Disclaimer re: Harry Potter belonging to J.K.R goes here.

A/N: And so the fun begins... I have delved into a bit of psych studies but never took it seriously. Thanks for your reviews! :P

Chapter 7

"Ron dear, Harry, Hermione, I'm sure you remember Padma, her fiancé Blaise, and Draco from school? This is my cousin Carla, and colleague Keira." Luna enthused.

Ron was the first to move and approached them shaking all their hands. His hesitation in greeting Blaise and Malfoy was obvious to Hermione and Harry but he succumbed to playing host. Hermione could not believe Carla was Luna's cousin, but it made sense in some strange way. Their facial features conveyed some common resemblance, with their perfect symmetry. She hoped she wouldn't have to discuss business with her. Harry and Hermione both walked over to Padma in an effort to mingle.

"So Padma, you and Blaise eh?" Harry started, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"Yeah, a bit surreal isn't it? We met through work; we both work at St. Mungo's. I'm a healer but Blaise is Director of operations." Hermione was trying to listen but was distracted by Malfoy's presence amongst her best friends. They knew nothing of their recent contact, even though there was nothing to tell, she hadn't even mentioned that she had run into him at the ball, or through work.

"So, when is the big day?" Hermione felt compelled to ask.

"Not for a while, we just got engaged, so probably next year." She offered pleasantly. Padma was friendlier with Harry than Hermione, she had never kept any close girl friends other than Ginny, who was by default. Lavender Brown was probably the only person she saw regularly, since she worked at the Ministry. "Are you two together?" Padma questioned.

"What?" She hadn't been listening as she averted her eyes back to Padma.

Harry jumped in for the save though, responding, "No, still best of friends though," as he smiled at her. Blaise walked over and circled his arm around Padma, directing a nod to Harry and Hermione.

"Hi, it's been a while since I've see you two," he was being politely sociable. Hermione hardly knew Blaise, and Harry didn't like him for sheer fact that he was a Slytherin who associated with Malfoy. Despite all the post war efforts for reconciliation they had maintained a cool distance. He didn't hate Malfoy like he once had. Rather, he just disliked his character, personality, and what he stood for. They were civil in public, given that Malfoy had sponsored the English Quidditch team.

They started on small talk, asking what each had been up to, divulging little information that mattered but keeping up polite conversation in any case. Blaise and Harry seemed to share a similar sense of humour, which inevitably turned to discussing Quidditch, leaving Hermione feeling uninterested. She excused herself and went in to the kitchen for a drink, offering refreshments to the others.

Hermione had the refrigerator door open, and was reaching in for a few butterbeers. She pulled out six bottles, three in each hand was a potentially hazardous effort and closing the door would require the gentle kick of a leg. As she pulled out and swung the door shut with her foot she looked up to face the distinctly unique eyes of Malfoy. It was lucky she didn't drop the bottles in her fright.

"Malfoy!" She exclaimed, trying to calm herself. "Don't creep up on people like that!"

"Are one of those for me?" He asked expectantly, ignoring her admonishment. She always seemed to exhibit a reproachful demeanour in the first instances of their interactions.

"Sure, whatever," she lifted her right arm so he could pull one away from her grip, disgruntled at his lack of acknowledgment.

"Thanks," he grinned. It was one of those unfamiliar responses that caught her off guard.

"I can't work you out Granger," he started as he too a swig of his frosty drink, "I don't know whether it's been you and Weasley, or Potter…or maybe both?" his voice lowered significantly at the last part as his left eyebrow rose suggestively.

Shocked at the comment, Hermione snapped, "I am rather confused Malfoy, since I don't see how it is any of your business!" Her voice had probably travelled to the others just outside. She gestured to move away from him.

"Careful Granger, we are in the company of others. But your answer tells me you have something to hide," he retorted pleasingly.

"Think what you like. It really amazes me how nosy you are for a man."

"Man enough for you?" Her eyes widened before shifting to a cool glare. He was messing with her again.

"Don't make me gag."

"No, I don't believe I have previously caused that reaction."

"What are you insinuating?"

"Only the obvious."

"Oh, so you are a pompous arse that likes to have the upper hand?"

"I might be, but it certainly pays off in the bedroom"

"Thankyou, for ruining my appetite."

"Not to worry, it's something I can put right if you let me?"

"Are you flirting with me?" She had to be blunt. It was his turn to stumble and she inwardly laughed at his reaction knowing he didn't expect this.

His surprise was obvious, and then he seemed to reflect a moment before answering, "I believe I am, what are you going to do about it? And, don't walk away, that is just too predictable."

"Well then, that leaves me no option than to excuse my predictable behaviour. Don't make this into something it's not. Anyway, don't you think we should head back out before one of the others has a cardiac arrest at our intimate interaction?" Her eyes twinkled in defiance.

He chuckled. That was new. "Lead the way."

Back outside Hermione approached Harry, Padma and Blaise with drinks, keeping one for her own consumption. She looked over to see Malfoy whispering with Carla, which only made her cringe, and Ron and Luna were entertaining Keira. Why was he flirting with her if he was here with Carla? Typical for him to date a colleague, she reflected.

"So Hermione, when is the next issue of Understanding Muggles due?" She was shocked that Blaise would ask her such a question.

"You've read it?" she asked with interest.

"Yeah, Draco gave me a copy the other day, asked me to have a look at it. I was impressed." Blaise said eagerly. Not only had Blaise, a pureblood Slytherin, read her magazine, but Malfoy had too? He had made out that he was not interested in it in the least and had disassociated himself from the Ministry. She was in a state of incredulity, and it annoyed her to no end that it was directed toward Malfoy.

"Well, it was supposed to be a monthly journal, but it seems it's turning quarterly - Ministry funding issues and all, although I probably shouldn't mention that." She grimaced as an image thin lipped Dixon appeared in her thoughts. "But, I am glad to hear you found it worthwhile."

"That's a shame; it's a popular read amongst patients. You should have a few articles in there about muggle methods being adopted by healers," Padma offered.

Blaise nodded in agreement. "Definitely, there have been a lot of new developments at St Mungos. I would be happy to contribute."

"Thanks, I might just take you up on that offer." She smiled, feeling rather happy with the fact that Padma and Blaise were genuinely interested in the potential of the magazine. She glanced over at Malfoy as she took a sip of her drink, he was talking to Harry.

"Can everyone find a seat at the table, we are about to serve lunch," Luna interrupted suddenly. Hermione, pre-occupied with her thoughts, was one of the last to move over to the table. 'This will be interesting', she thought. Harry signalled her to sit next to him but Keira moved to sit instead, oblivious to Harry's gestures. He gave her an apologetic look as she compromised by sitting next to Keira. There were an odd number of guests which meant the opposite end had four seats to the three on her side. Ron sat at the head of the table at her end, and Luna at the other. At least there was some consolation that she would not have to interact with Luna. But, she had spoken too soon, as Malfoy and Carla sat opposite her, Blaise next to Malfoy, and Padma on the end near Luna. 'This should be very interesting,' she frowned.

"Having a good time? I didn't realise who would be coming," Ron leaned over and whispered to Hermione.

She smiled signalling that it was fine, "It's nothing to worry about. Padma and Blaise are actually really nice. And besides, I am here to catch up with my best friends first." He patted her hand in agreement before getting up to deal with his host duties. Hermione looked across the table to see that Malfoy had been eyeing their exchange as Carla was prattling away about something. He smirked at her contemplatively. She turned to talk to Keira, yet to speak to her all day.

"Keira, is it?" She prompted.

"Yes, Hermione right?"

"Yeah, so do you work at the Quibbler?

"No, I work in publishing, I am editing Luna's latest book."

"Oh wow, how is that going?"

"Well, I have my moments; Luna has an interesting vocabulary which often leaves me wondering whether I am in the right line of work. She writes with such conviction," she laughed. Hermione could not help but laugh too, thinking of all the creatures Luna would discuss that no one had previously heard of.

"I can imagine what you mean." She nodded, glancing over at the other end of the table where Luna was engaged in conversation with Harry, Padma and Blaise, waving her hands about as she did when she was feeling rather passionate about something.

"So, what do you do," Keira asked.

"I work at the Ministry, in Muggle relations."

"Don't be modest Hermione," Ron interrupted rather loudly as he set down the salads on the table at their end. "She is the Director of Muggle Relations." He said it rather proudly, making her blush slightly. Keira was visibly impressed.

"So are you responsible for the magazine Understanding Muggles then?" Malfoy and Carla's attention was instantly drawn to their conversation. Hermione knew this would happen.

"Yes, I am," she offered, hoping that would be the end of the conversation.

"Don't you think it's a great little magazine?" Carla interjected, entering the conversation with the right amount of force. Hermione glanced up at her, sending a warning look not to delve into business affairs. She simply smiled back innocently. Malfoy was sitting back in his seat, his arm around Carla's chair, déjà vu seemed to kick in. If only he was holding a pen.

"Yes, I think it's great. The things you learn at school, if you do decide to take muggle studies in the first place, are more insightful rather than practical. I was fascinated by the article about that internet thing and the floo-apparition equivalents muggles utilise."

"I thought the same thing, too bad it's only issued quarterly." Carla said ruefully. She was a great actress, Hermione decided.

"Oh, really? That's too bad, I would definitely subscribe to it fortnightly! It raises as lot of new ideas for publishing, everyone has been reading it at work. There are few current books on the topic." Keira seamed genuinely disappointed. Hermione was out of sorts.

"Well, it not definite yet, but it is likely to only be a quarterly issue," Hermione reassured. She did not know why she said that but it certainly raised the hopes of Malfoy and Carla. He raised an eyebrow at her questioningly, she ignored it.

"Does that mean you are still considering alternative options?" he suddenly asked, leaning forward. This was the first time Malfoy had said a word to her in everyone's presence all day. He spoke with such a confident tone; the whole table had now turned their attention to their conversation. Hermione was feeling rather riled by the sudden attention and the unshakeable feeling that she was under duress to respond favourably.

Hermione concentrated her attention on him; she would answer with the same conviction. "It is something that still needs to go through the department's approval," she replied. She knew it was vague and he wouldn't buy it, albeit everyone else seemed satisfied.

"As director of your department, does that mean your approval?" He was being a cocky bastard.

"Well the ultimate decision is mine, but my department requires full disclosure to all participants who will be collaborating. I can't suddenly offload more work to my employees. There may be a need for re-structure or a definitive team," she asserted, her confidence was re-affirmed but she hated how he had a way of putting her on the spot, making her think twice before answering.

He merely nodded, "Yes, I'd forgotten about the bureaucratic measures involved, good luck with that." He might have seemed genuine to the others but Hermione sensed his sarcastic undertone, he had not bought her reasoning but decided not to push it further, as his interest in the affairs of the muggle relations department would not go unnoticed. He was, after all, a Slytherin pureblood prince first and foremost.

Ron came back to the table, waving his wand for the rest of the food to appear. The flutes in front of them filled with champagne and Hermione's stomach almost flipped at the sight of the bubbly but accepted the glass politely as Ron prompted a toast.

"To my lovely wife, my great friends and good company, cheers everyone," Ron lifted his glass, his attention on his wife at the other end. The guests followed suit as Hermione took a sip of her champagne, careful not to stir up the feeling she was about to dry retch at the taste. Her eyes averted to Malfoy, he was staring back at her, drinking through his flute, his eyes twinkling with mischief. He was the only one that had ever seen her drunk.

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A/N: ...and so it will continue from Draco's view next time...