Try as she might Hermione was unable to get the image of Draco naked on her couch out of her head. She couldn't decide it was because it was such a great image or such a shocking one. It was lunch time and the shop was quiet so Hermione went to the back office to check on the takings. Ginny came bursting in just a few minutes later.

"Hermione! He's here again! Malfoy!" she said. "Shall I tell him to get lost?"

"No!" Hermione answered and Ginny looked shocked at her abrupt answer. "Sorry, Ginny! He's here to see me about something."

"What about? What's going on, Hermione?" Ginny asked.

"I will tell you but right now I need to see Dra...Malfoy," Hermione corrected herself but Ginny's eyes narrowed.

"What can Draco Malfoy possibly be here to see you for?" Ginny persisted.

Hermione bit her lip, toying with the idea of telling Ginny. She wished Draco had used his brains and come after the shop had shut. Sometimes she was sure he did things just to make it awkward for her. Hermione guessed that he would secretly love it if Harry found out because he would love to annoy him and this arrangement with Hermione would most definitely do that!

"Come in ten minutes early tomorrow and I'll tell you. But it's confidential, Ginny so no blabbing it around to everyone!"

Ginny nodded. "Okay." She went to leave the office but then stopped and turned back to Hermione. "You're not in any trouble are you, Hermione?"

Hermione shook her head but her words weren't very reassuring. "Not yet." She stood up and went out to the shop. Draco was standing at the counter chatting to Laura who was giggling. Hermione approached them.

"Did you want to come through to the office?" she said and Draco turned to look at her, then he nodded. They took a seat and Hermione shuffled nervously.

"Ginny wants to know what's going on. I thought you might have come here later when the staff have left," Hermione said, trying not to sound accusing. He was here to give her a bucket load of money, after all!

"Tell her to mind her own business," Draco said, bluntly.

"Is that how you treat your staff? And more importantly is it how you treat your friends?" Hermione asked.

"Yes and I don't have any."

"I thought Blaise was both?"

"Maybe," Draco sounded sulky.

"What is it with the tough act? You aren't really as cold hearted as you make out," Hermione leant towards him. "I should know!"

"You have a strange effect on me," Draco answered and his eyes were suddenly looking deeply into hers making her catch her breath. She was surprised at how being close to him was making her feel and she wasn't sure she liked it. And his little comment, along with his recent change of attitude towards her made her wonder where this was going. This was supposed to be a business deal so why did they seem to be getting closer? Less businesslike?

"You have a strange effect on me!" Hermione said but not in the same tone Draco had used. Her tone implied that the effect he had on her was anything but good. Draco, far from being insulted, seemed pleased with her response and he grinned at her. He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of paper.

"Here's the bank draft." He handed it over casually and Hermione had to marvel at his attitude to such a large amount of money. She took it off him and stared at it – payee : Hermione Granger signed : Draco Malfoy – not Malfoy Enterprises. He really had withdrawn this from his private money! Just how much money did he have that he could give this much away out of his own account and not miss it? His voice made her look up at him. "Is it okay? That is the right amount isn't it?"

"Yes," Hermione's voice sounded breathy because she was finding it all a bit overwhelming. So she was going to help with the potion but that really did not equate to being leant this money.

"Are you sure? What's the matter?"

Hermione sniffed. "It's just such a lot of money and it's your own, not the business." She realized she was sounding pathetic and she gave him a grin. "I am very grateful...and just how much money do you actually have to be able to give this much away?" She watched for his reaction because certain subjects seemed to make this new and improved Malfoy revert to his old self.

"Did you want to know my account balance?" Draco asked and she pleased to see him smirk at her. "Stop being so grateful because I intend to get my money's worth out of you." He winked and then laughed at the disgusted look on Hermione's face. Ginny chose that exact minute to walk into the office. She took in Draco laughing and Hermione holding the bank draft and her face paled.

"What's going on, Hermione?"

"Nothing. What did you want?" Hermione asked. "I'm a bit busy."

"I can see that!" Ginny's eyes flashed and Hermione felt her stomach drop. This was going to end badly. "Are you giving him money?" Before Hermione could do anything Ginny reached over and grabbed the draft. Ginny's eyes widened as she read it. "How much? How can you afford to give him that much money, Hermione?"

"Ginny, this is none of your business!" Hermione stood up but Ginny had her wand out, pointing it at Draco.

"Why is Hermione giving you all that money?" she demanded of a bewildered Draco. She ripped the draft in half and Hermione gasped.

"Weaslette!" Draco stood and with one swift movement, grabbed Ginny's wand from her but Ginny didn't seem to care.

"Leave Hermione alone you creep! Leave the shop now and don't come back. She will never give you money again!" Ginny finished with a grand flourish and if she hadn't been so horrified, Hermione would have applauded her speech. Draco stared at Ginny for a moment before stepping over to her and grabbing her shoulders. Ginny tried to shake him off but he was too strong and he manoeuvred her around and pushed her down in the chair he had just vacated.

"Do you want me to tell her?" he looked over at Hermione who nodded. They would have to tell her now!

He snatched the two halves of the draft from Ginny's hands and held them back together in front of her face. She turned her face away. "I don't want to see it! I've seen enough, thanks!"

"Look at it properly," Draco instructed. "Read it, properly. Who's giving who money?"

Ginny did as he asked and she gasped before turning to Hermione. "He's giving you money? Why? Don't tell me he's buying the shop!"

"Well I was going to explain tomorrow but you haven't given me the chance, have you?"

"I'm not working for him!" Ginny exclaimed and Hermione could have cheerfully slapped her.

"Ginny! You're acting like a child!"

"And Draco bloody Malfoy is giving you money? Have you forgotten who he is, Hermione! What's he giving you money for? And what about Harry?"

Hermione walked over to her friend. "Joshua wants his money back and he won't wait. He wants me to sell the shop." She saw Ginny's face drop. "Draco needs my help with a potion and getting some special ingredients. We have made an arrangement that suits us both where I help him and he lends me the money to buy Joshua out. I then pay Draco back a little bit at a time." Hermione lied a little, not wanting to have to tell Ginny any details about the potion. "This way, I get to keep the shop."

Ginny stood up and put her hands on her hips. "How very convenient."

"What does that mean? Do you want me lose the shop?"

"I don't suppose Harry's going to be very happy about being in partnership with HIM!"

"He's not in partnership with him! Draco is lending ME the money, he doesn't own the shop!"

"If Potter has a problem I'll buy his share as well," Draco said and Hermione glared at him.

"Yeh, well that's your answer to everything isn't it? Throw you're ill gotten money at a problem and it will go away," Ginny turned to Hermione. "I thought better of you, Hermione! Well, I won't work somewhere that HE has anything to do with. I resign!"

"Ginny!" Hermione exclaimed. "Why are you being so unreasonable?"

Ginny turned, her hand holding the door open. "I'm not the one doing a deal with the devil, AM I?" She walked out, slamming the door and Hermione felt a little chill because Ginny had used the exact words that Hermione had thought of herself the other day.

Oh dear! Things can't run too smoothly can they? That'd be boring! Go on give a little review. x