Okay well I hope this is soon enough… I have a lot on this term, 3 maths comps and a million internals (teachers just love to put them all on at once) and study. I love writing this and your reviews really motivate me, thank you so much!

Yes I didn't put in a disclaimer, but you all know the drill.

Now please enjoy!

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Hermione had spent a wonderful evening with her friends at Ginny's place. They had eaten a hearty dinner and she enjoyed simply talking, something they hadn't had the liberty to do much recently.

When she apparated back into the apartment, she was surprised to see it empty. It was nearing midnight and Draco had not returned. He had told her he was going to sort out some things at the company.

She closed the curtains and tidied up around the lounge, wasting time until he returned. At 2 am she began to worry, he was late, very late. The company's business couldn't take this long could it? No, it didn't.

She felt something was wrong but what could she do? She had no idea where he was, he had never shown her where the company was located, and he hadn't owled her to let her know he would be late.

A small voice told her it was silly to worry, that she should go to bed and rest. It was sensible. Draco had fought alongside her, he knew how to take care of himself. They had reached an reasonably stable stage in their friendship, but she felt he was hiding many things from her.

Including what had been keeping him tonight.

She had been mulling over these thoughts while pacing the lounge and realised half an hour had gone by.

'This is stupid.' She thought. Finally breathing deeply, she flicked her wand and the lights went out. Making her sleepy way to bed she thought about going to look for him.

'No.' A voice firmly told her. So she changed and lay down, letting sleep take her in its warm embrace.

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"Merlin look at the time, Mr Malfoy I should be getting home, my wife will most likely jinx me for staying out so late."

Draco started, he had been reading through reports for what seemed like hours. "Pardon?"

"I said, I must be getting home Mr Malfoy, my wife will be waiting." His elderly advisor said. He was a hunched old man with sharp pointed features and his voice had a nasal tone.

At the mention of 'wife' Draco looked to his wrist watch. "Merlin." He muttered. It was nearly 3am and he had not owled Hermione.

"Yes, yes, go." He waved a hand carelessly in the old wizards direction.

The grey head lowered slightly, "Good night to you Mr Malfoy." And he disapparated, leaving Draco to sweep him documents into their files and put them away. His wand made the work much easier on his aching eyes.

Checking that everything had been put away he also disapparated. When he arrived at the apartment, he saw everything dark. Lighting the dining room he crept over to Hermione's bedroom where her sleeping form could just be made out in the shadows.

He ran a hand though his now scruffy hair and wondered if she would be angry in the morning. The train of thought continued as he drank some water and changed into a shirt and boxers.

Finally, he flopped like a fish out of water onto the couch and fell asleep.

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"Draco?" Hermione saw his sleeping form when she awoke at nearly midday. He didn't move when she called and she saw dark patched under his eyes, they contrasted so much with his pale skin she felt they looked worse than they were.

All the same, she quietly got a muffin to eat and a coffee to take back to her room.

She had no idea what time he had returned but it must have been quite late… Or early.

Sitting near the window she could see out onto the streets where people were bustling about their daily lives. Most were muggles in this area, that's why they had chosen it; more privacy from probing wizard press.

After a while she took her cup to the kitchen and saw Draco sitting up. He appeared to just have woken, his hair was sticking up at odd angles and he was rubbing his face blearily in an attempt to wake up fully.

"Draco?" She inquired. He jumped, it was the first time she had ever seen him jump and she raised at eyebrow quizzically at him. "Are you alright?"

He stared at her, as though he didn't understand a word she was saying. Eventually, after blinking a few times he cleared his throat. "Yes, I'm fine."

She waved her wand, summoning a cup of coffee and offered it to him. He took it and drank a mouthful before setting it down on the table and running a hand through his hair.

When she said nothing, he glanced up at her "Well you can start yelling now, I'm awake and listening."

She couldn't help but laugh then, she had been worried about him. No matter what she did to deny herself, she had been concerned about his wellbeing.

He seemed confused by her laughter "You're not angry?" She sensed surprise in his words.

"No, I guess I'm not." She smiled sitting next to him.

They were very close but he made to attempt to move away, instead he lay back, sighing. "That's good."

They sat in silence for a while as they noises from the traffic below floated in through the window.

"What time did you come back?" Hermione asked, turning to face him. He stiffened slightly but when he looked at her his face was calm.

"Around three."

Hermione's eyes widened, "You should get some sleep." Was all she said.

"Ah, yes." He agreed warily, he didn't think she would act so nice about it.

"Well go on then!" She pulled at his arm and shoved him into her room. He was slightly confused but had no time to speak any protests before she shut the door, saying "Don't touch any of my things!"

He sighed, he would never understand her, but he had to admit, she was a pleasant character to be with considering all the cold-hearted men he had met before.

Too tired to think anymore, he slumped onto her unmade bed and slept soundly.

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She cared about him. This was such a surprise. She wanted him to be happy. She wanted him to be healthy and she didn't want to fight with him.

All throughout Hogwarts they had been enemies, rivals and at each others throats. When the war started he had been in league with Voldemort. He was the real enemy. He was the threat. But he had changed, he had come asking for forgiveness and served them loyally.

This last part made her see a new side of him, a side he had never before revealed. It was the Griffindor within. He was capable of making a decision for the greater good. And in doing so he had endangered his life, he had risked everything; for what? For power? For gold? No, he had done it because it was right.

"He's a good guy." She whispered to herself, knowing that some people didn't think that but she lived with him, she saw what he could be like, and she knew he had morals.

She sat outside on the balcony, drinking lemonade and thinking deeply about their relationship. Where was it going? And where was it now?

Still thinking intently she jumped when Harry apparated before her. He smiled "Hello Hermione."

"Harry, it's nice to see you." She hugged him and conjured and drink which he took with thanks.

"How have things been?" He asked sitting beside her.

Hermione smiled "They have been very good. And you?"

"A little stressful I guess, with Dumbledore gone the Ministry wants me to step in and take control of things. But I really don't want that now." He sighed wearily.

"Oh? Minster of Magic? That's an honour Harry." She told him softly, careful not to elaborate on Dumbledore's death; a topic that Harry was still sensitive about.

"Yes, I guess it is, but I just want to play quiddich now, I don't want more stress and responsibility." He explained.

Hermione agreed, knowing Harry's true passion lay with his sport "Then play, no one can stop you."

Harry smiled gratefully at her "Thanks Hermione."

They sat in content silence, feeling comforted by the privacy. Harry and Hermione had hardly had any time alone together during the war. He had been so busy organising attacks and meeting with others, they barely saw much of each other during those years.

Now they had the liberty to enjoy each other's company without thinking of the dangers of sitting outside; so exposed. And knowing they wouldn't be called off at any moment to fight death eaters and save other's lives.

Hermione was remembering the school days, when they had gotten into all kinds of mischief and she had become such good friends with Harry and Ron. Those days when it was just them seemed so long ago. When you fought for others, for your friends, family and the muggles, the witches and wizards, you sometimes forgot that you were fighting for yourself too. For the past you had, the happiness you know existed before all the bloodshed began.

"So have you decided on a job yet?" Harry questioned quietly, as though afraid to disturb the tranquillity of the moment.

Hermione shook her head "No, I don't need one right now, Draco has given me a huge task."

"What is it?" Harry was curious.

"Re-decorating the manor." She stated in a monotone. Harry laughed, he could just imagine Hermione nit-picking over every little thing inside the simply enormous Malfoy Manor.

"What is so funny?" Hermione demanded, mocking a stern voice.

"Oh Hermione, that will take you forever, especially you being a perfectionist and all." Harry continued to chuckle while Hermione grasped the size of her task. It would take a long time. She only hoped it was enough to keep her interested and occupied for a few months.

"It will give me time to think of a suitable career." She countered weakly, a smile breaking through her mask of seriousness.

"Am I interrupting?" A familiar drawl caught their attention.

There standing in the door way was a well groomed Draco Malfoy. He was looking questioningly at them with one eyebrow raised.

Harry shook his head "No, come join us."

Draco stepped out, slipping to the other seat beside Hermione. He conjured his own drink and drank deeply. "What business brings you here Potter?"

"Nothing, only to be with one of my best friends." Harry replied, undaunted by Draco's crisp manner.

"I see. You will not mind then that I take my fiancé away for a few hours?"

Hermione looked up at him, surprised. "What?"

But Harry took it in his stride. "Of course, I'll see you both later." And without another word he disapparated.

Hermione turned to Draco "Were you trying to get rid of him or are you actually planning on taking me somewhere?"

Draco smirked "You think I would enjoy Potter's company?" But at Hermione's dark glare he quickly spoke again "But of course I'm taking you out."

Hermione's face lightened considerably "Really? Where?"

"Well I was thinking of taking you to that restaurant we went to last time. Or perhaps if you don't want to eat we can go to see a movie, I've heard it's a very popular pass-time for muggles." He detailed, all the while watching her face. When he reached the part about the movies she smiled.

"That's very sweet, but actually I'm hungry, let's go eat something." She flounced off to her room to change.

Draco sat staring out to the horizon. He and Hermione had gone through many arguments and difficult times over the last month and a half. Their friendship had strengthened rapidly and he did feel attracted to her sometimes.

He felt the need to tread carefully, if Potter really intended for them to get married, then he wanted to be friends with her at least.

This late lunch would be his way of apologising for returning so late. And then what? Did you always need a reason to take your fiancé out to lunch or dinner? He thought that it would be silly to make up a reason for each time he wanted to take her out.

He wanted to take her out. The thought seemed so strange and yet it wasn't unwelcome. Things were very confusing at this time, but he accepted that things weren't always easy.

"Are you ready?" Hermione asked. She was wearing a black skirt and a pale blue sleeveless top and her favourite beige coloured coat was draped over her arm.

He rose swiftly. "Yes, let's go."

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That was quite a lot of 'no action'. I apologise but putting what is in the next chapter at the end of this one would make it far too long. So I wanted to separate it. Consider this a filler.

Please continue reading!