Chapter Two- Pressure

Dinner was a quiet affair that evening. Ron ate everything on his plate as per usual and even then asked for more. Silently, with her head bowed, Hermione served him and continued on her first plate, taking small mouthfuls.

After dinner, Ron excused himself, headed upstairs again and left Hermione to do all the washing up. He hadn't event thanked her, not that he normally did. She shook her head, keeping the tears from falling. She flicked her wand at the plates, which soared into the air and landed into the sink. They began washing themselves, saving her the trouble.

She yawned, her pale white hand covering her small mouth. She was exhausted. The busy shifts at the Ministry were taking their toll. She needed an early night. That was exactly what she needed.

She climbed the stairs wearily and headed to the room she shared with Ron. She could hear him, singing to himself from the bathroom (some popular Muggle hit no doubt). He was obviously showering. Getting the scent of Lavender from his body, she though viciously to herself. She still hadn't broached the subject, she didn't dare.

There was a loud rapping on the door, just as she finished changing into some comfortable pyjama's.

"God damn it!" she sighed, and wrapping her lilac dressing gown about her, she wandered downstairs, a hand running through her hair.

Lavender was still on her mind…

The knock at the door came again.

"All right, all right! Hold your Hippogriffs!" she called, wrenching the door open. And immediately, she wished she hadn't.

There before her, was the blonde ferret of a work colleague, who had made her time at Hogwarts unbearable. Draco sodding Malfoy.

"Can I help you?" she asked, rather nastily.

"Good evening to you too, Miss Granger," he said, a smile toying at the corners of his mouth. "I just dropped by to drop of a few papers, that came to my attention and which needed your signature".

He held out a small folder of parchment and Hermione groaned. She turned her head to the stairs. She knew Ron would hate the idea of Malfoy being in the house. Hell, he even objected to them working in the same department. She somehow conveniently hadn't told him that they shared an office.

She sighed. "Sure, come in".

She stepped aside to let him pass.

"The sitting room is through there," she said, guiding him through with her hand. He walked in her direction and she shut the front door, leaving her forehead against it.

Summing up all her Gryffindor courage to be good and courteous to her house guest, she headed to Draco.

"So… what papers are there?" she asked, pulling her dressing gown tighter.

His grey eyes swept over her attire and he grinned. She blushed furiously, her eyes turning stormy.

"Don't bother getting changed for my account. It's good to see you relaxed- sort of," he grinned. "We're both under stress at the Ministry, so you need to relax more".

He opened the file and began shuffling through the papers. "Mr Rowling's letter of resignation needs a confirmation signature. We have a petition for a Hogwarts House Elf Society. And a personal letter from a Miss Lovegood." He smirked, holding them out.

"Malfoy this could have waited until tomorrow," she groaned. Taking them anyway, she quickly scanned them and scribbled a few signatures here and there, extracting Luna's latest rambling letter. She thrust them back at Draco.

"I'm sorry for bothering you," he said slowly, his eyes pointing downward onto the papers now in his hands.

She watched him cautiously for a few minutes, the silence gratifying. And thoughts swirled…

Draco had truly changed for the better. Working in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, fighting for equal rights for every person (whether Pure Blood or not) and creature (namely House Elves)… And he was actually apologizing to something. That wasn't like him. But then again, he was becoming rather unexpected, as of late…

Hermione had arrived in the office on her birthday, to find an envelope and small parcel on her desk. The card was merely signed, Many happy returns to you. Draco Malfoy, but it was the parcel she was surprised at. Inside a small box, there was a gold lion pin, which had Hermione engraved in red at the base…

"Would you… would you like a coffee or something?" Hermione asked him, bringing herself out of her memories.

Draco looked up and laughed. "Wouldn't Weasley mind?"

Hermione scowled. Surprisingly, she now got on pretty well with him, yet he still couldn't resist a jibe at her and Ron's relationship every now and then.

"I'm an independent witch, I can do what I want," she snapped.

He looked puzzled.

"Sorry," she apologized. "Kind of had a bad night. Now… how about that drink?"

Draco smiled, eyes bright. "If it's no trouble Miss Granger," he said.

"Hermione," she smiled.

She led him through into the kitchen. Pointing her wand at the shiny kettle, it began boiling. She pulled two clean mugs out the sink.

"Sugar?" she asked.

"Two please," he said. He slipped into a chair.

She placed the hot mug in front of him, as he mumbled his thanks. If people from Hogwarts could see her know they'd probably laugh at her. After all, this was the guy that in her second year had called her… called her… Mudblood.

"So… what's he done?" Draco asked, taking a sip of his coffee.

"Pardon?"

"What has the ginger haired rodent done now?"

Hermione scowled and narrowed her eyes at him. Then her eyes welled slightly and she found herself spilling the story of coming home, seeing him in the condition he was in, and, finally, the letter from Lavender.

"Lav Lav!" Draco laughed when she had finished. "You've got to be kidding me! That's so stupid!"

Hermione peeked over the top of her cup at him. He seemed so content. And that's when Hermione really looked at him. Really looked at him.

She had never noticed it before, but he was handsome. His hair wasn't like at Hogwarts, which was always sleek and shiny, but had a touch of the rebellious nature in it (he had mentioned in the office that he was considering putting a streak of black in it). His usual cold steely eyes, were warming. And now, he could actually smile, with it being forced…

Heavy footfalls came down the wooden stairs and within moments Ron stood in the kitchen, red hair dripping wet, eyes flashing manically at the sight of them sat together.

Draco drained his mug and placed it on the table.

"Well… I'll collect the papers and get going. I've stayed longer than I'm welcome. Thank you for the coffee Hermione". He gave her a gentle smile. "I'll see myself out".

He moved around the table and bent his head, giving her a small kiss on once what was a pale cheek. And with a small pop! he had Disapparated.

Hermione raised her hand to her cheek, oblivious to Ron's now fuming face/ What had brought that little goodbye on? What was going on in Draco's mind?

Ron cleared his throat and Hermione glanced up at him from her chair. "Hermione, I'm going to ask you this once," Ron said, voice shaking. "What the fuck was Draco fucking Malfoy doing in this fucking house?"

And that's when Hermione snapped.

"Ronald Bilius Weasley, you have no right to treat me like that! He's a work colleague and he was dropping off some papers that needed my urgent signature! And speaking of treating me, you may have thought that the first year of our relationship was heaven, but I have for you warning, boy! The honeymoon period is over, I want you out of this house! I hate you!"

Ron stood blinking at her. "What do you mean?"

"Don't pretend that you're oblivious to everything, Won Won!" she spat venomously.

Ron paled immediately.

"Yes Ronald, I know all about you and poor Lav Lav! So if I were you, I'd get out of this house, with your things now! Because I never want to see you or speak to you ever again!

She tore of the delicate gold necklace that he bought her for her birthday only days earlier. Throwing it full force at Ronald, it caught his long nose and he blinked in surprise.

"Get out!" she screamed.

A/N Thank you so much dramionefanobviously for my first review. This chapter was dedicated to you :) I hope you enjoyed it!