Well my thanks as always for reviews, follows and favourites. As I said at the start updates will be regular, but sometimes just a little longer so I hope t isn't spoiling your enjoyment.

As before if anyone is interested chapter title comes from, From Russia With Love, as always I apologise for any errors blah blah ...

For some reason, Hermione assumed that Lucius Malfoy's question had been to seek a culinary review of the food served at Blades, his five Merlin starred restaurant. She therefore didn't give her quick response a second thought.

"No, not yet."

She envisaged slipping from her tall seat, politely excusing herself from the Dark Wizard's company and heading to the exclusive eatery or one of its counterparts at the Club. There was however part of her that was still keen to probe the somewhat enigmatic man a little further, the trained unspeakable, still convinced of world domination et al.

"Then please, as the owner and therefore technically your host, allow me to escort you to dinner."

Whatever else he was, Hermione could not fault Lucius Malfoy's manners, they were impeccable, his geniality as a host, utterly faultless. The glint of molten silver in his mesmerising grey eyes was just as unnerving as ever, but equally as beguiling at the same time.

The inquisitive Unspeakable in Hermione silently rejoiced. Some wine with dinner, perhaps a brandy with coffee, on top of the Firewhiskey he had already consumed, who knew what a trained operative like she could get out of the former Death Eater. The simple Hermione Granger groaned inwardly in equal silence, urgh dinner with Lucius Malfoy, no! And after three Kir Royale's of her own, and perhaps that same wine with dinner, who was to say the tables would not be turned.

Job and an enormous degree of curiosity won the day, uncharacteristically flirtatious honey brown met that mesmerising and beguiling grey.

"That is very gracious of your Mister Malfoy."

The tall blonde was no fool, and Hermione certainly didn't want to arouse his suspicions by appearing too keen to have dinner with a man she had once loathed, a man who was hardly top of her Christmas card list even now, and of whom she was still incredibly wary and uncertain of. Nor did she want him to think that she had any ulterior motives for breaking bread with him. She covered her bases well, putting the quaffle firmly back in his court.

"But I am sure you have much better things to do with your evening than dine with me, and should be returning to Malfoy Manor."

The thought of his cold, forbidding family home in Wiltshire sent and involuntary shudder of fear down Hermione's spine, an old memory still etched firmly and painfully on her brain.

Perhaps it was because she had been younger, perhaps it was because of those involved, but her torture at Malfoy Manor at the hands of Bellatrix Lestrange still haunted her more than any other situation Hermione had subsequently found herself in since becoming an Unspeakable, and there had been a few of those. She watched as Lucius Malfoy dismissively waved an elegant bejewelled hand, before returning it once more to toy with the heavy glass tumbler which held the dying remains of his Firewhiskey and melted ice cubes. His grey eyes were as cold as the dissolved ice.

"There is nothing to take me back to the manor." He said flatly.

His tone was equally as frosty and was not open for conversation, nor did he elaborate any further on that particular subject. Both his eyes and his tone softened as he continued to speak.

"Actually I am spending the weekend here myself." His eyes once again twinkled.

"I am hosting a small private party tomorrow evening and have some very important business associates to meet with."

"Oh I bet you do". Hermione mused silently, smiling at her companion. A picture of numerous former Death Eaters and Dark Wizards in a conclave somewhere in the swanky establishment coloured her mind. Plotting their takeover of the Ministry of Magic, some equally shady types from the US, conspiring a similar fate for MACUSA. The young witch desperately tried to rein in her thoughts, but then considering her last assignment, and the fact that this was Lucius Malfoy, she argued silently with herself, it wasn't easy, he had to be up to something, didn't he? It again occurred to her that perhaps this was actually why RM had sent her here.

The simple Hermione Granger found herself inexplicably more curious as to why there was nothing to take him back to his beloved Manor and his frigid wife Narcissa. Perhaps that question would be answered over dinner, the invitation to which she found herself graciously accepting.

"Well in that case how can I possibly say no?"

Perhaps her acceptance was more flirtatious than gracious, her own eyes glinting with the same mischievous intent as his, her lashes lowered just a little more than usual. Something her host took full advantage of as he slid gracefully from his own tall chair and offered her a darkly clad chivalrous arm.

There was of course a perfectly laid table ready and waiting for the owner. Pristine white linen embossed with the now familiar glowing Firefly logo adorned the small round table. Highly polished cutlery vied for position, amidst, paper thin crystal glasses of varying height and shapes, and a selection of delicate pink roses and white agapanthus. Hermione's work had taken her to many glamorous wizarding places over the last few years, but she had to admit this was up there with the best of them. Its ambience and décor alone were worth three of those Merlin stars it had. No doubt Lucius Malfoy had had help with his interior design, but something told her he'd had his own ideas and input, not to mention the final say. And there was something oddly him about the place, a superior air, that olde world classical elegance, that simply reeked of the Dark Wizard. The pictures in the glossy brochure given to her by Lois Bliss were stunning, but like rest of the things she had seen and enjoyed, thus far, they paled into insignificance against the actuality.

There was no question that this was the best table in the house. Perhaps a little unnervingly, it was in an exceptionally secluded corner of the classically elegant room, it was also partially hidden by an intriguing concealment charm, which gave the illusion that it was simply another vast window overlooking the gardens, its occupants were therefore ensured of their privacy and remained unobserved, whilst themselves still be able to enjoy the atmosphere and the setting.

Hermione swallowed, her eyes drifting from the dusk lit elegance of her surroundings, to the dark elegance of the man on whose arm she entered the room. She was used to walking into dangerous, sometimes unknown situations, this was simply dinner, a piece of cake, but as her fingers brushed against the dark, soft cotton of Lucius Malfoy's expensive shirt, she felt this was far more dangerous and decidedly unknown than anything that had preceded it.

Two even more wide eyed than usual house elves, in their mysteriously smart tunics hovered around as they escorted the Dark Wizard and his guest to the table, pulling out chairs and allowing them to sit down. Hermione noticed that Lucius Malfoy did not take his own place until she was fully seated, again those flawless good manners. The two house elves loitered momentarily, clicking their gnarled fingers so that napkins placed themselves gently in laps and iced water partially filled two of the many glasses. The young witch also noticed Lucius Malfoy cast a sharp look in their direction and the two hapless creatures promptly vanished with a discreet pop.

Hermione reached for her iced water, and taking a small refreshing sip she glanced around, no detail had been overlooked. Similarly as in the Libro, in the middle of the floor to ceiling windows were two French doors which led out onto a private, equally secluded terrace. In the fast fading light, small Firefly shaped lights shone in a twisted willow tree, a selection of heavy stone pots contained highly scented flowers and shrubs, Nicotiana, Jasmine and lily's the size of dinner plates, all in bright white, glowed an oddly ethereal shade in duskiness.

"What is going on in that razor sharp mind of yours Miss Granger?"

Lucius Malfoy suddenly asked, his tone softly menacing, but velvety smooth and oddly sensual.

Hermione lifted the crystal glass back to her lips, savouring the cold refreshing contents, it was a sharp contrast to the heat which was racing around her body.

"All very female I have to admit."

Her words, whilst intending to be completely innocent, seemed somehow naughty and were met with a dark blonde brow raised in curiosity.

The art of legilimency was a recognised skill within the wizarding community. Hermione however knew for a fact that it was not one which her dinner companion possessed. Thankfully as far as the knowledgeable young witch knew, x-ray vision was not a magical ability, not even for the darkest of dark wizards, but as Lucius Malfoy's penetrating gaze again drifted appraisingly over her, she became a little less certain, trying not to shift in her seat. His pale grey, sometimes lightest of blue eyes glistened like polished cut diamonds. His expression totally implacable as he waited patiently for her to continue.

"Disappointingly female."

She added, remembering where she was and who she was with. A second brow rose with equal curiosity, his eyes glinting an even more indistinguishable shade of blue grey.

"I was admiring yet more of your interior design, the elegance and attention to even the smallest of details, you have obviously given your hotel, country club…spa…"

She slowly quoted its title, watching a slow smile curl the blonde's lips. Hermione found her own gaze drifting to his mouth, unable to draw it away as he spoke, the smile seeping into his tone.

"I detect a note of surprise at my décor, elegance, design…. taste."

He mimicked her annunciation perfectly, his accentuation on the last word making it sound more than a little ambiguous.

A duel of words with Lucius Malfoy, Hermione could certainly manage, but only if she was careful, and not too guarded. Baiting him could certainly prove fun and also quite revealing, but it could also prove dangerous on very different levels. Hermione found the need to remind herself she wasn't on assignment, but for some reason the reminder made things worse. Thinking of the man sitting opposite her as a job was fine, regarding him as a man, that was disconcerting.

"Hmm" She mused thoughtfully, drawing her attention from his ridiculously distracting mouth, and casting it pointedly around the stylish, beautifully decorated room.

"I don't think even I could ever have disputed your elegance Mister Malfoy, your taste …"

Hermione left the word hanging, putting a little dubious phrasing of her own on it and leaving a however, clearly omitted from the sentence.

"Well that one might say…could leave a lot to be desired."

Their gazes once more clashed, both fully aware that she was not referring to his choice of wallpaper.

"That said…" She continued; her tone and look unwavering.

"There is something inherently you, about this place."

There was another somewhat rueful curving of Lucius Malfoy's lips. As he tried to hide it, it gave him an almost sinister look, reminding Hermione, as if she really needed reminding, of exactly who this man was or at least had once been.

"Coming from you Miss Granger, and considering the reputation…"

There was that inference in his tone again.

"This place" Again he mimicked her words. "Has, I will take that as a compliment."

There was another discreet pop as one of the house elves reappeared. Hermione once more noticed that little flicker of annoyance in the blonde man's face, and that same sharp dismissive look as he took the leather bound menus from the small creature. She in turn took one of them from Lucius Malfoy's outstretched hand, whether it was by design on his part, or purely accidental, his long fingers brushed against hers. Outwardly, Hermione didn't react or flinch, she was nonetheless acutely aware of his touch, brief as it was.

Avoiding the gaze she knew was still fixed on her, perhaps waiting for a response, Hermione opened the leather volume and focused her attention on the pale cream parchment inside and its array of gastronomic delights, talk about spoilt for choice. Her mouth was all but watering, her stomach reminding her that she hadn't actually eaten since breakfast.

"Like the décor and ambience Mister Malfoy, the choice is sumptuous and certainly warrants a Merlin star or two of its own."

She finally met that resolute look of his. The subdued lighting shadowed his face, highlighting both its cruelty and its handsomeness. The former Death Eater had aged surprisingly well, in fact it positively became him, he really hadn't changed that much at all, on the surface anyway. His long pale gold hair probably had a grey one or two amongst its lustrous strands, but it suited him, not that Hermione was of a mind to bestow any more compliments upon him.

He inclined that blonde head in deference to her words.

"I am sure you will not be disappointed with anything here."

There was that little inference to his aristocratic tone again, hinting at a double entendre which went with his glistening grey eyes, eyes which continued to study her fixedly.

This time it was Lucius Malfoy who raised the crystal tumbler of iced water to his lips. Hermione again finding herself watching his mouth, perhaps a little too closely. He slowly ran his tongue along them, savouring the cool clear liquid as if it were fine wine. She noticed a quirk, not a sneer, not a smile…but definitely a something.

"Is there anything you don't like?"

His words were purposely paused, just enough to emphasise the innuendo, as he took another sip from his glass.

"Or are perhaps allergic to? He finished quietly and deliberately, holding the glass to his lips.

Almost mesmerized, Hermione shook her head, finding her own mouth suddenly very dry and not of a mind to respond at all.

"In that case perhaps you would allow me to order for you?"

The wicked quirk on his lips become an enquiring yet devilish smile.

Hermione's eyes drifted, somewhat begrudgingly back to the menu in her hands. Truthfully there was nothing on the pale cream pages that she would not enjoy, it was impossible to choose. There was the odd thing she had not tried or tasted before, the innocuous thought, sent an unexpected wave of heat flowing through her body. She shut the leather bound menu quickly, her slim hand resting on the closed book. Scarlet Veela polish twinkled in the half light, almost with the same mischievous intent as the Dark Wizard's pale grey eyes. Hermione silently scolded herself, her current state of mind having more to do with three pre dinner Kir Royale's consumed on an empty stomach, than some magical nail varnish. She took a much larger mouthful of the icy cold water; it immediately refilled in the glass and drew her attention back to the man seated across the table.

"That would be lovely." She said, intrigued.

Musing to herself that clearly his megalomania extended as far as taking over the ordering of her meal, she directed her amusement at him.

"And I must confess very interesting…"

The enigmatic man again just nodded his head in acquiescence.

Hermione noticed he hadn't even opened the menu that the house elf had given him. It stood to reason that the chef would discuss the dishes with the owner, but it appeared that his particular owner knew exactly what was on the bill of fayre and had no hesitation in ordering, exactly what he wanted. A click of those long almost graceful fingers summoned one of the house elves back, to whom he gave their order with nothing less than succinct precision.

As bon vivant it came as no great surprise to Hermione that Lucius Malfoy would have an extensive and very refined palette. What did surprise her, was not only his choices but just how well educated he was about what they were eating. It seemed that the Dark Wizard, did more than just pass a cursory approving glance over the delectations served to his patrons.

"Do I detect another note of surprise Miss Granger?"

He asked, his voice was once again steeped in that softly menacing, velvety smooth tone.

Hermione was supremely annoyed with herself. Usually she was extremely adept at concealing her feelings and her reactions to things, and more importantly to people. They, and she appeared quite transparent to her dinner companion, and by association she again found herself pondering the x-ray vision theory, dismissing it as ridiculous.

Hermione plunged a sparkling silver fork into the delicate steaming dish before her, carefully extracting a small gnocchi parcel from the gratin of hot stringy cheese, allowing it cool slightly before popping it into her mouth. She managed to avoid getting the soft melted strands on her chin, her lips were not so fortunate and necessitated some fervent and quite positively indecent looking lip licking. If she didn't know better, Hermione would swear that the dish had been chosen for precisely that reason, she was equally certain that had there been asparagus or oysters on offer as a starter, one of those would have been gracing her plate now. Whatever the aesthetics might be, she was not afraid to play to her plainly captive audience, even if that audience was Lucius Malfoy. The explosion of delicious flavours overwhelmed her sense of taste, her others all busy elsewhere.

She finally addressed his comment, dabbing her mouth gently with the pristine white napkin, as he too wrestled with the warm stringy gruyere, obviously he hadn't thought that out when he had ordered the same thing for them both.

"Perhaps I was a little hasty with the aspersions I cast upon your taste." This time there was no doubt as to what she referred to.

"This is absolutely delicious. The surprise that you detected was at how involved you obviously are with the choosing of your menus and…"

She paused unable to resist another mouthful.

"How knowledgeable you are."

She licked her lips, this time more for effect, having now quite skilfully mastered the art of eating the melted swiss diary product.

The Dark Wizard reached for his own embossed napkin, perhaps more to conceal a small smile than remove any stray cheese.

"A person should be au-fait with every aspect of their business Miss Granger. It is all in those small details you observed. I would look exceedingly foolish if someone, such as yourself asked me a question and I was unable to give them an informed answer."

Ironically Hermione couldn't agree more, she followed the exact same philosophy in her own job. Only for her, getting caught out could be a lot more dangerous than a bad review in the lifestyle section of the Daily Prophet.

"An admirable work ethic." She concurred with her host, hopefully this time maintaining a much better façade than she had done previously.

Lucius Malfoy had for a second time ordered the same thing for them both, their rich creamy starter followed by a slightly simpler but equally as luscious looking main course.

Hermione thought that the fine bone china plates had a thin black stripe just inside their edge, pondering how stylish they too were, as she looked closer, she realised the thinnest of thin lines was actually caviar. The costly delicacy encircling a filet of grilled Dover sole, almost as white as the plate upon which it sat, a small selection of glazed vegetables provided the only splash of colour amidst the monochrome. Them and a bottle of chianti which Lucius Malfoy requested without a second thought, a tiny amount of which had been decanted into another of the much taller glasses on the table.

This time Hermione did not even attempt to hide her surprise at his choice.

"Red wine" She observed, raising a neatly plucked brow at the dark red liquid sitting just in the bottom of his glass.

"With fish!" He finished for her, swirling the alcohol around in the bulbous goblet and raising it expertly to his aquiline nose.

He inhaled deeply, his eyes meeting hers over the thin rim, he took a tiny sip, allowing it to remain in his mouth for a few moments before finally swallowing and nodding his approval.

Hermione found herself watching every movement with utter fascination. His nostrils flaring appreciatively at the clearly pleasing aroma, his lips parting almost sensually to sip from his glass and his Adam's apple bobbing in the pale column of his throat as he finally swallowed the small mouthful.

"You are not a wine snob are you my dear?"

His eyes now narrowed over the lip of the crystal, his question was posed with the same slow deliberation he had used to taste the wine, drawing her attention back to the table,

Hermione had been accused of many things in the past, had even been called a variety of things but never a wine snob. His accusation causing her to laugh aloud.

"Hardly." She said, her amusement still evident.

"It's just, well on the occasions when I have been eating out the sommelier has always suggested white wine to accompany fish."

She paused as without the aid of magic and with an incredibly steady hand he decanted a measure of the dark red liquid into her glass and then his own.

"I know absolutely nothing about wine." She told him honestly.

"Other than what I like and don't like, of course."

After his comments about being knowledgeable in all aspects of his business, Hermione was expecting a detailed explanation as to why it was perfectly acceptable to enjoy a red wine with fish.

"Exactly! He said lifting her partially filled glass from the table and handing it to her.

This time there was absolutely no question as to whether the fingers which briefly brushed against her own was purely accidental or by design.

"And I prefer red."

It was that simple, some things did not need a detailed or erudite explanation. What it came down to was what Lucius Malfoy wanted, Lucius Malfoy had, Hermione felt another of those sudden rushes of heat course through her body at the thought.

Hermione had assumed that having dinner with the former Death Eater and now proprietor of the Firefly Country Club, Hotel and Spa was going to a piece of cake. That she would be able to inveigle all sorts out of him. Instead, she had been given a lesson in business ethics and gastronomy. She might have discovered that he preferred red wine with his fish, and was somewhat of an expert on caviar, but she was none the wiser when it came to his reasons for not returning to his ancestral home in Wiltshire or who the business associates, he was meeting with were.

As foot high flash flames cast yet stranger shadows across his cruel, but oh so handsome face and engulfed their crepe suzette dessert, and the delicious sweet smell of heated Grand Marnier filled the air, Hermione began to realise, if she hadn't already… the words Lucius Malfoy and piece of cake did not belong in the same sentence.