One Month Later

Following their meeting at Hogwarts with the headmistress, Draco and his comrades were able to convince McGonagall and the Minister into letting Madison attend her first year at a sixth-year level in the fall.

As noted by the headmistress, Madison was a unique case that required special care in order to contain the parasitic entity that lived within her. Shacklebolt, however, wasn't as easy to convince as he was skeptical of the peril that the other students could be subjected to. But as McGonagall noted, her school held a place for every young witch or wizard who required a home at Hogwarts. Leading the school in any other capacity would be of great disrespect to the late Albus Dumbledore who held a certain fondness in his heart for all who wished to master their magical capabilities, no matter their troubled upbringing.

Of course, this required a great deal of studying on Madison's part that required the assistance of her wizarding counterparts. Draco, Hermione, and Harry were more than happy to assist wherever they could in order to dictate a smooth transition for the teenager.

Draco kept his promise in offering Madison to live under his care to which her parents were astoundingly cooperative. This was presumably due to their encounter at the pub last month, and the simple fear of being hexed on the spot within the blink of an eye. Either way, Madison was over the moon to finally be under the care of, as she stated herself, her one true family member.

Hermione no longer held a residence at the hotel in Liverpool as the case had been closed. She and Harry were able to keep their positions at the Ministry as they were able to uphold Shacklebolt's request in tracking down and containing the obscurus. This was only half the battle of course, as the implementation of constant maintenance was mandatory in the ultimate triumph over the parasitical force.

Madison had been graciously offered to stay at Hermione's residence in London that was a quick Floo away from Diagon Alley and Hogwarts grounds. Being in close quarters to her up and coming residence at Hogwarts was of upmost convenience to the teenager. This gave her the ability to grow acclimated with the new culture and practice magic whenever she wished.

Draco was on a constant job hunt to uphold his end of the deal while shacking up with Hermione for longer than he desired. He was forever indebted to Hermione, and never took advantage of her kindness for one second. And once he found himself a stable job and was able to provide an income for his own apartment, he planned on spoiling her rotten.

But since Draco was still on the lookout for an open position, as he self-admittedly didn't qualify for most easier accessible Muggle jobs including working at a fast food joint or anything that involved treacherous labor, he would have to make do with what little resources he had in courting Hermione.

"You better hurry up," Madison advises Draco from over the top of her copy of Standard Book of Spells. "Hermione gets off in twenty minutes."

"You think I didn't know that?" Draco irritably barks at her.

Hermione's living room had been enchanted to a scenic view overlooking London from the vantage point of the famous London Eye. The bewitched ceiling reflects the current weather outside, crystal blue skies and wispy clouds, and the walls had been transformed into a breathtaking view of the city from all angles. Draco shifts through a plethora of Muggle decorations and knickknacks to conduct a romantic picnic that he had envisioned.

"Something's burning," Madison yawns while leafing through the pages.

"Oh bloody hell." Draco frantically unboxes a package of candles as they fall to the floor as a result of his unsteady hands. He stomps off into the kitchen as Madison giggles at him, careful to make sure that he was unaware of her shameless entertainment.

"Didn't 'Mione tell you to stay out of her kitchen?"

"And didn't anyone tell you that I'm a proud Slytherin who gets things done my way by any means?"

Madison rolls her eyes while muttering, "Once or twice."

The simultaneous shriek of the fire alarm emits throughout the apartment as smoke billows through the doorway. Madison approaches Draco from behind who fans the oven currently engulfed in flames. She sighs while drawing her wand and flicking it toward the appliance.

"Aquamenti."

A stream of water is projected from the tip of her wand as she douses the flames in a matter of seconds. Draco had simply been so consumed by the level of unfamiliar nerves that he had overlooked the usage of the wand conveniently stashed in his back pocket.

"Thanks for that." Draco wipes a palm across his sweaty forehead before looking to her over his shoulder. "It's rather convenient; having you around."

"It's rather convenient that I've been studying," she corrects him.

"Right.. that too."

Madison rolls her eyes at him once more while returning to the living room and casting a Scourgify to remove the black soot from the ceilings.

"Brilliant," Draco acknowledges her wand work while brushing his hands together. "Now what shall we eat? I think I burnt that bloody chicken straight to hell."

"You're helpless, aren't you?" Madison taunts with a smirk. "Just admit that you need my help, and I'll be happy to assist where I can."

Draco narrows his eyes at her, defiant against the inner tendency to accept help only unless it was absolutely mandatory. "Fine," he mutters with a pained expression.

"Fine, what?"

"Fine, I need your bloody help!" Draco shouts. "You shifty, self-righteous-"

"Ah, ah!" Madison wags a finger at him, silencing him. "Don't ruin this. I can just as easily retract my offer."

"You truly are a Slytherin in the making, aren't you?" Draco drawls.

"Learned from the best."

After Madison spoke Draco through the Muggle phenomenon of phoning a local restaurant and ordering a pizza, they make a last few revisions to the surprise date for Hermione.

"I should have purchased the purple candles," he frets while lighting the wick with his wand. "She doesn't fancy pink!"

Madison watches him levitate each individual candle toward the ceiling while ensuring that he didn't set the whole place on fire. His current erratic state was reckless, albeit the most adorable thing she had ever witnessed.

"What's gotten into you?" Madison laughs. "You really are in love with her, aren't you?"

Draco freezes in place and pivots toward her with his wand threateningly held in her direction. "What was that?"

"Whoa, whoa." Madison shoots her hands in the air while taking a step back. "Watch where you're aiming that."

Squeezing his eyes shut in frustration, he lowers his wand as his eyes slowly flutter open. "I don't know," he admits. "I've never.. I've never been in love. So I have nothing to really compare to."

"There's nothing to compare," Madison shrugs. "When you know, you know."

Draco smirks at her, but not in the characteristic snarky type of way. It was a genuine smile that eventually turned into a toothy grin. "Then I suppose I know, don't I?"

"Aww." Madison cups her hands beneath her chin and sways back and forth while batting her eyelashes. "You looove her. Draco loves Herm-"

Draco puffs out his chest and pulls his wand on Madison with such effervescence that it promptly silences her. "Finish that sentence and I'll hex you so fast your head will spin. Try me."

Madison giggles uncontrollably to the point of tears which only irks the blonde into oblivion.

"Get out of here you bloody little annoyance!" he reprimands with his wand still drawn. "She'll be here any minute!"

In a similar manner to when he had threatened her just moment ago, Madison raises both hands above her shoulders with a slick smirk. "Alright.. alright." With one last look of mischief sent his way, she summons her textbooks from the floor and makes her way into the guest bedroom upstairs.

"Oh, it's lovely," Hermione gapes while taking in their impressive surroundings.

A picnic blanket drapes across the floor that was transfigured into a glass pained flooring. A wicker basket containing her favorite bottle of wine props against the blanket along with an assortment of violet roses that scatter to the entrance to her doorway.

Draco takes off her coat for her as she removes her scarf. He takes her hand and leads her toward the picnic blanket as she takes a seat beside him Indian style.

"I've always wanted to take a ride on the London Eye, but haven't found the time," she admits in sheer admiration. "How did you know?"

Draco shrugs his shoulders while stuffing his hands in his pockets. "A certain scar headed bloke queued me in."

Hermione warmly smiles at the sentiment. Never in all of her years did she think that her best friend and Draco Malfoy would ever come to the friendly terms of willingly helping one another. Of course, she was a common factor between both men who possessed a mutual goal of her happiness. This realization warmed her heart.

"I wished to thank you for all that you've done," Draco shares while tapping his wand against the cork to the wine bottle. It makes a light pop as he summons two champagne flutes and pours them each a healthy helping. "I wouldn't have been able to do this without you. Then again, that goes without saying, doesn't it?"

Hermione blushes while accepting her glass of wine. They clink glasses and she takes a sip while relishing the hints of blackberry and cherry that glides down her throat.

"I don't currently possess the means to take you upon a proper date that I promised," Draco adds. "However-"

Hermione presses a languid finger against his lips, putting a halt to his nervous banter. "I think it's brilliant," she notes with a warm smile while raking his fringy bangs to the side. "I don't require monetary assistance to enjoy your company," she adds. "I believe you said the same not so long ago.."

"And I meant every word of it," he replies while putting his hand in hers. He raises it to his mouth and presses his lips to the back of her knuckles while looking up at her through his eyelashes. "How was work, love?"

"It's been nothing short of chaos at the Ministry," she shares while blowing the air from out of her bottom lip. "Kingsley has been piling up our workload and poor Harry has been driven to madness these last few weeks. Ginny is bound to burst at any moment and she's had the tendency to get rather mouthy.. mouthier than she already is, of course."

Draco rolls his eyes with a dismissive wave of his hand. "If I know anything about Scarhead, I have the confidence that he'll make it out unscathed. He's faced worse."

"You don't know Ginny," Hermione giggles.

Draco wrinkles his chin in agreement. Opening up the flat cardboard box, he places a slab of greasy cheese pizza on a plate and offers it to her. "Chicken wasn't on the menu today," he resentfully states under his breath.

"Is that what that smell was?" Hermione watches him in adoration, deeply moved by his advances and attempt at making their evening perfect.

"Speaking of work," Draco promptly deflects. "I'll be visiting the Leaky Cauldron tomorrow."

Folding up her piece of pizza and going in for a big bite, Hermione excitedly nods her head. "Of course!" she protests with a full mouth. "Why didn't I think of that?"

"It isn't a guaranteed position," he notes while shrugging. "Seeing as the entire wizarding community still views me as a traitorous swine.."

Hermione's eyebrows lower as she places a comforting hand over his. "You don't know that," she assures. "You've held a heavy hand in the maintenance of an entity that was tormenting the community."

"I suppose," he comments as his eyes search the ceiling in contemplation. "However, one thing is for certain: I strive to remain in the same vicinity as the important women in my life."

Hermione feels her heart melt at the stark vulnerability that he was displaying. There was nothing more attractive than a man of such great pride letting his guard down in the face of those he deeply cared for. Draco Malfoy was a person of great complexity that encompassed many layers. And she felt as though she was just scratching the surface. The thought that she would be able to uphold this endeavor was exhilarating.

"Where is she; Madison?"

"Upstairs," Draco replies while positioning his hands behind himself and reclining. "I suppose recognition is in order for her assistance in helping me set up this evening."

"You're really great with her," she comments with her lips pressed to the brim of her drink. "It's rather.. well, it's rather attractive. Sexy, one may call it."

A smirk traces Draco's lips as he indulges in her compliment. "Don't speak so soon," he warns. "Earlier this evening I almost transfigured her into a thimble just I could put an end to her torment."

"Tormenting you?" Hermione giggles. "Over what?"

Draco's line of vision falls to the floor as his mouth twists. "Well.." He grabs the wine bottle and fills his glass to the brim before taking a hefty sip. "She happens to believe that I.. have a certain fondness toward you."

"Is that what it was?" Hermione challenges with an arched brow. "You threatened to hex her based off the revelation that you were fond of me?"

"I believe the word 'love' may have been tossed around," he admits between glutenous gulps of wine.

Hermione shyly bows her head and pretends to pick at the cheese on her pizza while implementing sneaky looks at the blonde beside her. Draco fingers the inside to his collar while yanking it away from his neck.

"Not that I disagree," he hastily adds. "It's just that I.."

Hermione feels tempted to shush him once more just to put an end to the inner chaos he was experiencing. She knew how she truly felt about him, and she was acutely aware of his feelings for her. But there was no need to rush it, or to unhinge him to the point of unravelling.

So, she resorts to another way she can shut his mouth.

Placing her palms against the flannel blanket beneath them, she prowls toward him on hands and knees. Throwing her arms around his neck, she pushes his back against the ground as his hands magnetize to her hips. She delicately presses her lips against his while cupping her jawline with her hand.

"This evening has been nothing short of perfect," she whispers against his lips. "Me, you.. and an ungodly amount of grease that the Muggles seem to hold a liking toward."

Draco snickers against her lips while brushing his nose against hers. Hermione's mouth cracks into a grin as her eyes flutter open to meet his. Leaning her head against his chest, he wraps his arms snuggly around her upper body while resting his head onto the top of hers.

They recline their backs against the couch while peering over the captivating view of Big Ben and the Buckingham Palace. The scenery around them had evolved into a corresponding manner as the setting sun outside. A tint of orange, light pink and red blankets the city; twinkling against the pending night sky.

The rest of the evening is spent discussing their idealistic visions of the future together, drinking wine until the room was filled with jubilant light hearted banter, and playing Muggle board games. They had been so blissfully indulged in each other's company that their date didn't end until the sun was seen rising off in the distance beneath them.