Chapter 3

Hermione stared at Malfoy's proffered hand then met his gaze. Those grey eyes the only part of his face that was still truly his. By some feat of strength or dazed confusion (would have to run a diagnostic on her brain later) she shook his hand.

"Hermione Granger nice to meet you."

For some reason that to this day she will deny as anything other than demonic possession Hermione proposed:

"This may seem crazy, but can we take this meal to go I would much prefer to talk to your actual face if we are truly attempting to start fresh."

Malfoy agreed and called for the check he paid with a credit card and Hermione was shocked once again. Eleven-year-old Malfoy would have dropped dead watching this Malfoy using Muggle money in a Muggle restaurant with a Mudblood. She had to admit the personal growth was softening her initial opinion. He was still an entitled prat, a bit full of himself to be sure, but he wasn't an incorrigible arse anymore. She also supposed he did have reason to be a bit full of himself he was quite fit and tall, that did something for most women, and his voice was a pleasing baritone, and his hands well they were proportionate and that was all she was noticing . Not the long almost delicate fingers on hands that looked both strong and gentle. Not the—is that a tattoo poking past the sleeve?

Check paid, leftovers boxed, the pair left the restaurant. In the nearest alley Malfoy offered his arm for side long.

"I promise no dark warehouse this time."

She chuckled.

The shack they landed in front of was not much better. She felt the warding though and realized this must be his HQ. He peeled back the wards to allow her through. His wand work was rather lovely, and she noticed several warding spells that were very intricate and difficult to cast. Thusly impressed he showed her through the door. The inside was the same as the outside, she had half expected it to look like a suite in a high-end hotel. Instead, it was drab and a bit musty. Malfoy flipped on the lights, and she noticed the wall décor.

He must have noticed her looking around and offered the explanation:

"Muggle detective shows always have these rooms full of the evidence on the walls and I thought it would be helpful. I have surmised jack all from this effort if you were curious."

So many shocks rolled through her system in this moment. Trying to rectify the Malfoy she knew with this one was like trying to contain Fiendfyre.

"Oi Granger are you alright you look a bit green," Malfoy asked.

"Yes, yes, I am just in shock I think because in the span of three-quarter hours Draco Malfoy has apologized for doing something wrong, asked for a fresh start, paid with a credit card, walked into a house that looks and smells like death, casually mentioned Muggle TV, and uses a Muggle mobile. I am just waiting to see if I am hallucinating."

Malfoy was chuckling now, and it was throaty and tickled her ears.

"Well, if it's any consolation Granger you are as swotty as ever. You came here as a vacation for the bookstores, didn't you? I will say that your mane is much more subdued than when we were in school," Malfoy sneered but not with the old vigor more in a casual manner like he was teasing her as a friend.

It was decidedly unsettling. She would like to return to a world in which she wasn't reconsidering her entire stance on one Draco Lucius Malfoy.

"I am actually on a tour of France and all its bookish towns if you must know, I treat myself once a year for my birthday. I take an extended holiday. Last year I spent two weeks nude sunbathing in Greece it was fantastic."

The look of horror was entirely worth the fib, she had gone to Greece and did try a nude beach for a full quarter hour before feeling so uncomfortable she left. She however would not tell him this.

"Bullshit, I do not believe for one moment Hermione Granger was nude sunbathing," Malfoy blurts.

Hermione, how nice it sounds in his posh accent, all the syllables drawn out. Get it together Granger.

"Well, you should because I did. I have done a great many things that may shock you since last we knew each other twelve years ago Malfoy. I lived out of tents and huts for years all over the world. I had a new beau in every town," Hermione was spouting on though she was not entirely sure why she wanted to sound like a slag.

Malfoy looked bemused before saying dryly, "Sounds like you have had a full life then Granger getting stuffed in all sorts of gods forsaken places."

"T-that…I mean…I didn't…I wasn't…" Hermione was spurting.

If someone could just Avada me that would be great.

"Granger breath I don't think you were a slag. I know you were probably much too busy being a gods damn Do-Gooder to ever consider getting shagged let alone snogged. Though I would hope at thirty-one, is it? You would have had a better snog than Ronald bloody Weasley, Viktor Krum, or whatever excuse for snogging we did eight years ago."

Taking a deep breath Hermione just decided to change the subject entirely. Looking around the room at all the pictures and notes her mind stood up and took interest.

"Who are these baddies that you are searching for then, it looks like you have been on their trail for a while."

"Of course, the swot has returned, you know I am an Auror right and can't discuss this case with you."

But Hermione isn't listening she is wandering off to look at the wall because she knows a person in several of the photos. Malfoy is trying to redirect her to no avail when she reaches the wall and points.

"I know this man who is he to your case?"