AN- okay this was hastily edited but i was getting lovely pressure from you all, thank you so much for that by the way, and i wanted to get it up OKAY GO!

Hermione happily skittered into work, smiling at her small front office staff as she swirled into her workspace. Sandy followed her, grinning.

"Life at home seems to be going well…"

Hermione glanced up, putting her case on the desk and grinning. "Why, yes, Alexander, things at home are going marvelously."

He stepped in further and sat down, looking up expectantly.

"Don't you have work to do?"

"Not until you tell me why you look like the cat that got the cream."

She sat down, leaning over her desk slightly. "I am no longer single."

"No!"

"Yes!"

"With-"

"YES!"

"NO!"

"Sandy I can't do this all morning!" Hermione said, laughing.

"But…you and the fearsome Lucius?"

"If he could hear you saying that…"

Sandy glanced over his shoulder briefly, suddenly paranoid that the wizard would make one of his infamous entrances. "Don't tell him…"

"I won't. And don't go spreading this to the press too soon, please! I have things to do today that don't include having my name spread across this evening's paper."

"Absolutely, boss." Sandy stood and left the office, running to the small staff of secretaries to let them know.

PAGE BREAK

Hermione sat at her desk, staring at her blotting paper. The morning was almost over, and she didn't have any particularly pressing things to do until later that afternoon. She mentally prepared herself for her task at hand.

Standing and taking a deep breath, she walked to the magical elevators, mentioning to Sandy that she was stepping out.

One cramped elevator ride later, Hermione strode out into her old department, quickly spotting the disheveled mop of black hair she had come to visit. Walking over to him purposefully, trying to fight the faltering sensation she felt, she attempted to organize her thoughts. "Harry?"

Harry turned from his conversation with someone in a cubicle. "Hermione!" he said, face lighting up. "How are you?"

"I'm fine, sorry it's been so long, how are you?"

"Fine, tired, slightly overworked, but I have enough time with Ginny so I can't complain."

"Aww!"

Harry grinned. "Did you need anything or were you just dropping in?"

Dropping her happy grin, she started to twist her fingers. "I did have something to say to you…"

"Alright, come on, let's go sit down." He led the way to his office, shutting the door behind them. "What do you need?"

Clearing her throat a little and trying to remind herself that Harry was understanding and wouldn't fly off his head, she said "Well, Harry, you know how Ron is dating Lavender now?"

Harry's shoulders tensed slightly. "Yes?"

"Well you see I've sort of met someone too…" Harry's posture shot up, unnoticed by Hermione, who continued in a babbling fashion. "I mean, re-met, I suppose, because I did know him before Ron and I broke up, so I think what I SHOULD have said was seen someone in a new light…no that sounds wrong too, basically I-"

"Hermione that's fantastic! Who is it?"

She froze, wringing her hands again. "…I don't know…"

Harry deadpanned. "You don't know who you're seeing?"

"Uh, that is, I don't know…if you'll…approve…"

Harry looked at her. "Hermione…if he makes you happy-"

"No, really, you don't understand-"

"Who is it?!"

"Lucius Malfoy!" Hermione burst, bracing herself for impact. Cracking an eye open, she almost wished she had a camera.

Harry looked stunned. Not aghast, but stunned. He was merely staring at her, as if studying something. Slowly, he seemed to melt, slumping his shoulders. "Really?" he said, before snapping to attention and sputtering "I mean, uh, congratulations, you seemed genuinely happy when you came in and I just-"

"Harry, its fine!" relief coursed through Hermione's veins.

"This is bizarre…"

"I know."

"Are you going to tell Ron? Is he treating you right? Are you into this seriously? Is he? Are you sure this is what you want?" with every question Harry seemed to be waking up more and more, becoming more wary and protective.

"Yes! He treats me wonderfully, and I really do…care for him, and he says he cares for me. I don't know about Ron…I think I will only tell a few people…and I mean…he didn't tell me about Lavender…you did."

"True. Really I don't care if you tell him, I'm alright if you're happy."

"Oh, thanks Harry, I really am ecstatic. I should let you get back to work, though."

"That's alright." Harry said, as they both stood. "I assume you want this to stay out of the press for as long as possible?"

"Of course."

"And are you planning on telling the Weasley clan?"

"I hadn't thought that far ahead…I suppose not initially. Maybe tomorrow…once we see how today goes. Just because I don't want mass pandemonium that rapidly, you know?"

"Of course. What about Ginny?"

"I suppose, if it's alright, I'll pop by before dinner."

"Perfect. Do you want to go together?"

"I have a feeling that something is going to come up, and I don't want you to have to wait, so you go ahead and I'll see you around…five thirty?"

"Sounds fine." He walked around his desk and gave her a hug. "I'm glad you're happy. And if he ever crosses you I don't care how many connections he has he's going down."

Hermione giggled, stepping back. "Thanks Harry. I'll see you later!"

PAGE BREAK

After doing some work, Hermione decided she positively could NOT sit still any longer. Telling herself she just needed a stretch of the legs, she quickly made her way to Draco's department.

Coming up to his cubicle, she grinned. "Hey, Draco!"

He looked up from his papers at her, smirking slightly. "Missing him already?"

"Ha ha. No, actually, I just seem to be having problems sitting still. I decided I would work off the extra energy by coming to visit you."

Draco laughed. "Ah. You weren't by any chance hoping for one of his secret visits, were you?"

"No of course not. That would cause people to whisper, anyway."

"Right."

At that moment, Hermione glanced to her left, to see Ron hurrying up the aisle with a form. Walking past her, he murmured a breathless "Hey Hermione!" and continued.

Draco looked up at her, studying her face which was, in turn, studying his desk. "You aren't telling him?"

"No." she looked up. "He didn't tell me about Lavender. He still hasn't, actually. And anyway, he didn't really give me a chance, now did he?"

"I will give you that. Well, I have to finish this report, sorry to give you the shove-"

"That's alright. I should get back to work myself…I'll see you at dinner!"

"Right."

PAGE BREAK

Stupid Ron. Going and crushing her giddiness. Who needed him, anyway?

At that moment, a knock sounded on her door. "Yes, Sandy, what is it now?"

"I am unsure as to whether or not I should be insulted…"

Looking up, her mild depression quickly evaporated. Grinning up at Lucius, she said "Did Draco write you?"

"Yes of course. He said you seemed to be upset…or downtrodden, something like that. We really should have gotten him a better tutor when he was young, his handwriting is atrocious…"

Laughing, she gestured him to a chair. "And how has your day been?"

"Idle. I should have been doing some work but I really could not be bothered."

"Ah. I am afraid I haven't done much better. I've been rather fidgety today…"

"Is that so?"

"Yes it is." She said, smiling at him with a trace of impishness. At that moment, Sandy walked into the room, glanced at Lucius, smiled faintly in a privately happy sort of way, and looked at Hermione.

"Terribly sorry to interrupt-"

"You weren't." Hermione said calmly, trying to reign in a smile.

"Ah yes. The Passport and Visa needs your expert assistance…again…"

Hermione and Lucius rose. "Every time you come to my office our visits get cut short."

"Quite alright. You are a professional, and from what I have heard quite an excellent one."

Passing him and flushing a little, she said "Oh for the love of-"

Lucius followed her, smirking, into the hallway. "Now, is language really a very professional method of expressing yourself?"

Glancing at Sandy's retreating back, she grinned. "No, not really. There are, in truth, far better ways of expressing myself."

"I motion that you utilize those methods to the fullest."

"Hm, I suppose I'll have to second that motion…"

Sandy, unfortunately, had chosen this moment to turn around. "Oh stars above!" he said, quickly turning back around and blushing slightly.

"Get back to work, Sandy. There's nothing to see here." Hermione said, grinning, one hand on Lucius' chest.

"I beg to differ…"

"What was that?"

"Nothing, boss!"

PAGE BREAK

At four, Hermione decided to notify Sandy that she would be leaving at five for personal reasons.

Across the building at the exact same time, in an office marked "Daily Prophet Ministry Correspondence", Emily Baker was reclining in a wooden spin chair, feet up on her desk. She did not move when her junior, Dermott Hadley, hurriedly banged open the door and flew to her desk. "What's come up?"

"The ministry-wide grapevine is having a field day! It so seems that Hermione Granger and Lucius Malfoy have formed some sort of attachment."

"Seems?"

"They were seen kissing in her office."

The seasoned reporter removed her feet from the desk and replaced them with her clasped hands, hunched over the mounds of paper cluttering its surface. "This is a story to handle with care. Both are high profile cases…this is NOT something to do behind their backs. Straightforward is the answer. And negotiation. I had better request an audience with Madam Granger immediately…thanks Dermott…"

At the moment Sandy heard his name called from his boss' office, a pink memo plane flew up in front of him. Reading it, his eyes expanded, then he grinned and went to Hermione's office. "Boss, this just came for you…"

"Ugh! But Sandy I need to leave at five today…"

"Going home and relaxing with the beau?"

"Ew, don't call him that!" she shuddered, laughing slightly. "And no, visiting some friends."

"Well, I'm sure the Daily Prophet won't keep you long…"

Hermione sat back in her chair, grim smile in place. "So we've gotten this far?"

"Looks like."

"When will they be arriving?"

"Four twenty if that is agreeable to you."

"As long as I'm out by five…I am only dropping by at their house, and I cannot be late to dinner…"

"I'll let the Prophet people know."

PAGE BREAK

Emily prepped herself for the icy encounter she knew was around the corner as she made her way to the Department of International Affairs. She would be fast, she would be yielding, and she would be pleasant. As long as Ms. Granger was in control and she got her story, Emily's day would be perfect.

Walking into the office, she stuck her hands in the pockets of her pants and grinned at Sandy. "Hey, Clark!"

"Baker, good to see you…I think…" he said, looking up from his work and grinning. "I suppose you want me to announce you?"

"I think I'm more of a walk-in. I hope I live to see you later!" she said, walking past him and towards Hermione's office. Knocking on the open door, she arranged her face into a small smile as the subject of her interview looked at her impassively. "Ms. Granger."

"Miss Baker." The reporter entered the room and took a seat. Hermione studied her. Emily Baker was slim, with light, dirty blond hair pulled back into a ponytail and a short quill tucked behind her ear. She was wearing brown wide-legged slacks and a brown patterned sweater vest over a plain button down shirt. She looked charmingly boyish, as was her custom. Blue-green eyes stared steadily back into her brown ones.

"We both know why I'm here." Emily said.

"I should hope you know why you're here."

"The Prophet would like to publish a piece about your relationship with Lucius Malfoy." Hermione stared at her, expressionless. "Do you have any requirements?"

"A few. One, keep it to the bare minimum, if possible." Emily took out a small pad and began writing with her quill (she never was one for the Quick Quotes Quill.) "Two, if its possible delay publishing it until tomorrow's paper."

"I think those are reasonable."

"Good." Hermione relaxed slightly. "Now what?"

"Well I usually ask questions here, you know…"

Hermione didn't seem to be listening. "You want a big response, right?"

"Of course!"

"Why don't you keep it simple. Almost a passing remark…hiding it in plain view, as it were."

"Something along the 'Lucius Malfoy and Hermione Granger have formed an attachment" lines?"

"Yes, just in a society column."

"That could draw people in…it's a bit risky though…"

"You would be doing your job. You will either get a large response and save us the trouble of telling the world, or we will maintain our privacy and you will have done your duty of reporting noteworthy news."

"I'll see what I can manage."

"Any effort is appreciated."

"Once the Public begins beating down our doors for photographs, would you and Mr. Malfoy be averse to perhaps sitting for some?"

"If and when we get to that stage we shall see. I don't know how far Lucius is willing to allow the public to pry…I am positive if the Prophet continues its dealings with us as you have, we will be able to compromise."

On the inside, Emily glowed. She knew that Hermione was only being so frosty on principle (the Prophet wasn't known for its classy reporters, now was it?), but that was a pretty large compliment.

"Well then, I will commence negotiations with my superiors and we will keep in touch."

Hermione afforded a wry smile. "Thank you very much Miss Baker."

Emily rose, smiling a little more genuinely. "Of course." She left the room demurely, but once she was far enough away she flew past Sandy, grinning wickedly and whacking his shoulder with her notepad, laughing slightly as she ran into the hall.

Sandy stared after her, expressionless. She really needed to get out of her office more…but then so did he. Maybe they could get out of their offices together…

"Baker wait!"

PAGE BREAK

Hermione gathered up her things and made her way to the secretaries area (when one walked into Hermione's offices, they walked through glass doors set in a glass wall to a large room with four main desks for her assistant, secretaries, and undersecretaries. In the center of the back wall of this room was a hallway, down which were a few offices, odd rooms, and her own office) where Sandy was happily humming and buzzing around the otherwise unoccupied room.

"I'm taking off, Sandy."

"Enjoy your afternoon, boss!"

Hermione stopped, staring at him curiously. "You seem rather jovial…hot date tonight?"

Sandy stopped his constant motions and grinned at her. "Actually, yes."

"Really?" Hermione said, grinning wryly. "With whom, may I ask?" Sandy paused. "Emily Baker!?" He nodded. "Fantastic! You two are well suited I daresay…"

"Thanks for your approval." Sandy said, laughing.

"Well have fun then! See you tomorrow!" She said, headed for the apparation area.

PAGE BREAK

Hermione tried to prepare herself for telling Ginny about Lucius, but came to the conclusion that Ginny was far too unpredictable and her efforts would be wasted. She was just glad Harry would be home.

Harry was the one to answer Hermione's knock. Beaming, he said "Come in! Ginny, Hermione's here!"

"Fantastic!" came Ginny's voice from the rear of the house.

"She's in the kitchen." Harry said, leading the way there. "She is in a good mood so chances are there won't be an explosion of Molly proportions." He said in a lower voice.

Grinning at him, Hermione said "Do you get many of those?"

"Only occasionally." Harry grinned back.

Entering the kitchen, Hermione smiled at Ginny, who was wiping her hands on a tea towel and grinning at them from the stove, where potatoes were joyfully mashing themselves.

"Hermione! Its only been half an age!"

"Yes well," Hermione said, glancing at Harry, "things have come up…" she trailed as Ginny gave her a hug.

"What kind of things?" Ginny said, letting her go and raising an eyebrow.

"Oh you know…"

"You found someone?!" the redhead said giddily.

"You are always so quick to figure it out…"

Harry was leaning against the doorframe, feeling slightly out of place. "Why don't we sit down before Hermione has to dash off again?"

"Of course of course, sit down, of course." Ginny gushed, plopping into a chair and narrowing her eyes at Hermione. "How could I have missed this?"

Hermione situated herself in her chair. "Well, I was trying to not let anyone know…it was a tremendous secret for awhile, he really prefers his privacy and I was unwilling to mention anything until he really felt…ready, I suppose…"

"That's fantastic! Well, who is it? Do I know him?"

"Well…yes. You do know him…" Hermione said, screwing up her face a little.

"Why all the secrecy? Hermione, really, I'm not going to throw a fit. Unless he's some slime ball or a salesman. Wait, do we know any salesmen?" she asked Harry, who was staring passively at the table.

"I don't think so, Gin."

"Never mind then."

"Well, Ginny, he isn't a slime ball…I mean…well…"

Harry grinned at her. "I think perhaps its better if you just say his name."

"Lucius Malfoy." Hermione blurted.

"What?!" Ginny said, standing abruptly, gaping at her. "How? When? REALLY?"

"Yes really! When, we became public as of yesterday, how…I'm not exactly sure, but fate is a funny thing and I am not complaining!"

"I'm sure you aren't!" Ginny was grinning now, making the other two occupants of the room relax considerably. "Now that I think on it you two make a good match…" trailing, she looked at Hermione and then without moving her head looked at Harry. "Have you told Ron?"

"…No." Hermione said. "I was waiting to break it to the rest of your family via the paper. Not to be impersonal…just because its easier…"

"Right, right. Well, he didn't exactly tell you about Lavender, now did he?" she turned back to the stove, stopping their dinner's happy self-sufficiency before turning back around and grinning. "I think its fantastic. We HAVE to get together and talk more about this at some point, you write us and we'll figure it out. Here, mum will throw a fit tomorrow- " quickly seeing the fleeting panic crossing her friend's face, she revised her statement. "Because she mothers you, you know, and you'll want to talk to her so I'll just go and visit with her and be moral support for you when you make it over."

"Sounds fantastic, but I'm going to be late to dinner, so I had better get going…"

"Congratulations," Ginny said, hugging her tightly, "I am so glad this happened for you."

Grinning to herself, Hermione squeezed back and said "me too."

PAGE BREAK

Hermione walked into the dining room just in time for dinner. Lucius was sitting in his chair, staring bitingly at the table and Draco was standing behind his own chair smiling wryly at his father. Lucius looked up and relaxed considerably. "Hello Hermione. How was your day?"

Hermione noted that his voice sounded odd. "It was tolerable. I have something to tell you about the Prophet but first, you don't sound well, are you feeling alright?"

Draco smirked at his father's aggravated expression. "It's that time of year…"

"Draco, be quiet."

Draco was far too used to these admonishments (he heard them daily) so he continued merrily. "Oh yes, its father's cold!"

"Cold?" Hermione said, more to mask the underlying sentiment "you can get SICK?!" as her head whipped back to Lucius, who was staring sourly at his plate. Yes, there was something VERY wrong now she noticed. He was slouching. He had swiveled into one corner of his chair so he was slouching.

Lucius NEVER slouches.

"Yes. Father never gets sick…except for his once-yearly cold. It starts out innocently enough. But since he was himself this morning I predict him bedridden by tomorrow night."

Lucius huffed.

"Yes father. You were fine this morning, obviously it is progressing at a faster rate than usual." Draco turned to Hermione and said "usually he isn't confined to his bed for a few days and it only takes one day like that to get him well, give or take a few hours."

"I see."

Lucius spoke. "Really Draco, its just a passing cold, I will recover in no time. I barely have any congestion." So saying this, he sat up, attempting his usual perfunctory posture, and quickly held still. Draco smirked in triumph as Hermione worried over him.

"Are you dizzy? Do you need some water? Just…hold still, and I'll ask Flopsy for some broth for you-"

"Hermione, please," he said with effort. "I am perfectly fine. Do not worry. Draco, I would appreciate your stifling your babble and allowing us to eat."

"Whatever you say father…"

"Now, what is it you said about the Prophet?" Lucius said, cutting into his meal.

Hermione continued conversationally, but in her mind was thinking that it would be a long week if he was going to be difficult about his illness.

AN- alright! i hope it was satisfactory!

also, it comes to my attention that i need to ask my readers a few things. like would the story be weird if i start throwing babies and marriages and so on in there? it is REALLY important for me to get your feedback on this, so PLEASE review and tell me! thank you so much! 333