So, Innogen was my super-quick reviewer for last chapter (I think I got your name wrong last time you reviewed…sorry!). Severus has magically disappeared from last chapter…I really need to proofread better!

Hippiechick: I really enjoyed writing the Draco-Hermione stuff too!

Lil: Yeah, euphemisms make the world go round. Shag him this weekend!!

Draccy: Thanks for including the typo—made it easier to find and fix! As I said, writing the Draco-Hermione dialogue was lots of fun.

Hand3: It's a sign of how many typos I've been making that it doesn't throw you anymore…

Mac1: I actually have a friend whom I call Casper the Unfriendly Ghost (or Cas for short). It's a fine line between white and clear.

Anyways, away we go!!

--Aimes (who is still bruised from Taxi Smackdown)

Draco came back to Hermione's room and tossed himself into an armchair with a grin. "So. What happened?"

"I killed the bitch that sold me out and went into shutdown mode. Threw myself at him and shagged his brains out…realized what I'd done…Tonks talked me down…went back and had a talk with him…"

"And he admitted that he's been lusting after you for years!" he finished gleefully. Ugh, he's going to blackmail me with this for the rest of our natural lives.

"Hardly, Translucent-One" Hermione laughed. "But we both admitted that we were interested in more than a one-night thing…more like multiple nights…or more."

"Very nice. I'm happy for you Furball," he replied. "Both of you. You deserve some joy in your lives."

Hermione sighed and grinned. "Yeah. And he's bloody fabulous in bed. Gods, I'm turning into one of those girls." But that is definitely okay with me.

"There are worse things than liking the person you're shagging."

"Name five."

"Not shagging the person you like."

"That's only one. Besides, I don't know why you two aren't together yet. All you ever do is stare at each other. I mean, if Remus and I can get it together, why can't you two?"

"It'll happen, eventually," he shrugged. "Get some rest, Curly."

"Mmmhmm," Hermione hummed as she drifted off to sleep once more. "'Night, Blondie." Two hours later her cell phone rang.

What does a girl have to do in this bloody place to get some time to herself? All I want is a nap!

"Yeah."

"Smoke?"

"Oh hell, ZT. I'm so sorry I didn't call. I got your message. Craven's too. They were both pretty much the same thing…seeing if I'm alright." She yawned and rubbed her eyes, enjoying the cocoon of warmth under her comforter.

"When will you be ready to deploy again?" Work, work, work. He's really got to get a life.

"Well…I'd like a month to get balanced. But I can leave whenever you wish. Also, Craven's got a lead on Matthew Shams. I want to take the case…will you approve it?"

"I already did. Craven's being commissioned by us. I admit, I like him more than I thought I would."

"He does grow on you. We're leaving for that in three weeks then…I'll be ready. A weekend gig, yeah?"

"Scratch that, you'll leave this weekend. No rest for the wicked or their hunters. Craven's bloody expensive, by the way."

"And he probably gave you a discount. He usually runs as expensive as I do when I go freelance."

"Bloody hell, he gave us a huge discount then. I've always wondered why you stick with us when you could go solo and make a hell of a lot more."

"Because, money only gets you so far. Family, loyalty…those things matter. And let's face it, ZT, you are my family. You and Craven. Besides, I'm set for life. My net worth probably rivals Bill Gates'. Now it's all about who I want to work with…and that happens to be you."

"Lord, that placid ex-professor of yours really has gotten to you. Don't go too soft on me, Smoke. Where's the girl who can take out an army without ruining her nails?"

"Did you happen to miss Mella's body on the bathroom floor? I fixed my makeup while she bled to death." Well, maybe not…but a girl's gotta keep her reputation.

"Ah, that's the Smoke I know. By the way, don't use and lose this guy. You were glowing after you kissed him…" his voice became quiet. "Of all my operatives, Smoke, you deserve some happiness the most. Take it when life offers it."

"You have no idea how much I've taken, ZT. None."

"Didn't need to hear that. I'll see you in a few days for a quick briefing before you go."

"Yes sir. Would you tell Craven I'll call him eventually?"

"Certainly. Goodnight, Smoke."

"Goodnight, ZT." I should get up and shower for dinner with my friends. Is it bad that I just want to find him and touch him? Yeah, it's bad. Bad Granger! You can kiss him later, now you spend time with your friends!

Hermione climbed out of bed and padded to the shower, stripping as she walked and letting the spray stream over her. There's a bad combination of factors here, my friend. You've lost your entire family, he's your first, the relationship is young and was formed under pressure, and there's the battle syndrome. How much have the extenuating circumstances directed the flow of this relationship? She mechanically worked the shampoo in and began to rinse it. You've been through this before. Last time you ended up drunk and contemplating suicide. Now you're obsessed with fucking your former professor. Do you care about him? She opened the conditioner bottle.

Yes.

Love him? Her fingers massaged the cream into her scalp.

Yes.

Is this right? Hot streams of water rinsed the conditioner out, and rivulets of water ran down her body.

I don't know.

Maybe you should discuss this with him…get his impressions. It affects him as much as it affects you. You've detached, Granger, and it's fine for you but not for him. If you want to destroy the humanity inside you and then get drunk and stare at the barrel of a gun when the emotional barrier overloads, that's your business. But you need to be honest if you're pulling someone else into it. Then again, he leaves tomorrow and then this is over…maybe you should spend your remaining time not talking about death. She worked the soap into her body and rinsed it off quickly, decided. She would speak to him about it. Honesty was the best policy here…not always, mind you, but in this instance.

Hermione dried herself quickly and charmed her hair dry, letting it go in all directions carelessly. She pulled on some skintight jeans, a bra, and a t-shirt. She went barefoot, grabbing an oversized sweatshirt from her chair and pulling it on. Hermione went out to the common room and collapsed on the couch. Draco looked up from his transfigurations book momentarily.

"Isn't that my sweatshirt?" he queried, absorbed in the book.

"House elves put it in my laundry, it's mine now." Hermione picked up a History of Magic Text.

"Does that mean I can keep the hot pink thong?" Hermione almost dropped her book, but kept her balance.

"Depends. Have you worn it?"

"Once or twice."

"Consider it a gift." They both burst out laughing. There was a loud knock on the door.

"Enter," Hermione called.

The wards unlocked and Harry, Ron, and Ginny walked in.

"Are we interrupting something?" Ginny asked easily.

"Never, my dear. Come in, sit down, I took care of the food," Draco said breezily. "Oh the benefits of being Head Boy." Everyone came and sat and before long, Draco and Ginny were involved in a game of Wizard's Chess while Ron, Harry, and Hermione sat in front of the fire, chatting and nibbling at sandwiches.

"So, Hermione," Ron said quietly. "How does this affect our futures?"

"Well, I'll probably continue with jobs while I'm here, but not frequently. After I get out? Maybe I'll be an auror or work with the Order…I don't know. I haven't decided really. I won't be leaving the magical world, if that's what you're concerned about. And I'd never drag anyone into it…although Remus has gotten involved by default."

"What does that mean?" Harry pushed.

"I've seen him on several of my missions this year. The criminal underworlds are colliding in the worst kind of way."

"Look Mione, you can date whoever you want, but do me a favor, and don't do anything too quickly or for the wrong reasons, okay?"

"Have faith in me, Ron," Hermione said wryly.

"And with that, I think we should bust into the cake," Ginny said cheerily.

"I second that," Draco said quickly. He cut the cake the house elves had graciously provided and served to everyone. Before long, the room was alight with conversation once more. With a few hours Ginny and Draco were practically sitting on each other's laps and Harry was shooting glances at the door. Amazing what some sangria can do.

Hermione stood up and stretched. "I've got to finish up some paperwork."

Harry was on his feet in seconds. "Okay, we'll see you later, yeah 'Mione?"
"Of course. As of tomorrow it's back to the usual for me," she said with a grin. Ron shot her an odd glance as he followed Harry to the door. Or perhaps I shouldn't have alluded to the fact that it's not back to the usual for me tonight…smart, Granger.

She ushered them out and turned back to Ginny and Draco. "Hey guys, keep it in Draco's room, okay?"

"Sure," Draco replied distractedly.

"Why?" Ginny asked curiously. Shit. Should I tell her or not?

"Well beyond the fact that I really don't want to know what you two do behind closed doors?"

"Yeah," Ginny replied mildly. "I mean, it's not like we're going to be shagging or anything." Draco looked disappointed.

Before Hermione could decide what to tell her, a knock sounded. Dammit. I hate knocking. Knocking should be banned. She glanced at Draco who shrugged. She gave up and opened the door with a resigned sigh.

"Hi," Remus said softly, taking in the sight of her.

"Hey," she replied with a smile, stepping back to allow him entry. "Did you see Ron and Harry out there?"

"Yes, from my vantage point hidden in a corridor," he laughed. "They didn't see me."

"And why exactly would it be a problem if they did?" Ginny piped up with an amused expression.

How shall I phrase this delicately?

"I'm shagging Hermione," Remus replied to Ginny. Not the phrasing I would have chosen.

"Try not to spread that around," Ginny advised. "Harry and Ron might try something foolish. So are you sticking around here for awhile?"

"Leaving tomorrow," Remus said with a shrug. What is going on here? Hermione struggled to grasp the mundane conversation.

"You two should retreat to 'Mione's room then. Keep it down, yeah?"

"Keep what down?" Remus asked innocently. Ginny and Draco snorted simultaneously.

"And on that note, we bid you goodnight," Hermione interjected, taking Remus by the arm and leading him out of the room.

Draco and Ginny barely heard them, already involved in another deep conversation. They spend way too much time talking.