Chapter 10

A/n: I am very very sorry for the late update; it has never been this long. My college has started and there's a whole lot going on. Just got my laptop back so I'll try to update regularly, I miss those days when I had time to write every day.

Tell me if I still got it; read and review.

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Hermione leaned in closer to hear what he was saying when Draco again mumbled something, but this time she knew what that something was; he had just whispered one word,

"Hermione".

Shocked, Hermione jerked away and saw a slightly dazed but awake Draco giving her a confused look. He again repeated," Hermione" but it sounded more like a question this time.

Hermione was confused as to what had just happened; 'was Draco mumbling my name in his dream or had he been awake all along' she mused. She focused on the now yawning Draco and thought that maybe she had misinterpreted the whole thing. She decided to ignore the butterflies that she had felt in her belly when Draco had whispered her name; it was just her empty stomach, she convinced herself.

Draco stretched his arms and sat with his body leaning on the headboard; his muscles flexed and his toned abdomen was in clear view. Hermione averted her eyes and tried not to look at the disheveled but extremely sexy blonde.

"So you are finally awake; thought I'd need a whole group of hippogriffs or banshees to wake you up", Hermione laughed.

"What can I say, I can never get enough sleep", he replied.

"Sweet dreams?" Hermione inquired with a cheeky grin.

"Well I dreamed that I was a billionaire with ravishing looks and the hottest body and the girls loved me. Oh my mistake, that was not a dream", Draco winked.

Hermione laughed, "You are so vain. I can't argue about the billionaire thing but who told you that you had ravishing looks and a hot body. I don't see anything special."

"If it isn't so special then why do you keep ogling my chest every few seconds", Draco asked.

Hermione blushed at having been caught and quickly changed the topic," your mother is here; she wanted to check on you. Get ready and come outside for breakfast, we are waiting."

With that she walked out of Draco's room leaving him to his thoughts. "it was a nice dream", he murmured," only the pretty brunette in my dream looked a lot like you Hermione." He sighed and got out of bed to get ready.

'Breakfast with mother and Hermione, this would be interesting.' With this thought he went into his shower and washed the evidence of his dream away.

Narcissa noticed how flustered Hermione was when she returned from Draco's room." What took you so long?" she enquired.

"umm nothing. It just took a little longer to wake him; he'll join us in a few minutes", Hermione answered.

"Well till then tell me something about yourself, not the things people know about the famous Hermione granger, just other regular stuff."

Hermione told Narcissa about her love for books and baking, her job at the ministry, the new law against discrimination against muggleborns, her addiction to chocolate and her friends.

"What about your dating life, you haven't said anything about a boyfriend."as soon as the words left her mouth, Narcissa immediately knew that she had asked the wrong question; Hermione had gone stock still and was now gripping the counter so tight that her knuckles had turned white.

Hermione breathed in a calming breath and decided that people were going to ask this question time and again and she couldn't run from it. "I just broke up with Ron Weasley a few days back", she replied in a soft voice.

Narcissa came up to her and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder and said," life can be very tough sometimes dear, things may not turn out the way you had planned them. But maybe there's a better plan out there, it may be what you actually need."

Hermione tried to smile but it looked more like a grimace," I am not sure I would like any other plan out there; I make my own plans. I don't believe in fate or destiny, divination was my least favorite subject."

Narcissa gave her a knowing look and said," Time will change your say about it, you'll see. You will find the man who is destined for you. Your fate will take you where you really belong."

Hermione gave her a doubtful look," Oh lord, you sound like professor trewany."

Narcissa giggled," I am not a seer but I have a lot of experience in these matters, I dated a lot in Paris; it was fun and it always annoyed Draco."

Hermione smiled," And you like to annoy him?"

Narcissa giggled like a child," Oh you have no idea how much fun it is. Every time I decide to go on a date, he gets all fatherly with me. Try annoying him sometime; there's nothing better in this world."

They both laughed just as Draco came from his room. "What is so funny?"he asked.

They both stopped laughing and said in unison," nothing".

Draco decided to ignore their guilty faces and asked," so what's for breakfast, I am starving."

They settled down on the small dining table outside the kitchen and started breakfast. The conversations were light and each seemed to enjoy the pancakes as well as the company. When the breakfast was finished and the dining table cleared, Narcissa begged her leave.

"What's the hurry, you should stay a little longer" Hermione said.

Narcissa smiled at her new friend and smiled," I would love to, but I have a lunch date and I need to look good."

Hermione almost laughed on the look Draco got when cissa said the word date; it seemed like he had tasted something bitter.

Draco coughed, "A Date? But you just got back. Mother these flings are just an excuse for you to have your stupid break up parties, I am not sure I like it."

Before Narcissa could reply, Hermione asked," Breakup parties?"

Narcissa replied," well you see, every time I break up with someone, I celebrate it. It's my personal tradition where I party with all my girlfriends to celebrate my freedom. It is just one looser down from your list. I celebrate it in a way to thank lord that I was not stuck with the looser anymore."

Draco said in an impatient voice," mother you need to slow down, I can't even count the number of boyfriends you had in the past three years."

Before Narcissa could teach her son who was the parent, Hermione asked,"I think I am going to have a breakup party."

Draco gaped while Narcissa beamed," Oh it will be wonderful, all your girlfriends and loads of alcohol. Very good decision Hermione."

"No, very stupid decision Hermione", with that he took her arm and pulled her towards the side of the room. " What are you thinking, a breakup party! Are you insane? You tried to take your life because of this breakup and now you think that you can celebrate it. My mother may seem to enjoy it but you won't be able to celebrate it."

Hermione calmly explained," Maybe this is what I need Draco. I can't cry all my life for it, I need to just let it go so that it doesn't hurt so much. I know I can do it, have faith in me."

Draco looked in her eyes and said," I have faith in you Hermione, I just don't want to see you getting hurt. If you really want to do this then you have my support."

Hermione saw the sincerity in his eyes and said," you are a good friend Draco, I am glad you are here." With that she hugged him which surprised him more than her words.

Narcissa looked at the whole exchange and smiled, they both were perfect together. ' There is definitely a spark there, I just need to build it to a fully fledged fire, 'she thought.

Draco and Hermione parted and walked towards Narcissa who was ready to floo. She turned to Hermione and said "Tell me if you need any help with the party, I must leave now." She kissed both of them on their cheeks and then flooed away.

Hermione smiled," I think I really like your mother Draco."

Draco chuckled," Good, now bearing her will be easier for you. You haven't seen anything yet, my mother is a whole lot colorful than this; just wait and watch."

"You make her sound like a devil. Now I need to plan my breakup party, I think I'll have it this weekend. I need to invite my friends, half of them wouldn't know about the break up."Hermione said.

"When are you going to tell the potters? When are they coming back?" Draco asked.

Hermione sighed,"I think they'll be back this week. I guess I am scared about telling them. Ron is Harry's best mate and ginny is his sister, I don't want to lose them."

"You can never lose them Hermione. They love you and I think it's time that you tell them."

Hermione sighed," I think I'll write them a letter, I don't think they will receive it but I guess I need to try."

Draco said," I need to go to the ministry to get some formalities fulfilled for my business. I think Blaise and Luna might pop in some time so you'll have company. See you later."

With a smile he apparated away and Hermione dragged herself to her room to write the fateful letter.

/slash scene/

Draco apparated outside the ministry and walked in through the secret door. Not much had changed since he had last been here but it still felt different. People started staring as he made his way through the lobby. He was famous, rich and powerful; he moved in a graceful aristocratic manner that gave him many appreciative sighs from the passing witches and many had started to follow him already.

He moved to the law enforcement office where he had to get some documents signed and sealed. He walked to the head of the department's office and knocked.

"Come in", a jolly voice answered from inside. Draco entered in the neat and roomy office and looked at the middle aged man who stood up and shook his hand," hello Mr. Malfoy, my name is Edward Ross and I am the head of the department. What can I do for you?"

Draco replied, "I needed the documents that I had sent earlier for approval. I had corresponded with the minister and he had said that this was the last formality and then I could start the business."

Mr. Ross looked a little uneasy," I am very sorry Mr. Malfoy but one of my subordinates is in charge of the documents submitted here and we are unable to reach her. I have tried flooing her but I have been unsuccessful. I assure you that you'll receive the documents within this week, as soon as I can get in touch with her."

Draco had a hunch that he was talking about Hermione so he asked," Mr. Ross, is there a chance that you are talking about Hermione Granger?"

"well yes, how did you guess? She is a very responsible employee and it's the first time something like this has happened. Her floo is blocked, her boyfriend doesn't know where she is. I just hope she is not in trouble."Mr. Ross replied.

Draco clearly saw Mr. Ross's concern and so he said,"Hermione is fine Mr. Ross. She had some personal issues so she was out of touch. I will tell her to contact you. I must leave now, thank you for your time." He shook his hand and walked out of the office.

Draco had almost reached the lift and was waiting for it to open when a witch ran up to him with a bunch of mails. "Mr. Ross has asked if you could please give Hermione these mails."

Draco nodded and took the letters from the girl and turned to the lift. The lift stopped at the floor and the doors opened with a bang and out came none other than, Ron Weasley.

A/n: I loved the response to the last chapter and I would like it to continue. I will update in every 2 days from now on.

Please read and review. Spread the word if you like this story so that other people also read it. I was not very confident while writing this chapter as it had been a long while since I last wrote so bear with me please.

Lots of love

Ash