"I'm conflicted, that's all Hermione," Rufus stressed once more, he ran his hands over his face. He looked frazzled in a way Hermione had never seen him before, she was worried.

"Well, talk it through with me," Hermione pleaded, she was knelt before him, as he sat on the comfy chair in his living room. It was evening now, he'd avoided actual talk all day, insisting on lunch, a walk along a canal then dinner, but she wouldn't let him avoid it any more. "I need you to talk to me."

"As your partner, I see this as the best thing for you, and believe me I am ecstatic for you," Rufus told her eventually. He picked up his whiskey glass and took a sip before placing it back. "As your boss, I'm not so happy, in my department you've turned out good results, they look good for me. I risk losing that if you take this. I want you to take it for you; I don't for me on a professional level."

"Rufus, I have to accept it, you know that," Hermione reasoned, she understood, he aimed high for himself professionally. "I'll stay and finish up any open cases, but I will accept this."

"I know," He responded, pushing his hands into her curly brown locks. "They did tell me that the great Hermione Granger would surpass me before long."

"Rufus-"

"I was infuriated with how well you were doing, Granger, and equally attracted to it, to you." He spoke slowly, his fingers massaging her scalp. "This move away from me in the office brought forth a kneejerk reaction, one which has left me unsettled. I thought I could get you out of my system, a few sessions with you in the bedroom, then I'd be done with you, I didn't think you'd wiggle your way into my life."

"Rufus-"

"I want you to move in Hermione," Rufus cut her off. "I don't like the idea of you being so far away for so much of the day. Which is horrendously frustrating, as I thought these devious little thoughts I have about you would quite frankly disappear once I'd banged you. Now I'm asking you to move in."

Hermione smiled despite herself, despite the charming words that Rufus chose.

"I'm sorry that it wasn't quite so easy," Hermione murmured, kneeling up between his legs and capturing his lips with her own. "Are you sure you want me to move into your bachelor pad?"

"Yes, god forbid I make house with you just yet, mostly I'm keeping you around for the sex."

"Liar." Hermione giggled, she kissed him again, before pulling away slightly. "I'll talk to Carina, we'll work it out, give me a while?"

"Sounds perfect."

"So have you thought anymore on what you want to do once you've finished your studies?" Hermione asked as she and Carina sat in the living room, it had been a week since Rufus had asked her to move in with him and yet she'd only just bucked up the courage to talk about the future with Carina.

"Not really, I might just get a shop job for a while, Draco's all on this whole 'Malfoy women don't work' kick still, but I haven't quite decided, and Imogen has been talking about perhaps extending my studies by a year to specialise in something that interests me, but honestly, I'm not sure." Carina explained, Hermione nodded along with her. Things were still a bit new. Hermione had seven years to figure out what she wanted to do, Carina had her whole life turned upside down and a single year to learn everything and decide what she wanted to do. "Actually, there was one thing. Someone from Madame Malkins mentioned they were looking for a new part time model, they're bringing out a new gown range, its paid job for trying on dresses and smiling at the camera, so I might take that up."

"But your financially set, you don't need a job for the sake of having a job, Carina," Hermione reasoned.

"True, but it's weird doing nothing… I'm used to having my own income." Carina responded. "Why the sudden curiosity?"

"Because Rufus asked me to move in with him." Hermione blurted out, Carina looked at her, before grinning at her friend.

"You should have told me!" Carina gushed, she was genuinely happy for Hermione, she deserved this. Everything was looking up for her, between the new job and moving in with Rufus, she was looking pretty set to go. "When? As you said I have money, I can go out get my own place."

"Really? He asked a week ago, I just didn't know how to…"

"Turf me out?" Carina laughed, she got up and hugged Hermione. It didn't matter, she'd missed living with Hermione, but she could hardly hold this against her. If it were her, she was in love and wanting to move in with lover boy, she'd want her friends to be happy for her. "I can stay with Draco for a bit, Merlin knows he's in that old manor which needs a female touch."

"Are you sure you're okay with this?" Hermione asked nervously.

"Hermione, I am more than okay with this." Carina chided her teasingly. "I can honestly say, for everything you have done for me this year. From taking me in, tutoring me… literally saving me. Anything that makes you happy, I want that for you."

Tears flood to Hermione's eyes and she nodded, laughing as she wiped away the stream that form down her cheeks. "Gosh, look at me now." She smiled and pulled Carina in for a bone crushing hug. "I love you Carina, who knew that a Malfoy would make me all gushy like this, but you're like my little sister, I love you loads."

"I love you too, you soppy git," Carina replied hugging Hermione back tightly. Hermione was like her older sister, it was her who took care of her, her who introduced her to her friends, merlin, it was Hermione who housed her when she had nowhere else to go. And even when she did, it was still Hermione who she knew she could stand by. "Just be happy, that's all I want for you."