Chapter 77 – No Slytherin, but close

Draco took another sip from him cup and continued watching Granger, waiting for her to ask her questions. The calculating look in her eyes was still there, all he needed was a little patience. While he might not have all day, it was amusing to watch her overthink what she wanted to say.

There was frown on her face, and one of her fingers tapped against the cup in her hands. He could see that she had grabbed onto it much more tightly than him, her hands tense, while the rest of her body looked to be relaxed. She was good at this, but no Slytherin.

He knew his son was important to her and she saw something, someone, in him that was worth her affection, not matter what she said last time. Somehow she was able to overlook his behaviour, that until recently had made her seethe at the side of her husband, now ex as far as the papers were informed. Draco was sure, if it hadn't been for the men that had spend the last fourteen years fighting for her, she wouldn't sit here today.

His resentment was roaring its head, but he fought it down before the bitterness took hold of him. He hated the feeling his father had implanted when he was just a boy. Never good enough, always fighting to be someone to impress, to meet with the approval of his father.

"I was under the impression, that you didn't care for my help with this particular problem."

Hermione stopped his train of thoughts and made him smile inwardly, while he remained emotionless on the outside. Not a question after all, which made it so much easier avoiding answering.

"I didn't ask for it now, did I?"

Hermione chuckled when he shrugged nonchalantly and took another sip from his cooling coffee, that was finally at a drinkable temperature.

"Not directly, but you brought Harry to my door, which happens to do just that: Involving me."

"All I wanted was Potters attention on the matter, which he wouldn't give me for the last few years, until I suddenly brought you up last time. Of course it is your nephew who's also involved in this matter, so I can't keep you out of it, if that's what you want." Draco said with a wave of his hand, as if it was old news of no interest. He had let her see to much last time already, when she brought up the topic, he didn't need his bitterness to show through this time. No matter what happened between her and the Weasley, her relationship with Potter was still rather close. There was no benefit in letting her see that their old dislike for each other was still very much alive at a much bigger scale than she might have picked up until now.

"You seem to assume a lot of stuff that I want, Draco." Hermione threw his words from their last meeting back at him, but smiled sweetly, maybe a bit to much so. The clicking noise her finger made against the cup continued, nonetheless.

"So tell me, Hermione, what do you spend your time with these days?" His quirked eyebrow was the only answer she got in regard of her accusation. Hermione leaned back and surveyed him over her cup. It was nearly empty and when she noticed, she beckoned the waitress to ask for a second, with a smile and kindness. Afterwards she turned back to Draco and he knew she had been extra polite, just to rub it into his face, but his kept his face schooled into an impassive mask, not giving his amusement away.

"I try to keep an eye out on the kids and spend my time researching for my Master in Defence against the Dark Arts."

Draco frowned for a moment at Hermione's answer, before he answered.

"That's an... interesting choice for sure."

Laughter escaped Hermione, when she saw his sharp features make a slip from their indifference he like to show the world. The next question was an amused drawl, that was nothing like the way Granger normally talked. For some reason it made Draco's heart skip a beat, because she sounded just the way he had always taught a Malfoy was supposed to talk.

"And why, dare say, is that?"

He gulped and took another sip from his cup, cursing himself inwardly when he noticed it had been the last one. Gladly it gave him enough time to catch himself and burry the unwelcome feeling of attraction she brought up. She was Granger, Potter's best friend and Gryffindor to the core. With her intelligence she had never been easy to manipulate, but suddenly she turned the conversation on him like it was kids play. It was as much daunting as it was enticing, a combination that had Draco ruffled, and he wasn't sure if it was in an irksome way like he wanted make himself believe.

"After seeing your work, I would have thought your interest lies in Ancient Runes." Draco didn't have to take the kerchief from it's pocket inside his suit coat, they both knew he was talking about her Christmas present, and he didn't need her to know that he still kept it close at all times.

"What do I want to do with Runes? While I value the history written in them, I can't sit back and do nothing but writing for the rest of my life. The last twenty years taught that to me." Hermione shook her head, maybe remembering the small space she had inhabited for so long, but Draco only got the impression whatever she remember, she wanted it out of her head.

"A shame you think like that. I could have use for a Master of Ancient Runes. My last date left me with a nice Business idea resolving around them, and a lack of knowledge about certain Runes that could be used for protection and enchantments. Of course Quidditch is as much out of your league as Runes, isn't it?"

Hermione narrowed her eyes on Draco, knowing fully well that he tried to manipulate her, but she was intrigued.

"I have a meeting soon, so I will take my leave. We will meet here again next week, same time. Think about it Granger." Draco declared and got up to put his coat back on. He left a few coins on the table, enough to pay for both of them and didn't look back as he left.

He knew she would be angry with him, but he felt like he won this small battle and couldn't keep himself from grinning smugly. She would meet with him again, if not because of his offer, then for sure because he hadn't given her the chance to bring up the problems the children faced at school.