetly, leaning down to kiss him on the cheek.

"Astoria," he drawled and grit his teeth, "What are you doing here?" he tried for more casual.

"Well, I was just up the road for my weekly girls dinner and ran into Tracy. She said she'd been here for drinks and saw you all and I just had to stop in and see for myself. Hello, Hermione," she nodded politely.

Hermione coughed at the simple greeting, choking violently on her Champagne. Theo moved to tap her on the back and Blaise spat out the champagne in his mouth, laughing hysterically.

"Sorry, wrong pipe," she continued coughing and wiping at her mouth like a savage.

"Wrong pipe?" Astoria made a face. Not a mean one…. Just a, 'whatinthebloodyhellareyoutalkingabout' kind of face.

"Muggle phrase, I guess," she winced.

"Ah," Astoria nodded politely, "Anyhow, I was just popping in to see if you aren't done with your…" she eyed the bottles of champagne and empty whiskey glasses disdainfully, "Work meeting? I thought you might escort me home."

Draco closed his eyes and licked his lips. He looked as if he were trying to focus and channel his energy somewhere.

"Of course," he finally breathed, "What kind of gentlemen could refuse?" he seemed to be genuinely asking, "Charge it to the business account," he nodded at Theo who seemed so confused that Hermione almost just blurted out the whole sordid history to make it easier on the poor bloke.

Draco stood and gestured that Astoria lead the way and followed her out. He stopped only once to look over his shoulder at Hermione and she quickly averted her eyes.

Blaise burst out into laughter again and lifted a finger to the waitress for another bottle whilst Hermione buried her face into her hands and groaned.

"Is someone going to tell me why in the hell that was just so awkward?"

"NO!" she shouted before Blaise could say another word and Blaise rolled his head back in laughter yet again.

The next day she walked into her office feeling only slightly fuzzy around the edges. She had taken some potions that morning to control the raging hangover, but they only dulled the ache. She still had a bit of nausea after only picking at some appetizers the boys had deemed suitable for dinner last night and what she desperately needed was a nap and a cheeseburger.

She would get neither.

As she pushed open the door, she was shocked to see a flash of red hair in her guest chair.

Ginny abruptly stood, looking frazzled and twitchy.

"Ginny? Is everything ok?"

"Yes, of course!" she rushed out, "I mean… no. No, it's not."

She sat down again and Hermione noticed a few tears roll down her cheek.

"Ginny… you're scaring me. What in Merlin's name has happened?"

"I… th-think I-I-I'm…"

"Yes, spit it out!"

"PREGNANT," and at that word she sobbed.

Hermione let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. She was worried someone had died or Ginny was sick. This was… unexpected, but fine. Her and Harry were meant to be.

"Ginny.." she cooed, "You'll be just fine! You'll see! A baby is a wonderful blessing. Think of your mum."

Ginny wailed louder and Hermione winced. She grabbed her wand and cast a silencing spell on the room.

"Hush now, we will figure this out," Hermione laid a hand on her friend's back trying to comfort her, "Does Harry know?"

"ABSOLUTELY NOT! Are you barking mad? He'll kill me!"

"What?! Harry will be thrilled!" she laughed.

"It's not the right time is all… he's just moved up from Junior Auror, his hours are insane. I'm finally taking off in Pro Quidditch, they've got me actually playing… not just subbing! Oh, I'm going to have to quit," she cried, "I can't believe we were so reckless!"

Hermione sighed, still not quite sure this situation called for quite so many theatrics. She resolved to just be supportive. No matter what.

"How can I help?"

"Well, I'm on my way to the Healer actually… I did a spell at home but I'm not telling Harry a thing until they've confirmed. Would you… come with me?" she pleaded with giant blue eyes.

Hermione groaned, thinking of her workload and her hangover and the emotional ginger that would be accompanying her.

"Of course," she smiled at her weeping friend, "Let me tell Beatrice I need to take a personal morning."

Ginny had arrived to the Women's Health and Birth Healer 10 minutes late since she had detoured to the Ministry to beg Hermione to tag along.

They sat in tense silence with Ginny whimpering every 30 seconds before they were abruptly whisked back to an exam room. Hermione turned her back as Ginny de-robed from the waist down and sat on an exam table with crunchy paper under her bottom.

"HERMIONE!" she yelped.

Hermione nearly jumped out of her skin, "What?!"

"I've left my bag! Oh, I'm so frazzled. Can you run out to the lobby?"

"Yes, of course," she breathed, "You need to take something for your anxiety," she poked at her playfully, "You're going to turn me gray over a bag. I'll be right back," Hermione rolled her eyes and strode down the hallway towards the lobby.

Ginny's bag was slumped next to the chair leg she had been sitting on and Hermione snatched it up and turned back towards her friend. As she rounded the corner, an exam room opened and she gasped as Astoria Greengrass exited and turned quickly to shake hands with the Healer.

She hadn't noticed her.

"I'd say, all things look perfectly, Missus Malfoy," the older healer boasted, "I look forward to seeing you very soon," the healer turned to return into the exam room but paused and said, "And, hey! Congratulations! There will be a new little Malfoy before know it!"

Hermione let out a burst of air as though the healer had just walked up and punched her in her diaphragm. Her hand shot up to rest on the wall as her already wobbly sense of balance waivered beneath her.

Pregnant.

Astoria Malfoy was pregnant.

Astoria turned then and her eyes fell on Hermione, who probably looked as though she was having a fit of some sort. Hermione's breaths were ragged and short and she didn't have the strength to put on a facade for this woman.

Astoria lifted her nose a little higher and gave Hermione a polite nod as she walked past.

Once she was out of sight, Hermione slumped to the floor, her back sliding against the wall.

She stayed there for awhile. Remembering how to breath again.

Until the healer walked into Ginny's room and Hermione gathered all the courage she could to just put one foot in front of the other.

She would be there for friend.

And she was. She held Ginny's hand during the exam and bit back a yelp as Ginny clenched her hand so tightly she thought her bones might snap. She then held her friend after the doctor confided that she was indeed pregnant and Ginny confessed she wasn't sure if they were happy or sad tears.

She put everything that had been happening with Malfoy so far in the back of her mind that it was just a mere prickle of uncomfortableness back there. It was less than the hangover. She could bear it if it were tucked that far back.

Ginny was in no shape to apparate and she begged Hermione to help her home. Hermione had agreed, still having a few hours left until lunch when she was due back.

They arrived with a POP outside the Burrow and immediately their guard was up. There was a swell of noise from inside the house and they shared a quick panicked look before rushing into the back door.

They could hear Molly crying loudly and they searched until they found her just in the front room.

She was standing up on her tiptoes, arms wrapped around her second oldest son. He was patting her back and laughing, trying to calm her down and she would start crying again every time he tried.

"You're home! You're home!" she rocked the pair of them. Charlie's ice blue eyes tilted up to Hermione and smiled, "Why didn't you tell me!"

Molly released him and slapped him rather hard on his broad shoulder and he playfully faked an injury.

"Charlie!" Ginny cried and ran into her brother's arms, "We've missed you," she squeezed him tightly to her. Hermione watched as Charlie stared curiously at his only sister as she only weeped. He had no idea that she was crying for such life altering reasons.

"Um, so I've heard," he laughed and set her down.

"How long are you here for?" Ginny asked, all her dramatic wailing trailing behind her.

"Open ended," his eyes flicked to Hermione.

"Oh, I've got to run and grab your father! He's going to lose his mind," Molly through her hands in the air and turned towards the den, "Ginny, contact the rest of your brothers and Fleur and Harry, of course. And oh, yes Hermione you too dear! Dinner tonight! We are going to celebrate!"

Molly looked the happiest Hermione could remember seeing her and Hermione brought her fingers up to her mouth to hide her giggle.

Ginny rushed off and Charlie was left with Hermione. Somehow, he seemed to take up all the room. He seemed too large for the Burrow and she wondered if that's why he was living half a world away.

"You're home," she blushed.

"Aye," he walked up towards her, "You told me I should come. I came."

"That simple? You shouldn't let me boss you around so," a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. She forgot how simple it was to be in Charlie's presence. No marriage contracts and blood oaths. No pregnant wives and snarky friends.

"Eh, could be worse," he shrugged, "I'm actually here to help on your Dragon sanctuary. They were going to send Davidson, but I was able to get an override. Might have played up the family drama a bit," he whispered.

She giggled, "It's really good to see you."

"It's good to see you," his eyes tightened and he shoved his hands in his pockets, "Can I take you to dinner?" he asked bluntly.

She thought about it for a moment before laughing to herself, "I have dinner plans."

"Oh…"

"As do you. Your mother just invited the entire Weasley horde over to celebrate your arrival. She might flay you if you aren't present."

Charlie winced, "Good point," he laughed, "Any night. Any night you are free in the foreseeable future."

Hermione bit her lip while she thought about it. She wasn't known for making brilliant decisions after heartbreaks and lots of alcohol. Both of which she had suffered in the last 24 hours.

"Ask me tomorrow. Ok?" she said coyly.

"You got it," Charlie grinned proudly, as if she'd already said yes. And, she supposed, by not saying no, she kind of had.