A/N: Ok guys, before you go on a rampage about how I haven't finished my other story it's because I hate it with a vengeance. I'm not going to keep writing it because I write my stories for my own enjoyment as well as yours, and I get no fun out of writing that one. Anyhow, on with the new story.

Disclaimer: I am only putting this here once and if you really get confused and think this is JK's work, then you are mentally deluded but I will be flattered. On a more serious note, anything you recognise here as being JK's work, is her work. Anything that isn't JK's (so in other words all the crap bits) is mine. Enjoy!

Hermione Granger, now a simple woman with intelligence to rival that of Dumbledore, stood in the dark alleyway, panting and with her wild hair unruly than ever. She placed a hand over her mouth in a bid to cut the noise further. A cat meowed in a distance, followed by the unmistakable clatter of dustpan lids and then heavy footsteps. Hermione emerged from her hiding spot and bolted after the black figure. She yanked out her wand and screamed "Stupefy!" it did the trick. The figure froze for an instance and then crumpled to the ground. She briskly walked over to the body and with a series of incantations the body vanished. Hermione wiped the sweat off her brow and proceeded home. She would have to write the report for that one tomorrow.

As soon as she entered her home, Hermione ruffled through her muggle mail, seeing if there was anything interesting and then settled into the letters sent by owl which she had now neglected for a week. It was getting close to midnight and Hermione's eyes were beginning to droop. She was about to walk towards her room were her doorbell rang. Who would be calling at this time? It rang again and Hermione carefully made her way to the door, her wand held behind her back just in case. She swung the door open and was greeted by two figures one of whom was sporting a gash on his arm and laughing deliriously. The other began to explain about his friend while trying to keep him standing at the same time. He was obviously sober.

"Would you mind if we used the phone to call a taxi. My friend here is pissed and in need of medical attention so –"the man trailed off as he looked up at her. Hermione recoiled slightly at the face that greeted her.

"Malfoy! Granger!" they both exclaimed at the same time. "What the hell are you doing here?!" they said once again in unison.

Hermione spoke first. "This is my house you know. And come to think of it my suburb. Hell, why not make it my town. The important thing is that you are in my space and you shouldn't be."

"Oh, here we go again! You know, you've only said fourty odd words to me and I already know you haven't changed. You're still the conceited know it all mud- bitch from school," he said. He didn't want his friend, although almost passed out, suspecting anything if he called her a mudblood.

"Who are you to call me conceited? You used to strut about the damn school as if you owned it, which I might add, you didn't! Me! Conceited! If I didn't know better I'd think you were more gone than your friend there," she scoffed.

"Are you done now? Only he is about to pass out from loss of blood and we're standing here squabbling like two year olds. Now if you don't mind, can you get off your high horse and call the paramedics or something?"

Hermione grumbled and grabbed the phone off the counter. She dialled the number and they bandaged and tried to ease the blood flow while waiting for the ambulance to arrive. It finally did and carried away Draco's friend with ease, as he wasn't too bad. Draco stood sheepishly at the door of Hermione's door. She sat there on the floor motioning at the door. She had thick bags under her eyes and her skin had become paler during the night. She yawned heavily as if it took all her strength to do so.

"Go. Now." She couldn't say anything else and so looked longingly at her bedroom door. The small clock on the oven read 2.01 am.

"You've changed. What happened to you Granger?" Draco asked mildly concerned.

"I grew up," was all Hermione said before her eyes finally gave in and she surrendered to sleep.

Draco snorted as she lay sleeping in on the floor of her living room. Draco had not changed much, so he left her there on the floor, subject to the icy draft that emanated from the floor. He went searching around her house for some indication of her job. He found a ministry card. Her name was imprinted on the card under the title of "Undercover Auror". So she had become an auror after all. He looked around her dwelling a little further not keeping track of time, and found to his surprise the same horrid orange cat curled up on her bed. The trouble it had given him two years ago when he was Head Boy and Hermione was Head Girl was enough to drive him insane, even now. He grinned evilly, planning to hex the cat or something but didn't have the chance.

An incredibly loud alarm went off on the table. The cat opened one eye lazily and then closed it again. Draco jumped about a mile and then once again when he heard Hermione stir in the next room. He went out to find her massaging her temples. It was 4.00 am.

"What are you doing here still," Hermione said lazily.

"Well seeing as you basically passed out on the floor, I decided I'd better stay and make sure you were ok," he said smirking. Hermione gave a hollow laugh and muttered something that sounded discreetly like "bullshit". She walked into her kitchen and made a large mug of coffee. Draco gaped at her as she put 3 heaped tablespoons of coffee and 4 spoons of sugar into the mug without milk.

"What the hell is that?" he asked eyeing the bitter liquid and muffin she held in her hand.

"Coffee" she muttered simply before downing the coffee quickly and grimacing at the taste. "Hang on. What on earth are you doing in my house?" Hermione asked after a few seconds.

"Woken up finally have you. Must have been the 'coffee'" Draco smirked. He picked up a muffin for himself and began to eat it.

"I thought I told you, like two hours ago to get out," Hermione demanded walking up to him, attempting to push him out of the way. He grabbed her hands and held them so she couldn't move.

"You know, I found out something quite interesting this morning. It seems you and I work in the same types of occupation," he said waiting for her reaction. Just as he predicted she gasped and struggled to get away from him.

"Let me go you foul piece of vermin. I'll scream for help and then you'll be in trouble," she threatened while still struggling.

"Go ahead. Scream your lungs out. God knows it will do this world some good. Then we won't have to listen your never ending babble going on. Oh, and I know about the silencing charms and other defensive barriers you put around your- house did you call it? and one more thing, what makes you think I'm on the side of the enemy?

"You? On the good side? I'd kiss you if that ever happens, and seeing as I would rather kiss a piece of shit, I can be sure it won't."

Draco let her arms go and pulled out a pass similar to hers. He was also an undercover auror working with the ministry. He held it up triumphantly for Hermione to see. She gaped in surprise and stood silent for a while.

"I don't know what to say" she said.

Draco scoffed. "That's a first". Hermione glared at him. She turned around and put her mug down, trying to comprehend this piece of information. "When were you assigned?" she finally asked.

"About two weeks ago. I think we may be working together from now on too, if memory serves me right," he added with a sneer. Hermione remembered her boss telling her something about a partner and groaned.

"Malfoy, just get out. If I'm working with you, then so be it. I had to put up with it for the whole of seventh year and I'm not crazy yet. Now could you please go," she asked tiredly.

"Fine. I'll see you at work Granger,' he said with a wink. Just before he closed the door he turned to her. "And don't forget, you owe me a kiss." With that he turned and left Hermione in a confused and shocked state.