Chapter 9

The next month passed in a blur of work between St Mungo's and the ER she had no days off which was fine with her. She was sharing the doctor's office with a newer doctor on staff, he was from Ireland and used boxing as a way to keep in shape. That was what he told her when she asked him about a nasty split lip he had last week. She had seen him in the locker room changing scrub tops last weekend; wow was all that came to mind.

Connor O'Shea was very fit, you could do laundry on his abs. He was also an absolute genius doctor. He had spent several years in the military doing trauma surgery in Iraq. He had told her on one particularly slow long night when they shared a shift that he had been discharged after he was shot one night when insurgents snuck into camp. He was wearing body armor, but the shots should have killed him. He woke up days later alive and no one knew how he survived. Hermione had wondered if a witch or wizard was amongst his fellow soldiers. That was risky Hermione thought to herself. Then thought about Malfoy for the first time in weeks and his question about being a Muggle doctor and letting people die she knew could be saved with magic. Without permission she dropped into the book in her mind that was full of all things Malfoy paging through and reveling a little.

"Hermione, hey Hermione," Connor was calling her name.

"Sorry what, are we needed, "she said jumping to her feet instinctively reaching for where her wand should be.

Connor noticed and approached slowly, "Are you good sorry to startle you, I know we talked about my service a few weeks ago. Did you serve too? The way you jumped I am sorry if I triggered you."

Hermione Occluded—did she serve? Yes, just not in a war he knew about as a child fighting an unimaginable and terrifying dark wizard.

She needed to answer him.

"No," the lie tasted like ash in her mouth, "I just did Doctors Without Borders and sometimes the places we were, were less than ideal locations, so I am vigilant sometimes still."

"Oh, that makes sense, I had thought about doing that too, but my therapist didn't think that would be good for my mental health. This place is my first job after taking time off with my family. I don't think I mentioned that last time. I only got back about a year ago."

"Wow, I am ashamed to admit I sometimes forget people are fighting in the Middle East now that it is not on the news much anymore," Hermione said sheepishly.

"Yes, well. Anyway, onto a less morose topic, would you like to go out with me tonight?" Connor asked.

"Um, yes, yes that sounds fun what did you have in mind?" Hermione stuttered.

"Well, there is a new club in town, it opened last weekend, it is supposed to be pretty amazing, usually I just love a good pub with food and conversation, but I just have had an itch to act like I'm in Uni again. Will you accompany me on a night we are sure to have a hangover from because we in fact are not under twenty-five?" Connor smiled brightly.

That smile was lovely, but it did not make her heart stop like another man's, she was not thinking of, did.

"Yes, I would love too!"

"Great shall we say nine, we can grab a bite before?"

"Yes."

The rest of the shift was busy, and they both ended up staying late finally walking out about seven thirty.

"See you in a bit," Hermione chirped to Connor as they went their separate ways in the parking lot.

"Just text me your address Hermione," Connor called out.

"Will do!"

Hermione drove home and Flooed directly to Ginny and Harry's she was so nervous and needed Ginny's help with a dress. She stepped out of the Floo directly into a hard chest.

"Oi, Granger?! What are you wearing?"

The hard chest belonged to Malfoy and if this wasn't just what she didn't need tonight. Then she considered, no she was going on a date with a sexy Irishman tonight. Malfoy had been spotted with several eligible witches in the society pages lately, so she was actually excited to announce her news now.

"Scrubs Malfoy, I am a doctor remember, why are you hear?"

"Hermione is that you," Ginny hollered coming around the corner.

"Yes, why do you have a Malfoy shaped lump in your parlor?" Hermione teased.

"Excuse me," Malfoy tried to interject but Ginny answered Hermione like he hadn't spoken.

"He was just here to talk with Harry about work something or another. He is leaving now. What do you need?" Ginny asked brightly.

Hermione wanted to make eye contact with Malfoy to see if she could determine if this work stuff was anything to do with Thomas, but surely, he would have let her know if he thought she was in danger. She turned her energy back to the present moment.

"I have a date and need help with an outfit, can I steal you for a bit?"

She heard a choking cough from behind her and ignored it.

"Of course, just let me tell Harry I am running out for a bit!" Ginny was nearly buzzing with excitement.

"Do I need to be concerned Malfoy?" Hermione asked whirling to face him.

He looked like he had other things to say but he schooled his face.

"Granger if I knew anything that might impact you, I would not have hesitated to let you know and I am almost offended you think I would have held out on you," he sneered a bit at the end.

"I didn't think you would hold out I just—I've been concerned, and I had heard nothing from you in over a month," Hermione said lamely.

"I have learned nothing of importance other than more about our mutual friend but nothing current. Mostly I have been at my mother's mercy, she has returned after finding out I was staying in London for a while. So, a date huh? Who's the lucky wizard?" Draco asked with seemingly forced indifference.

"Actually, Connor is a doctor I work with at the hospital if you must know," Hermione quipped.

"A Muggle then, well have fun. Where is he taking you?" Draco asked in a bored tone.

"Not sure he mentioned some new place opening. We are going dancing though so it should be fun," Hermione said.

"Oh, The Mystic, it just opened downtown, it's only a few blocks from my flat I have seen it," Draco said flatly.

"Well thanks," Hermione said in an equally flat tone.

"Alright, Hermione are you ready?" Ginny asks walking back into the parlor.

"Yes, let's go I only have an hour until Connor is coming to pick me up," says Hermione as she tosses Floo powder in the hearth calling out for her house.

Back in her flat, Ginny is rummaging through her closet and comes out with the gold dress from Paris.

"This is smashing Mione why don't you were this?"

"No, I can't," Hermione says a bit forcefully.

"Why I bet it looks fantastic on you!"

"It does," Hermione mumbles, "But I don't want to wear it."

"You are being cagey Hermione Granger, spill," Ginny has gone full Molly Weasley now.

"Its from Paris, and I just don't want to wear it. Please drop it."

"You told me absolutely nothing about this trip but clearly something happened, and I heard Malfoy telling Harry about France today. I know he was in France. Wait one bloody minute did Draco Malfoy buy you this dress! You saw him and something happened no wonder you two had enough tension you would need a machete to get through it!"

"Nothing happened, we did see each other, I knew someone related to a case Malfoy is on. He did get me this dress, we were playing roles because the player in his case I knew saw us together that is all," Hermione lied so easily it surprised her.

"Oh, well this dress is spectacular, and it shouldn't rot in your closet. You should wear it, make some real memories in it or out of it depending on how the night goes,'' Ginny winks at her.

The thing was she had memories in that dress, and she didn't want to replace them.

"I actually think I have a little black dress in there I think if we did some alterations would suit me better tonight. I am just not feeling this flashy tonight," Hermione said with false brightness.

Hermione wandered back into her closet and found the dress and between her and Ginny they made that dress practically new. It was stunning when they were done.

"This is the little stuff that makes being a witch fun, if we were Muggles alterations like this would have cost a fortune and taken weeks," Hermione said.

"I literally cannot imagine life without magic, the fact you lived for eleven years without knowing you are a witch is still wild to me," Ginny said as she started working on Hermione's hair.

"Yes, well that is the unfortunate fate of all Muggleborn witches and wizards. Magic is thrust upon us, and we sink or swim," Hermione laughed to cover the bitterness.

She wanted to be in a better mood for tonight, she was going on a date with a handsome kind man. Connor was going to be arriving in the next ten or so minutes. Ginny finished up and hugged Hermione before leaving.

"Hermione, I know something else happened in France, I know there is a lot you probably can't tell me, but if part of it is that something real happened between you and Malfoy you know I would have nothing bad to say about that right?" Ginny said with a significant look.

How she always just knew there was more, was her most infuriating and endearing trait.

"Thanks Gin," Hermione would admit or deny nothing.

"Have fun for me and do something reckless you are my last lifeline to excitement," Ginny says laughing as she throws Floo powder in the hearth and calls out for Grimmauld Place.

Moments later and Hermione's doorbell is ringing. She grabs her wrap and clutch and goes to the door, her wand stored in an undetectable pocket in the sleeve of her dress. Before answering the door, she checks that it is indeed Connor. No magical signature comes back so she is confident the person outside isn't a Polyjuiced attacker.

"Hi, sorry I was just putting on the finishing touches when you rang, sorry to keep you waiting," Hermione put on false breathlessness to sell the lie.

"You look stunning, the wait was well worth it," Connor says smiling widely.

Her stomach didn't even flutter. Pathetic.

They finish their meal and Connor offers his arm as they walk to The Mystic. When they arrive, Hermione is struck with a sense of deja'vu, this place has a similar atmosphere to the club in Paris. All she could think of was that her companion was not nearly as tantalizing.

"Wow this place is fantastic, almost like magic," Connor says near her ear.

Nothing. No tingle of excitement.

"It is lovely, I have been in a club a lot like this in Paris and it was enchanting as well," Hermione said as they walked to the bar.

Hermione ordered a martini, and Connor was ordering something for himself when an awareness prickled her skin. She glanced around and met his eyes across the room. He was making eye contact with her while the gorgeous woman he was with had her hand pressed to his chest. The pain was physical, and she didn't know if it was the jealously or the self-loathing that won out for most painful. She turned her back on him and turned to Connor. He was handing her, her drink with a smile. She Occluded and plastered on a happy face. They found a cozy booth from which she could still see him so she knew he could see her. She and Connor fell into conversation about Merlin knew what. Finally, he rose and asked if she wanted to dance. She obliged. They danced and his hands roamed her body appreciatively, he was so sweet and so good looking but the lack a was physical thing.

Connor whispered, "I'll be right back if you want to keep dancing."

She closed her eyes and let herself get lost in the music.

The scent of his expensive cologne preceded him. He was right behind her now.

"You look beautiful tonight, the gold still looked better on you though," Malfoy said into her ear, as he drug a knuckle down the length of her spine.

Her body was on fire. Fuck him for this.

She turned and met his eyes and hardened her Occlumency.

"Why don't you go whisper into your dates ear instead of mine you self-absorbed prick," Hermione spit with all the venom she could muster.

Connor walked back up at that moment.

"Hermione," Malfoy looked like he was struck when Connor said her name, "is this ass hole bothering you?"

"Don't worry about it Connor, this is just an old school mate, well actually bully, but nothing I can't handle. He's all bark no bite really," Hermione said looking Malfoy dead in the eyes before turning and smiling brightly at Connor.

Connor eyed Malfoy, "Piss off yea?"

Draco had disappeared after that.

The rest of the night passed with little consequence; Hermione gave Connor a chaste kiss good night on her front walk. As she stood in the shower washing the night off herself, she let her Occlumency fall. What she had said to Malfoy had been terrible. She couldn't just leave it like that, but she had no idea how to even begin to take that back without a lot of explanation and admission of feelings.

Well, her chance came in the form of an invitation. Theo and Luna had planned an evening of food and libations. The usual suspects were going to be in attendance along with the long absent Malfoy. She decided that she would just apologize and be polite. He was just doing his job in France; she was the one that went and caught feelings, that was hardly his fault.

She wore a cozy black jumper and dark wash skinny jeans with knee high boots tonight simple and comfortable and appropriate for the early spring evening. She Flooed over at half eight and was greeted by Luna.

"Hermione, oh my so many Wrack Spurts have come with you!" Luna exclaimed in that way of hers.

"I'm sorry Luna I do apologize," Hermione says pedantically, she learned long ago there was no disagreeing with Luna.

"Hermione, it is excellent to see you!" Theo swept in to rescue her, "Pansy and Neville are in the salon already and Blaise is making the drinks so drink at your own peril. Oh, and the prodigal son has returned!" Theo chirped brightly.

Great he was here already so she had no time to prepare herself.

Malfoy looked up the moment she stepped in the room and returned to his conversation with Pansy just as quickly. Hermione walked over to Blaise.

"Whatever you are making just make me a double," she said rubbing her temples.

"Granger, what is the matter with you. Long day at the hospital or Mungos or both you wild minx?" Blaise said with a chuckle.

"Yes, is all you are getting out of me," Hermione said.

"Well, my considerable fortune is on whatever the fuck happened between you and Draco a few months ago. Don't deny it, I know enough; I have connections Draco uses very often in his work. I have no idea what is actually going on and I like it that way, but I know you two saw each other and he has been in a fucking mood since, and it seems you have to. So, cheers," Blaise said with a brow arched and a glint of mischief in his eye.

Did literally everyone know something happened between them.

"Nothing happened Blaise, we played roles because of Auror business after he crashed my vacation. Then on the last night of my vacation we went to Paris as our selves. We had a nice time. Then we came home. Nothing happened," Hermione said with a bit too much vigor.

"Mm yes deny with a bit more force next time to really sell the bull shit Granger," Blaise said dryly before taking a sip of his firewhiskey and continuing with a softer tone, "Hermione, I don't know what you think you understand about Draco, but he really doesn't want to be the man he is playing anymore."

"Blaise, if you think I hurt him in some way in Paris because I think he is a bad person you could not be more wrong. I am happy to finally put old animosity behind us just like I have with all of you. I think Malfoy playing double agent for the Auror's office is horrible and very unfair to him. I can only imagine it is difficult and tiresome," Hermione said emphatically.

Blaise looked both confused and pleased after her speech.

"Very well then, I will not pester you any more about it. Do you need a refill though? You drained that cup so whatever didn't occur in Paris is clearly bothersome," Blaise smirked as he poured.

Hermione rolled her eyes and walked away from Blaise.

The rest of the night passed without much consequence she was polite to Malfoy. So polite it was actually painful.

Hermione then had possibly the worst idea she had ever had and attempted to explain her new smartwatch to Luna. This only resulted in everyone trying and failing to stifle their amusement as Luna asked more and more ludicrous questions about Muggle technology. Eventually Theo recovered from his fit of silent laughter and wrangled his wife away.

Hermione walked to the patio and found herself outside with Malfoy.

"Hey," she said as she approached to stand next to him.

He was quiet, she couldn't really blame him she had been beastly when they last saw one another and now she was "killing him with kindness".

"I just wanted to apologize for what I said the last time we saw each other. I hope you know I don't think any of that. I don't know what possessed me to say such beastly things but please know I regret every horrible word and would take them all back if I could," Hermione said with all the strength and sincerity she could muster.

Malfoy stood there for a while longer not moving.

"You never have to apologize to me Granger I deserve all your vitriol; I spent years earning it. I shouldn't have bothered you on your date. It was nice to see you though tonight, I am actually going to duck out early I have other plans," Malfoy said without ever making eye contact.

"Oh, ok, well good night, see you soon maybe, we could get a drink sometime since it seems we don't live all that far apart," Hermione offered with hope in her voice.

"Sure, Granger that would be fine, I'll let you know when I have free night," Malfoy said with barely a glance in her direction.

"Good night, Granger," he said before walking away.

She made excuses soon after and left because she needed to cry and didn't feel like making up lies about why she was crying. She wanted to drown in this pain for tonight so she could get up tomorrow and move on because that was all that was left to do.