At closing time time Laura brought Hermione a letter that had been hand delivered. Hermione opened it immediately.

Granger,

As soon as you've got rid of lover boy, come over to my offices.

It's the best place to explain the potion and show you what we've done so far.

Dinner's on me so don't eat beforehand.

Malfoy.

PS Don't walk down any dark alleyways! In fact don't walk just apparate straight here.

The last comment made Hermione chuckle a little. She felt excited to be visiting his business premises. She hadn't been lying beforehand when she said she was nosey. She looked down at what she was wearing and wondered if she had time to change then she felt annoyed at herself. Why was she worrying what she looked like?

It suddenly struck her that she was about to find out what this mysterious potion did! That was when the door knocked and she went to let Joshua in. She had her own bank draft in her pocket now, so that Joshua wouldn't know that Draco had anything to do with it. After a quick hello, Hermione wasted no time in handing the draft to him. He also had some papers to sign which gave his share of the shop back to Hermione. Joshua did all this in silence before he took the draft and started scrutinizing it.

"What are you doing?" Hermione asked, impatiently.

"I'm just puzzled where you have suddenly got all this money from so quickly," Joshua said. "I hope you haven't done anything silly, Hermione?"

That was a matter of opinion, Hermione thought to herself. "I haven't done anything silly not that it's any of your business."

"It is my business! I don't want you in any trouble," Joshua said.

"What I do is absolutely nothing to do with you, Joshua. You're free of me forever, I release you of having to even think about me!" Hermione snapped at him. "But I have to point out that if I had done something silly, it would be because of you pressurizing me!"

"That's not fair!"

"Just leave Josh." Hermione held the door open and Joshua stared at her for a moment.

"I'm sorry it's had to come to this...if ever you need me..."

"You've got to be joking!" Hermione couldn't keep the disbelief from her voice. Joshua looked at her sadly for a moment before turning and leaving. Hermione locked the door behind him and then leant against it. For a moment she felt unbelievably sad but then it struck her that she was free! She was no longer tied to Joshua in any way! Instead she was tied to Draco Malfoy! Was that actually better?

Ten minutes later she was staring at the imposing building that contained Draco's offices. It was very old and ornate and you couldn't fail to be impressed by it. She told the receptionist that she was here to see Mr Malfoy and he called a young witch over who nodded politely at Hermione before leading her up numerous flights of stairs and along a wide corridor to a large door. She knocked and Hermione heard Draco call them in.

"I have Miss Granger here for you," the young woman said and then she stepped back to let Hermione through. Draco was sitting behind a large desk that was in the corner of the room. Hermione glanced round at her surroundings and she had to admire the tastefulness of the decor and the obvious quality of the furniture. Draco stood up and walked towards some sofa's that were placed at the opposite corner to his desk. He indicated for Hermione to follow him and they both took a seat.

"How did it go?" Draco asked. "Was he reasonable?"

"Yes." Hermione didn't feel like divulging the entire conversation. It was over and she wanted to forget about it.

"Good." Draco poured two drinks from a pot on the table. Hermione took a sip but it was far too strong and she hastily added some more milk.

"Wow! That's strong!" she said. "Are you trying to cure a hangover?"

Draco narrowed his eyes at her. "It was a business dinner, I wasn't drunk."

"I can't imagine you drunk!" Hermione said and Draco stared at her again.

"Am I in your imagination a lot then, Granger?" Draco asked with a smirk and Hermione sighed loudly.

"You're in my nightmares!"

"Liar."

"How can you be so arrogant? Looks aren't everything, Malfoy!"

Draco grinned at her. "That's what ugly people say."

Hermione glared at him. "I just said it!" she exclaimed but Draco just chuckled. "Are you going to explain the potion to me or not?"

Draco seemed to look surprised for a minute as if he'd forgotten that's what she was here for. "Yes but let's eat first."

"Oh, don't worry about that, I can eat later," Hermione said. She didn't want Draco thinking she needed a babysitter.

"Are you turning down my offer of a hot date?" Draco asked with a grin.

"This isn't a hot date is it? It's a business arrangement," Hermione said, primly. Draco stood up and started to remove his jacket. "What are you doing?" Hermione asked.

"I'm becoming less business like and more hot date like..." Draco threw his jacket on the sofa and started undoing his tie and Hermione stared at him in astonishment. "Do you want to undo my shirt buttons or shall I?" Hermione spluttered and then she saw the glint in his eyes. He was just goading her, thank goodness! Draco's face broke into a wide grin. "I should have carried that on a bit longer, you should have seen your face! I could have asked you to help with unzipping my trousers!" Hermione couldn't help it and she burst out laughing. She couldn't be annoyed at him because he was being so amusing and it really surprised her that he could be like this. What happened to the sneering arrogance? She knew it was still there but this was refreshing. Afterwards, she wasn't quite sure what came over her but part of her just wanted to show Draco that she wasn't the same, shy girl she had been at school and that she could match his teasing. So she only hesitated for one moment before standing and walking over to him. She stood really close and she saw his expression change.

"How do you know I wasn't waiting for you to offer? How do you know I haven't been fantasizing about doing this?" Hermione said, not daring to look in his eyes because she probably wouldn't be able to pull this off if she did. She reached out and gently touched Draco's pristine white shirt and then slowly undid the top button. She saw Draco smirk – he knew she was just messing with him but she carried on anyway. She undid the next button and then a third. And then suddenly she felt something other than amusement. Draco was tall, her eyes were level with his collar bone and quite unintentionally she had now revealed some smooth, toned flesh for her to stare at. Hermione knew Draco was attractive, she wasn't blind but her mind had really not been in that place and thus far their entire interaction had been about her shop, Joshua and the potion. She suddenly had a whole new appreciation for him because, this close, he simply oozed sexiness. He smelt gorgeous as well and Hermione unconsciously leant closer. His clothes looked like it was the first time he had ever worn them, every crease perfect and exactly where it should be and this close, Hermione could see the toned muscles under his shirt. She suddenly had an overwhelming urge to run her hands over them but before she could put this thought into action she found her palms against his chest because he had stepped closer and slipped his arm around her waist pulling her against him. And that was when the adrenalin really kicked in because she could now feel those muscles she'd just been ogling pressed right up against her. She felt Draco lean her back just slightly as his other arm came around her as well and her breath caught in her throat as a wave of feeling washed over her, making her tingle.

There was a loud bang behind them as the large door swung open and Draco's eyes flashed angrily at the intruder.

"Draco...you'll never guess what I just saw at that little shop..." The woman's voice stopped abruptly and Hermione jumped away from Draco as if she'd been stung. Too late though. "What the hell? Who is this and why are you..."

"Astoria..." Draco stepped towards her, his voice soothing. Hermione stared at the intruder, her name having caught her attention. Was this Astoria Greengrass? From school? She was dressed in a suit and was carrying a little clutch bag. She looked overdressed and her hair and make-up were just a little too perfect.

"What is going on here?" Astoria's voice was harsh and loud so Draco stepped over to the door, closing it quietly.

"Nothing, calm down," Draco appeared completely calm and Hermione wished desperately that she did because her heart was racing at a hundred miles an hour. She stared at the two of them unable to speak.

"You were...she was..." Astoria stuttered, glaring at Hermione. Suddenly her face changed and she stepped towards Hermione who unconsciously stepped backwards. "Hermione Granger?"

"The one and only!" Draco said, stepping around Astoria and gently guiding Hermione close to her. "Hermione this is Astoria Greengrass, do you remember her from school?" Hermione nodded mutely not even able to form a smile. Draco continued regardless. "Astoria, this is Hermione whom I know you remember from school...after all who doesn't?" Hermione shot a glare at Draco but he ignored her. Astoria was eyeing her suspiciously but she appeared to have calmed down, obviously soothed by Draco's confident manipulation of the situation.

"What is she doing in your office..." Astoria asked, as if Hermione wasn't standing right in front of her.

"We are finalizing a business deal," Draco said. "I'd just spilt my coffee down my shirt when you came in. I have to change because Hermione and I are attending a business dinner tonight."

Hermione glanced over at Draco, who had indeed got a large stain on his shirt. When did that happen? Had he split it down himself on purpose?

"Mmm," Astoria let her icy gaze survey Hermione again. She then offered her a hand, which to Hermione's surprise was encased in a white glove. Why was this woman dressed like her grandmother? Since when did woman wear matching suits and gloves? All she needed was a hat and she'd look like she had fell out of 1956! She realised Astoria was speaking. "Nice to meet you again, Hermione. Sorry to interrupt your meeting with my fiancée."

Hermione felt her mouth drop open and snapped it shut, pining a smile on her face as she shook Astoria's hand.

Woo - nice bit of Dramione as promised - sorry it was rudely interrupted! Hope you are still enjoying the story. Please review and thanks for all the lovely reviews so far x