A/N: As per Jedi SteelWolf's request, Hermione used to work in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures and currently works in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Her job, however, has no effect on what goes on in the fic, though.

Disclaimer: I continue to own nothin'.

Hermione,

How are you? Feel like it's been ages since I last saw you. I've been busy training all these new Junior Aurors that Robards employed on his most recent hiring spree… but well, I reckon you know all about work keeping you busy. If you don't have any plans, how about grabbing lunch together? That way, we can catch up. Look forward to hearing from you.

Miss you,

Harry

Hermione stared at the memo with a small smile curling the edge of her lips but felt a jolt of disappointment pass through her at the thought of lunch.

Damn, I was supposed to meet with Draco today… surely he won't mind?

She grabbed a sheet of parchment used for Interdepartmental Memos and penned a quick note before sending it on its way. Hermione moved her pens and paperclips about, using reorganization as an outlet for her edginess. Not five minutes later, a Memo breezed into her office and landed on her desk.

Hermione, I don't mind at all. Send ol' Scarhead my love.

She snorted at his response and shook her head; his sense of humor never failed to amuse her. Still, despite the levity in his reply, she stared at his elegant script and bit her lower lip. Hermione's fingers twitched, barely resisting the urge to write back an 'Are you sure?' but held off, imagining his response. He'd probably roll his eyes and give his head a small shake before sighing loudly.

"For crying out loud, Granger, I'm sure. I'm a big boy, there's no need to baby me."

Hermione chuckled softly and shook herself, picking up her quill to respond to Harry. She sent the Memo off and stared at the clock on her wall.

Ten more minutes to lunch, I hope Harry receives my reply on time.

But since they both worked in the same department, Hermione received his answer and grinned, standing up in a single motion. She glanced at her work robes, which she'd hung on a coat rack behind her and hesitated. She looked down at her lilac, long sleeved blouse which was tucked into a charcoal tweed pencil skirt and sighed softly. It felt silly to admit it at first, but she'd chosen the outfit with Draco in mind. Hermione had wanted to wow him since she usually stuck to a white and black color palette for work.

No, better put the robe on. Muggle clothes may have become more socially acceptable to wear in public, but I know I'd probably get quite a few looks… better not risk it.

She slipped her robes on but didn't fasten them, letting her clothes underneath peek through. She grabbed her bag and headed out, praying that she wouldn't arrive late.

The day was sunny and slightly breezy, perfect for the little deli that she and Harry had agreed to meet. She recognized her best friend's ebony mop of hair sitting underneath a red umbrella and walked faster, begging to Merlin that the thin heels of her shoes wouldn't get caught between the cobblestone ground.

"Harry!" she called out, unable to help the building excitement in her stomach.

He turned toward the sound of her voice and stood up, grinning widely as he opened his arms. Hermione bounded into them, giving him an affectionate hug. They pulled away simultaneously and she beamed at him while Harry gave her a boyish grin in return. She took a seat across from him and stared at his face, letting memories of all their adventures wash over her.

"So, how are you, Hermione?" he asked her seriously.

She tilted her head slightly and gave him a curious look, arching her brow.

"I'm fine, Harry. Busy with work but I'm sure you're not overly surprised to hear that," she smirked.

He blinked and an odd expression came over his face but soon smoothed it over.

"Are you really, Hermione?" he pressed quietly, his emerald eyes flashing knowingly.

Hermione resisted the urge to fidget and looked down at the table instead.

"Good afternoon and welcome to… oh, my Circe! It's Harry Potter and Hermione Granger!" the waitress squealed, grinning widely at the pair.

Hermione cringed and forced a smile on her face, looking away from the waitress but feeling oddly relieved by her arrival.

Not that it'll stop Harry from asking me again. He's far too intuitive for his sake.

"Whatever you order, it's on the house!" she chirped enthusiastically, clasping her hands together.

Hermione exchanged a look with Harry before turning to look back at her.

"I'll have a club sandwich with a side of chips. Oh, and iced water, please," Hermione told her politely.

To her surprise, Harry ordered a chicken salad and pumpkin juice.

"Eating healthy, are we?" she joked, wanting to forestall whatever lecture her friend had in mind.

"Robards mentioned something about wanting us to keep in shape," Harry smirked but shrugged half-heartedly. "I just follow orders, honestly.

"I'm sure it helps that The Chosen One does it, setting the example for others to follow," Hermione pointed out slyly.

Harry blushed, shrugging again and she smiled fondly at her friend.

"So…" he insisted, giving her a meaningful look.

Hermione sighed and refrained from rolling her eyes.

"If you're asking how I've been ever since the wedding was called off, Harry… then I'm fine," she answered curtly, taking a napkin and smoothing it over her lap.

He frowned at her and despite her snappish response, Hermione knew he saw right through her.

"You're feeling guilty, aren't you? But as I'm sure you know, the Weasley's don't blame you. Specifically, Molly doesn't blame you if that's—"

"I just feel like I've betrayed them," she interrupted him, looking into his bright eyes.

Harry gave her a sympathetic nod and reached out to pat her hand.

"I'm pretty sure Molly would rather have you as a daughter than Ron as a son at this point in time. He was undesirable number one at The Burrow for quite a while," Harry chortled, pulling his hand away to take a sip of the drinks that had arrived at their table.

"I can just imagine."

"Hermione."

Harry's voice sounded so serious that Hermione looked up at him.

"You can't keep blaming yourself. It's not healthy," he told her softly.

"I know," she whispered, nodding. "But Molly's like a second mother to me and… the Weasley's basically took me in. Well, you more than anyone knows what it's like to be included in their family. Not to mention that I'd loved Ron for so long but…"

"But you're not the same person anymore," he finished for her.

"Yes," she breathed out, relieved that someone finally comprehended her.

"Don't think about it too much, Hermione. You'll just keep torturing yourself," he told her sagely.

Their food arrived and they both tucked into their respective dishes.

"Ron told me he saw you."

"Of course he did," she grumbled, taking a bite of her sandwich.

"With… Malfoy."

Hermione sighed wearily and put her food down.

"Did Ronald also indulge in how he made a complete arse of himself?" she inquired archly.

"No, but I reckoned so because he reeked of alcohol. He was missing half an eyebrow… probably splinched himself."

"Serves him right, the fool," she mumbled, taking a drink of water.

"Malfoy, Hermione?" Harry asked her quietly. "Really?"

She heaved a sigh and was about to answer when a head of platinum hair caught her attention. Hermione straightened her posture and saw Draco sitting regally in a chair, picking at his food and looking bored out of his mind.

Is he…?

But she glanced at the person sitting next to him and felt her heart sink a little.

Pansy Parkinson. What's he doing here with her?

"Hermione?"

She snapped her eyes back to Harry and forced a chuckle.

"He's changed, Harry," she answered him simply.

He frowned and gave her an incredulous look.

"Hermione—"

"Didn't you just say yourself that I'm not the same person anymore? Why can't it apply to him as well?" she demanded hotly.

"Because he's Malfoy, Hermione. Have you forgotten all the insults he tossed your way back in Hogwarts?" he asked, raising a dark eyebrow.

"I have not, Harry. But what good is it reminding someone of their past after they've turned a new leaf? Besides, I worked with him... or did that tidbit slip your overworked mind?" she bristled.

Harry looked comically shocked at her outburst and Hermione almost laughed out loud but managed to rein it in.

"Well, now that you mention it… perhaps you're right, Hermione. You're the best judge of character I know and if you say he's changed... then maybe he has. Just… be careful, alright? Once a Slytherin, always a Slytherin."

Hermione finally rolled her eyes but gave him a smile.

"Yes, oh Chosen One," she drawled.

He scowled at her before bursting into loud laughter.

"Already rubbing off on you, isn't he?"

Hermione raised her eyebrows as a dirty thought crossed her mind. Harry seemed to recognize the look on her face because his face turned a fiery scarlet.

"Erm…"

"No, I absolutely don't want to know," he said, flapping his hands about.

Hermione laughed and glanced at Draco, blushing magenta when she caught his ashen eyes watching her. A corner of his lips curled up infinitesimally and Hermione felt her face grow even hotter.

Curious as ever, Harry turned to see the cause of his best friend's abrupt muteness and smiled wryly when he spotted Draco. There was a tense moment when Draco turned to look at Harry and then nodded at him; Harry nodded back promptly.

Hermione heaved an inward sigh of relief.

Well, that's that.

However, Pansy seemed to notice that Draco wasn't paying attention to her and snapped her fingers in his face, a frown gracing hers. He turned to her, batting her hand away as he scowled at her. Hermione smirked, pleased that Draco took no attitude from anybody. She watched him shrug elegantly and Pansy squinted her eyes and looked around until she caught Hermione staring at her. She screwed her face up before giving Hermione a look so sour it brought back memories of Hogwarts. Hermione, in turn, gave Pansy a dazzling smile before winking at Draco and turning back to Harry.

"What was that?" Harry gaped, hand frozen over her plate as he clearly tried to steal one of her chips.

"Giving a pug a taste of her own medicine."

Harry burst out laughing, snatching a couple before eating the last of his salad.

"You know… I'm kind of glad you're seeing Malfoy," he told her pensively, calming down.

Did Harry Potter just say he's glad I'm dating Draco Malfoy?

"Why's that?"

"Someone's gotta give you a backbone."

Hermione rolled her eyes yet again but smiled triumphantly.

"I'm learning from the best," she shrugged lazily.

Harry stared at her and then snickered.

"Just… don't change too much, Hermione," he told her seriously.

Hermione sobered up and nodded, giving her best friend a grateful smile.

"Thank you, Harry. You have no idea how much it means that one of my best friends is accepting of this," she admitted, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders.

He smiled at her before taking her hand and giving it a squeeze.

"Thank you, Hermione. We should do lunch again soon."

"I'd love that. I really missed you, Harry."

"Missed you too… Mione," he grinned impishly.

She groaned and snatched her hand from his.

"Please don't call me that. I've hated it ever since Ron thought of it," she huffed, eyeing him grumpily.

"So I was told," he snorted, running a hand through his already tousled hair. "Anyway… I better go. It was nice catching up."

"Have a great day, Harry. Send Ginny my love."

She held back a chuckle, recalling Draco's memo and gave Harry a toothy smile instead.

"I will. You look pretty," he told her, noticing her appearance belatedly.

Hermione blushed but gave her best friend a look.

"I see Ginny's trained you well," she teased.

Harry blushed and shrugged, waving goodbye at her. She lifted her hand and waved back, watching his back disappear into the crowd.

Who would have thought that Harry would approve of Draco? I honestly thought he was going to be opposed to it, like Ron. Well, maybe not as adamantly as Ron. It's nice that at least one of my best friend isn't questioning my decisions. Maybe someday Draco and I could go out on a double date with Harry and Ginny.

She peeked at Draco from the corner of her eye and saw his usual mask of impassivity as he listened (or pretended to, anyway) to Pansy.

How does he do it? Must be Occlumensy at its best. Though I wouldn't be surprised if Mr. Malfoy advised Draco to conceal his feelings because feelings are for the weak-minded.

The waitress came by and flashed a smile at Hermione, who nodded and smiled in return. She finally stood up and glanced wistfully at Draco one more time before meandering back to the Ministry.

I haven't really seen much of Draco ever since Paris… although there's no doubt in my mind that Parkinson's keeping him busy on purpose. I can't stop thinking about that kiss. Seems like some of the rumors about Draco's "talents" were true.

Hermione blushed as she strolled through the Ministry's atrium, heading for the lift.

I'm curious about asking him but I'm wary all the same. Not that I'd get jealous. For one, it's more than pointless and two… okay, nothing comes to mind. I'm just sure I've less experience than he, after all… wait, why am I even thinking of this? We've only been out on two dates and…

Hermione shook herself as the lift stopped in her department. She walked briskly to her office, wanting nothing more to shut herself up and get back to her paperwork. Once there, she sat down and stared around her office and let her eyes linger, imagining the doorway in her old office that led to Draco's own.

"I miss him."

She chuckled softly and got herself to work, her mind often venturing to thoughts of Draco Malfoy.

At the end of the workday, she was visited by the man himself.

He towered over her, his arms crossed over his chest and watched Hermione patiently. She finally looked up and jumped in her seat, clutching at her chest as he smirked.

"You startled me," she eyed him reproachfully.

His smirk just grew bigger.

"Almost done, Granger? Or are you going to continue to waste away on that?" he asked in a bored tone, glancing down at the papers on her desk.

She glared at him but put them away all the same.

"I suppose it's something I can finish tomorrow," she admitted grudgingly.

"Good. Let's go," he told her, nodding for her to stand up.

"Where are we going?" she asked him hesitantly.

"Why don't you come along and find out?" he asked, breaking into a slow smile.

Hermione swallowed thickly and nodded, standing up to gather her things. She tucked her wand into the inside of her robes and grasped her bag tightly and turned to Draco, who held his arm out to her with a charming smile. She tucked her arm into his, grasping his warm and toned bicep and felt a small thrill go through her body.

To her surprise (and delight), he Apparated them to Hermione's favorite Chinese restaurant just off Diagon Alley.

She turned to him with a smile but asked, "What's the special occasion?"

"I wanted to spend some time with you before our next date," he shrugged but she could spy a smile on his face, even if he wasn't looking at her.

Hermione felt speechless but kept staring at Draco's profile. He turned to her and cocked his head, a corner of his lips quirking. She finally closed her mouth shut and looked away, blushing.

"Wouldn't this be considered a date?" she asked, perplexed.

He smiled smugly and cocked his head.

"You know I don't do anything by halves, Granger."

She eyed him warily but ended up smiling, shaking her head at his logic.

"When's our next date?"

"Saturday at seven. We'll convene at my place and leave from there."

She smiled and nodded.

"It's a date," she answered, trying her best to sound unaffected.

"By the way… you look beautiful," Draco whispered in her ear, gently leading her into the restaurant.

Hermione grinned, feeling her happiness burst and flow throughout her body.

Once they settled down and ordered, she felt his eyes on her and looked up at him.

"What is it? Do I have something on my face?" she joked, touching her fingertips lightly to her cheek.

He smirked, his molten gaze roving her face in such a hungry manner that left Hermione feeling slightly lightheaded.

"Just your usual pretty features," he shrugged.

She scoffed but felt her cheeks warm at his flattery. Draco, on the other hand, arched an eyebrow, as though he was daring her to contradict him. She raised her hands in surrender and he flashed her a victorious grin.

"So, I'm guessing Potter didn't have an aneurysm when he found out about us?" he queried, leaning back casually into his chair.

"No, not at all. He seemed a bit wary, at first, and understandably so. But once I told him that I'm very much a grown woman and therefore perfectly capable to make decisions of my own, he seemed to come around," she grinned at him.

Draco stared at her for a couple of seconds before guffawing.

"Only you could put The Scarred One in his place," he smirked, nodding appreciatively.

Hermione gave him a look over the new nickname but Draco continued to smirk, clearly unrepentant.

"Well, I'm just glad he's on board because I've no plans of going anywhere," he told her silkily.

She blushed, thrilled by his words but settled for giving him a coy smile.

"And even if he hadn't approved, that wouldn't have stopped me from continuing to date you. Unless, of course, it caused irreparable damage to your friendship. Selfish as I am, I couldn't have done that to you. I may not understand why, but you love those prats and who am I to question your judgement? You've been with them through thick and thin and it's difficult to find friendship as pure as that nowadays."

Hermione felt her heart swell with affection, knowing that being understanding wasn't quite in Draco's nature but that he tried anyway.

"Thank you, Draco," she smiled, reaching over to brush her fingertips against his knuckles.

He swallowed thickly, eyes flickering to her fingers before meeting her gaze.

"On the contrary, thank you," he told her softly, giving her a lopsided smile.

Oh, sweet butterflies... will you never cease?

Thanks for taking the time to read! Have a lovely day. :)