Hermione sat with Cormac in the archives, barely concentrating on the page before her. It was the first week of December and she was feeling particularly stressed with their deadline looming. November had passed in a blur. She had spent the majority of her days working down in the archives with Cormac and her evenings with Draco. He too had seen an increased work load over the month. With his parents away the two of them were often to be found in the manor's vast library working on their respective projects. Hermione enjoyed the time they spent working together; Draco was proving himself to be an excellent aid when it came to research. They would often become distracted from work and have debates regarding related topics. These usually ended with Draco's lips silencing Hermione's. He was particularly aggressive in trying to distract her when he knew he was losing. Hermione was still waiting for a night where they would finish a debate fully clothed – not that she really minded losing in such a manner; she enjoyed being challenged both mentally and physically. It was a rare occasion where she met someone who managed both.

It was past midnight and Cormac had slouched out of the archives after a muttered goodbye. They had spent the evening going over everything in minute detail in order to make sure all was perfect for their submission tomorrow. He was as exhausted and stressed as Hermione and they had been rather snippy with each other over the last few days; she hadn't felt this overworked since her third year at Hogwarts. Hermione was glad that they would be submitting everything tomorrow; she had a night out with the girls planned on the Friday in order to celebrate. Hermione waved her wand over her things and sent them haphazardly into her bag. She let out a sigh and gave at her bag a defeated look; the idea of having to slouch it all the way home was dreadful and she felt like she didn't have enough magic in her to levitate it up to the floo network. Her head felt heavy in that moment, so she folded her arms on the table and gently rest her it on them. Hermione let out a sigh and closed her eyes but before she could fall asleep, she forced herself up and trudged to the floo network. It felt like a lifetime had passed before she climbed into the nearest fireplace and half-heartedly gave her destination.

Hermione stepped out of the fireplace into Draco's dimly lit room. She hadn't even realised that she had given this as her destination; during the last month coming to the manor after work had become second nature. Draco blinked up at her through sleep from the bed. Hermione felt a pang in her chest at the site of him. She couldn't help smile at how winsome he looked with his hair in disarray and the bemused look on his face; he had obviously not expected to see her that evening.

"Granger?" he asked groggily

Hermione felt bad for disturbing his sleep. She apologised for waking him as she put down her things and undressed. Draco lifted the covers for her as she slipped into bed next to him. Hermione nuzzled her face against the warm skin of his chest and he wrapped his arms around her. She felt the pressure of a small kiss on the top of her head as she drifted off to sleep.


Hermione woke with a start the next morning, her heart pounding in her chest as she was gripped by the irrational fear that she was late for work. It was still dark outside and fumbled for her watch on the bedside table to check the time. The watch face told her that there were still a good ten minutes before she needed to rise. Draco pulled himself up to a seated position next to her, muttering to himself as he did so.

"What's going on?" he asked thickly

"I'm sorry; I thought I might be late for work. I'm just stressed about submitting that law today."

She fell back onto the bed rubbing sleep from her eyes. She let out a sigh before swinging her legs out from under the covers and sitting on the edge of the bed.

"I need to get going or I won't be ready in time for work. Get some sleep and I'll see you at work."

She made to get off the bed when Draco pulled her back down by her arm. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight as she tried to wriggle free. She continued to protest about being late for work as he climbed on top of her and pinned her to the bed.

"Get ready here. You can lend one of my shirts; just shrink it to fit." He started to kiss down her neck between every word, "Besides, we should celebrate that submission."

Hermione stopped her struggling as Draco began to move his kisses down her body. She moaned loudly as his came to rest between her legs. She tried to wriggle free, renewing her protests about being late – albeit half-heartedly. Draco answered her by putting her legs over his shoulders and increasing the intensity of his ministrations. Hermione wove her fingers into his hair as she moaned his name. She felt as though she was dissolving into the bed.

"Maybe… I can stay… just… little… longer…"

Her pleasure was brought to an abrupt end when a polite cough interrupted them. Hermione scrambled to cover herself as Draco pushed himself up off the bed. She felt herself turn a deep shade of red as she saw Narcissa Malfoy standing in the doorway. Draco hadn't been closing the door during the duration of his parent's holiday abroad. Narcissa didn't bat an eyelid at the scene; she simply smiled at Hermione before turning to her son.

"I apologise for interrupting; I wasn't aware Draco had company. Could I have a word please?"

Hermione wished the bed would swallow her whole she was so embarrassed. She covered her face with the covers as she heard Draco leave the room with his mother. When she heard the door close, Hermione jumped out of bed and hurried to her clothes. She fumbled through the pile looking for her underwear but gave up searching for them when she found her blouse and started to pull it on. She looked up when the door opened again and Draco entered, closing it behind him. He gave her an amused look. Barely dressed, hair awry and flushed with embarrassment, Hermione knew she must have made quite a sight.

"Where are you going?"

"Home?" she replied, uncertainly.

Draco inclined his head to the side, the look of amusement on his face deepening. Hermione suddenly became very aware of herself; she blushed a deep red once more.

"There's no need for that. Mother was just letting me know she was home early. Father will only be home later in the afternoon; apparently he has business to attend to."

Hermione stood and looked at him blankly. She was confused by how relaxed he seemed; it was as if his mother hadn't just walked in on them in a compromising position. Draco crossed over to her and slipped the blouse off her shoulders. He began kissing her down her neck following along her collar bone. She pushed him back a little and looked him in the eye, her mind flooded with questions.

"What about your mother?"

"What about her?"

"Surely she has a problem with what she just saw?"

"She didn't say a word about it. Don't worry," he added, seeing Hermione's expression of mingled shock and concern, "she won't say anything to my father."

"But sur-"

Hermione was cut off by Draco picking her up and moving her towards the bed. She gave him a push as she tried to wriggle free; she wanted answers. He dropped her onto the bed and she let out a small giggle as she landed. Hermione hated how silly the noise must have sounded. Draco looked down at her and gave her a smirk before climbing onto the bed. Hermione composed herself and gave him a pointed look which he ignored.

"You seem to find these things quite amusing, Granger. Now… where were we?"

"How can you be so sure that your mother won't tell your father?" she asked as she stopped him from kissing her, "Would you stop that please and give me an answer!"

Draco looked down at her and huffed like a child being denied a plaything. Hermione gave him another pointed look and received a small angry pout from Draco. Hermione couldn't help but laugh at how ridiculous he looked – his facial expression was much the same as Harry's had been when Ginny put him on one of those 'no sugar' diets for the wedding. Draco pulled away from Hermione muttering under his breath but she brought her arms around him and pulled him back down. He furrowed his brow at her. When he realised Hermione wasn't going to let go he gave her a haughty sigh. Hermione smiled at him; over the last month she had gotten much better at getting him to do what she wanted. Draco had obviously gleaned some of what she was thinking from her facial expression.

"Stop smiling at me like you've won something." He huffed, "Mother saw you on the balcony with me in October and lied to my father about it, so you don't have anything to worry about. I doubt she knows the exact extent of what's going on between us, but if she had a real problem with it she would have said something."

Hermione struggled to hide her shock. This was not the answer she had been expecting; perhaps she had been too quick to judge Narcissa Malfoy. She frowned as she continued to mull over what she had just been told.

"Why didn't you tell me about her knowing earlier?"

"Would it have made a difference?"

Her answer was cut off by Draco pressing his lips to hers. He was clearly tired of the conversation and Hermione knew it would be pointless to try and continue with it.


Hermione arrived at the Ministry still thinking over what Draco had told her. She walked absent-mindedly through to the elevators. One thing in particular was bothering her; Draco's words "the exact extent of what's going on between us" kept repeating over again in her mind. Hermione, herself, wasn't sure of what was going on between her and Draco anymore. She had spent more time with Draco in recent days than with her friends. It wasn't that she hadn't tried to spend time with Harry, Ron and the rest; they were all just as busy as Hermione and it had been a struggle to find a time they could get together. It had just been so much simpler to go to Draco when she wanted company. Yet last night had been different – she had slept in Draco's arms for no reason other than wanting to. Hermione shook herself to her senses. She was looking too deeply into it. She had been tired and stressed, it had affected her decision making process.

Hermione walked into a festive looking office; someone had clearly taken it upon themselves to decorate for the holidays. She cringed slightly at some rather gaudy baubles that were decorating a tree in the corner. Cormac turned and gave her a chipper greeting; being deadline free had certainly lightened his mood. Hermione moved to her seat and he popped his head over their desk divide. He clearly wanted to talk; Hermione wasn't sure if she had the energy to listen.

"Is that a new shirt?"

Hermione looked down at the shirt she had borrowed from Draco. It was plain and dark grey; it wasn't exactly the style Hermione usually wore, but out of all the ones she had shrunk and tried on, it suited her best.

"Oh," she answered in a nonchalant manner, "yes it is."

"Looks pretty pricey."

Hermione wasn't sure what to say to such a statement. She sighed at how quickly Cormac had reverted back to being his usual annoying self. She decided to simply smile and change the subject to something Cormac related. As Hermione had suspected he leapt at the opportunity to discuss himself. He spoke of his plans for the weekend now that his work load was reduced. It turned out that much like Hermione he had planned a night out on Friday to celebrate being done with all his major projects for the year. She wanted to ascertain where he would be going so she could avoid having to run into him on the night but he had started discussing one of his family members' work at the Ministry and wouldn't let Hermione get a word in edgeways. Hermione slipped into her usual half-aware state, smiling and nodding every now and then. She breathed a sigh of relief when a blue memo crashed into her desk.

"It's probably another request for help with research." She said, as she started to unfold the memo.

Cormac gave her a knowing smile, which came off more obnoxious than sympathetic, before disappearing behind the desk divide. Hermione nearly gave a sarcastic smile at the place where Cormac's head had been, stopping herself before she did. Draco was rubbing off on her; maybe she had been spending too much time with him. She turned her attention to the memo.

Can't see you tonight.

Dinner Friday?

DM

Hermione stared down at the note; her mind seemed to have stopped working. Draco wanted to have dinner? Food had always been a second thought during their previous meetings. Hermione wasn't even sure why she was focusing on food; it was the least of her worries. Was he asking her on a date? Surely not; he would obviously just come over to her place and they would get food as an afterthought like they usually did.

Yes, that's it. You're thinking about it too much... but then why does it seem like he's offering dinner as a compensation for not seeing you tonight?

Hermione closed her eyes and took a breath before she pulled out a quill and memo pad. Her quill hovered above the paper before she penned her reply.

Woe is me! How will I ever survive till the morning without my knight in shining armour?

Can't do Friday, I have plans with the girls.

Maybe I'll see you over the weekend.

HG

Hermione read the note over till she was satisfied that it didn't hold any clue as to her actual state of confusion. She waved her wand over the paper and sent it off to Draco before starting what little work she had for the day. It was a seemingly futile endeavour as within the first ten minutes her mind had drifted back to events earlier in the morning. Once Hermione had gotten over the shock of being told Narcissa knew about her and Draco, she had been able to examine the situation through a calmer, more logical lens. Hermione knew how far Narcissa was willing to go protect her son. Harry had told her of how she had lied to Voldemort in order to protect him. This, Hermione had to admit, was no small feat and would have required a great deal of bravery and love. If she thought her husband knowing about Hermione would lead to a confrontation with Draco, it would seem plausible for her to lie to him about it. Hermione knew it was hardly an indication that she approved of the situation, but at least she didn't have to worry about Narcissa hexing her. It was still difficult for Hermione to reconcile the current Narcissa with the one she knew before and during the war. Yet so many people had changed because of the war. Draco, himself, was a prime example.

Hermione sighed and rubbed her temples. The situation was becoming far more complicated than Hermione cared to deal with. A little voice niggled in the back of her mind that even if it would never have been an anything but complicated. Cormac popped his head over the desk divide to offer Hermione a biscuit from his mother's first batch of baked holiday goods. She happily to took one; at least this was one thing that Hermione could agree on with McLaggen – his mother was an excellent baker – she came a close second to Mrs Weasley. She was contentedly nibbling on the biscuit when another blue memo landed on her desk. Hermione opened it excitedly; perhaps it was Draco's response to her reply. Hopefully it would shed more light on his initial memo. Her excitement dissipated as she saw it was another research request from someone in International Law. She cast the note aside; she would reply later.


Lunch arrived and Hermione had still not received a reply from Draco. This had annoyed her more than it should have, so Hermione had accepted a lunch invitation from Cormac. He and a few others from their department had decided to get some takeaway from a new place that had opened in Diagon Alley. It had been quite a pleasant excursion; everyone was looking forward to the Christmas break with several people Hermione spoke with taking holidays abroad. It made Hermione feel excited for her own Christmas plans. It had been some time since she had seen her parents.

They returned to the Ministry, lunch in hand and all in a jovial mood. Cormac and the others went up to their office while Hermione stopped to chat with one of the ladies from the Administration Department. They were discussing Christmas plans when Hermione's eye was caught by Draco exiting the elevator. He gave Hermione a sideways glance before turning back to the person who had departed the elevator behind him. Hermione's jaw clenched slightly as Pansy Parkinson came into view. She continued her conversation, casually moving in order to watch their progress across the entry hall to the floo network. As they walked passed Hermione heard Pansy discussing what seemed to be plans that she and Draco had for the coming Friday. Hermione couldn't help but let her eyes follow the two as they moved to a fireplace nearby.

"What's Pansy Parkinson doing at the Ministry?"

"She came in to Admin just before lunch for a guest before going up to International Cooperation, so I suppose she spent lunch with Malfoy. Perfect couple those two," her colleague added, her tone somewhat bitter, "they were always so horrid to us Hufflepuffs. Anyway, I should be getting back; paperwork won't do itself!"

Hermione gave her colleague a smile as she departed. She lingered in the hallway under the pretense of waiting for a co-worker to get back from Diagon Alley; watching as Pansy bid Draco farewell. Hermione felt that Pansy was being a bit too touchy feely with her farewell. As Pansy disappeared in a flash of green Hermione turned to the elevators. She took her time getting into the nearest one, allowing Draco to climb into it before it departed. They both stood facing the door, not looking at each other.

"So, I hear Pansy Parkinson came to lunch."

"She did. Father arranged it; despite my protests."

"Mhmm and did he arrange for you to go out with her on Friday, too?"

Hermione continued to look at the door. She could see that Draco had turned his head slightly to look at her, an eyebrow raised.

"No, he did not. That was all her idea."

"Mhmm."

Draco didn't offer more information. They both rode the elevator in silence before Hermione departed. She turned and gave Draco one last look before the doors closed. She stared at the spot where his face had been, irritation flaring within her, before turning into the offices. She knew that she had no real reason to be annoyed by the fact that Draco had spent lunch with Pansy; they weren't a couple, he could spend time with whoever he pleased – even if she was his ex-girlfriend.

Draco's ex-girlfriend who was clearly still interested in him. Draco's ex-girlfriend who his father was trying to arrange that she become his daughter- in- law.

Hermione paused in the hallway and took a calming breath before continuing to her office. This was not something she should be thinking about. To try and distract herself she started mentally planning a cleaning schedule for her home in preparation for her parents' arrival. She entered her offices to find her colleagues sitting in the corner. Someone had conjured a small table and chairs for everyone. Hermione joined the table, taking a seat across from Cormac. The food had been set out in a communal fashion and Hermione dished up a small plate for herself.

"Something wrong, Hermione?" Cormac asked, giving her a small look of concern.

"Nothing's wrong." She replied as she stabbed her fork aggressively at her food.

Friday night couldn't come quickly enough for Hermione. A night out was exactly what she needed to get her mind off things. She made a mental note to message Ginny about it as soon as lunch was over.

Yes, she thought to herself, Friday would be a great distraction.