Apparently, somebody mistook what I wrote in the previous chapter as something rather different, seemingly thinking that the end of the chapter was the end of the story, which is utter rubbish because nobody ends a story with a polka. But I'm sure they do end a chapter with something only those lines; so sorry to the anonymous person, I'll write more clearly or I'll just never mention it again. Oh yes, I have raised the ratings to M because of explicit content of the words I'm using, just to be on the safe side.

Other than that, all's well on my side and I'm just hoping to carry this story on for as long as I've planned it to be, so make sure you do regular check-ups on this story! Thanks again for the brilliant reviews and replies to them are once again at the bottom. (:

Chapter 10: Rendezvous

I've been thinkin' 'bout the meaning of resistance

Of a hope beyond our own

And suddenly the infinite and penitent

Began to look like home

Stars, Switchfoot

Hermione turned restlessly and kicked the duvet off her and looked up at the ceiling above her. It was creamy white and altogether smooth. Whoever painted the room had done a good job of it. Smooth brown curves were painted along the edges of the four walls, giving the room an elegant feel. And yet, Hermione wasn't enjoying it. She was restless and bored and it was two in the morning.

She had arrived at the Malfoy Manor slightly after ten, to be greeted with a giant bubble of energy from Ben and anxious welcomes from Pippin. Draco had gone off to work at the Ministry and had written a long list of instructions for her that was left on the table. Hermione had read it briefly then crumpled it and burnt it with the tip of the wand. After reading that parchment, the brief summary was lying between the elegant proses. It simply meant: Welcome, payment will be at the end of the month, look after the house and Ben and if need be, help me. Hermione snorted when she understood the last meaning. Help him? My foot I'll help him.

But then again, Hermione had to thank him for what he had done. Shelter and food and being paid for making sure the Manor was kept clean and looking after Ben? What more could she ask for?

Half an hour after coming into the Malfoy Manor, Hermione's luggage had gone into the safe hands of Pippin whom promptly disappeared with them up the stairs and into one of the many rooms of the Manor. She later found out that it was the same room that Draco had left her in two weeks odd ago. Hermione had went to the Manor on the very evening after Ginny had her dress done, and she could clearly play back the scene in her mind.

Before she could even knock on the door, Draco had opened it with his newspapers at hand, given her a raised eyebrow and let her in. He had then dropped the newspapers unceremoniously on the glass table and sat himself comfortably on the long couch and grinned. "Yes, Granger? And if you think I'm psychic I'm not. I saw you on the Manor's map," Draco said languidly as he loosened the tie around his neck. And somehow, Hermione was becoming rather nervous.

"Finally decided to reply to Ben's request?" Draco asked Hermione as she sat stiffly in the seat. "Yes, well," Hermione started methodically, " I would like to say that Ben and you are actually quite nice," (at which Draco snorts) "And that I think this 'request' is rather sweet, especially coming from Ben, and that it's a very honourable gesture because I personally think that it must have taken a lot of guts to get Ben to say it, and that—"

"If you're going to say anymore 'and that' you might as well read from the script," Draco interrupted as he rolled his eyes. Hermione gave Draco a hard stare and carried on bitingly, " I'll take up the offer unless somebody suddenly pops up with a better one." Draco grinned at Hermione and sat up. "That's good, I guess, you can start tomorrow," Draco replied.

"The thing is, I can't. I have to settle the apartment and the other parents. I promised them that I'd give good references to make their life simpler. And I'll have to change my address to my mail, and a lot of other things too," Hermione said as she clasped her hands. Draco raised an eyebrow but didn't answer. The awkward silence intensified until Hermione couldn't take it any more that she almost yelled, "I'll start next week! Give me a week to sort my stuff out and I'll see you most probably on Monday or Tuesday okay? I'll owl you if there are anymore problems."

Draco grinned then gave a nod. "Care to stay for dinner, Granger?" Hermione smiled but declined with a shake of her head, "No thanks, I've got a lot of work to do." Hermione got out from the seat and grabbed her coat from the stand. "I'll see you next week," Hermione said and closed the large door behind her, never seeing the flash of disappointment on Draco's face.

And now, Hermione was stuck in the too large bed with too many covers. It was as if it was suffocating her with layers of warmth. Hermione sandwiched her head between two large pillows, trying to drown out any noise she was hearing. Eventually, she snarled at the covers and flung it off herself. She took her fluffy slippers and walked down the long quiet hallway, trying to make as little noise as possible.

The Manor was dark but hardly eerie, with the moon casting a glow on everything, like a small tinge of fairy lights. Hermione walked to the large ceiling to floor windowpanes and looked out to see the moon and a few wispy clouds. It was the start of March and the end of spring. The lush trees and bushes lining the driveway up to the Manor were moving to and fro in the gentle breeze.

"Why, if it isn't the lady from the other day," a kindly voice spoke. Hermione turned around and looked warily around her. There was no one around except the portraits. "Hello?" Hermione asked cautiously. "Don't you know who we are, young lady? Don't you remember?" And then it hit Hermione: it was the portraits.

"Is that you, the Victorian Lady?" Hermione questioned the hundred portraits. "Yes, yes, I am the Victorian Lady. And coincidentally, my name is Victoria. How do you do, Miss, uh, Miss?" the lady in the grey dress laughed daintily and got up from the stiff chair. Hermione eventually located the origin of the voice and looked up at the lady who bent and peered down at her kindly. "Miss Granger," Hermione replied. "Ah, Miss Granger, so what are you doing out here at such a late hour?" Victoria enquired politely. The rest of the portraits around her were sleeping in uncomfortable positions, mostly standing. A few snores were coming from various portraits. "Ah, and I don't sleep a lot, especially not in the chair and this terribly prickly dress. What are you up to, Miss Granger? Don't tell me it's a midnight rendezvous with the young master of the house?" Victoria chuckled lightly.

Hermione was momentarily stunned before reacting to the question. "I'm not having any kind of rendezvous with any master of this Manor!" Hermione said indignantly, " and I never will!" Victoria gave a tipsy giggle and asked her, "Which room are you in then, m'dear?" To which Hermione gave a vague answer, " Oh, um, it's beige and it's rather big, too big actually, and it's got a bed and a connecting washroom which is pretty huge itself…" Victoria peered at the unsure girl. "Does it have a portrait then? Or a picture frame?" Victoria asked. Hermione thought for a while before nodding her head, "But it's occupied with a picture of a huge forest."

Victoria nodded her head knowingly. "Ah, that room. I remember that room well," Victoria sighed dreamily, "It was where Charles proposed." Hermione plastered a smile on her face, hoping the bed had been changed since the Victorian ages. "I'll see you there in a tick then," Victoria called out as she walked out of her frame and popped up in the frame next to hers, and then in the next, and the next. Hermione nodded at the empty frame and walked back to her room.

Just as she lay on her bed again, Victoria came into the picture. "Ah, well, forests are just as nice waterfalls I guess," she said slightly vaguely. "So tell me, Miss Granger. What brings you to the Malfoy residence?"

"It's work, Victoria, I'm working here from now onwards. I was hired by Draco Malfoy."

"Ah, work. I see. So, what is this work thing? What do you do?"

"I'm an au pair for Malfoy's young nephew called Ben. Are you familiar with Nicola Black?"

"Why, of course I am. Cousin to the young master. She was very pretty and very talented. But I say she was smart to marry that muggle because she was betrothed to a terribly egoistic and ugly Parkinson." Hermione laughed inwardly, it's not a mystery where Parkinson gets her genes.

"You seem to have a lot of stored anger for the young master," Victoria remarked observantly. "And why do you call Malfoy the young master?" Hermione shot back defiantly, trying to avoid the question. "Does it not speak for itself? He is the master of the house, and let me just say, one of the best in the long time. He's kind and he let the house elves go. Do you know how hard it is to find people who are willing to let go of their house elves m'dear?" Victoria replied calmly. "Give him a chance, Miss Granger, because he may be more than what you think of him."

Hermione fell silent and picked up a fallen cover. "Plus, I think he's got a soft spot for you," Victoria smiled and ran out of the portrait. Hermione froze when she heard the statement. A tinkling laugh ran through the long hallway. Hermione shook her head and felt her head hit the pillow. In no time, she was sleeping.

Hermione groaned as someone poked her hard in the ribs. And then, she heard the excited shouts of "Herb!" over and over again. "Oh Ben, let me stay in for another 15 minutes," Hermione mumbled but the poking became more frequent and the shouts even louder. Hermione slapped her cheeks and sat up. At the foot of the bed was Ben doing a war dance and shouting "Herb!" as he went round the circle. When he finally spotted Hermione sitting up Ben let out a whoop of delight and scuttled out of the room, slamming the door behind. Hermione looked at the bedside clock and it started ringing. It was 7 o'clock.

Hermione lazily opened the huge wardrobe and selected the baggiest shirt and trousers she could find. She closed the doors behind her and it the darkness, stripped and changed as fast as her hands allowed her to. With that, she went to the vast washroom and brushed her teeth. The mirror gave a wheezy salutation and went back to sleep. "I look presentable right?" Hermione asked the mirror but the only reply she got was a snore.

Hermione walked down the steps with trepidation. She had yet to see Draco since last week. She had gone to see Ben to sleep at nine and Draco wasn't back yet. When she finally stopped waiting and had left his cold dinner on the table and gone up to bed it was eleven. She heard the main door open a little after 12 when she was wide awake and tossing around in her too big bed. After that, she heard nothing.

After a little more than four hours of sleep, Hermione was feeling slightly refreshed as she took each step with more courage. There was no big deal about facing Draco, was there? Then, Hermione heard a loud crash and an even louder scream. Ben! Hermione thought and rushed down the stairs, taking them three at a time. She reached the kitchen and ten seconds flat to see the commotion in front of her. There, in front of her was a giggling Ben and a chortling Draco as Pippin watched on more anxious than before. There was broken glass and water all over the place.

"Why are you two laughing!" Hermione asked angrily. Draco pointed at the glass and tried to choke back his laughter with no avail. Ben was bouncing happily on his seat. "Vase… vase," Draco eventually said as he carried on laughing uncontrollably. "What about the vase?" Hermione questioned him as she tried her best to lift all the glass pieces into the garbage bin. Pippin had taken a cloth and wiped the floor dry.

"It was an ugly vase," Draco said solemnly and straightened his shirt. "So?" Hermione retorted, trying to get Ben to take off his wet shirt. "And I told Ben that it was a gift from his aunt and he promptly broke it," Draco continued. Ben had started another fit of giggles. "It's not funny! Both of you!" Hermione snapped and the kitchen fell quiet. "I'm sorry, I apologise. I shouldn't have burst out at you two but I didn't get a lot of sleep yesterday," Hermione mumbled and massaged her temples. "Were you waiting up for me?" Draco asked. "Yeah…" Hermione replied softly, and Draco looked surprised.

"Right, well," Draco cleared his throat, "I'm going off to work soon, and Granger, I need you to make sure you send Ben to school, and then come back and ask Pippin is she needs any help." Draco took his coat and his hat and walked out of the kitchen. A minute or so later, the large entrance doors were slammed shut and a loud crack was heard.

Draco apparated right outside the auror office and walked in. There was a flurry of activity all around him. He had stayed until eleven thirty yesterday trying to figure out the blurred photographs taken. And he had a mountain of paperwork to complete on. With the Dark Lord gone, the activities of his Servants were growing less and less until the start of this year when the Chief had briefed him and his other two 'partners'. Before that, he and rest of the aurors were placed on the Hit Squad, messing around with small cases like minor thefts and small time crooks like the modern muggle 'please men'. It was a boring, tedious job that everybody hated to do. That was what he and Blaise did. And then, Blaise got caught up with being head editor of fashion for the Prophet and another large fashion Magazine, Rouge, and he did less of his auror work.

Draco groaned. He hated it when Blaise was hardly around, and only doing the bigger cases with him. Most of the time, he worked alone. Blaise, I could shoot you right now with my wand, Draco cursed Blaise as he walked to his desk. His desk was decorated with small dragons and gold baubles that floated around the desk, creating a green and gold canopy with occasional bursts of orange fire. "Darling! Don't you just love it!" Blaise clasped his hands in mock anticipation. Draco rolled his eyes and gave a small nudge in Blaise's rib. " You have got to stop with these decorations. I know you're head editor of the fashion page for the Prophet and also happen to be my best friend but don't push it," Draco grinned and with a swift flick of his wand, everything was gone.

Blaise flung himself on his best friend and sobbed, " Oh Draco dear! How could you break my heart! It took me ages to find the dragons and those pretty baubles!" Draco patted Blaise on the back like an old friend to stop him from heaving. "Oh all right, put them back but just for the day only. I'm taking them off during lunch," Draco warned Blaise. Blaise gave a whoop of joy and conjured everything back. "Oh, and oh yes, this letter came in for you just this morning," Blaise said after everything was in place. He took out a large letter from his robes and passed it to Draco.

Draco frowned. Most of his letters came to him personally or dropped off at the Manor. Draco opened the letter hastily and read the words written in green ink. And the noise around him seemed to intensify until Draco couldn't take it anymore. "SHUT UP! CAN'T YOU SEE PEOPLE ARE WORKING HERE?" Draco roared, and the room fell silent. Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley popped their head over the top to see who had finally kept the junior aurors quiet. When they spotted Draco they looked at each other worriedly. Draco hardly blew his top, and with this, there was something definitely wrong with him.

Draco reached home at six that evening. His head was throbbing and his feet hurt. He had spent the whole day with the Hit Squad. And the letter was giving him more problems than he asked for. When he opened the main door Hermione was sitting on the leather couch with a long roll of parchment in front of her. There were scribbles in her neat handwriting running from left to right in black ink. Her hair was tied messily in a ponytail, she was wearing her spectacles and a frown glued to her forehead in concentration.

"I'm back," Draco announced and practically collapsed on the floor. He stumbled a little and plopped down on a comfortable chair and sighed. He then removed his cloak and hat and started releasing his tie. After that, he carried on fiddling with his cufflinks. "Stupid cufflinks, you'll be the death of me," Draco mumbled, hardly helping at all. Hermione stopped her furious writing and looked up. She took of her spectacles and massaged her temples. Writing so much was bad for her head. When she saw Draco about to hex his cufflinks away she walked over and took his hand in hers. "Here, let me help," Hermione said kindly and soon removed his cufflinks.

"Thanks," Draco replied and watched Hermione focusing intensely on the cufflink that was refusing to budge. "You know, the last time I said we had 'sex' you said you'd rather jump into the water right?" Draco said softly, looking at his wrist. "No, I said I would jump into the river," Hermione corrected Draco and smiled. "Well, what if I happen to you know, kiss you?" Draco said carefully, hoping Hermione wouldn't burst as he dared Hermione to look up.

"I'll wash my mouth and brush my teeth a hundred times over," Hermione replied. And Draco grinned and whispered to her ear, " You do that." And he kissed her. It was just a simple chaste kiss that hardly brushed her lips, but it counted.

"Hermione," Draco stated simply. "Draco," Hermione replied, surprised yet slightly confused. "Well, uh Granger, you know how I stated in my letter I gave you that I might require your help at certain times?" Draco mentioned, slightly uncomfortable that they were in such close proximity.

"Yes, I do. All that stuff about 'immediate urgencies' and 'required assistance', yes, I do remember," Hermione replied, knowing there was definitely something that underlay what just happened. Draco nodded and grinned, slightly embarrassedly, " Good, this is an 'immediate urgency'." And Draco brandished the letter.

HA! That's another chapter posted in a rather short span of time of 4 days! I am very delighted and I know that this is a rather short chapter compared to the lengths the I usually write but basically, there's only so much I can write without revealing what's going to happen so please, continue reading (:

Frostlily When you say 'there's a lot of information and it didn't seem to be too much is that bad, or good? But thanks for being a faithful reader 3

Lecelli You don't have to review for every chapter. It's great just having one so thanks for your comments.

LadyJaye You're spot on about the Ginny bit but I didn't want to rush into what you said because it takes the whole fun out of it, you know? Everybody expects it especially when Draco's carrying Hermione up the stairs and tucking her in but when you don't give it to the audience, it just holds them in suspense on when they would. Yeah, so sorry if I disappointed you.

Okay! That's basically it and I'll see how soon I can post another chapter before I go for my hols in two days. But don't expect it. I'm really sorry once again guys! That's why I was trying to rush in this one and keep you in suspense until I get back and start writing. HAHA :D