Chapter 11

Draco was chatting distractedly with his father about his latest business deal when Hermione walked in.

He had to fight hard to keep his composure as she sauntered towards him on her silver pumps and in a enticing green dress. It looked a lot like the dress his father got her years ago, only more decent. Well, slightly more decent anyway.

Lucius noticed his son's reaction and smirked. This was going to be fun...

Hermione saw his smirk and knew she had to step up to the game. She would be the best dinner guest he'd ever seen, even if it killed her. It wouldn't hurt to have some fun in the process though...

"Draco", she greeted, playing with D around her neck. "Mister and Mrs. Malfoy. Thank you for your invitation."

Draco didn't trust his voice just yet, so he offered her his arm to guide her to the table. She took it happily and couldn't resist the urge to give him a little squeeze.

"You're welcome", Draco's mother answered, "We're glad you came. Please call me Narcissa."

Narcissa truly seemed happy to be hosting a dinner again, even if it was just for her. Gracefully Hermione nodded to her in acknowledgement.

"What a lovely necklace", Lucius said before she could answer his wife. He looked as smug as ever and Hermione didn't like it one bit. She felt like he wanted to toy with her and she wouldn't stand to be manipulated.

"Thank you", she smiled sweetly, "It's an exact replica. I carry it with me everywhere I go."

Draco took a quick swish of his Firewhisky and her eyes twinkled with mirth.

"Interesting", Lucius deadpanned, raising his eyebrow at his son.

He knew that there was something special about the jewelry, but he couldn't figure out what it was that made it so. He was certain that Draco had given it to her in the past and tonight, he wanted to remind her of her attraction to him. He had a bet to win...

He decided that a direct approach would be more favourable. She was a Gryffindor after all, not quite known for their refinement. Let's bring out that fiery red passion...

"Thank you for the dress", she told him nicely. "Not my usual style."

"It should be", he leered, "You always looked... slightly better in that colour."

She narrowed her eyes at the older wizard, but managed to contain her temper. Draco fidgeted nervously with his drink next to her. He knew instinctively that this was going to be his most uncomfortable dinner in years.

"A lot has changed", she managed to say primly.

"Indeed", he smirked, "But not everything. I bet Draco would love to take you to the theatre again. You've been sleeping in his house the last few days after all. And dare I say, maybe even in his bed?"

Hermione decided she wouldn't let him goad her and took a bite of her appetiser with scampi.

"Are you implying that you're son would go after a married woman Sir?", she fired back.

Draco all but buried his face in his plate, looking neither at her nor at his father.

"Not at all", Lucius answered unfazed. "But one can't help but wonder..."

"Don't worry Sir", she answered coolly, "I won't be a treat to his virtue for much longer. I'll be returning home tonight after dinner."

She actually hadn't planned to go home again before the end of the week, but she figured she might as well. She knew she wasn't ready to let Ron go and staying with Draco was becoming more and more... dangerous.

For a moment she was sure she saw disappointment flash over Lucius' face, but when she blinked, it was gone.

"So, Madam Minister...", Narcissa started, diverting her attention.

"Hermione", she interrupted, carefully spooning up some soup.

"Hermione", the older witch smiled, "Any interesting projects you're working on at the Ministry?"

"Yes actually", she answered. "We've been working on a new course at Hogwarts to give young witches and wizards a better perspective on wizarding culture, both mainstream and ancient pureblood. We're also working on a project to help them understand what happened in the War, what caused it and why it should never happen again."

"Fascinating", Narcissa nodded, "It might even have an effect on the number of cases of racism and discrimination."

"That's the idea", Hermione said very pleased. "We're going to have four guest speakers, people who were there. I'm only still looking for a former Death Eater."

"No", Draco spat as she smiled sweetly at him.

First she told him that she was leaving him, errr... his house, out of the blue and now she expected this favour of him? Nope, hell to the no. Not that he would do it anyway of course...

Hermione's face fell a little as she digged into her duck à l'orange.

"That wasn't very polite Draco", his mother scolded him.

"Apologies Mother", Draco answered, "But Hermione and I have had this discussion before."

"Really", Lucius drawled, "You actually want Draco for this? He wasn't even a real Death Eater."

Surprised she looked up from her plate and Draco's head jerked up as well.

"Excuse me?", he sputtered.

"Apologies accepted", Lucius smirked jokingly.

"How was he not a real Death Eater?", Hermione asked curiously.

"He never believed in the cause", Lucius started.

"How would you know?", Draco interrupted.

"He never got anything out of it", Lucius continued as it his son hadn't spoken.

"Yes I did", Draco sputtered, refering to Hermione as his prize for letting the Death Eaters into Hogwarts.

"And he thwarted quite some plans with his Order Of The Serpent", Lucius finished undisturbed.

Draco paled and silence fell over the room.

"You... You knew?", Draco finally managed to choke out.

"Well of course I knew boy", Lucius answered, rolling his eyes. "I knew you weren't stupid, you could have gotten the Death Eaters into Hogwarts in your first week. So conclusion, you didn't want to. After my escape from Azkaban I saw you deliver a note to McGonagall, intercepted it and from there on end, I was sure."

"Why did you never tell me you knew?", Draco asked.

"I figured you'd tell me if you wanted me to know", Lucius shrugged.

"We could have used your help", Draco answered a little pained.

"You didn't need me, you lead your Order perfectly fine on your own", his father told him. "I have never been more proud of you."

Draco blinked, struck mute. It took some time for him to process the words he just heard, out of his father's own mouth. In front of witnesses nonetheless. His father... Father was proud... Proud of him... Hermione put her hand on his knee, but he barely noticed.

"Hermione dear", Narcissa suddenly said, "Someone gifted me some muggle literature. Would you like to join me for dessert in the little library to look at them?"

"Gladly", Hermione answered.

Gently she squeezed his knee and stood, leaving the room with Narcissa. She hoped Draco and his father would have a good talk.