"Dish cuwwy ish bloodee tewwific!" Ron spit out chunks of food on Hermione's pristine kitchen floor as he attempted to comment on the take-out food and speak at the same time. Hermione frowned and used her wand to make an invisible bib for Ron. He never even noticed that the food that constantly fell out of his mouth hung suspended in the air.

"Thanks Ron. And thanks for joining me for dinner tonight. I hope no one minds eating out of the take-out cartons in the kitchen." Blushing a bit, Hermione wished she had made a little more effort when she invited her friends over.

"Nonesense," Harry took a sip of his butterbeer and speared another chicken tandori with his fork. "It's almost refreshing to see you wearing jeans with holes and an old sweatchirt that I believe belonged to Seamus Finnigan in sixth year. I distinctly remember you filching it in the common room when we were down there plotting how to save the world and all."

Slapping Harry's arm, Hermione grinned wickedly and looked at the oversized maroon sweatshirt with a small, but growing series of holes under the arms. "I did not filch it! The statute of limitations of things left in the common room unclaimed as set forth by the Gryffindor Board of Stuff-Left-Behind stated that if said item was left unclaimed for more than forty-eight hours, it was free game to anyone who came upon it and so desired to keep it for themselves. And we weren't there plotting how to save the world. I remember that night. That was the night the three of us snuck in a bottle of wine from the Room of Requirement and got piss drunk."

Hermione stifled a giggle and opted to drink the rest of her wine instead. She looked at her friends and noticed that Ginny had been unusually quiet that evening.

"Gin? Is anything the matter?"

Shaking her head, Ginny set down her plate, "No, nothing really. I was just thinking that's all. It terribly late, I should get going. Hermione, have a nice time at the opera tomorrow. Just, please, think about that I said."

Harry and Ron looked quizzically between Hermione and Ginny. As soon as Ginny apparated out of the kitchen, Harry and Ron immediately bombarded Hermione with questions.

"Stop! One at the time! Look, Ginny was over here before you left because she wanted to talk to me before Malfoy came. Well, he decided not to come to dinner, so we were just talking and I asked her, hypothetically, what would happen if I was to consider Malfoy as a, well, perhaps, more than a friend. And she went off on me about how she wants me to date him just so she can say 'I told you so,' when he breaks my heart of something like that and that he is going to be the first mistake that I'll ever rgret and so on. I think it just made the air a bit odd between us." Cathching her breath, Hermione sat down on one of the counter stools and poured herself more wine.

"So you're starting to like Draco? I can't believe it. Well, I heard if anything, he's good for a great shag." Hermione stard wide-eyed at Ron who grinned stupidly at her.

"I Can't believe you two. I thought at least one of you would be livid at the prospect of me even thinking about Malfoy in a semi-sexual way! And for your information, Ron Weasley, i'm not one of Malfoy's common slags that he brings home. I have a sense of propriety, seeing as he is my boss, and i never said i liked him, i said I was considering the possibility."

"Well, 'Mione, we just want to see you happy. I think a good shag would make you happy. So why not Malfoy. Everyone, even Apexia, says he's got the biggest d-"

"AHHHHHHHHHH!" Hermione covered her ears, drowning out the last part of Harry's sentence. She stopped screaming and looked at Harry and Ron.

"You two are terrible. You're suppose to be my best friends, not my pimps. I don't need some guy to make me happy. Have you seen my life? How can I not be happy?"

"But you aren't." Hermione looked at Ron. His words hit her like a block of stone. He put down his plate, "You aren't 'Mione. And I know it is a bit odd that Harry and I are so excited about Malfoy fancying you and you perhaps liking him back, but it's only because it's been a good year since you've been out with a nice fella. I mean, Draco's not exactly a nice bloke, but he's not so dodgy anymore, and well, you're always at work, and it so happens he works with you, so we thought perhaps it's not so bad afterall."

"Ron, that made no sense to me, " Harry said. He looked at Hermione and took her hand in his. "Look, we just want you to be truly happy, not just about your big house or large collection of handbags, but happy with someone."

"But it's not as if I'm not happy with people! I'm happy with the two of you! With Gnny! And look at you two anyways! You're dating the supermodel everyone's touched, and Ron just got back from overseas and he's not dating, and neither is Ginny."

"This is true," said Ron, "But we three have had meaningful relationships. You, Miss Perfect-Life, have had one, and I think his name was Viktor Krum and he couldn't even pronounce your name! All we're saying is, we're all a bit desperate for you. And no one dares to apparoach you because you just blow them off. But Malfoy is a persistent arse, so we're just going along with it to see if it leads to anything."

"I can't believe you two! Do you realize that this is the Draco Malfoy? The one who wanted me dead all throughtout Hogwart's? The one who called me abominable names and made my teeth grow so big I couldn't shut my mouth? The man who slithered his way to the top of the company just to torture me behind doors with rude comments, then confusuing me with good intentions? This is the man you're overjoyed to see interested in me?"

"You agreed to attend the opera with him tomorrow. Surely you must be a bit curious." Harry gave her a sly grin.

"I agreed to go because it happens to be my favorite opera, and well, alright, I am a little intrigued by grown-up ferret boy, but still, I think its creepy that all of a sudden he's into fancying me. I pegged me as the 'I-sleep-with-my-assistant-and-yours' type."

"Well, creepy is better than nothing. You'll have a good time tomorrow. Call us on Friday, we'll head out for drinks. And about Ginny, don't mind her, you know she's always been a bit stubborn about things. If something does spark between you and Malfoy, she'll understand."

'Yeah,' thought Hermione, ' But I don't think I'll understand.'

Harry and Ron gathered their coats and slipped them on. They each gave Hermione a quick hug and peck on the cheek.

"'night "mione! Ring us after the opera, we want to hear everything!" In a flash, her two friends had apparated home and she stood alone in her kitchen, wondering what she was getting herself into.

~*~

Quest'obi pomposa di

sioglier mi tarda

si vesta la sposa di

puro candor.

Tra motti sommessi

sorride e mi guarda.

Celarmi pottessi!

ne ho tanto rossor!

~Madame Butterfly



Hermione closed her eyes and listened to the soprano on stage sing sogns of love and devotion. The music of the opera always soothed Hermione. It perhaps had to do with the smooth Italian lyrics, or the heart pounding crescendos of the orchestra. Either way, Hermione was sitting on a balcony at the wizarding world's most prestigious opera house listening to her favorite opera.

Draco sat next to her ready to gauge his eyes out. He hated the opera. His mother used to drag him all the time when he was younger to make him more cultured. He hated it then, and he hated it now. He glanced over at Hermione and she ahd her eyes closed.

'Damn, she fell asleep before I did. And I thought that she loved the bloody opera. I'm going to kill Weasley. I bet he said that so I would take her here as a joke and then told her so she could play along an-'

"That was wonderful!" Draco glanced at Hermione who was standing up in her seat clapping and yelline 'Bravo! Bravo!' at the top of her lungs.

Draco stoof up next to her and clapped politely. "I thought you had dozed off Granger."

Hermione smiled and continued to clap, "Don't be stupid Malfoy, I was merely enjoying the music. I always shut my eyes in order to fully appreciate the sounds."

"Don't lie, I know you were napping."

"I was not!" snapped Hermione. Several people in the balconies near them turned towards them. "I was not" hissed Hermione in a much lower tone.

Drco picked up his program and took hermione's arm to lead her out of his opera box. "Calm down, I was teasing. Well, I thought that was the most horrid thing I've ever had to sit thorugh."

"Really, I figured your mum brought you to see opeera's all the tiem so you could talk about them at snooty dinner parties with Voldemort."

"She did, but Voldemort much preferred American Rock 'n' Roll to Opera," said Draco with a smirk. They reached the lobby and decided to circulate among the crowd to say hello to friends and colleagues.

Many noticed them as they moved through the crowd. Draco and Hermione made a stricking couple. He was tall and blond with piercingly gray eyes and chiseled features. She was tall and brunette, with creamy, flawless skin. Both were dressed in expensive clothes and seemed to float on an air of wealth and elegance.

"Hermione! Mio caro, lei guarda divino!" (Hermione! My dear, you look divine!)

Hermione turned around and saw a small, stout man walking towards her. She smiled and kissed him on both cheeks when he apparoached.

"Signore Vitale, come piacevole per vederlo ancora! Come ha lei è stato?" (Mr. Vitole, how plesant to see you! how have you been?)

The man smiled, "Molto bene. La casa guarda tuttavia divino. E chi è questo con lei questa sera?" (Very well. The house looks divine. And who is this with you?)

Hermione looked at Draco and smiled, "Draco Malfoy. È il presidente nuovo di VERSACELF." (Draco Malfoy. He is the new chairman of VERSACELF.)

Hearing his name, Draco looked at the man who had held out his hand. Reluctantly, Draco shook it and forced out a smile.

Mr. Vitale smiled, "Devo andare Hermione, ma era piacevole per vederlo. Per favore è venito e vederme la prossima volta lei sono in italia. Buona notte ed il piacere incontrarlo Signore Malfoy." (I have to go Hermione, but it was a pleasure to see you. Promise to see me next time you are in Italy. Good night and a pleasure to meet you Mr. Malfoy.)

He disappeared in the crowd, and Draco gave Hermione an odd look.

"Since when did you start speaking Italian? And what did he say to me?"

Hermione shrugged, it felt good to know soeting that Draco didn't. "I work in fashion. It's almost required to know a smattering of Italian. He said good night and that it was a pleasure to meet you. I would think that someone of your social standing would know at least a bit of Italian."

"That was not a smattering. If it was, i would have understood. I know enough to get me from one place to another. Take me to France, and I'll put your Italian to shame."

Hermione shrugged, "It's not a big deal, really. And word of warning, my french is impeccable."

They walked outside of the opera house onto the terrace. Hermione looked up at the sky, "what a great evening. I never thought the words 'great evening' and 'Malfoy' would ever fit into the same situation." She looked at Draco and smiled, "Thanks, for inviting me and behaving as if you enjoyed the evening."

"Who says I didn't enjoy myself?"

"Ha, you were practically drooling on my shoulder through the whole second act. But this was an incredibly nice gesture."

Draco stared up at the sky. He wondered what his next move should be. 'should I invite her for coffee? Perhaps a walk in the plaza? Is there even a plaza in Diagon Alley?'

But Hermione interrupted his planning process, "So, what now? How about we walk around Diagon Alley? Or even better, we're both in muggle clothes, lets stroll around London for a bit, shall we? Or do you have plans?"

Draco sighed in relief, "London sounds nice. Let's just apparate and meet outside the Leaky Couldron?"

Hermione nodded, then disappeared, Draco following soon after.



~*~

"I honestly don't understand why we continue to wear robes when there are so many muggle fashions that are so tasteful and classy. You would think it would be a good thing to be more in tune with the world other than ours. I really like the way that suit is cut. It's almost as if it were magically fitted to that mannequin, although muggles use pins to do simple adjustments. I don't think I would ever be in this job if I couldn't use magic. I suppose in a way im not as creative, perhaps a little innovative, but I don't really work, you know?"

Hermione glanced over at Draco who seemed to be lost in his own world. For the past half an hour they had been looking in different shop windows at clothes and furniture, discussing ways to implement them into their designs. However, Hermione did tend to ramble on and realized at that moment that she was boring the hell out of her boss.

"Sorry, I know I get over-excited about new ideas. We can call it a night. These heels are killing me anyways."

"Nonesense," Draco pulled his hands out of his pocket and took Hermione's arm and led her down the street, "I was listening, I promise. Well, my flat isn't too far from here, we can get a cup of tea or some coffee before I take you home."

"Malfoy, inviting me back to your place?" Hermione chuckled, "Well, I suppose there's not harm to step into a notorious bachelor's pad. Just don't try anything funny."

"On my family's honor, I promise, it's just for some tea." Draco led Hermione around the corner and stopped in front of a waiting limousine. A driver appeared out of nowhere and opened the door. Draco and Hermione stepped into the car and they were off.

Minutes later, the car stopped in front of an impressive looking building in Fulham. They rode the lift to the fourth floor. Hermione stepped out and Draco walked to a door at the end of the hallway and opened it.

Inside was a tastefully, yet sparsely decorated flat. In front of her was the French doors that opened onto the balcony that overlooked the Thames River. There was a nice reception room that spilled into a small den. Off to the right was a kitchen that opened up into a dining room. Down the hall, Hermione assumed, was the bedroom.

"Never pegged you as one to live among muggles."

Draco took Hermione's wrap and hung it up on the coat rack.

"Lucky for me, I live in a charmed building. All the residents are wizards or witches who either work in the muggle world, or happen to like the views. I'm here for the view. The Manor left little to look out the windows."

"Oh," was all Hermione could say. She walked across the room and stared a few photographs that Draco had on the mantle. There was one of his mother, a regal looking woman, at his graduation from Hogwarts. There was one of Draco and a man she did not recognize rowing on the Thames, and finally, there was a picture of Hogwarts Castle.

"I really liked Hogwarts, you know. It was the home I never really had."

Hermione touched the frame of the Hogwarts photo gently, "I know what you mean. We all practically grew up there, raised by trick stairs and talking portraits. Hard to believe it's been ten years since we've left. Hard to believe that the person who caused me so much grief invited me to the opera and his home." Hermione looked at Draco and gave him a smirk.

"I didn't mean all of what I used to say to you. It was almost instinct really, I was brought up that way!"

"Well, we've all come a long way, that's all."

Draco and Hermione stood silently side by side staring at the Hogwarts photo. Draco glanced over at Hermione noticing how the moonlight was lighting up her eyes, which were so full of joy and reminiscence at the moment that it was almost cruel to interrupt her,

"Do you take tea or coffee?"

Hermione snapped out of her trance and looked up at Draco. "Oh, well, it's a bit late for tea, I think I'll take a glass of water."

"Water? Don't be stupid. I'll get some wine." Not wanting to protest to the host, Hermione just rolled her eyes and took a seat on a chaise lounge by the balcony. She draped her arm behind the chaise and leaned back, sinking into the soft cushions. Draco came back with two glasses of wine. She smiled as he offered her her glass.

"So, tell me why your flat is so bare?"

Scowling, Draco took a sip of his drink, "It's not bare, I prefer to think minimalist. That and I haven't had the chance to really do anything to it that I found satisfactory."

"Well, perhaps after the Maschina account and the holidays, I can stop by and fix things up a bit."

"Granger, are you being nice to me?"

"No, I'm pitying you for having such poor taste in furniture and accessories. And to think you always made a big fuss about that whole 'pureblood' bunk."

Draco gave a small laugh and gave Hermione a smile, which was not at all the reaction she expected. "Well, let me know when you're free then. And I expect the labor to be free, seeing as I'm the boss and all."

Hermione laughed along with Draco. Her gaze went towards the balcony, and Draco noticed her curious expression. "It's a lovely view of the Thames, would you like to see?" Hermione nodded and they walked out the French doors onto a magically expanded terrace.

In front of them, the Thames River glittered underneath the moonlight. Several people still strolled by the banks, and a muggle street muscician played a sad song on a violin.

"I can see why you live here, it's fascinating and so full of…I don't know…something."

Draco placed his hand on the small of Hermione's back. Hermione gave a quick shiver at his touch, but said noting. Draco turned to her, "Why, then, do you insist on living at the Manor all by yourself? I never pegged you as the quiet manor dweller. I thought you would want something more contemporary and thrilling."

Hermione took another sip of her wine, draining the glass. Magically, it refilled itself. "Well, then you don't know anything about me at all Malfoy. If you did, you wouldn't question."

"Potter and Weasley question. They have to me, just in conversation. So you're saying that no one knows the real Hermione Granger?"

"I don't think anyone really cared much to find out." A bit of sadness drifted along with Hermione's voice. She loved Harry and Ron, but their relationship, no matter how strong, was still filled with small gaps of parts of their lives that no one really took the liberty to share. At times, Hermione wondered how they managed to make it through all these years with those gaps.

Draco put his glass down on the edge of the balcony. He was feeling a little antsy and giddy at the same time.

Draco lifted Hermione's chin and brought her face towards him. "Can I ask you something?"

Hermione stared wide-eyed at the man before her. His face was so close she could feel his breath on her cheek. His eyes were staring into her own, mesmerizing her with their cold exterior. She couldn't help but wonder if they looked softer when he was kissing someone.

She looked up at him and leaned in closer, "Sure, ask anything." She was trying to sound sexy, but wasn't sure exactly what sexy was suppose to sound like. her head felt light as he inched closer to her upturned face.

Draco cocked his head to the side and leaned in even closer. Hermione thought for a split second that she should turn away, but she was drawn towards him. She began to close her eyes and move in closer….

"I think I'm going to head to bed. Would you mind if we end the evening now? Rupert is waiting for you downstairs." Hermione's eyes opened wide. He kissed her hand and lead her towards the door. Hermione was speechless. He placed her wrap on her shoulders, opened the door, escorted her to the lift.

"I thought tonight was rather nice. We should get together more often. Sorry it's still early, but I have a meeting at seven with Machina and his team. We'll be having breakfast at Kartel's if you'd like to stop by."

It took Hermione a moment to find her voice. When she did, she barely found her words.

"Yes, well, I think i'll pass on breakfast. I have a meeting with my design team at nine. We'll get something then. But thank you for inviting me out this evening. It was very....thoughtful of you. I'll see you tomorrow Malfoy." Hermione pressed the 'G' button in the lift and watched draco disappear behind the doors.