Draco practically floated back to the Manor after his lunch with Hermione. He walked into the sitting room to find his mother and father taking afternoon tea. They both looked up from their cups and smiled.
"Where did you get off to this morning, son?" His father asked as Draco poured himself a cuppa.
"I went up to The Ministry and confronted Granger." His mother dropped her cup then flicked the mess away with her wand.
"Confront? Oh, dear. You didn't do anything rash, I hope." Narcissa felt flustered. If he was too brash with the young lady, it would only make their plan harder to implement.
"Not at all, actually. It went great! You are looking at the new Head Potioneer for the Department of the Regulation of Magical Creatures. She was impressed by my training with Señor Mondalves and even took me out to lunch." The smile on his face had both parents grinning.
"That's wonderful news, my Dragon!" Narcissa got up and embraced her son. "We're so proud of you." They listened to Draco discuss what projects he would be beginning with. He excused himself to his wing of the manor, leaving his parents to plan their next move
"If things don't move along organically, our next step is The Ministry War Orphans Charity Ball in three weeks. Knowing our son, he'll have her falling in love with him before we know it. Did you see the way he lit up whenever he spoke her name, Lucius? He cannot deny his feelings for her for much longer." Lucius chuckled softly as he pulled his wife into a hug and kissed her temple.
"Yes, dear. Hopefully this happens before I die. I'd like to see him wed before the end." Narcissa's smile fell. "Now, now Cissa. None of that. You know what the Healer said. My heart is weak and getting weaker, but I am not dead yet, my sweet. He also said I could live another five years as long as I stick to potions, but we must be prepared for anything." Lucius took her hand in his and brought it up to his lips, kissing her knuckles softly.
"Draco needs to know soon, Love. We can't put it off much longer." He knew this. Lucius knew, but how do you tell your only child that you are dying?
One week into his new job and Draco Malfoy was already making friends. His boss was one of them, but the two other Potioneers working under him were great. Margot Poppleheim was a witch with a hearty laugh and a dirty sense of humor.
She was married to her husband for thirty-five years and had four grown children with her first grandchild on the way. She was welcoming and warm and did not fault Draco for his place in the war.
Frank Whitman was fresh out of Durmstrang and Draco's apprentice. The boy was standoffish towards him at first, but the more they talked, the more at ease he became.
"Good morning, sir. I got more Daisyroot and Fitterby from the apothecary and ordered more Eye of Newt. Drax says that it should be here by weeks end. Oh, and Miss Granger stopped me on my way in. Asked me to have you come by before this morning's meeting." Draco thanked the boy and made his way down the hall to Hermione's office. Her secretary, Edna, was just settling in when he stopped in front of her.
"Ah, Mr. Malfoy! Good morning! How was your weekend?" Edna was a sweet old lady. She'd been a Slytherin back in her day, as she liked to call it. She was also the only 80 year old he knew that played Quidditch recreationally. "I had a tourney Saturday. Beat their asses, I did! Guess the young whelps thought they could get past Old Edna."
Draco chuckled at the lady, "I wouldn't even attempt it, my dear Edna. My weekend was quiet. Just hung out with my mates Saturday night then spent Sunday with my parents and my young cousin Teddy and Aunt Andromeda. Great little tike. Five years old now and growing like a weed."
"You're a handsome young man. Why aren't you dating?" Edna pinched his cheek and nudged him, with a knowing gleam in her eye she added, "Or are you waiting for a certain Gryffindor War Hero to finally notice you?" Draco looked aghast and she cackled. "Come now boy! You're about as subtle as a Centaur in a china shop!" He felt himself blush as he excused himself to knock on Hermione's door.
He heard her call for him to enter and turned the knob. "Hey, Frank said you asked to see me?" She was smiling that disarming smile at him again.
"Yes, um, can you shut the door behind you please." He did as she asked and took a seat at his desk. "I just wanted to let you know that I have had Romilda Vane and another employee sacked. It was them that have been incinerating any applications from anyone that they believed to have served under Voldemort. Like I have said many times, I do not and will not tolerate any type of hate, bigotry, racism, or harassment. I hope you know that this is a safe place for you. Anything you need, let me know, and I shall do my best to help." She smiled again.
"Thanks, Granger, I mean, Hermione. It's great here. Everyone I have worked with so far have been nothing but kind to me. It feels very welcoming. I'm sure it has everything to do with how you run the department as well." He was staring at her with those beautiful eyes again. Those eyes and that smile that made her want to crawl atop her desk and have him take her right there.
She cleared her throat then stood from her desk causing him to stand up quickly as etiquette suggests. "Did you need any help carrying your files? I don't mind helping you, Hermione." He held out his hands in a placating manner when she looked at him with a flushed face. "Just to be helpful. I'm not trying to imply that you are weak in any way." She nodded then handed him the heavier of the three.
After a successful morning meeting, Hermione only had her lunch with Ginny and baby James to look forward to. Jensen and Smythe brokered a deal with Turvis and Bane. The Forbidden Forest was beginning to flourish again and Draco was working on a preliminary potion for a generic Wolfsbane potion.
Hermione entered the cafeteria and saw a half awake redhead with a baby strapped to her chest. "Ginny, we could have rescheduled. You look like you haven't slept." Ginny scoffed then laughed lightly.
"That's because I haven't, but I need to see another adult. Merlin's beard, I thought I could handle Harry going on assignment. I refuse to call on my mum though. She'd never leave." Hermione got up and grabbed them each a sandwich and a juice then brought it over to the table. Ginny smiled at someone she saw behind her friend.
"Is that Malfoy? Bloody hell, Mione. I almost forgot he worked here now. Damn. How haven't you hit that up yet? If I wasn't madly in love with Harry, I'd take my chance." Hermione swatted at her friend's arm as she giggled.
"Because, he's my employee, you twit. Besides, he'd never want me. Imagine his father would go into shock. His precious bloodline besmirched by a Muggleborn! Oh, the shame!" They giggled then Draco walked over to say hello just as the baby began to cry.
"Good afternoon Mrs. Potter. Your husband was supposed to meet me for a drink this weekend. Is he well?" Ginny smiled up at the blonde delight.
"Malfoy, yeah. He was called away on assignment. I was actually supposed to Owl you. Just had my hands full with this little guy. James, look who it is!" Ginny turned her crying five month old to face Draco and he stopped crying instantly at the sight. "It's crazy right? Always works. He could be in hysterics, but give him to Malfoy or just let him see him and instant silence."
Hermione was intrigued and flabbergasted at the sight before her. Draco held his hands out for the baby with the most endearing smile. Ginny gave him James and Hermione's ovaries practically burst at the sight. He was definitely sexy, but seeing him holding and cooing at a baby made him even more so. "Hey, little guy. I missed you. Look how much you've grown. Aunt Dromeda says her and Teddy are coming Sunday for dinner?" Hermione listened with rapt attention as Ginny and Draco caught up.
She'd known Harry and Draco were now friends, but had yet to see them interact. She was always so busy with work, she only got to see her Potter family once a week and maybe Harry in passing at The Ministry. It had gotten worse after Ginny got pregnant. Hermione was happy for them. They were her family after all, but it just reminded her how lonely she was.
Her mind wandered to a vision of her holding hands with a certain Slytherin. She was jostled from her thoughts when she heard them discussing the War Orphans Charity Ball. "Two weeks away and I am so looking forward to a night out. Mione, are you going solo again or did you want me to ask Charlie to be your date? He's visiting from Romania for the next three months." Ginny caught the slightly annoyed look on Draco's face. 'I knew it! He fancies Hermione!" She thought to herself.
"Oh, I don't think so. I'll just tag along with you and Harry. You'll be proud of me, Gin. I even bought a new dress." The women laughed and finished off lunch in peace while Draco walked around the cafeteria with a passed out James on his shoulder.
"I think he likes you, Mione." Hermione sighed and shook her head at her friend. "No really.You didn't see his face when I brought up Charlie." Ginny nudged her friend in the shoulder. "If he doesn't make a move soon, grab up some of that famous Gryffindor courage and do it yourself. Hermione just smiled and shook her head at Ginny.
A tawny owl arrived at Malfoy Manor shortly after tea. Narcissa pulled the scroll off the bird while Lucius fed it a piece of roast from his plate. He then watched as his wife's smile grew. "Potter's wife?" he asked with hope.
"Yes, she says that Miss Granger definitely feels something for Draco. She just needs a bit more time and maybe an extra push. Looks like Operation Shall We Dance is underway, my love." With a cunning smirk, Lucius pulled his wife down onto his lap and kissed her soundly.
A/N: I love Sneaky Lucius and Narcissa! You'll find that many of our characters know that Draco and Hermione have strong feelings for each other, but are too blind and stubborn to realize it. Next chapter will be the ball!!! Review! Thank you for the kind words!