Agreed

Hermione woke up in the morning and sighed. Luckily she didn't have to work that day so she lazed about in bed for about ten minutes before getting up and brushing her teeth and making her way into the kitchen to make some tea and breakfast. She contemplated going out, or owling Ginny, but still in a mood from the night before, refrained. Halfway through breakfast though, a thought occurred to her. Why should V hold all the power, he really didn't have any. His whole scheme relied on her talking to him, with that in mind she strode into the living room and picked up the notebook. She returned to her kitchen table and her breakfast, flipping the book open and thinking how she would word her ultimatum.

V, after much consideration I have decided that I'm not playing your game anymore. If I don't get to meet you, or learn your identity, I'm sure that it will be a constant irritation for a while, but then I'll get over it. Here's how this is going to work, I'll give you twelve hours to either set up a time for us meet, or tell me your identity. If you don't I will throw out this notebook and reject any other means of communication you try to send me. Playing around with my emotions like this is not fair. And I refuse to play along anymore. You have until 9 pm.

Hermione smirked down at the book at then flipped it closed. She sat back with her tea in her hands and finished drinking it. She slowly sat up and then set her dishes to magically washing themselves. She then went into her living room and picked up a newly acquired book on spells that she was hoping would help with the block she was having with her latest spell. She studied for hours, until stomach was empty again and telling her it was time for lunch. She went into the kitchen and quickly mixed up a salad. The notebook that had been left sitting on the table was glowing. She took a couple of bites of her salad before flicking the book open.

I was hoping it wouldn't come to this. But I suppose you're right. It isn't fair of me to keep you guessing like this. I just…I'm afraid of what you'll think of me. And if you'll be mad at me for this notebook. I want just a little more time, a week?

No, I won't give you a week. I told you twelve hours and, you have eight left now.

You're killing me!

I doubt that very much. But you are annoying me, and that is an undoubtable fact.

Okay, okay, meet me tomorrow evening at eight o'clock, let's meet at Hastings. I'll make a reservation, just tell them your name when you get there and they will bring you to me. I'll get us a private room.

Hastings? Isn't that super expensive? I don't think I have anything nice enough to wear there.

It's pretty expensive, yes, but this is a special occasion and I know the owner, he owes me, so…And don't worry about finding something to wear, if you don't mind too much I'll have something selected for you and delivered to you tomorrow morning. Don't worry I also have a friend that works at Twilfitt and Tatting's, and she owes me as well.

I can't say that I mind terribly. However if it doesn't suit I'll just rummage in my closet. How could you possibly hold so much clout with so many people?

Well I suppose that I've helped many people get back on their feet after the war. And people are grateful for that. And yes, of course, wear whatever you like, you can show up in pajamas for all I care. Hermione's lips involuntarily curved upward.

I don't think I'll wear PJs, but…I guess you'll just have to wait and see. Helped a lot of people get back on their feet. That's interesting phrasing. I hope you'll tell me more about it.

Tomorrow I promise I will. I just want to ask you something. Will you at least spend the day with me today, as we are? I am so scared that you won't want to talk to me again.

I suppose. I'm glad that you agreed to meet me. I would have been seriously mad if I never found out who you were.

What if…What if I'm not what you expect? Or what if I am?

Well I only gave you two possibilities that I've been thinking of. And they were pretty out there. I'm not really expecting much right now. I can't say how I'll react till I see you.

But you'll at least give me dinner? At least give me a chance?

Probably, unless I don't know what. I can't really make any promises since I don't know who you are, but I will try to keep a level head no matter who you turn out to be.

I guess that's all I can ask for.

Hermione chatted with V for the rest of the night. They talked about the breakthrough she was making with her spell, and he talked about a new book he was reading. They chatted until pretty late at night, when Hermione declared it was time for bed.

If you expect me to look halfway decent tomorrow then I'll need to get some beauty sleep.

I'm sure you'll look great no matter how much sleep you get. Yes, I had better get to sleep too. I have lots to arrange tomorrow morning. I guess I'll see you tomorrow.

Yes. I will see you tomorrow. Goodnight V.

Goodnight Hermione. I sincerely hope that this is not the last time I get to talk to you.

Hermione closed her eyes and shut the book, rising and heading into her room. She thought her head would be abuzz with nerves and questions about the next day, but it was quiet and she soon fell asleep.

She awoke many hours later to the sound of knocking on her door. She groggily got up and answered the door. There was a perky young witch on the other side of the door holding a garment bag. "Good morning Ms. Granger." She beamed. "I have a dress delivery for you. We are almost certain the fit will be perfect, if you would like to try it on I can stand by to ensure it fits like a glove." Hermione blinked a couple of times, and shook her head slightly before squeezing her eyes shut and opening them again.

"Sorry, of course, come on in!" Hermione stood back and let the blonde haired, green eyed witch into her flat. "Can I get you some tea, or coffee?"

"I wouldn't mind. If you're having tea I would love some." Hermione looked over at the blonde and smiled.

"Tea it is. You can set that dress down on the couch and come into the kitchen." Hermione waved the girl over. "Well it seems you know me. What can I call you?" Hermione asked looking over her shoulder as she started preparing the tea.

"My name is Eliza, that'll do for me Miss." She grinned. She was on the thin side, but very pretty. Hermione was planning on milking her for information on V.

"All right, I will call you Eliza if you call me Hermione." She flashed her best smile at the girl as she set a mug of tea in front of her. "Do you take cream or sugar?" Eliza did indeed take both so Hermione got the sugar bowl down and a small pitcher of cream out of the fridge.

"Thanks very much Hermione, this is very hospitable of you. Most people just treat me like a servant."

"Yes, people can be awful. Especially in the upper class, which I assume you mainly service."

"Yes Hermione, that is correct."

"I was wondering…Probably you can't tell me, but, who sent me this dress?" Eliza's eyes gleamed and she was trying her hardest not to giggle.

"Sorry, I'm not allowed to tell you that. But I might add that I think you are very lucky." She cast her eyes down and took a large sip of tea.

"Hmm." Hermione pondered her new piece of information as they finished their tea.

"Well I think we ought to move on to the dress fitting, I'll be in a spot of trouble if I take too long." Eliza said after a couple of minutes.

"Of course." Hermione stood and walked into the living room scooping up the garment bag and heading to her room. "I'll be right out." She called to Eliza. She opened the garment bag and gasped. The dress was stunning. It was a shimmering black dress with red sparkly threading through it. It was asymmetrical with one long sleeve and the other arm completely exposed. It was figure hugging, but looked good on Hermione's slim form. It hugged her in all the right places and she was happy with the way the colours accented well with her skin tone and eyes.

She stepped out into the main room and Eliza squealed. "You look amazing! The only thing I would change…" She pointed her wand at the dress and made it a smidge shorter so that it reached just above her knees. "Oh…and maybe…"She flicked her wand again and the dresses colours inverted so that the main colour of the dress was a shimmering red with black sparkling threads through it. "There I think it's perfect. What do you think?"

"Yeah, I like this better, for sure." Hermione grinned at Eliza.

"What are you going to do with your hair?" She asked excitedly.

"Hmm I'm not sure, what do you think?" Eliza's eyes lit up.

"I think that you should straighten it out, and put it in an up-do, kind of like a twisted up bun, with strands falling around your face." She looked away and bit her lip. "Can I come back after work and help you get ready? I'm really excited about this."

"Do you know my guy really well?"

"Sort of. But my main reason is that you are gorgeous and I want to help you look amazing for this night! I want to be a stylist one day. And I try to get in practice whenever I can."

"Please, come back after your shift I would love some help." Eliza beamed.

"All right! Expect me at six then." She bounced out of the apartment and Hermione smiled to herself. Then headed off to shower. She took a little more care than usual and shaved meticulously; there was a lot of leg showing with the dress that V had gotten her. After she had showered she applied lotion to her skin then put on a deep purple robe. She had some time to kill before Eliza came back. So she had a snack and read some more of her spells book. At six o'clock precisely there was a knocking at her door. She opened it to see Eliza with a beautiful pair of shoes in her hands.

"Hey Eliza, come on in."

"I got you some shoes. They looked like they would match your dress perfectly! And I got them at a steal with my discount!"

"Wow, thank you so much Eliza! What do I owe you for these?"

"Oh, please! On the house! For letting me play with your hair and make-up!"

"That is really generous of you. Thank you!" Eliza shrugged it off and ordered Hermione into her bathroom so she could start working on her hair, which she finished quickly and then span Hermione around so that she could start on her make-up. When she let Hermione see her reflection she gasped, she hardly looked like herself. She looked pretty fantastic if she was being honest. Eliza left the room so Hermione could change into the dress, and slip into the peep toe, dark red high heels that Eliza had brought for her. She checked her appearance in the mirror before walking out of her room and grinned. She looked good.

"Wow!" Eliza exclaimed as Hermione came out of her room. "You look drop dead!" She looked at her watch. "You have to get going. But before you do can I get a quick picture?" Hermione nodded and Eliza snapped a picture. "Thank you Hermione! This was fun. Would you mind terribly if I owled you some time in the next week. You know to see how things go tonight?"

"Sure! Whenever you like." Eliza and Hermione walked out of her apartment building and Eliza gave her a bubbly good luck. The restaurant V had chosen wasn't far from her place so she walked there. When she entered the golden hued restaurant she looked about briefly, impressed by the opulence of the place.

"Can I help you Miss?" The hostess asked her. She had sleek black hair that just reached her chin and was wearing a tight black dress.

"Yes, I'm meeting someone here tonight. He told me just to tell you my name. So, I'm Hermione." There was a glint of recognition in her eyes and a small smile formed on her lips.

"Right this way, please." She led her to the back of the restaurant and up a winding staircase. She opened the door at the top of the stairs and gestured for Hermione to enter. She did and she blinked a couple of times to adjust her eyes to dimmer lighting in the room.

"Hello Hermione." A deep voice came from her left. She looked and gasped softly.

"Hello V."

AN: A cliffhanger! I'm sorry! Haha! I'm still struggling to put a face on V. This is quite a long chapter as promised. I quite like Eliza! I'd like to send a quick shout out to my reviewers it means a lot to me! So if you all could please please review and let me know what you think I'd be grateful! Thank you so much for reading guys, hope you enjoyed! :)