Friday

She woke up two hours before her alarm with a smile on her face despite the early start. As soon as she woke up properly she realised the form next to her was not the man she had been dreaming of, but in fact a rather large pillow lying next to her in the bed. Her smile faded and she dragged herself out of bed and made a large coffee before feeding Crookshanks.

She couldn't Floo to the Manor until 9am so she washed, dressed and went to the Ministry to organise the paperwork for Malfoy to sign. She was aware this could be the last time they would talk to one another for some time – if he was even at the Manor today. The work would be finished, there was nothing left for her to do. No reason for her to go back. No reason to continue their conversations. And she hated it. And she hated that she hated it.

The paperwork was the sign off ending their week together. As soon as his signature was on the parchment she would leave and not know when they would speak again.

Maybe it was better that they didn't speak again, or see one another. It would be easier for her. The more time she spent with him the more time she wanted to be around him so she assumed the less time she spent around him, the less she would want to see him.

That's what it had to be. That's the way it had to go. She had to distance herself from him because if she didn't, she didn't know what would happen and the unknown terrified her.

.x.

Draco was waiting for her at the Fireplace at 8.55am. He had a meeting at 9.30am with Kingsley at the Ministry so was dressed in traditional robes which he hated but he didn't have time to change. He wanted to talk to her as soon as he could, to make sure he would see her before her team completed the work. He wanted an excuse to see her and to see how she was, whether last night was still on her mind as it had been for him.

She had left so suddenly he didn't know if he had offended her or whether she was just trying to get away from him. He had had the urge to kiss her so many times throughout the night but settled for gently rubbing her arm, sitting just that bit too close on the couch. He was worried he may have scared her off.

At 9am prompt the whush of the Fireplace snapped him out of his thoughts and out walked Hermione Granger. Hair in loose curls around her head, smart pencil cut black trousers and a red sleeveless blouse with small daisy's patterned on it, black kitten heels making her stand taller and making her legs longer. They stared at each other for a few seconds before she smiled and pushed her hair behind her ear, taking a few steps towards him. His stomach lurched. There was no denying it any longer. He wanted her. The more time he saw her the more time he wanted to see her.

They had gotten on so well he hoped she felt the same, but she seemed so guarded. It shouldn't surprise him really. He was either going to make a complete fool of himself today, or he hoped his gut instinct was right and she felt the same.

"Morning." He said with a small smile.

"Good Morning."

'You look smart, Granger."

"I have a meeting later on so..." She shrugged.

"Oh... Final Day." He stated.

"Yes, final day." She responded,

"What time do you think it will be complete?" he pressed. How long did he have to finish his meeting and get back to talk to her, is what he meant.

"I think maybe lunch time by the time we pack everything away. I'll make sure everything is cleared correctly and sign everyone out." She crossed her arms over the chest and relaxed her weight onto one foot.

"Great." He gave her a small smile which she returned. Then there were a few moments more of silence as he continued to look at her, waiting for something from her, but nothing came. "I have a meeting soon." She nodded saying nothing. "I'll try make it quick to come back and finalise things."

"It's okay. I can handle it." She was being so serious with him.

"I know you can Granger." He stepped towards her closing the distance between them. "You left rather quickly last night." He enquired. He needed her to loosen up. He didn't have much time left before he had to leave.

"Yes it was getting late." Suddenly the Fireplace roared to life. The team had arrived for the day, noisily filing into the entrance hall.

He touched her arm and guided her further down the entrance hall away from the voices. He had his back to the crowd of people but her eyes kept darting over his shoulder at them. He was no more than one pace away from her now. He lowered his voice so only she could hear. "Did I say something to upset you?"

"No." That was it. It took a few seconds but her face softened and she spoke again, quietly. "No of course not." She shook her head slowly and smiled. "I just had some paperwork to do before today."

"Of course you did. There was me thinking I had ruined our fresh start somehow."

"No. Not at all." Her eyes were flitting between his; left, right, left, right. "It's... It's just been a strange week." She said dropping her hands by her sides, removing the barrier her arms created.

"Strange?" he questioned.

"It's just been different than what I expected." She looked at his lips as she spoke and grazed her bottom lip with her teeth.

"Good, different?" He inched closer slowly closing the distance between them so they were a fingers touch away. He didn't hear anyone else in the room. Just the sound of her breathing.

"Yes. Good different." She whispered.

"Good." He reached out with his right hand and touched her left hand with his fingers. He couldn't stop himself. He felt her fingers respond and glide across his palm. She was so close to him. Her vanilla scent was pulling him further into her. He dipped his head slowly as she closed her eyes and breathed out his name. "Draco."

They were millimetres apart when a loud crash startled them. Draco swung his body round quickly, arm extended and wand at the ready waiting for the attack, but none came.

"Sorry!" a young dark haired wizard said holding up his hands in apology. Below him one of the large metal cases had fallen and it's contents strewn across the parquet flooring. As he started to collect all the fallen objects back into the case, Draco turned back around to see Granger walking quickly away from him out of the main door into the grounds.

"Fuck." He cursed under his breath. He nearly kissed her and she was about to let him. He wanted nothing more than to run after her and pick up where they left off but if he didn't leave now he was going to be late to his meeting, and Kingsley was not someone you kept waiting.

"Fuck!" he shouted loudly this time. When he turned around the team were standing still looking over to him with worried looks on their faces. He wanted nothing more than to hex the lot of them, especially the younger wizard but he didn't have time. He would just have to rush his meeting in time to get back before they left for the day. He fixed them all with a stare and stormed past them, robes billowing behind him as she shouted his destination and was taken away by the flames.