Weeks flung by without a notice. Talking things over with Ginny took more time than Hermione had thought – at some point, she had even feared that the redhead would curse her – but she seemed to have accepted Luna's choice at last. It was time, because August was already nearing its end, which meant that Luna would start soon and Anselma would leave for her personal reason – which Hermione had gotten no further explanation about.

Friday's meeting with Joy was their last before he went back to Hogwarts for his 6th year, and the least one could say, was that the boy was not eager to return.

"But what if I do get into the Quidditch team this year? I don't want to change with the girls. But the boys probably wouldn't want me with them either."

"I thought that we had been over this already, Joy. You are not supposed to take part in sports before your transfiguration." Hermione tempered him.

"But if I want in, I can't wait for February. They'll already have had matches by then, and all the try-outs and everything!"

"You'll be able to try-out in your 7th year. Anyway, you should take time to get to know your body before you strive for something as challenging as Quidditch."

"Will it really be that different?"

"I wouldn't know myself, but I guess so. Did you get your appointment with the healer who will oversee your transfiguration at St Mungo's?"

"Yeah, he was quite the git, but it sounded like he knew his stuff. He said I wouldn't be able to keep my hands from my junk in the first months. He seemed to find that funny. What an a..."

"Language, please"

"... annoying dude."

"Just out of curiosity, which healer did you talk to?"

"Some blond bloke with a creepy smirk. I think his name was Malloy or something like that."

"Malfoy?"

"Yeah, that's him."

"Of course, you had to be sent to him, of all people ..."

"Yeah, he said he took my case because you guys are friends."

"WE ARE NOT FR ..." Hermione bellowed, before she reigned in her emotions "I am sorry, I am setting a very bad example. What I meant to say, is that Draco Malfoy and I are mere acquaintances."

"He did say you would react like that."

"Well, if he bothers you again, ask him how the hair straightening is going ..."

On the weekend preceding Luna's first day, the three witches set camp in the clinic to work Luna in. They each described their methods, and Anselma had several private meetings with their new colleague to explain each of her cases to her. Luna sometimes had the strangest questions. She wanted to know whether she could sing for the patients to sooth them, whether she could recommend her self-invented potions, or whether it was possible to have her sessions outside when the weather was nice. Anselma appeared mostly amused by Luna's character, even though she was drier than usual. Hermione could not help thinking that the event that was taking her off work was not a pleasant one.

Hermione and Luna's first week together at the clinic was much tamer than it had been over the summer. Joy had stopped coming in, Nathan had settled for one session a month now that he had transferred into the Ministry's security wizard department, and they were receiving less owls since many witches and wizards had gone back to work. Luna seemed to be doing fine, considering the patients' mood when they left her office. The two witches had agreed that Hermione would stay with Luna during the first week and would only go back to her usual schedule the week after.

Obviously, Hermione could not help feeling anxious by the time Friday came around. Without her asking, Luna had confirmed that Narcissa would continue her sessions while Anselma was away. Hermione had not seen her much since the blonde had given her that book. She would arrive right on time for her session, wave at Hermione, and disappear into Anselma's office. By the time Hermione was done with her morning sessions, she would already be gone. But the sky was particularly gloomy on this Friday morning, and the Gryffindor was forced to remember the day she had shared an umbrella with Narcissa. The memory nearly seemed fabricated now, considering how little attention Narcissa was paying her. Had Hermione done something wrong? Was it because she had not been able to properly flirt back? Did Narcissa now think that she did not take interest in her?

Hermione could not ponder about it much longer though, for Narcissa had just arrived. Her sundresses were also but a mere memory now, for she had retrieved her usual dark and sophisticated dress robes. Her arms, chest and legs were once more hidden from sight, even though September still carried a few scorching days. She nodded towards Hermione as she passed the counter.

"Doctor Granger"

"Miss Black"

And she was gone already, like every Friday that had preceded this one. Hermione could not help that heaviness in her stomach, as though she were about to heave. It was indeed nauseating. All this time they were throwing out the window. All this time she was spending, waiting for Friday to come, only to chicken out once it was there. She could not really focus on her morning session with Mrs Brown, who was still trying to deal with the loss of her only child. Luckily, that was her only morning appointment since she was not seeing Joy or Nathan any longer. Which meant that, when she came out of her office to escort Mrs Brown to the elevator door, she came face to face with Narcissa.

"Oh" was the only surprised sound that escaped Mrs Brown's mouth. Narcissa's eyes narrowed as she realized that this woman knew who she was. It took her another couple of seconds to remember who exactly she was facing.

"Mrs Brown" she then curtly said.

"Mrs Malfoy, of all –"

"It is Black, once more."

"Of course, I read it in the Prophet, I am so sorry ... force of habit ... You really are the last person that I expected to see here ... well, actually, when you think about it, you must also have quite a lot to talk about. How that must be, now that Lucius ..."

Hermione cleared her throat noisily to cover the rest of Mrs Brown's sentence, for she could see that Narcissa's unease was growing steadily. "Miss Black, I just remembered; Doctor Bones wanted me to have you fill out some forms today. Do you have a minute?" she then blurted out, making it up as she went on.

Narcissa's brows furrowed for a split second, but then she seemed to understand. "Ah, she did mention something last week. Of course, I am all yours." she agreed with a polite smile.

Mrs Brown seemed to understand that her presence was no longer required, and she finally called the elevator to leave.

"So, err, they should be in this drawer somewhere ..." Hermione practically shouted, while rushing behind the corner.

"She has left" Narcissa cut in, an amused smile stretching her lips. "You are improving, but you still lack poise." she then added.

"It happened to be a better read than I thought" Hermione defended, smiling a little despite herself. That woman's smile was strangely contagious. Maybe because it was so rare. "Listen, I wanted to tell you ... I had a good time when we had lunch, last month. Well, when I wasn't being awfully inconsiderate, that is."

"So did I. But why raise the subject now?"

Narcissa's question came with an insistent gaze that had Hermione's stomach rolling all over once more. She lowered her chin to avoid Narcissa's eyes, but her eyes were then forced to trail down the blonde's silhouette. Her robes surely were not as revealing as her summer dresses, but they were still very well-tailored. They hugged her frame in a delicate fashion that highlighted her curves without shouting them, and it was simply mesmerizing.

"I ..." Hermione finally started, forcing herself out of her reverie "I just wanted you to know. I wouldn't like the idea of you thinking that I don't like spending time with you."

"I also had a lovely time, Hermione. I appreciate knowing that the feeling was reciprocated." Narcissa answered in an overly polished tone.

"And would you ... err ..."

Come on Hermione, you can do it. What's the worst that could happen? If she says no, you'll change your schedule, and you'll never have to see her again.

"Would I?"

"... like to do that again?"

Narcissa's smile widened, and she rested a confident hand on her left hip. Why did that woman need to wear such high heels? Looking at her was hard enough without having to actual look so high up.

"Having lunch or getting drenched?" Narcissa conjectured with a smug expression.

"Spending time together" Hermione elucidated.

"Oh, I did not understand that." The Gryffindor and the Slytherin's shared a sarcastic rictus before the blonde went on. "What did you have in mind?"

"Well ... It's a surprise." Hermione said rapidly "Meet me in front of the fountain at the Ministry at 8?"

"Very public place" Narcissa noted, though she seemed rather impressed than unsettled.

"No, you're right. 8 o'clock, in front of the clinic. I'll loosen the wards."

"It's date."

"It is."

Narcissa then swung around on her heels and took off. Her hips swayed once more, how they had not done for weeks, like a dance only she knew, and Hermione could not take her eyes off them. Before the elevator doors closed, the blonde met her eyes one last time and winked.

"It was about time" a voice suddenly commented.

Hermione's head sprung to her right and spotted Luna's dishevelled curls.

"Luna!" she called out "I forgot you were here ..."

"I can see that" the Ravenclaw simply agreed, and she walked past Hermione, into the breakroom. She did not ask any further questions, nor proceeded to inform Ginny of what had just happened, but simply arranged herself some pudding.

Somehow, the formality of it all made it even worse. At least last time Hermione could simply have said that she was wearing her work clothing. Now that it was a planned date, anything she chose to wear would be picked out of that exact occasion. If she overdressed, Narcissa could feel like she was rushing things, but if she underdressed, it might look like she did not really care about her. Yet it also was also enjoyable to feel this excitement once more, to have a reason to change clothes ten times before finding the perfect fit.

At last, Hermione settled for a Muggle dress she had bought two months ago, when she had gone shopping with Harry. It was a simple white dress with a wrap-around closure that showed more cleavage than she was used to, which was the reason why she had never worn it as for now. It was also shorter than Hermione was used to, for it rested a couple inches above her knees. However, since the storm had not started yet, the air was particularly heavy that night, and she would not have survived more coverage. She painted her lips with nude tones, tamed her hair as well as she could, and, after a short hesitancy, she freed her legs of their hair with a wave of her wand.

By the time she was done, it was time to leave already, and she could only drop her wand into her purse before apparating to the foot of the clinic.

"Right on time" Narcissa's deep voice commented.

Hermione spun around on her flats to find Narcissa in a bottle-green suit. She was wearing an actual pantsuit, with wide-legged trousers and a tightly fitted blazer, no shirt, and black stilettos. Hermione gulped difficultly. It was laughable now, to think that she had worried about her cleavage, when Narcissa's first button was resting between her ample breasts.

"You look ..."

Delectable, was the word that came to mind. But one could not decently say that.

"... very elegant" Hermione added after her short pause.

"So do you. Where are you taking us?"

"Just follow me. Are you okay with walking a bit on these?" Hermione asked while gesturing towards the blonde's high heels.

"Please" Narcissa sighed as though Hermione's question had been an insult.

The Gryffindor smiled at her and led them through the streets of London while the sun slowly set. It had all been so hasty that, for a moment, she had thought that she would not be able to arrange it all. Yet her being the place's best – are most famous – customer did not hurt her chances. Indeed, Hermione was taking Narcissa to her favourite spot in town: a library. It was not just any library though. It was smaller than Flourish and Blotts, and far more secluded, but it was the most charming place she knew. Narcissa herself seemed staggered as they stopped in front of the small boutique.

"Is this it?" she asked tentatively.

"It is. Do you trust me?"

"I suppose …"

"Then close your eyes and take my hand" Hermione ordered.

To her great surprise, Narcissa complied without any resistance, and only held out her hand. Hermione cautiously caught it, amazed by its softness, and led her into the library. Everything had been arranged as planned. A large space had been freed in the back of the shop, where a round table was set, decorated with an intricate chandelier and a bouquet of red roses. Their different courses were waiting on the side, under a magical dome that was keeping them at an adequate temperature. Everything was perfect.

"You can open your eyes" the brunette stated as she let go of Narcissa's hand.

Narcissa gasped as her eyes opened. She blinked a couple times to get used to the dim lighting before she cautiously approached the table and detailed their surroundings.

"How did you …" Narcissa asked, without finding suitable words – which was very uncommon for her.

"Belonging to the Golden Trio does not hurt when you need something last minute."

"So it was last minute. What did the trick today? Are you one of those who are easier allured by concealment than by revelation?" Narcissa mused as she wandered around the room.

"What do you … Have you been waiting for me to ask you out? All this time …"

"Well, it would only be natural for you to do so if you were interested, considering that I initiated our first date."

"So it was a date … Ginny's right, I can be so dense sometimes …" Hermione mumbled to herself.

"It would not be my choice of words, but your friend is on the right path indeed" Narcissa jeered.

Hermione rolled her eyes at the blonde, and they finally sat down for dinner. The ambiance seemed to do wonders for Narcissa, for she stayed her softest self during the entire evening. At some point, the wine did seem to get to her head, though, because she was becoming growingly straightforward and adventurous.

"Do you even know how hard it is to walk on these all day? I tried all the cushioning charms, but at the end of the day, I am still yearning for a proper massage" she admitted, before taking another sip of red.

"I am sure you would look just as good in flats. You can take them off if you want; I'm not one to judge" Hermione reassured her.

"I could indeed" the blonde agreed, while slipping out of her dragon skin stilettos. Hermione's teaspoon fell out of hand, when she suddenly felt Narcissa's bare foot rubbing against her calf.

"Is anything the matter?" the older witch wondered in a falsely worried tone. The relaxed position she was seated in had her blazer sliding down her shoulder and revealing her prominent collarbones, which was not helping Hermione's growing state of distress – not to say arousal.

"No, nothing at all" the Gryffindor pretended, even though Narcissa's foot was slowly rubbing up and down her leg. "If we're talking about practical matters" she went on, trying to sound casual "would you mind teaching me that hair taming spell you used on me last time? It lasted for days!"

"Not at all" Narcissa answered with a coy smile. Her eyes were practically biting down on every parcel of Hermione's skin that they could see, and the brunette could not help wondering if it were only because of the alcohol in Narcissa's blood.

"I would be just as enticed without the wine" Narcissa elucidated, and Hermione was forced to remember that the blonde could meander through her thoughts at will.

"I'm sorry … It's just … surreal … being here with you"

"I could say the same, you know. Oblivious as you can be, you probably ignore that many witches and wizards are lusting after you; especially since you and Mr Weasley stopped being an item. Your beauty and brightness seemed to be all that people could talk about, over the past years, every time I attended a Ministry gathering." Narcissa explained while reaching out to cup Hermione's hand in her own.

Heat gained Hermione's cheeks at the open compliment. She could not truly believe her ears, though. She was Hermione Granger, the bookworm, the brains, the boy's motherly figure. She was no sultry witch someone could lust after. Yet Narcissa seemed to believe the opposite.

"How about we clean the place up and head to my place?" Narcissa suddenly proposed, drawing Hermione out of her thoughts "I could show you a couple spells of my own invention" she added, her saucy wink saying it all.

"A proper lady shall never be touched before a ring has been attached to her finger" Hermione recited while she waved her free hand to vanish their plates into the kitchen.

"I beg your pardon?"

"Manners: a matter of respect, chapter 34"

"You ... You actually read it?"

"Of course."

Hermione and Narcissa both looked at each other in utter disbelief, before bursting out in laughter. Narcissa was the first to recollect herself. She suddenly stood up, straightened her clothes, and leant over the table to kiss Hermione's cheek.

"In that case ... I had a lovely evening, Hermione." she announced ceremoniously before disconnecting their hands, turning on her heels and walking towards the door. Hermione was so dumbstruck that she watched her leave without moving a finger. And then Narcissa was gone, just like that, just like she had done in the clinic. It was that last realization that finally brought the brunette to her feet.

"Wait!" she shouted and ran out of the library.

Ever the brightest witch of her age, she did remember to lock the place before running after her witch. Luckily, Narcissa had not disapparated yet, and Hermione caught her silhouette at the far end of the street, her silken blonde hair shining in the moonlight.

"Narcissa!" she called again.

The blonde turned around and stretched a hand out for Hermione to take. Narcissa's teeth sparkled as she smiled at her. As soon as their fingers intertwined, they spun around and disapparated.

Their night was far from over.

Probably the longest chapter yet. But I wanted to have an entire separate chapter for their nightly activities ...

Love,

Mrs. R.