A shadow cast on her copy of The Sky Is Falling made Hermione sigh audibly then look up. "May I help you?" she asked, snapping the book shut loudly, placing it beside her Starbucks cup.

The table shook from the force of her slam, and a bit of coffee spilled out and onto the cover of her book. She mentally apologized to the book, and not the coffee, because the British had done a horrible job of making it.

The man gave an overconfident smirk and took a seat on the chair across from her. "Cormac Mclaggen. And I believe we can both help each other," he winked.

She gave a bland, polite smile, saying nothing.

He was undeterred, pressing on, "I don't think I've seen you around London before, my uncle's in the Home Ministry and he knows practically everybody. You are...?"

"I'm Hermione. I'm visiting from America," she answered. "Taking a trip away from home." Her fingers twitched and crawled inches towards her book.

He winked. "I'll get straight to the point. I think you're gorgeous. My uncle's hosting another one of his little parties tonight and I know you'd obviously be delighted to be seen with me."

"I'm afraid I'll have to decline. I have a date tonight," she said.

He snorted and rolled his eyes. "I'll give you a better time, c'mon. You're gonna be with Cormac Mclaggen. People are gonna be jealous of you."

Internally, she was already thinking of ways to escape. Instead, she said, "I'm afraid I value Sidney Sheldon, some music and a glass of wine more."

He frowned. "I haven't even heard of this Sheldon bloke. Where's he gonna take you, Olive Garden? It's at a five star hotel, baby. Come on."

His hand reached out to circle her hand, and he leaned in slightly to whisper, "I'll make sure you have a good time. My skills in making sure a lady has a good time are extraordinary."

The double entendre was not unnoticed by her.

She was irritated now. "look, I'm honestly not—"

"I believe the lady said no, Mclaggen. Leave her alone." A new voice drawled.

They both looked at the blonde man at the next table.

Cormac glared. "Fuck off, Malfoy. This is a private matter and none of your business."

Malfoy chuckled, the rich throaty laughter bouncing around the room. "Please, Mclaggen. There's no private business here, you're harassing her."

"Why don't you fuck off and go kill some immigrants, just like your dear old dad did?" Cormac sneered.

Hermione had had enough. "Alright! Cormac, please leave. I don't want to go anywhere with you!" she said heatedly.

"You can join me if you'd like. I'd love to tell you about how my company is helping people all around the globe." Malfoy said pointedly, pulling out another chair.

Cormac laughed humourlessly. "An easy choice. The corrupt minister's son or the important senate's nephew? Fuck off, Malfoy."

Hermione stood up. "I'd actually spend time with someone who's been a perfect gentleman to me thank you," she said coldly.

Cormac's face was stony. "Enjoy spending time with the bastard." he stormed out.

She looked at Malfoy who cocked a finger towards her, and she sat down at his offered seat.

Malfoy huffed out a laugh. "Good riddance."

"Thanks, Malfoy—"

"Draco, please. I'm not my father. And it was my pleasure, truly," he interrupted.

"Well, Draco, he was starting to get annoying, to be honest. And I'm sure it was." she laughed.

He flashed her a grin. Leaning in closer, his breath tickled her ear. "At boarding school, we used to call him feelsy Mclaggen. Disappointing to see he hasn't changed."

She swallowed. "I can imagine why."

He looked down at her copy. "So you have a date with Sidney Sheldon, huh?" he grinned.

She grinned back, like they were both in on a joke. "I do, and I can't wait for it."

He sighed dramatically. "Truly a lucky bloke to be in the company of such a beautiful woman. I envy him."

She giggled. "I'm sure you'll survive somehow."

His smouldering grey eyes looked right at her. "If I could," he said

smoothly, "Would it be possible for me to crash your date tomorrow?"

She gazed back. "If you wanted. You'd have to make it up to me, though."

"I'll bring my fine friend, sir Hercule Poirot." he smiled.

She beamed. "It's a date, then."

He smirked again, and something in her stomach fluttered.