The ride at the elevator was eerily quiet. At the corner of her eye, Malfoy was still typing on his phone. Hermione internally scoffed. If he was so busy then maybe we shouldn't have left this early. She was used to leaving the office late at night— the fact that her temporary apartment was simply one block away, this only amplified her workaholic state and was consistent in going home late. In Hermione's defense, her house is just one block away. She didn't need to be in such a rush.

Albeit yesterday was an exception. There wasn't anything much to do so she left the office pretty early in the afternoon. With that much free time, she spent it all on herself and now she's paying it back with the shitload amount of paperwork from her desk prior. Not to mention, she has to work with Malfoy of all people. The air felt slightly suffocating back in her office because she wasn't used to having to interact with him that much. Their interaction this day equates to pretty much a week of seeing Malfoy back in their schooling. It was all too intolerable. And now, they're even walking together on the way back home! She can't believe she has to endure this for another couple of days. Hermione can't wait to immediately finish working on the case and both of them will separate and be off on their merry way in their own industry and field.

Hermione and Draco arrived at the ground floor and walked pass the lobby. Stepping through the towering revolving doors, her body felt an undeniable rush of chills as the cold breeze wafted through the air. It was excruciatingly hot during mornings, but once the sun sets, the air around the place becomes bitterly cold. Damn these weathers.

Hermione shuddered at the air and the two of them ambled through the pavement. It was a peaceful night. She looked up and saw stars peeking through the clouds— she was always so fascinated by its alignment and brightness.

"How are you doing, Granger? What's going on with your life?" Hermione's appreciation for the stars was halted. What's this? Draco Malfoy initiating a conversation? And he was being cordial! Oh dear, this was definitely something she's not used to.

"None of your business Malfoy," was all Hermione said as she looked straight forward. She wasn't in the mood to striking a small chit-chat with the person that used to loathe her guts just because she wasn't born into the same sumptuous lifestyle he had. She was different, and she was well aware of that fact because Draco made sure to remind her at every single chance that he gets.

Draco looked as if what she said ached. "No need to be so vitriolic," he assured. "Just here trying to reconnect and make friends, is all."

"Reconnect and make friends?" Hermione's voice had a hint of shrillness into it. "As far as I know, that wasn't your intention back in the old days."

"I know, that's why I'm here trying to reconnect. Weren't you listening? Think of this as sort of a mini-penance for all the wrong-doings I've done to you back then." He sounded sincere.

Hermione only scoffed as a response. She was still unsure whether or not she should keep her defenses down around him.

"I'm Draco Malfoy, nice to meet you," he paused his steps and held out his right hand. "And you are?"

Hermione's track was also stopped short. She stared at his outstretched hand intently, and then back to his unfaltering gaze. She was confused, but also slightly amused. He looked a bit idiotic with his hand outstretched in the air like that. She let out a small chuckle. Guess she had no choice. There's no loss in being gullible and friendly once in a while.

She accepted his outstretched hand and shook it firmly.

"Nice to meet you Draco Malfoy. I'm Hermione Granger," she let out a small laugh. "Well that was embarrassing."

"Not really," Draco replied with a shrug. "Now that we're all done with the formalities, any relationships, Granger? Married?"

Hermione felt a bit invaded with her privacy. What's with all the comfortable questions? "What is this, a job interview?"

"No then? How about a boyfriend?" Draco assumed, completely ignoring her previous question.

"Shut up Malfoy!"

She was getting slightly embarrassed but Draco kept on pressing. He enjoyed teasing her, that damned twat.

"What? Things didn't end up well with you and that Weasel?" Draco sounded genuinely surprised.

"What do you want me to say Malfoy?" They continued walking and they were now trudging through the public park.

"He wasn't up to my liking that much anyway. Half of the school already noticed that you don't look too happy while with him."

"And you think your opinion matters because?" Hermione inquired. Who does he think he is, making assumptions about their relationship? He didn't have a right, and yet, he was slightly dead on with what he said. This annoyed her.

"Any flings? Mutual understandings?"

No answer.

"Your lack of response is very telling Granger," Draco was evidently amused. His tone was minimally sarcastic with a hint of amusement.

"Sod off, Malfoy." Hermione was already slightly annoyed. No, scratch that. She was already annoyed at him. His playful remarks only seemed to heighten her emotions and piss her off even more.

"Hmmmm," Draco mused as if in deep thought. "A girlfriend then?" He laughed.

"Oh shut up!" She gave him a slight push by the shoulder. Draco Malfoy looked physically wounded. That bastard sure goes through lengths to annoy her. "Ouch! You've injured me, Granger." Malfoy held his shoulder that Hermione lightly pushed. He was exaggerating, that damn drama queen. What is his intention anyway? Where does he think he's heading at?

Hermione only gave him a menacing stare. "You seem to be enjoying knowing too much about me. How about you then?" She queried.

"Single as a pringle, m'lady," he answered back, gesturing with his hands as if a gentleman escorting his partner.

"Good for you then," she said, her voice all too sarcastic. She doesn't know what to expect of him, everything he does seemed out of the blue. Hermione couldn't be more thankful when they finally arrived at their apartment building. Malfoy, being the gangly fellow he is, had no trouble keeping up with her despite her effort in walking a bit faster. Stepping inside the elevator, she pressed the button '13' encrypted at the elevator. Malfoy stepped in as well.

"Good ol' lucky number 13," he observed.

"Not really," she muttered under her breath.

"Really? What did you say, Granger?" He didn't seem too keen on stopping with his teasing soon.

Granger finally had the last straw. It was already midnight, and she didn't think she could handle any more of him any time soon.

"Okay, let's get things straight here Malfoy. What's your deal with me?" She said, her voice containing all seriousness.

"What do you mean what's my deal?" Malfoy asked, genuinely confused.

"I mean- this!" Hermione's hand gestured towards the air, supposedly representing their situation. Malfoy only raised his eyebrows in response, waiting for her to say more. She looked a bit stressed and frantic, he had to give it to her.

"You weren't this friendly before! And now we run into each other and you act as if nothing happened!" she suddenly burst. "You act as if you didn't make my life completely miserable back in the day. If you haven't remembered, we hated each other's guts!"

"No wait," she thought back for a moment. "You hated me!" she sneered.

Ouch, Draco felt that.

"You are not my friend so stop acting so familiar with me!"

There was a 'ding' that broke the silence. They have arrived at their floor.

Draco Malfoy heaved a heavy sigh as he motioned for her to step out of the elevator. When both of them finally stepped out, they stood to a stop and faced each other eye to eye. Hermione's stare was steady, ready to pounce at him any moment.

In the most sincere and genuine tone that he can muster, "I know, and I'm very sorry for acting like such a snobby brat for the past years. It was absolutely immature for me, but time has passed and things have changed." To the deepest bottom of his heart, God forbid this was very much unlike him, he truly meant it. "I was an asshole, but that doesn't mean that I still am now."

He held both of her shoulders, as if assuring her. "Give me a chance Granger," Hermione's acrimonious gaze started to falter. Draco gave her a small smile, trying to dispel the hostile aura between. Their rancorous relationship needed to come to an end.

"I'm not as bad as you think," he finished off.

Hermione looked away. He was incalculable. He was this absolutely horrendous kid that made her all messed up, thinking there was something wrong with her due to her upbringing, and then the next, he's the sincerest bastard in the world that has ever said sorry to her. Not even Ron's apology can hold a candle to Malfoy's, and he cheated on her— that damned prick.

Her head has slightly cleared, and she only realized now their proximity between each other. Malfoy was really close to her as he firmly held her shoulders, waiting for a response. His scent entered her senses and she was greeted with an absolutely intoxicating aroma. Damn, he smells good. She knew it was not the time to be thinking about those things but she truly can't help it.

Gathering back her thoughts, she looked back at Malfoy, who was apparently still staring straight at her. He surely knows how to hold his own gaze. Hermione sighed. She couldn't help but agree. People change and as a lawyer, she should be the one most aware of that fact.

She slowly removed his hands on her shoulders and said, "Apology accepted, Malfoy. Are you happy?"

Hermione was shocked to see his face beaming with joy, a smile creeping up his lips. "More than you'll ever know."

She paid no heed and started walking towards her apartment. A couple of steps later, she finally arrived at her room and she realized that Malfoy was still following her. She stopped on her tracks and stood by the doorway. "Look, I know that we're kind of okay and all, but you don't have to go too far by escorting me back."

Draco pointed at the door next to hers, "I also live here."

Hermione's ears felt hot and she slightly turned red. She couldn't be more embarrassed.

"Neighbors then, eh?" He smirked as he fished his keys out of his pocket and opened the door.

"Goodnight, Granger."

So they're on greeting terms now, is that it? He's just being polite. Get that damned head of yours out of your ass. "G'night Malfoy," was all she said as she stepped inside her room and closed the door.

When Draco finally settled into his tiny mousehole, he couldn't help but be slightly amused at all the events that has ensued today.

Now I know what that prick Theo meant when he said about the neighbors being lovely.