Disclaimer: Seriously, this is getting tedious now; I OWN NOTHING. (:

Chapter 6

Malfoy touched the small of her back slightly to nudge her into his own office. Hermione felt something stir slightly in the pit of her belly and she blushed. Malfoy didn't seem to notice but proceeded to sit behind his mahogany desk, shuffling a few papers. Hermione still stood in the doorway of his office looking around. It was a similar size to Harry's, but Malfoy had many more bookshelves and cabinets filling the space.

"You like to read, too?" Hermione asked, folding her arms and raising an eyebrow expectantly.

Malfoy shifted slightly in his leather swivel chair. "Well, yeah."

"So all those years you called me a bookworm and a Miss know-it-all you were one too, huh?" Hermione scowled and sat down opposite Malfoy, separated by his desk.

"Why wasn't Olivia in your shop?" Malfoy tried to shift the subject.

"Stop avoiding the question! You're such a hypocrite; you might as well turn around and say your whole family were mudbloods!"

Draco closed his eyes and went pale. "Please don't say that word."

Stunned, Hermione watched Malfoy as he sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. Draco Malfoy was asking her to not say a word he threw as a casual insult at her for seven bloody years?

"I regret…what I did to everyone, Granger. Can we please get on with the questioning?" He asked desperately, staring into Hermione's wide eyes.

"Yeah…yeah, lets start." Hermione was confused and disorientated. The proud Malfoy son just apologised to her for what he had done all those years! It was a miracle, and frankly, Hermione couldn't believe it.

"Granger?" Malfoy waved a hand in front of her eyes and she snapped out of her reverie.

"Sorry, what were you saying Malfoy?" Hermione asked, forcing a smile.

"Why wasn't Olivia with you in the shop today?" He asked seriously. He reached over to a drawer on his desk and pulled out some parchment and a quill. He waited for Hermione to answer before beginning to write.

"She went with Blaise on a date; he took her out for lunch and so I don't know where they are."

"Blaise took her on a date?" Malfoy stopped writing and stared at Hermione in shock. "He kept that very quiet."

Hermione didn't say anything but waited for Malfoy to finish muttering, and then to continue to ask her questions.

"Um, okay. Do you know what time Nott came in?"

Hermione shrugged. "About half twelve, I guess. It was only a couple of minutes after Blaise and Olivia left."

Malfoy scowled and hurriedly wrote down her reply.

"Why don't you use a Quick-Quotes quill?" Hermione asked, watching the Eagle feather as it scratched along the parchment. His writing was neat and flowing, almost feminine.

"Because they exaggerate everything you say; I find them incredibly annoying, especially when they are under the hands of that Skeeter woman." He answered, not looking up from the parchment.

"You seemed quite buddy with her in fourth year," she said coolly, his remark bringing back the memories of the cruel articles about herself and Harry.

"Like I said, Granger, I regret what I did. Everyone makes mistakes." He smirked and leant back in his chair. "I'm done, do you want a drink?"

"What? Malfoy, you have only asked me two questions. You haven't even asked what he said to me! It's very important!" Hermione cried, slamming her hand on the desk to emphasise her point.

He held up his hands in surrender, "Okay, okay, sorry. What did he say to you?"

"Well, your going to use Veritaserum on him anyway, so there's no point in me answering."

"Bloody hell, Granger! You make a big fuss about me not asking you enough questions, and when I do, you don't give me a straight bloody answer!" He stood up from the table and glared at Hermione.

"Alright then! Nott killed Barnabus! He attempted to kill Ron and then he tried to bloody rape me! He fancied me since the Yule ball and I'm guessing the next boyfriend I would have, he would bloody kill as well! As for those bloody plants; they could have been his bloody signature!" She yelled standing up, leaning over the desk so they were both nose to nose, glowering at each other.

Harry strode in at that moment with an Auror hovering in his shadow. "What are you two shouting at each for, now? All I hear is a load of bloody this, and bloody that coming from this office." Hermione watched as he tried to hide the smile that was fighting to reach his face.

Malfoy sat back down and sighed. "Never mind, Potter. What's Anadore doing here?" He narrowed his eyes at the small, twitching wizard who shrank under his glare.

"Hermione, this is Arnold Anadore. He would like to ask you a few questions too."

Hermione almost said aloud that she thought Aurors were supposed to look slightly formidable and strong, not small and weedy, but thought against it.

"No, Potter, I think you'll find that Granger and I are doing perfectly well on our own, thank you." Malfoy argued, narrowing his eyes at Harry. "I don't want Anadore here and I'm sure that Granger doesn't wasn't him either."

Hermione kept her mouth firmly shut when Harry looked at her. She didn't want Anadore here, but she didn't want to hurt the poor man's feelings.

"Oh thanks, Granger. Just jump out of your seat in excitement to stick up for me." Malfoy said sarcastically, shooting her an irritated look.

"Sorry," she mumbled quietly. Then she said a bit louder, "Sorry, Harry, but me and Malfoy are doing quite well. Surprisingly. I appreciate your concern though."

"Don't apologise to me," he shook his head. "It's Anadore who wanted to see you."

"Why?" She asked curiously.

"Because I think the cases are connected," the little man squeaked, his watery eyes shining excitedly.

"Oh well done, Sherlock." Malfoy rolled his eyes and sat on the edge of his desk, next to Hermione. "We've already established that."

The light seemed to disappear from Anadore's face and Hermione felt guilty. "I'm sorry Arnold, and I thank you for your help but we're alright. Really, we are. Malfoy's pretty much finished asking me questions."

Arnold only nodded and left the room with Harry behind him, sniggering.

"You're such a sap, Granger." Malfoy said smiling slightly after the two Aurors left. It was the first hint of a true smile Hermione had ever seen from Malfoy.

"You know, you should smile more often. You look much better." Hermione added without thinking. She turned bright red after she realised what she said and covered her face with her hands.

"Why, are you complimenting me bookworm? And, I don't need to smile to look good." Malfoy smirked, sitting back down behind his desk.

"I thought you would stop calling me that after you pretty much apologised for doing it for seven years!" Hermione shook her head in disgust, placing a hand on her hip.

"Yes, when I used it as an insult. Now it's just in jest. Think of it as my nickname for you." Hermione could tell he was enjoying himself immensely, annoying her like this. Two could play at this game, she thought, smiling to herself.

"Okay, but only if I get to call you ferret." She grinned wickedly, folding her arms triumphantly as Malfoy's smirk slid from his face.

"No way, that's not fair!"

"I think it's perfectly fair."

"No!"

"Yes!"

"No!"

"Yes, Malfoy, unless you stop calling me bookworm." Hermione laughed as Malfoy hit himself on the leg for falling into the trap.

"Not in public?" He asked weakly.

"When would we be together not in public?" She asked cautiously, the playful mood suddenly disappearing. He wasn't…? No…he wouldn't be suggesting that they go out together? On a date?

"Sorry, that came out wrong." He apologised quickly. "I mean, like here or where there's no reporters or anything around. You know, not in front of everyone. That would be so…"

"Embarrassing." Hermione finished, grinning again. "I suppose it would be for you, not for me, though."

He scowled. "I don't like this subject anymore. Let me finish you asking questions." Malfoy picked up his quill and then fingered it a while before beginning.

Hermione answered them as fully and as quickly as she could. She was getting fairly bored; she wanted to see Olivia, Ginny and Pansy…

Eventually, Malfoy placed his quill back in the drawer and stared at the two pieces of parchment he managed to fill. "Nice one, Granger."

"Thanks," she mumbled quietly and yawned. "What time is it?"

He checked the thick, silver watch on his wrist. "Four."

"Really?" She was surprised. It had taken them three hours. "Well, I must be off. I need to find Olivia."

"Of course." He stood up at the same time she did. "Well, look after yourself, yeah?"

She flashed him a smile. "Thank you, Malfoy. See you later." With that last sentence, she Apparated.

--

Hermione appeared outside of her shop, making a wizard walking near her jump. She muttered an apology and hesitated in opening the shop door. The curtains on the front were still closed and she wondered if Olivia would have returned. Her hand rested on the iron knob, willing herself to turn it but not being able to, fearing her mind would replay the horrible memories. Hermione wasn't a Gryffindor for nothing; taking a deep breath, she slowly creaked open the front door.

The lights were on, but they soon disappeared in a squeal as Olivia threw her arms around Hermione. "Oh my gosh, Hermione! What the hell happened? I come here and there's Aurors telling me to bugger off! When I told them I worked here and demanded to know what's going on, they said there was an attack against the owner of the shop and the culprit was lying unconscious on the floor!"

Hermione smiled weakly. "He did attack me…Theodore Nott."

Olivia gasped and clutched her chest. "Oh, I should have never gone with Blaise for lunch!"

"No, no, it was fine. I hope you had a good time?" Hermione asked, determined to keep looking at Olivia and nowhere else.

"Yeah, yeah, more about that later. How did he attack you?" She asked slowly.

Hermione only stared at her, hoping she would understand.

"No! He didn't hit you or anything?" Olivia still didn't comprehend what Hermione was silently trying to tell her. She desperately didn't want to say it aloud.

Olivia watched Hermione shake her head and then thought. It dawned on her. "No. No, Hermione. You can't have been…?"

She willed herself not to start crying, but she couldn't stop the overflow of tears. "I nearly was, Olivia." She managed to gasp out between sobs.

"Did you beat him up?" Olivia asked feebly, trying to lift the mood.

"No…" Hermione wiped her eyes. "Malfoy stopped him."

Olivia took in a sharp breath. "Really? Wow!"

Hermione chuckled slightly and sat down on the floor, leaning against a bookshelf. "Olivia, would you mind if I left in a moment? I can't stay here."

"Oh no, that's perfectly fine. Take the whole week off. I know it's not my place to give out instructions, but I think you should."

"You wouldn't be able to cope on your own!" Hermione protested, getting back onto her feet.
"Yeah, I know, but I'll get my sister to come in. She's looking for work at the moment. Do you mind?" Olivia asked hesitantly.

"No, not at all." Hermione hugged her tightly and then moved towards the fireplace. "I'm going to Ginny's flat. I might see you later." She waved goodbye to her colleague and stepped into the tiled fireplace, yelling her destination. The tingling, warm flames were a comfort to her as she arrived at Ginny's flat to see her on the sofa with Pansy and Ron.

"Hey guys." She said weakly.

"Hermione! Are you alright? Have you been crying?" Pansy rushed to her side and led her gently by the shoulders to sit down.

"I'm really sorry about what happened, Hermione. Really, I am." Ron's eyes were pleading as he gazed at Hermione, willing her to forgive him.

"It's alright, Ron. I just wish you would have told me sooner." She sighed and turned back to Pansy. "Yeah, I have been crying. Fortunately, it wasn't in front of Malfoy."

"How did the questioning go?" Ginny asked quietly.

"It was good actually. We didn't argue much and Harry came in with this guy called Anadore who wanted to see me, to tell me that he thought the different cases were connected, bless his heart. Of course, we already knew, but Malfoy – being Malfoy – decided to state very bluntly that we had established that a while ago." Hermione gave a wry smile at the memory.

"Did you see Olivia afterwards?" Ginny inquired.

"Yeah, that's when I cried." Hermione murmured quietly. "I had to go into the shop and it was horrible; everything was pretty much the same from when it happened."

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Hermione." Ginny embraced Hermione as well as she could from sitting on the sofa.

"I'm okay now, don't worry. Do you mind if I sleep here tonight?" Hermione asked hesitantly.

Ginny's scrunched her nose up in thought. "I'm not sure. I think I'm going out with Harry tonight and I don't know what will happen afterwards…"

"Ginny! You didn't need to say that! I don't want pictures of my sister and my best friend doing you-know-what." Ron turned bright pink.

"Oh for goodness sake, Ronald, it's called sex." Ginny shook her head at her brother's childish behaviour.

"Hermione, why don't you sleep at mine?" Pansy offered quickly before Ron could open his mouth to speak.

"Oh thanks, Pans', I really appreciate this." Hermione beamed. "I don't want to sleep alone tonight."

"What are friends for, eh?" Pansy laughed, winking.

"Hey, now you're making me feel really bad." Ginny pouted and folded her arms.

"Oh Gin', don't be so silly!" Hermione chuckled. "I understand perfectly that you would want to spend time with Harry. You're getting married!"

"Speaking of which, when is the knot to be tied?" Ron asked, staring at his sister suspiciously.

Ginny rolled her eyes. "I don't know! Harry and I will probably talk about it tonight. I'm inclined to have it in May, actually." She added as an afterthought to herself.

"Oh, that would be gorgeous." Pansy squealed. "Can I be bridesmaid?"

"Maybe," she winked.

"Oi!" Hermione cried out indignantly. "What about me?"

"And you, Hermione, of course." Ginny laughed. "But I think I may need some help with organising. You know what Harry's like; he leaves everything till last minute which I do not plan on doing."

"Ooh!" Pansy screeched, and Hermione covered up her ears wincing. "Sorry, but, oh. I'd help you with that, Gin'."

"Yeah, let Pansy do that; I'm no good with colours, flowers and anything else which comes into wedding planning." Hermione massaged her left ear and glared playfully at Pansy who looked apologetic.

"Sorry about that. I get a little excited."

"Just a bit." Ron muttered under his breath.

"When do you want to get your stuff?" Pansy got up from the sofa and stretched. Hermione saw Ron eye Pansy's backside with some mild appreciation.

"Is it okay if we go now? I'm really tired." Hermione yawned to prove her point.

"I'm not surprised." Pansy led her over to the fireplace. "We'll see you two later. You," she pointed at Ron with a perfectly manicured finger. "Behave!"

The last thing Hermione saw before arriving back at her own apartment was Ginny laughing, and Ron turning pink at the ears.

--

Dressed in a short, periwinkle blue satin nighty, Hermione slipped into Pansy's spacious bathroom and ran herself a bath. Whilst she was waiting, she heard Pansy open the front door and begin talking to someone animatedly. Thinking it was probably Ron (coming to give Pansy a 'quick' kiss); she opened the bathroom door and stepped out into the hallway, right into Draco Malfoy's line of vision.

To say he was surprised was an understatement. He faltered in mid-sentence and Pansy turned around to see what was grabbing his attention. She laughed when she saw Hermione turn a deep shade of red, turn, and scamper back into the bathroom, locking the door behind her.

Oh the shame, the embarrassment of Malfoy seeing her dressed in a piece of skimpy nightwear! Hermione sat on the edge of the tub and groaned to herself. Why did she have to be so nosey and open the damn door? And the look on his face! He looked as though he just saw Harry Potter naked!

Forcing herself to think of something else than what just occurred, she turned off the tap, slipped off her nighty and slid into the warm water. Hermione's wand lay on the side by her head, and she flicked it slightly so bubbles began to appear. Smiling contentedly to herself, she closed her eyes.

"Hermione! You must be a friggin' prune by now! You've been in that bath for over an hour and a half." Pansy's voice from behind the door awoke her from a light slumber.

"What, really? Oh, I'm so sorry! I feel asleep!" Hermione noticed the now lukewarm water and hurried to get out of the bath. She dried herself with her wand, slipped her nighty back on and opened the bathroom door. Pansy was standing there, grinning from ear to ear.

"Let me see your fingers then." She asked, holding out her hand.

Hermione watched as she grabbed her hand and examined the tips; they were all shrivelled. Like a prune.

"Ha!" she exclaimed triumphantly. "I knew they would be!"

Hermione only rolled her eyes, pulling her hand out of Pansy's. "What time is it?"

"Only half seven. I've made dinner. Oh, and Draco's joining us." She added nonchalantly.

"What?" Hermione hissed outraged. "After what happened earlier?"

"Yeah, about that. Just so you don't repeat that situation, I suggest you change, or wear a dressing gown or something."

Hermione only scowled at Pansy's beaming face.

"Oh, relax. It doesn't matter. Lasagne okay?" Pansy wandered away from the bathroom and back into the kitchen, not waiting for Hermione's answer.

Seething, Hermione stomped into the room Pansy had prepared for her and she grabbed her fluffiest, thickest dressing gown. Tying the cord at the front, she made sure she didn't have the horrifying panda eyes from her makeup, and reluctantly made her way back out into the hallway, towards the kitchen. She reached the half open door and pushed it the rest of the way so she could enter. Malfoy looked up from the newspaper he was reading and smirked.

"You have good taste, Granger."

Hermione only glared as she sat down on the bar stool at the counter, trying to get as far away from the infuriating ferret.

"Wine?" Pansy offered, holding three glasses and a bottle of Merlot. She set them down on the table top and then went back to the cooking. "Pour me a glass, will you?"

Malfoy swiftly grabbed the bottle and filled two glasses halfway. "Would you like some?" He asked, pausing on the third glass.

Hermione nodded, "Thanks." She added stiffly. He handed the crystal to her and she took it gently, before taking a sip. "Good choice, Pans'"

"Thanks. Do you want to take a seat at the table? The food's ready now." Pansy pointed towards a polished, wooden table at the far end of the kitchen, with four, high backed leather chairs.

Hermione immediately hopped off the stool, as well as she could with a glass of wine and shuffled over to the table and sat down. Noticing it wasn't laid, she muttered a spell for the knives, forks and plates to come whizzing out of their shelves and drawers. They laid themselves automatically and Hermione smiled with satisfaction at the accomplishment.

"Nice," Malfoy noted, sounding impressed. Hermione prayed he would not sit next to her. Instead, he sat directly opposite. Drat, that was even worse. How on earth was she going to manage to have a meal with Malfoy?

"Oh thanks, Hermione. You laid the table." Pansy beamed and set three plates down atop with steaming lasagne. Hermione's stomach grumbled in appreciation.

She grabbed her fork and dug in hungrily, disregarding the fact she probably resembled a pig at the rate she was going.

"Pans', this is really good! Can I have the recipe?" Hermione paused to take a sip of her wine. She saw Malfoy looking at her with an amused expression on his handsome face. "What?" She asked shrewdly.

"You have sauce on your cheek."

Before she had time to check and rub it off with her serviette, he had reached over himself and wiped it away with his thumb.

Now that was a bit forward, was it not? Pansy looked amused and surprised. Hermione turned bright red again. And Malfoy just looked…well, like Malfoy.

I hope that was okay!! Thank you all so much for your reviews and alerts! It really boosts my confidence for writing this story! Thank you!

Oh yeah, and sorry if you had an email through saying I had already uploaded the chapter? That's my fault; I uploaded it and then realised I hadn't sent it to my beta yet; thank you GiantInflatableWalrus!