Lucius Malfoy was encased in bright sunlight. Having just risen from underground into a Muggle phone booth. Soon, however, his peaceful freedom was interrupted.

When one Hermione Granger joined him in the booth, smashing his face into the warm glass.

"My apologies, Mr. Malfoy." Hermione said, a slight trace of amusement in her voice.

"No worries, Miss Granger." he snapped, "I suppose if it wasn't for you I'd be on my way to a much less appealing fate."

"Quite."

Hermione reached past Lucius and pushed the door open. She brushed past him quickly and blinkingly stepped into the afternoon, eyes adjusting after the dark elevator trip. Lucius followed her out of the booth, and Hermione quickly began her journey away.

"Miss Granger?" Lucius called, sounding annoyed as he pushed through a crowd of Muggles.

Hermione turned to survey the look of distaste on his face as he did so, and could not help but smirk. Serves him right.

"Might I ask who the 'friend' you spoke of was? The one who asked you to… come to my defense?"

"Not a friend, per say, more of a…colleague." Hermione answered carefully.

"A name, Miss Granger?" Lucius pressed.

"I really think, Mr. Malfoy, that if my colleague wished you to know, they would inform you themselves."

"I am indebted, it appears, Miss Granger, and I have not yet paid your salary." Lucius said as she yet again attempted to walk away.

"I asked no salary, Mr. Malfoy, I'm not a lawyer." Hermione answered shortly.

"You aren't?" Lucius stopped his pursuit of the woman, his aristocratic sneer momentarily disappeared from his face. He recovered himself quickly. "Than one must assume you are quite the accomplished actress, Madam."

"I suppose one might, or they could say I watch far to much Muggle television."

Hermione grinned to herself as Lucius scoffed at her reply, clearly yet again insulting her parentage. It really was quite easy to get a rise out of him.

"Then again…I did date a lawyer once." Hermione mused suddenly, forgetting her current company.

"You consort with Muggles regularly?" Lucius sneered.

"I suppose you would have me completely disown my family, at the age of eleven? Upon discovering my superior abilities? Or, Mr. Malfoy, are you of the opinion that I should have ignored my gift and not have attended Hogwarts?" Hermione's tone was mild, but her eyes flashed as she spun to stare up at him.

"I am of the opinion…"

"Yes?"

"Miss Granger, I cannot properly insult someone who just granted me my freedom." Lucius answered silkily. "Perhaps we can continue this conversation after my odd and slightly annoying gratitude has run its course."

"No, Mr. Malfoy, I seriously doubt either of us shall after have the desire or opportunity to continue this conversation. Good day to you, Sir." Hermione said briskly.

Lucius nodded in acknowledgement, and thoughtfully watched her walk away.

-------------------------------

Miss Hermione Granger (and date),

The Ministry is hosting a Christmas Eve Ball,

to be held on the Night of December 31 beginning at

seven o'clock and ending after midnight. You are

cordially invited. Please R.S.V.P. to Margaret Bagins,

Head Of Events.

Minister Amelia Bones

Order of Merlin, Third Class

Hermione rolled her eyes slightly. And turned to the letter accompanied her invitation. She broke the familiar seal and surveyed Molly Weasley's pleasant scrawl.

Hermione,

Don't think you'll be avoiding it! Arthur and I

Expect to see you and Harry there, dear, as we're

not having Christmas at the burrow this year.

Happy Holidays!

Molly

Hermione groaned softly. There was no escaping it, then. She'd have to go. With Harry. Hermione slumped down in her seat, her head slamming onto the smooth wood of her kitchen table. Light filtered brightly through the sheer yellow curtains that adorned the window over the sink.

"Hermione?" a voice called from the front room.

"Kitchen." She yelled back.

"Hey, I was wondering if you'd---" the voice stopped. "You got yours too, then?"

"Yes, Evan. I got it."

"Well, then I guess I have a date, eh?" The young man grinned cheekily, sitting down across from her.

Evan Carter was a flamboyant wizard of the age of twenty-seven. He had light coloring, blonde curls shaggily framing his face, clearly overgrown, and bright blue eyes shining with a mischievous glint. Hermione's roommate had been living with her for five years, ever since she had moved out of her parents house at eighteen and went to University.

"Evan, you know I have to go with Harry…"

"No, Hermione! You will not do that to yourself again!" Evan hissed angrily.

"Evan…Harry and I are engaged." Hermione said nervously.

"Bloody hell." He sat back in his seat, pale and shaking. "Hermione, you don't love him! Everyone knows he's been head over heels for --"

"Evan! I do not need you to criticize my decision, I need you to support it!" she snapped.

"…Alright, Hermione. I'm here for you. But I don't like it."