Thank you to those who reviewed and read the first chapter.

Once again. Strong language here. Hope you all like it.

-x-

Hermione's stirred herself awake as sunlight spilled through the windows. As she sat up, she rested her face between her hands, groaning slightly with annoyance at her sleep being disturbed. Her eyes darted up and she reached for her wand out of instinct when she heard voices coming from downstairs. She stopped herself as the events of the early morning hours came back to her. Malfoy.

Draco fucking Malfoy was staying in her home. She didn't hate him, no, she only ever hated one man and he was dead. He could be such a pompous git, and it was that quality in him that drove her mad. She certainly didn't like the situation, but she knew if Lucius got his hands on the man that he would kill him. She could not stand for that. The evil poor excuse for a man had put Draco through enough, if she could help to keep him away she was going to do it. All she could do was hope that he was found soon and Draco would be out of her home.

She made her way downstairs and could hear that the other man in her home was Harry as she slowly begin to make out what the two men were saying.

"You're sure? There's no chance he is lying?" Draco asked.

"I'm positive. I preformed the legilimens myself. The barrier was in place. An unbreakable vow was made."

"Shit. Well what do you want to do now?"

"We'll have to go about it the long way and ask around. See if anyone knows anything."

"And you're sure veritiserum is out of the question?"

"You know it is. It could kill him if we tried."

"I know... Where do you want me on this now?"

"You're not going to like this...you need to stay here for now. At least until we can get a finger on where Lucius is, or who helped to get him out."

"You have to be fucking with me Potter!" his voice rose as he stood from the seat and he didn't notice the sounds of Hermione moving about in the kitchen. "We've been at it with this case for months, I'm not going to just sit on the sidelines because Lucius escaped."

"You're not on the sidelines Malfoy. Your better at research then me, and I still need you doing that. Just give us a few days to get a handle on this."

"You know why I can't stay here Potter. We talked about this" he said shooting him a grave look.

Hermione stilled her movements narrowing her eyes to the doorway that led to the study. What was he on about?

"I know." he paused giving Draco a stern look. He had confessed to him why he took such issue with staying at the witches home the previous night. "But this is what we have right now, so you're going to have to just get over yourself until we find another arrangement. In the mean time you must stay here. Do I make myself clear?"

"You sound like my bloody mother."

"Whom I owe my life to!" Harry raised his voice more then he had meant to. "When you became an auror, and later my partner, I promised her I would have your back and you know that."

"I don't need a fucking babysitter."

"No one is giving you a bloody babysitter. Hermione sure as hell isn't going to be watching over you. You're only here because of her wards, and there is no way your father would look here for you."

Draco went to speak but he released a defeated sigh as he pinched the bridge of his nose. Knowing Harry was right

"Fine." he said begrudgingly.

"I want your word on this. You can't leave here or go after him on your own."

"I'm not an idiot Potter. You have my word alright? But you better keep me in the loop on this. Do you have my files?"

Harry reached into his bag and removed two large files containing dozens of parchments as well as photos.

"I'll come over and fill you in when we find something else."

Draco nodded, and Harry turned to make his leave. The pair weren't exactly friends, they were partners, they had each others backs. Draco had initially been assigned to Harry due to everyone else refusing to work with him. It was a struggle at first given their history, however they were both surprised at how well they worked together, both in the office and out in the field. With time the remainder of the auror department had given him their trust. The only exception being Ron. Draco becoming Harry's new partner only furthered the mans hatred.

Tossing the files onto the desk Draco made for the kitchen deciding he needed coffee before he began pouring through the files. As he stepped in, he found Hermione sitting at the island with her own cup as she read over that mornings copy of the Daily Prophet.

He hesitated before speaking. "Granger" he said in a low voice.

She pulled her eyes away from the paper and narrowed them on him. She didn't say anything. She held her gaze for a moment before looking back to her reading. Draco scoffed as he moved to the counter to retrieve a mug. After fixing himself his he turned around to find Hermione staring him down again.

"What's your problem?" he asked in an agitated state. She furrowed her brows and continued shooting him daggers but kept quiet. "Right then." Draco said as he picked up his cup sauntering his way back to the study, but was halted before he could cross the threshold.

"So tell me Malfoy. What's the reason that your so disgusted by staying at my home."

"Excuse me?" he said over his shoulder before turning to her. His steel grey eyes looked as if they could burn through her.

"I heard you in there with Harry." she gestured towards the study.

"Eavesdropping now? You really have to know fucking everything don't you?"

"I'd hardly call it eavesdropping. This is my house and you were shouting."

"You know why. We can't stand each other. That's it."

"Bullshit. That wasn't what you were referring to. I know Harry, and his reaction said otherwise."

"Well than mind your own business." he said turning away from her.

She followed him out refusing to back down. "What's a matter Malfoy? Mad that you have to stay with a filthy mudblood?"

He rounded on her so fast she almost jumped. "Don't you dare Granger."

"What? Its the truth isn't it."

"No." he said through gritted teeth.

"Oh really?" she said as she stepped to him.

"Look Granger. I will say this to you exactly one time. Once, and never again. I'm sorry for calling you that in school, for ever making any degrading remarks on your blood status. I don't think those things anymore, I haven't in a long time."

"And I'm supposed to just believe you?"

"Do whatever the fuck you want. I don't give a shit. But don't ever accuse me of thinking that way again."

"So then tell me what your fucking issue with me is."

"No. I may have to stay here for the time being, but I have no obligation to answer any of your questions. Especially anything regarding my personal life."

"I don't see why you-"

"Leave it Granger!" he yelled.

"Fine." she yelled back refusing to let him have the last word.

They went their separate ways. Draco pouring himself into his work, leaving Hermione to stew in her anger. She paced back and fourth in the kitchen, agitated by their argument and becoming more frustrated that she didn't know what the interaction between him and Harry was about. What could his issue possibly be? What had she ever done to him? He was the one who was a complete prat throughout school.

A part of her shrunk down inside at his words. Did he actually apologize? Harry had told her countless times that Draco had changed. While she trusted her friends judgement, she still found herself second guessing the pale wizard. Draco had returned to Hogwarts for his final year as she had done. They had gotten into countless spats that year, but never once had he called her the vile name again. Somewhere deep within her, she knew he didn't carry those views. She knew it when she agreed to let him stay. She felt a small sliver of guilt tug at her for jumping to accuse him.

She stopped her pacing and rested her hands on her hips, exhaling as if she were trying to rid herself of the anger that was flowing through her veins. Damn it, that man could get under her skin. 'It's only a few days' she said to herself.

-x-

Not a terribly long chapter, but I will try to increase them as I go. Hope you enjoyed. Please review.