Thank you for all the reads/follows/fav's/reviews.
Seriously, without you guys (especially reviewers) I would've already quit this story ages ago (well, a month but shh), seeing I'm usually more of a person with lots of stories inside my head but never really taking the time to work them out.

But for you guys I'm willing to try :)

I decided to take the story to a whole new level of drama, so I hope you guys enjoy it.
I myself am not entirely too sure about the direction I've chosen but the scenario just didn't stop from playing inside my head and I have some pretty neat idea's to follow it up but yeah... maybe I should've left it simple.

If it's too much, let me know.
If you dig it, let me know as well.

Love & enjoy!

HPOV

It was good to be back in London. Scary, but good.

Something about the city always managed to warm her up. Not literally, as the current frosty air prickled the baby hairs at the back of her neck and made her shiver all over, but emotionally the city was soothing: After losing her parental home, Hogwarts, the Burrow, her own little apartment and hell, even the Malfoy Manor as a place she felt safe, London was quite literally all she had left in the world that gave her a feeling of being 'home'.

Like many other big cities, London too was ever changing, never the same. And yet every other street gave her a warm feeling of nostalgia, especially in the muggle part of the city: The place she was born and raised in and contained close to all memories she had of her childhood. Yes, Hermione harbored many fond memories of the place, like the picnics she used to have with her parents in Hyde Park in summer, eating ice creams and feeding ducks, or the many trips she made with her mother to bookshops across town. The time she lost her very first tooth in the middle of the street – which was a very big happening for a kid with two dentists as parents – or the time when her father was chased by a goat in the patting zoo.

These were all memories she wouldn't change for the world, but it was also a bitter-sweet reminder of all she once had and could never have again. Her parents would never again have the same memories she did, or if they did she – their only child – would not be in them.

They would never remember her.

It was her own fault really. She knew that. To guarantee their safety during the War she had had to distance herself from their lives and erase herself from their memories. It had worked and Hermione did not regret doing it, not for one moment, but that didn't make it any less painful.

But even though the memories hurt at times, Christmas was coming up and Hermione couldn't imagine spending the holiday season anywhere else than in London… And thus, she came back.

Besides, the four months she'd been away had been more than enough time to postpone the inevitable. Hermione, never the one to back away from a fight, had always preferred a bitter truth above blissful ignorance. If she had been courageous enough to face Voldemort with squared shoulders and a chin raised in the air while she was barely an adult at the time, she would be courageous enough to face the truth that was her life… Or would be soon enough.

She was Hermione Jean Granger for Merlin's sake, proclaimed brightest witch and Golden Girl (which both were ridiculous names if you'd asked her, but still). She could handle anything coming her way… So why had she fled the city to begin with?

If anyone had asked her that question four months ago, Hermione wouldn't have known the answer to that. Sure, Malfoy being a dick hadn't helped much – but really, what's new? – and neither had the fight with Ginny earlier that evening.

But still, those weren't exactly compelling arguments to leave. No, if anything, those arguments made her sound weak and fragile, which were not quite the things Hermione liked to be associated with.

But as it turned out, her fleeing London had had little to do with not wanting to fight and everything to do with not knowing where to fight for anymore.

You see, after the war Hermione had been preoccupied dealing with everything and everyone around her, only to disregard herself. First and foremost, Hermione had the search of her parents to claim her time and after having found them, she spend months on researching how to restore their memories. Then, exactly on the moment when all hope seemed lost and she'd been forced to deal with processing the loss of her parents' memory of her forever, Malfoy had showed up on her doorstep, proposing a business plan.

At the time she had told herself it simply was a business plan she couldn't refuse and of course, in a way it was. What idiot would pass on the offer of practically getting unlimited funding to carry out her own made up plans she thought would improve the Wizarding world for the muggle-born wizards (and of course other minorities like house-elves, werewolves, etc.)? Nobody in their right mind would say no to such a proposal, even if it involved working alongside a childhood nemesis whose aunt just so happened to have tortured you in his home. Right? Right.

And although the business offer truly was one she couldn't refuse, Hermione now saw that it had also served as lightning rod for the emotional storm inside her own mind. It was easy to focus all of that raging energy of PTSD, mourning and despair on her job, leaving her exhausted enough after a day of hard work not to take a closer look at herself. And of course, nobody really could (or dared to) object to her hard – if not somewhat obsessive – work regarding the rebuild of the city either. It had to be done and while the Ministry bickered about small disagreements and dealt with financial problems, Malfoy and Hermione took leading roles with regards to reconstruction and legislative proposals.

Only gratefulness was bestowed upon them. Not skepticism.

And her friends were all too busy dealing with their own problems anyway. They were all respectively wallowing in guilt, grief and self-pity. Hell, spending time with them had become close to yet another chore for Hermione at times. Laughs at the Burrow had completely disappeared after Fred died. Harry really took the blame upon himself and his constant unjustly self-proclaimed blame didn't particularly do anything to cheer the mood either… But worst of all was her boyfriend at the time: Ron.

Ron had always been hotheaded, but after his brother's dead he tended to throw himself a pity-party with at least one bottle of Firewhisky every day. The alcohol of course increase his temper and the PTSD did not weaken this particular trait either. As time went by, Ron became not only eruptive but violent and at times even hostile. Not always of course, and he always regretted it afterwards, but it had been a stressful time for Hermione.

Looking back on those three years of her life she'd spend with her former best friend as her boyfriend, she couldn't think of one single reason why she'd stayed. It was not that they had ever established a solid relationship before the war. If anything, their relationship was a result of coping with losing so much in their young lives: Their youth, their innocence, their freedom, their safety… Yes, somewhere between the confusing times of finding horcruxes and fighting Death Eaters they had grown closer, both clinging onto the only few good things they had left in their lives.

After the war it just made no sense to end things. They were part of the Golden Trio, best friends of the Harry Potter and they loved each other, in which degree was debatable, as was their suitability, but they did love each other. If nothing else, like friends.

It had taken Hermione over three years to end things and even then only because of Malfoy (Malfoy!) who had proven to be persistent in poking the bear that was Hermione's wrath regarding Ron. She hated to admit it, but in Ron's case Draco's constant nagging about her having a horrible taste (in men) had been completely justified. Not that it was any of his business… At the time anyway.

In the end he'd turned out right. Not only about Ron but – unknown to him – himself as well. It was ridiculous, to say the least. Hermione Jean Granger falling for her arrogant bad-tempered childhood foe: Draco Lucius Malfoy.

And yet, it had been so.

She supposed it had started years ago, albeit unconsciously. Somewhere between learning to tolerate his personality and respect his abilities and ambition, she had found herself actually enjoying his presence. Yes, he was snarky and mean, cynical and narcissistic. But he was also protective and caring. He noticed literally every single little detail and in his own seemingly impassive ways he truly was attentive, even before anything between them had developed into something more than strictly business.

Flashback: 2 years ago

Today was not her day.

First and foremost, it was a Wednesday and somehow Wednesdays always had it out for her. It simply was too far into the week to have energy left from the past weekend, but it was still too far away from the new one to find joy in finishing the day.

That being said, the coffee machine at the office had broken down yesterday and still wasn't fixed and it had been raining all day today. The Former increasing her already annoyed mood tremendously and the latter meaning that her carefully tamed locks were exploded into the familiar bush of frizzy little strings from hell… Also not helpful with regards to her temper.

Then, there was the fact that she was also on her period, which spoke volumes already, and as if the day hadn't been bad enough with all of that drama going on already, she also lost her case with the Ministry on the keeping of Magical beasts. Hermione had proposed to obligate registration for all Magical beasts to ensure their safety and well-being by means of annual check-ups. Especially regarding the endangered species.

Apparently, this would take away too much from the liberty of Wizards. "Next thing you know we will have to check up on their infant kids as well", one legal advisor had joked, although Hermione couldn't see much humor in the statement. It was actually a damn good plan if it would entail a decrease in child-abuse (which was a word non-existent in the wizarding world).

Moreover, on her way back to the office some idiot had bumped into her, spilling his hot coffee all over her new white blouse and all the magic in the world hadn't been able to erase the stain. Once safely inside the walls of her office, Hermione then had tried to change into a new spare blouse, only to be walked in on by Malfoy, who of course disregarded her secretary's admonishments that he was not allowed to enter her office. Upon registering the scene in front of him he had just stood there, watching her button up her blouse before laughing – laughing! – at her. When she had grabbed her wand to hex him out he simply threw up his hands in the air in defense before walking out of her office, still chuckling as he did and muttering something about coming back later after she had shagged herself.

Seriously, Hermione knew she was not that ridiculous to look at. She had even been wearing her new white lacy bralette. It was even to be considered sexy (she knew that for sure because Ginny said so). Still, it stung that he had laughed.

Pushing the hurt and anger away, she focused all of her attention back on her work… Until a few hours later when Malfoy walked into her office again.

"Grangie-bear, time for a break." He mocked in a sing-song voice.

She was about to scowl at him when the smell of something divine filled her nostrils. Looking up, she watched him casually strolling towards her, holding a bag of fancy-looking take out.

With a mere gesture of his hands all the papers and files that had been scattered on her desk flew into neat piles onto the cabinet on the other side of the room.

What a show off!
Did he really think she would be impressed with his wandless magic? Arrogant bastard.

"He, I was still working on those!" She accused angrily as he rolled his eyes and dropped the bag on the desk between them.

"It's 8pm. I know you haven't eaten since lunch at 12. You need food."

"As if you care." Hermione grinned. Draco ignored her as he unpacked the bag further, even going as far as taking out silver cutlery. Silver. Seriously, this man did not know the concept of take-out.

As Malfoy was about to take a seat on the chair on the opposite side of her desk, apparently feeling the desire to eat with her, Hermione decided to move the chair backwards with some wandless magic of her own.

"Take your filthy fancy food and silverware back to were you came from. I have work to finish."

"Filthy?" Malfoy raised an eyebrow, his eyes clearly amused. "Seriously Granger, you don't even know what's in there."

"I'm serious, Malfoy. Do not test me today. I'm not in the mood for food or company."

"I don't care. I am."

"Then ask Belinda. She's been in love with you for years now."

"Ew, don't remind me." Malfoy wrinkled his nose, undoubtedly thinking about the CIO. Hermione looked at him annoyed. Truth was, Belinda wasn't the most beautiful girl on the planet, but she was kind, funny and seriously good at her job. Not worthy of an 'ew'. "Besides, between you two, she definitely had her fair share of food."

Hermione narrowed her eyes at him. "What are you insinuating?" No, Belinda wasn't thin like a model or anything but she certainly was not fat either. Hermione hated the stigma of girls needing to be thin to be deemed beautiful in the eyes of society and she had made it known to Malfoy every time some tall thin bimbo made her way out of his office after yet another 'satisfying business deal'. He truly was disgusting.

"Merlin, Granger!" Malfoy exclaimed. "Stop mistaking my words. Even you have to admit that between you two you are the skinnier one."

"Fine, but I'm still not in need of food or your company!"

"Granger, the thing with me is that no one truly needs it, but they all want it anyway. You can stay alive on mediocre Weasel-bread and Scarface-broccoli for the rest of your life, but I'm the scandalously tasty hot, wet chocolate desert. Sinful. Upscale. Delicious."

"And yet, only the stuff coming out of your mouth and arse are brown."

"Just eat the damn food."

"I'm not hungry, mommy." Hermione pouted in jest.

Draco pulled a face. "What are you, a child?"

"Your treating me like one."

"I wouldn't if you would act like the grown up are and take care of yourself for once! At the rate you're disregarding your health you'll be dead in no time. I seriously won't pay you a sickness benefit if you fall ill! Mark my words."

"So, it's about the money then." Hermione grinned, knowing full well how angry it made Malfoy.

In the past four years he truly had changed. He still prided himself on many things that were not worth priding oneself on, but he also really had things to be proud of. Like his need to use his money for the greater good.

That was to say, Draco was a spoiled kid. Always had been, always would be, but in recent years he couldn't stand to be called greedy. Even if he still enjoyed pampering himself with endless luxury, every next thing just that tiny bit more useless than the former, he also invested a fair share of his money into purposes solely not beneficial to himself. She suspected it was his way of bribing his conscious, although she had to admit, he worked hard for it too, so in a way she approved.

Still, even hinting on the fact that he was greedy would normally provoke a funny reaction… but alas, today really was her worst day ever because he didn't take the bait.

"Eat your damn meal, woman." He said, shoving a box her way.

It really did smell damn good and Hermione was tempted to open it but doing that would mean caving to Malfoy's wish. He was being truly disappointing really: Of all the days he decided to be civil it had to be on the one day she would've gladly seen him just as riled up as she had felt all day. Fighting with Malfoy always helped to blow of some steam.

"I was just planning on going home to do just that." Hermione lied convincingly but one quick glance into his eyes let her know just how futile her efforts were.

"Right." He snorted.

"I was!" She tried again, offended by his arrogance in pretending to know her. Seriously, the nerve!

"Granger, you've been working with me for what now? 1 year?"

"Four!" Granger scoffed, indignant that she had to correct him.

Draco looked at her in contemplation for a moment. "Really? It seems so much longer than that with your constant nagging and know-it-all ways. I feel like a hundred years old as much as you've exhausted me." At the incredulous look she shot him, Draco chuckled. "Whatever Grange, the point is that I know you by now."

"You most certainly do not!" Granger scoffed again.

"I do."

"Name one thing."

"Your hair is in a ponytail today."

Hermione barked out a bitter laugh. "Well, spotted, Malfoy." She deadpanned. "That's one superb eyesight you've got right there."

"You're always moody when your do your hair like that. Just like now."

"That's ridiculous!" When he stared at her blankly, clearly unimpressed with her outburst (as if to say 'behold: evidence A') she blushed and quickly looked down to the folded hands in her lap.

"Also, you lost your case, which I told you, you would by the way. It was a horrible proposal to begin with, no pureblood wi–"

"Cut to the case, Malfoy." She cut off.

"Right. So you're even more angry because of that."

"Doesn't take a genius to know that. Nor does it take someone who knows me."

"Also, that muggle coffee machine you dragged into this place still isn't fixed, so that doesn't bid well for your mood throughout the day either. I imagine the blouse-change this afternoon wasn't just for the fun of showing me your crème bra either and then we all know how much you love Wednesdays."

Draco smirked knowingly at the end of his speech and if it wasn't for the fact that Hermione was absolutely flabbergasted, she would've slapped the smirk right of his face. He had noticed all that?

He noticed when she'd last ate, what the specific color of her bra was (seriously what boy said crème instead of white? She said white and she was a girl for goodness sake!) and when she did or did not wear a ponytail and how it affected her mood?

She hadn't even noticed him at all today! Except for the part he laughed at her state of undress.

"My-my, thank you, Malfoy, for describing my horrible day so perfectly to me." Hermione snarled annoyed. "Wouldn't wish to forget a single detail. Still, I don't see how any of my shitty day relates to you knowing me at all. Nor does it relate to me wanting to eat at home."

"Granger, Granger." He tsk-ed. "If I noticed all that just today, I sure as hell have noticed other things in the past four years working together. Like the fact that you haven't left the office before 10pm in weeks now, unless it's Friday and you've got plans with Weaselette, Scarhead or even worse: both. You don't have a life since Weasel dumped you. It's quite pathetic really."

Hermione glared at him. They both knew Hermione had dumped Ron and not the other way around. Hell, Malfoy had been the one cheering her on to do so. The reasons for not wanting to be home was pretty much a result of said break-up too: In the past few weeks, Ron had developed the habit of coming by her apartment when he was drunk, claiming to want her back. When she didn't open the door he got angry and would shout and pound on the door for minutes, sometimes even for hours.

Not that Malfoy needed to know that.

"Point is, you're in an awful mood and since I still wanted to go over a few cases with you…" Malfoy continued, opening the boxes in front of him, revealing steak. "I figured I'd numb the beast first."

"Steak?" Hermione chocked out, ogling the meat lustfully. "Where the hell do you get take-out stake?" It was her favorite on days like these.

"Du Châvelet" Malfoy shrugged, as if it wasn't a big deal he just so happened to get 'take-out' from a Michelin Star restaurant.

Forgetting all of her resolve, Hermione stared at the opened box in front of her in awe for a moment. Tentatively, she let her eyes drift upwards again, briefly meeting the gaze of the silver-eyed man who'd brought her this holy gift.

Normally, she didn't like meat.
On a day like this: it was the best!

Whether it was a coincidence or a carefully worked out plan, she did not know – although with Malfoy nothing ever truly was coincidental – but neither did she care.

"Merlin." Granger chuckled, although it came out more like a giggle, before she picked up the silver cutlery and dug in. She vaguely registered how Malfoy seated himself on the chair on the other side of the desk and took out his own take-out box. She didn't mind. In fact, she was pretty sure he would've been able to sit down on top of her lap and she wouldn't have cared as long as she had this heavenly food in her mouth.

This must be the best day she'd had in weeks.

End of flashback

Snapping out of her train of thoughts she made her way over to the coffee shop across the street. She and Ginny had often sought refuge there, during the direct aftermath of the War. It had been a period of serious turbulence in the Wizarding World and since the mood inside the Burrow had been chilling to the bone, the girls had adopted this cute little café in the middle of Muggle-London as their sanctuary and 'happy-place' when they didn't want to deal with any negativity.

The coffee house had a homey feeling and was just as untidy and shabby as the Burrow always had been, which was exactly why they both liked the place. As months turned into years, life at the Burrow and the rest of the Wizarding World went more and more back to how it once was before the war, but still the girls tended to meat each other here regularly, especially once became clear that Hermione's fame as Golden Girl in Wizarding-London was not about to fade away quickly.

Walking into the cozy café and making the little old-fashioned bell on the door ring softly, Hermione immediately spotted the red hair of her best friend, already seated on the green couch by the window: their favorite spot.

Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, Hermione made her way over to the red-haired girl still unaware of her arrival.

"Hi, Gin." Hermione's voice trembled before Ginny's head snapped around to look at her.

"Hermione!" Ginny breathed, relief and joy clear on her face for anyone to see. The redhead smiled warmly, ready to stand up and hug her long-time best friend when her eyes roamed from Hermione's face southward, only to stop at the small yet firmly distinctive baby bump.

Hermione's heart was wildly pounding in anticipation and anxiety, desperate for Ginny to react, to say something, anything at all. And sure enough, after what seemed like an hour of Ginny staring at her belly, making Hermione feel utterly uncomfortable, the girl finally did.

"Oh, sweet Merlin."