Marcus led Hermione into the restaurant at the Hotel. Immediately a host approached them, "O Sr. Flint, we corta you' re conta ready Exmo. Senhor" (A/N: English translation-Mr. Flint we have you're table ready sir)

Marcus nodded," Obrigado Miguel" (A/N: English translation-Thank you Miguel). Marcus motioned for Hermione to follow the host. The young man led them through the large restaurant and onto the patio. Hermione gasped at the sight. The table was the only one on the Patio and overlooked the ocean, almost same view as their room, but the sun was setting and the colors were fantastic. The host, Miguel, pulled out her chair.

"Thank you" Hermione told him.

"O frasco de você é o vinho o mais fino por favor (A/N English translation- Bottle of you're finest wine please?" "Marcus ordered, not looking at the host.

The host smiled, "Naturalmente. Você é empregado de mesa será com você logo. Noite boa. " (A/N: English translation- Of course you're waiter will be with you soon. Good evening)

Once he was gone Hermione glanced at her date. He looked like a Grecian God in the red glow of the setting sun.

"Like what you see?" Marcus chuckled. Hermione blushed realizing she had been caught staring at him.

"I do" Hermione admitted.

Marcus looked up from the menu and winked, "Good" he said.

"So," Hermione started, glad to change the subject. "You speak Portuguese well"

"I am here a lot" Marcus replied.

"Lucky" Hermione told him, "It's beautiful here". Hermione took a menu and was irritated to see it was in Portuguese. Should have guessed, she thought. Marcus seemed to realize the situation.

"Need help?" he asked.

"Yes" Hermione answered meekly.

"Don't worry" Marcus grinned mischievously. "I will handle it"

Hermione was about argue when their waiter approached.

"Welcome to Pavilion Do Seaside (The Seaside Pavilion) the waiter greeted. "I am Ramiro and I will be you're waiter this evening". He handed a bottle to Marcus. " você é senhor do vinho (You're wine sir). Is it to you're liking?"

Marcus examined the bottle closely. He opened and sniffed at it. "It will do Ramiro" Marcus answered.

"Are you ready to order?" Ramiro asked, as he poured a glass of red wine for both Marcus and Hermione.

"I will have Cozido à portuguesa and a salad. (A/N: a one-dish meal of beef, pork, sausage and vegetables) " Marcus replied, "For the lady" Marcus trailed of and regarded Hermione silently for a moment, " frango grelhado and a salad" (Broiled chicken seasoned with peri-peri, garlic, and/or olive oil)

The waiter smiled at Marcus, "Very Good sir" The waiter said. He took the menus and left discreetly.

"What did you order me?" Hermione asked.

"You'll see" Marcus responded with a teasing smile.

"I better like it" Hermione pouted, not liking being treated like a child.

"If you don't we will get you something else" Marcus told her. "Now, could you stop being...well, you for a minute and listen to me"

"I guess" Hermione told him. "What?"

"I have some business I would like to discuss with you" Marcus started, "Please let me speak before you go off on some self-righteous tangent"

"Ok" Hermione agreed, not liking the phrasing. Business, She thought, What have I gotten myself into.

"Hermione, do you know what I do for a living?" Marcus asked. Hermione shook her head, "Well, I am a associate vice-president of public relations at Malfoy Enterprises. I have been there since the war. I love my job and I am good at it". Marcus stopped to take a sip of his wine. "I have a small problem though. And his name is Adrian Pucey."

"Adrian went to Hogwarts" Hermione said, "You guys played Quidditch together."

Marcus nodded, "Adrian and I were friends but after the war something changed. At first I thought it was my imagination, I told myself he was my best friend and there was no way he was trying to one up me on everything. But then the tables turned"

"Turned how?" Hermione asked.

"I broke things off with my long-time girlfriend. Penelope Clearwater and now she is engaged to Adrian" Marcus replied.

"Oh" Hermione sighed, "Maybe that's just and unfortunate coincidence"

"There is more" Marcus interrupted her. 'I am up for a promotion. Vice president of public relations. Draco seems keen to give me the job but now Adrian has wormed his way in. He didn't even want the job until I was up for it. Draco seems to believe Adrian has bad intentions but there is nothing he can do. So, Adrian and I have to fight for it. That is partially why I am here"

"I don't understand" Hermione said.

"We are opening an office here" Marcus explained, "I would be working here. Adrian and I were both asked to come down here and meet with the executives. They will be influential in who gets the job"

"Why did you ask me to join you on such and important trip?" Hermione asked.

"I am getting to that" Marcus laughed. "I need a female by side at dinners and functions. I need to best female, someone with poise and grace and intelligence. A war Hero, Harry Potter's best friend. And even though we are…involved to a degree you wont distract me during this very tough time"

"You're using me?" Hermione said feeling a little let down.

"No" Marcus replied, "I like genuinely like you and I think you like me. But we are more friends with benefits than a girlfriend and honestly that's what I need right now"

Hermione mulled this over for a bit then nodded, "You're right" hermione agreed, "Ok, I will do this because frankly I need a vacation from work and this place is beautiful…"Hermione trailed off.

"And the sex is fantastic" Marcus finished for her.

"Funny" Hermione responded.

"You're dinner is served the waiter said as he quietly approached the table, floating a tray behind him. He sat Hermione's food in front of her. It looked ok. She smiled nervously at Marcus before nibbling on the edges. "It's chicken!"

"Yeah, broiled chicken" Marcus laughed, "Good?"

Hermione nodded, 'Thank you"

"You're welcome" Marcus replied with a wink and then started on his own dinner.

This week should be interesting , Hermione thought, Very interesting.