Disclaimer: Of course, I do not own these characters or the world in which I'm writing them.

H

...

Hermione felt like she was dreaming. Her life had never been better. She had her parents back, her friends back, and even her job back. Actually, not the same job. When she returned home, she found the Ministry was desperate to have her and she used it to secure herself a new position in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. She could already tell her days would be better spent here than in her last position, and the fact that she was now on the same floor as the boys made it easier to see familiar faces during the day. Life was good. Not to mention that in a few days she was going to be the guest of honor at a charity gala where she would get to meet one of her scholarly heroes.

Life wasn't entirely perfect, though. She hated to admit it but something was missing. Sometimes she felt it when she looked at Ron, thinking about what might have been. Not that she regretted their decision to stay friends, she knew Ron wasn't the one. She just missed what he used to represent to her, the butterflies and yearning.

And sometimes she allowed herself to imagine him. She was trying not to think of his name, only of his character, hoping to see if that would help figure out her feelings. He entered her thoughts again as she allowed herself a moment to daydream at work after lunch. Her imagination was so vivid, she could even hear his voice clearly in her mind.

"Where's Hermione Granger?"

Was that in her head or was that real? She could just barely make out a mumbled response outside her office door which promptly banged open.

Real. Draco Malfoy barged in and approached her. Hermione instantly lowered her gaze to her desk when he slapped down a crumbled parchment.

"What is this?" he demanded. His voice was low and controlled but Hermione could sense the anger radiating from him.

"It looks like a letter to me." she responded, smoothing out the crinkles. She took a deep calming breath. Maybe if she could keep her emotions in check, she could pacify him. Then she could see if his soft side was sincere or a cruel act . She simply had to stay clear-headed long enough to figure him out.

He huffed back. "Don't patronize me. I'm talking about what's in the letter." She could hear the snarl in his voice.

Hermione breathed slowly again and looked closer. "Oh the potions database has accepted your memory potion. That's great news."

"News to me, you mean! You submitted my potion?"

"It worked," she said matter-of-factly, "I figured the world should know about it."

Malfoy raised his chin and looked down his nose at her. "You had no right!"

Hermione's jaw dropped and for the first time since he'd walked in, she raised and narrowed her eyes to meet his. "I think you mean thank you." She crossed her arms across her chest. "So you're welcome."

"Excuse me?" he hissed. "I'm supposed to be thankful for you stealing my thunder and stealing my credit?"

"Stealing your... what are you talking about?" She sputtered.

Malfoy threw his arms up. "Like you don't know." Hermione looked down at the letter again and read further.

...

From the office of the Society for Magical Advancement

Mr. Malfoy,

We are pleased to inform you that your memory potion has been accepted for inclusion in the International Potioneer Database. Your work is also in the running for the award for Most Important Magical Innovation of the Year. Our joint induction ceremony and award ceremony will be held soon.

Due to recent events, you can understand how we would be keen on avoiding undue controversy. In lieu of having you at the ceremony in person, we have decided to go another route and have an emissary accept any induction certificate or award on your behalf. As Ms. Hermione Granger has firsthand knowledge of your potion, she will make a suitable substitute.

Sincerely

Wilford Bugninny

Executive Chairperson

...

Hermione clicked her tongue as realization dawned on her. That's what this was all about; Malfoy's anger made sense now. They were accepting his potion, but they weren't accepting him, because of his history, his name. It was the same as she'd done just a few short weeks ago. Those wounds must feel fresh again, and renewed doubly deep.

Instead of turning her face up again to see him, she kept it down. Without seeing him she could pretend she was talking to someone else. To Duke. She could keep things civil, kind even. "I didn't know," she squeaked. "They hadn't asked me yet. I swear."

Averting her gaze worked. Blocking out his image let her feel sorry for him and a longing to comfort him. Unfortunately it seemed to have to reverse effect on Malfoy. The longer she looked away, the more she could feel a rage pulse in the air around him.

"Maybe, but they will ask you. And you'll say yes, I've no doubt. Teacher's pet Granger can never miss an opportunity to show off how clever she is." He paused but Hermione refused to rise to his bait. He placed his hands down on her desk and leaned in. She squeezed her eyes shut.

"Well I've got some more news for you, then," he whispered. "I've decided to make a certain donation of my own at the charity gala. Perhaps I'll find someone who'd like to hear who really found the mask and compass."

Hermione jumped in surprise. "It wasn't just you. It was both of us, equally!"

"Sure, you say that now, but if I hadn't come knocking I think you would have been perfectly comfortable letting everyone think you did it on your own."

Hermione's defenses were fully raised. "Actually, you didn't knock. You intruded on my work and I'm going to have to ask you to see yourself out. Now."

"No bother," Malfoy quipped, his anger had since cooled to an icy exterior. "We'll be seeing each other soon enough." He crossed the room and left.

Hermione was still shaking as she shot a spell to close the door. She missed the fist time, causing her potted plant to wobble and tip over. She tried again forcefully and this time the door shut with a loud crack, She dropped her head into her hands. That was not how she was hoping their next meeting would go, but despite hope it was more or less in line with what she expected.

She should be the one angry, she reasoned. He had tricked her. She should have demanded answers and he should have been the one to explain himself. Instead, she was defending herself from something she didn't even know she caused. But even unknowingly, she did cause it, and she couldn't help the wave of guilt that overtook her as she scanned the letter again.

She picked up the page to pull it close but something felt off. It was thicker than it should be. She rubbed the parchment between her fingers and discovered why: it wasn't one parchment, it was two! She peeled the top page away and revealed the one underneath. Was it further details about the ceremony? No, it was... a list? Hermione's confusion grew. The words didn't make sense.

Calling Hermione Granger a mudblood

Planning a murder

Hurting innocents

Torture using Cruciatus

Hermione recognized the penmanship, it was the same hand that had written the careful instructions for her parents' memory potion. It was the handwriting that she had been searching for weeks, trying to find a clue into the heart of its creator. Malfoy.

Hermione gasped. What did this mean, was he back to his old ways? Attempting murder? Torture? Right when she thought there might be a seed of good in him, he showed his true colors, and they were dark.

Well, good riddance, she thought. It's better that she find out now than if she had made a fool of herself by believing him. Again. She let out a loud harumph to herself. If she had to see him at the gala in a few days, she was going to make him sweat in regret.

A/N: I felt so badly about the end of the last chapter that I tried so hard to get this one out quick. Unfortunately life had other plans this week, but here it is at last! Hope you all like it! Yes, I know they are still at odds. What can I say, these two are really good at fighting!

Sorry it's shorter than usual, BUT next up is the formal party with more tension, awkwardness, and a sweet revenge dress to look forward to :) See you soon, friends!