Blaise, that son of a weasel, had turned up on his doorstep, gloating about Granger's reaction.

At first, Draco had been most interested in not losing the bet. Now, keeping Granger in her place was more important. Finding a replacement to match her skills was much more trouble than it was worth.

Even including the time and effort it would take to teach her manners and straighten out her wardrobe.

He'd have to make sure Blaise hadn't scared her off first, though.

Merlin's bloody underpants! Women were nice, but they had a much too high upkeep, most of the time. Not just monetarily, but a stunning need to always be the centre of attention.

The Manor grounds flew by and he took shortcuts that half the researchers didn't even know existed in his hurry to reach her.

Bursting through the door, he wasn't sure if the absence of broken furniture and other items were a good or a bad sign. The irritation in her gaze as it flickered over to the door, however, was clearly a bad one, so he decided that discretion was a better part of valor.

"Granger, if I..."

The wand that was whipped out caught him off guard, but he had his own out by the time the spell sizzled past his ear anyway.

Wouldn't have helped if the bitch had actually aimed for his head.

"Now, Draco," she said in a dangerously honeyed voice. "Let's do this properly. You put your little toy back in your pocket, back out the door and knock before you enter. Think you can handle that?"

"I didn't..." Swish-and-flick. "Protego!"

That time he deflected the spell. It left a nasty black mark in the ceiling. Nothing lethal, but probably highly uncomfortable.

"I thought I made myself clear."

Somehow her false calm made her scarier. He took two steps back and almost had the door shut on his nose.

Sweet Merlin, was this Hermione Granger when she was furious?

How was he ever going to salvage anything out of that wreck?

He started by knocking and was greeted with a vague "come in".

Careful not to get zapped, even though her back was turned, he opened the door and edged inside. She smiled at him over her shoulder, but it wasn't the open and childish smile she'd had the other day. It was a creepy sort of smile that could slip and turn into fury at the littlest provocation.

"Granger."

"Yes, Malfoy?"

He took a deep breath and managed to croak out: "I'm sorry."

Gosh. Pathetic, he was. Why in Merlin's name go to all the trouble? It she wanted to up and leave, he'd still be fine. Malfoys never apologised!

"You had better be." Still that creepy, almost motherly voice. "Never make bets you can't stand up for." She put her quill down and turned to look him in the eye.

For brown eyes, they sure managed to be icy.

He pulled himself together and shrugged indifferently.

There was a stillness in the air, that she broke. She walked up to him.

Stood so close he almost wanted to back off, but even though they had a shuttered look about them, her eyes had warmed.

Was she...? He looked down at her in amazement and lifted his hand to touch her cheek, when he suddenly felt a chill point under his chin.

"Don't get any ideas, don't invite me for pointless dinners and never, ever assume I want to be courted by someone like you, you vile little creature."

If there hadn't been a very dangerous weapon right under his chin, it would have fallen open in shock. He was the taller person, her head was tipped backwards to look up at him, and yet he was the intimidated one.

"You're welcome to leave me to do my job, now," she suggested, removing her wand and turning her back on him again.

By the time he'd gathered his wits about him enough to storm out the door, she was humming contentedly to her equations.

Wretched witch! She had better produce results, or he'd fire her quicker than she could say protego! She would not humiliate him. He glared at the researchers he passed, making them shrink away from the lightning in his eyes. They knew not to take what they had for granted. She would have to learn.

Hermione let him run off, allowing herself a little sigh as she went to close the door manually.

She hadn't been half as angry as she came off, but he wouldn't understand the severity of his actions if they weren't handed to him with proper authority.

Really, what she'd wanted to do most of all was laugh with him about it, which would have worked with Harry and Ron, but she was fairly sure he'd have taken badly to that, too. Bloody complicated Slytherins.

Focusing all her effort on the task ahead of her, she soon tuned back into that channel where only work meant anything.

For hours the numbers and words made little sense, until her toil started to slowly unravel the hows of her plan.

It was beautiful, how such little details made such great difference. She hadn't even noticed them at first – a number here, a suffix there. It was going to make a grand difference, her office would be secure and safe with as little fuss as possible.

She'd start on the preparations today and spend the following couple of days finishing the complex set of spells needed.

First things first, however, she thought with a smile and sat down to pen another letter.

Dear Neville

I don't know what got into me, but I couldn't resist the temptation of having my own research office. I'm sure, now, that it was the right decision, however doubtful that might seem. I made sure that I am hired as a consultant, so if he decides to revert to any funny business...

She stopped and smirked. 'Revert' indeed. All this had started because of 'funny business', but she wasn't about to complain.

...I'll be safely owning all my work.

You're very welcome to come visit as soon as you like. Since I'm only probationary here, we'll see if it lasts. I'm enclosing a Portkey. Activate it with "Primula Wizardosa". I'll come to meet you as soon as I can.

I must get back to my work, now, these enchantments are dreadfully complicated and I haven't much time.

Sincerely

Hermione

With a smile, shefolded the letter and Transfigured an envelope, Apparated to her apartment and walked to the postbox.

The weather was still too hot. Sometimes, being a witch had its advantages.