Hermione was stuck between a rock and a hard place. She was thoroughly frustrated and it was all Draco's fault. She had been working with him and Lucius for over a month now.
One month and in all that time she had only been able to touch Draco once- brushing her fingers across his as she passed him a folder of papers. He had jerked his hand back looking at her with a look akin to betrayal.
How was she suppose to save him. To make it easier for him to stay in control when he wouldn't so much as let an innocent physical contact between them take place.
After that incident he had politely informed her that any and all information he requested could be dropped in his in-box- there was no reason for her to deliver them personally.
He was being difficult. He kept sending her mixed signals.
It was suppose to be easier now.
She had accepted all that was required by her for him when she realized it was with him her heart belonged.
But she had never anticipated this- he was really starting to piss her off.
It had truly started on her first day at work when a vase of beautifully arranged roses greeted her with a small note about how much Draco admired her.
It had been such a sweet and completely thoughtful gesture that went to pot when she tried to thank him for his gift with an invitation to dinner, her treat.
He had turned her down informing her that a date was not a foreseeable possibility, besides she wasn't allowed alone with him in his office, so it would be best if she would please a hear to the professionalism of the office's integrity in the future.
She had really wanted to smack him after that one.
Instead she swallowed her pride, pocket the letter and moved the flowers to the receptionist desk, telling Kimberly she thought they looked better in the lobby . Kimberly had given her a small nod in understanding. And Hermione couldn't help but have a small shutter of jealousy as the blond leaned over and breathed in the bouquet.
Still Hermione had made the decision to finally let it all go. All she wanted to do was help Draco and if, she suppose, he needed her, he would come and let her know.
Besides she had not been shy about her intentions. Putting herself out there again and again only to be continuously turned down and embarrassed by his cold dismissing behavior. She simply didn't understand what had changed. All she knew was that she refused to feel responsible for the apparent failure of his heath. She only hoped she could figure out what was bothering him before it was too late.
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Hermione was having lunch with Ginny and Pansy. Who unsurprisingly had taken to each other like twins separated at birth. There was a large pink binder laying open between the two as they giggled and gossiped over the latest styles in silk and lace for the season.
Wedding dress designs and bride maid cuts where slewed across the table as each took turns in debating different color schemes. Pansy was getting married in less than two months if she could pull it off to Theodore Notts who had popped the question the night before and just a few weeks following Ginny planned on marring Blaise before he came to his senses and realized just how crazy and needed she really was. This being how she had declared the news that he had propose the day after the incident in the elevator when Hermione flooed to check up on her childhood friend the following day.
Shortly after she had been invited to lunch with Pansy and had then extended it to Ginny- who hesitantly agreed. Ginny had been nervous about ruining Pansy's party months ago and how the Slytherin would react to her now, but there had been no need for Ginny's nerves. Hermione had filled Pansy in on Ginny's situation and in a surprising very unlike Slytherin manner Pansy forgave Ginny instantly declaring the red head her new project resulting in friendship. Now Hermione hardly knew how one had ever gotten along without the other. They were both so similar in comparison it seemed like they were the sisters that both girls had always wanted.
"So Hermione what do you think of this color?" Ginny asked, pointing to a dark red burgundy.
"Oh Gin, I would hardly know. I'm the last person you should ask in concern to trends and wedding planning. Pansy what do you think?"
"Very Gryffindor. Don't know how Blaise would feel about that."
"Well actually I was thinking just for the maid of honor's dress. Blaise and I have already decided on a mint and gold color scheme." Ginny informed.
"Don't you think, then, that red would clash horribly?" Hermione asked.
Ginny shrugged uncaring. "Probably but you always did look so gorgeous in red." Ginny complemented.
"Ah flattery will get you everything." Hermione replied blushing.
"So that's a yes?" Ginny asked knowing that being front and center was one of the hardest things for Hermione to endure.
"For you. That's a yes. But not red." Hermione replied taking a drink from her glass.
"Well then I think it only proper you say yes to mine as well. You're the closet thing to a best friend I have, Granger, besides the Weasley here. And I just think it's right for you to have my back after all I have done for you." Pansy stated in her snotty I won't take no for an answer tone.
"What of Ginny. She should be your maid of honor I'll be hers and you'll be mine, see, Everyone with be second best for a day." Hermione tried to reason for her own sanity.
"Ha! As if I could every be second best to you." Pansy restored teasingly.
"It's not fair for me to be second best twice." Hermione said really not wanting to be a maid of honor once let alone twice.
"You'll still be a bride's maid, you seriously don't think you'll get off too easily do you?" Pansy asked raising a challenging eyebrow.
"Never if you have your way." Hermione conceded smirking very Malfoy-like at her friend.
"So what didn't your parents have to say about the wedding, Gin?" Hermione asked, dreading the answer. She could only hope that in time the Weasley's would come back around to see what an amazing daughter they truly have.
"Mom fainted. Dad bellowed loudly threatening Blaise into obliviation. Blaise just stood there and took it all like a man. When dad finally calmed down Blaise asked if dad would give us his blessing. I think dad was impressed with Blaise after that and even apologized to me. Dad's going to walk me down the isle. Charlie contacted me too, sent me an engagement present and promised to come to the wedding. Perhaps in time the others will come around, maybe not. What matters is that I have Blaise and always will." Ginny explained a small tear in her eye.
Because Hermione knew that it hurt Ginny to the bone for her mother to continue snubbing her only daughter. Once upon a time Ginny had judged herself worth on the opinion of her mother and some old habits are hard to quit.
"I'm sorry, Ginny." Hermione said taking her friend's hand.
Ginny simply shrugged in response before asking, "Speaking of difficult situations how is it going with the ferret?"
"Not good. He is ignoring me. And the closer I try to get to him the further he pulls away. I just don't know what else to do. I don't understand why he is acting like this, what have I done to cause his ambivalence."
"Oh, no. I thought for sure his confrontation with your dad would of help him get past some of his guilt and for him to be able to let you in." The words flowed out without thought or caution and as soon as they left her mouth Pansy knew she had made a monumental mistake.
Hermione's face grew dark, her pupils dilated and the most frightening sneer ever witnessed spread across her lips. "What do you mean his confrontation with my dad, Pans? What happened?" And then it was there. It was something that she had become so adapted to- thoughts and images out of people's head came like second nature particularly when her emotions ran a high as they were at the very moment. She heard the words Draco used to taunt her dad, she watched the first punch that knocked him clear off his feet and witnessed a side of her dad she hadn't even thought was plausible. She refocused her thoughts when Pansy gasped for air, her fear and guilt at betraying Draco filtering into her thoughts forcing Hermione out.
Hermione took several deep breaths calming herself before she spoke. "I'm sorry Pans. I won't tell him I got that from you. I shouldn't of invaded your mind that was wrong. I won't do it again I promise. I'll tell him my mum told me. I'm sorry." Hermione spoke her voice barley audible. She really felt horrible for unintentionally invading Pansy's personal space like that.
"That…That was…That was amazing, Granger." Pansy's admission made Hermione blink and look up at her two friends who sat staring at her in awe. "How in the world did you do that? I am very proficient at Occlemcey yet I was no match for whatever it was you just did."
"Told you. Didn't I?" Ginny whispered to Pansy.
"Yes you did. Did Draco teach you?" Pansy asked.
"Yes. When I was at the manor with him."
"Wow! That's all I have to say. You needed to know. I shouldn't of told you but you needed to know." Pansy blubbered almost hysterically before her face grew very calm almost thoughtful. "Do you understand?" She asked knowing Hermione knew what she was referring to.
"I think so. Sorry. I have to go." Hermione said standing, pulling out some money and throwing it on the table. "I'll floo you later okay?"
Both young women nodded excitably. Hoping and praying that tonight all would finally be resolved between Hermione and Draco.