Authors Notes: New chapter! Praise! xD.

'Dirty Work'

A Petal For Your Thoughts

The next few weeks for Hermione were filled completely with planning. Now that she was Draco's partner, she had to oversee everything and be with him wherever he went. It was hard work, being some sort of boss. Sometimes Hermione had to enforce rules, and make commands, but at the same time, be nice to whoever was working for her and Draco. She hated being mean.

Nights were spent doing some last minute things in the ministry, while chatting along together about how wonderful the ball was going to be. Draco was working very hard to making this event work, and Hermione liked seeing him have a goal that he was working to. The Draco she knew in school definitely had no goals, and she liked this one much better.

Hermione and he were common companions now. You would find the two either working together, lunching together or just walking together to work. A companion is what they were to each other and their friendship was growing stronger by the day.

"I'll see you tomorrow then, Malfoy," Hermione said, waving goodbye to him. It was very late at night now, for she heard the clock chime ten o'clock. She wasn't usually at work this late.

"Alright, have a good night," he said, not taking his eyes off of the millions of papers that were scattered all around one desk. Draco looked as if he were about ready to faint, especially with all those bags under his eyes. The ball was looming nearer, and Hermione and he were working their noses to the grindstone.

By now they had both decided on the band, certain performers and guest speakers that would perform at the ball, what would be on the menu from the caterers place and wrote out the invitations to every wizarding family and home. Hermione had written report after report as well as help Draco, and every article got the wizarding world hyped up about it. The ministry and Draco too, were very pleased by what they had accomplished. They were already beginning to design the ballroom in fact.

"Don't work too late, Malfoy, I need you for tomorrow," Hermione warned him before apparating back. It seems they had gotten closer over the last few weeks, and she loved having another friend, other than those from the Weasley family.

"Don't you worry, Granger. I'll be ready and prepared for tomorrow," he replied, only looking up once to give her a tired smile. She waved to him once more, picked up a few rolled up papers that she needed to bring home to work on, and apparated quickly back to her flat, leaving Draco to work.

Sighing and dropping her briefcase on the floor and a few parchments on a desk, Hermione fell lazily onto her living room couch. Sleep was overcoming her very quickly, but she couldn't. She had another article to finish, and a few designing idea's she had to put down on paper. This all had to be done by tomorrow, and she knew if it wasn't there would be a halt in their preperation for the ball.

Quickly, she forced herself to stand up and walk all the way to the kitchen counter and make herself a large pot of coffee. Tea was no good, it wouldn't help her stay up late at all, and neither would water. Hermione sat herself down on a stool and watched the coffee drip into the pot. She lay her head down and her eyes drooped. Knowing that she would fall asleep soon, she muttered a spell through a yawn, to make the coffee brew faster. She needed it, and quick.

The last few days for Hermione were extremely fun yet exhausting. Draco was always there to make things fun and amusing though. At first, starting the project, she thought she'd just ignore him and silently hate him while they worked, but the closer they got to being friends, the more Hermione realized he wasn't the same, no matter how many times he had to say his 'I'm a changed man speech.'

Break at the Three Broomsticks, the day Draco gave her the deal, was very fun. They talked on and on about anything and everything, and Hermione even felt that he was close becoming a better friend. It was odd. She thought that maybe it was just the fact that she hadn't had a new friend since Harry's death, and this was the closest she was getting to it, but maybe it wasn't.

As the coffee pot came to it's full measure, Hermione stifled a yawn, and took it out. She poured it out, into a large mug and took a tiny sip. It was just no good. Defeated, Hermione put it down on the counter and slumped her way back to the couch.

Immediately, she dropped down and went into the feedle position, while piling a pillow beneath her head. Sleep came silently, as she thought about Draco, and how close they were getting, and about Harry, and how she missed him so. Somehow, the two thoughts just couldn't get out of her mind.

A long while later...

"Hermione!" A voice said from behind her. "Hermione!" It came again, pounding in to Hermione's mind. It echoed again and again as if the voice were coming from the top of a hill. Hermione's head hurt and she covered it with the pillow she was sleeping on quickly. It was like she just had a bad hangover and was still recovering. "Hermione, wake up! Wake up!" It told her. Groggily and unwillingly, Hermione blinked several times, her living room looking very blurry, and glanced up.

"Whuzzit?" She managed to say, still, very groggily.

"Wake up, Hermione! Wake up!" Immediately, Hermione recognized the voice, and she sat up on her living room couch, to face the fire. "Alright, Hermione?" The voice asked her. She rubbed at her eyes and put the pillow aside. It was Ron.

"Hmm? Oh, I'm alright, Ron." She said sleepily. "I w-w-was just..." Hermione yawned, "sleeping. What is it?" She asked properly this time.

"You need to come over here, Hermione!" He repeated, looking absolutely jumpy in the fire. He looked like he could just soar, and Hermione was very suspicious with his look. Ron was smiling very widely and it looked like he was wearing a suit. A black tie, hanging from a collar that was covered up with a blue sweater. Something like they wore at school, except fancier.

"Are you wearing a tie, Ron?" Hermione asked, ignoring what he just said. Ron looked down and examined his attire, and looked up again sheepishly.

"Oh..." he said with a hearty smile. "I'll explain that. But - "

"What in the world are you looking so jumpy about?" Hermione asked, eyeing him suspiciously.

"Well, I'll be very happy to tell you when - "

"And why have you got a... a suit on?" Hermione continued.

"Hermione!" Ron yelled, to stop her from asking more questions. Abruptly, Hermione closed her mouth. She looked at him scoldingly and Ron just gave her a bashful expression. "Look, just come over here, will you? I have news."

"Why don't you just tell me now? I'm really very tired and I've got so much other things to finish for the ball. You have no idea how much work I need to put into this. And my goodness, I just slept for two hours! Now I'll have to work really late - "

"Just come, will you?" Ron begged, as Hermione gave him a confused look. "This is more important, trust me." He stated.

She looked at him with her very tired eyes and squinted them at the fire. For some reason, Ron looked like he really needed her there. She had to give in. "Oh, alright." She said, defeated once more. "I'll be there in a minute, just let me change clothes."

"Alright, see you in five!" He said happily, and his face disappeared from the fire.

Hermione sighed and pulled herself up from the couch she had been sleeping on. She was still in her work clothes and all the work she had brought home was still in a cluster on her table. Their was absolutely no way she could finish it now unless she stayed up into the hours of early morning. She would have no energy by the time she went to work.

Swiftly, Hermione put on a change of clothes. She put on the first thing she saw in her closet. By the time Hermione walked out of her room, she was wearing denim pants, a pink t-shirt and a large red sweater over top. In a quick motion Hermione put her hair into a loose pony tail. She went and took a heavy swig of coffee (for she would be needing it later) and then apparated quickly into Ron's flat.

"I'm here," she said to an empty looking flat, as Hermione popped in. It looked exactly like hers, except different colours, and a bit bigger, since it had two residents inside. The kitchen looked neat except for the sink. It had at least five plates in it, all dirty and unscrubbed, and two wine glasses. Hermione eyed them suspiciously.

"Ron?" She called out to the room. She heard two muffled voices. One was obviously Ron's and the other's was feminine sounding. It was Parvati. Hermione turned to face the room Ron shared with Parvati, and heard a giggle. She walked towards his bedroom door, but it flew open before she could reach it.

In Ron's arm was Parvati, who was giggling feverishly, and a bottle of wine in his other hand. The two looked absolutely cute the way they were standing there, and Hermione felt a little uncomfortable at the sight of her best friend making goo goo eyes at another girl.

"Hermione, you're here!" Ron exclaimed, setting the bottle of wine down on the nearest table. He kept Parvati in his arms.

"Hermione, it's nice to see you," Parvati greeted, detaching herself from Ron's arm. Hermione smiled at her and gave her a hug, which lasted for about a second, for she was back in Ron's arms.

"Did I interrupt dinner?" Hermione asked, lifting her chin towards the sink. "Hopefully not." She said, smiling at the cute couple before her.

"Oh, no, no, no!" Parvati said, hugging Ron close to her. "We wanted you here!" She insisted. Hermione looked at the two suspiciously. Parvati was in a formal dress, just as Ron was in a sort of formal suit. She eyed both of their attire, and looked up and down her own attire. Her cheeks flushed.

"You two are dressed so... so - formally!" Hermione said, giving her clothes a disgusted look, "If you had just told me that - "

"What you're wearing is fine, Hermione." Ron said, letting go of Parvati (but not before he kissed her lightly on the lips) and taking Hermione's hand. "We're just glad you're here to celebrate with us."

"Celebrate..? Celebrate what?" Hermione said suspiciously. She was looking at Parvati. Something about her seemed to glow. Hermione scanned her up and down. No, it wasn't her hair. No... nothing different on her face, other then that expression of hers. Her entire body seemed fine, in fact. Everything looked the same to her, but there was that one thing that was telling Hermione that Parvati was glowing for a reason. Until she saw her hand.

And the ring.

Instantly, Hermione's eyes widened into great brown orbs that would rival the eyes of a house elf. She gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. She looked down at Parvati's ring, and then at Parvati's widening smile, and Ron's nodding head.

"You - you - really?" Hermione stuttered out. Ron laughed and let go of Hermione's hand. He walked straight up to Hermione and gave her an innocent kiss on the cheek. He nodded.

"That's right Hermione," Ron said, resuming the position of having Parvati in his arms, "we're - "

"Engaged!" Hermione shrieked, jumping up and down. She clapped her hands together and jump/walked her way towards Parvati. She gave her the biggest bear hug, and kissed Ron on both cheeks. His ears went red. "You finally asked her! I can't believe it! Congratulations!" She yelled, hugging the both of them.

"Yeah, I know! Proposed exactly at midnight." Ron looked at Parvati as if she were the greatest prize in the world. "And she said yes." He said proudly, looking at the ring around her finger.

"Of course I said yes, Ron. Did you think I was going to say no?" Parvati chuckled, as she hugged Ron tightly. Ron laughed and turned to Hermione after Parvati let go. No wonder they were all looking so dolled up and fancy.

"I can't believe it!" Hermione repeated , obviously still very jumpy about the whole thing. "And you hadn't even told me you were going to do it!" She suddenly accused.

Ron looked at her shyly and said, "Well, of course I was planning to tell you when I would do it, but you've been so busy about the ball and everything..." he trailed off slowly.

Parvati nodded vigourously. "Yes, it's true, we've noticed how tired you've been looking these last few weeks. The ball's only a couple of days away, and Ron and I both know you need as much as time to be working on it as possible!"

Hermione sighed with a smile. "That makes sense," she said, tucking a stray hair behind her ear. "But you know I would have dropped everything if you had told me, don't you Ron?" She added. Ron smiled and nodded his head in a sort of bow. Quickly dropping the subject, Hermione continued. "But anyways! You two! You're... engaged!" She exclaimed. It sounded so good in a sentence. Ron and Parvati. Engaged.

"Yes, I know, I can't even believe it myself..." Parvati said, admiring her new fiance. "I didn't know I could be so lucky." Hermione blushed at the two. They were being very gushy towards each other. "I can't wait to tell everyone!"

"Yes, me neither," Ron said, looking at Hermione, "everyone needs to know very soon, so we can start making the plans and organizing everything." Hermione's eyes widened with a smile, "But no, Hermione, you can't help Parvati organize the wedding. She's on my side about this. You're already working so hard on the ball. Okay?" Ron looked at her expectantly.

Hermione's smile immediately went away and she slouched just a bit when she stood. "Oh, alright...!" She complained. "But you know I would love to help any way I can – "

"Yes, of course we know!" Parvati interrupted.

"But we'll try not to make you so involved with the planning."

"Ronald!"

"Don't Ronald me, Hermione. I know how much you're working. I don't want to say it again." Ron said, showing a strict side of him. She immediately dropped it with a tiny shrug.

"Have you picked a date?" Hermione said, changing topic.

"Yes, in fact, we have!" Parvati piped up excitedly. She looked from Ron to Hermione, all smiles and giggles.

"Really?" Hermione asked interestedly. "When?"

Parvati exchanged happy looks with Ron. "Next week!"

...Next what?

"Next week?"

"Yes!" Parvati continued on happily. "That's why we need to let everyone know as soon as possible. Obviously, we don't want the wedding date to be in the same week as the ball you're planning Hermione," she explained while Hermione just gave her an unbelievable look, "if we did, everyone would forget. So, we could either do it before or after. And since Ron and I just couldn't wait... we decided next week!"

Hermione stared blankly at the two.

"We know it's a bit quick and rushed..." Ron chimed in, explaining more, "but besides, it won't be fancy. It'll be a backyard wedding at my house, and only family is invited. Of course, you can bring anyone you like, if you want, Hermione," Ron added with a smile.

But Hermione continued to stare. She might have raised an eyebrow.

"...Next week," she repeated, almost breathlessly, "Next week!" She exclaimed in almost a whisper. "But, where will I ever find the time to come to the wedding if I'm busy planning at the Ministry? And I need to buy a dress, and I have no time for that!" Hermione panicked, rasing her voice a little.

"Hermione! It's okay!" Parvati said, walking over and patting her on the shoulder. "You'll be one of my brides maids, that is, if you accept," Parvati said, giving Hermione such a sweet smile that Hermione wouldn't refuse, even if she tried.

"Brides maid? Of course!" She answered. "But... the dress, and the – "

"Don't worry, I've got it all planned out." Parvati reassured. "I'll be picking out the designs for the brides maid dresses, so you shouldn't have to be panicked. I'm handling it, remember?" Parvati reminded.

Hermione nodded and looked at Ron. "You're both positive about next week?" She asked.

"Positive." The couple said together.

"Alright... next week it is." Hermione stated. Immediately the two smiled jovially and went back into the others arms, kissing so passionately that Hermione flushed once again.

"You wait till everyone hears about this," Ron exclaimed, after kissing Parvati.

Hermione smiled and nodded. For some reason, the whole scene didn't seem to feel right. Like a little something was missing. But what could it have been? Her best friend was getting married to one of her closest friends, and she was a brides maid! And then suddenly, thinking about the engagement and the marriage, Hermione knew.

It was her that was supposed to be happy and getting married. It was her that was supposed to be picking out brides maids and designing dresses. She was supposed to marry. She was supposed to marry Harry.

"Imagine the look on Harry's face if he knew," Ron said, in the middle of all the excitement. Hermione's head shot up.

Sadly, but hiding it very quickly, Hermione smiled again, looking at the couple. "We'll, I'm sure Harry would be very happy if he knew..."

The news about Ron and Parvati's engagement travelled quickly among the wizarding community in the next day. It had only been a few hours and already the entire Weasley clan (which was very large), the Patil family, some medi-wizards and nurses at Mungo's, some of the Ministry and others were already informed about it. It was even mentioned in the Prophet.

Ron was probably the happiest person about this. He was showing it off down the halls of the hospital and bringing his new fiance everywhere with him, showcasing her engagement ring. It was largely talked about among the people because the Weasley and Patil family were well loved, and of course, everyone wanted to be a part of it. Naturally, Ron was sure to include that only family, and close friends to the bride or grooms family were allowed to come. Many were disappointed but still, they were quite happy for the couple.

"Isn't it just absolutely wonderful?" Hermione exclaimed in the middle of work. She was currently running a finger up and down a stem of a flower, for her and Draco were on another business mission. This time it was for the flowers.

Draco smiled and picked up a flower, examining it. "Yes, it is. I'm very glad for Weasley and Patil."

"Must you call them by their last names?" Hermione asked.

"Sorry, old habits die hard. Besides, I still call you Granger, don't I?"

"Yes, but that's because I don't mind. I'm sure Ron and Parvati would mind if they heard it."

"Well, they haven't. If I should see them in person than I will gladly call them by their first names. Happy?" He said with a smile towards Hermione.

"I suppose," she answered, a bit distracted. The many flowers in the flowery were just so dolled up and way to fancy, none of them seemed to fit the look they were looking for.

"Find anything suitable yet?" Draco asked, looking at Hermione and the way she was eyeing a certain pink flower with petals that had watermelon green scales on them. They were bristling every now and then.

"Nothing," Hermione said hopelessly, walking over to another aisle. Draco followed.

"Don't worry, we'll find one." He assured her.

"Well, I hope we find one soon, because I'm meeting Ron and Parvati for break. We're going to lunch together with the Weasley family. You can just imagine everyone all over them, talking plans and everything. It's going to be torture for Ron."

Draco chuckled. "Just hope he survives for the wedding."

"Oooh, how's this?" Hermione said, not hearing what Draco said. She picked up a flower that was in a vase with others. The vase was beneath a glowing lamp light and the flower had white petals that pointed outwards in a curve, and a sky blue stem. Inside the flower was a dark blue bud that opened up and then closed over and over again.

"It looks nice." He commented, walking over to the flower. "What's it called?"

"It's called..." Hermione looked down at the label which was attached on the vase. "Parfum Blume."

"Hmm," Draco said, thinking. "It seems to fit the occasion. Does it have anything describing the flower on there?"

"Let's see..." Hermione flipped over the label. "Oh, yeah it does. It says: 'Parfum Blume is a German flower, growing only on the most delicate and softest ground. It blooms most beautifully when it's surroundings are lively and joyful. It withers and will most probably die when the environment is morose and glum. Instructions: To keep in it's growing state, put under a soft light. For it to be in full bloom, surround it in happy environment. No need to water if put in this surrounding.' There's a picture of the flower when it's in full bloom."

Hermione pointed beneath the paragraph, and there was a picture of the exact same flower, except the dark blue bud was fully opened and it had another bud opened except a bit lighter, and within that one was another bud that was lighter than that, and on and on until there was no room for another bud and the colour blue could go no lighter.

"It looks beautiful." Draco said, looking at the example picture. "You think we should use it?"

"Oh yes," Hermione said delightfully, walking over to the counter, "I think that we should definitely use it. It's absolutely perfect for the event. Most likely, everyone will be happy and having a good time at the ball, so it will have no problem blooming."

"Right," Draco agreed, catching up with her.

The two went up to the cashier and ordered a few hundred to be at the ball. Draco payed the flowery more kindly then he should have, and asked for his own flower of the Parfum Blume.

"Of course, sir. Would you like a lamp light to go with it?" The lady cashier asked.

"No, that's okay. I don't think I'll be needing it." He said, waving his hand.

"Yes, sir."

After the lady gave a little bow towards Draco, he smirked and turned to look at Hermione. She wasn't focusing, because she was humming to herself quietly, looking all around the shop.

"See anything interesting...?" He asked her, wondering what she was staring at.

"Oh, no. Just looking. I'll be walking around if you need me." She said, leaving Draco at the counter. He watched her walk over to a shelf that had baby tree's that were growing peaches and apples on them. Almost as soon as he turned his back back to face the counter, the cashier lady came back with the one Parfum Blume in her hands.

"Thank you for shopping at Fiona's Flowery, Mister Malfoy. Here is your Parfum Blume and your change." She handed him a few sickles and a galleon for the flower, and smiled sweetly at him.

"Thanks," he said, walking over to Hermione.

"Let's go," he said, jerking his heard towards the door. "I've already filled out the papers and everything, so we can leave."

"Oh good," Hermione said, removing her eyes from the baby trees. "Why've you got a parfum blume in your hands?" She asked, noticing it clutched tightly but softly in his fingers. He looked at it as if he hadn't seen it, and smirked.

"Oh this," he said, pointing at it with the other hand.

"Yes, that." Hermione said, an eyebrow slightly arched.

"Are you happy right now?" He asked, putting the flower behind his back. Hermione's eyebrow arched even more at the sudden quesiton. She bit her lip and her forehead scrunched in confusion. Draco always had to confuse her like this.

"...Yes." She answered, ignoring the suddeness of the question.

"Are you sure?" He asked, keeping the flower still behind his back.

"Yes." She said confidently.

"Okay, good." He removed the flower from behind his back and held it at arms length in front of Hermione. She looked at it, eyebrow still raised, but with a questioning expression.

"What? It's for me?" She asked, slowly taking out a hand to reach for it.

"Well, maybe." He said, pulling it away from her. Hermione's arm went lip.

"Maybe? What's that mean?" She asked, a grin playing around her lips.

"It means it's yours, but only if you accept my invitation."

"You're invitation? To what?"

"Dinner. At my house; to celebrate the planning of this ball."

"Celebration? Already? But the ball is still at least two weeks away - "

"But we've finished the planning completely. The only thing left is the rearranging of the ballroom which is not our job. All we have to do is supervise it. Technically, we're done." He said, finalizing the statement 'we're done.'

Hermione stared at him and then the flower. She had completely forgotten that this was their last business trip together as partners. The only thing they would have left to do was making sure everything went right. She forgot with all the other things going that this was it.

"You're right," she said in realization. "This is our last business mission!" She exclaimed.

"Sad, I know." He said jokingly. Hermione grinned. "So, do you except my invitation or not, Granger?" He asked, a slight frown on his lips.

Again, Hermione bit her lip, wondering whether she should except it or not. It's not that she thought this was a date or anything, but it might be close to being one. She hadn't been on one since she was with Harry, and to do it again for the first time with Draco Malfoy? What a thing to do.

"This isn't like... a date or anything?" She asked, making sure.

Draco looked blank for about a moment and then quickly recovered, putting a smile on his face. "No, no, not a date." He stated. "Just a celebration. For our very good work."

Hermione stopped biting her lip and gave him a sheepish grin. "Alright, then. I accept you're invitation Draco Malfoy."

"Great." He said, putting the flower at arms length again. "You may have you're flower now." Immediately, Hermione took it, and smelled it's perfume. It was a mix of fresh fruit and of something you would typically smell on a summers day. Immediately, she felt very happy, and the bud in the flower perked up.

"Thank you." She said sweetly, pulling out a petal and placing it on her palm. "Here." She took Draco's hand (she thought he tensed up for a moment) and turned it over, so that his palm was facing up. She placed her own on top of his and dropped the petal onto his. "For you." She said.

Hesitantly, Draco put the palm with the petal up to his eyes. He admired it for a moment and said a hardly audible 'thanks.' Hermione smiled at him.

"No problem."

She skipped towards the door, a clearly noticeable smile on her face. It was as if the flower lightened up her mood. She loved it.

As she left Draco standing there, staring at a petal, a thought had filled her head. Draco Malfoy asked you out. But he said it wasn't a date. But you know it was for a date. No, he said it wasn't. Don't kid yourself, Hermione. She had no idea that she and Draco had gotten close enough to actually go out on a... date? Boy, had things changed quickly.

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TBC.

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A/N: Personally, I like this chapter xD. I think it's cute. Especially the title. It was formally going to be called 'Surprises, Surprises,' because of the engagement and draco asking hermione out, but when the whole petal thing came into my head, I thought I would just change it. xD.

Okay. Sorry if things are going a bit fast. GASH. be merciful and review, please/

Yours truly,
Sevengee/Lina