Malfoy was standing there, in my living room, looking as classy as ever, save for his hair. His hair was in a disarray- a strangely handsome disarray. Wait. He stared at me with those stormy grey eyes and I didn't really know what to do, so I stared back. Which was stupid really, because I was in my sweat pants, which was not a Hermione Granger look, nor was it acceptable for Malfoy to see me in. I then became suddenly aware of how much skin was showing. A tank top is not something one wears in front of an enemy. The war is over, Hermione; you could even be friends now, I remind myself.
He grinned at me, aware of my discomfort. "What are you doing in my house?" I repeated.
"Well, Granger, I hear you've gone into law. And I just so happen to need a lawyer." He coughed and started studying my carpet uneasily.
"Well, Malfoy, I am indeed a lawyer, but...why me?" I asked. I just had to know. After all we'd been through, he could think it would be alright to just floo on over to my flat as if we were old friends. "I thought you hated me."
His stupid grin fell to the floor that he was so desperately studying. "Well," he started. He looked up at me, but not just at me; he looked into my eyes as he said this, "I need legal advice and everyone knows that Hermione Granger is the best there is." I was astounded. He, Draco Malfoy, paid me a compliment. "And I am a Malfoy, so I deserve the best."
I smiled, thinking, there's the old Draco we all despise! "Alright then, Malfoy, follow me." I said professionally, leading him to my study. I gestured to a desk. He dropped his brief case down on my desk which landed with a thud. He sat down quietly and kept looking at me. I then remembered how indecently I was dressed for the occasion, however unexpected it might be.
"Granger," he began, blood rising to his cheeks, "I suggest you put a bit more clothes on if we're going to discuss legal matters in a professional setting."
I nodded and Apparated to my bedroom. I gazed in my closet, unsure of what to wear, but thinking on Malfoy's classy attire, I picked a simple emerald dress that I thought he'd like. It was no sexy sort of dress, but it was attractive and simple. No cleavage either, remembering Malfoy's red cheeks. I chuckled and then Apparrated into my study, where Malfoy had arranged his documents and waited for me. "Explain your situation that required my help." I smiled to myself as I realised he needed my help.
"Malfoy Manor is confiscated and sold at an auction, while the Malfoy fortune is given to the ministry if I am unable to find a wife within the next year." He saw my questioning expression and nodded grimly.
"What can I do about it?" I softly asked him.
"I don't know, but this old Pureblood law is out of date and..." He trailed off looking a bit sad.
"Why do you need it? I should think you'd have an excellent career set up, you were top of the class."
He looked at me as if I were a hippogriff. "Second to you. But I need the manor." He looked down and fingered a thread on his cloak, murmuring, "The manor is where I grew up." This time, he spoke up, "I could care less about the fortune."
Maybe Malfoy had changed; this was a strange turn of events. "You really care about it, don't you" I said softly. He nodded in concurrence and I looked at him in a professional manner, "Well, I would love to help you; however, this isn't a matter of defense, like the normal cases that I'm used to." A flicker of confusion came upon his face, but it was gone as soon as it came. I continued, "This is a matter of changing an existing law, which can be truly difficult. " He looked disappointed, but his face lit up with happiness, while still hinting at confusion when I said, "I'll do it."
He gave me a broad smile, as in a legitimate, true smile. Not a smirk, like I had been so used to at Hogwarts, but a genuine smile. "So," he said, testing the waters, "Changing this old Pureblood law is going to be really difficult and stressful...but you're going to do it anyways?"
"You know me so well," I said, grinning. "And yes, I will do it. There is no Purebloods, just witches and wizards, right?"
"Right," he responded warmly. I could see the warmth and the life in his eyes, because he was going to keep his home.