Friday, May 23rd, 2003.

Part two : Planned encounters.

"Of course I'll take the bloody job!" Extolled the pretty witch, standing, before running around the table to hug her so fiercely that Hermione was certain she'd felt one of her ribs crack.

They clicked their glasses together to celebrate. Against all odds, Astoria looked beyond pleased. Hermione hadn't been entirely confident when she'd asked, but apparently being deployed and having a pompous boss were too much for the ex-Slytherin to handle without hexing someone. Hermione understood, after all, Ernie's manners had always grated on her nerves too.

"So Granger, stealing receptionists and women from me too now?" Hermione did a very childish thing then, she pulled her tongue at Zabini.

"Oh don't you show that nasty little thing to me Granger. You have no idea what I could do with it." He smirked, wiggling his eyebrows in a suggestive manner that made Astoria stifle a laugh.

"When are you going to stop flirting with me Zabini? I know you like me but it's certainly not of really good taste to flirt when your girlfriend's at the table." Apparently she'd extrapolated. If Astoria's face and the way Zabini almost chocked on his drink were of any relevance, they weren't this far in their relationship. The moment turned really awkward when he finally composed himself, and shifted a frowning gaze to his not-yet-girlfriend.

"Are … are you?" He stuttered. Blaise Zabini stuttering. The world was going berserk.

"What? N … No!" Oh damn. Wait. Was she blushing? Yes, furiously. Did he look … disappointed?! What in Merlin's name was happening?

"I mean … Except if you … err …" Astoria was fidgeting, slowly turning to a bright shade of crimson.

"Do you?"

"Err … I don't know, I …"

"Would you?"

"Well, only if you …"

"I do."

"Oh. But I thought this was just …" Zabini shrugged and Astoria smiled nervously. Hermione was completely lost. Good thing they seemed to understand each other because she wouldn't be of any help there. She tried to hide behind her glass until Zabini said:

"Would you … with me? Stori?"

"Yes, I would." Astoria answered quietly before a small girlish giggle escaped her lips. Hermione almost chocked on her drink. Unbelievable. Zabini grabbed Astoria's chin then, grinning widely, and kissed her deeply on the mouth. They had never snogged like that in front of her. How many hands did he have? She only reacted when one of them disappeared behind Astoria's blouse.

"Oh my! I should probably leave you to it!" Hermione exclaimed, standing right up and hiding her eyes behind her sleeve. She was forced to sit right back down by a strong pair of hands though. Her arse slapped on the uncomfortable wooden chair.

"What …"

"You're not going anywhere. If I'm to forgive those two sneaky idiots, I'm certainly not about to spend the evening alone with them snogging like bloody leeches!"

Draco had hesitated a minute once he'd opened Hog's Head's front door. It was much later than what Granger had written but they were still in there. He hadn't realised why he'd come until he'd seen them from the dirty threshold. He'd come for multiple reasons.

To escape the place he hadn't called home for years. To forget about his own stubbornness and forgive the one person that cared about him (and maybe kick him to make things easier). To rescue Granger from an horrific night with a flirting and irritating couple. Or so she'd written.

What finally made up his mind was the face she was making. Greengrass and Blaise were talking, the witch strangely blushing to a disgusting level of bright red, and Blaise was turned to her, his back to Draco. Granger's profile was frowning, hard, as well as furiously grimacing uncomfortably. It was only when the couple started snogging as if it were their last day on earth that he finally moved. Rescue her indeed.

His fingers tangled in her messy hair as he pushed at her shoulders for her to sit back down. It was softer than the clod of straw he'd expected. She startled and seemed about to protest but there was no way in hell he would do this alone. Whether it was with Granger or not.

The meddling couple stopped snogging.

"Draco?"

"No, I'm his evil twin." He sneered, and slumped in the chair next to Granger, somehow preferring that to being assaulted with saliva.

"Mate, I'm so sorry …"

"Can I move in your spare bedroom?" That definitely took him off guard. Blaise too.

"Eh, wh …"

"Don't ask and you're forgiven." There was a pause and:

"When?"

"Tonight?"

"Alright." Draco nodded his thanks, as Blaise's confusion morphed into a wide and happy grin. He looked rather stupid. Greengrass' smile was a fond one, as her gaze swept from one man to the other. It was becoming irritating. After a minute of silence, Granger seemed to decide that the contemplation had lasted long enough. Here he'd thought he was her supposed rescuer.

"So, maybe we should drink now." She said awkwardly. Right, maybe he would have to be.

"Yes! We have something to celebrate!" Astoria seemed as relieved as Draco that the awkward moment had been broken. He still looked strangely out of sorts though. Like, really pale.

Those kind of thoughts shouldn't exist, Blaise had almost laughed aloud.

But he still had to ask Draco what that had been about. Why was he moving out of the Manor? Had something happened?

"Your new boyfriend?" The concerned pale specimen asked with a smirk. Alright, he wasn't that out of sorts apparently.

"Err … shut up. No. My new job with Hermione." Explained Astoria.

"Of course." Draco rolled his eyes and Blaise decided to really explain.

"Yeah mate, they've been punished by the PM. That's what happens when Granger breaks the law."

"Seriously?"

"Yes, they broke secrecy and in exchange she got a job!"

"Would you please keep it down?" An angry Granger? What for?

"Why?"

"Someone could hear."

"There's no one here Granger."

"You don't know that."

"Yes, I do. I have eyes."

"Have you heard of disillusionment charms?" She was turning red, oh this was going to be interesting.

"Why would someone disappear in order to get in here? They wouldn't even be able to get a drink."

"I don't know, to listen to private conversations maybe?"

"We're not at war any more miss Golden." She rolled her eyes to Blaise's greatest pleasure.

"You're irritating you know that? Besides, you promised to keep your mouth shut." He didn't get a chance to answer that Draco jumped in, with a smirk Blaise wasn't fond of:

"It's something he doesn't know how to do Granger. Maybe I should have kicked his arse after all."

Draco had made Granger chuckle. Why did it look like they were sharing some kind of inside joke?

"It's never too late." She shrugged.

"Well, I did forgive him. What was the process already? Ah right, yell at him, kick him and only then forgive him." Seriously?

"You forgot one step Malfoy. It was yell at him, hex him, kick him and then forgive him." Oh them, plotting little traitors.

"Oh, right! I might just skip that though, too messy. And I've already yelled at him. So, let's settle on the kicking if you don't mind."

"Oh but help yourself. Please, you'd be a dear."

The word had proved very difficult to articulate but the effect it had on Zabini made it worth it.

"Fair enough. Blaise, please, bend over." That though, was the drop. Hermione burst out laughing and she took Malfoy and Astoria with her. Zabini looked suspicious and pissed off at the same time and it didn't help deflate her laughter. He crossed his arms above his chest, sulking like a baby, but his eyes were calculating. Astoria was the first to calm down and the knowing look on her face cut Hermione's giggles short. She didn't say anything though, and just smirked.

"You two finished?" Zabini waited a moment and then continued: "Planned all this behind my back? You could yell at me mate." Hermione jumped in as Malfoy seemed about to retort something nasty, his laughter suddenly forgotten.

"Well, it was my idea. Although, I did ask him to forgive you. I was only trying to help, you know." Hermione felt her mouth lift in what she knew to be an ugly smirk despite having aimed for a false pout.

"Err …" Zabini's reluctant repentance seemed to satisfy Malfoy though. His mouth was still stretched in a tight line but his eyes betrayed his amusement.

Astoria kept smirking her face out and Hermione found the way she shrugged her eyebrows at her to be rather infuriating. She crossed her arms and glared. Astoria chuckled and changed the subject:

"So? Do we celebrate my promotion or what?"

So they did. For approximately five rows, if Hermione could count right, which wasn't sure at all by then. Of course the conversation turned to some kind of bickering Hermione had no wish to participate in. Malfoy didn't seem too keen on getting involved either. Sighing, she turned slightly to him. If she were to be ignored, she might as well talk to her supposed rescuer.

"So, running a potion shop?" She asked. The news hadn't really come as a surprise, she remembered Malfoy to be a studious git, potions being one of the class he'd excelled in. Of course, being favoured had made his grades higher than hers for five years but then Snape had never liked her anyway. He turned a smirk to her and instead of answering, asked:

"Is there anything that interests you besides work Granger?"

"No." The answer had been blunt and honest. If she'd wished to lie, it was too late. Sodding alcohol. He chuckled, shaking his head, but answered eventually:

"Yes, one shop. I figured it wouldn't be much of a burden atop the rest. Plus, I always liked potions." At these words she realised his grey eyes shone. Or maybe it was the alcohol.

"Yes, I remember it being your favourite class."

Really? No, she couldn't possibly remember.

"You only think that because it was the only class in which I surpassed you." Draco reminded her, a bit slyly.

"No, I really thought you liked it and that was only because Snape couldn't stand me." She pointed out.

"You can't prove that." He smirked. She frowned irritably.

"I can distinctly remember my sleeping draught being ten times better than yours, and about a hundred times better than Parkinson's and still getting a lower grade." She grunted. Draco decided to push her a bit.

"Memories are unreliable Granger, they depend on one's perception of things." She glared at him. He chuckled and gave: "But you are right, I liked it." She smiled then:

"So I did have a good idea then?" Self-praise wasn't something he'd pictured her doing. Though he didn't really know her now. Still, it was irritating.

"I already thanked you Granger, I'm not doing it twice." He warned.

"I was not fishing you dimwit. I wondered if you followed the advice only for the profit or because you liked the idea."

"Oh. Well, I liked the idea, book-worm." That was for dimwit. She rolled her eyes:

"Anyway. Have you set a date for the negotiations?"

"Monday."

"Good. I'm not supposed to tell you but Nott's next control is scheduled this coming week. You can consult the report before agreeing to anything if you'd like."

"I might." He agreed, it would be helpful. She nodded, and had apparently nothing left to add so she went back to her drink. The others were still arguing about … a shoe? What … Draco shook his head.

"So, the trial?" He asked, regaining her attention.

"Err … we're waiting for the deliberations." Her precedent interest had morphed in something he thought might be annoyance.

"And?"

"And …" She took a large gulp at her glass before continuing: "I don't know."

"You don't know?" It was hard to refrain a smirk. The most famous know-it-all not knowing something.

"Kingsley doesn't either. It was a rather … delicate case. We had to move very carefully and exploit every possible little detail. The man on stand is … wealthy and has a lot of connections."

"I know. He used to come to the Manor regularly when my dad still had the company."

"I'm aware." She grimaced but didn't comment any further. Being one of his father's acquaintances was enough to make the man guilty but she was tactful enough not to mention it. Not that he would have minded anyway. She was now frowning at her glass, as if in thoughts. It was only when she started tapping the tip of her fingers on the rim that he realised that she really had no idea how it had gone. She seemed worried, not annoyed.

"I'm sure you managed to win. Never lost a case, right?" Right, reassuring her was a perfectly sane thing to do. What was wrong with him?

"Err … There's always a first and those bastards twisted my words at all angles it was …" She rubbed her face in her hands. He found the sight rather disturbing.

"Didn't Greengrass help?"

"She did. I only hope it was enough." She sighed, dejectedly. Not knowing why, or pretending not to anyway, he took her glass from her nursing hands, and poured her another round:

"Here, forget it."

She chuckled, taking it back: "You're so posh Malfoy."

"I am not." He snapped. What was taking her?

"Then stop pouring the glasses for me."

"Why?"

"Because I've been gifted the extraordinary chance of possessing two hands." She mocked.

"Which seem to be failing you. You spilt some, here." He said, pointing to a little drop of firewhiskey next to her glass.

"I'm drunk." She sneered in justification.

"Not an excuse. I am too and I didn't …" Damn.

Mimicking the hand move that had made her spill a tiny drop of her firewhiskey on the table had only made him spill some of his. He looked so stupid now. Stupid and exasperated. Hermione burst out laughing at his face.

"Twice Malfoy. Maybe you should stop trying to mock me. Even I could do better."

"Right, I forgot who I had in front of me there. Granger beaver, better than the others." He snapped but the wariness in his eyes proved it was only banter this time. Hermione rolled her eyes. Why ever people thought that was unnerving. Did they still based their opinion of her on the eager-to-learn little girl she'd once been? She was not that girl any more. And she was no better than anyone else.

"You know, I never pushed people to think that, right?" She asked.

"It was just a joke Granger." He answered quietly, his frown deepening.

"I know, but … the fact that you still said it is … I mean I'm not only what people expect of me."

"I know that." Did he? When she frowned, he added: "Have you met me? Ex-death-eater. If we were only what people thought …" Oh, damn.

"Right, I forgot you had your share too." She cut. He didn't say anything, and just kept watching her quizzically. Hermione felt like she ought to push the matter, she would blame it on the alcohol later.

"It's infuriating. People put a label on your forehead and then you're supposed to only follow it. And even when you do they judge! Why do you think I never read the papers? I stopped when Witch Weekly said that I only got the position because I knew Kingsley." She was rambling, damn.

"Well he did got Stori a job." Apparently not, Astoria and Zabini had stopped bickering, the last was smirking to Hermione.

"I admit that that was favouring, but I can assure you, I worked my bloody way up the scale on my own. It was a lot of sacrifice." A lot.

"I know. I only saw my grandma on Sundays for a whole year." Of course he knew. It had been Mrs Zabini's project after all. Hermione didn't know what to say, and, surprisingly, instead of mocking her this time, Zabini seemed to sense it and continued:

"But I reckon it took more time for you to have it ratified."

"Six more months. She got me the hearing but I still had to convince the Wizengamot."

"This long? I thought you got the position right away." Astoria was frowning in disbelief. Hermione explained:

"No, it came only after and with a warning. If it were to fail maintain stability in the concerned companies I could say goodbye to the job and to any other possible position within the Ministry."

"Really? I thought your name would have helped." Blaise was clearly surprised. Draco wasn't somehow, their government had been as rotten as that war anyway.

"It didn't. After the war there were reluctant to let a ... muggle-born ascend the scale." Draco shuddered at her hesitation. "Especially one who was famous for bringing down Voldemort." Here, another shudder, she didn't seem to notice though. "Because it could lead to an overthrow of the established Wizengamot if we were to ever disagree, the public opinion would have been on my favour."

Blaise answered, it now seemed as though Draco wasn't part of the conversation any more. It was probably for the best anyway, he hadn't known she'd also had issues with work.

"And you went through all this for our company? Why? I mean … we weren't exactly on good terms …" The lad seemed to be reading his mind though, why would she sacrifice so much for them?

"Your grandma came to me … She said she'd never dared clean her estate for fear of retaliations. And I never truly believed that all death eaters families were consenting either. It was a win-win somehow. Get rid of the dark arts in the most profitable companies of wizarding Britain and allow outcast death eaters families to keep running a business without trouble."

"Yes, we were ordered to close the business after the war." Nodded Blaise.

"I know. Your father too Malfoy." Really? "That's what convinced me too. We talked about forgiveness and moving on, but cut short on the most vulnerable families? It felt so unfair. I mean, those who were pardoned were also told to close business. What were they supposed to do? Nobody wanted to hire them. How was that fair? Rising a series of regulations that would control and make sure the businesses were clean could at least give back some credit to the families and also permit them to show their goodwill. Plus, all those companies were the most wealthy ones and were pretty much running our economy. Without them we'd be doomed clearly."

"I never thought you of all people would want to fight for our families." Draco said quietly. She'd been the most bullied by those families during school. She'd been tortured under his roof. By his family. That she was empathetic enough to fight for their well-being went beyond him. Especially when he knew exactly what kind of sacrifice she'd had to deal with.

"Why not? We were just kids. And it was unfair." She turned from him when he opened his mouth to tell her what had been unfair for her.

Hermione turned away from Malfoy's frown. Whatever he was about to say she didn't want to hear. She wasn't talking about this to argue or get apologies. She didn't care for his apologies, she had forgiven him years before. Them.

"It was your grandma's project, Zabini. I had the idea but not the position." She continued.

"I know. She was brilliant." The wizard smiled.

"She was." She agreed and he grinned though sadly.

"How was she?" Asked Astoria, a hand on her new boyfriend's shoulder.

"Scary." Malfoy answered. Hermione chuckled. "Strict." He added.

"Unforgiving." Zabini shuddered and continued: "Stubborn and always right."

"Intuitive and compassionate." Added Hermione. Zabini's frown was so deep she wondered if it would stay carved in his forehead.

"It sounds like you, Hermione." Winked Astoria.

"I'm not unforgiving." She countered burying herself in her glass not to glance at Malfoy.

"What do you say we go out with Judith sometime?" Astoria smirked and Hermione blurted:

"That bitch can burn in hell." They all laughed as Hermione rolled her eyes:

"Alright. Depends."

"She had to really like you to work with you so long you know. She never spent more than a couple of weeks with associates because they got on her nerves."

"I'm glad. I really liked her too."

"We all did." Muttered Malfoy. Apparently the witch had been important to him too. Another thing they'd had in common.

The evening ended in a more joyous note, as Zabini shot her another round of pretend flirt, pretexting his grandma's soft spot for her, all of that under Malfoy's gagging face and Astoria's snigger. Hermione was the first to go, stumbling on her feet to get the pot of floo powder as they all waited in line before the fireplace. Of course the three others didn't miss the chance to snigger, even though they were in no better state. Hermione found that she appreciated this upfront friendly mockery, a little auto-derision didn't hurt anyone and it was not like the others hadn't had their share too. She entered the earth, still giggling.

"See you Monday." Said Astoria, before pecking her cheek. Even Malfoy nodded at her with a small smile and the evident remains of laughter at the corner of his eyes. It felt … strange.

Once home she wondered though, he had seemed slightly off the hook when he'd arrived, and had asked Zabini if he could move in with him. She shook her head as she kicked her shoes off, it was none of her business. He had refused her help, though he'd taken her advice, and he knew he could come to her. Maybe he would.

She snorted. Right, like that was possible. Still, it twisted her stomach, and she was certain the alcohol had nothing to do with it.

"I'll come by later." Blaise snogged his first real girlfriend ever until Draco slapped the back of his head.

"You can do that later too." He rolled his eyes but let go of the blushing witch nonetheless. Once she was gone too, which took another ten minutes after Granger was gone, they both flooed to his place.

"Got your things?" Blaise asked.

"Shrunk in my pockets."

"Still not allowed to ask?" It was said as if he didn't really care but Draco knew he did. He followed Blaise to his guest room, and threw the couple of shrunk suitcases on the desk. Blaise didn't go. Draco sat at the edge of the bed and sighed. After a moment, he confessed:

"My father's portrait can go in every painting." Blaise didn't say anything. When Draco lifted his face to see if he was even still there, he said:

"You can stay here as long as you need, I won't try to convince you into doing anything."

"Maybe you should." He whispered as the door closed after him.