AN:

Beauty and Madness

Chapter 3: A New Start….Maybe…Possibly

"Part of being sane, is being a little bit crazy." Janet Long

Draco arrived at the building he was supposed to meet Hermione at a bit earlier than necessary, in hopes that she would arrive on time. He was not a patient man and didn't want a repeat of what happened the day before. He checked the time, hoping that they could make a dent on what they had to do because he really did not want to spend anymore time with her than called for. Calming himself for what was sure to be a stressful day he looked around the crowded street, she should be arriving any moment.

"Well who do we have here." a voice said from behind him, which made his hackles rise. Theodore Nott was not his favorite person, in fact he rather spend a day in the company of the Golden Trio than the man currently in front of him. "What Draco, not kind enough to say hello to an old friend., that is rather rude." Theo gave him a smug smile, his eyes taunting Draco. Nott knew that the Malfoy Heir did not like him, the feeling was mutual. The blond thought just because his father was who he was he was entitled to everything, he was an Heir too, from an old family that could trace their roots further than any Malfoy. And how the Slytherins followed him blindly, all awhile Gryffindors mocked them. There was no pride in that.

"Nott I would say it is a pleasure but than company with you could be compared to spending time with a banshee." Draco said dismissing him. He did not have the patience to hold the normal barbed filled conversation with him today. He silently willed Granger to appear, so he would have a reason to leave the lanky man behind. He knew it was going to be a bad morning, everyday was a bad morning knowing that he had to work with know-it-all, but now he wished her here like she was his personal savior. Forced company with the girl was bearable, time with Nott painful. He had no use for the man.

"Harsh, I forgot how petty you were." amused that he was getting under the blondes skin, not that it was difficult, Draco always riled easily. Pathetic for the leader of Slytherin.

"Well if you stay around longer I will kindly remind you." Draco spotted Hermione and waved her down. Theo looked over to where Draco's attention was focused to, a bit surprised to see the bushy hair girl. "This is even low for you dear friend." he said lowly under his breathe, so only Draco could make out what he said.

It was not common knowledge to anyone outside of Slytherin that Theo and Draco did not get along, so when Hermione seen the other man she cringed. She didn't want to be stuck around two men that hated her. Before she could get a word out Nott was speaking, "Why the lovely Miss Granger."

"Nott." The greeting was terse. But he took her by surprise, they worked together before as head boy and head girl, it was a mutual understanding that they just talked about business and that was it. But few times they did actually joke, Hermione always thought if there wasn't the differences of houses between them then in some odd reality they could have been friends. Theo always took his studies seriously.

"Well obvious I am intruding now, have a good day Draco. Miss Granger hopefully I run into you soon. We should catch up." and with that he walked away. Hermione smiled at the old Slytherin charm that Nott always had, even when he talked with indifference. She witness a couple of times Draco use this exact charm, but never on her or any of her friends.

Draco let out a string of curse directed at browned haired man. Hermione laughed, "I thought you were friends with him."

"No dear, Nott and I are not friends, never were. He annoys me to no end." Draco said being civil towards her for once. "Are you ready to see the office, I had it furnished yesterday."

"Lead the way." laughing at Draco's scowl.

Walking up the stairwell to the top floor Draco opened the door and let Hermione step through, "Wow Malfoy this place is huge." in the main room there were four desk, a large white board and anything to make an office organized and smooth running. Standing in the center of the room she did a three sixty to take in the whole room. Pale blue walls and light wood trim plenty of windows and even a baloney, a private one at that.

"I figured we hire some people carry out things that we planned so we will not overwhelm ourselves, the budget does allow us to do that and if it goes over I will cover it. through this door is our office. I was going to choose something with two side offices but than decided that would be counterproductive considering we will have to plan everything together and this this leads to a small kitchen and that door a bathroom."

"This is really great, you certainly know how to pick out an office." She said as she explored. Soon after they settled into their office discussing what needed to be done, Hermione outlined everything in a nice and ordered to do list. Without the insults they worked well together. Looking at her watch she noticed it was Ten. She had to laugh a bit.

"And what amuses you." Draco asked from his desk writing down the last point of what they need to finish today.

"We spent three hours in each others company with out insulting each other. I believe that is a record of some sort, really we should notify the papers, give Ron a heart attack while we are at it. But then again we do not want to cause chaos in the street. I am pretty sure it could cause social order to collapse. " She said as she stood, in a neat order collected her things and put them in her case.

Draco laughed with her, but mostly entertaining the idea of Ron dying from said heart attack, which he kept to himself didn't want to start a fight now, but her sarcasm was unexpected but appreciated. "What and Saint Potter wouldn't be in shock either?"

"No, in fact the man finds all of this highly amusing, great friends I have."

"Blaise is the same way, laughed when I told him."

"The fun thing about best friends, they laugh at your misery."

"extremely true. So I was thinking that maybe we could hire Blaise, he has nothing to do but annoy me but he could help with getting high society interested in this event, I noticed a decline in recent attendance to this. They mostly just write a check, but if we can get them to the dinner they would have to buy the plate and then they are most likely to bid on something also at the auction."

"Fine but if you get Blaise I am going to ask Ginny. The season is almost over and she will have time on her hands and she does love parties, she could also get other players interested in the event." Hermione said. Not wanting to be over run by males and Slytherins.

"Okay that takes care of two people, I will put an ad out in the paper. Maybe even offer a paid internship for students getting out of Hogwarts that want to work in the field."

"Good idea, I am going to stock the kitchen and that should really be it for today." Hermione said.

"alright, Tomorrow then." Draco gestured toward the door.

"Yeah." They both stood awkwardly at the door. Draco looked at Hermione and shook his head, "This is officially the weirdest day of my life." HE said, smiling. Hermione couldn't help but agree, the idiot had a beautiful smile, it caught her off guard .

"Mine too."

"I think it is customary that I at least insult you once. You're a bitch." Draco said deadpanned. Hermione laughed at him. "And you are an asshole."

"Good, now with a little bit of normalcy back into our lives I feel much better." Draco replied glad that she could take the joke and not freak out like he was half expecting her to do.

They departed separate ways to take care of the things they set to do, later that night Hermione was at Ginny's. She lived in a flat in muggle England, she liked not being known and having the privacy from the reporters trying to get a scoop on her and Harry's non-existing relationship. It was overwhelming, the trio also resided in muggle London, Harry and Ron shared a flat.

"So what did you do all day now that you don't have practice?" Hermione asked as she helped chop veggies for the salad.

"Went to the gym today and had to stare at myself while on the treadmill.. definitely not a confidence builder.." The red-head checked the chicken, making sure she didn't burn it like last time. Her mother maybe the best cook in the world but she certainly did not pass on any cooking talent to her only daughter.

"Whatever Gin, you are a star athlete, I highly doubt you have to worry about your figure." Hermione said tossing the salad, "When are the boys supposed to be here?"

"Soon, You know Ron he can't stay away from food long, even if it is mine." Ginny said laughing.

"The chicken looks fine, better than last time. …I have to ask you something?"

Ginny grabbed the dishes from the cupboard, "Ok." A bit worried about what was about to come out of her mouth, Hermione looked unsure.

"Malfoy is going to hire Blaise to help out with the event and I was wondering since you are the best friend a girl could have you would kindly help out and not leave me alone with two Slytherin males. The ministry will pay you." she gave her the best puppy dog look she could. Hermione was not above begging, many might see her as stuck up and prudish but she really was a lay back person with a sense for adventure once in awhile. She was sorted into Gryffindor and not Ravenclaw for a reason. Many forgot about that when they thought about her.

"you are lucky I love you." Ginny said rolling her eyes. She would of said yes without the whole show.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you. Believe it or not Malfoy was bearable today."

"I don't believe it."

"Only insulted me once as a joke." Hermione inwardly smiled at the memory.

"You sure it was a joke." Ginny knew Malfoy, he was not a joking type of person.

"Yeah I am sure it was." She said smiling. Ginny gave her an odd look but didn't question her any further.

Harry and Ron walked through the door quickly after that, Ron was eating the food as it was being set to the table and the four friends joked around, there usual Wednesday get together.

Draco was back over at Blaise's (as he was almost everyday lately) , Pansy happened to be over there. "Pans your back." Draco said as he walked into the living room. He bent over the couch to kiss the top of her head. "How was your trip?"

"Great, I love Paris in the fall." She said as she sipped her wine. "I am considering moving over there or at least getting a place. Hotels have lost there splendor ever since the war." Pansy was sent out of country when the worst of it started to happen, not knowing if her family was alright or her friends alive drove her crazy with anxiety.

"So Draco tell me of your day." Blaise said smirking, with barely contain excitement at the possibility that Draco had a bad day.

"It was actually not that bad." Draco said as he stared off towards the balcony longing to go sit out there instead of the stuffy apartment. Blaise's smile vanished.

"What do you mean?" he sounded offend by the fact Draco was not wallowing in misery.

"Once we got down to work, we worked well together." Draco said slowly, hoping that his friend would comprehend the situation.

"Really?" Disbelieve clouded his eyes, he could easily believe that Draco was lying about his day in order to surpass the mocking, than to believe that him and Granger could possibly work well together. He remember back in sixth year were Draco actually failed a potion because he was partnered with the Gryffindor. They could not stop arguing to be able to concentrate on what they were putting in the cauldron and they ended up blowing up the potion and taking the full wrath of the potion master.

"Blaise shut up before you prove yourself more idiotic." Pansy said. "So you are working with Granger I hear. Your mother is one of a kind that is for sure."

"Tell me about it, then she even tries to invite her over to the house." Draco complained.

Pansy quirked a smile, Narcissa was a genius. She never did anything without planning it out, every detail to her plot. Pansy admired her and her brilliance. They caught up with each others lives and Pansy left, she had to go to breakfast with her mother in the morning. Once Blaise and Draco were alone the Italian pounced, "So you really got along with her?"

"Yes, Yes I did. Why is that so hard to believe?"

"Well you are you, and she is so much better than you." Blaise said, loving the scowl that appeared on the blonds face.

"What do you mean she is better than me, I am a Malfoy!"

"Yes but she is the Golden Girl, a hero. Knowledgeable in the cruelty of the world but still innocent in its beauty. And corruption runs through your blood, deceit cunning and crafty branded into your bones."

"Very poetic Zabini." The Slytherin price drawled taking his fire whiskey out to the balcony. Taking a deep breathe in the night air. But Zabini had a point if they were two average people, she would be to good for him. Thankfully they were who they were. "So I wanted to make you a job offer. We need help with the benefit and I was wondering if you would kind enough to provide that service."

Blaise narrowed his eyes, Draco never asked bluntly before ever. He blackmailed, lied, cheated, scammed and even threatened, but never asked. "And what would be in it for me?"

"A paycheck."

"I am not exactly short on cash you know?"

"Something to do other than….other than whatever it is that you do."

"I have you know that I am a highly busy man."

"I am sure you are. Blaise it is a yes or no answer. She is hiring Ginny Weasley and I figured that I would ask you, but seeing how you are…."

"Ginny, as in the hot redhead that was in Gryffindor." Blaise asked.

"Yeah, I do believe so, what does this have anything to with what I am asking you?" Draco was inwardly smiling.

"I guess that I can help out an old friend, I am in."

"Good! I will see you at this address, at seven. I have to head home it has been a long day." Draco handed him a card and walked to the spare bedroom were he could appartate from.

"Draco Seven in the morning, that is kind of early isn't it…..Draco" POP and Draco was gone.

Upon arriving at home he allowed himself to smirk, Blaise was to easy. The man loves women, and his weakness was redheads it was an easy seller for him.

Early was never a thing that Blaise liked doing, he hated waking up with a bloody passion. He would of never survived Monday potions class with Snape if it was not for Draco making sure he was up, showered, dressed and fed. He should of told Draco to come get him, he should just turn over and pull the blanket over his head. It was not his fault that Draco's mother was a sadist and loved putting Draco in situations that were impossible to handle. It was not his responsibility to make sure Granger did not mess up this charity function. So why was he agreeing to go? All because of a red haired Ginny Weasley, he had not seen her since school. The Weasley's all had there own brand of red hair to, bright and vibrant. He was always attracted to the girl but never could act on it.

Throwing himself out of bed he worked through his morning rituals. Finding easier to coordinate after a cup of coffee in his system. On the other side of London, the muggle side. Ginny was waking up a hung-over Harry, who some how ended up passed out on her couch.

"Harry Potter." She said quietly, "Harry, Harry." Not getting any response she did what any normal witch would of done. She blasted him with a jet of cold water and laughed as he jumped around in shock. "I have to go to work with Hermione. You are welcome to stay and slept whatever this is off."

Harry settled back down on the wet couch, mumbling incoherently. Ginny knew it was no use, Harry was out. Him and Ron went out after dinner, got into an argument, at least that is what Ginny got out of the drunk conversation she held with Harry early this morning when he flooed in to her house. The things she did for him and he still only say her as his best friends sister.

Ginny grabbed her purse, she was meeting Hermione at her new office this morning. She lived close enough to the leaky cauldron to walk. Which was nice because it was a beautiful day out, she had yet to set up an apparition point that was safe enough so no muggles would stumble upon her appear or disappearing into thin air. Passing through the bar without breaking under all the stares and whispers as she walked into and out the back way toward the brick wall. Tapping her wand in a pattern she step through to Diagon Ally.

After the war the elder Malfoy set up a bunch of business and estate properties turning the Ally in to a town, where Knockturn was still on the shady side, and it kept Aurors busy, raiding shops for dark, illegal items. But the wizarding economy was busting, and the community not afraid to venture out. So stepping into the Wizarding village was a fresh change of pace, with new shops and new practices and happy atmosphere. She was glad that Draco chose something here.

"Why oh why look who we have here Ginny Weasley." Blaise Zabini stepped away from a café and approached her.

"Zabini."

Blaise grabbed his heart and acted hurt, "You wounded me Ginny, it is Blaise. I mean we are going to be working together for the next couple of months, there is no need for such informal way talking to each other." If it was one thing he was a charmer, "Come on littlest Weasley." He held out his arm for her to take.

"Do girls actually fall for that Zabini." She laughed as she walked down cobblestone rode. Blaise stood there for a moment not able to believe that she actually didn't fall at his feet and giggle as she took his arm.

"Yes, actually they do." he told her as he caught up with her.

"well Than they are stupid and have no self respect, I can walk myself down the street Zabini, I promise I will not get lost." Damn did she have a temper.

"I am sorry if you think that is what I was implying but I assure you it is not." He smiled at her, "Can't help it if I want a pretty girl like yourself on my arm."

She was about to snap on him again but they walked into the office that was written on their papers and stopped in the door way in shock.

"What do you want me to do, the ministry said they would not approve of it, there is nothing that I can do. Malfoy."

"I do not care what the Ministry says Granger, where is that damn backbone that Gryffindors are so proud about. And who are they to say they do not approve of it, I don't care if they approve of it, I will go down there my self and tell them just that."

"Go ahead." Hermione screamed no longer wanting to be in this argument with him.

"Are we interrupting something." Ginny said taking in the sight of the two of them.

"Don't interrupted them it was getting good." Blaise said with a wide smirk on his face, loving the tension that was brooding between Draco and Granger. "ouh." Ginny hit him in the stomach. "That hurt you little witch."

"Good."

Draco looked at Granger, "No you are not interrupting anything, the damn ministry is not approving using paid interns when they can call an internship with out paying them. But Her. Granger being who she is will not have anyone working for her with out paying them. So now I have to run down to the ministry and sort this out."

"Thank you." Hermione said.

"No problem, but that will put us behind because I wanted to interview today. Already we are behind." Draco said pissed at the set back.

"It is better to be behind in thee beginning than at the end. We have the time, the four of us will just be helping with the more mundane task that no one wanted to do." Blaise said. "Think Draco you might have to get your own coffee."

Hermione and Ginny laughed, couldn't help it; even when Draco glared at them, it only increased in strength. " I am going to the ministry to fix this intern problem. You should start the guest list." Draco said as he grabbed his cloak. "I will be back."

"Guest list." Hermione groaned, this was a task she was not looking forward to. But they did need a rough estimate of how many people where actually going to be there. They got to work, Blaise was able to list of pureblood families from England and surrounding regions that Hermione would of never thought of.

"Why would Frederique Jacques want to attend this?" Hermione asked.

"He has many English contacts, plus he wants to be ambassador."

"Wouldn't that be unfair to everyone else who is trying to become an ambassador." Hermione said lamely.

"He is sole air to a fortune that makes Draco look like a poor man begging on the streets for change."

"Invite him."

"I thought so." Blaise said in a cocky tone and with a smirk.

"But I do not want to invite just filthy rich people either, there are many people that should attended this, many people that fought in the war…. On both sides that should attended this to show support."

"True." Blaise conceded.

Draco walked back into the office with an air that spoke victory. Hermione was not impressed. "How the hell did you do it?" Hermione argued with her bosses with avail and in walks Draco Malfoy looking like they gave him the key to the kingdom.

" Language Granger. It's a pretty simple string of logic actually: you make people miserable, then they do what you want them to do, because then the misery goes away."

"You threatened them." Blaise stated, already knowing the simple Malfoy rule that was constantly said during their school days. 'Malfoy's always get what they want.'

Draco smiled. "You are unbelievable." Hermione sighed, but she shouldn't complain it did work in their favor, one of the benefits of having a Malfoy on your side.

"I know, be in awe of my greatness." Blaise rolled his eyes at his friend, he never was humble.

Ginny scoffed, "And then he speaks."

"You know what, I do not like anyone in this room right now." Maybe it was a mistake to ask Blaise to help them, it was not three to one when it came to making fun of him.

"Well come on we have a guest list to accomplish." Hermione said, even though she really didn't want to do this.

They called it quits after a bit, Draco and Hermione were at each others throats both of them going for the kill. Obviously yesterday was a fluke, Blaise thought that he would be more amused than what he was. It was kind of sickening having to gear the group back to the topic at hand and away from old taunts and slurs. He has always been good at calming Draco down, but Hermione was better at riling him up. Hermione… he could not believe how Draco could take the normally composed mature woman and turn her into snide girl with a sharp tongue. He did give her credit though, she gave as good as she got; most girls would have been reduced to tears at Draco's words. Blaise watched as the glared at each other.

Draco was confused, yesterday they were fine, today however not so good. Even though they have said meaner things to each other it was still tense. He did not want it to be tense specially if they were going to be working together. He grabbed his coat and hers as well. He handed it to her and said, "Bitch." Ginny was about to come to Hermione's defense, fed up with the way he was treating her friend. But she stopped as she heard Hermione laugh, clearly delighted that he called her that. It was the laugh she persevered for friends, mostly with Harry and Ron. "Asshole." Blaise could not believe the turn of events either. Draco smiled down at Granger. Apparently yesterday formed a good enough bond that they had there own inside jokes, because it was coming clear to Blaise and Ginny that the other two were not sharing.

PREVIEW: "I will not sell myself as a common whore weaslette." Draco yelled.