Authors Notes: What rhymes with eleven? SEVEN! Chapter 7! Wee!

'Dirty Work'

Dinner at Malfoy's Manor

"Picture, people! Picture!"

"Aww, Mum, can't we do this later?"

"No, Ron! We need to save as many memories as possible!"

"I don't think I want to remember this..."

The entire Weasley family, from Great Aunt Muriel to Percy (who had long been accepted back into their home) were at the Burrow, in the backyard, clobbering both Ron and Parvati with hugs. Right now, everyone was gathering for a large famliy picture, and everyone had to be squeezed in. At the moment, Hermione was in between Ron's second cousin twice removed, and George, who was scowling at his Mother, because she made him do his hair.

"Smile, everyone!" Said Mister Weasley, who was holding a large camera in front of the entire group. Everyone smiled a cheesy grin.

A large click went off, and the moment it was over, everyone was off each other, going back to their lunch table, including Hermione. She had been in enough family photos.

This was not the luncheon that she was having with Ron and Parvati the day she went with Draco to the flowery. That had happened a few days ago, and it was very enjoyable. Now, this was another one she had been invited to, and she just couldn't refuse. Besides, this time the whole Weasley clan was going to be there, and Hermione thought it would be fun if she finally met them all.

It was the day before her 'date' (she still didn't know what to think of it) with Draco, and she wasn't all that excited about it. If anything, she was a bit nervous, and a tad bit paranoid about it. If anyone mentioned work with Draco, she would instantly go stiff. She didn't understand it. It wasn't like she was committing a crime.

"Hermione, come over here!" Ginny beckoned, sitting on a patio chair around a table. Ron and Parvati were supposed to be seated with them also, but at the moment they were still being smothered with kisses.

"Hey, Gin!" Hermione greeted, happily taking a seat. "Whatsup?"

"Nothing, just watching Ron being tortured by our entire family. It's a bit fun, really." She said, taking a sip from some of her lemonade. Hermione chuckled. "Mum's going a bit crazy with the pictures, isn't she?"

"Truthfully, yes, but I think it's cute." Hermione said, shrugging slightly.

"You wait till Parvati's family finally comes to one of these. She'll go mad. And so will the reporters." Hermione laughed out loud.

"You think reporters will want news on this?"

"Oh, for sure. This is juicy news to the wizarding world. I wouldn't be surprised if I found one hiding in the thorn bush over there." Ginny pointed. Hermione laughed again and rested her head on the table.

"Right."

"Anything new with you?" Ginny asked, forgetting the topic.

"Not really," Hermione half lied. "Just work. It's really hard. I suppose you're going to the ball?" She questioned.

"Ah, the ball..." Ginny said, putting down her lemonade. "Yes, I'm going. But I think I'll be going by myself."

"There's nothing wrong with that, Gin." Hermione said, patting her on the shoulder. Ginny looked at her exasperatedly.

"Nothing wrong? Hermione, I was supposed to be going with Dean! But we're on a 'break.'" She admitted sullenly.

"A break?" Hermione smiled slightly. "Well, what's that supposed to be?"

"I don't know!" Ginny said, throwing her hands into the air. "You tell me."

Hermione laughed. "Gin, calm down, he'll come around."

"Boys..." Ginny whispered angrily as she took a large gulp out of her lemonade.

"Tell me about it..." Hermione half whispered to herself. Ginny looked up with a surprised look on her face.

"What was that?" She asked.

"What? Oh - nothing."

"Hermione, don't lie! What did you say?"

"Nothi - "

"You have something going on with a boy right now, don't you?" Ginny said, her eagerness to find out definitely showing.

"I never said that!"

"But I heard what you said!"

"That could've meant anything!" Hermione exclaimed.

"You're involved with a boy at the moment!" Ginny said. "Aren't you!" Her voice raised instantly. Immediately, Hermione flapped her hands up and down, signaling Ginny to keep her voice down. She put her index finger up to her lips and said an angry 'shh!'

Ginny's mouth opened slightly and her eyebrows raised slyly. "What's going on?" She said quietly to Hermione.

"I'll tell you later."

"But, Hermione! I want to know now!" Ginny pouted slightly, her head a bit bowed.

Hermione looked at her angrily, and flashed a look around the backyard. It was much to crowded for her to tell Ginny what was going on. She jerked her heard towards the house and stood up. Following suit, Ginny did the same thing, carrying her lemonade along with her.

Silently the two crept out of the backyard, waving and smiling at everyone they passed, trying to look casual. They made their way up to Ginny's former room, which was still the same as it used to be, and seated themselves on her bed, which still had covers.

"Tell me!" Ginny said to Hermione, after she dropped herself down on her bed.

"Boy am I glad to be out of there," Hermione sighed, seating herself on the bed and leaning on the bed post.

"Don't try and change the subject," Ginny scolded, pointing a finger at her. "You can't fool me, Hermione." She said testily. Hermione sighed and pouted at Ginny.

"Fine," she said, giving up. "So there is a guy. But!" She said, before Ginny got to excited, "It's nothing serious... er... I don't think at least." She stated in confusion.

"What do you mean you don't think!" Ginny exclaimed, throwing her hands into the air. "You've got to know!"

"Gin, give me a break okay?" She rubbed her temples, putting pressure on them. "We've never really shown any interest in each other. We just happen to be together a lot. Besides, he said it wasn't a date!"

"Hermione, don't be thick. Of course he said it wasn't a date. Just so he wouldn't freak you out or anything. Duh." Ginny said, as if that were completely obvious. Hermione raised an eyebrow.

"He doesn't look the type to lie, Gin. If he says it's not a date, then it's not a date."

"Alright," Ginny said, none to convincingly. "If you say so." Hermione narrowed her eyes at Ginny and let out a long sigh. She was really confused about the whole thing, to be honest. A date or no date? Just a celebration? She had no idea.

"Okay, so quit holding it off. Who is he?" Ginny said, while Hermione was contemplating her thoughts. She looked up in surprise and then put her head back down, thinking.

"The most unbelievable guy I could go out with."

"Who?" Ginny asked eagerly.

Hermione said angrily to herself. "Harry would never forgive me if he ever knew." She stood up and walked over to the closest window, opening it up and letting the breeze come in. It was a beautiful spring day. To bad she wasn't really in the mood to enjoy it.

Ginny walked over to Hermione and sat down on a box that was right next to the window sill. "It doesn't matter who he is, Hermione. Harry's gone, remember?"

"You don't have to remind me," Hermione snapped, seating herself as well and perching her head up on the window sill. Ginny stared at her with sad eyes.

"You deserve to go out, Hermione. Just this once. I'm sure Harry would be glad to find out that you're not depressed over him anymore, and that you're finally enjoying yourself."

"But the person I'm enjoying myself with, Gin! He'd hate it!" Hermione exclaimed, whining through the window. She stuck her hand out, and touched a nearby branch that was attached to a tree. It was old and twitchy, but this didn't stop Hermione from stroking it.

"Who is he, Hermione?" Ginny asked softly, bringing her box closer to Hermione. "I won't judge you. Or him."

"Promise?" She almost begged.

"Yes." Ginny said confidently.

"It's... Draco. Draco Malfoy." Hermione confessed. Carelessly, she flicked a beetle off from the branch, forgetting that she was afraid of insects. She didn't dare focus on Ginny, and see her reaction. She didn't want to see the ashamed look on her face.

Instead of hearing a cry of outrage, to Hermione's surprise, she heard a sharp in take of breath. Slowly, she swivelled around on her seat and looked at Ginny.

"Am I that bad of a person, Gin?" She asked miserably.

"No! Not even, Hermione!" She looked at her surprisingly.

"Really? Even if it is, Malfoy?" She dared to question.

"Alright, well, maybe that part is a bit surprising - " Hermione looked at Ginny helplessly, "but, it's not a sin. You told me that he changed so... I believe you."

"Really? You don't think it's... some sort of betrayal? Because you know how much Harry and Malfoy hated each other back in school!"

"But Malfoy's not in school anymore, Hermione. Remember that it's been months since we've actually spoken to the guy, and we don't even really know him. It's not betrayal. Harry would have to understand. You're not his fiance anymore."

Hermione winced at that last comment, but she pretended not to hear it. She focused her eyes back outside the window. "If I still had been..." She trailed off, not knowing what would come next.

"Then you would marry, have plenty of children and live happily ever after? That is so cliche, Hermione." She smirked and chuckled to herself. She couldn't help it.

"Yeah, that's what I thought..." Hermione said sadly, staring at the sky outside. Ginny moved her box closer and rubbed Hermione on the back.

"Ron told me your theory about Harry still being alive," Ginny said consolingly, continuing to rub her back up and down. "Do you really think so?" She asked.

Hermione sighed sadly again. "Yes... no... I don't know, Gin. I can't think anymore."

"Well, you know that it can't possibly be true - "

"And why not?" Hermione snapped.

"...Ron told you why, didn't he? Harry would have shown up by now... not leave us in this misery."

"He may have his reasons!" Hermione continued.

"You're joking me right?" Ginny said, momentarily stopping to rub Hermione on the back. "Like what?" She said a bit testily.

"...I - I - I don't know! There are still some death eaters out there, what if they have something to do with it? Gosh, Gin, I don't have all the answers!"

Ginny looked at Hermione sadly, almost pitifully, and gave her a hug. Hermione, unwilling to accept it at first, forced herself to hug Ginny back. After all, she was just trying to help.

"I want my cliche fairty tale, Gin." Hermione whined softly, letting go of her friend.

"Well you will, Hermione. Just not with Harry. These things have there ways of working themselves out. Don't punish yourself. Go on this date and have a great time with Malfoy. God knows you deserve it, Hermione."

Hermione arrived on the property of Malfoy Manor at exactly 7:00pm. Draco had owled her earlier, telling her when to show up and where his manor was, even though it wasn't neccessary. Besides, flooing there was easy. There was just the nasty down side of being covered in soot.

Swiftly, she walked up towards the gate that had a large 'M' on it, and pushed it aside. It swung itself open, making a creaking noise. Hermione walked through and trotted on the winding stone path that lead to the large mansion in front of her.

Draco's grass was finely trimmed, and he had a fountain of a dragon on one side of his lawn. On the other there was a snake, and each of them had water erupting from their mouths.

As Hermione got up to the door she pounded a door knocker that was of the letter 'M.' Standing aside, she looked up and down and examined his home. It was very charming, and looked extremely fine. Everything that was on the property looked like it was expensive. The home had a sort of ancient feeling to it that Hermione could only guess was because of the former Malfoy members that had long since gone.

Before getting the chance to admire anything else that was on the front yard of Draco's home, the door flung open, to show only the inside of Draco's home. Hermione stuck her head inside, and looked around. No one was there.

"...Hello?" She asked hesitantly to no one in particular.

"Down here miss!" She heard something squeal. Instincitvely, Hermione looked down, and saw the large green orbs of a house elf. She stepped back and bowed her head a little, to see the elf better.

"Oh... hi," she said kindly, examining the elf, "have I got the right manor?" She asked shyly.

"Yes, miss. Master Malfoy says he is expecting company. Master Malfoy would like Tibby to bring miss to main living room. Please, come in, miss." The elf said, as if rehearsed.

Hesitantly, Hermione stepped through the door and inside the large house. It had to have at least seven floors (or maybe even more) to it, because the winding steps in the middle of what she expected to be the ground floor seemed to go on and on.

Everything, like side tables, mirrors, or vases looked extremely fancy, and clean, as if they were cleaned and polished everyday. Draco's mansion was extremely huge.

"Follow Tibby, please, miss." The elf said, leading Hermione to the left side of the ground floor. She followed, finding it hard to keep up, since her eyes were getting very distracted at the many objects and fancy things that were to the side.

"Where's Malfoy, Tibby?" Hermione asked, as she was being lead to the main living room.

"Master Malfoy is in his library reading, miss."

"Oh. So will I be waiting for him in the dining room, Tibby?"

"Tibby does not know, miss. Master Malfoy may already be done his evening reading. Tibby thinks Master Malfoy is waiting for miss in main living room now."

"Alright," Hermione said, following the elf around.

They had been wandering, twisting and turning all around the house for at least five minutes until Tibby came to a halt. Abruptly, Hermione did the same.

"Are we in the main living room yet, Tibby?" Hermione asked.

"Yes, miss. You may take a seat now," the elf said kindly. Obediently, Hermione took a seat onto a red leather couch, which was around a large coffee table. Arm chairs and a fireplace were also around the room, silent and unmoving. Although, there was a small fire crackling in the fireplace.

The elf left quietly, leaving Hermione to sit and wait uncomfortably. It wasn't the couch, she knew that.

Looking around the living room, Hermione saw pictures of Draco everywhere. One was a toddler picture of him, riding a toy broom with a friend, whom she guessed was a younger Blaise Zabini. There was one of Draco, looking a bit older, in Hogwarts uniform, wearing the ceremonial hat. It was probably his first day going to school. Another was a fully grown Draco, resembling the one today, holding a scroll. It was their gradutaion picture.

She eyed a certain picture, in which Draco was smiling unusually happily with his Father, who had a proud arm around his son's shoulder. Both were smiling very much, and Hermione could tell that Draco indeed was very happy in the picture.

"That was after I'd graduated. I got 'Outstanding,' on all my NEWT's. Father was very proud." Said a voice from behind Hermione. Quickly, she turned around, her cheeks a little flushed.

"Oh, sorry, Malfoy. I didn't mean to pry or anything - "

"No, no, it's alright. That's one of my favourite pictures."

"Really? Why?" Hermione asked, before she realized the words were out of her mouth.

Draco chuckled and picked it up, admiring the moving photo. "It was one of the rare moments in which my Father was proud of me," he said, a sad smile on his face.

"Oh, I see..." She said quietly. This was not how she wanted to start the dinner.

Heaving a large sigh, Draco put the photo down and turned to Hermione with a smile. "You're here," he announced, his hands inside his suit pocket. He was dressed very formally. As was Hermione.

"Yes, indeed, I am."

"Sorry that I had to make you wait. I was upstairs reading a novel."

"It's alright. I got the time to admire you're home. It looks very nice, Malfoy, really."

He laughed and walked over to the door that lead to somewhere else. Quickly, Hermione followed. "Yes, well, I'm glad I inherited it after my Mother and Father. It's just me and a few house elves now, but I'm glad I have it all to myself."

"You're very lucky. How many floors do you have?" Hermione asked out of pure interest.

"Ten. This is the main floor, where I spend most of my time. Upstairs is usually where I read and work. The rest of the floors are just extra space with extra rooms and extra everything."

"Really?" Hermione asked, amazed.

"Mmhmm. Oh, except for the libraries. I have a few. Five I think. I have about fifteen spare rooms, ten bathrooms, three offices, two pools, one mini quidditch pitch, twenty storage closets and two servant bedrooms for the house elves. There's much more, but I don't think I've got the breath to name them all."

Hermione stared at Draco wide eyed at all the space he had inside his home. "You have five libraries? All insanely large, I suppose?" Hermione asked, looking upwards.

"Yep," Draco said easily, leading her into what Hermione assumed was the dining room. There was a long table with twelve seats all around it and two main chairs at either end. "If you like, I could take you up there after the dinner. You can explore as well. There are even some rooms I don't even know about in here," Draco added, while pulling out a chair.

"Wow," Hermione said breathlessly, still very amazed.

"Wait," Draco said, stopping her from pulling out her own chair. "This won't do," he said, putting a hand to his chin and examining the table. "It's too big for just two people."

"Yeah, it is," Hermione agreed.

"Step back." Draco said. Obediently, Hermione took a few steps back.

Draco muttered a spell under his breath and the table turned into a perfectly suitable one for two people. It was large enough for plates and food to be placed on it, and napkins, eating utensils and bread baskets as well. It was very well conjured.

"Nice," Hermione commented, pulling out her seat and sitting down.

"Thanks," Draco said, pulling out his own. "Seventh year, transfiguration, Granger."

Hermione smirked and placed her hands down on the table. "What time will dinner be served?" She asked Draco.

"Right now," Draco said, holding up his right hand and snapping his fingers.

Right after Draco had snapped, a group of five house elves came walking out, one with two plates, the other with forks, spoons and knives, one with napkins and the other two carrying food. Hermione raised an eyebrow in amusement.

"Very useful house elves, you have, Malfoy." She said.

"Yeah. I'm nice to them most of the time, but I'm not usually the kind to sit down and make chit chat with them everyday."

"I figured," Hermione said, picking up the fork and spoon that a house elf had placed in front of her. They all formed a line in front of Hermione and Draco and bowed till their noses touched the floor, and walked out in single file, back int what Hermione guessed was the kitchen.

"Our first course," Draco said, pulling out a napkin and spreading it across his lap. Hermione did the same. "Is duck confit with braised red cabbage." He swung one arm slowly over the tray of food to showcase it and then did the same to another. "And our second dish is langoustine and mussel chowder with herb celery."

Hermione looked down at both trays and smelled them from where she sat. Hopefully they tasted as good as they smelled.

"It looks wonderful," She said, looking down at them.

"Dessert, if you even want any, is a traditional english trifle."

"That sounds good,"

"Oh yes. The house elves took plenty of time preparing this."

"Okay. I'll enjoy it for their sake." Hermione said, a smile playing around her face. Draco chuckled and handed her the first tray. Gladly, Hermione took it and began piling food onto her plate. She already had the feeling she was going to enjoy this dinner.

After finishing two courses, Draco and Hermione were now eating down the traditional english trifle. The dinner had been filled with talks and arguements about novels, ministry workers they liked, and many stories about anything.

"I remember when I was young, Father used to take me on horse rides to Gajik's Lake. It's a famous lake where Gajik, the inventor of the first model broom used to spend his vacation times."

"Mmm, well that must have been fun."

"It was. Sometimes we would bring Mother, but she wasn't the type to go out on hikes."

"Yes, same with mine. Everytime my Father and I would go to a campsite, my Mother would always stay home."

The two laughed together and Draco poured wine into both his and Hermione's glasses. He waited till it was almost full to the brim and then did the same to Hermione's. Gladly, she took the glass and brought it up to her lips.

"Wait," Draco said, taking his glass as well, but not to his lips, "a toast, first."

"To our amazing job on planning the amazing Charity Ball?" Hermione suggested, a smirk on her face.

"Yes. To a wonderful job well done by you and me. Cheers," he congratulated, bringing his glass towards Hermione's. With a little clink, the glasses toasted, and Draco sipped on his own. Hermione drank her's down in one gulp. She held it out for Draco to pour more, and he did so.

"It's a bit sad knowing that we're almost done." Hermione said a little sadly, her head resting on her hand. Draco took another sip of his wine and nodded.

"Yes, it kind of is. After the Ball it will be quite boring."

"I know. But this month I can tell will be very exciting. Since Ron and Parvati are getting married in just two short days, and the ball is a few days away, I can almost tell it will be very fun."

"Well, the Ball yes, the wedding, no." Draco said.

"Why not the wedding?" Hermione asked, sipping on her wine a little bit.

"Because I wasn't invited, Granger," Draco answered.

"Oh," Hermione said, putting her wine glass on the table, "I forgot," she added.

"But I'm not mad. I wasn't expecting to get one. After all, your group and I were never really the closest of friends." He chuckled slightly.

"Yes... that's true," Hermione said, contemplating her thoughts a little bit. "I wonder why..." She asked.

Draco snorted and put his own glass down. "Other than the fact that I strongly disliked Potter and he was your best friend?"

"Well... I was muggle born." Hermione suggested.

Draco waved a hand and shook his head. "That was just an excuse to dislike you. Potter was the real reason." He stated. "And since I disliked Potter and anyone who was friends with him, then I disliked you," he reasoned.

"...Okay?" Hermine said, puzzled.

Draco laughed and waved his hand again. "Nevermind, Granger. My reason's were very hard for me to understand as well."

Hermione chuckled and nodded. "Harry probably disliked you for the same reasons." She added.

Malfoy raised an amused eyebrow and took a bite out of his trifle. "How?" He inquired.

"Well, he hated Voldemort, and anyone who had connections to him, and well, you're father being... well, you know. It was the same thing with him I suppose." She thought.

Draco puckered his lips as if thinking and then nodded, showing a smile. "I understand," he said. "Potter had his reasons." He added.

Hermione smiled at him and covered up a sad sigh with a chuckle. Honestly, she didn't like talking about Harry as if he weren't there anymore. It was usually her that started it though, just because she could never drop it.

She changed the topic quickly.

"Do you have anymore stories with your father?" She asked, taking a few bites from her trifle.

"Not really," Draco said, sighing a bit bitterly. "Father and I never really did anything together as I grew up. He was never the type to have Father and Son chit chats or games."

"Why not?" Hermione had to ask.

"I don't know. I suppose as the war came closer, he was more involved with death eater missions. I'm not sure."

"I see," Hermione commented, leaning her head to the side a little. "Do you know what happened to the others?" She asked.

Draco looked up from his food, a little surprised and smiled a little bit. "No, I don't know what happened to the rest of the death eaters, if that's who you're referring to. I know there's still some out there..." He said, looking out the nearest window, "but I know they wouldn't dare show themselves. Without Voldemort they're nothing."

He walked over to the nearest window and opened it up, letting the cool breeze inside. He held his hand out and Hermione heard a slapping noise. "What was that?" She asked.

"Sorry. A bug." He said.

Hermione raised her eyebrows a little but Draco went on. "The only reason they would attack again is if someone they really hated were still around. Like Dumbledore and Potter. But since they're both dead, you shouldn't expect them to turn up any time soon. "

Hermione smiled at him weakly and looked down at her food. That made sense, but hearing Harry being dead coming from Draco was a little sad to her. Draco must have noticed, because he chuckled and poured some wine into her glass.

"Did you know that when I was talking to a wizard who's memory just got obliviated back when Fudge was back in power, and I mentioned his name, then he said 'No thanks, I'm not hungry.'"

She smiled at his attempt to make her laugh but she just continued to look down at her food and placed her fork down. "I'm full, Malfoy," she declared, as she folded up the napkin that was on her lap. She placed it on the table.

"Really? You haven't even finished your trifle - "

"Because I'm full," she said a bit snappishly, while standing up.

"Oh - um - okay." Draco said, standing up as well. "I'll call the house elves to clean this up. If you like we can still go up to my libraries like I mentioned before - "

"No, I can't," Hermione lied, as she walked out of thet dining room door. Draco followed her. "I'm helping Parvati plan some stuff for the wedding tonight..." she trailed on, knowing that Ron had ordered her not too. "She's expecting me so..."

"Oh, alright - " Draco said, quickly walking in front of her to get to the door. He opened it quickly for her and stopped Hermione from walking through without saying goodbye. He held her at her shoulders to steady her and Hermione stopped abruptly.

"Thank you for coming," Draco said, holding out a hand.

Hermione looked down at it with a scrunched forehead, but took it anyways. Draco shook it heartily. "I had a good time," he said.

The handshake stopped for a moment and Hermione looked down at it with a weak sort of smile. Draco noticed, which Hermione hadn't meant, and quickly let go. She looked up at him shlyly and said a hardly audible, "Yes, myself as well."

Draco, in what was a large surprise to Hermione, outstretched his arms and gave her a small hug. That was definitely not like a Malfoy.

"Erm..." Draco said, after letting her go, "I'll see you at work then," he muttered, scratching the back of his head.

She felt a little bad that she hadn't returned the hug and left the dining table so quickly. To Hermione's own surprise once more, she found herself leaning inwards to Draco, and saw, as if she were watching from a distant, herself kissing Draco lightly on the cheek. She thought she heard a click of something, but then quickly disconnected the contact. It was probably the smack she made on his cheek.

Draco flushed a little bit and walked backed, waving at Hermione. "I'll see you at work too," Hermione said, before turning her back on him.

So, the dinner hadn't been a complete disaster. It went better then Hermione had thought. She just didn't know that it would end up with her kissing him on the cheek, and that a certain someone was watching the scene on the sidelines.

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TBC.

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A/N: Dun dun dun... who could it be? I dropped about a million hints in this chapter about certain things to come (a million is an exaggeration, sorry) so if you're so CURIOUS to find out, read it over. CAREFUL not to mention who it is in the review if you figure it out and anything else...! Hopefully i wasnt to OBVIOUS about it. And sorry if i forgot some accents. i was to lazy to add them xD.

ANYWAYS. Review if you read it! I LOVE YOU IF YOU DO! Thanks xD.

Yours always,
Sevengee/Lina.