A.N. - Happy reading!

Thanks for the favourites and follows!

Special thanks to the reviewers: LarryFND [Yes, he is a bit hopeless!], reptilegirl [thanks!], sweetlyevil2387 [thanks, I enjoyed writing Lucius], RealRavenclaw [thanks! Yes there will be updates on For the Best, I'm thinking of breaking into four parts, but I won't update until the part is finished], BrokenKeeper [thank you!], Lora [thanks, I'm glad you enjoy Harry and Hermione's relationship], Belieber Twihard [glad you are enjoying the story :) ], Guest [Haha, read on and find out :) ]

Hermione spent most of Sunday researching, although her eyes would often stray to the nearby clock as she imagined what the Weasley family would be doing at that precise moment. She hoped that the family would understand the break up – and that Ron would tell them soon; she knew he would be honest about the reasons, but she could hardly imagine he was looking forward to announcing the break up in front of his gathered family. Harry had promised to give her apologises for not attending to Molly, so she figured that might trigger the conversation, but she was uncertain and decided it was best to check with Harry the next day at work.

When Monday morning dawned, Hermione remembered that she would have to spend the entire day with Draco and not act on her raging attraction.

I can do this, I'm a grown woman and in complete control of myself.

She kept the mantra up while she showered, dressed, made breakfast and a much needed tea, sat down and began to eat, unfurling the paper.

Why have the Golden Couple Split?

By Rita Skeeter

Hermione groaned and banged her head on the table.

I hate her, I hate her, I hate her. Curse her to Hades for however she managed to get that pardon for becoming an animagus outside the Ministry course! Probably blackmailed the regulator with information she gathered in her blasted beetle form. Okay, like a bandaid – quickly scan and throw in the bin.

Hermione sat up and rubbed her now sore forehead. With a sniff and lift of her chin, she picked up the paper in her hands and scanned the article.

Blah blah blah, hard-working, good-family Ron broken-hearted, yada yada, me not crying and shopping with Ginny, speculation if I'm gay – really‽ with Ginny! Blah blah, I'm prowling for a new high-profile partner now Ron has a sturdy, non-public based job. Yada yada, speculate if I will 'sink my claws' into a quidditch player… I wonder if Draco still plays…

With a sigh, Hermione skimmed the paper to ensure she didn't miss anything important, then crumpled it and tossed it into the garbage. Hermione turned to her cat, who watched her with a swishing tail and judging eyes.

'Well, Crooks, basically I am the big bad wolf once more; although I do wonder how the ugly beetle found out.'

She quickly took a few more bites of her toast and then drained her tea.

'See you later, Crooks. If you see any bugs – eat them.'

Hermione apparated into the Ministry foyer and made her way to the Potions Creation Department, ignoring the gawking, judging looks.

At least Crooks was only judging if I was happy or upset, I can't believe this lot actually believe that nasty excuse of a journalist.

She saw Harry in the elevator ahead, and surged forward. Harry's hand slipped between the doors and they sprung open to the grumbling of the other occupants. She smiled at Harry as she stepped in.

'Morning, Harry.'

'Hi, Hermione. Have you seen The Daily Prophet today?'

'Yes, I saw Rita running wild once more. Are you sure she hasn't broken any laws recently?'

Harry gawffed at his friend's lack of care and optimistic hope in the demise of her greatest slanderer.

'Sorry, no such luck.'

'Hmm, pity,' Hermione replied with a twinkle in her eye.

'She'll find a new topic in a month or two.'

Hermione huffed. 'I am hoping something happens sooner – not planning to propose any time soon are you? That would be most useful.'

'I'd need a girlfriend for that.'

'Ginny is single,' Hermione answered.

'Do shut up,' Harry replied lightly. 'While such a relationship would definitely divert Skeeter, I won't be starting any relationships, particularly that one, just to get you out of some bad press.'

Hermione laughed, 'Fair enough – and I suppose it would be a bad idea unless you two want to get married.' Harry and Ginny did have some feelings for each other, but both knew that if they started a relationship, it would be very hard to stop the momentum thanks to the press and her family - particularly Molly – if they decided to end the relationship. Molly already wandered around when the two were both single, spouting about what beautiful children they could have.

Harry groaned.

Ding.

'Your stop,' Harry said, and pushed her out the elevator while she still laughed.

'See you, Harry!'

'Yeah, yeah; bye,' he replied half-heartedly as the doors closed.

Hermione immediately took off towards her lab, ready to try her latest hypothesis for her werewolf cure.

The lab was already busy, as she was the last one in; no surprise there, while it was only 8.30 in the morning, the others liked to start early so they could leave sooner.

Hermione waved a greeting to Joan and Carla who were working together on a new memory restoration potion. The two smiled and waved back before quickly returning to their work. They had only joined the lab a month ago and had seemed to avoid her.

'Morning,' Hermione said to Draco, whose back was turned at his desk.

He glanced over his shoulder and smiled, 'Morning, Hermione.'

Hermione saw the other two ladies shoot her a mild glare.

Jealous bints; I'm just saying hello.

'Did you happen to see the paper this morning?' he continued with a raised eyebrow, knowing she usually shook off the rabid bug's stories.

The mild glares became more pronounced.

Oh, yay, you've realised I'm now single competition rather than unavailable competition, she mused sarcastically to herself.

'Indeed, Rita's stories get more sensational with every read,' she replied as she dropped her bag into her drawer.

Draco nodded, message received that she was still unfazed by the journalist's abuse. With a glance at the other two ladies, Draco returned to his work.

Hermione quickly set up her lab table and began preparing ingredients for testing. She would have to grind the salamander scales into a fine powered, which would probably take most of the morning. With resignation, she slipped onto her stool and started to grind the tough scales in a repetitive pattern while going over the research she had completed on Sunday to double check her theories.

Tittering distracted her a few hours later. Blinking in surprise, she checked her scales – almost ready - and the attempted to find the source. She didn't have to look far; just across the room to where Joan stood flirting outrageously with Draco. Carla nowhere to be seen. Her eyes narrowed on Draco, watching his reaction to the flirt.

He caught her eye and smiled with bemusement, followed up by a pleading look and subtle gesture at Joan.

Hermione shook her head.

He pouted.

Hermione smiled and raised an eyebrow in challenge.

Draco huffed and then returned to focus to Joan who was now pawing his upper arm. He stepped away and frowned at the forward lab partner.

'Listen, Joan, I really need to get this work done.'

'Oh, okay, well maybe we should continue this over lunch.'

'That would be lovely, however I don't think that would be a good idea.'

'No? Why ever not? Two colleagues meeting for lunch to discuss work, you and Hermione do that quite often,' Joan replied and batted her lashes.

'You aren't discussing work,' Draco pointed out.

'Okay, so friends chatting over lunch then.'

'While I am always in need of more friends, I'm not looking for anything else right now, and to be honest, I sometimes just want to eat lunch alone.'

Joan looked disappointed for a moment, before moving closer.

'Are you sure, we could be great friends,' she replied.

'I'm sure.'

'It could be very beneficial,' she replied with a voice dripping with innuendo.

Hermione scowled and started to grind her scales with more force.

'Yes, having friends is always beneficial,' Draco replied blandly, ignoring her implication.

'Huh?' Joan then shook her head, leaning in slightly closer so her upper body pressed against Draco. 'No, I mean we could be friends with amazing benefits.'

Draco sighed. 'I realised what you were saying, but I was hoping you would take the hint that I'm not interested.'

'Oh. But why not?'

'Because I don't do "friends with benefits".'

'Well, we could date if you prefer.'

This time Draco closed his eyes and a pained look crossed his face. 'Joan, you are beautiful, sexy, intelligent, and—erm, interesting—'

Joan grinned while Hermione's jaw dropped.

What! I'll rip her to shreds!

'—but I'm not attracted to you in that way, and you deserve to be with someone who is,' Draco finished.

'Oh,' Joan replied, visibly deflating and looking confused.

Umm, shreds, did I really just think that?

Joan glanced around and Hermione quickly focused on her grinding, like she hadn't noticed the interaction. She then quickly left the room, leaving Hermione and Draco alone.

'So you think she is sexy?' Hermione questioned with a tinge of jealousy.

'Hades no! She and her friend damn near make me want to lose my lunch – but I do have to share this lab with them for the foreseeable future. Can you imagine what it would be like working in here every day with volatile potions if I had been honest,' he replied with an eye roll.

'And when we start dating?'

Draco smirked and walked over.

'I imagine it would be worse if you hadn't just pretended to be grinding these scales when Joan looked over,' he answered, pressing over her and leaning down to check her mixture.

The scales, keep grinding the scales, don't think about his warmth, or how nice he feels, or his unique smell that makes me want to close my eyes and lean into him.

'I missed you on Saturday afternoon and Sunday,' he breathed in her ear.

'You should have been happy to miss shopping with an insatiable Ginny, movies with Harry, and research.'

'I like research,' he replied running his lips near her cheek, so close to touching, 'hence why I took this job.'

'I thought you took it so you could be famous and be paid to experiment on people,' she countered.

He trailed down to her neck, 'Those are an excellent bonus as well. If I got to see you modelling the clothes I would be happy to join you shopping too.'

Don't kiss him, don't kiss him, don't kiss him.

'And watching movies with Harry?'

Draco huffed. 'Don't need him, but I suppose I will watch the ridiculous Muggle things if you kiss me.'

'They aren't ridiculous.'

Draco pulled back and wrapping his hands around her waist, spun her on the stool so that she faced him. 'Why do you keep trying to kill the mood?'

'We aren't dating, Draco, and you promised to respect that.'

'I did: I never said I wouldn't try to seduce you though,' he answered, and skimmed his hands down her hips and then her thighs.

Adrenaline shot through her veins and she did her best not to groan.

'Stop that,' she scolded, lightly swatting away his hands.

He grinned in reply and slid them back into place on her legs.

She frowned and tried to spin away.

'Now where do you think you are going?' he asked, hands on her waist and holding her firmly, his thumbs immediately beginning to trace circles and edge higher.

'Draco,' Hermione hissed, glancing towards the door.

'They will be a while,' he answered, leaning forward, his face an inch from her own.

Hermione's breathing hitched and she licked her lips.

She caught a smug smile cross Draco's as he started to lean in.

Bang.

The lab door swung open and hit the wall.

Draco jumped back and immediately started speaking, 'Which is why I think—oh, hello, Carla, back so soon?'

Hermione forced a polite listening expression onto her face.

'Yes,' Carla replied, looking between Draco and Hermione with confusion.

'Anyway, I think if you add a ground dragon fang as well, it could get better results – but up to you, of course, it is your potion,' Draco added, and then moved back to his lab table to check on his potion.

Carla shrugged and moved back to her own potion.

'Hey, do either of you know where Joan went,' she asked after a few moments.

'No, she left a few minutes ago,' Draco supplied, Hermione nodding in agreement.

'Okay, thanks.'

Hermione was able to diligently avoid Draco for the rest of the day, as after lunch he only stuck around for another two hours thanks to his early start. He gave her a smile as he left.

An hour later, a bouquet of flowers arrived for Hermione. Carla and Joan immediately came over, cooing at the beautiful display of local flowers. Checking the card, Hermione twisted her lips in appreciation:

Hermione,

'Where flowers bloom so does hope.'

Love,

Your secret admirer.

Hermione smiled, she knew the Muggle quote: it was by Lady Bird Johnson, Public Roads: Where flowers bloom. That Draco had gone to such effort to find a Muggle quote enchanted her: at least, she thought it was from Draco. A frown slipped onto her face.

'Ooh, who is it from?' Carla asked, leaning over.

Seeing no harm in it, Hermione handed over the note. 'It doesn't say.'

Carla sniffed the flowers, 'Mm, they smell delightful, and they are very pretty – even if they aren't roses.'

'I like local wildflowers more than hothouse ones,' Hermione admitted.

'Ah, then lover boy knows you well,' Carla mused, tapping her finger to her lip. 'You think they are from Ron?'

Hermione shook her head. 'No.' He always bought me flowers from the hothouse.

'Well whoever they are from, they don't waste time. Oh, maybe they are from Oliver Wood – I heard he is single at the moment and Skeeter mentioned him,' Carla continued.

Hermione winced, 'You read that?'

'Of course,' Carla said distractedly with a wave of her hand. 'So did you dump Ron for another wizard?'

'No,' Hermione replied tiredly.

'Hmm, was there something wrong with Ron?' Carla probed.

'Ron is a great guy, just not the one for me,' Hermione explained.

'Do you think he might be interested in me?' Carla asked.

The arm Hermione was leaning on the table with, slipped off abruptly. 'Wh-what‽'

'Well, he's hot, but he was dating you. I broke up with Cassius last week, so if Ron's available, why not?'

'Erm…' Hermione wasn't sure what to say. 'Maybe, I'm not sure.'

'You'd be okay with it?' Carla asked.

'Yeah, if it is what you both want; I mean it when I say Ron is a great guy, I do want him to be happy.' And then you might stop flirting with Draco… drat I'm so selfish sometimes!

'Great, thanks for being so awesome about it.'

I'm going to burn in Hades.

'The flowers are very pretty,' Joan added quietly, eyes focused on the stem.

Hermione followed the lady's eyes and realised that the glass vase was silver coloured.

At least it isn't green.

'Thanks,' Hermione replied with a strained smile as she remembered Joan had been trying to hook up with Draco only a few hours before. 'So what did you two get up to on the weekend?'

'Oh you know, this and that,' Carla replied.

'I went to a pub on Friday night,' Joan answered.

'It's always good to see friends,' Hermione answered.

'Yeah, I saw you actually,' Joan answered.

She was at the pub that Draco and I were at‽ Crap, did she see anything?

'Why didn't you come over and say hi?' Hermione asked.

'You looked irritated, and then Draco was keeping you company,' Joan replied, watching her.

Saw too much then.

'Ah, how long were you with your friends?'

'I saw you leave, I didn't realise you drank so much.'

Carla looked at Hermione in surprise. 'You got drunk?'

Hermione shrugged, 'It was a rough night, I broke up with Ron.'

'And then went home with Draco,' Joan added bitterly.

'You hooked up with Draco the night you broke up with Ron?' Carla asked, and then shrugged, 'Whatever.'

'No! I got drunk and he made sure I was safe, that's it! Merlin, why does everyone think I jumped into his bed?'

'Because they would,' Carla replied with a lick of her lips.

Hermione's eyes drifted to Joan.

'Well, I didn't,' Hermione answered petulantly.

Although I did want to, so she has a point… hmm… does that mean that Ginny does too?

'Missed opportunity that,' Carla answered with a wink.

Hermione rolled her eyes at the witch, but smiled in appreciation for her unconcerned attitude. Joan continued to watch her closely, so Hermione made an excuse to return to her work, setting the flowers on her desk so they didn't contaminate her potions.

A.N. - Next chapter will go up soonish :) Please let me a review, they are brilliant as creativity food.