Hermione rolled her eyes heavenward at Lucius Malfoy's choice of dining establishments. Third Cross. As if Malfoy could be compatible with anything pure and Godly. Hermione's heels clacked a steady rhythm as she walked up the cobbled sidewalk towards the entrance of the grand and imposing building. Almost medieval architecture lined the eaves of the roof, with two menacing gargoyles perching near to the door. Hermione let out an involuntary shudder. Lovely décor…I must get the name of their decorator…Hermione smirked to herself. She pushed open the large polished wooden door.

"Name?" a stiffly dressed man with an upturned nose and air of self-proclaimed importance stare her up and down, standing behind a large podium directly in front of the entrance to the restaurant.

"Er…"

"Lucius Malfoy, party of two." a confident voice rang out from behind her. Hermione's glare narrowed, but she simply followed the waiter to their table, and said nothing.

"Miss Granger,…after our most interesting…meeting last night…" Lucius paused, seemingly uncomfortable. Hermione studied him momentarily. His face was just as haughty as it had been at every one of their past meetings, but something different glittered in his eyes. She was jolted back to awareness with his next question. "Is there anything I can do?"

"Pardon?" Hermione choked on her glass of water, eyeing the blonde man incredulously.

"Madam, you were in a charming state of intoxication, slurring on about the indignity of your bastard of a philandering spouse." Lucius' tone was dry, but his words meaningful.

"I assure you, Mr. Malfoy, there is nothing you can do to improve that matter." Hermione bit out scathingly.

"Perhaps I can…lend an ear of support, Miss Granger?" he offered tentatively.

"Why are you offering to help me?" Hermione asked curiously, "To befriend me, by all accounts."

"Miss Granger, you have helped me out of many tight spots during these past few months. It is safe to say that I owe you enormously. I am willing to repay my debt, if need be, by talking and listening. Seemingly, that is an easy way out for me, am I correct?" Lucius answered her with a slightly condescending attitude, of which Hermione took note.

"So, you are doing this because you feel you are indebted. Well, don't worry yourself." Hermione stood to leave, but Lucius held a staying hand on her arm.

"Hermione, I am doing this because I chose to. Now, I can arrange for a lovely batch of Infertility Potion to slip into his afternoon tea…" an offered olive branch let slip from his mouth.

"Infertility…?" Hermione let the unasked question hang.

"Anyone who consumes the potion will be unable to…perform…for quite some time."

Hermione raised an eyebrow.

"Close to a week to be exact." Lucius smirked.

Hermione let out a bark of laughter, and with heads bent, the two quietly schemed, finding a common ground in their need for revenge upon a certain bespectacled man. The other diners gave no notice to the two cohorts, but they whispered still, reveling in their plans of mischief. Until a later time, we leave them to scheme and mastermind their way through their luncheon, into the late hours of the afternoon, when the owner comes to announce the closing of the establishment. Hermione and Lucius look to each other in shock, and an unspoken agreement is formed.

He shall be her savior, and she…his redemption.

-finite-

Only 563 words, but I feel I can't take this any farther. Thanks so much to all of my loyal reviewers, you all know how the story ends. wink

bigreader, I didn't kill them off…but I think you'll find Harry's punishment quite amusing after all…

CareBearErin, I think it's safe to say Hermione will remember her hangover potion from now on

Sarmoti, a sweet jerk? Oxymoron? Lol. Yes, hurricanes suck, but all is well now. I even got a nifty new computer. grin

SnapeSeraphin, ah well you know…writers block is a bitch.

Prin69, thanks for you (numerous) reviews!

To everyone else THANKS!

I might just shoot out a one-shot tonight. But I'm not promising anything. wink