Chapter 4
Two Days Later
Hermione lay in her bed in the guest room at Harry and Ginny's house. She had no luck finding an apartment suitable yesterday or today. She had spotted Ron at work that day. He had his hand bandaged and his nose was bruised. He had a limp in his walk and the thing that scared her most is that when he saw her he smirked. She had thought about it all day. Her Thought only to be interrupted by Ginny, who was visiting Harry during lunch and had spotted Ron. Harry and Hermione had kept the fiery red head away from Ron for the reason only, that she would probably throw away her life by committing murder to Ron. Ginny had kept it to the minimum of yelling in his face. Ron had rolled his eyes, and pushed Ginny away walking away from her with a smug look on his face. Ginny had found Hermione and had asked for ink a quill and paper so she could thank Malfoy. Hermione had told Ginny not to but Hermione had scene her patting Hedwig and letting her go of through the window. A mysterious letter tied to her ankle. When everything had calmed down, Ron had some how wondered back into her mind. Wondering what secrets he could be hiding. She sadly found out that day when she arrived home to find a letter awaiting her. It simply stated that she was obligated to attend the court where Ron was sewing Malfoy for physical abuse and some other rubbish. The letter also said that Ron was asking for a muggle restraining order on him. All this had made Hermione shake her head in annoyance and roll her eyes. She was to go to the hearing the next morning at seven. She sat there looking at the night sky thinking about what tomorrow would bring.
Eight forty-five am
Hermione exited the court room quickly not wanting to come into course with Ron or Malfoy. The verdict was well predicted; Malfoy had one and had walked away with a smirk. Ginny had pulled him over and had talked to him quietly, soon joined by Harry who no doubht told Ginny about it. Neither of them had seemed to notice that Hermione had slipped away. She had avoided Malfoy ever since that day. For some reason she couldn't find it in herself to talk to him, to thank him for what he had did. Ginny had constantly told her to thanks him, or to talk to him. Hermione made it back to the house with out getting spotted. She sat down in her room looking at the addresses of the apartments she would have to check out. There was a small knock on the door before Ginny walked in.
"Hey" Ginny said taking a seat next Hermione." Where were you?"
"Here" Said Hermione.
"Oh" Said Ginny staring at Hermione's blank expression." You left early huh, still trying to avoid Malfoy".
"Ginny, im going to lay down my head hurts," said Hermione standing up and pulling of her coat." Ill talk to you later"
" Ok Hermione ill come get you when its lunch ok, and if you still have a head ache ill bring something for it " Said Ginny standing up and looking one last time at Hermione." He grew up Hermione, don't stress about it" said Ginny closing the door.
Hermione stared out the window before grabbing a blanket and wrapping it around her half naked body and snuggling up into the soft cushioned chair by the window. Why was she so afraid to confront Malfoy and thank him? Was it because she was afraid of what he would say? What if he didn't grow up at all and still had that sneer that she hated so much? Why did she feel strange feelings in the pit of your belly as she thought about these things, about him and the way he was there for her? She drifted of into sleep with a promise to herself that she would go tomorrow morning, on Saturday and thanks him.
Hours later she was awoken by Ginny. She looked out over to the window and saw that the sun was sinking in the sky. She had slept through the whole day. Ginny handed Hermione a vile for her headache and she drank it gratefully before pulling herself out of her bed. Her bed, she had not remembered moving to her bed. She shrugged on a sweater and PJ pants and headed to the bathroom. She washed her face and made her way down stairs. She ate silently while Ginny and Harry tried to pull her into there conversation. She washed her dish and went to bed pondering on what she would do tomorrow.
------------------------------Tomorrow Morning------------------------------
Hermione opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling not wanting to get up yet. She sat up and stretched and pulled the covers back. She swung her legs over the bed and stood slowly. Hermione stared at her reflection in the bathroom mirror before brushing her teeth and taking a shower. She pulled on some clothes and looked her self over in the mirror. She pulled everything of before pulling on a plain white shirt and her eccentric knight's bridge vest and a pair of black jeans that stuck to her. She slipped into a pair of black ballet flats before grabbing a small sweater and her bag and heading down the stairs.
Harry and Ginny sat at the table dressed in relaxing clothes. They looked up at Hermione and stared.
"Where you off to" said Ginny Speaking first.
" I'm going to stop by my favorite cafe and then, then I'm going to take a trip to Malfoy flat" Said Hermione grabbing a biscuit and putting it in her mouth before slipping on her sweater and pulling out her wand. "Ill see you guys later".
"Hermione don't you think its a little early" Said Harry looking at the clock. It was nine thirty.
"I'm going to stop by greengots too" Said Hermione waving good bye before stepping outside. She walked to the apparition point and apparated to digon alley. She walked into the little cafe and was greeted by Erick The owner.
"Hey Hermione, long time no sees " Said Erick from the counter.
"Yes for the coffee ill take two and two large blueberry muffins" Said Hermione looking down at the pastries. "Oh and some of these pastries, and put it in a heat charmed bag I need it to stay warm".
"Sooo, this for Ron" Said Erick, in his overly gay voice, as he packed the coffee in an insulated container. Then he wrapped up the hot muffins in separate bags and stuck them in there. Hermione took it gratefully that she brought her toat bag with her. She pulled out some galleons and handed them to Erick before stuffing the bag in her giant tote bag so it would be easier to carry.
"Nope, broke up with him" Said Hermione turning to go. As she suspected Erick was by her in a flash.
"Why" Said Erick
"He's a cheating bastard who likes to man handle people and that's why he's all black and blue" Said Hermione proudly.
" Oh no he didn't" Said Erick stopping in his track." then he deserved what he got visit me tomorrow and tell me everything, k"
"Ok" Said Hermione walking out waving good bye to him. She made her way to greengots quickly and stopped as she saw Ron standing by the counter. She felt annoyance nag at her brain and spoke out loudly as she approached him.
"Hope your not taking out money out of out account till I brake away" Said Hermione making Ron turn.
"as, I was saying miss granger sent me a note days ago saying she was breaking from this account and that till that was finalized you may not enter it" Said the goblin in a bored voice.
"Thank you" Said Hermione walking around Ron, making sure not to brush up against him. "Here is the amount that I have deposited in the account and I would like it moved to my own account please. Here is my signature" Said Hermione handing a note to the goblin and signing the break form".
"Here's your new key. We have already moved this amount by keeping track of your deposits. That leaves two hundred and five gallons, ten sickle, and five Knuts in Ronald weasleys account" Said the goblin. Ron stared Hermione down.
"That's not all your money" Said Ron looking at how much was removed.
" Actually it is, I would have a lot more if you didn't keep on buying quiditch tickets over and over, which mans you owe me over one hundred gallons, would you like for me to take that now or later" Said Hermione in a low voice.
"I never used any of your money" Said Ron stepping closer to her.
Hermione stepped back and tucked her key inside her bag before turning. She felt Ron grab her arm roughly. She had half suspected him to have learned his lesson. She turned quickly slamming her fist into his cheek. He backed of and she speed walked out of greengots, daily prophet photographers flashing pictures and asking questions. She made her may to a clear area and apparated a defiant smile on her face. She appeared in front of the potter's house remembering that she could just floo to his place. She placed a protective charm on her clothes before throwing the floo powder into the fire lace. Harry and Ginny had left to go see a quiditch game at Hogwarts. IT was eleven fifteen already. She stepped inside the fire place and said Malfoy full name very clearly. Hermione stepped out of the fire place into a very grand living room. It was the size of her old flat alone.
"What would miss like" Said a house elf standing in front of her. Hermione looked down at the tiny creature and smiled.
"I would like to see Mr. Malfoy" said Hermione." um can our not tell him im here just quietly show me where he is".
Mr. Malfoy is in his office miss. This way" Said the tiny house elf. Hermione was lead down a giant hall passing at least five doors. They stopped in front of a double door. Hermione thanked the house elf quietly before steeping inside closing the door behind her. She looked around quickly noting the high book shelves and the wood paneled glass doors sealing them in.
"Is there something you wanted" Said a drawling voice from the other side of the room.
Hermione turned slowly looking at Malfoy who was casually leaning back in his chair staring at Hermione lazily. His sleeves were rolled up and his tie was loose as if he had been working all morning.
"Good morning" Said Hermione walking slowly toward his desk. She stopped at the chair in front of it." May I sit"?
"Sure, I don't see the point if you're not going to be here that long but go ahead" Said Malfoy leaning forward and scribbling a few things down on a piece of paper that was filled with writing. Hermione looked over his desk which was scattered with neat piles of parchments and files. Then she saw Ginny's handwriting on a piece of paper.
"I got that letter two days ago" Said Malfoy picking it up with a smirk." Tell Mrs. Potter she's welcome, I hadn't got to sending her a letter. I'm afraid I've been quite busy and tired lately".
"Oh I brought coffee" Said Hermione opening up her tote bag and carefully pulling out the bag filled with pastries and coffee. Hermione opened it slowly letting the smell drift over to him. She heard him chuckle and looked up. "Granger, Granger, Granger" Said Malfoy leaning back in his chair. Hermione ignored him and handed him one of the coffees; he stared at it before taking It." thank you".
" your welcome, even if I should be the one saying thank you for the other day and that im sorry Ron dragged you into that hearing stuff" aid Hermione handing him a the wrapped up blue berry muffin.
"Well your welcome Granger and you didn't really have to bring all of this" Said Malfoy setting down the coffee next to where she placed the muffin." Ill have to decline it".
Hermione stopped opening the box of pastries and stared at him in bewilderment." What".
"you don't have to repay me by bringing me breakfast, from Eric's, which brings me to another question. How did you know where I get my breakfast before work?" Said Malfoy sitting up.
Hermione blushed red before looking back down" I didn't, Erick and I are Friends, I go there for my breakfast all the time" Said Hermione as she set down the pastry box on the chair beside her. She looked up at Malfoy who was staring at the door.
" Come in Blaise, and stop ease dropping" Said Malfoy. Blaise Zabine opened the door with a smile on his face.
"How do you always know mate" Said Blaise walking over he stopped when he saw Hermione." And who is this pretty lady". Said blaise taking up the pastry box from the seat and sitting down." and what sweat treats she brought"
" That's Hermione Granger, mate, didn't she grow up to be such a" Malfoy stopped and reached for the coffee Hermione brought for him." elegant women'. Hermione turned red and took the pastry box from blaise just s he was about to grab something.
"um Ill be going then" aid Hermione closing the pastry box and standing. Malfoy looked her over before putting on a blank expression.
"I accept your offer Hermione" Said Malfoy reaching for the muffin first. Hermione smiled at the use of her first name and sat down. Opening the pastry box up again and setting it down on the cleared spot on his desk.
"Thank you" Said Hermione pulling out her coffee and taking a sip. Blaise reached for Draco's coffee. Malfoy took it back using his wand.
"Hey" Said Blaise stuffing a pastry in his mouth. Malfoy clapped his hand and called one of his house elves. Who brung Blaise a mug of hot coffee." Thanks, so whats Hermione got to thank you for mate".
"I..." Malfoy paused and looked at Hermione. She looked back at him.
"He helped me get away from Ron" Said Hermione her attention drawn to the dagger on a shelf.
"Oh, I always expected weasley to be the angry alpha male" Said Blaise chuckling as he picked out another pastry.
"I honestly think that Granger did allot more damage" Said Malfoy writing things down on a piece of paper.
" Mate, its Saturday morning, I came here expecting to wake you up" Said Blaise." and now your doing work".
"What are you working on" Said Hermione standing up and walking behind him. "Is this for greengots"?
"Yes " said Malfoy tucking away something that he didn't want her too see." I manage the money and things for the ministry under the ministers head office. Hermione stared at something some off his notes on the ministry's financial plans.
"Wow, this is so detailed" said Hermione skimming the notes as Malfoy packed away most of the files clearing of most of his desk. Hermione reached for a stray paper and knocking over one of his ink bottles. Hermione stepped back quickly dogging the ink drops that spilled all over Malfoy desk and soaked his white dress shirt. Malfoy pushed his chair back and stood quickly.
"Oh my god im so sorry, here ill get it" Said Hermione whipping out her wand and sucking up the ink from his desk before it touched any of his papers. She turned to him and watched in horror as he unbuttoned his shirt, and pulled it off, revealing hard well toned muscles very defined from his abs to his chest, as well as his arms which were just as defined. She stared at his body awed by how developed he was. She shut her gaping mouth and blushed quickly. Malfoy was hot, no steaming hot. She shook the thought from her head and turned quickly around. "I'm sorry".
"jeeze, she's as clumsy as pansy" said Blaise laughing and wiping tears from his eyes.
"yeah, Pansy does this twice a week" Sad Malfoy balling up his shirt.
"No I do not" Said a high voice from the door." here I am coming to visit my two Friends and there making fun of me, just when I was about to invite them to lunch. Pansy Parkinson stopped over to where they were. Her petite body and costumed fitted robes looked lethal.
"Sorry pansy" Said Blaise still laughing.
"Yeah, well, your forgiven" said pansy looking over to Hermione." Hello"
"Hi" Said Hermione shaking her small hand.
"You must be Jessica" said pansy." sorry I was away in France most of the time you were dating Draco, it nice it..."
"No, no, no I'm not Jessica I'm Hermione Granger" Said Hermione." And Malfoy would never date me".
"Granger, as in potters best friend, oh im sorry, Draco told me Jessica had brown curls. Do you know your going to be the head page of witch weekly tomorrow" said pansy. "I heard about what weasly did, and us witch's should stick together can I ask you a few questions".
"Umm" Hermione said bewildered and not sure what to say.
"Pansy" Said Malfoy." I don't think Granger wants to be interrogated by the second Reter skeeter, and you're speaking far to fast for her to comprehend".
"um I should go" said Hermione turning quickly she realized that she turned and stumbled into a half naked hands went out and she quickly jumped back. Her face turned bright red before she quickly stepped over to her bag she grabbed her half eaten muffin and coffee and hauled her bag over her shoulder.
"Join us for lunch
She turned around and looked into the piercing eyes of Draco Malfoy." um I really should go im having lunch with Ginny" She waved by and turned to leave.
A/N: what do you think please review?