DISCLAIMER:

I DO NOT OWN THE WORLD OF HARRY POTTER/JK ROWLING. I DO NOT MAKE ANY MONEY OFF OF THIS OR ANY OTHER STORY I HAVE WRITTEN. I SIMPLY PLAY WITH THE CHARACTERS.

Chapter 7:

She flopped down into her desk chair, completely bewildered. Lucius bloody Malfoy just gave her one of the sincerest apologies she may have ever received. Ron never even apologized for screwing Lavender in her damn bed. None of her friends never apologized for taking Ron's side, saying she did work an awful lot to keep a man happy. Like it was her responsibility to keep someone else happy. She never required Ron to keep her happy. She was delighted in her own merit. One could only assume your life partner would be capable of the same. Regardless, he cheated on her and everyone made her feel like it was her own fault.

Should she send him a thank you card? No that was ridiculous. Time was ticking away, and it would serve no purpose sitting here getting all flustered over Malfoy. She couldn't help but remember how vulnerable he looked as he said sorry. His eyes were a piercing blue and they never lost contact with her own. He was so much older than her, yet he was beginning to look healthier, lonely, but attractive for a man his age. Wait, what? Merlin, she needed to get laid if she was having those thoughts about Malfoy Sr.

She whipped out a piece of parchment mentally preparing for a howler to be returned to her, there was no way she would be able to meet Platinum Eyes this early. Not with this new threat and all the work that will need to be done.

Ginny,

Something unfortunate has happened at work. I will not be able to meet my mystery man tomorrow. You will have to wait for a future date. I swear it was unavoidable!

Hermione

That would have to be good enough. She will get her explanation later when Harry gets home. Right now, she was exhausted. She was still looking at four to five hours of work before she would be able to go home, and she needed to write back Platinum Eyes to let him know she did want to meet him she just did not know when she would be able too with her duties at work.

…..

Six hours later she emerged from her desk haggard and filled to the brim with anxiety. What a dangerous mess they were about to deal with face to face. It was ten after ten, she was starving, she never took the time to eat today because of her tardiness. She could still get to the Leaky Cauldron before it closed.

She made her way out of the Ministry and apparated to Diagon Alley. The Leaky Cauldron looked quite empty as she entered. A few seats were taken but they weren't busy so she could be selective with her choosing. Her stomach growled reminding her that it didn't matter where she sat so long as she ate something. She went to the closest booth and waited. They had a new waitress; Shelia was on her name tag.

"Good evening, Shelia, I was hoping the grill may still be open?"

Shelia glanced over her should as if she were checking before responding.

"Yeah, it's open, what do you want?"

"Fish and chips are fine thanks. Fire whisky to drink."

Shelia walked away and she couldn't help but think how a good course in customer service could do the girl some good. If anything, it would increase her ability to get more tips. She sat and stared at the empty seat across from her, wondering if she were ever going to be able to share a meal with someone. She pulled her bag out and proceeded to search for pen and parchment. She needed to get a letter written before the night was over.

She heard a clicking noise getting louder as it seemed to be getting closer to her table.

"Good Evening, Ms. Granger."

She looked up only to see Lucius Malfoy, stunned he had approached her table.

"Hello, Mr. Malfoy." She gave him a half-hearted smile looking back at her empty parchment.

"You are out rather late this evening for supper."

He smelled of whiskey and looked quiet a bit disheveled. She studied his face; he was solemn with a hint of something she couldn't place just yet.

"As are you sir. I was held up in the office, I'm sure you remember why I would need to be there." This was said matter of factly, to her surprise, without sarcasm.

"May I join you?"

Should she let him? What could it hurt? She just wouldn't be able to write her letter till she was home. She glanced back down at the empty parchment and let out a sigh. She produced a handout and offered him a seat across from her at the booth. He nodded and sat down with a rather loud, undignified thump. Was that an awkward laugh he tried to cover up? She though he perhaps may have had a lot to drink. About that time Shelia unceremoniously brought her drink and food back. Slamming it onto the table.

"My, my Ms. Granger, fire whiskey?"

"It was a difficult day. It seems you have been here awhile?"

"Ahh, yes, I have."

She waited for more, but it didn't seem he was going to offer anymore without question.

"And is this a celebratory drinking night or dread from today's bulletin?"

He gave a long sigh, "Neither."

"Well aren't we the conversationalist tonight."

She proceeded to drink and eat. She was famished. The whiskey calmed her nerves, and the food calmed her stomach. What a day, work, and now once again she was dealing with Lucius Malfoy. She watched him swirl his drink around in his glass. His blond hair hanging down around in his face, piercing blue eyes. Not many people in the wizarding world had hair like that, and then like a streak of lighting, it dawned on her, that this man, sitting across from her, could very well be the man she was corresponding with, her Platinum Eyes. She watched him intently, he no longer seemed the hateful aggressive man he used to be from her youth. He seems humbler after his stint in Azkaban. If she were to meet Platinum Eyes and Lucius Malfoy were to show up, could she keep an open mind and give him a chance? How would Ginny take it, or Harry.

"Mr. Malfoy, why are you out so late? If I didn't know any better, I would wager a bet you didn't have anywhere else to go?"

"I could say the same about you I suppose."

"Well are you great company. I'd love to have a riddle less conversation."

"As would I, tell me Ms. Granger, why are you eating out alone this late? Why not eat at home with a loved one?"

"Awfully bold of you to assume that I have someone waiting at home for me Mr. Malfoy. Why are you not at home with Draco and your new grandson?"

She hit a nerve with that one, his head drooped further down into his glass.

"Awfully bold of you to assume I'm allowed around my grandson."

Touché, she thought. He's also alone, in that big old house. His eyes were nearly the color of platinum. He is an entrepreneur. She sat back in shock. Could it be that they are one and the same? She was feeling rather conflicted. She hated this man, but she also pitied him for he was as alone as she. Did she hate this man? He did apologize to her today. Which was a great step in the direction of friendship. If he were her pen pal, the man she was beginning to find companionship with, she believed she could give him a chance. After all, as much as she hated to admit it, Lucius Malfoy was a very attractive man.

She ate some more of her food, lost in her musing about who Platinum Eyes could possibly be now, the only other man she new of was Mr. Lovegood. As much as she loved Luna, she had no desire to have any romantic notions for her father.

"Mr. Malfoy, would you please call me Hermione. No need to be formal anymore. If you don't mind that is?"

"I don't mind, it would be an honor to call you Hermione, please call me Lucius."

"Thank you. Now, tell me, why are you not allowed around your Grandson?"

"Draco does not believe I have lost my prejudice. He is afraid I will teach it to his son. He also resents the fact that I went to Azkaban and was released, as he feels I should have stayed there forever."

"Oh." How was she to respond to that?

"I can't say that I am surprised by Draco's actions Lucius, however you will just have to slowly show him that you have changed. As they say, trust is earned not given freely once broken."

His first name felt weird coming out of her mouth. Practice makes perfect, she guessed.

"Tell me, Lucius, if you aren't involved with Draco and his family, what do you do all day in your home?"

She needs to make a mental note to go through all his files when she gets to the office tomorrow. She heard a rumor that his correspondence was quiet a large amount.

"I read mostly, pilfer through the attic, I run my business from home, you know things of that nature. I don't go out very often."

"Your days at home don't sound much different than my own."

"Oh, tell me what your days are usually consisting of?"

"Well obviously, most of my days are dedicated to work. I do however have a great affinity to reading a good book."

She was surprisingly enjoying her conversation. So far, their days were very similar, just as with Platinum Eyes. She finished her food and her drink. She was exhausted, even though she was enjoying her conversation, she was ready to be at home in bed.

"Hermione, I do not find that a great shock as your reputation precedes you."

She smiled; everyone knew she was a bookworm, even the Malfoys.

"I must admit that isn't a shock that you know that already."

She was smiling awkwardly and could see a smile hinting at the corners of his mouth. She couldn't remember ever seeing a genuine smile on his face that wasn't full of malice. She found herself rather liking the idea of Lucius Malfoy smiling, just for her to see. As he looked at her with a small smile, she could feel something happening, she couldn't place it, but whatever it was she rather liked the way it felt. It shocked her to realize, she wanted to do this again, with him. With Lucius Malfoy? Yes, she thought, with Lucius Malfoy.

Before she knew it, it was midnight and she had sat and talked with him for hours about a variety of topics. She was almost certain that he was Platinum Eyes and at this point she kind of hoped that he was in fact, her pen pal. She was sure Ginny would be loath to the idea of Lucius Malfoy, but she hoped she could change her mind, as this man before her was not who she remembered. Time would tell if she were correct.

"Lucius as much as I would like to stay, I simply can't. I must get home, but I would love to sit and talk again."

"As would I. I am sure I will see you around the office and we can arrange a later date?"

"That sounds great. I will see you soon."

She walked away towards the apparition point and gave a small glance back towards him as she did and was pleased to see that he was watching her walk away, with a very large smile plastered on his face, just for her to see.