Chapter 3 So It Begins

A/N: Chapter 3! I am planning to keep posting as soon as possible! I hope you enjoy it! Thank you!

Hermione slept very little that night. She had crept through the house at 10:00pm after a quick dash to her office to collect some papers after mentally making the decision to work from home the next day. The lights were all off when she got home, indicating that everyone had gone to sleep and after debating waking Ron up to crawl into bed for a cuddle, Hermione had thought better of it and instead returned to the spare bedroom. Where she did everything but sleep. Every time she closed her eyes her mind drifted back to Draco. Her head recalled the sensual way he had expressed a desire to kiss her and her body quivered over the feeling of his skin on hers. It was wrong. But Hermione knew deep down she had invited his advances. When she was still awake at midnight she had taken to reading her books. Eventually she managed to fall asleep somewhere around the early sunrise but once again she found herself wide awake at 5:00am. Riddled with guilt, Hermione crept out of bed showered and dressed early and took to the kitchen to prepare a delightful breakfast for her family. As predicted the smell of fresh coffee and fried bacon lured Ron from his slumber. Waltzing down the stairs half in a daze Ron was surprised to see Hermione standing there.

"What's all this in aid of?" He asked looking around at the table that was set for three and a smiling Hermione stood cooking.

"Well."Hermione began as she rushed over to kiss his cheek. "I've not been present much recently. I really want to make it up to you and Hugo. So I'll be working at home today and I've already sent an owl to Ethel. I thought I could finish early so we could take Hugo somewhere this afternoon."

Ron, who had taken a seat at the table, gave her a sad smile.

"What's wrong?" Hermione asked him with a puzzled look.

"Well I'm working in the joke shop today. There's a lot of new stock to sort out so I'll be there all day. Also Hugo is going with Ginny today she's taking him and Lily to see the Holyhead Harpies."

Hermione let out a sad sigh. "Oh. I didn't realise."

Ron shrugged his shoulders as he took a sip of his coffee. "Well if you paid more attention to mine and Hugo's schedule you would know these things. Also we can't drop our routine just because you decide at a drop of a hat that you're free."

Hermione felt tears sting her eyes. Here she was trying. Trying to make an effort. Trying as best she could to work on their marriage. Yet all he could do was be cruel to her. His words hurt. But Hermione was unable to let her emotions out as a sleepy red headed boy came running down the stairs with a joyful shriek.

"Mummy!"

Hermione swooped Hugo into a massive bear hug as he clung to her.

"Good morning sweetheart."

"Are you home today?" He asked with excitement.

"Yes." She told him gladly. "Mummy will be working at home today."

"Yes and your going with Auntie Ginny today Hugo." Ron belted out as he munched on some toast.

"Can't Mummy come!" He wailed. "I want to stay with Mummy."

"No Mummy has to work!" Ron bellowed. "And so do I."

Hugo's face scrunched up in a sad smile.

"Hey!" Hermione told him with a cheery voice." We can have a nice breakfast and when you get back later we can play Wizard's Chess until your bedtime just me and you! How does that sound?"

"Yay. I'm going to beat you again Mummy!" Hugo cheered as he took a seat at the table.

Hermione who still felt rejected and hurt by Ron's words shoved her feelings aside as her guilt from her encounter with Draco waved heavy on her mind. Hermione forced a smile, served the cooked breakfast and made the most of the time with her son.

Several hours later Hermione was now sitting at the kitchen table, the breakfast now cleared, and alone in the house as Ron had left with Hugo not long after breakfast. Luckily catching up on her paperwork had kept Hermione very busy. In fact she hadn't spared one second to think about Draco until an unfamiliar owl swooped through her kitchen window dropping a scroll of parchment in her lap. Pulling off its ribbon Hermione sighed in despair as she recognised the neat eloquent handwriting.

Hermione,

I can't find you at work. I need to speak with you. Meet me at the park near the Ministry entrance. It will be safe to talk there. I'll be there at 1:00pm at the bench by the lake. I hope you'll meet me.

Draco

Hermione threw down the scroll with a heavy sigh. Of course she knew what he wanted to discuss. But she wasn't sure if she could discuss it. Perhaps it was because she would rather pretend it didn't happen. Or maybe it was because she couldn't stop thinking about him. Glancing at her watch, Hermione realised that it was already half past twelve. Thirty minutes until Draco wanted to meet. Accepting that her mind would not rest until the matter was resolved, Hermione flung herself up from the table and hastily gathered her things together before apparated out of the house.

At three minutes prior to their meeting time, Hermione found herself prompt arriving at the park near the Ministry quarters. It was a pleasant little park, slightly secluded from the hustle and bustle that was the streets of London. As Hermione ventured further into the park, she finally caught site of Draco's luminous hair in the distance. As promised he was sat at the bench, his back to her as he looked out onto the lake. Desperate to avoid drawing any unwanted attention to herself Hermione placed herself down on the bench beside Draco. He didn't even look up as she took a seat. He merely spoke.

"Thank you for meeting with me on such short notice Hermione."

Hermione tugged her coat up further around her collar as the cold November chill sent a shiver down her spine. Or was it the fact that he was merely inches from his touch if she reached her hand out slightly further.

"Your choice of venue is surprising Draco. Out and about in front of all these Muggles."

"Actually it may surprise you to know that I like being able to be somewhere where no one knows anything about me or my past."

Hermione had instantly regretted her snide remark but remained cold and distant.

"What do you want Draco?"

"I thought we should talk about last night. You ran off in such a hurry we didn't get a chance to discuss anything."

"I don't know what you're referring to Draco. Nothing happened." Hermione said playing dumb.

Draco finally made eye contact with her as he turned to look at her. His evergreen eyes filled with frustration.

"Come on Hermione! We both know we were very close to kissing last night. If you hadn't pulled away…"

"Stop it!" She hissed turning to look at him with a furious look across her face. "Whatever did or didn't happen last night will not happen again. Do you understand?"

Draco looked deep into her hazel eyes and he knew it straight away. She felt the same attraction that he felt too.

"I don't believe you." Draco said simply. "I know we both felt the same way last night. You yearned for it as much as I did."

At that moment he reached out to stroke Hermione's hand as she hastily swatted it away before flouncing off in the opposite direction in a rather dramatic fashion. Draco rolled his eyes before quickly rushing off after her.

"Hermione, wait." He insisted as he walked closely behind her.

"I will be moving your management to another member of the ministry. Effective immediately." She said in an authoritative tone, never once turning to look at him.

"So you can avoid me. Do you think by hiding me away somewhere else that it will make you forget about me. Because it wont."

Hermione stopped then to turn and look at him. Her eyes began to fill with tears of frustration. Not frustration with him. Frustration with herself for the situation she had got herself in.

"So what else do I do?" She asked helplessly. "Work with you day in day out. Constantly living with the worry that I may give in to…"

"Give in to what?" Draco asked her.

"This insane and intense attraction I have for you."

They shared a long passionate look. For a few moments they were silent until Hermione suddenly found herself being dragged into the bushes by Draco. Wedged together, concealed away from the outside world the two of them finally gave into their desire that was crying out to be unleashed. Within moments his lips were on hers and Hermione invited him in willingly. She pulled Draco deeper into their embrace as she tugged desperately at his jacket. They're tongues danced together sensually as Draco's hands cradled her face gently. Their kiss was lustful and passionate and the need to be closer began with the travelling of Draco's hands to her waist. Suddenly very aware of the way they were inappropriately mauling at one another in public, Hermione hesitantly pulled away from him.

Draco gasped as he tried to catch his breath.

"Hermione that was…"

"Amazing." She offered as they gently rested their foreheads together. Draco nodded in agreement.

"We can't do this here. It's too risky." She told him.

"But can we continue this?" Draco asked her with raised eyes. Hermione nodded. " What about my management? Is that still changing? Effective immediately?"

Hermione gave him a chaste kiss.

"No." She murmured.

A playful smile escaped Malfoys lips.

"So where can we continue this?"

"Tomorrow. 6:00pm. My office."

Draco nodded obediently

"Whatever The Minister says goes."

A/n: chapter 3 done! Things will continue to progress so look out for Chapter 4!