The weekend came much too quickly for Hermione's liking. She'd talked to Harry everyday, either by owl post or via floo. Last night they'd spent nearly two hours chatting and Hermione had fallen asleep in front of her hearth, her dreams filled with emerald green eyes.

She'd received an owl this morning from Harry asking her to lunch tomorrow. He wanted to hear all about her evening tonight with the Malfoy's. He'd even agreed with her Father and reminded her that she should let Malfoy know that she had options.

She'd playfully chastised him for it last night when he'd first brought it up, but his shite-eating grin had filled her stomach with butterflies. When he'd told her to have 'sweet dreams'...she'd plopped down with a soft moan after the end of the floo call, feeling needy.

It was both exhilarating and frustrating.

Who knew Harry Potter knew how to leave a witch panting?

Taking her time to look her absolute best, she sighed as she gazed back at her self from her full length mirror. Her dress robes were a deep burgundy, with a tantalizing neckline and a flared skirt that fell to the knees. Her heels were golden-strapped three inch heels with tiny jewels embellished on the buckles. Her makeup was simple, except for her lipstick which matched her outfit. Her hair was done up in a French twist with gold hoops adorning her ears.

Simple, elegant—

Taking a final deep breath she waited until Jean Paul knocked on her door before joining her Father down in the drawing room.

When she entered, their guests stood in greeting and she nodded politely before taking her place at her Father's side.

"There you are, Angel." He held out his hand, which she took immediately. "I'm sure introductions aren't unnecessary at this juncture, yes?"

"I would tend to think so." She replied as evenly as she could, while taking in the three Malfoy's standing there.

Lucius looked the same as he had before the war. His black dress robes, cravat and cane adorned his person and his hair was pulled back by a tie, with his pompous sneer in permanent residence on his face. Narcissa looked regal in iced grey-blue dress robes that matched her eyes. Her hair, was pulled up into a pretty chignon, even if her jewels were a bit overdone.

Malfoy was in his usual all black ensemble. His hair had grown out a bit, having more of a windswept look about it. His expression however, was completely devoid of emotion.

How utterly charming!

"I hope you weren't waiting too long?"

Hermione addressed her Father, but included everyone in her question.

"No, Miss Alphonse. We just arrived a few moments ago." Narcissa spoke, her voice not exactly friendly—but not unkind either.

"Since we have a few moments, perhaps you all might like a quick tour of the rose garden? The silver cedar trees and burnished roses are in perfect bloom right now."

"Silver cedar trees?" Lucius asked, with interest. "I thought they were all extinct?"

"We have the last remaining specimens here on our property as well as a few variations of silver lime trees too."

"Impressive." Lucius nodded as he took his wife's arm and followed Pierre out to the gardens, leaving the children behind.

"Are we to follow?" Draco drawled.

"It would only be polite." Hermione replied without emotion.

Draco's silver-grey eyes considered her intently for a moment before he offered his arm as he'd been trained to do. She stared at it for a split second, before she carefully took the proffered appendage and allowed Malfoy to escort her outside.

They didn't speak however, as they followed her Father as he waxed poetic about the various plants and trees. Being a Herbology buff, he was quite proud of his greenhouses and gardens. As they made their way to the last greenhouse, Draco noticed some venomous tentacula plants.

"Longbottom would love this place."

She glanced up at Malfoy with a hint of shock at the comment, not sure if he was being sincere or not—but all she did was hum in agreement.

"I should bring Neville here at some point."

"Has Potter been by?"

She desperately tried to stop the blush from rising to her cheeks, but apparently she didn't quite succeed as Malfoy's clipped voice bit out, "I see."

"Yes, Harry's been here."

"And Weasley?"

"No."

"Ah, so trouble in paradise?"

"Don't go there, Malfoy. Ronald and I, aren't together."

"Obviously not now, but I'm sure it would've made things easier with Potter and the Weaselette being coupled."

Hermione shrugged and replied, "Harry and Ginny aren't together either."

That brought Draco up short. He hadn't read anything about Potter and the youngest Weasley daughter calling it quits.

"I find that surprising."

"Really? Why is that?"

"They seemed perfect for each other."

"Hmm, well not everything is as it seems."

"And what does that mean?"

Hermione didn't get a chance to comment though, because they'd reached the house and Jean Paul was there to let them know dinner was ready.

The meal was lovely, the company not so much. Every now and then, Hermione could feel Malfoy's weighted stare on her but she simply chose to ignore it. After dinner they could talk more then.

"So, Miss Alphonse?" Lucius drawled. "Will you be returning to Hogwarts to finish your studies?"

"No, I'll be doing them via correspondence. Minerva was kind enough to allow it."

Draco was floored.

The swot wasn't going back to school?

"I'm surprised..." Draco paused awkwardly, as he'd almost called her Granger, "I'd thought you'd be excited to be Head Girl."

"Not especially. My time at school is done, and I've been away from home long enough. I'll be taking on an apprenticeship hopefully though, in Paris come September. I'm just waiting for my NEWT scores to be completed to be offered it formally."

"With whom?" Narcissa asked, intrigued.

"Nicolas Flamel."

Three sets of forks dropped in shock and Draco stared at Granger with a mix of awe and jealousy.

How had he not known she was interested in alchemy?

By his Mother's smug look, he could only imagine what she must be thinking.

"I wasn't aware Master Flamel took on apprentices?"

This comment was from Lucius.

"He doesn't, as a general rule. But I've maintained a friendly correspondence with him since my first year at Hogwarts when Headmaster Dumbledore had the Sorcerer's Stone hidden in the castle."

"Excuse me?" Lucius drawled.

"Oh, that's right? You didn't know about that, did you?" Hermione tutted almost playfully, enjoying the looks of utter shock and confusion on all the Malfoy's faces, as well as the devious smirk of her Father. "At the end of my first year—Harry, Ron and myself, went after the Sorcerer's Stone to keep Voldemort from obtaining it. Harry was successful, hence why Quirrell was killed. Shame."

Three sets of eyes just stared at her, as she took a pleased bite of her roasted asparagus.

"So he offered you the position out of gratitude?"

"No, Lady Malfoy—since the Stone was destroyed, I'm afraid Master Flamel's time on this earth is coming to a close. He wishes to impart his knowledge and thought I was the best candidate for that honor due to my interest in alchemy. Frankly, I was flattered he'd considered me at all."

"False modesty doesn't look good on you, Miss Alphonse." Lucius parlayed, and Hermione's soft laughter shocked Draco even more.

The Granger he knew from school, would've hurled an insult at his Father's tactless comment.

"I've never been accused of that affliction. Being a know it all? Yes. A swot? Most definitely. I'm sure if you lack context, your son probably has much clearer reflection on all the colorful euphemisms that I was known by at school."

Hermione's amber eyes locked in challenge with silver-grey, and Draco smirked and nodded back in kind.

"I do believe you'd be correct."

"Well, there you have it."

The rest of the conversation was innocuous and once coffee was done—Pierre stood and asked Draco's parents to join him for drinks in his study.

Once they were gone, Draco stood up and walked around the table, sliding Hermione's chair out and offering her his hand, which she took with a nod of thanks.

She then led him to her sanctuary.

She couldn't help but smile at Malfoy's look of awe as they walked into her family library.

He seemed genuinely impressed.

"This is as large as my library at home." He admitted softly.

"Hmm," she wandered to the sofa and sat down as she watched Malfoy peruse the shelves. "I must've missed that room when I was there before."

Draco turned sharply, his nostrils flaring in irritation before he sighed in resignation.

"Are we going to address the troll in the room?"

"If you'd like?"

Draco sat down across from Granger and tilted his head at her, taking in her posture and expression—which gave very little away.

"I'm surprised you haven't hexed me yet."

"You're a guest in my home, Malfoy. Whatever my personal feelings, I would never dishonor my Father in such a way."

"So you don't deny wanting to hex me?"

Hermione didn't reply, and Draco chuckled and shook his head wondering not for the first time this past week—just how well he really knew Granger.

"Look, I can't call you Granger anymore. So, what would be acceptable to you?"

"Hermione is fine."

"Then I would appreciate it if you'd call me Draco."

"Done."

He nodded, and leant forward—his forearms resting on his thighs. "I assume you're aware of the parameters of the contract?"

Hermione chuckled and nodded. "How very Gryffindor of you, Draco, to have right at it?"

"I don't see the necessity in prevarication at this point, do you?"

"No. Your Father told me you were seeing a witch. Do you intend to continue that relationship?"

Draco sat back, somewhat surprised Gran...no, Hermione had decided to bring that point up first.

"Astoria is aware of my situation and the contract. She's not adverse to the idea."

She didn't know how she felt about that, nor about the fact that Malfoy had already been looking for an out, but she wasn't surprised.

"And is that what you wish?" She asked again evenly, trying her level best to keep her traitorous heart and stomach from sinking. "Do you wish to take a Mistress?"

Draco maintained eye contact, desperately trying to get a sense on where Hermione's thoughts were at, but she was a closed book and it left him feeling slightly frustrated.

"I'm seriously considering it." Was all he said at last.

"Very well." Hermione nodded as she stood suddenly, shocking Draco with the swiftness to the end of their conversation. "Allow me to escort you back to your parents."

"Hermione, I only said I was considering it..."

"I understand. Please let me know when you decide."

"What about you?" He interrupted icily. "Do you intend to take a lover?"

He watched as Hermione's stoic expression melted into an almost pleased smirk.

What the fuck?!

"And if I told you that I was also considering it?"

"Then I'd ask with whom?"

"I don't think you really want the answer to that, Draco. Do you?"

Draco's gaze narrowed as he considered all the possibilities until the truth hit him like a bludger to the head, as he stood up angrily and hissed out, "Potter? Are you serious?"

"What's the matter, Draco? Does my choice of potential consort not meet with your approval?"

"No it doesn't!" He growled out angrily, and watched as Hermione's face bloomed into a genuine smile of triumph.

"Too bad."

She turned around and left him standing there, gaping after her like a fish out of water.

How in the fuck did that just happen?!

Was she lying?

He almost hadn't believed his Mum when she'd warned him about Hermione's Slytherin side, but now?

Now?

He was both equal parts angry and shockingly...

Aroused!

Fucking, hellish, witch!

What kind of game was she playing at?

He immediately stormed out of the library and followed her back towards her Father's study, and was about to halt her progress but she knocked on the door and was given permission to enter before he could do so.

"Ah, Angel. Are you done with your little tête-à-tête?"

Hermione briefly glanced over at Draco's parents and Lucius looked like he wanted to be ill, while Narcissa was staring at her son with an almost...knowing expression on her face.

Odd.

"Yes, Papa. More than. If I might bid our guests a good evening? I have plans for tomorrow and I need to get my beauty sleep."

"Ah, with Mr. Potter?"

Hermione nodded, and she bit she lip at the fierce glare from Draco, as well as the look of abject disgust from Lucius.

Both were rather amusing.

"It was lovely to have you all here this evening. I do hope you've enjoyed your visit?" She inquired sweetly.

Narcissa stood and walked over, an appraising gleam in her eye as she air kissed Hermione's cheeks in parting. "It was very informative, Miss Alphonse. Enjoy your day tomorrow."

"Thank you, Lady Malfoy. Shall I pass on your greetings to Harry?"

"Of course."

Hermione went over and kissed her Father good night on the cheek, and gave Draco one final pointed look before she left the room, skipping upstairs the entire way to her room.

Tonight couldn't have gone better!